U.S. patent application number 12/056180 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for furring strip alignment system.
Invention is credited to Gregory P. Albracht.
Application Number | 20090025327 12/056180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40294019 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090025327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albracht; Gregory P. |
January 29, 2009 |
Furring Strip Alignment System
Abstract
A furring strip system with built-in alignment and airspace
between interior and exterior walls for ventilation and rainscreen
protection. A wall grid system speeds installation. The furring
strip system has application to installation of drywall panels,
deck applications, and floor applications. The system allows
release of moisture from wood and wood plastic composite (WPC)
decking via a space between boards. The invention further has
application to roof installations with cross bars as well as
different types of roofing, and ceiling applications.
Inventors: |
Albracht; Gregory P.;
(Omaha, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NOVAK DRUCE DELUCA + QUIGG LLP
1300 EYE STREET NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
40294019 |
Appl. No.: |
12/056180 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60908073 |
Mar 26, 2007 |
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60909051 |
Mar 30, 2007 |
|
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60910138 |
Apr 4, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/481.1 ;
248/544; 52/489.1; 52/506.06; 52/664 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0864 20130101;
E04F 21/185 20130101; E04F 13/0826 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/481.1 ;
52/489.1; 248/544; 52/664; 52/506.06 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/58 20060101
E04B002/58; E04F 21/18 20060101 E04F021/18; E04B 2/30 20060101
E04B002/30 |
Claims
1. A furring attachment and alignment system for building panels,
comprising a plurality of metal furring strips each having an air
space channel formed therein, at least one cross-member connected
to said plurality of metal furring strips to align said strips in a
preselected spacing interval, said air space channel being placed
against a building substrate surface so as to provide a moisture
ventilation mechanism for releasing moisture between said building
panels and said building substrate surface.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are roofing
panels.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are interior
walls.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are flooring
panels.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said building panels are decking
panels.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips each contain
at least one slot, said system further comprising a hanging tool
having a clamping mechanism for attaching to said furring strips
through said slots, which tool temporarily holds said building
panels in place to allow final attachment to said furring
strips.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips have a
minimal amount of contact with said substrate to minimize heat
conduction via said furring strips.
8. The system of claim 8, wherein said furring strips include
hemmed legs which contact said substrate and form a moisture
drainage channel between said substrate and said building
panels.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said furring strips are made of
G-90 galvanization steel.
10. The system of claim 1, further including a second cross-member
connected to said furring strips to form a grid system for
installation of said furring system over an entire substrate at one
time.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said cross-members include
attachment mechanisms for automatically aligning the strips 16'' on
center to attach to studs associated with said substrate.
12. A panel hanging tool for use with the system of claim 1, which
tool is inserted into openings formed in said strips, and which
holds said building panels in place temporarily until final
attachment to said furring strips.
13. The panel hanging tool of claim 12, wherein said tool includes
a plurality of slots for insertion of a clip to accommodate various
increments and sizes of panels being used.
14. A metal furring strip that has at least one hemmed leg and a
hollow back to allow drainage of moisture.
15. The metal furring strip of claim 13, further comprising a
thermal barrier coating.
16. The metal furring strip of claim 14, wherein said furring strip
is made of G-90 galvanization steel.
17. A metal furring strip having a plurality of mounting hooks for
tongue-and-groove building panels to be attached thereto, wherein
said mounting hooks provide a space between said panels to allow
moisture drainage between panels.
18. The metal furring strip of claim 17, further comprising a
thermal barrier coating.
19. The metal furring strip of claim 17, wherein said furring strip
is made of G-90 galvanization steel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/908,073
filed Mar. 26, 2007, Ser. No. 60/909,051 filed Mar. 30, 2007, and
Ser. No. 60/910,138 filed Apr. 4, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to construction materials and
systems, and in particular to furring materials used to construct
walls, ceilings, flooring and roofing of buildings. The invention
provides a significant improvement over conventional furring
materials that can trap moisture behind wall panels and causing
mold and mildew growth and rot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a furring strip system with
built-in alignment and airspace between interior and exterior walls
for ventilation and rainscreen protection. A wall grid system
speeds installation.
[0004] The furring strip system has application to installation of
drywall panels, deck applications, and floor applications. The
system allows release of moisture from wood and wood plastic
composite (WPC) decking via a space between boards. The invention
further has application to roof installations with cross bars as
well as different types of roofing, and ceiling applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a metal furring strip according
to the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates cross-sectional views of various
different shapes of a metal furring strip in accordance with the
invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a furring strip grid in accordance with another
aspect of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows the use of a horizontal furring strip in
accordance with the invention, for adjustment of alignment with
variably spaced wall studs;
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a panel hanging tool in accordance with
the invention for use with the furring system of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the hanging of a wall panel
using the furring system of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 shows side views of different configurations of
hanging tool in accordance with the invention;
[0012] FIG. 8 shows an example of attachment of the panel hanging
tool to the furring strip of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows an example of a leg that catches the underside
of a furring strip of the invention for attachment of the hanging
tool;
[0014] FIG. 10 shows the use of hanging tool cross slots for
vertical applications;
[0015] FIG. 11 shows an example of a vertical panel hanging
application;
[0016] FIG. 12 shows examples of various shape and size
configurations of furring strip slots in accordance with the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 13 shows another example of a furring strip grid system
in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, furring strips 10 are preferably made
from steel blanks, with chamfered holes 12 for screw leveling flush
to the strip surface. The holes may be manufactured to different
increments such as 12'', 8'' etc. FIG. 2 shows examples of various
cross-sectional shapes for the furring strips 10, which allow the
installation of various types of drywall, boards, panels, siding,
etc. The furring strip 10 may have hemmed legs 22 for added
strength, and can be made to different depths as well as different
lengths. The steel strips can be used as a fireblock in the
horizontal direction, and a drip edge may be added for drainage.
