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[0001]     This patent application claims priority based upon U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/499,757 filed Sep. 3, 2003 on a Stud Plumbing Apparatus filed by applicant, Todd McGonigal, and currently pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention deals with the field of construction most generally. In construction usually a plurality of studs are positioned at regular intervals of usually 16 inches apart from one another to define an overall flat or planar surface against which walls, panels, floors or ceilings are secured. The present invention is most particularly usable for walls wherein sheetrock or paneling is secured directly thereto and when used with such vertically extending planar surfaces, the construction panels when attached need to be plumb or perpendicularly oriented with respect to the ground or floor area.  
         [0004]     In order to provide a firm manner of securement of the sheetrock it is preferable that the end of the stud facing inwardly into the room be located in a common plane with the ends of all the other nearby studs forming the support structure for a wall formed by a construction panel being secured extending thereacross. In this manner a means of forming a wall surface by securing the sheetrock thereto is provided.  
         [0005]     Usually such studs are made from relatively inexpensive wood products which have a tendency to be somewhat irregular in shape. Also they may not be dried fully and can cup or twist even after placed as a wall support structure. That is, they may still include a substantially large content of pulp or moisture therewithin and as they dry such studs tend to change shape and deviate sometimes significantly from their overall rectangular cross-section or deviate from true straightness. This is particularly enhanced because of the fact that since such wood is hidden behind walls after construction is completed they are normally formed of relatively inexpensive wood. Such wood tends to have more imperfections than more expensive hardwoods. Such studs are normally made of spruce or fir or other inexpensive but structurally soft woods.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides a means for maintaining a constantly even plane amongst the inwardly facing edges of all studs forming the securement surface for sheetrock which defines a wall in a room.  
         [0007]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0008]     Many devices or aids have been utilized for the purpose of wall construction some of which maintain perpendicularity of the wall with respect to the floor, others of which maintain proper spacing between the studs, others which maintain the vertical plane of the wall. Examples of such patents are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,686,959 patented Aug. 24, 1954 to W. C. Robinson on a “Spacing Tool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,874 patented Aug. 24, 1965 to D. F. Christy on a “Self-Positioning Stud Spacing Gauge”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,352 patented Sep. 13, 1977 to L. E. Sweet on a “Bridging Clip For Truss Joists”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,614 patented Dec. 9, 1980 to J. R. Williams on an “Adjustable Locator For Furring Strips”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,921 patented Dec. 20, 1983 to I. H. Hardin on a “Building Spacer”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,908 patented Mar. 13, 1984 to P. M. Semler, Jr. on an “Offset, Extendable, Quick-Release Plumbness Indicating Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,337 patented Jul. 9, 1985 to C. F. Dreiling on a “Framing Stud Template”; and United States Design Patent No. Des.290,236 patented Jun. 9, 1987 to F. A. Custine on a “Floor Joint And Stud Installation Gauge”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,726 patented Jul. 4, 1989 to J. E. Ward on a “Stud Alignment And Positioning Tool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,250 patented Oct. 8, 1991 to R. E. Foss and assigned to E-Z Shim, Inc. on a “Flexible Window Shim Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,233 patented Nov. 17, 1992 to S. G. Benson on a “Stud Alignment Tool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,310 patented Sep. 2, 1997 to S. L. Carson on a “Stud Adjuster Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,795 patented Jun. 23, 1998 to L. K. Jimenez on a “Stud Template”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,546 patented Jun. 22, 1999 to J. W. Kuchenbrod et al and assigned to Flight-X Corporation on a “Stud Alignment Tool And Method Of Use”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,554 patented Oct. 5, 1999 to B. F. Kamykowski on a “Stud Layout Template”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,531 patented Aug. 17, 1999 to T. D. Menk et al on an “Adjustable Spacing Tool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,336 patented Jun. 6, 2000 to R. D. Rodgers on a “Framing Tool”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,528 patented May 8, 2001 to P. R. Billings and assigned to Donna Maree Billings on a “Clamping/Shaping Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,908 patented May 7, 2002 to J. A. Fisher on a “Stud Setting Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,859 patented May 14, 2002 to R. T. Varney and assigned to T&amp;S Products, Inc. on a “Tool For Simultaneously Spacing, Positioning, And Aligning Construction Materials, And Method Of Using Same”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,501 patented Jun. 18, 2002 to J. M. Cerrato on a “Shimless-Shim Jamb Mounting Assembly”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,695 patented Jul. 16, 2002 to L. R. Daudet et al and assigned to Aegis Metal Framing LLC on a “Building Component Spacer Brace”; and United States Design Patent No. D463,575 patented Sep. 24, 2002 to L. R. Dadudet et al and assigned to Dietrich Industries, Inc. on a “Spacer Bar”.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides a uniquely configured design wherein an adjustable framing stud spacing means can be secured to a stud in order to define a face plate which is movably securable with respect to a stud such that it cooperates therewith to define a planar securement surface which is aligned with respect to adjacent similar surfaces or similar studs to provide an overall flat plane to which sheetrock or other construction panels can be secured for providing a wall surface structurally.  
