Pass-through element protector

1. A pass-through element protector, comprising:

a metal casting formed as a partial enclosure around a central axis with an inner surface facing the central axis and an outer surface facing away from the central axis;

an opening in the partial enclosure from the inner surface to the outer surface;

a plate at least partially closing the partial enclosure at one end along the central axis, and

a plurality of teeth on the plate facing the partial enclosure to fasten the pass-through element protector to a support structure.

2. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , wherein the pass-through element protector is configured to be slipped over an existing pass-through element so that the opening faces upwards or downwards when the existing pass-through element is inserted into the support structure so as to protect the existing pass-through element from contact with hardware subsequently being inserted into the support structure.

3. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , wherein the pass-through element protector is configured to be slipped over an existing pass-through element to protect a portion of the existing pass-through element before the portion of the existing pass-through element is inserted into a support structure.

4. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 ,

wherein the pass-through element protector is configured to be inserted into construction stud lumber with a pass-through element partially enclosed within the pass-through element protector along the central axis.

5. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 ,

wherein the opening is formed throughout the pass-through element protector along the central axis.

6. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , wherein a dimension of the pass-through element protector along the central axis is set to match a dimension of a support structure into which the pass-through element protector is inserted.

7. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 ,

wherein the plate is arranged perpendicular to the central axis, and the plurality of teeth are substantially aligned with the outer surface and the inner surface.

8. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 ,

wherein a dimension of the pass-through element protector along the central axis is adjustable so that the dimension of the pass-through element protector matches a dimension of a support structure into which the pass-through element protector is inserted.

9. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sleeve configured to be slipped within the partial enclosure along the central axis to close the opening.

10. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sleeve configured to be slipped around the partial enclosure along the central axis to close the opening.

11. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 ,

wherein the plate comprises at least one ring installed at the one end of the metal casting to partially close the opening.

12. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , further comprising:

self-tapping screws configured to attach the plate to a support structure in which the pass-through element protector is inserted.

13. The pass-through element protector of claim 1 , wherein the plate is detachable from the metal casting.

14. The pass-through element protector of claim 13 , wherein the plate comprises a thread into which the metal casting is threaded.

15. A pass-through element protection system, comprising:

a pass-through element protector which includes:

a metal casting formed as a partial enclosure around a central axis with an inner surface facing the central axis and an outer surface facing away from the central axis;

an opening in the partial enclosure from the inner surface to the outer surface;

a plate at least partially closing the partial enclosure at one end along the central axis, and

a plurality of teeth on the plate facing the partial enclosure to fasten the pass-through element protector to a support structure; and

a pass-through element retention member configured to retain a pass-through element within the partial enclosure by at least partially covering the opening in the partial enclosure.

16. The pass-through element protection system of claim 15 , wherein the pass-through element retention member includes at least one band fitted around the outer surface of the metal casting within at least one groove in the metal casting.

17. The pass-through element protection system of claim 15 , wherein the pass-through element retention member comprises a sleeve placed around the outer surface of the metal casting to cover the opening in the partial enclosure.

18. The pass-through element protection system of claim 17 , further comprising:

at least one retention member which partially closes an opening in the sleeve.