U.S. patent application number 11/261192 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for nx steel lumber.
Invention is credited to Suk K. Kim-Whitty.
Application Number | 20070095002 11/261192 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994494 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim-Whitty; Suk K. |
May 3, 2007 |
Nx steel lumber
Abstract
The invention is a cold formed, steel metal C-shaped structural
member having an elongated web member with novel opposing angular
intervening web extensions with variable exaggerated bends and
extending laterally to opposing perpendicular flange members and
extending to opposing end stiffening lips parallel to the center
web member at the cross sectional ends.
Inventors: |
Kim-Whitty; Suk K.;
(Killeen, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Suk K. Kim-Whitty;Suite 240
3102 Maple Avenue
Dallas
TX
75201
US
|
Family ID: |
37994494 |
Appl. No.: |
11/261192 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/844 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 2003/0452 20130101;
E04C 3/07 20130101; E04C 2003/0421 20130101; E04C 2003/043
20130101; E04C 2003/0413 20130101; E04C 2003/0473 20130101; E04C
2003/0465 20130101; E04C 2003/0434 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/731.3 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/30 20060101
E04C003/30 |
Claims
1. A metal structural member comprising: an elongate web member
having a first side and a second side; a pair of angular
intervening web extensions in the adjacent corners of the elongate
web member, wherein the angular intervening web extensions having
variable exaggerated bends and extending to opposite parallel
flanges that are perpendicular to the elongate web member and
terminating with stiffening lip members parallel to the elongate
web member forming a structural member of a generally C-shaped
cross section.
2. The metal structural member in accordance with claim 1 wherein
two structural members can be abutted along the outer longitudinal
wall of the members for increased lateral resistance.
3. The metal structural member in accordance with claim 1 wherein
two structural members can be abutted along the outside parallel
lip as a composite truss vertical beam or a structural component
for increased lateral resistance.
4. The metal structural member in accordance with claim 1 wherein
two structural members can be snapped-fit together and overlapping
as a closed channel forming a composite truss vertical beam or a
structural component for increased lateral resistance.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a novel C-shaped elongate
structural member, having improved fastening and lateral strength
characteristics, and in particular providing load bearing frames,
as determined per application by professional engineers. This
invention is concerned with a structural member that is cold formed
from sheet metal wherein the rigidity of the frame as a whole
results from the angular intervening web extensions, perpendicular
flanges, variable exaggerated bends and stiffening lips of the
member. Various metal framing systems have been developed to reduce
the cost and labor in the construction of partition structures.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Elongate structural members that are cold formed from sheet
metal are known in the art and are formed by rolling, folding
and/or pressing a metal strip to achieve a cross section which is
essentially either a channel, C-shaped, Z-shaped, or I-shaped
members. These prior structural members are defined by a web having
flanges projecting from the edges of the web and are formed from a
steel strip of thin dimension.
[0008] Common C-shaped studs may be susceptible to local,
torsional, flexural, torsional-flexural, lateral-torsional or
distortional buckling. The response performance of the stud depends
on a number of parameters such as how it is supported along its
length, including its ends, the relative magnitudes of the applied
loads and the distribution of these loads, the cross-section
configuration and the member's material properties. In
cold-formed/light gauge steel design, two of the common loading
conditions for framing members are a combination of axial and
flexural (bending) loads.
[0009] Walls in buildings are usually made by erecting a framework
of a plurality of spaced vertical beams called "studs" joined
together into a unit by an upper horizontal beam and a lower
horizontal beam (known as "plates"). The lower plate is an abutment
piece that distributes the load of vertical studs. Sheets of wall
board are then applied to both sides of the framework to produce
finished wall surfaces.
[0010] For flexure of studs, where the studs are attached to the
top and bottom plates with fasteners, the studs may be treated as
laterally and torsionally supported at these points of attachment.
Where conventional sheathing (plywood, oriented strand board, or
gypsum wallboard sheathing) is attached to the wall stud on both
flanges, it is generally assumed that the sheathing provides
lateral support for flexure by way of the fasteners.
[0011] The rising cost of lumber has caused increased interest in
fabricating and constructing buildings with frames of sheet metal
construction members. These construction members include roof
joists, trusses, exterior walls and interior walls. A common
structural design utilized in such metal frame construction is the
C-shaped stud or member, based upon its cross-section resembling
the letter C. Also, the member comprises a longitudinal web with
flanges from the longitudinal edges of the web to the same side of
the web and flanges being substantially parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the web.
[0012] Such C-shaped members are used as the vertical support
members for exterior and interior walls and are positioned at their
tops and bottoms in a rail or track which is essentially a C-shaped
member positioned in a horizontal configuration with the vertical
C-shaped stud positioned within the rails and tracks such that the
respective flanges of the vertical C-shaped stud and the horizontal
track are secured together to form the framework for a wall. The
metal studs that are installed at their ends in floor and ceiling
tracks are used to support drywall panels. The panels are usually
secured to the framing studs by adhesive and/or drywall screws or
fasteners.
[0013] Supporting metal studs should have good rigidity and
withstand the linear loads perpendicular to the flanges, which
arise during mounting and also when subjecting the finished wall to
loads. Prior art has suggested various measures for the reinforcing
of supporting elements; however, the market continually requires
increased rigid supporting elements, which is the starting point of
this invention. There is a need of a supporting element, which has
improved strength and rigidity and whose flanges in particular are
reinforced such that they yield toward each other to a minimal
extent when subjected to loads. The new supporting members need to
have improved torsional-flexural and lateral-torsional bracing. It
is desirable to have a cold form metal structural member that is
easily fabricated and exhibits exceptional structural strength even
when fabricated of relatively thin sheet metal.
[0014] Also, prior C-shaped metal construction members lack the
flexibility of multiple fastening surfaces, which limit
applications at different angles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
elongate, cold-formed, metal structural member fabricated out of
relatively thin sheet metal that has improved lateral resistance
and rigidity. This invention provides for an improved
lateral-strength metal construction member of a C-shaped
configuration, deriving from angular intervening web extensions and
variable exaggerated bends. A further object of the present
invention is to provide for three fastening surfaces to allow for
change in directions with different applications.
[0016] The invention provides for a novel C-shaped metal
construction member in which angular intervening web extensions and
perpendicular flanges with parallel end stiffening lips form
opposite to the center longitudinal, elongate web member. The
invention provides for a novel C-shaped metal construction member
with improved lateral resistance for load-bearing support as
determined per application by a professional engineer. The
invention provides for variable exaggerated bends to satisfy
certain engineering safety requirements. Previous undesired
internal stress of the supporting element is eliminated or changed
by the angular intervening web extensions, perpendicular flanges
with variable exaggerated bends and parallel end stiffening lips
that provide increased resistance to tension and compression.
[0017] Applicant's C-shaped metal construction member provides for
additional angles of fastening surface for a change of direction of
exterior or interior sheathing application. Typically, the exterior
sheathing will consist of plywood which is normally secured by an
approved fastener per determined application while the interior
wall may consist of gypsum board or dry wall which may be secured
by a threaded fastener or a nail. The member has three fastening
surfaces. As an additional application, the member works with
existing track because of the member's conventional size to the
existing market.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will become
evident from the following illustrations:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of
the C-shaped construction member.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a three dimensional partial side view of FIG. 1
illustrating the stiffening lips, the variable exaggerated bending
and the angular intervening web extensions and parallel flanges by
which there is improved lateral resistance.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of two abutted C-shaped
structural members of FIG. 1 along the outside web side as a
composite truss vertical beam or a structural component that
provides increased lateral resistance.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of two C-shaped structural
members of FIG. 1, facing in opposite directions, abutted along the
outside of the parallel lip members as a composite truss vertical
beam or a structural component for increased lateral
resistance.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of two C-shaped structural
members of FIG. 1, facing in opposite directions with one member
inserted and pressed into a second elongate member, forming a fully
enclosed metal channel, as a composite truss vertical beam or a
structural component for increased lateral resistance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The structural member illustrated in FIG. 1 would be roll
formed from thin, high tensile, galvanized steel in a structural
grade. It can be roll formed by a single passage of an initially
flat strip of sheet metal through a series of stands of forming
rolls which successively modify the shape of the strip passing
through the machines. FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first
embodiment of the C-shaped construction member. It comprises a
longitudinal, elongate web member 5 having an angular intervening
web extension 3 with variable exaggerated bends 4 and extending
laterally to flange member 2 perpendicular to web member 5 and
extending to an end wall member I of the flange member 2, in which
the stiffening lip 1 is formed substantially parallel to web member
5 at the cross sectional end. The variable exaggerated bends 4, on
both sides of flange member 3, satisfies safety requirements and
provides improved lateral strength. The longitudinal, elongate web
member 5, being the center portion of the C-shaped design, provides
additional fastening surface and has an angular intervening web
extension 6 with variable exaggerated bends 7 formed along the
opposing longitudinal edge of web member 5 and extending laterally
identical to that of web extension 3 on the opposite longitudinal
edge of web member 5 to flange member 8 perpendicular to web member
5 and extending to a stiffening lip 9 of the flange member 8, in
which the stiffening lip 9 is formed substantially parallel to web
member 5 at the cross sectional end. The variable exaggerated bends
7 on both sides of web extension 6, satisfies engineering safety
requirements and provides increased lateral strength.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective partial end view of a C-shape member
of FIG. 1, illustrating the stiffening lips, the variable
exaggerated bends, the angular intervening web extensions and the
three fastening surfaces.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of abutted C-shaped
construction members along the outer longitudinal, elongate web
member of FIG. 1 in a composite truss vertical beam or a structural
component combination that provides increased lateral
resistance.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of two C-shaped structural
members of FIG. 1 abutted along the outside parallel lip of the
members as a composite truss vertical beam or a structural
component for increased lateral resistance. The two elongate
channel members, facing oppositely, are secured together with
fasteners.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of two C-shaped structural
members of FIG. 1 with one member inserted and pressed into a
second elongate member, forming a fully enclosed metal channel as a
composite truss vertical beam or a structural component for
increased lateral resistance. The two elongate members, facing
oppositely, are secured together with fasteners. The overlapping of
the members into a channel provides reinforcing for the continuity
of the stress in the studs when a load is applied.
[0029] While the present invention has been described with respect
to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be evident to one of
ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited
only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
* * * * *