U.S. patent application number 12/947020 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for cold formed stud.
This patent application is currently assigned to BURNCO MANUFACTURING INC.. Invention is credited to Hormoz Sayyad, Irving Stal.
Application Number | 20120047834 12/947020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45695271 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120047834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stal; Irving ; et
al. |
March 1, 2012 |
COLD FORMED STUD
Abstract
A cold formed metal stud is provided for commercial and
residential construction applications. The metal stud of the
present invention is suitable for use in both composite and
non-composite applications. The metal stud of the present invention
includes an intermediate web, a first flange and a second flange.
The first flange has a longitudinally extending channel. Each of
the intermediate web, first flange and second flange may include a
number of different design features that can increase the
structural and heat transfer characteristics of the metal stud.
Inventors: |
Stal; Irving; (Toronto,
CA) ; Sayyad; Hormoz; (Richmond Hill, CA) |
Assignee: |
BURNCO MANUFACTURING INC.
Concord
CA
|
Family ID: |
45695271 |
Appl. No.: |
12/947020 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12868806 |
Aug 26, 2010 |
|
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12947020 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/356 ; 264/35;
72/377 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 5/29 20130101; B21D
47/01 20130101; E04C 2003/0473 20130101; E04C 2003/0434 20130101;
E04C 2003/0452 20130101; E04C 2003/0417 20130101; E04C 3/09
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/356 ; 264/35;
72/377 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/18 20060101
E04B001/18; B21D 31/00 20060101 B21D031/00; E04B 1/16 20060101
E04B001/16 |
Claims
1. A cold formed metal stud, the stud comprising: a vertically
extending web, said web having a first longitudinal edge and a
second longitudinal edge; a first flange portion vertically
extending along said first longitudinal edge, said first flange
portion having a vertically extending channel; and, a second flange
portion vertically extending along said second longitudinal
edge.
2. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said channel having at
least one channel perforation.
3. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said channel having at
least one channel indentation.
4. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said channel having a
dovetail shaped cross-sectional profile.
5. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, wherein said first flange
portion is embedded in a poured concrete panel.
6. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, wherein said second
flange portion is embedded in a poured concrete panel.
7. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said web further
comprising at least one web opening located along the centerline of
said web.
8. The cold formed metal stud of claim 7, said at least one web
opening being elliptically shaped.
9. The cold formed metal stud of claim 7, said at least one web
opening having a stiffening rim extending around the perimeter
thereof.
10. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said web further
comprising at least one longitudinally extending stiffening
rib.
11. The cold formed metal stud of claim 10, said stiffening rib
being shaped in a zig-zag pattern.
12. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said web further
comprising at least one indentation.
13. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said web further
comprising at least one vertical stiffening rib.
14. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said first flange
further comprising an end flange.
15. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said first flange
forming an obtuse angle with said web.
16. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said first flange
forming an acute angle with said web.
17. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said second flange
forming an obtuse angle with said web.
18. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said second flange
forming an acute angle with said web.
19. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said second flange
further comprising a vertically extending second channel.
20. The cold formed metal stud of claim 19, said second channel
having a dovetail shaped cross-sectional profile.
21. The cold formed metal stud of claim 19, said second channel
having a plurality of channel perforations.
22. The cold formed metal stud of claim 19, said second channel
having a plurality of channel indentations.
23. The cold formed metal stud of claim 1, said second flange
further comprising an end flange.
24. A method of forming a composite panel assembly, the method
comprising the steps of: pouring a concrete panel; and, embedding a
first flange portion of a cold formed metal stud in said concrete
panel, said first flange portion located along a first longitudinal
edge of a vertically extending web of said cold formed metal stud
wherein when said concrete panel solidifies said cold formed metal
stud and said concrete panel form a composite panel assembly.
25. A method of manufacturing a cold formed metal stud, the method
comprising the steps of: forming a first flange portion along a
first longitudinal edge of a vertically extending web; forming a
second flange portion along a second longitudinal edge of said
vertically extending web; and forming a vertically extending
channel along said first flange portion.
26. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one channel perforation in said vertically
extending channel.
27. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one channel indentation in said vertically
extending channel.
28. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one web opening along the centerline of said
web.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said at least one web opening
is elliptically shaped.
30. The method of claim 28, the method further comprising the step
of: forming a stiffening rim around the perimeter of said at least
one web opening.
31. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one longitudinally extending stiffening rib in
said web.
32. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one indentation in said web.
33. The method of claim 25 the method further comprising the step
of: forming an end flange in said first flange portion.
34. The method of claim 25 the method further comprising the step
of: forming a vertically extending second channel in said second
flange portion.
35. The method of claim 34, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one channel perforation in said vertically
extending second channel.
36. The method of claim 34, the method further comprising the step
of: forming at least one channel indentation in said vertically
extending second channel.
37. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of: forming
an end flange in said second flange portion.
38. The cold formed stud of claim 1, further comprising: a second
cold formed stud having: a vertically extending web, said web
having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; a
first flange portion vertically extending along said first
longitudinal edge, said first flange portion having a vertically
extending channel; and a second flange portion vertically extending
along said second longitudinal edge wherein said vertically
extending web of said cold formed stud abuts said vertically
extending web of said second cold formed stud.
39. The cold formed stud of claim 38 wherein at least one of said
vertically extending web of said cold formed stud and said
vertically extending web of said second cold formed stud further
comprises a plurality of vertical stiffening ribs.
40. The cold formed stud of claim 38 wherein said vertically
extending web of said cold formed stud is connected to said
vertically extending web of said second cold formed stud by way of
a fastener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application
Ser. No. 12/868,806 filed on Aug. 26, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to cold formed metal studs for
composite and non-composite applications in residential and
commercial construction projects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Studs are commonly used in the construction industry to
provide a support for a wall surface and further support a roof, a
floor or the like. Studs can be comprised of a variety of materials
including wood and metal. Metal studs are commonly used in a
variety of construction styles as they can be manufactured
economically and are light, strong and durable.
[0004] Metal studs are commonly fashioned from a piece of sheet
metal that is cold formed to desired specifications. Cold forming
involves working a material below its recrystallization
temperature. Generally, cold forming occurs at the ambient
temperature of the work environment. The resultant cold formed
material is stronger due to manipulations that have been made to
the crystal structure of the material. Cold forming is an
economical manufacturing process as it does not require the
significant energy input required to raise the material above its
recrystallization temperature. Cold forming has the further
advantage of providing steel structural components that have
increased yield capacity in comparison to steel structural
components that have not been cold formed.
[0005] Pre-fabricated metal studs are well-known in the
construction industry. However, there is a distinct lack of metal
studs that have been specifically designed for use with both
composite and non-composite applications.
[0006] Therefore, there is need for a prefabricated metal stud for
use in composite and non-composite applications that is light,
strong, durable and economically manufactured and can be readily
modified depending on the needs of various applications.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a cold formed stud for use in
composite and non-composite applications.
[0008] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a
cold formed metal stud having a vertically extending web, the web
having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, a
first flange portion vertically extending along the first
longitudinal edge, the first flange portion having a vertically
extending channel and a second flange portion vertically extending
along the second longitudinal edge.
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a
double stud arrangement wherein two studs are aligned back-to-back
in order to provide a stud that is particularly resistant to
buckling and twisting.
[0010] The present invention also provides a method of forming a
composite panel assembly consisting of the steps of pouring a
concrete panel and embedding a first flange portion of a cold
formed metal stud in the concrete panel, the first flange portion
located along a first longitudinal edge of a vertically extending
web of the cold formed metal stud such that when the concrete panel
solidifies the cold formed metal stud and the concrete panel form a
composite panel assembly.
[0011] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a
cold formed stud that can be employed as a ceiling joist. In such
applications, the cold formed joist of the present invention can be
embedded in a composite ceiling or floor panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail and will be better understood when read
in conjunction with the following drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a cold formed metal
stud in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cold formed metal stud of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear side elevational view of the cold formed
metal stud of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an opposite end elevational view of the cold
formed metal stud of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a cold formed metal
stud in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the cold formed metal stud of
FIG. 7;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a front side elevational view of the cold formed
metal stud of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 12 is an opposite end elevational view of the cold
formed metal stud of FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective sectional view of the cold
formed metal stud of FIG. 7 with modifications embedded in a
concrete panel;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a partial end view of the cold formed metal stud
of FIG. 13 embedded in the concrete panel;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a cold formed metal
stud in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 15;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a cold formed metal
stud in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the cold formed metal
stud of FIG. 17;
[0031] FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a double stud
arrangement in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0032] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the double stud of FIG.
19 embedded in a concrete panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The cold formed stud of the present invention is
contemplated for use in composite and non-composite applications.