         [0010]     The apparatus includes two side panels positionable on either side of the wide faces of the studs which can be detached thereto at various locations in order to compensate for a framing stud which is somewhat irregularly shaped or which curls or checks either before or after being secured in the overall wall construction.  
         [0011]     Since the position of the face plate of the spacing means of the present invention can be adjusted with respect to a framing stud through an infinite number of positions, the face plate will be oriented such that it is perfectly planar with the adjacent framing studs which will define the planar surface for forming a floor or ceiling or, most particularly, a wall surface.  
         [0012]     In use, normally the fixture of the present invention will be secured either at the uppermost or lowermost location such that the face plate is spaced from the stud such that it is planar with the adjacent surrounding studs that form the wall, floor or ceiling surface. Once positioned then a measurement is taken in order to be sure that the face plate itself is aligned with the adjacent framing studs to form a planar support surface. For walls this measurement assures that the studs defining the wall understructure are all plumb such that the final wall formed when sheetrock is attached extending thereof is perfectly perpendicularly oriented with respect to the floor. This planar support surface is achieved by pivoting the opposite or opposite non-secured end until the face plate is perfectly aligned in a plane with supporting surfaces of the surrounding framing studs. Once the face plate of the spacing means of the present invention is properly aligned, then the user will insert nails, screws or in any other manner, in order to affix the side panels to the adjacently positioned stud faces which will firmly hold the face plate in proper position and in this manner provide a perfectly planar surface against which large sheets of construction panels such as sheetrock or paneling can be secured. Such sheets are normally sheetrock or other similar panels commonly sold in 4′×8′, 4′10′, 4′×12′ or even larger sheets.  
         [0013]     The manner of attachment of the sheetrock to the face plate will be screws directly thereinto. Alternatively, nails could be driven therein. In either case the material of the face plate is chosen such that it can be easily penetrated by these fasteners in order to affix or secure the wall material thereto. With this design, fasteners of extended length could be utilized to be assured that the mounting screw or nail that extends through the sheetrock will perforate the face plate of the present spacing apparatus and, also, preferably extend into the stud itself which is spaced inwardly therefrom at certain locations.  
         [0014]     Also it is preferable that apertures be defined in both side panels to facilitate the securement directly to the framing studs. Normally these apertures are formed by laterally punching through the side panels. These holes are normally punched in an inward direction such that the protruding material or flashing remaining from the extra material left after punching the hole will extend inwardly and aid in the preliminary affixing of the side panels relative to the faces of the stud prior to driving a threaded fastener therethrough. Thus, the burrs extending inwardly from punching of the apertures in the sides panels will provide a preliminary or temporary means of retaining the side panels in position relative to a framing stud when initially placed therebetween. These burrs will drag along the wood fibers as the spacing means and the face plate thereof are adjusted such that the face plate aligns with the adjacent framing stud supporting surfaces.  
         [0015]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which has a minimum number of moving parts.  
