U.S. patent application number 12/284318 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for bracing beams for sheet metal framing walls.
Invention is credited to Matt F. Surowiecki.
Application Number | 20090025331 12/284318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37802120 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090025331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Surowiecki; Matt F. |
January 29, 2009 |
Bracing beams for sheet metal framing walls
Abstract
One or more diagonal brace beam sections (26) extend between a
pair of connectors (32). One of the connectors is placed inside of
a first stud (14) that opens towards a closed side of the next stud
(14) the second connector member (32) abuts against the web of the
second stud (14). The connectors (32) are connected to the studs
(14) by screw fasteners or some other suitable form of fasteners.
The several diagonal brace beam sections (26) form an internal
brace beam for the wall that extends from an upper corner at one
end of the wall downwardly to a lower corner at the opposite end of
the wall.
Inventors: |
Surowiecki; Matt F.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barnard Intellectual Property Law, Inc.
P.O. Box 58888
Seattle
WA
98138-1888
US
|
Family ID: |
37802120 |
Appl. No.: |
12/284318 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11212421 |
Aug 27, 2005 |
7428804 |
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12284318 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/693 ;
52/696 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/2496 20130101;
E04B 2/7457 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/693 ;
52/696 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/32 20060101
E04C003/32; E04C 2/38 20060101 E04C002/38; E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A wall structure, comprising: first and second sheet metal
studs, each in the form of a channel having a closed side formed by
a web and an open side formed by and between spaced apart flanges
that are connected to the web; wherein the first and second studs
each includes inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending
parallel to each other and to the web and perpendicular to the
flanges; said open side of the first stud facing the closed side of
the second stud; a first connector member configured to be
positioned inside of the first stud, said first connector member
having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the
first stud and a pair of flanges that project from said web towards
the second stud; a second connector member having a web configured
to be positioned against the web of the second stud and a pair of
flanges projecting from said web towards the first stud; a brace
beam having a first end configured to fit inside the first
connector member and a second end configured to fit inside the
second connector member; wherein the first connector member is
connected to the first end of the brace beam by a fixed first
connection and the second connector member is connected to the
second end of the brace beam by a second fixed connection; wherein
the first connector member is insertable sideways part way into the
open side of the first stud, wherein the second stud is springable
away from the first stud, and wherein the brace beam is swingable
sideways to more the first connector member inside of the first
stud with its web against the web of the first stud and place the
web of the second connector member against the web of the second
stud, and wherein the second stud is then springable back towards
the first stud so as to place the web of the second stud against
the web of the second connector; and wherein the first connector
member is connectable to the first stud and the second connector
member is connectable to the second stud.
26. The wall structure of claim 25, wherein the brace beam extends
at a diagonal to the first and second studs.
27. the wall structure of claim 25, wherein the brace beam is
welded to the first and second connector members.
28. the wall structure of claim 26; wherein the brace beam is
welded to the first and second connector members.
29. a wall structure, comprising: first and second sheet metal
studs, each in the form of a channel having a closed side formed by
a web and an open side formed by and between spaced apart flanges
that are connected to the web; wherein the first and second studs
each includes inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending
parallel to each other and to the web and perpendicular to the
flanges; said open side of the first stud facing the closed side of
the second stud; a first connector member configured to be
positioned inside of the first stud, said first connector member
having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the of
the first stud and a pair of flanges that project from said web
towards the second stud; a second connector member having a web
configured to be positioned against the web of the second stud and
a pair of flanges projecting from said web towards the first stud;
first and second spaced apart brace beams, each having a first end
configured to fit inside the first connector member and a second
end configured to fit inside the second connector member and a
second end configured to fit inside the second connector member;
wherein the first connector member is connected to the first end of
both brace beams by fixed connections and the second connector is
connected to the second end of both brace beams by a fixed
connections; wherein the first connector member is a insertable
sideways part way into the open of the first stud, wherein the
second stud is springable away from the first stud, and wherein the
brace beams and the connector members are swingable sideways to
place the first connector member inside of the first stud with its
web against the web of the first stud and place the web of the
second connector member against the web of the second stud, and
wherein the second stud is then springable back towards the first
stud so as to place the web of the second stud against the web of
the second connector; and wherein the first connector member is
connectable to the first stud and the second connector member is
connectable to the second stud.
30. The wall structure of claim 29, wherein the first and second
brace beams extend in a diagonal to the first and second studs.
31. The wall structure of claim 30 wherein the brace beams are
welded to the first and second connector members.
32. The wall structure of claim 31 wherein the two brace beams are
welded to the first and second connector member
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to framing walls comprising
horizontal and vertical sheet metal framing members. More
particularly, it relates to framing walls in which bracing beam
sections are provided between the studs for bracing the wall along
a diagonal line or lines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,850, granted Jul. 28, 1998, to
[0003] 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. Some walls need to be braced
better than other walls, e.g. walls that are subjected to high wind
loads. A known way of bracing these walls is to attach diagonal
sheet metal straps to the flanges of the studs on one or both sides
of the wall. Wall board is installed over the straps. A problem
with this practice is that the straps distort 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 framing wall
comprising diagonal braces which are positioned between the studs
so that exterior straps and the distortion to the wall board that
they cause are eliminated.
[0004] There is a need for an improved way of bracing a framing
wall without the use of openings in the webs of the studs or straps
on the outsides of the studs. The principal object of the present
invention is to meet this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A wall structure of the present invention includes first and
second sheet metal studs, each in the form of a channel having a
closed side formed by a web and an open side formed by and between
spaced apart flanges. The open side of the first stud faces the
closed side of the second stud. A first connector member is
positioned inside the first stud. It has a web that is connected to
the web of the first stud and a pair of flanges that project from
said web towards the second stud. A second member has a web that is
connected to the web of the second stud and a pair of flanges
projecting from said web towards the first stud. A brace beam
extends between the studs and connector members. The brace beam has
a first end that is inside the first connector member and a second
end that is inside the second connector member. The flanges of the
first connector member are connected to the first end of the brace
beam and the flanges of the second connector member are connected
to the second end of the brace beam.
[0006] In one embodiment, the web of the first connector member is
connected to the web of the first stud by screw fasteners and the
web of the second connector member is connected to the web of the
second stud by screw fasteners. It is also within the scope of the
invention to weld the brace beam to the first and second connector
members. According to an aspect of the invention, the flanges of
the first connector member are connected to the first end of the
brace by a screw fasteners and the flanges of the second connector
member are connected to the second end of the brace beam by screw
fasteners.
[0007] Preferably, the brace beam extends at a diagonal to the
first and second studs.
[0008] In preferred form, the first and second studs each includes
inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending parallel to each
other and to the web and perpendicular to the flanges.
[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, the ends of the
brace beams are connected to the connector members by screw
fasteners which extend through the side flanges of the connector
members and screw into the side flanges of the brace beam, forming
a pivotable connection between the connector members and the ends
of the brace beam. This allows the brace beam to be positioned
substantially vertically between a pair of studs. Then, the brace
beam is rotated to allow placement of the first connector member
inside of the first stud and the web of the second connector
against the web of the second stud. The brace beam is of such a
length that when the webs of the connectors are against the webs of
the studs, the brace beam extends at a diagonal to the first and
second studs. Then, screw fasteners are used to connect the studs
to the two connector members, to in that manner connect the ends of
the brace beam to the two studs.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the ends of brace
beams are welded to connector members, one of which is inserted
into a first stud and the other of which is connected to the web on
the outside of a second stud. The sheet metal material is resilient
enough to allow positioning of the brace beam between two studs,
with the connector at one end of the brace beam inside of the first
stud, and placement of the connector at the second end against the
outer surface of the web of the second stud.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description of the illustrated
embodiments, set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims
and from the principles that are embodied in the specific
structures that are illustrated and described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts
throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a framing wall formed of
upper and lower tracks, vertical studs and diagonal brace beams
between the studs;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view showing a brace beam/connector member
assembly positioned between a first stud and a second stud, with
the connector members spaced from the studs;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3, but showing a first connector
member inside of the first stud and the web of the second member
against the web of the second stud, and the brace beam extending at
a diagonal to the first and second studs;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view of a portion of a
stud, a connector member and the end portion of a diagonal brace
beam;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing channel shape
diagonal brace beams that do not include lips;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view like FIGS. 2 and 6, showing the webs of the
brace beams directed upwardly instead of downwardly;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view like FIGS. 3 and 4 minus the studs and
showing one half of a center assembly;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a modified insert comprising a pair of vertically
spaced apart brace beams extending between a pair of horizontally
spaced apart connector members;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
10-10 of FIG. 9, showing the assembly of FIG. 9 being placed
between two studs;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 10, showing one of the studs
being bolts so as to permit the second end portion of the brace
beam assembly to be swung into place between the two studs;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11, showing the brace beam
assembly between the two studs;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12, but showing the second stud
relaxed to take the bow out of it;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of FIG. 12;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of FIG. 13; and
[0029] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the center portion of FIG.
1, showing two of the assemblies shown by FIG. 8 position to create
a center assembly or pair of crossing diagonal brace beam
assemblies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a framing wall comprising an upper track or
"header" 10, a lower track or "footer" 12, and a plurality of studs
14. The lower ends of the studs 14 fit down into the footer 12 and
the upper ends of the studs 14 fit up into the header 10. Screws
(some of which are designated) S are used to secure the header 10
and the footer 12 to the studs 14. The framing members 10, 12, 14
are made from sheet metal, preferably steel. The members 10, 12 are
channels composed of a web and a pair of flanges that extend
perpendicular from the web, giving the members 10, 12 a U-shaped
cross section. As best shown by FIG. 2, the studs 14 may be in the
nature of lipped channels. They are each composed of a web 16, a
pair of flanges 18, 20 and a pair of lips 22, 24. The flanges 18,
20 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the webs of the
members 10, 12. The lips 22, 24 are parallel to the web 16 and are
perpendicular to the flanges 22, 24. Screw fasteners S extend
through the flanges of the header 10 and screw into the upper ends
of the flanges of the studs 14. In similar fashion, screw fasteners
S extend through the flanges of the footer 12 and screw into the
lower ends of the flanges of the studs 14. What has been described
so far is conventional structure.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, a diagonal brace member 26 is provided
to be positioned between adjacent studs 14. Each brace beam section
26 has a connector 28 at one of its ends and a connector 30 at its
other end. The ends of the brace beam section 26 may be pivotally
connected to the connector members 28, 30 by bolts 32. As shown by
FIGS. 2 and 5, the connector 28 is sized to fit inside of the stud
12, between the lips 22, 24. Connector 28 preferably is a channel
member having a web 32 and two flanges 34, 36 each extending
perpendicular from the web 32. The brace beam section 26 may be a
lipped channel member (FIGS. 5 and 2) or a plain channel member
(FIGS. 6 and 7), or a tubular member (not shown). Channel members
may have their webs directed downwardly (FIGS. 2 and 6) or may have
them directed upwardly (FIG. 7). As shown by FIG. 2, the ends of
the brace beam section 26 are connected to the connector members
28, 30 by screw fasteners 31 that extend through the flanges of the
connectors 28, 30 and screw into the flanges of the brace member
28. A brace member assembly 26, 28, 30 is positioned between a pair
of studs 14, in the manner shown by FIG. 3. Then, the connector 28
is moved into the adjacent stud 14 and its web 31 is placed against
the web 16 of the stud 14. Then, screw fasteners are used to
connect the webs 32, 16 together, as shown in FIG. 2. After the
connector 28 is in place within its stud 14, the connector 30 is
positioned outwardly adjacent the web 16 of the second stud 14.