The hollow back allows only a small amount of the surface to which
the furring strip is being attached to be contacted by the strip.
This allows for the maximum amount of air flow and drainage on a
substrate.
[0019] Preferably, the furring strip 10 is a hollow vented strip
made from a durable material such as steel. It can be used for all
types of furring. Among its advantages, the furring strip system
according to the invention can be made to custom lengths, will not
burn in the event of a fire, and can be made with tolerance
consistent to 1/10,000 of an inch. The furring strip is vented so
that it allows moisture to flow down the steel furring strip and
vent an entire wall. This feature is a significant improvement over
a conventional solid furring strip such as wood furring strips that
can trap moisture in walls, roofs, and floors, causing rotting. The
furring strip also can be vinyl-coated to act as a thermal break or
barrier for the metal to reduce heat and cold conduction caused by
metal such as steel.
[0020] The metal furring strip also can utilize a foam or plastic
block to create a larger airspace behind wall panels. These blocks
can snap into the back of the metal furring strip. This also
creates a thermal break for the metal. The metal furring strip 10
can preferably be manufactured from G-90 Galvanized steel to reduce
the possibility of rusting. The furring strip system alternately
can be manufactured from vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and other
composite materials.
[0021] The furring strip can have clips and screw holes pre-punched
to attach and to receive different types of ceiling panels, wall
panels, flooring, exterior siding panels, decking panels, roofing
panels, overhang panels etc.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a pre-fabricated furring strip grid
system 30 using cross-members 31 to allow fast installation of
furring strips 10 all at one time, according to another aspect of
the invention. The furring system automatically spaces itself on
6'', 8'', 10'' 12'', 16'' and 24'' spacing increments for spacing
automatically by applying cross members 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the
furring strips 10 can be adjusted horizontally along the
cross-members 31 for studs that are variably spaced. The furring
strips 10 can be attached to the cross-members 31 by various
attachment mechanisms such as clamps with wing screws, magnetic
clamps, etc.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a panel hanging tool 50 in accordance with the
invention for use with the metal furring strip system. The tool 50
is inserted into slots, holes, or openings in the furring strip,
and holds wall or ceiling panels in place until final attachment to
the steel furring strip is made. This feature enables one person
installation The tool 50 has a screw clamp 54 for adjustably
attaching to the furring strip, as shown in detail in FIG. 8. Use
of the screw clamp 54 eliminates the need for any punches on the
furring strip. The tool 50 also has a number of slots 52 for
insertion of clips to hold wall panels for attachment to the
furring strips. This is shown in FIG. 6, where a panel 60 is hung
between two furring strips 10 using hanging tools 50.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 7, the tool 50 may have downward facing
hooks 72 and/or upward facing hooks 74 for accommodating various
types of tongue-and-groove panels for walls, floors, ceilings,
roofs, siding, log siding, overhangs, decks, etc., and an
additional projection 76 located in the middle of the tool for
accommodating double panels.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows an example of a furring strip 10 with
cross-slots 102 for vertical panel applications, as shown in FIG.
11. FIG. 11 illustrates a vertical panel 60 being hung on a single
furring strip 10 using the hanging tool 50.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 12, the furring strips may have smaller
slots to increase strength. The slots, holes, or apertures can be
set at different increments and can have various sizes and shapes
to accommodate various different applications.
[0027] FIG. 13 shows a second example of a grid system for strips
10 being attached to cross-members 31, with screws being used to
attach the horizontal bars through the slots or with metal tapping
screws.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows an example of an installed panel system 140
wherein panels 60 are attached to furring strips 10 via concealed
hook fasteners 141 and 142. Different hook dimensions can be
provided to fit all sizes of panels.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 15, the furring system of the invention
eliminates attachment of panels through the face of the panels, by
using j-shaped hooks 142, giving a concealed attachment and cleaner
look to the installed panels. A special starter strip hook 151 can
be provided at the bottom of the strip 10. As shown in FIG. 15, the
panel 60 is first inserted into the starter hook 151 and then
rotated into place under the hook 142. The next panel 61 then is
installed over the top edge of the panel 60, resting on hook 142.
FIG. 16 shows a configuration wherein panel 61 is fitted under a
top hook 171.
[0030] FIG. 17 shows a starter strip 191 for a foam back vinyl
siding design clip that sticks into the back of a vinyl siding
panel 192. FIG. 18 shows an example of tongue-and-groove attachment
technology, wherein hooks 181 insert into a channel or clip 182
fastened to the back of a tongue-and-groove panel 60 for attachment
of the panel to the furring strip 10. The small channel 182 either
can be glued onto the back of the panel, or pop riveted or screwed
onto a wood siding fiber cement panel, roofing panel, interior wall
covering panel, decking panel, aluminum panel, ceiling panel, or
floor panel.
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