Stud alignment tools, and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

Stud alignment tools are disclosed. Methods of making and using stud alignment tools are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stud alignment tool, said tool comprising:
 a tool body having an overall T-shape, a tool depth D T  extending perpendicular to the overall T-shape, a tool upper surface, and a tool lower surface, said tool body comprising:
 a first channel extending along a width W T  of said tool body from a first side edge of the tool body to an opposite side edge of the tool body, said first channel having a first channel depth D FC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface; and 
 a second channel extending perpendicular to said first channel and along a length L T  of said tool body extending from an intersection with said first channel, along a handle portion of the tool body, to a tool lower edge, said second channel having a second channel depth D SC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first channel comprises opposite first channel openings at said first side edge and said opposite side edge of the tool body, each of said opposite first channel openings having first channel side walls, and a first channel upper wall. 
     
     
         3 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 2 , wherein (a) said first channel further comprises (i) first channel rounded corners connecting said first channel side walls to said first channel upper wall, and (ii) first channel rounded lower edges extending from each of said first channel side walls to said tool lower surface of said tool body; and (b) said second channel comprises (i) a second channel opening at said tool lower edge of the tool body, said second channel opening having second channel side walls, and a second channel upper wall, (ii) second channel rounded corners connecting said second channel side walls to said second channel upper wall, and (iii) second channel rounded lower edges extending from each of said second channel side walls to said tool lower surface of said tool body. 
     
     
         4 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 3 , wherein said first channel side walls are spaced from one another by a first channel width W FC  ranging from about 0.75 inch (in) to about 4.0 in. 
     
     
         5 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 3 , wherein said second channel side walls are spaced from one another by a second channel width W SC  ranging from about 0.75 in to about 4.0 in. 
     
     
         6 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said first channel depth D FC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, said second channel depth D SC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, and said tool depth D T  ranges from about 2.5 in to about 9.0 in. 
     
     
         7 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 6 , wherein said width W T  of said tool body ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in, and said length L T  of said tool body ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in. 
     
     
         8 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body further comprises a tool handle along said tool upper surface within said handle portion of the tool body, wherein said tool handle is centrally located along said tool upper surface within said handle portion of the tool body, and extends from proximate said tool lower edge to said intersection between said second channel and said first channel. 
     
     
         9 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body further comprises a sight window extending from said tool upper surface to within said first channel proximate (or at) said intersection between said second channel and said first channel. 
     
     
         10 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 9 , wherein said sight window has a circular configuration with a mark alignment arrow extending inward from a side edge of the circular configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body further comprises one or more magnets positioned on and/or in and/or below (i) said tool upper surface, (ii) a tool side surface, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). 
     
     
         12 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body further comprises a U-shaped notch extending upward from said tool lower surface, said U-shaped notch extending from a tool front side surface into said first channel, wherein said U-shaped notch is aligned with said second channel, and said second channel opening. 
     
     
         13 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , wherein said tool body further comprises one or more features selected from: (1) one or more leveling bubbles positioned along said tool upper surface, wherein each leveling bubble provides a 90-degree or 45-degree indication to a user, (2) one or more board gripping spikes positioned within first channel and/or second channel, (3) said tool body comprises a molded tool body, (4) said tool body comprises polypropylene, (5) said tool body further comprises supporting gussets extending along said tool depth D T  from said tool upper surface to said tool lower surface, and (6) any combination of (1) to (5). 
     
     
         14 . A stud alignment tool, said tool comprising:
 a tool body having an overall T-shape, a tool depth D T  extending perpendicular to the overall T-shape, a tool upper surface, and a tool lower surface, said tool body comprising:
 a first channel extending along a width W T  of said tool body from a first side edge of the tool body to an opposite side edge of the tool body, said first channel having a first channel depth D FC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface; and 
 a second channel extending perpendicular to said first channel and along a length L T  of said tool body extending from an intersection with said first channel, along a handle portion of the tool body, to a tool lower edge, said second channel having a second channel depth D SC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface 
   wherein said tool body (1) comprises a molded tool body, and (2) further comprises (i) a sight window extending from said tool upper surface to within said first channel proximate or at said intersection between said second channel and said first channel, and (ii) a tool handle along said tool upper surface within a handle portion of the tool body, wherein said tool handle is centrally located along said tool upper surface within said handle portion of the tool body, and extends from proximate said tool lower edge to said intersection between said second channel and said first channel.   
     
     
         15 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 14 , wherein said tool body further comprises a U-shaped notch extending upward from said tool lower surface, said U-shaped notch (i) extending from a tool front side surface into said first channel, and (ii) being aligned with said second channel, and said second channel opening,
 wherein said stud alignment tool further comprises a disposable insert sized to fit within and be temporarily attached to said U-shaped notch, said disposable insert comprising one or more insert holes therein, each insert hole being sized to receive a nail or screw therein.   
     
     
         16 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 14 , wherein said first channel depth D FC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, said second channel depth D SC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, said tool depth D T  ranges from about 2.5 in to about 9.0 in, said width W T  ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in, and said length L T  ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in. 
     
     
         17 . A stud alignment tool, said tool comprising:
 a tool body having an overall T-shape, a tool depth D T  extending perpendicular to the overall T-shape, a tool upper surface, and a tool lower surface, said tool body comprising:
 a first channel extending along a width W T  of said tool body from a first side edge of the tool body to an opposite side edge of the tool body, said first channel having a first channel depth D FC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface; and 
 a second channel extending perpendicular to said first channel and along a length L T  of said tool body extending from an intersection with said first channel, along a handle portion of the tool body, to a tool lower edge, said second channel having a second channel depth D SC  that extends from said tool lower surface to a point proximate said tool upper surface; 
   wherein said tool body (1) comprises a molded tool body, and (2) further comprises (i) a sight window extending from said tool upper surface to within said first channel proximate or at said intersection between said second channel and said first channel, (ii) a tool handle along said tool upper surface within a handle portion of the tool body, wherein said tool handle is centrally located along said tool upper surface within said handle portion of the tool body, and extends from proximate said tool lower edge to said intersection between said second channel and said first channel, (iii) one or more leveling bubbles positioned along said tool upper surface, and (iv) supporting gussets extending along said tool depth D T  from said tool upper surface to said tool lower surface.   
     
     
         18 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 17 , wherein said tool body further comprises a U-shaped notch extending upward from said tool lower surface, said U-shaped notch (i) extending from a tool front side surface into said first channel, and (ii) being aligned with said second channel, and said second channel opening. 
     
     
         19 . The stud alignment tool of  claim 17 , wherein said first channel depth D FC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, said second channel depth D SC  ranges from about 1.5 in to about 8.0 in, said tool depth D T  ranges from about 2.5 in to about 9.0 in, said width W T  ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in, and said length L T  ranges from about 6.0 in to about 12.0 in. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the stud alignment tool of  claim 1 , said method comprising:
 positioning the stud alignment tool over a lower board and a top board extending substantially perpendicular to the lower board, the stud alignment tool comprising a tool body having an overall T-shape, a tool depth D T  extending perpendicular to the overall T-shape, a tool upper surface, and a tool lower surface, the tool body comprising: a first channel extending along a width W T  of the tool body from a first side edge of the tool body to an opposite side edge of the tool body, the first channel having a first channel depth D FC  that extends from the tool lower surface to a point proximate the tool upper surface; and a second channel extending perpendicular to the first channel and along a length L T  of the tool body extending from an intersection with the first channel, along a handle portion of the tool body, to a tool lower edge, the second channel having a second channel depth D SC  that extends from the tool lower surface to a point proximate the tool upper surface,   wherein said positioning step further comprises:   moving the stud alignment tool along the top board so as to align a mark alignment arrow of the stud alignment tool with a pre-marked line on the top board.