Tool mounted stud finder

{
  "publication_number": "US8517642B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Tool mounted stud finder",
  "abstract": "A tool adapter is disclosed configured to locate a stud such as that in a wall of a structure. The adapter comprises a mounting portion configured to releasably attach externally to a tool, and a detector portion configured to detect the presence of a stud.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An adapter configured to locate a stud comprising; a mounting portion configured to releasably attach externally to a tool, and that includes a housing sized and dimensioned to enclose the detector portion when not in use; and a detector portion configured to detect the presence of a stud in or behind a surface, wherein the detector portion is slidably coupled to the mounting portion, such that the detector portion moves within the housing as a fastener is inserted into the surface by the tool.",
    "2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has an opening sized and dimensioned to releasably attach to a chuck of a drill.",
    "3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has an opening sized and dimensioned to releasably attach to a screw gun.",
    "4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the detector portion has a speaker that produces an audible alert when the stud is located.",
    "5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the detector portion has at least one light configured to provide a visual alert when the stud is located.",
    "6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion comprises an opening having a length-adjustable diameter.",
    "7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the detector portion has a circuitry that operates on a DC voltage.",
    "8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the detector portion is configured to be slideably received into and out from the housing.",
    "9. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a fastener coupled to the housing such that the detector portion is securely retained within the housing when not in use."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The field of the invention is tools.\n\nDuring building construction, studs must generally be located before portions of the wall can be affixed to the studs. Once a stud is located, a screw, nail or other fastener is inserted through the portion of wall, typically a piece of drywall, and into the stud. If a fastener misses the stud, the fastener often will puncture the wall and create a hole. Repair of these undesirable holes can significantly add to the time, cost, and materials required for the wall installation. Various solutions in the prior art are known to reduce the likelihood of missing the stud when inserting a fastener. Previously, studs were located by tracing or mapping their location on to the drywall as the drywall was installed. For example, mapping typically involved marking the drywall along a horizontal axis at set distances, marking the drywall along a second horizontal line, and using a straight-edge to trace a vertical line that connects each pair of marks and thereby illustrate the location of each stud. While this solution helped to locate the studs, the tracing could often be very time-consuming and lack the accuracy required for proper drywall installation.\n\nTo eliminate the need for tracing, it is known to use handheld electronic stud locators. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,118 to Franklin, et al., discusses an electronic wall stud sensor that uses electronic sensing circuitry to accurately determine the location of the stud. One problem with this solution is that such handheld stud locators are typically separate devices from the tools, and thus generally involve additional steps.",
  "cpc": [
    "B23B 49/00",
    "B25B 23/00",
    "B25F 5/00",
    "Y10T 29/49826",
    "Y10T 408/21",
    "Y10T 408/98"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23B 45/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BORUNDA PHIL"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "BORUNDA PHIL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-02-11",
  "publication_date": "2013-08-27",
  "grant_date": "2013-08-27",
  "priority_date": "2009-02-11",
  "application_number": "US-36951309-A",
  "family_id": "42540542",
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  ]
}