U.S. patent application number 11/068119 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for internally braced framing.
Invention is credited to Matt F. Surowiecki.
Application Number | 20060191236 11/068119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36930795 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060191236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Surowiecki; Matt F. |
August 31, 2006 |
Internally braced framing
Abstract
Side flaps (98, 100) border openings (118) in the webs of sheet
metal studs (84). End flaps (114, 116) may border the same
openings. Brace members (78) extend through the openings and are
connected to the studs (84) by screws that extend through the flaps
and screw into the brace member (78). The brace members (78) may
extend perpendicular or diagonally to the studs (84). The brace
members (32, 34) may be of sectional construction with each section
having a first end and a second end and with the first end being
smaller than the second end and being adapted to slip into the
second end of the next section of the brace member. The brace
member may be a channel member (186) having a narrow closed portion
(64, 66, 68) and a wider open portion (70, 72). The openings in the
web have a matching shape so that the brace member is snuggly
received within the openings.
Inventors: |
Surowiecki; Matt F.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barnard & McCormack
P.O. Box 58888
Seattle
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
36930795 |
Appl. No.: |
11/068119 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/481.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/2496 20130101;
E04B 2001/2448 20130101; E04C 2003/026 20130101; E04B 2/763
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/733.3 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/30 20060101
E04C003/30 |
Claims
1. A sheet metal stud, comprising: a web having opposite edges and
a general plane; a pair of parallel flanges projecting
substantially perpendicular to the general plane, from the opposite
edges of the web, so as to give the stud a channel cross-section;
and a longitudinal cut in said web having opposite ends and
transverse cuts in said web at the ends of the longitudinal cut,
said cuts forming side flaps that are adapted to be bent out from
the web along hinge lines into positions that are generally
parallel with each other and the flanges and are perpendicular to
the general plane of the web, and provide an opening in the web
laterally between said side flaps.
2. The stud of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal cut in the web is
spaced inwardly from the flanges, and the transverse cuts extend
parallel to each other at the opposite ends of the longitudinal cut
and have ends spaced laterally outwardly from the longitudinal cut,
and wherein the side flaps have uncut sides and are adapted to be
hinges when the flaps are bent out from the web.
3. The stud of claim 1, wherein the side flaps each include at
least one preformed fastener opening.
4. The stud of claim 2, wherein the side flaps each include at
least one preformed fastener opening.
5. The stud of claim 1, further comprising second and third
longitudinal cuts in said web endwise of the opening and spaced
laterally inwardly from the hinge lines of the side flaps, and
defining an end flap endwise of the opening formed by the side
flaps, said end flap being adapted to be bent out from the web
along a hinge line that is perpendicular to the hinge lines of the
side flaps.
6. The stud of claim 5, wherein the end flap includes at least one
preformed fastener opening.
7. The stud of claim 5, comprising fourth and fifth longitudinal
cuts at the opposite end of the opening formed by the side flaps
forming a second end flap adapted to be bent along a hinge line
that is perpendicular to the hinge lines of the side flaps and
parallel to the hinge line of the first end flap.
8. The stud of claim 7, wherein the bent out second end flap
includes at least one preformed fastener opening.
9. Wall framing, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart sheet
metal studs, each including a web having opposite edges and a
general plane, and a pair of parallel flanges projecting
substantially perpendicular to the general plane, from the opposite
edges of the web, so as to give each stud a channel cross-section;
said studs including aligned web openings in their webs and side
flaps bordering the openings which are bent out portions of the
webs; an elongated bracing member extending generally crosswise of
the studs, through the aligned openings in the webs of said studs;
and fasteners connecting the side flaps to the bracing member.
10. The wall framing of claim 9, wherein said bracing member has
side portions and an interconnecting portion, and said web flaps
are contiguous the side portions of the bracing member.
11. The wall framing of claim 9, wherein the bracing member extends
substantially perpendicular to the studs.
12. The wall framing of claim 9, wherein the bracing member extends
at a diagonal to the studs.
13. The wall framing of claim 9, wherein the bracing member is a
channel member.
14. The wall framing of claim 13, wherein the bracing member has
side walls contiguous the side flaps and said fasteners connect the
side flaps to the side walls of the bracing member.
