Cover for C-shaped stud

Abstract

A cover for a C-shaped stud comprising a semi-rigid plate having a first face with a first end and a second end, the distance between the first and second end sufficient to cover the space between the L-shaped legs of the C-shaped stud. A pair of U-shaped clips each positioned proximal to opposite ends of the plate and configured to engage each L-shaped flange of the stud enabling the cover to be applied to the C-shaped stud by bending the plate sufficiently to permit the leg of each L-shaped flange to fit within the U-shaped clip. A further embodiment incorporating a spring means configured to be biased so as to be positioned within the C-shaped stud to engage one of the L-shaped flanges to provide a biasing force on the cover to secure the cover to the C-shaped stud.

Claims

1. A cover for a C-shaped stud having a first L-shaped flange with first and second legs and a second L-shaped flange with first and second legs, and web between the first and second L-shaped flanges, the space between the second leg of the first L-shaped flange and the second leg of the second L-shaped flange having a first dimension, the cover comprising: a semi-rigid plate having a first face comprising a first end and a second end, the distance between the first and second end comprising a second dimension greater than the first dimension; a first U-shaped clip having generally parallel legs, the first U-shaped clip positioned proximal the first end of the plate and configured to engage the second leg of the first L-shaped flange of the stud such that the second leg of the first L-shaped flange is secured between the generally parallel legs of the first U-shaped clip; and a second U-shaped clip having generally parallel legs, the second U-shaped clip positioned proximal the second end of the plate and configured to engage the second leg of the second L-shaped flange of the stud such that the second leg of the second L-shaped flange is secured between the generally parallel legs of the second U-shaped clip; whereby the cover can be applied to the C-shaped stud by bending the plate sufficiently to permit the second legs of each of the first and second L-shaped flanges to fit within the generally parallel legs of the first and second U-shaped clips; and a spring means positioned between the first and second U-shaped clips on the plate, the spring means configured to be biased so as to be positioned within the C-shaped stud to engage one of the L-shaped flanges to provide a biasing force on the cover to secure the cover to the C-shaped stud.

2. The cover for a C-shaped stud of claim 1 whereby the first and second U-shaped clips are integral with the plate, such that a portion of the plate proximal the first end defines one of the two generally parallel legs of the first U-shaped clip and a separate portion of the plate proximal the second end defines one of the two generally parallel legs of the second U-shaped clip.

3. The cover for a C-shaped stud of claim 1, wherein the spring means comprises a generally S-shaped leg.

4. The cover for a C-shaped stud of claim 3, wherein the generally S-shaped leg is unitary with the plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention, shown in use.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the invention, illustrating placement of the cover onto a c-shaped stud.

(5) FIG. 4 is a section view of the invention, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

(6) By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, one embodiment of the present system comprises a cover 10 for a C-shaped stud 22 having a first L-shaped flange with first and second legs 24 and a second L-shaped flange with first and second legs 26, and web between the first and second L-shaped flanges, the space between the second leg of the first L-shaped flange and the second leg of the second L-shaped flange having a first dimension. The cover 10 comprises a semi-rigid plate having a first face comprising a first end and a second end, the distance between the first and second end comprising a second dimension greater than the first dimension. The cover can be fabricated from steel, plastic or other semi-rigid material which is known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. A first U-shaped clip 12 having generally parallel legs is positioned proximal the first end of the plate 10 and configured to engage the second leg of the first L-shaped flange 24 of the stud 22 such that the second leg of the first L-shaped flange is secured between the generally parallel legs of the first U-shaped clip within groove 14. A second U-shaped clip 16 having generally parallel legs positioned proximal the second end of the plate 10 and configured to engage the second leg of the second L-shaped flange 26 of the stud 22 such that the second leg of the second L-shaped flange is secured between the generally parallel legs of the second U-shaped clip in groove 18. The cover can be applied to the C-shaped stud by bending the plate sufficiently to permit the second legs of each of the first and second L-shaped flanges to fit within the generally parallel legs of the first and second U-shaped clips.

(7) The first and second U-shaped clips 12, 16 may be integral with the plate such that a portion of the plate proximal the first end defines one of the two generally parallel legs of the first U-shaped clip forming groove 14, and a separate portion of the plate proximal the second end defines one of the two generally parallel legs of the second U-shaped clip forming groove 18.

(8) In an alternate embodiment, the cover for a C-shaped stud further incorporates a spring means 20 positioned between the first and second U-shaped clips on the plate. The spring means 20 configured to be biased so as to be positioned within the C-shaped stud to engage one of the L-shaped flanges to provide a biasing force on the cover to secure the cover to the C-shaped stud. The spring means comprises a generally S-shaped leg 20 as depicted in FIG. 2. The generally S-shaped leg may be unitary with the plate as depicted in FIG. 4.

(9) Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.