In composite applications, the cold formed joist can be
incorporated directly in a poured concrete wall slab in a
manufacturing facility and delivered to the jobsite as a complete
assembly for wall erection, among other applications. The composite
arrangement provides an integral wall panel and stud assembly that
displays excellent strength characteristics, vibration response and
load capacity, without unduly stressing the poured concrete wall
panel. It is also contemplated that in certain applications, the
integral wall panel and stud assembly may be assembled at the
jobsite after the cold formed joist has been installed. Composite
applications will be discussed in further detail below.
[0034] In at least one embodiment, the cold formed stud of the
present invention is incorporated in a concrete wall slab as
discussed above. However, it is further contemplated that the cold
formed stud of present invention can be incorporated in wall slabs
formed out of other materials, such as but not limited to
fibreglass, polymer resin and other materials that "set" following
an initially liquid state, as will be readily understood by the
skilled person.
[0035] It is contemplated that the cold formed stud of the present
invention may also be used as a ceiling joist in particular
applications that will be readily recognized by the skilled person.
Particularly, the cold formed stud of the present application may
be employed in applications wherein the ceiling joist is subjected
to relatively lightweight loads. In these applications, the cold
formed stud may be embedded in a composite roof or floor panel in a
manner that is analogous to the process described above relating to
composite wall panels.
[0036] FIGS. 1 to 20 illustrate a cold formed stud 10 in accordance
with at least one embodiment of the present invention. In these
figures, like numerals have been used to denote like elements.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 and 7 and 8, cold formed stud
10 consists of an intermediate web 20 located between a first
flange 30 and a second flange 40. Preferably, cold formed stud 10
is formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The sheet metal may
be formed by any process known in the art such as cold rolling and
stamping, among other processes that will be readily apparent to
the skilled person.
[0037] The size and thickness of the piece of sheet metal used in
manufacturing cold formed stud 10 must be sufficient such that the
resulting element has the physical properties required for the
intended application, the selection of which will be readily
apparent to the skilled person in the art. Cold formed stud 10 can
be formed of a variety of metals, such as but not limited to steel,
stainless steel, galvanized steel and aluminum. Cold formed stud 10
may be formed in various lengths and widths.
[0038] Stud 10 can extend upwardly from any foundation or floor
structure, among other construction applications that will be
readily apparent to the skilled person. Stud 10 can be attached to
the foundational structure by any means that is suitable. Further,
the stud can support a roof truss, floor joist or any other
structure that will also be apparent to the skilled person. It can
also support an exterior wall panel, interior wall panel, window
frame, door frame or any other wall arrangement known in the
construction industry.
[0039] In at least one embodiment, intermediate web 20 includes a
number of web openings 22 located along the centre line of the
intermediate web 20. Web openings 22 can take a variety of shapes
including triangular, square, oval, circular and other shapes that
will be readily contemplated by the skilled person. It is important
to note however that web openings 22 will provide further stiffness
to intermediate web 20 and be less prone to fatigue failure if the
corners of web openings 22 are formed with rounded corners rather
than sharp corners, as can be seen in FIGS. 5, 11 and 15 to 18.
[0040] In at least one embodiment, web openings 22 can further
include a stiffening rim 24 that extends around the perimeter of
web openings 22. Stiffening rim 24 is formed of material displaced
from intermediate web 20 when web openings 22 are formed.
Stiffening rim 24 can be formed with a semi-circular, arcuate,
ovular, or square cross sectional profile among other
cross-sectional profiles that will be readily apparent to the
skilled person. Stiffening rim 24 may extend discontinuously around
the perimeter of web opening 22, however stiffening rim 24 will
provide improved stiffness to intermediate web 20 and be less prone
to fatigue failure if stiffening rim 24 extends continuously around
the perimeter of web openings 22, as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 7,
8 and 15 to 18.
[0041] In at least one embodiment, intermediate web 20 can further
include a series of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 26, as
can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 17 and 18. Longitudinally extending
stiffening ribs 26 can extend along the intermediate web 22 in any
pattern that will depend upon the arrangement of other features of
the present invention. In at least one embodiment and as can be
seen in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 17 and 18, longitudinally extending ribs 26
extend in a zig-zag pattern along the upper and lower edges of
intermediate web 20 such that longitudinally extending ribs 26
extend parallel in the areas between web openings 22 and the edges
of intermediate web 20 and extend angularly toward the centreline
of the intermediate web 20 in areas where there is no web opening.
Additional stiffening ribs 26 can also be located in the ends of
cold formed stud 10 as can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 16 and
18.
[0042] In at least one embodiment, intermediate web 20 can further
include a series of stiffening indentations 28 that can be located
in any part of intermediate web 20 that can require additional
stiffening, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 8, 16 and 18. In at
least one embodiment, stiffening indentations 28 are located in the
area between the angled portions of longitudinally extending
stiffening ribs 26. Stiffening indentations 28 can be formed in any
shape, including circular, square, rectangular or any other shape
that will be readily apparent to the skilled person. As discussed
above, stiffening indentations 28 can be formed with rounded edges
to provide further resistance to fatigue failure.
[0043] In at least one embodiment, intermediate web 20 can further
include a series of transverse stiffening ribs 29 that can that can
be located in any part of intermediate web 20 that can require
additional stiffening, as can be seen in FIGS. 17 and 18. In at
least one embodiment, transverse stiffening ribs 29 are located
between adjacent web openings 22. Stiffening ribs 29 are analogous
to stiffening indentations 28 in that they can be formed in any
shape, including circular, square, rectangular or any other shape
that will be readily apparent to the skilled person. As discussed
above, stiffening ribs 29 can be formed with rounded edges to
provide further resistance to fatigue failure.
[0044] Web openings 22, stiffening rim 24, longitudinally extending
stiffening ribs 26, stiffening indentations 28 and transverse
stiffening ribs 29 can be formed by any suitable manufacturing
processes including stamping, milling and rolling, among other
manufacturing processes that will be readily apparent to the
skilled person. In addition to providing stiffness to stud 10,
these additional features also serve to reduce the heat transfer
characteristics of stud 10. By this it is meant that these features
reduce the rate at which the stud conducts heat for improved
heating or cooling of a space at least partially enclosed by
structures that incorporate studs 10.
[0045] As discussed above, first flange 30 is formed along one
longitudinal edge of intermediate web 20, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 7,
8, 16 and 18. In at least one embodiment, first flange 30 is
oriented perpendicularly to intermediate web 20, however it is
contemplated that first flange 30 can be oriented at any angle in
relation to intermediate web 20 depending on the needs of the
application.
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, 13 and 15 to 18, first
flange 30 can include an end flange 32. End flange 32 can be
oriented perpendicularly to first flange 30 however it is
contemplated that end flange 32 can be oriented at any angle in
relation to first flange 30 as required by the application.
[0047] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, 7 to 10, 12 and 15 to 18,
first flange 30 can include a longitudinally extending channel 34
that is located along the centre line of first flange 30. As can be
seen in FIGS. 3, 6, 9 and 12, it is contemplated that channel 32
has channel walls that are orthogonal to the channel floor when
viewed in cross section, however channel 34 can take any
cross-sectional shape as required by the application, such as
triangularly shaped, U-shaped or dovetail shaped as will be
appreciated by the skilled person. Longitudinally extending channel
34 provides stiffness to first flange 30 and also provides a cavity
wherein concrete, polymer resin or fibreglass can be poured
thereinto such that first flange 30 can be securely embedded in a
concrete panel when cold formed stud 10 is employed in composite
applications, as will be discussed in further detail below.
[0048] First flange 30, end flange 32 and channel 34 can be formed
by any suitable manufacturing process that will be readily apparent
to the skilled person. Further, first flange 30, end flange 32 and
channel 34 can be formed with any type of bend that suits the
application, however radial bends provide a cold formed stud that
has the requisite stiffness and fatigue resistance.
[0049] In at least one embodiment and as can be seen in FIG. 10 for
example, channel 34 can include a series of perforations 36 located
on the channel floor. Perforations 36 can extend along the entire
length of channel 34 or alternatively can be located on only a
section of channel 34. In at least one embodiment perforations 36
are ovoid or elliptically shaped, however it is contemplated that
perforations 36 can take any shape that suits the intended
application. Perforations 36 serve a number of purposes including
providing a thermal break which facilitates heat dissipation from
cold formed stud 10. Further, in composite applications,
perforations 36 allow first flange 30 to be integrally embedded in
concrete by allowing liquid concrete, polymer resin or fibreglass
to fill the entire volume of channel 34 without creating any air
bubbles within channel 34.
[0050] In at least one embodiment and as can be seen in FIGS. 4, 16
and 18, channel 34 can include a series of indentations 38 located
on the channel floor. Indentations 38 can extend along the entire
length of channel 34 or alternatively can be located on only a
section of channel 34. In at least one embodiment perforations 36
are ovoid or elliptically shaped, however it is contemplated that
perforations 36 can take any shape that suits the intended
application.
[0051] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, 15 and 17 second flange
40 is analogous to first flange 30 and can incorporate some or all
the features recited above in relation to first flange 30. In this
way, second flange 40 may include an end flange 42, a channel 44,
perforations 46 and/or indentations 48 depending on the needs of
the application.
[0052] As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the present invention may
be utilized in composite applications to produce a composite
stud/panel assembly wherein the stud component is lighter and
stiffer in comparison to similar non-composite stud arrangements.
As will be appreciated, in these views, only one of the stud's
flanges 30 or 40 is shown as is only a small portion of web 20. The
remainder of the stud 10 is not shown for clarity. As discussed
above, either one or both of first flange 30 or second flange 40
can be adapted with any of the optional features identified above
such that either flange can be securely embedded in a concrete
panel 50. These features include end flange 32, channel 34,
perforations 36 and/or indentations 38, all of which can be adapted
or modified depending on the needs of the particular composite
application.
[0053] For example and as can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, cold
formed stud 10 can designed with a second flange 40 having an end
flange 42 that is oriented at an obtuse angle to second flange 40.
Further, second flange 40 can be designed with a channel 44 that
has a slightly dove shaped profile for an improved "lock" with the
concrete to prevent lateral separation, channel 44 having a series
of perforations 46 located along the floor of channel 44.
Perforations 46 can take any shape and can be formed by any
suitable manufacturing process. Perforations 46 can be as numerous
as required by the application. As also discussed above,
intermediate web 20 can have stiffening rib 26 which can also be
partially embedded in concrete panel 50. In this way, cold formed
stud 10 is securely embedded in concrete panel as concrete flows
through perforations 46 and completely fills channel 44 without
trapping any air bubbles, resulting in a composite stud/panel
assembly that has improved structural characteristics over existing
composite designs.
[0054] In at least one embodiment, cold formed stud 10 (which can
include the optional features recited above such as web openings
22, stiffening rim 24, longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 26,
stiffening indentations 28, transverse stiffening ribs 29, end
flange 32, channel 34, perforations 36 and/or indentations 38) can
be specifically designed such that the cross sectional area is
constant at all locations along cold formed stud 10.
[0055] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 11, cold formed stud 10 can be
designed such that the cross sectional area of the stud at section
A-A, B-B and C-C is approximately equivalent. In embodiments where
the cross-sectional area of cold formed stud 10 is constant at any
point along the length of the stud, it will be understood that
related structural properties, such as the moment of inertia and
the section modulus of the stud will also be constant at any point
along the length of the stud. This results in a structural element
that is stronger, stiffer and more resistant to compressive and
torsional forces, as will be readily understood by the skilled
person in the art.
[0056] With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in at least one
embodiment a double stud arrangement is contemplated that is well
suited to applications where the stud is subjected to particularly
high loads. Double stud 100 includes a first cold formed stud 102
and a second cold formed stud 104 that are analogous to cold formed
stud 10 and can include any of the features identified above with
respect to a single cold formed stud. First cold formed stud 102
and second cold formed stud 104 are arranged such that the
intermediate webs of each stud abut one another. In at least one
embodiment, the two cold formed studs are symmetrical and aligned
such that the web openings on first cold formed stud 102 align with
the web openings of second cold formed stud 104, as seen in FIG.
19.
[0057] In at least one embodiment and as can be seen in FIG. 19, it
is contemplated that each of first cold formed stud 102 and second
cold formed stud 104 can have a plurality of vertical stiffening
ribs 106. Stiffening ribs 106 are analogous to longitudinally
extending stiffening ribs 26 with the exception that stiffening
ribs are orthogonally oriented in relation to the longitudinal axis
of the stud to provide torsional stiffness to the resultant double
stud 100.
[0058] In at least one embodiment the two studs are connected by
way of a bolt 108, however other fasteners are also contemplated
such as welds, rivets, and sheet metal screws among other fasteners
that will be readily apparent to the skilled person.
[0059] It is contemplated that double stud 100 may also be used as
a ceiling joist in particular applications that will be readily
recognized by the skilled person. In these applications, double
stud 100 may be embedded in a composite roof or floor panel in a
manner that is analogous to the process described above relating to
composite wall panels.
[0060] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present
invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent
to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of
the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the
present invention are set out in the following appended claims.
* * * * *