         [0016]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means of limited cost to easily correct lack of true shape in a construction stud.  
         [0017]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which can be easily made of metal or other material.  
         [0018]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which requires no maintenance.  
         [0019]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which can be quickly and easily installed over a stud which is not true or not planar with respect to the adjacent surfaces.  
         [0020]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which can easily provide a mounting surface which is co-planar with adjacent studs or adjacent walls or floors or ceilings for a stud that is not of a perfect shape.  
         [0021]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable framing stud spacing means which can be adjustably positional secured to a stud to always provide a secure mounting surface therealong for securement of wall forming materials such as sheetrock or paneling thereto. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     While the invention is particularly pointed out in the concluding portions herein, a preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed description which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an adjustable framing stud spacing means attached to an adjacent stud;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view showing an embodiment of the adjustable framing stud spacing means of the present invention secured to a stud generally;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the adjustable framing stud spacing means shown in  FIG. 4  attached to a stud which is inclined away from the room surface in the lower portion thereof;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of the adjustable framing stud spacing means shown in  FIG. 5  attached to a stud which is inclined away from the room surface in the upper portion thereof;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown positioned over a stud which includes a recessed or depressed central portion;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 4  taken along lines 8-8; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an embodiment of an adjustable framing stud spacing means of the present invention showing the innermost and outermost positioning of a stud within the stud gripping zone. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]     The present invention provides an adjustable framing stud spacing means or stud plumbing apparatus  10  having a face plate  12  which faces outwardly therefrom to define a plane perpendicular to adjacent wall, ceiling or floor structures which can be oriented perpendicular thereto in order to provide a planar mounting surface for sheetrock  40  or other similar wall board.  
         [0033]     The adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  includes a first return section  14  and a second return section  16  extending rearwardly from the face plate  12  back toward side panels. A first side panel  18  extends outwardly from the first return section  14  and a second side panel  20  extends rearwardly from the second return section  16 . The first and second side panels  18  and  20  usually extend parallel with respect to one another and are normally spaced approximately equal to the width of a stud such as to be capable of being placed extending therearound. Preferably the first and second side panels  18  and  20  are made of flexibly resilient materials such as metal and are spaced apart slightly less than the lateral dimension of the stud in order to facilitate gripping thereof when place therebetween in the stud gripping zone  72 .  
         [0034]     Stud  22  is normally made from a conventional wood or similar material and includes four faces to define an overall rectangular shape. Studs  22  include an inner stud end face  24  as well as an outer stud end face  26  opposite and approximately parallel thereto. Stud  22  also is defined by a first stud side surface  28  and a second stud side surface  30 . Such studs  22  are often called 2×4&#39;s, however by convention they are sized somewhat less. That is, the lateral dimension of the inner stud end face  24  and the outer stud end face  26  normally is approximately {fraction (1/2)}″ inches which is ½″ shorter than the 2″ claimed dimension. Similarly the lateral width of the first stud side face  28  and the second stud side face  30  is approximately 3½″ which is approximately {fraction (1/2)}″ less than the advertised 4″ dimension. Thus, a 2″×4″ stud is normally actually ½″ by 3½″ by carpenters&#39; convention. It should also be appreciated that the present invention is usable with various different sizes of studs. For example, in older houses 2″×4″ studs are a full 2″ by 4″ or can be even heavier. The present invention can have the appropriate adjustments in sizes while maintaining the proportions of the sizes of the parts to be usable with a 2″×4″ stud, a narrower stud or a significantly wider and/or deeper framing stud.  
         [0035]     These studs are normally arranged regularly spaced from one another to define planar surfaces used for supporting walls, ceilings or floors where a construction panel such as sheetrock  40  is secured extending thereover. The present invention is particularly usable when used with such studs  22  arranged to form a wall surface. With this configuration the inner stud end face  24  will face inwardly toward the inner portion of the wall whereas the outer stud end face  26  will be positioned within the wall and does not present a useful surface normally. The first stud side face  28  will extend from the inner stud end face  24  to the outer stud end face  26  along one side thereof and the second stud side face  30  will extend between these stud ends  24  and  26  on the opposite side thereof. Thus the inner stud end face  24  and the outer stud end face  26  will be approximately parallel with respect to one another and approximately perpendicular with respect to the first stud side face  28  and the second stud side face  30 . Again, side faces  28  and  30  are approximately parallel to one another.  
         [0036]     Ideally such studs  22  are configured with planar faces and accurate dimensions. However, since such framing studs  22  are usually made from a naturally occurring material such as wood, these dimensions sometimes vary and the straightness of such studs  22  can vary significantly. For that reason it is difficult at times to provide a truly planar surface against which sheetrock  40  can be attached to form wall surfaces without providing gaps between the inner stud end faces  24  and the rear face of the sheetrock  40 . As such, the present invention provides an adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  which is attachable extending over the inner stud end face  24  and replaces this inner stud end face  24  for the purpose of defining the initial engagement surface for sheetrock fasteners  42  which will extend through the sheetrock  40  into the face plate  12  of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  and optionally further inwardly therefrom into the material of the inner stud end face  24 .  
         [0037]     The adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  will be attached with respect to the stud  22  by the means of penetrating fasteners  32 . A plurality of first side apertures or holes  34  will be defined in the first stud side face  28  and a plurality of second side apertures or holes  36  will be defined in the second stud side face  30  for the purpose of receiving fasteners extending therethrough. These fasteners will have the capability of attaching the first side panel  18  of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  at various locations relative to the first stud side face  28 . Similarly the second side apertures  36  defined in the second side panel  20  will have the ability to vary the relative positioning between the second side panel  20  and the second stud side face  30 . This secured position can be varied in order to define the face plate  12  in a perfectly planar position, that is, in a plane usually perpendicularly oriented with respect to the adjacent wall, floor or ceiling structure and in an aligned planar position with respect to adjacently positioned framing studs within the same wall or similar panel.  
         [0038]     When utilizing the apparatus of the present invention it should be appreciated that most studs  22  will be straight and will not require an adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  secured thereto. Thus, the inner stud end face  24  of most of the studs  22  will comprise the securement surface for attaching the sheetrock fasteners  42  thereinto. However, some studs will be warped in various manners relative to the plane of the desired construction surface or will include checking or twisting in such a manner that the inner stud end face  24  is so far from the proper planar position that it will be preferable to provide a new and truer securement surface. As such this stud will receive the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention secured thereto. A carpenter or construction craftsman will normally identify a particular stud  22  which requires use of the spacer apparatus. The spacer apparatus  10  will be placed thereon by positioning of the first side panel  18  thereof extending over the first stud side face  28  and by positioning of the second side panel  20  extending over the second stud side face  30 . The approximate position of one end normally the upper end of the face plate  12  will be chosen. On that end, which is normally the upper end, the positioning of the face plate  12  will be approximated to a point even with the proper vertical plumb position. Once this positioning is chosen the penetrating fasteners  32  such as nails or screws can be driven through the first side apertures  34  and the second side apertures  36  at the uppermost portion of the first side panel  18  and the second side panel  20 . Next it is necessary to adjust the position of the lower portion thereof for maintaining the face plate  12  planar to the surrounding framing studs. As such, the user will then adjust the position of the lower end of the face plate  12  by moving the lower portion of the spacing apparatus  10  either toward the stud  22  or away therefrom as necessary in order to make the lower adjustable portion of the face plate  12  planar with respect to the fixed upper portion of the face plate  12 . Once the face plate  12  is deemed by the carpenter to be properly positioned then the fasteners  32  will be nailed or screwed through the first side apertures  34  through the lower openings of the first side apertures  34  into the first stud side face  28  and the fasteners will be secured through the lowermost of the second side apertures  36  into the second stud side face  30 . In this manner the positioning of the entire adjustable framing stud spacing means apparatus  10  will then be fixedly secured with respect to the stud  22  and a planar outer supporting face plate  12  will be provided in alignment with the supporting surfaces of adjacent framing studs. This adjustable feature of the spacing apparatus  10  of the present invention is a unique advantage in view of the fact that it presents a securement surface which is easily made planar with respect to surrounding support structures and adjacent studs.  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 3  the sheetrock fasteners  42  are shown at various levels of penetration. The two outer fasteners show the nails positioned extending through the sheetrock  40  and through the face plate  12  of the apparatus  10  and further inwardly extending due to their length through the inner stud end face  24  into the stud  22  for firm securement. While this is the preferred configuration it is also possible that a firm securement can be provided by an attachment such as shown by the central fixedly located nail or fastener  42  which extends through the sheetrock  40  into the face plate  12  only and does not penetrate to a sufficient depth to extend into the stud  22 . Since the face plate  12  is of a metallic material it will provide a secure means of affixing thereto despite not extending completely into the stud  22 . Another position for the sheetrock fastener is shown in the alternative sheetrock fastener  44  which also can provide firm securement in those situations where the sheetrock fastener  44  is driven through a position not in alignment with the stud itself but still in alignment with the face plate  12 . This is shown by nail  44  which will be securely held in place since it can extend not only through the face plate  12  but also through the first return section  14  as shown in  FIG. 3  or the second return section  16 . In either of those situations the more firm securement of the sheetrock fastener  44  is achieved since it extends through the material of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  at two locations both in the face plate  12  and in the return sections  14  or  16 . In this manner the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention also provides a much wider target area or sweet spot for receiving fasteners secured thereinto. Normally the target for penetrating sheetrock fasteners  42  or  44  is merely the {fraction (1/2)}″ width of the inner stud face  24  of stud  22 . However the present invention can provide a significantly wider target equal to the entire width of the face plate  12  which can be as wide as 2½″ or even greater.  
         [0040]     In the figures,  FIG. 4  shows the apparatus  10  used with a standardly positioned stud which perhaps might be recessed slightly from the desired plane of the wall and therefore the spacing apparatus  10  can move such that the face plate  12  is positioned spatially outwardly from the inner stud end face  24  equally therealong. This would be the use for a particular framing stud that is mispositioned by being positioned too far deeply into the wall.  
         [0041]      FIG. 5 , however, shows a different problem with the stud  22  wherein it is angled with the lower portion extending too far into the wall in the upper portion approximately equal to the proper plumb position. With this design the spacing apparatus  10  of the present invention will be secured with an increased space near the lower portion thereof to equalize and assure planar positioning of the face plate  12 . The opposite position is depicted in  FIG. 6  wherein the stud  22  is canted rearwardly as it extends upwardly. There the spacing means  10  will be spaced from the inner stud end face  24  near the upper portion thereof greater than the lower portion in order to make the face plate  12  plumb.  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows a further problem with a distorted framing stud  22  wherein the central portion is recessed such as with a twisted or otherwise warped stud  22 . With that defect, the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention will be positioned thereover such as to move the securement surface in the central portion outwardly but will be equal to the positioning in the upper and lower portions since the upper and lower portions are properly located whereas the central portion is somewhat recessed into the wall. Thus, it can be seen that the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention is used to correct many, many different types of problems presented by studs.  
         [0043]     It should be further appreciated that the apertures  34  in the first side and the apertures  36  in the second side will normally be punched. It is desired that they be punched inwardly toward the face of the side panels  18  and  20  which will be brought into abutment with the stud side faces  28  and  30 . This is important because the punching of these holes will often leave flared metals burrs  46  around the apertures as shown best in  FIG. 3 . This flared metal will further facilitate engaging of the first side panel  18  with respect to the first stud side face  28  and of the second side panel  20  with respect to the second stud side face  30 . Thus when the fasteners  32  are driven through the side apertures they will facilitate further engagement between the side panels  18  and  20  and the stud side faces  28  and  30 , respectively.  
