Patent ID: 7979997

Claim:
An apparatus for spacing studs on a plate comprising: a frame, the frame including first and second parallelogram linkages at first and second ends thereof; first and second vertically extending members; a top horizontal handle; a bottom horizontal member, the top horizontal handle connecting top ends of the first and second vertically extending members, and the bottom horizontal member connecting bottom ends of the first and second vertically extending members, wherein top and bottom ends of the first parallelogram linkage are pivotally connected to respective top and bottom ends of the first vertically extending member, and top and bottom ends of the second parallelogram linkage are pivotally connected to respective top and bottom ends of the second vertically extended member; a bottom jaw; first and second side jaws, the first and second side jaws are connected to outer ends of the first and second parallelogram linkages, respectively, wherein the bottom jaw is capable of engaging a plate, and the first and second side jaws are capable of engaging first and second studs for securing the first stud to the plate at a predetermined distance from the second stud; and wherein the first parallelogram linkage includes a top pivotal link, a bottom pivotal link, and a vertical jaw, a first end of the top pivotal link is pivotally connected the top end of the first vertically extending member, a first end of the bottom pivotal link is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the first vertically extending member, a second end of the top pivotal link is pivotally connected to a top end of the vertical jaw, and a second end of the bottom pivotal link is pivotally connected to a bottom end of the vertical jaw.