U.S. patent application number 10/382542 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for versa-track wall/floor joist assembly and method.
Invention is credited to Birkland, Gordon W., Klein, James A..
Application Number | 20030167722 10/382542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27791731 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030167722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klein, James A. ; et
al. |
September 11, 2003 |
Versa-track wall/floor joist assembly and method
Abstract
A versa-track structure and wall/floor joist assembly and method
is provided which consists of an elongated versa-track member
comprising a planar web and a first and second legs in
perpendicular alignment defining generally a C-shape or J-shape in
cross section. A plurality of horizontally elongated openings are
spaced lengthwise on the planar web between the first and second
ends of the versa-track and receive perpendicularly related
vertical stud members or horizontal floor joist members in forming
a wall or floor assembly.
Inventors: |
Klein, James A.; (US)
; Birkland, Gordon W.; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard Martin
Law Office of Richard C. Martin
Ste D-2
6919 Lakewood Dr. W.
Tacoma
WA
98467
US
|
Family ID: |
27791731 |
Appl. No.: |
10/382542 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60362793 |
Mar 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/653.1 ;
52/481.1; 52/745.09; 52/846 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 5/12 20130101; E04C
3/09 20130101; E04B 2001/2448 20130101; E04B 5/10 20130101; E04C
2003/0473 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/653.1 ;
52/733.2; 52/732.1; 52/731.7; 52/481.1; 52/745.09 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/30 |
Claims
6. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A generally U-shaped elongated versa-track channel for a wall
assembly, comprising: a first end and a second end; a planar web; a
first leg and a second leg perpendicular to the web and defining
generally the U-shaped cross-section; and a plurality of openings
spaced lengthwise on the planar web between the first and second
ends.
2. The versa-track channel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
openings are punched within the planar web having diameter
dimensions between the first and second legs equal to or greater
than 1/2 of the width of the web.
3. The versa-track channel of claim 1, wherein the first leg and
the second leg provide means for positive attachment to a stud or
floor joist located within the opening in the planar web.
4. The versa-track channel of claim 1, wherein said versa-track
channel is made of light gauge steel or a high strength material
having the strength at least as great as steel of thickness between
0.015 inches and 0.098 inches.
5. A versa-track wall assembly, comprising: a top track and a
bottom track; a plurality of generally U-shaped elongated
versa-track channel members horizontally positioned and containing
a plurality of elongated openings; a plurality of framing members
fitting through said elongated openings; a means for fixedly
attaching the versa-track channel members to the framing members at
desired locations; and a means for attaching the framing members to
the top track and to the bottom track.
6. The versa-track wall assembly of claim 5, wherein the framing
members are vertical metal studs.
7. The versa-track wall assembly of claim 5, wherein the framing
members are vertical wood studs.
8. The versa-track wall assembly of claim 5, wherein the framing
members are horizontal floor joists.
9. The versa-track wall assembly of claim 5, wherein the
versa-track channel members align the framing members, provide
horizontal and vertical stabilization, is a backing device, and
provides fire blocking and draft dampening.
10. A method of constructing a wall assembly in a commercial or
residential building, comprising the steps of: providing a
plurality of versa-track members of claim 1; positioning a
plurality of stud members through the plurality of elongated
openings in the versa-track members; positioning the versa-track
members up and down into desired positions in relation to the stud
members; and positively attaching the stud members to the
versa-track members.
Description
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to wall and floor joist
construction and an improved means for bracing parallel studs or
joists and fire blocking and draft dampening between parallel studs
or joists. The present invention provides a large percentage of
closure between studs and joists creating a fire block or draft
damper. The present invention also provides horizontal and vertical
stabilization as well as additional shear strength between a
plurality of studs due to the positive attachment through the legs
on either side of the elongated versa-track. The first and second
legs of the versa-track provides additional backing for various
requirements in wall construction, such as composite wallboard,
gypsum, wood, wall-mounted structures, and various other types of
shear valued materials.
[0003] 2. of the Related Art
[0004] Metal stud wall and floor joist construction is well known
in the construction industry. The use of fire blocking, bridging
and backing in the construction industry is well known. The use of
web stiffening, alignment, horizontal and vertical stabilization
and stud locating tools are also well known.
[0005] During wall construction the alignment regulation or spacing
of framing materials is often done through a process of first
measuring and marking the placement of framing materials by hand
with a tape measure and marking device. Vertical studs and
horizontal joists are then attached at the appropriate locations on
one end of the framing materials, leveled or squared to ensure
perpendicular alignment, and then attached at the opposite end.
This process is timely as it involves several steps and the final
opposing end attachment may be at a height or distance that
requires many trips up and down a ladder or walking from one end to
the other.
[0006] Representative patents generally related to metal stud wall
assemblies include U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,973, issued Jan. 4, 1994 to
Liang; U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,850, issued Jul. 28, 1998 to Elderson;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,041, issued Jul. 13, 1999 to Egri, II; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,021,618, issued Feb. 8, 2000 to Elderson; U.S. Pat. No.
6,176,053, issued Jan. 23, 2001 to St. Germain; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,260,318, issued Jul. 17, 2001 to Herren.
[0007] The present invention is an improvement over the prior art
based upon the accomplishment of multiple tasks using one unitary
device to frame a plurality of wall studs or floor joists easily,
efficiently economically.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved wall structure and method which overcome
the limitations and disadvantages of wall structures heretofore
provided.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved floor structure and method which overcome the
limitations and disadvantages of floor structures heretofore
provided.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to improve the
assembly means used to join metal studs and floor joists in
assembly.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved unitary device that allows for a plurality of studs or
joists to be horizontally and vertically stabilized.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wall
structure and method of the above character which also aligns
assembly members.
[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a wall
structure and method of the above character which also provides
fire blocking, backing, and acts as a shear device between a
plurality of studs.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a wall
structure and method which can be employed economically and
efficiently.
[0015] Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the detailed description,
considered in conjunction with the drawings.
[0016] The versa-track invention acts as pre-punched spaced opening
jig that can be used in several applications. The invention could
be used as a top and or bottom track attached to the building
structure from which the studs or joists could now easily be
aligned via the openings in the versa-track to meet alignment
regulations without the process of measuring and marking discussed
prior. The invention also can be used in application as a
pre-punched spaced opening jig placed on top or in line with "base
plate" or "rim" track framing attached to the building structure.
In this application the pre-spaced openings would help outline
alignment requirements from which studs or joists will meet these
spacing requirements once they are inserted through the openings.
Once the framing materials have been inserted through the
versa-track and attached at one end to the base plate, track, or
rim track, the versa-track can then be moved into a desired or
required position further away from the base plate or track. With
this movement the plurality of framing materials positioned inside
the spaced openings of the web will align themselves at the
unattached end without any additional measuring or marking. Once
one stud or joist is leveled or squared the following studs or
joists should follow the pattern as a result of the
versa-track.
[0017] These and various other advantages and features of novelty,
which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part
hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its
advantages, and tasks performed by its use, reference should be
made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the
accompanying detailed description, in which there is illustrated
and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a section of the
versa-track.
[0019] FIG. 2. is a perspective view of the versa-track wall
assembly, with a plurality of vertical stud members engaged in an
elongated slotted opening.
[0020] FIG. 3. is a planar view showing a metal stud engagement
with the versa-track.
[0021] FIG. 4. is a planar view showing a wood stud engagement with
the versa-track.
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, there
is shown a versa-track member 1 comprising a planar web 2 and a
first leg 3 and a second leg 4 in perpendicular alignment defining
generally a C-shape, U-shape or J-shape in cross section. A
plurality of horizontally elongated openings 5 are spaced
lengthwise on the planar web 2 between a first end 6 and a second
end 7 of the versa-track 1 and are defined in length by the
distance between the inner surfaces of the first and second legs 3
and 4 of the versa-track 1 and in width by the corresponding width
of a stud 8. Thus, the openings 5 are punched out completely
through the thickness of the web 2 and are spaced in accordance to
specific framing requirements that allow for unrestricted movement
of a variety of framing materials, such as studs 8 through the web
2.
[0023] The versa-track 1 is a C-shaped or J-shaped channel made
from light guage metal framing material, which meets ASTM A 653 and
zinc coating requirements according to ASTM A 924. The versa-track
1 is produced from a continuous piece of flat light gauge metal
that is cold rolled formed or broken (via brake press) into a web2
and first and second legs 3 and 4 on either side of the web 2
perpendicularly.
[0024] A wall assembly 9 is shown in FIG. 2. wherein the plurality
of studs 8 pass thru the corresponding plurality of openings 5 of
the versa-track 1. The versa-track 1 is located as required by
moving the versa-track 1 up and down into a desired position and
then the versa-track is positively attached through the first leg 3
or the second leg 4 to the plurality of studs 8.
[0025] Once the versa-track 1 is positively attached to the studs
8, the versa-track meets one or a number of required elements. The
web 2 can be utilized as fire blocking, horizontal stabilization,
or as an additional mounting surface. The first and second legs 3
and 4 can be used for backing of gypsum or other types of shear
panels, and the entire countiuous versa-track 1 profile can be
utilized as a web stiffener. The continuous one-piece design also
provides additional shear support. The spacing of the punched
openings 5 now "jigs" the framing material or studs 8 into
predetermined spacing for attachment to the top or bottom plates
and or track which are in turn attached to building structure.
[0026] The preferred method of using the versa-track 1 is to lay
out the versa-track 1 in conjunction with an area to be framed with
studs 8 and track (metal) or studs 8 and plates (wood). Framing
studs 8 are sent through one or several layers of versa-tracks 1
via the punched out openings 5. The studs 8 are next positively
attached to either a bottom or top plate (wood) or track (metal).
The versa-track 1 is then moved up or down into desired position or
positions and positively attached to the studs 8.
[0027] An additional use of the versa-track 1 utilizes the
versa-track 1 as a top or a bottom track attached to the building
structure from which the studs 8 are easily aligned via the punched
out openings 5.
[0028] Another embodiment of the versa-track wall assembly 9
contemplates the use of wood studs as shown in FIG. 4. Another
embodiment of the versa-track 1 utilizes the versa-track 1 in
conjunction with floor joists in assembly.
[0029] It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved
wall structure and method have been provided. While this invention
has been described in detail with respect to certain preferred
embodiments, it should be recognized that the invention is not
limited to those embodiments. Rather, many variations and
modifications of these would be apparent to those of skill in the
art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
invention, as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *