U.S. patent application number 12/268024 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for spring bracket for framing stud installation.
Invention is credited to Anthony Caringella, Anatoly Gosis, Kyle Thomas Kestner.
Application Number | 20100115878 12/268024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42153167 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100115878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gosis; Anatoly ; et
al. |
May 13, 2010 |
SPRING BRACKET FOR FRAMING STUD INSTALLATION
Abstract
A spring bracket for installing a framing stud between a ceiling
and a floor, the spring bracket including at least one clamping
portion configured for gripping an end of the frame stud; and at
least one leg attached to the clamping portion and configured for
engaging the ceiling or floor, wherein the spring bracket is the
sole device for securing the framing stud in place relative to the
floor upon installation.
Inventors: |
Gosis; Anatoly; (Palatine,
IL) ; Caringella; Anthony; (Norridge, IL) ;
Kestner; Kyle Thomas; (Schaumburg, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREER, BURNS & CRAIN, LTD.
300 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2500
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
42153167 |
Appl. No.: |
12/268024 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/656.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/7453 20130101;
E04B 2/824 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/656.9 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/58 20060101
E04B001/58 |
Claims
1. A spring bracket for installing a framing stud between a ceiling
and a floor, the spring bracket comprising: at least one clamping
portion configured for gripping an end of the frame stud; and at
least one leg attached to said clamping portion and configured for
engaging the ceiling or floor, wherein said spring bracket is the
sole device for securing the framing stud in place relative to the
floor upon installation.
2. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein each of said at least one
leg is moveable between a preinstalled position and a deformed
position, wherein each said leg moves from said preinstalled
position to said deformed position upon said ceiling sagging and
exerting a downward force on said spring bracket.
3. The spring bracket of claim 2 wherein an end of each said leg
has at least one friction enhancing formation for engaging said
ceiling.
4. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein said at least one clamping
portion and said leg are formed out of a continuous planar strip of
material.
5. The spring bracket of claim 4 wherein said material is spring
steel.
6. The spring bracket of claim 4 wherein said at least one clamping
portion is generally diamond-shaped when viewed from a front side
of said spring bracket.
7. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein said at least one clamping
portion is generally diamond-shaped when viewed from a front side
of said spring bracket.
8. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein said at least one clamping
portion is generally double diamond-shaped when viewed from a front
side of said spring bracket.
9. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein each said leg is generally
"L"-shaped.
10. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein each said leg is
generally "S"-shaped.
11. The spring bracket of claim 1 wherein each said leg includes at
least one angle-forming bend.
12. The spring bracket of claim 8 and wherein each said leg is
generally "L"-shaped.
13. The spring bracket of claim 12 wherein an end of each said leg
has at least one generally tooth-shaped friction enhancing
formation for engaging said ceiling.
14. The spring bracket of claim 13 wherein said material is spring
steel.
15. a framing stud system for use between a ceiling and a floor,
comprising: A framing stud disposed between the ceiling and the
floor; a spring bracket having at least one clamping portion
gripping a first end of the frame stud, and having at least one leg
attached to said clamping portion for engaging the ceiling or the
floor; and a friction causing surface disposed between a second end
of said framing stud and the ceiling or the floor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to components used
in building construction, and more specifically to the installation
of framing studs between a ceiling and a floor. The present
application is directed to a spring bracket used to facilitate such
installation.
[0002] Metal framing stud-based walls are commonly used in
commercial and some residential building construction as they
provide a strong and reliable support structure. Such walls use
vertically positioned elongate, framing studs having a "["-shaped
cross-section, which are spaced horizontally to form a wall. These
framing studs are typically secured in place by fastening both an
upper end and a lower end of the framing stud to respective and
floor framing tracks, also referred to as headers and footers. Once
the framing studs have been installed and properly positioned, the
fasteners at the upper end of the framing stud often need to be
removed to accommodate a sag in the ceiling. Failure to remove
these fasteners can result in a stud columnar deformation.
[0003] Further, after the framing studs have been installed, sheets
of wallboard are fastened to the studs, and wallboard joint
compound is applied to seams formed by adjacent panels. However,
when applying joint compound, improperly installed fasteners at
both ends of the framing stud may cause dimple-like deformations
and associated stress of the naturally brittle joint compound once
set. For these reasons, fasteners are typically removed once the
framing studs have been installed. Of course, removing these
fasteners adds to the total labor time required for these
projects.
SUMMARY
[0004] The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present
spring bracket for framing stud installation, which features a
clamping portion for mounting to a framing stud, and legs for
engaging a ceiling or floor. The spring bracket therefore avoids
having to use fasteners to secure the framing stud in place. In
addition to securing the stud in place without fasteners, the
present spring clip bracket accommodates ceiling sagging and
maintains the stud position.
[0005] More specifically, a spring bracket is provided for
installing a framing stud between a ceiling and a floor, including
at least one clamping portion configured for gripping an end of the
frame stud; and at least one leg attached to the clamping portion
and configured for engaging the ceiling or floor, wherein the
spring bracket is the sole device for securing the framing stud in
place upon installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present spring
bracket;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the same;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the bracket of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a spring bracket of the
present invention, shown mounted on a framing stud;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front view of the spring bracket of the present
invention, shown mounted on a framing stud with the legs in a
preinstalled position;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a front view of the spring bracket of the present
invention, shown mounted on a framing stud with the legs in a
deformed position;
[0012] FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a second embodiment
of the present spring bracket;
[0013] FIG. 7B is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of
the present spring bracket;
[0014] FIG. 7C is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment
of the present spring bracket;
[0015] FIG. 7D is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of
the present spring bracket; and
[0016] FIG. 7E is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of
the present spring bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a spring bracket, generally
designated 10, is shown mounted on a framing stud 12. Included on
the spring bracket 10 is at least one clamping portion 14
configured for gripping an upper end 16 of the framing stud 12.
Preferably, the clamping portion 14 is generally diamond-shaped
when viewed from a front side of the spring bracket 10 (FIG. 2).
Other shapes for the clamping portion 14 are also considered,
including for example, a generally double diamond-shape 14a when
viewed from a front side of the spring bracket 10, wherein one
diamond is stacked on top of another diamond (FIGS. 7C, 7D, and
7E).
[0018] Attached to the clamping portion 14 is at least one and
preferably two legs 18 configured for engaging a ceiling 20 (FIG.
6) and which are moveable between a preinstalled position and a
deformed position. Preferably, the legs 18 are generally
"L"-shaped, with a short end 19 being connected to the clamping
portion 14. However, it is noted that the legs could have different
shapes, including for example, a generally "S"-shape or
radiused-shape (FIG. 7D). Further, legs 18 including at least one
angle-forming bend (FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7D, and 7E) are considered.
Included on the legs 18 are at least one friction enhancing
formation 22 on a free end 23 for engaging the ceiling 20.
Preferably, the formation 22 is generally tooth-shaped, although
other shapes are also considered, including fork-like 22a (FIG.
7A), tabbed 22b (FIG. 7B) and splayed teeth 22c (FIGS. 7C, 7D,
7E).
[0019] The clamping portion 14 and die legs 18 are preferably
formed out of a continuous, planar strip of spring steel (e.g.,
AISI 1074 or AISI 1090) or other suitable material to permit
movement of the legs between the preinstalled position and the
deformed position.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, similar to the fastener-based
system described in the Background section above, the spring clip
10 is used to install the framing stud 12, securing it between the
ceiling 20 and a floor 24. To install the framing stud 12, the
spring bracket 10 is mounted on the framing stud such that the
clamping portion 14 grippingly engages the upper end 16 of the
framing stud. More specifically, clamping action is focused at at
least one clamping point 26 where opposing portions 15a, 15b of the
clamping portion 14 are closest to each other. The remaining
portions of the clamping portion 14 are configured for generating a
biasing force at the clamping point 26. Once the bracket 10 is
positioned on the stud 12, the framing stud is positioned
vertically between the floor 24 and ceiling 20 (FIG. 5), with the
legs 18 exerting a downward biasing force on the stud through the
clamping portion 14.
[0021] A friction causing surface 30 is optionally positioned
between a lower end 32 of the framing stud 12 and the floor 24 to
reduce movement of the framing stud 12 during and after
installation. At the upper end 16 of the framing stud 12, the
friction-enhancing formations 22 engage the ceiling 20 and
similarly reduce movement of the framing stud.
[0022] Once the spring bracket 10 and the framing stud 12 have been
installed between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20, it is likely
that the ceiling will eventually sag. When this occurs, the ceiling
20 exerts a downward force on the spring bracket 10, causing the
legs 18 to move from the preinstalled position (FIG. 5) to the
deformed position (FIG. 6). It is noted that FIG. 6 represents one
of many potential deformed leg positions that result from the
sagging of ceiling 20. However, it is contemplated that the degree
and angle of deflection of the legs 18 may vary depending on the
application and upon the configuration of the legs, as seen in
FIGS. 6-7E.
[0023] Movement of the legs 18 between the preinstalled position
and the deformed position also aids the installation of the framing
stud 12. Depending on the length of the framing stud 12 and the
distance between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20, it is often
difficult to fit the framing stud (with a spring bracket 10),
between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20. However, installation can
be achieved by placing the upper end 16 of the framing stud 12
(with the sprint bracket 10 attached) on the ceiling 20 at an
angle, followed by straightening out the framing stud by moving the
lower end 32 toward the floor 24 to engage the friction-causing
surface 30. It is noted that placement of the spring bracket 10 is
not limited to the upper end 16 of the framing stud, but is also
mountable on the lower end 32, wherein the legs 18 engage the floor
24 rather than the ceiling 20. Further, while use of a single
spring bracket 10 is sufficient to secure the framing stud 12, it
is contemplated that spring brackets are mountable on both the
upper end 16 and the lower end 32 of the framing stud to further
secure the framing stud in place.
[0024] In the event that it is difficult to fit the framing stud 12
(with the spring bracket 10 mounted on it) between the floor 24 and
the ceiling 20, the legs 18 can be moved towards their deformed
position, thereby reducing the total height of the framing stud 12
and spring bracket 10 combination. Once the framing stud 12 and
spring bracket 10 are properly positioned, the legs 18 engage and
exert a biasing force upon the ceiling 20 as they plant a retaining
force towards their preinstalled position.
[0025] Unlike the conventional approach of securing the framing
stud 14 to the ceiling 20 and the floor 24 using fasteners frame
tracks, no fasteners or other parts are required with the present
spring bracket 10. As such, the spring bracket 10 is the sole
device for securing the framing stud 12 in place relative to the
floor 24 when the framing stud is installed between the ceiling 20
and the floor 24. The spring bracket therefore avoids the pitfalls
encountered by the conventional fastener-based approach.
[0026] In particular, the present spring bracket 10 reduces the
labor involved in installing framing studs 12. Once the framing
studs 12 have been secured, there is no need to remove any
fasteners or perform additional steps to prepare for a possible sag
in the ceiling 20. Indeed, when the ceiling 20 sags, the resulting
force on the bracket 10 causes the legs 18 of the spring bracket 10
to move from the preinstalled position to the deformed position,
while still retaining the framing stud 16 in a secure position. It
is noted that the spring bracket 10 can be used for various sizes
and dimensions of walls and framing studs 12. By adjusting the
biasing force (i.e., the amount of spring precompression) and the
length of the legs 18, the spring bracket 10 can be tailored to
accommodate walls and framing studs 12 with particular sized and
dimensions.
[0027] Further, when wallboard compound is eventually applied to
the walls, the likelihood of crystal deformations or resulting
stress seen with the conventional fastener-based approach are
reduced or eliminated.
[0028] While a particular embodiment of the present spring bracket
for framing stud installation has been described herein, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *