Patent ID: 7331149

Claim:
An apparatus for providing backing for U-shaped studs in a wall, said backing apparatus comprising: a first backing member having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side, the front side being disposed substantially in a first plane; a second backing member having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side; wherein, the second end of the first backing member is longitudinally spaced from the first end of the second backing member, the front side of the second backing member being disposed substantially in said first plane; a hinge operatively attached to said first side of said first and second backing members for permitting said second backing member to pivot with respect to the first backing member between a first position wherein the longitudinal axes of said first and second backing members are aligned in the same plane and a second position whereby the longitudinal axes of the first and second backing members are not aligned in the same plane, whereby said first backing member can be placed between a first and second adjacent upright U-shaped stud, the second backing member pivoted with respect to the first backing member to the second position, and then pivoting said second backing member to the first position thereof to be disposed between said second upright U-shaped stud and a third upright U-shaped stud whereby said second end of said first backing member is adjacent to and on one side of the second upright U-shaped stud and the first end of the second backing member is adjacent to and on the other side of said second upright U-shaped stud; and said second backing member having a vertical groove in said first side thereof for receiving a flange of the second upright U-shaped stud, said groove being at least partially covered by said hinge when the first and second backing members are in the first position thereof.