Again, screw fasteners 31 are used to connect the connector web to
the stud web, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown by FIG. 1, the plurality
of brace beam assemblies 26, 28, 30 together form a diagonal line
of brace beam sections 26 that extend from one upper corner of the
wall down to the lower corner at the opposite end of the wall.
[0032] As previously stated, the brace beam section 26' may be a
plain channel member, composed of only a web 40 and a pair of
flanges 42, 44, and the web 40 may be directed downwardly (FIG. 6).
Or, the web 40 may be directed upwardly (FIG. 7).
[0033] FIG. 8 shows one half of a center assembly 46. It comprises
a pair of brace beam members 48, 50 and three connector members 52,
54, 56. The ends of brace beam section 48 is pivotally connected at
its ends to connector 52 and connector 54. Brace beam section 50 is
pivotally connected at its ends to connector 52 and connector 56.
FIG. 17 shows a first assembly 46 positioned between the center
stud 14' of a wall and the adjacent stud 14' on the left side of
the center stud 14'. A second assembly 46 is turned upside down and
positioned between center stud 14' and the adjacent stud 14'' on
the right side of the center stud 14'. The connectors 52, 54, 56
are connected to the studs 14', 14'', 14''' in the same manner that
the connectors 28, 31 are connected to the studs 14 in FIG. 4. As
shown by FIG. 17, the brace beam sections 48 are on a diagonal line
extending from a lower corner at one end of the wall to an upper
corner at the opposite end of the wall. Brace beam sections 50
extend from an upper corner at the first end of the wall to a lower
corner at the opposite end of the wall. Additional brace beam
assemblies 26, 28, 30 are added to the ends of the brace beam
sections 48 and 50 to complete the diagonal braces.
[0034] FIGS. 9-16 relate to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring first to FIG. 9, the brace beam assembly 70 comprises at
least one diagonal brace beam section that is rigidly connected at
its ends to connectors 76, 78. In FIGS. 9-16, the assembly 70
includes a pair of brace beam sections 72, 74. Each is welded or
otherwise rigidly connected at its ends to the connectors 76, 78.
As shown by FIGS. 10-13, the connectors 76, 78 are channel members
having webs 80, 82 and flanges 84, 86, 88, 90. The brace beam
sections 72, 74 are channel members or tubular members. The channel
members may have the webs directed either upwardly or downwardly.
The end portions of the beam sections 72, 74 fit within the
connectors 82, 84, between the flanges 84, 86 and 88, 90, as shown
in FIGS. 10-13.
[0035] The embodiment of FIGS. 10-16 is installed in the following
manner. The end of the assembly that includes connector 76 is
installed inside of a first stud 14 that opens towards the closed
side of a second stud 14 (FIG. 10). Then, the end of the assembly
70 that includes connector 78 is rotated while the stud 14 is bowed
outwardly (FIG. 11). It is rotated until it is in a position
between the two studs 14. Then the force on the second stud 14
causing it to bow is released, allowing the second stuff 14 to move
with its web 16 against the web 82 of the connector 78 (FIG. 13).
Then, screw fasteners are used to connect the studs 14 to the
connectors 76, 78. As can be seen from FIGS. 14-16, a plurality of
the brace beam assemblies 70 may be installed in a stud wall
starting from its left end and continuing over to its right end.
This would provide upper and lower diagonal lines of brace beam
sections extending from the upper left corner of the wall to the
lower right corner of the wall. Herein, the term "flanges" is to be
interpreted to include opposite sidewalls of a rectangular tubular
member.
[0036] The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present
invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood
that many changes to 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
that are illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be
determined by the following claims, interpreted according to
accepted doctrines of patent claim construction, including use of
the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *