U.S. patent application number 12/378842 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for lead sheet suspension stud.
Invention is credited to David Allen Lesoine.
Application Number | 20100212243 12/378842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42629672 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100212243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lesoine; David Allen |
August 26, 2010 |
Lead sheet suspension stud
Abstract
The present invention relates to an article of manufacture and a
method of how to utilize the same in order to create a radiation
leak-proof environment. The present invention further relates to a
metal stud configured with two holding cavities wherein the first
holding cavity and the second holding cavity are constructed so
that when a lead sheet is held in the first holding cavity and
wherein a lead sheet is held in the second holding cavity the lead
sheets overlap, and thereby, create a radiation leak-proof metal
stud system. Additionally, what has been discovered is a radiation
leak-proof barrier systems having a metal stud configuration that
eliminates the need for a strip of lead behind the joints of
abutting sheets of lead lined drywall; it eliminates the need to
place lead buttons over the head of each screw used to attach the
drywall to conventional metal stud systems; it eliminates the need
for the installer to simultaneously handle both drywall and lead
sheets; it reduces the potential for back injury to the installer
by reducing material handling weight during construction, thereby,
minimizes workers' compensation claims; and, it reduces start to
finish construction time, while providing maximum protection
against radiation escape or leakage.
Inventors: |
Lesoine; David Allen;
(Stroudsburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Powell Law Associates, LLC
229 Honey Locust Drive
Avondale
PA
19311-9800
US
|
Family ID: |
42629672 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378842 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/317 ;
52/309.3; 52/710; 52/741.3; 52/846 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 2003/0434 20130101;
H05K 9/0003 20130101; E04B 2001/925 20130101; E04C 3/065 20130101;
E04B 2/7457 20130101; E04C 3/32 20130101; E04C 2003/0473 20130101;
E04C 3/07 20130101; E04C 2003/0421 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/317 ; 52/846;
52/710; 52/309.3; 52/741.3 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/66 20060101
E04B001/66; E04C 3/04 20060101 E04C003/04; E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38; E04C 2/20 20060101 E04C002/20; E04B 1/92 20060101
E04B001/92 |
Claims
1. A radiation leak-proof metal stud system comprising: A metal
stud configured with two holding cavities wherein the first holding
cavity and the second holding cavity are constructed so that when a
lead sheet is held in the first holding cavity and wherein a second
lead sheet is held in the second holding cavity the lead the first
holding cavity and the lead sheet in the second holding cavity
overlap, and thereby, create a radiation leak-proof metal stud
system.
2. The radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 1 wherein
the lead sheet are held in the first holding cavity and the second
holding cavity by a construction adhesive.
3. The radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 2 wherein
the construction adhesive is liquid nail.
4. The radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 1 wherein
the lead sheet are held in the first and the second holding cavity
by using pliers to pinch, to crimp, to compress, the holding cavity
onto and against the lead sheets
5. The radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 4 wherein
the lead sheet are held in the holding cavity by using C-Clamps
with a set-screw in order to grip the lead sheet.
6. The use of the radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 1
in order to prevent the escape of radiation around electrical
receptacles in x-ray room.
7. The use of the radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 1
in order to prevent the escape of radiation around plumbing
fixtures in x-ray room.
8. The use of the radiation leak-proof metal stud system of claim 1
in order to prevent the escape of radiation for any corner of x-ray
room.
9. A method for building a radiation leak-proof room comprising:
using a metal stud configured with two holding cavities wherein the
first holding cavity and the second holding cavity are constructed
so that when a lead sheet is held in the first holding cavity and
wherein a second lead sheet is held in the second holding cavity
the lead the first holding cavity and the lead sheet in the second
holding cavity overlap, and thereby, create a radiation leak-proof
metal stud system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an article of manufacture
and a method of how to utilize the same. More particularly the
present invention relates to a metal stud which is particularly
suitable for suspending lead sheets that are used for radiology
suite construction. Even more particularly, the metal stud of the
present invention is easily installed, reduces the cost for
construction, reduces the amount of labor needed to complete the
job, it saves construction time and it is safer to use on-the-job
in constructing x-ray and cat scan rooms and any other areas where
radiation protection is needed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, the methods for creating leak-proof lead barrier
system that used metal studs and lead laminated gypsum board
require the installer to countersink all of the drywall screws into
the lead laminated gypsum board when securing the lead laminated
gypsum board to the metal studs. Additionally, once the screws are
countersunk in the gypsum board, lead screw caps slightly larger
than the screw heads are positioned over each and every drywall
screw. This is both costly in construction time and labor cost.
Furthermore, in addition to the lead screw caps, a thin strip of
sheet lead needs to be installed between the lead portion of the
gypsum board and the metal stud where two or more sheets of lead
laminated gypsum board are butted together to prevent leakage at
the seam.
[0003] Other leak-proof lead barrier systems were allegedly created
without the lead screw caps being installed over each and every
screw or the narrow strip of sheet lead being installed at the
seams.
[0004] While a further lead barrier system suggest that when a
barrier portion of the lead barrier plate extends beyond the
flanges of the metal stud, the countersunk holes and the lead strip
added at juncture where the lead laminated gypsum boards abut, are
no longer required.
[0005] All previously described methods for creating leak-proof
lead barrier systems require extensive time consuming labor to
install. In addition, the integrity of the gypsum in the lead
laminated gypsum board is compromised due to countersinking of
screws. Also, the use of lead screw caps causes cracks in the
gypsum and may compromise the strength or the integrity of the
drywall and therefore the strength or durability of the partition
itself
[0006] Therefore, what has been found to be novel is a radiation
leak-proof barrier system having a new metal stud configuration
that eliminates the need for a strip of lead behind the joints of
abutting sheets of lead lined drywall; it eliminates the need to
place lead buttons over the head of each screw used to attach the
drywall to conventional metal stud systems; it eliminates the need
for the installer to simultaneously handle both drywall and lead
sheets; it reduces the potential for back injury to the installer
by reducing material handling weight during construction thereby,
minimizes workers' compensation claims, and it reduces start to
finish construction time, while providing maximum radiation
protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A metal stud configured with two holding cavities wherein
the first holding cavity and the second holding cavity are
constructed so that when a lead sheet is held in the first holding
cavity and wherein a lead sheet is held in the second holding
cavity the lead sheets overlap, and thereby, create a radiation
leak-proof metal stud system.
[0008] Given the fact that the lead sheets are held and suspended
in the holding cavity between the metal studs and the drywall, no
drywall screws will penetrate the lead sheets and compromise
radiation protection, and, no screw caps are required with the
present invention in order to maximize radiation protection.
[0009] Furthermore, with existing lead lined drywall systems, any
electrical devices, such as for example, switches or receptacles,
or plumbing fixtures, such as water supply lines, vacuum lines,
require additional back-up lead installed with electrical and
plumbing fixtures to keep radiation from escaping through
penetrations resulting when electrical and plumbing fixtures
disturb the integrity of the drywall. The present invention
requires no additional back-up lead to accommodate switches or
receptacles, or plumbing fixtures while maximizing radiation
containment in the x-ray room.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present metal stud
leak-proof barrier system to eliminate the need for a strip of lead
behind the joints of abutting sheets of lead lined drywall.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the
need to place lead buttons over the head of each screw used to
attach the drywall to conventional metal stud systems.
[0012] An additional object of the present invention is to
eliminate the need for simultaneously having the installer handle
both drywall and lead sheets.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to reduce the
potential for back injury to the installer by reducing material
handling weight during construction of x-ray and cat-scan
rooms.
[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to minimize
employee lost time due to work related injuries and accompanying
workers' compensation claims.
[0015] Still a further object of the present invention is to reduce
the start to finish construction time, while maximizing radiation
protection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide
further understanding of the invention are incorporated herein and
constitute a part of this specification's illustration of the
present invention. These and other features, aspects, and
advantages of the present invention will become even better
understood with regard to the following detailed description,
appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
[0017] FIG. 1--Illustrates a full scale view of the 20 Gauge sheet
metal stud, that is consistent with the present invention and
suitable for suspending and holding and overlapping lead sheets in
order to maximizing radiology suite containment.
[0018] FIG. 2--Shows the proper way to use the metal stud 20 of the
present invention in radiation proofing any corner of a room where
the objective is to maximize the containment radiation and the
preventing radiation from escaping.
[0019] FIG. 3--Shows the proper way to use the metal stud 20 of the
present invention to prevent the escape of radiation around
electrical receptacles that are necessary, however, at the same
time, the receptacle provides a way for radiation to escape from
the x-ray room. In order to prevent the radiation from escaping
through a wall having an electrical receptacle using prior
construction methods, it was time-consuming, labor-intensive and
costly. The present invention resolves these problems because the
lead sheets being held by holding cavities 26 and 27 allow for the
construction and placement of the electrical receptacles into and
within the drywall 33 without compromising the lead sheets 28 or
radiation protection. This is accomplished, as illustrated in FIG.
3, because the holding cavities 26, 27 allow the lead sheets 28 to
be held in each cavity in a manner that maximizes radiation
containment in the x-ray room, while simultaneously, providing
space for the electrical receptacle to be placed into and mounted
in the drywall, without compromising the lead sheets 28 with, for
example, any mounting screw-holes, which result in radiation
escaping.
[0020] FIG. 4.--Shows the proper way to use the metal stud 20 of
the present invention to prevent the escape of radiation around
plumbing fixtures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A metal stud system for accepting and suspending lead sheets
for radiology suite construction wherein the metal stud is
configured to have two holding cavities wherein the first holding
cavity and the second holding cavity are constructed and aligned
along a vertical plane so that when a lead sheet is held in the
first holding cavity and a lead sheet is held in the second holding
cavity, the lead sheets overlap, and thereby, create a radiation
leak-proof metal stud system.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a full scale view of the radiation
leak-proof sheet metal stud, 20, suitable for suspending lead
sheets for radiology suite construction in the present invention.
The metal stud, 20, of the present invention is created by two
holding cavities, 26 and 27 respectively. The first holding cavity
26 is configured and aligns along the central planar portion, 23,
and extends inwardly between the front planar portion 21 of the
metal stud, 20, and the rear planar portion 22 as illustrated. The
second holding cavity 27 is constructed and aligned along the
central planar portion 23 and extends outwardly from the central
planar portion 23, as illustrated, and the second holding cavity
27, extends in the opposite direction of first holding cavity 26,
as illustrated. Each metal stud 20 of the present invention has a
front planar portion 21 and, a rear planar portion 22 which extend
outwardly from a central planar portion 23 and wherein flanges 24
and 25 extend inwardly form the front planar portion 21 and the
rear planar portion 22, as shown. The holding cavities, 26 and 27
respectively, are aligned along the central planar portion 23, so
that when a lead sheet is introduced and held by cavity 26, and a
second lead sheet is introduced and held by cavity 27, both lead
sheets overlap at a point where instead of creating an abutment of
two lead sheets with accompanying issues of countersunk screws,
screw caps, added strips of lead and lead barrier plates, the
overlap maintains the integrity of the radiation leak-proof system;
the overlap enables the lead sheets to extend over and completely
cover cavity 26 and 27 eliminating any potential to compromise the
radiation leak-proof system; and the overlap eliminates abutting
lead sheets during construction thus creating the radiation
leak-proof metal stud 20 of this invention.
[0023] The metal stud 20 of the present invention is manufactured
using 20 (twenty) gauge sheet metal.
[0024] The holding cavity 26 and 27 of the present invention are
from about one-eighth inch 1/8'' thick to about one-half 1/2 inch
thick, and from about by one inch 1'' deep to about one (1) and
one-half 1/2 inch deep, depending on the application. When the
workman is installing lead sheets the holding cavity is about 1/8
inch thick and one inch deep. However, when the workman is
installing acoustical sound modifying sheets, and the like, the
metal stud would require a thicker and possibly deeper cavity. Both
holding cavities 26 and 27, are located along the central planar
portion 23 of metal stud 20 and are specifically designed,
constructed and configured to eliminate abutting lead sheets; to
eliminate the need for lead strip at the abutment point; to
eliminate the need for lead buttons on the head of drywall screws
and, thereby create, radiation leak proof suites. It should be
understood that the present design of the holding cavities, 26 and
27, may be modified to accept thicker materials, and may be further
modified to create holding cavities deeper than one (1) inch.
[0025] The lead sheets are held in the holding cavities 26, and 27,
by a number of ways known in the art. The installer could use a
construction adhesive, such as "Liquid Nail" which available from
any construction material supply house, such as, for example,
Lowe's, Home Depot. The liquid nail is inserted into the cavity
before inserting the lead sheet. In an alternate method, after
inserting the lead sheet into the cavity, the installer may pinch,
crimp, compress, the cavity using pliers or C-Clamps with a
set-screw in order to grip the lead sheet.
[0026] FIG. 2-Shows the proper way to utilize the metal stud 20 of
the present invention where the objective is to maximize the
containment of radiation and preventing the radiation from escaping
by radiation proofing any corner of a room constructed using
abutting or intersecting dry wall 33 at the corners. In order to
prevent radiation form escaping at the intersection, lead sheet 28
is utilized as illustrated in cavity 26 of metal stud 20 so as to
overlap with the lead sheet utilized in cavity 27 thereby creating
maximum containment of the radiation for any corner
construction.
[0027] FIG. 4--Shows the proper way to use the metal stud 20 of the
present invention to prevent the escape of radiation around
plumbing fixtures that are necessary, however, at the same time,
they provides a way for radiation to escape from the room. In order
to prevent radiation from escaping around plumbing fixtures using
prior construction methods, it was time-consuming, labor-intensive
and costly. The present invention resolves these problems because
the lead sheets allow for the construction of all plumbing fixtures
without compromising the lead sheets with plumbing fixture holes
and the room with radiation protection. This is accomplished, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, because the holding cavities 26, 27 allow
the lead sheets to be held in a manner that maximizes radiation
containment in the x-ray room, while simultaneously, providing
space for the plumbing fixtures to be placed into and through the
drywall, without compromising the lead sheets with plumbing fixture
holes.
* * * * *