15. The wall framing of claim 9, wherein the web openings have a
wide portion and a narrow portion endwise of the wide portion and
said side flaps border the wide portion.
16. The wall framing of claim 15, wherein the webs of the studs
include an end flap adjacent the narrow portion of the opening, and
the bracing member has a narrow portion including a web, and said
narrow portion of said bracing member fits within the narrow
portion of the opening in the web, and the end flap is connected to
the web of the narrow portion of the bracing member.
17. Wall framing, comprising: a plurality as spaced apart sheet
metal studs, each having a web with opposite edges and a general
plane, and a pair of parallel flanges projecting substantially
perpendicular to the general plane, from the opposite edges of the
web, so as to give each stud a lipped channel cross-section; said
studs including aligned openings in said webs; an elongated bracing
member extending through the aligned openings in said studs;
wherein said bracing member has a stepped channel shaped
configuration formed by a web and two stepped flanges connected to
the web, said stepped flanges having first sidewall portions which
are connected to the web, and second sidewall portions which are
connected to the first side portions and are spaced apart a
distance larger than the spacing of the first sidewall portions,
and wherein the openings in the webs of the studs are sized and
shaped to substantially conform to the cross-sectional shape and
size of the bracing member.
18. The wall framing of claim 17, wherein the web of the bracing
member includes flaps formed by cuts on three sides and an uncut
fourth side that serves as a hinge, wherein the flaps are adapted
to be pushed out from the web of the bracing member, each into
contact with a web portion of a related one of the studs, whereby
fasteners can be inserted through the flaps and be connected to the
webs of the studs, for connecting the bracing member to the webs of
the studs.
19. The wall framing of claim 17, wherein the bracing member
extends substantially perpendicular to the studs.
20. The wall framing of claim 17, wherein the bracing member
extends added diagonal to the studs.
21. The wall framing of claim 17, wherein the web of the bracing
member includes flaps formed by cuts on three sides and an uncut
fourth side that serves as a hinge, wherein the flaps are adapted
to be pushed out from the web of the bracing member, each into
contact with a web portion of a related one of the studs, whereby
fasteners can be inserted through the flaps and be connected to the
web of the studs, for connecting the bracing member to the web so
the studs.
22. The wall framing of claim 21, wherein the flaps each include a
preformed fastener hole.
23. Wall framing, comprising: a plurality of laterally spaced apart
sheet metal studs, each having a web with opposite edges and a
general plane, and a pair of parallel flanges projecting
substantially perpendicular to the general claim from the opposite
edges of the web, so as to give each stud a lipped channel shaped
cross-section; said studs including aligned openings in said web;
an elongated bracing member extending through the openings in the
webs of the studs; and said elongated bracing member being formed
of sections that are connected together at their ends.
24. The wall framing of claim 23, wherein the bracing member has a
channel configuration formed by web and flanges connected to the
web, said flanges having side wall portions, and wherein the
openings in the webs of the studs are sized and shaped to
substantially conform to the cross-sectional shape and size of the
bracing member.
25. The wall framing of claim 23, wherein a first end of each
section of the bracing member has a reduced size that is adapted to
slip into the opposite end of the adjoining section of the bracing
member.
26. The wall framing of claim 24, wherein a first end of each
section of the bracing member has a reduced size that is adapted to
slip into the opposite end of the adjoining section of the bracing
member; and said studs being connected to the elongated bracing
member in the vicinity of the openings in the webs through which
the bracing member extends.
27. The wall framing, comprising: a header; a footer; a plurality
of laterally spaced apart sheet metal studs extending between the
header and the footer, each having a web with bracing member
receiving opening in it, said openings in the webs of the several
studs being aligned with each other along a diagonal line; an
elongated bracing member extending through the openings in the webs
of the studs, at a diagonal to the studs; and said elongated
bracing member being formed of sections that are connected together
at their ends.
28. The wall framing of claim 27, wherein said sections comprised
sections having a first end and a second end wherein the first end
is sized and shaped to slip into the second end of an adjacent
section.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to framing walls comprising
horizontal and vertical sheet metal framing members. More
particularly, it relates to framing in which a bracing member
extends horizontally or diagonally through openings in the webs of
the vertical frame members, and to connections at the intersections
of the bracing member and vertical framing members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,850, granted Jul. 28, 1998, to William
L. Elderson, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,618, granted Feb. 8, 2000 to
William L. Elderson show prior art framing that includes a bracing
member extending horizontally through openings in the webs of sheet
metal studs. These patents include a good description of sheet
metal wall systems and they disclose notching the bracing members
so that portions of the webs of the studs can be received in the
notches. The notches provide a way of uniformly spacing the studs
and connect the studs to the bracing member and maintain the
spacing of the studs.
[0003] FIGS. 1-5 herein show some other prior art systems in which
horizontal channel members are received in openings cut in the webs
of the studs. Add-on connector members are used to connect the
bracing member to the studs.
[0004] Some stud walls need to be better braced than other stud
walls, e.g. walls that are subjected to high wind loads. A known
way of bracing these walls is to attach crossing diagonal strips of
sheet metal straps to the flanges of the studs on one or both sides
of the wall. Wall board is then installed over the strapping. The
presence of the strapping distorts the wall board enough that it is
no longer planar and this can be seen. An object of the present
invention is to provide a bracing system for a stud wall comprising
diagonal brace members that are positioned inside of the wall so
that exterior straps and the distortion to the wall board that they
cause are eliminated.
[0005] There is a need for an improved way of connecting a bracing
member to the webs of the studs. There is also a need for a framing
wall that includes diagonal brace members that pass through the
webs of the studs inside of the flanges that are on the sides of
the studs. The principal object of the present invention is to
provide these improvements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention includes providing a sheet metal stud
that has a web having opposite edges and a general plane and a pair
of parallel flanges projecting from the opposite edges substantial
perpendicular to the general plane of the web, so as to give the
stud a channel cross-section. At one or more locations there is in
the web a longitudinal cut and transverse cuts at the two ends of
the longitudinal cut. These cuts form side flaps that are adapted
to be bent out from the web along hinge lines into positions
generally parallel with each other and perpendicular to the plane
of the web. When the flaps are bent out from the web a hole is
formed in the web laterally between the side flaps.
[0007] In preferred form, the longitudinal cut in the web is spaced
inwardly from the flanges of the stud. The transverse cuts extend
parallel to each other at the opposite ends of the longitudinal
cut. The transverse cuts have opposite ends spaced laterally
outwardly from the longitudinal cut. One side of the side flaps is
not cut and is adapted to be a hinge when the flaps are bent out
from the web. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
side flaps each include at least one preformed fastener
opening.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention there are second and third
longitudinal cuts in the web endwise of the opening. These
longitudinal cuts are spaced laterally inwardly from the hinge
lines for the side flaps and with the opening form an end flap
endwise of the opening. The end flap is adapted to bend out from
the web along a hinge line that is perpendicular to the hinge lines
of the side flaps. This end flap may include at least one preformed
fastener opening.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention comprises fourth and
fifth longitudinal cuts at the opposite end of the opening formed
by the side flaps. These longitudinal cuts and the opening form a
second end flap at the opposite end of the opening that is adapted
to be bent along hinge line that is perpendicular to the hinge
lines of the side flaps and parallel to the hinge line of the first
end flap. The second end flap may also include at least one
preformed the fastener opening.
[0010] The present invention includes providing wall framing
comprising a plurality of spaced apart sheet metal studs of the
type described. Openings in the webs of the studs are aligned and
each opening includes side flaps bordering the opening. An
elongated bracing member extends generally crosswise of the studs,
through the aligned openings in the webs of the studs. Fasteners
connect the side flaps to the bracing member. The expression
"extending generally crosswise of the studs" includes both a
bracing member that is perpendicular to the studs and a bracing
member that extends at a diagonal to the studs. The bracing member
may be a channel member, or a tubular member, or take some other
form.
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention an end flap is formed
endwise of one end of the opening and this end flap is connected to
the elongated bracing member. In a preferred embodiment, each web
opening has a wide portion and a narrow portion endwise of the wide
portion. The elongated bracing member has a wide portion that fits
into the wide portion of the web opening and a narrow portion that
fits into the narrow portion of the web opening. The narrow portion
of the elongated bracing member includes a web and side portions
and the wide portion of the elongated bracing member includes
flanges. The side flaps are contiguous the flanges and the end flap
is contiguous the web. Fasteners connect the side flaps to the
flanges and the end flap to the web.
[0012] In another embodiment, the opening has a wide portion and a
narrow portion and the bracing member has a wide portion and a
narrow portion. The narrow portion of the bracing member includes a
web. Transverse slots are cut through the narrow portion of the
bracing member and the distance between the slots is equal to the
desired spacing distance of the webs of the studs. The bracing
members are inserted into the openings in the webs of the studs and
the slots are aligned with the webs of the studs adjacent the
opening. Then, the bracing member is moved relative to the studs to
cause the web portions of the studs to enter into the slots. Then,
the bracing member is connected to the studs. This may be done by
the use of add-on connectors one or more side flaps that border the
openings in the webs of the studs.
[0013] The present invention includes providing a sectional bracing
member in which the adjacent ends of adjoining sections are
connected together after the sections have been positioned in
aligned openings in the webs of the studs. By way of example, the
sections may have a channel cross-section or a tubular
cross-section. A first end of each section may be of reduced
dimension that is adapted to slip into the second end of the next
section.
[0014] The invention also includes providing wall framing
comprising a plurality of laterally spaced apart sheet metal studs
and either one or two diagonal bracing members that extend through
the openings in the webs of the studs. When two diagonal bracing
members are employed, they are arranged to intersect each other at
the center of the stud wall. At the meeting point there is a
connector that receives and is connected to end portions of the
bracing member sections that meet at the connector.
[0015] Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth
below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles
that are embodied the specific structures that are illustrated and
described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts
throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a laterally braced
stud wall, showing portions of two spaced apart studs and a portion
of a bracing member that extends through openings in the webs of
the studs, and showing an angle iron connector connecting the
bracing member to one of the studs and a second angle iron member
spaced from its position of connection to the bracing member and
the second stud;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view looking towards an
opening in the web of a stud for receiving a bracing member and
showing a bracing member in sections spaced from the position that
it will occupy in the opening;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing the bracing member
positioned in a lower portion of the bracing member opening;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3, but showing a wider bracing
member within a central part of the opening in the web of the
stud;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but showing the bracing member
snuggly received in its region of the opening in the web of the
studs;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a sheet metal
stud, taken from above and looking toward an upper end, the outside
of the web and the outside of the surface of a flange, such view
showing a pair of flaps formed from bent out portions of the web,
extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to the web;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 showing a segment of a channel
shaped bracing member within the opening in the web, with its
flanges extending upwardly and screws being used to connect the
bent out flaps to the bracing member;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of the
bracing member;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 8 but showing an additional
modification;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a bracing member with the
cross-section shown by FIG. 8 positioned within an opening in the
web of the stud;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 10 but showing the bracing
member having the cross-section shown by FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an elevation view looking towards the inside of
the web of a stud, showing longitudinal and transverse cuts in the
web, forming two side flaps and two end flaps, wherein each flap
has three cut sides and one side that remains attached to the web
and provides a hinge for the flap, such view showing all four flaps
in a flat condition and further showing fastener openings in the
flaps;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a pictorial view taken from above and looking
towards the outer side of the web and showing the four flaps bent
out from the web into positions that are perpendicular to the
general plane of the web;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a side view of a stud having two side flaps and
two end flaps, such view showing the two side flaps in an open
position and the lower end flap in an open position and showing a
fragment of a bracing member extending through the opening;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
15-15 of FIG. 14;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a section of the
bracing member shown by FIG. 9, provided with transverse slots in
its lower portion adapted to receive portions of the webs which
border the openings in the webs;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken substantially at the plane
of a web, showing the upper portion of the bracing member within
the opening in the web of the stud and including a broken line
showing of the lower portion of a bracing member that is located on
the opposite side of the web;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken through the bracing member
of FIG. 16 at the location of one of the slots in the lower portion
of the bracing member;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a bracing member
in the form of an upwardly opening channel, such view being taken
from below and looking upwardly towards the outside of the
foreground flange, the inside of the background flange and the
bottom of the web, such views showing slots in the flanges of the
bracing member adapted for connecting the bracing member to the web
of the stud in the region of the bracing member opening in the web
of the stud;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken through the bracing
member in the region of a pair of slots in the flanges of the
member;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 5, but showing the bracing member
of FIGS. 6 and 7 positioned in the opening and moved downwardly to
place side portions of the web of the stud in the slots in the
bracing member;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a sectional view through a bracing member that is
a channel member having a narrow lower portion and a wide upper
portion;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a view like FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, showing the bracing
member of FIG. 10 in the bracing member opening of the web of the
stud;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 3, but showing a modified
construction of the opening in the web of the stud, such opening
including inwardly directed side portions which extend over the
bracing member and lock it in position vertically;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12, but showing a wider bracing
member positioned in the opening in the web of the stud, below a
second pair of inwardly projected side portions of the opening
which overhang the bracing member and prevent it from moving
upwardly in opening;
[0043] FIG. 14 is a view like FIG. 13, but showing two brace
members in the opening in the web of the stud, each of which is
restrained against vertical movement in the opening;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a portion of a
stud, such view being taken from above and looking down towards the
outer side of a foreground flange, the inner side of a background
flange and the outer side of the web, and showing longitudinal and
transverse cuts in the web, defining flaps that can be bent out
from the general plane of the web into positions perpendicular to
the general plane of the web;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a view like FIG. 15, but showing the flaps bent
out, showing a bracing member in the opening in the web of the
stud, and showing the bent out flaps connected to the bracing
member by screw fasteners;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a view like FIG. 16, but showing the web of the
stud cut to form two flaps on opposite sides of a rectangular
opening in the stud, and showing a bracing member in the opening in
the stud, connected to the flaps by screw fastener;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a view like FIG. 17, but showing the bracing
member extending diagonally;
[0048] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary pictorial view of a portion of a
bracing member in the region of a fastener flap formed in the web
of the bracing member;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the
bracing member of FIG. 19 positioned within an opening in the web
of a stud and the fastener flap pushed out from the web of the
bracing member and connected to the web of the stud by a screw
fastener;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a pictorial view of a section of wall framing,
showing three vertical studs and a horizontal bracing member
extending diagonally to the studs through openings in the webs of
the studs;
[0051] FIG. 22 is fragmentary view of portions of two sections of
the bracing member, showing the construction of the opposite ends
of the bracing members, and in particular showing that one end has
a reduced dimension so that it is telescopically receivable in the
second end of the adjacent section of the bracing member;
[0052] FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of a framing structure
comprising a horizontal header, a horizontal footer and a plurality
of vertical studs extending between the header and the footer, such
view showing crossing bracing members extending through openings in
the webs of the studs and at the center of the framing being
connected to a common connector;
[0053] FIG. 24 is a pictorial view of the common connector shown by
FIG. 23;
[0054] FIG. 25 is a view showing a portion of a sectional bracing
member composed of tubular sections that are connected together by
splice members that extend into adjoining ends of adjacent
sections;
[0055] FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 23 showing
a section of the bracing member between two studs and about to be
inserted into aligned openings in the studs; and
[0056] FIG. 27 is a view like FIG. 26 showing the section of the
bracing member installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0057] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate prior art assemblies. FIG. 1 shows two
laterally spaced apart studs 10, each including a web 12 and a pair
of flanges 14. The webs 12 have side edges to which the flanges 14
are joined. Flanges 14 include lips 16. The web 12 and the lips 16
are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the flanges 14.
This type of structure is referred to as a "lipped channel".
[0058] The webs 12 include openings 18 which preferably have a
central wide portion that is between edges 20, 22 and a pair of
narrow end portions between edges 24, 26 and 28, 30. The end
portions of the opening 18 are sized to snuggly receive between the
edges 28, 30 a first channel member 32. As shown by FIG. 3, channel
member 32 fits down into a chosen one of the end portions of the
opening 18. As shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, a wider channel 34 is
snuggly fittable between the edges 20, 22 of the wider central
portion of the opening 18. The channel members 32, 34 serve to
brace the studs 10. In the illustrated embodiment, they are shown
to extend horizontally through the aligned openings 18 in the studs
10. FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art way of connecting the members
32, 34 to the studs 10. It involves the use of connectors 36 in the
form of short lengths of angle iron. The vertical leg 38 of the
angle iron connector 36 is screwed to the web 12 of its stud 10.
The web of the channel 32 (or 34) is screwed to the horizontal leg
40 of the connector 36. In use, the connectors 36 are first
connected to the webs 12 of the studs 10. Then, care is taken to
see that the webs 12 of the studs 10 are properly spaced apart.
Then, the channel members 32, 34 are screwed to the connectors
36.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows that when a small channel 32 is used as a
bracing member, it is easily fitted into and through the wide
central portion of the opening 18 (FIG. 2). Then, the member 32 is
moved downwardly or upwardly into one of the narrower end portions
of the opening 18 (FIG. 3). As shown by FIG. 4, the wider bracing
member 34 must be inserted into the openings at an angle. When it
is in place within the openings 18 and a plurality of studs 10, the
channel 14 is rotated into the position shown by FIG. 5.
[0060] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a feature of the invention. Specifically
they show stud 42 that includes an opening 44 bounded by a pair of
side flaps 46, 48. Side flaps 46, 48 are made in the following
manner. A longitudinal cut equal to the length dimension of the
flaps is made at or near the lateral center of the web 48. Then
transverse cuts are made at the opposite ends of the longitudinal
cut. This creates two flaps, each having three cut sides and one
uncut side. The uncut sides remain joined to the web 48 and serve
as hinges for the flaps 46, 48. In use, the flaps 46, 48 are swung
out from the general plane of the web 42 into positions where they
are substantially parallel to each other and substantially
perpendicular to the web 48. In this embodiment, the opening 44 is
defined laterally between the side flaps 46, 48. FIG. 6 shows an
elongated bracing member 34 extending through the opening 44 of one
of the studs 42. When the bracing member 34 is in place, fasteners
in the form of sheet metal screws 50 are used to connect the side
flaps 46, 48 to the bracing member 34.
[0061] The studs 42 are lipped channels such as or described above
in connection with FIGS. 1-5. The side flaps 46, 48 may include
predrilled openings 52. Or, the openings may be formed at the time
the screws 50 are installed. The screws 50 may be self-tapping
screws so that they will form openings as they are rotated. A screw
50 would drill its way into and through an opening through first
the flap and then through the adjacent flange 54, 56 of the channel
member 34. The construction and use of self-tapping screws is well
known and does not need to be described any further.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a stepped channel 58 having a narrow portion 60
and a wide portion 62. The narrow portion 60 includes a web 64 and
two side portions 66, 68 which are perpendicular to the web 64. The
wide portions 62 has a pair of parallel side portions 70, 72 which
are connected to side portions 66, 68 by transition regions 74, 76.
FIG. 9 shows. a modified form of stepped channel 78. It is like the
channel shown by FIG. 8 except that it also includes a pair of lips
80, 82. The lips 80, 82 are in co-planar parallelism. They are also
parallel with the web 64 and are perpendicular to the side portions
66, 68, 70, 72. FIG. 10 shows a bracing member in the form of a
channel 58 inside of an end portion of an opening 18 in web 12 of a
stud 10. FIG. 11 is a similar view of a bracing member in the form
of channel member 78 placed within the opening 18. In these
embodiments, the bracing members 58, 78 may be connected to the
studs 10 by use of separate connectors, such as shown by FIG.
1.
[0063] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a stud 84 in the form of a lipped
channel. Stud 84 is like stud 10 except for the construction of
opening in the web of a channel. In this embodiment, the web is
designated 86, the flanges are designated 88, 90 and the lips are
designated 92, 94. As earlier described, the flanges 88, 90 are
parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the web 86 and the
lips 92, 94. The lips 92, 94 are in co-planar parallelism and they
are parallel with the web 86 and are perpendicular to the flanges
88, 90. Referring to FIG. 12, a longitudinal cut 96 is made at the
lateral center of the web 86. A pair of transverse cuts 88, 90 are
made at the ends of the longitudinal cuts 96. If one were to stop
cutting at this point, there would be formed the flaps 46, 48 shown
by FIGS. 6 and 7. These are side flaps and they are connected by
hinge lines 92, 94. Hinge lines 92, 94 are imaginary lines that are
parallel to the cut line 96. At these locations, the flaps 98, 100
remain connected to the rest of the web 86. In preparation for use,
the flaps 98, 100 are bent out from the plane of the web around the
hinge line 92, 94, into the positions shown by FIG. 13. In this
embodiment, second and third longitudinal cuts 102, 104 are formed
endwise from the flaps 98, 100 at one end of the opening form by
the flaps 98, 100. Fourth and fifth longitudinal cuts 106, 108 are
formed at the opposite ends of the flaps 98, 100. The metal between
cuts 102, 104 remains connected to the web 86 along a hinge line
110. The metal between the cuts 106, 108 remains connected to the
web 86 along hinge line 112. This forms end flaps 114, 116 that are
bendable about hinge lines 110, 112 into the positions shown by
FIG. 13. When all four flaps 98, 100, 114, 116 are bent out from
the web 86, an opening 118 is formed that is like opening 18 shown
in FIGS. 1-5 except that this embodiment the two sides and the two
ends of the opening are bordered by the flaps 98, 100, 114,
116.
[0064] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the two side flaps 98, 100 and one end
flap 116 being pushed out from the web 86. The second end flap 114
may be left in an unbent position within the plane of the web 86.
FIG. 15 shows a lipped channel bracing member of a type shown by
FIG. 9 positioned within the lower part of the opening. Flap 98 is
attached to side portion 72 of members 78 by a screw 80. Flap 100
is connected to side portion 70 of members 78 by a second screw 80.
End flap 116 is connected to the web 64 by a third screw 80. This
provides a very firm connection between the two members 78, 86.
[0065] FIGS. 16 and 17 relate to another embodiment of invention.
In this embodiment, the stud 120 has a generally rectangular
opening 122 cut into its web 124. The bracing member 126 is a
lipped channel construction and throughout most of its
cross-section is like FIG. 9. However, in this embodiment, the
narrow portion has a plurality of slots 128 cut into, through its
web 130 and side portions 132, 134. This is shown in FIG. 18. The
slots 128 are spaced apart longitudinally of the bracing member 128
by a distance equal to the desired center-to-center spacing of the
stud webs 124. For example, this distance may be sixteen inches, or
twenty-four inches, or some other dimension. The opening 122 is
large enough to receive the cross-section of the member 126. Member
126 is inserted through aligned openings 122 in a wall of the studs
120. Then, the web 124 of each stud 120 is aligned with a slot 128
and the member 126 is moved downwardly so that the web portion 130
(FIG. 17) will enter into the slot 128. When the bracing member 126
is installed, the positioning of the web portion 130 in the slots
128 holds the studs 120 properly spaced apart. It may be desirable
to provide the opening 122 with side flaps so that they can be used
to further connect the stud 120 to the member 126. Screw fasteners
would extend through the side flaps and screw into the wider side
portions of member 126. This is easy to understand and so it is not
illustrated.
[0066] FIG. 19 shows a section of a lipped stud 138 comprising a
web 140, flanges 142, 144 connected to the web, and lips 146, 148
connected to the flanges 142, 144. In this embodiment, a shorter
longitudinal cut 150 is provided in the web 140 about half way
between the two flanges 142, 144. Transverse cuts 152, 154 are
provided at the opposite ends of the longitudinal cut 150. Side
hinge lines 154 exist between the ends of the two transverse cuts
152. Longitudinal cuts 158, 160 extend outwardly from the ends of
cut 152. In similar fashion, longitudinal lines 162, 164 extend
downwardly (as pictured) from the ends of line 153. A hinge line
166 extends between the upper ends of cuts 158, 160. A hinge line
168 extends between the lower ends of cut lines 162, 164. This
forms two side flaps 170, 172 and two end flaps 174, 176. In FIG.
20, these flaps 170, 172, 174, 176 are shown bent out from the
plane of the web 140. This provides an opening 178 in the region of
the web vacated by the flaps. Opening 178 is adapted to receive a
tubular bracing member or some other bracing member having side
portions to which some or all of the flaps 170, 172, 174, 176 can
be connected.
[0067] FIG. 21 shows portions of three studs 42 (FIGS. 6 and 7). In
this view, a bracing member 34 is shown extending diagonally
through aligned openings in the studs 42. Screws 50 connect the
flaps 46, 48 to the bracing member 34. FIG. 21 shows a plurality of
web openings formed in each stud 42. The location of the openings
is chosen so that the desired inclination angle of the bracing
member 34 is achieved.
[0068] In some walls, it may be necessary or desirable to use a
sectional bracing member in order to facilitate the installation of
the bracing member in a stud wall. Each section has a first end 180
and a second end 184. FIG. 22 shows a first end 180 of a first
section 182 and a second end 184 of a second section 186. As can be
seen from FIG. 22, end 180 has a reduced cross-sectional dimension.
It is sized and shaped to fit inside of the end 182 of the next
section. Screw receiving openings 188 are formed in end portion
184. End portion 180 of section 182 is inserted inside of end
portion 184 of section 186 and the sections are pushed together.
Then, screws (not shown) are inserted through the openings 188 and
are used to secure section 186 to section 184.
[0069] FIG. 23 shows a framing wall comprising an upper track or
header 190, a lower track or footer 192, and a plurality of studs
42 interconnected between the tracks 190, 192. In this embodiment,
the studs 42 are provided with the flap system shown by FIGS. 7 and
21. In FIG. 23, the diagonal bracing members 188, 190 appear to
cross each other. Actually, they meet at a common connector 194.
Diagonal member 182 may be two sections that meet at connector 192
and diagonal member 190 may be too two sections that meet at
connector 194. When sections of this length are used, it will be
necessary to install the framing wall on the floor and then tilt it
up into a vertical position.
[0070] FIG. 24 shows the common connector 194 having intersecting
portions 196, 198, each of which is a tubular socket. Inner end
portions of the sections of the bracing members 188, 190 plug into
the sockets 200, 202, 204, 206. Screws (not shown) are inserted
through openings 206, 208 for connecting the socket members to the
end portions of the sections of the bracing members 188, 190.
[0071] FIG. 25 shows a different way of constructing a bracing
member. It may comprise a plurality of tubular sections 210 and a
splice member 212. The splice member 112 is also tubular in shape
and it fits into confronting end portions of two sections 210. Then
screws 214 are used to connect the members 210, 212 together. The
system shown by FIG. 25 may be used with a connector such as shown
by FIG. 24. In that case, one end of the spliced member 212 will be
inserted into one of the sockets of the connector 194. The other
end will be inserted into one of the bracing member sections
210.
[0072] FIG. 26 shows a section 182 of a bracing member in a
diagonal position between two studs 84 with a first end 180 of the
section 182 about to be inserted into a web opening in the stud 90
on the left. The section 182 is longer than the space between the
webs of the two studs is wide, by several inches. The stud opening
is sized such that the leading end 180 of the section 182 can be
moved into the opening by an amount sufficient to allow the
opposite end 184 of the section to be swung upwardly into a
position of alignment with the web opening in the other stud 84.
When this alignment is achieved, the section 182 is moved to
connect it to the end 180 of the next section 182. The section 182
is long enough so that when it is in both web openings a first end
portion projects beyond the first stud and a second end portion
projects in the opposite direction beyond the second stud. In the
embodiment shown by FIG. 22, the interconnected end portions 180,
184 may come together within a web opening. During the assembly of
the sectional brace member, the sections are moved axially as
necessary to couple them together and properly position each
assembled brace member relative to the several studs through which
it extends.
[0073] The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present
invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood
that many changes in the particular structure, materials and
features of the invention may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention
that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments
illustrated and described herein, but rather determine by the
following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of
claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents
and reversal of parts.
* * * * *