         [0044]     It is important to appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention allows you to position the planar support surface of a stud in a very short amount of time and it also is adaptable to ceiling joints and floor joists that are not level if needed. It also provides a much wider target under the sheetrock for securing or nailing of wall material thereto.  
         [0045]     It should be appreciated that one of the important aspects of the apparatus  10  of the present invention is that conventional fasteners can be used to attach it to wood studs such as conventional nails or screws. Also it is important to appreciate that the entire configuration of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  can be formed by a single extrusion which greatly facilitates manufacturing and decreases the cost thereof. Also the material from which the face plate  12  and the other portions of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  can be made from various gauges of material in order to vary the strength thereof and control the ability of fasteners to penetrate therethrough and be secured with respect thereto. Also the vertical dimension of the materials can be changed easily merely by cutting the length. Sections can be easily cut from the side panels to allow plumbing or other similar lines to run laterally through studs to which the spacing means of the present invention is attached. For example, only a portion of the stud may be misshaped and the remaining portion of the stud may be properly true and, as such, the apparatus  10  of the present invention could be cut either with tin sheers or a hacksaw or any other conveniently available cutting apparatus for the purpose of extending only over that portion of the stud that requires a face plate  12  to present a true securement surface for the sheetrock  40 . It should also be appreciated that the spacing apparatus  10  of the present invention can be easily notched for the purpose of providing plumbing or electrical wiring access therethrough or there away from.  
         [0046]     The positioning of the side apertures  34  and  36  can be at various locations. However, it is preferred that they are positioned approximately every few inches to assure proper securement with respect to adjacent stud  22  and to allow usage in many different applications.  
         [0047]     Preferably there will be a slight outward flare at the outermost edges of the side panels  18  and  20 . These outer flares are shown as  52  and  54  in  FIG. 8 . These outer flared end portions of the first side panel  18  and the second side panel  20  will greatly facilitate positioning upon a stud  22 . There will be some flexing in the material of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  and, as such, they can be slightly flexed outwardly to fit around the stud  22  initially. However, these outwardly flared areas  52  and  54  will enhance this positioning initially.  
         [0048]     It should be appreciated that the material from which the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention is made will be of a heavier gauge for those applications where flooring is involved since more significant support and heavier materials are normally used for flooring which support weight and have more wear and tear than wall and ceiling structure.  
         [0049]     The construction of the adjustable framing stud spacing means  10  of the present invention includes the face plate  12  which defines a front face plate surface  60  against which the sheetrock or construction panel  40  will abut for securement. The opposite side from the front face plate surface  60  of the face plate  12  will be defined as the rear face plate surface  62 . The first return section  14  will extend rearwardly from preferably one lateral edge of the face plate  12  at an acute angle  76  of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the rear face plate surface  62  and extending thereover. The first side panel  18  will extend obliquely rearwardly and angularly with respect to the first return section  14 . First side panel  18  will include a first outer side surface  66 , and a first inner side surface  64 . First inner side surface  64  will be adapted to engage a stud  22  when positioned within the stud gripping zone  72  for facilitating gripping thereof.  
         [0050]     The second return section  16  will be secured to the opposite vertically extending edge of face plate  12  and will extend rearwardly therefrom at a second acute angle  76 . The second acute angle  76  is preferable approximately 45 degrees as it extends across the rear face plate surface  62 . Although it is preferable that the first return section  14  and the second return section  16  extend toward one another each being at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the rear face plate surface  62 , any angle is actually acceptable, although 45 degrees is the preferred configuration.  
         [0051]     A second side panel  20  will be secured to the second return section  16 , and extend rearwardly therefrom. Preferably, the first side panel  18  and the second side panel  20  will both be oriented approximately perpendicularly with respect to the face plate  12 , and extend rearwardly away therefrom to define therewith the stud gripping zone  72  therebetween. As such, the position of a stud  22  within the stud gripping zone  72  will position stud  22  between the first and second side panel  18  and  20 . Note that the second side panel  20  with a second inner side surface  68  which will directly abut a stud  22  when positioned in the stud gripping zone  72 , and a second outer side surface  72 . Thus, when a stud  22  is positioned in the stud gripping zone  72 , it would actually be in direct abutment with respect to the first inner side surface  64  of first side panel  18 , and the second inner side surface  68  of second side panel  20 .  
         [0052]     In the preferred embodiment there are two levels of means of securement between the side panels  18  and  20  and the stud  22 . A preliminary securement means comprising a first preliminary securement means  78  is included which secures the first side panel  18  with respect to stud  22  to a limited extent, while a second preliminary securement means  80  will secure the second side panel  20  with respect to a stud  22  fixedly. Preferably the first and second preliminary securement means will comprise an inwardly protruding burr means. The first preliminary securement means  78  will preferably include a first burr means  82  which extends inwardly from the first side panel  18  for engagement with the stud  22  thereadjacent. Similarly, a second burr means  84  will be included extending inwardly from the second side panel  20  into engagement with respect to the stud  22 . Also a first primary securement means  86 , such as a plurality of first threaded fastener means  90 , will be adapted to extend through the first side panel  18  for fixed engagement with respect to a stud  22  thereadjacent. Similarly, a second primary securement means  88 , such as a second threaded fastener means  92 , will be adapted to extend through the second side panel  20  into engagement with the stud  22  thereadjacent. These threaded fasteners can be screws or other conventional means. It should be appreciated that the first primary securement means  86  and the second primary securement means  88  could also be a nailing means, and as such, be a non-threaded fastener. Thus, the preliminary securement means will provide initial limited attachment of the side panels to the stud while allowing some adjustability in the relative positioning thereof. Whereas, the primary securement means will provide a final secure means of fixed attachment once the proper adjustment of the positioning of the apparatus with respect to a stud has been achieved.  
         [0053]     Preferably, a plurality of holes are defined on each side panel. That is, the first side panel  18  will preferably define a plurality of first side apertures or hole means  34 , while the second side panel  20  will define a plurality of second side apertures or hole means  36 . The first threaded fastener means  90  will be adapted to extend through the first side hole means  34  to secure the first side panel  18  to the stud  22 . Similarly, the second threaded fastener means  92  will be adapted to extend through the second side hole means  36  into the stud  22  for primary securement thereof with respect to the second side panel  20 .  
         [0054]     It is preferable that the first hole means  34  and the second hole means  36  be formed simultaneously with forming of the inwardly extending first burr means  82  and second burr means  84 . This simultaneous creation is caused by forming the series of first and second side hole means  34  and  36  by punching laterally with a pointed punching tip. The tip of the punching tool will simultaneously form the holes which will be referred to as the first side hole means  34 , and the second side hole means  36 , while at the same time forming inwardly extending burrs around the hole which normally occur during such punching operations, especially when performed through metallic sheet material such as flexibly resilient steel. Preferably, the apparatus of the present invention will be formed of a single integral flexible metallic material, which when punched to form the hole means  34  and  36 , will also simultaneously form the first and second burr means  82  and  84  due to flashing or inwardly bending of the material during the punching process.  
         [0055]     Preferably, the apparatus  10  of the present invention is formed from a single extrusion wherein the face plate  12 , and the first side panel  18 , and the first return section  14 , as well as the second return section  16 , and the second side panel  20 , are all simultaneously formed integrally from a single piece of flexibly resilient metallic material. Also, it is preferable that a first bent intersection line  94  will be formed at the angle or line of intersection between the first return section  14 , and the first side panel  18 , in such a manner as to form a slightly weakened zone to facilitate flexible movement of the first side panel  18  for enhancing gripping of a stud  22  located thereadjacent. Similarly, a second bent intersection line  96  will preferably be defined along the line of intersection between the second return section  16  and the second side panel  20 , such that second side panel  20  can more easily be flexibly resilient to the extent necessary in order to facilitate urging of bias or holding pressure against a stud  22  positioned within the stud gripping zone  22 .  
         [0056]     With this construction, the spacing apparatus  10  of the present invention can initially be placed on the stud at the approximately correct orientation, with the initial gripping of the stud  22  achieved by the first and second preliminary securement means  78  and  80  such as burrs. Once the proper positioning of the face plate  12  is chosen, the first primary securement means  86 , such as first threaded fasteners  90  can be inserted, and the second primary securement means  88  such as the second threaded fastener means  92  can be inserted, thereby achieving final fixing of the face plate  12 , and the spacing apparatus  10 , with respect to a stud  22  positioned in the stud gripping zone  72 .  
         [0057]     Preferably, the face plate  12  of the apparatus of the present invention will extend along the longitudinal direction shown by arrow  48  which will longitudinally extend it along the framing stud  22 . Also preferably, the stud gripping zone  72  is defined laterally between the first inner side surface  64  of the first side panel  18 , and the second inner side surface  68  of the second side panel  20 . The stud gripping zone  72  is also defined between the rear face plate surface  62 , and the zone insert opening  50 . Zone insert opening  50  is defined between the first outer flared section  52 , and the second outer flared section  54 . This zone insert opening  50  as shown best in  FIG. 8 , and in particular,  FIG. 9 , allows the face plate  12  to be positioned a maximum distance from the support surface of stud  22  by positioning the stud at the innermost stud position  56 . The outermost stud position  58  shown in  FIG. 9 , is where the stud is positioned in direct abutment with the rear face plate surface  62  of the face plate  12 . This wide range of movement between the two extreme positions of the stud shown as positions  56  and  58 , is one of the important capabilities the adjustment aspect of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0058]     The first outer flared section guide panel  52  or flared section, extends outwardly away from the stud gripping zone  72 . The second outer guide panel or flared section  54  extends outwardly and in the opposite direction from the first outer guide panel  62 , however, also in a direction away from the stud gripping zone  72 . With the first outer guide panel  52 , and the second outer guide panel  54  extending outwardly away from one another, they provide a means for guiding of movement of a stud  22  into position in the stud gripping zone  72  facilitated by the flexible resilience of the first and second side panels  18  and  20 .  
         [0059]     The apparatus of the present invention has various usages, some of which are shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , however, generally speaking, it allows the use of the face plate  12  to replace the mounting surface of stud  22  which is the inner stud end face  24 , along certain sections of the stud, to correct for any inaccuracy in the configuration of such framing studs  22 .  
         [0060]     One of the difficulties with the apparatus of the present invention is the possibility that the first threaded fasteners  90  will contact the second threaded fasteners  92  coming in the opposite direction when the first threaded members extend through the first side apertures  34  and when the second threaded members extend through the second side apertures  36  into the stud  22  positioned in the stud gripping zone  72  therebetween. This can be easily overcome by a slight modification to the configuration as shown best in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  shows the first side apertures  34  positioned in full outline defined in the first side panel  18 . Also shown in this figure in dotted outline are two alternative configurations for the second side apertures or hole means  36 . Second side apertures  36  can be displaced laterally as shown by laterally displaced holes  98 . Alternatively the second side apertures  36  can be displaced vertically as shown by vertically displaced holes  100 . In either case this modification to the positioning of the second side apertures  36  will misalign those apertures with respect to the first side apertures  34  since they will not be in registration with one another and in this manner fasteners extending through the respective holes defined on the side panels will not intersect one another or come in contact with one another when placed in the primary securement position extending into the stud located therebetween.  
         [0061]     While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent, that many changes may be made in the form, arrangement and positioning of the various elements of the combination. In consideration thereof it should be understood that preferred embodiments of this invention disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Summary:
The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a planar surface against which a wall, ceiling or floor-making surface can be applied. Most commonly sheetrock will be nailed or screwed to the surface provided by the fixture. The apparatus of this invention provides a means for providing a planar surface when utilized with wall construction components such as natural wood studs which often are irregularly shaped and not straight. The apparatus can be adjustable for variations in the profile, contour or angle of the planar surface to which the sheetrock or other similar construction panel needs to be made.