U.S. patent application number 14/231676 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for stud and sill connector clip and related wall assemblies.
The applicant listed for this patent is James Alan Klein. Invention is credited to James Alan Klein.
Application Number | 20140290175 14/231676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51619446 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140290175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klein; James Alan |
October 2, 2014 |
STUD AND SILL CONNECTOR CLIP AND RELATED WALL ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
The invention disclosed herein relates to a connector clip for
interconnecting a horizontally positioned sill member to an
abutting vertically positioned stud. The connector clip comprises:
a planar web having a pair of opposing side web flanges, each side
web flange is flat and perpendicular to the web; first and second
horizontally transverse and confronting open-ended
inwardly-directed web slots on the web; and first and second
horizontally transverse open-ended flange slots aligned and
continuous with the first and second web slots. The first and
second flange slots define respective upper and lower portions of
the opposing side web flanges, and the web slots and the flange
slots are engaged with the first and second upper sill returns of
the sill member such that the entire outer surface of the of the
lower portions of side web flanges are in planar contact with the
respective opposing sidewalls of the sill member.
Inventors: |
Klein; James Alan;
(Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Klein; James Alan |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51619446 |
Appl. No.: |
14/231676 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61853198 |
Apr 1, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/653.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/767 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/653.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/19 20060101
E04B001/19; E04B 1/38 20060101 E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. In combination with a sheet-metal wall assembly, a connector
clip interconnecting a horizontally positioned sheet-metal sill
member to an abutting vertically positioned sheet-metal stud,
wherein the sill member has opposing sidewalls that include
confronting and inwardly extending upper sill returns, the
connector clip comprising: a substantially planar web having a pair
of opposing side web flanges, wherein each side web flange is
substantially flat and perpendicular to the web; first and second
horizontally transverse and confronting open-ended
inwardly-directed web slots on the web; and first and second
horizontally transverse open-ended flange slots aligned and
continuous with the first and second web slots, wherein the first
and second flange slots define respective upper and lower portions
of the opposing side web flanges, and wherein the web slots and the
flange slots are engaged with the upper sill returns of the sill
member such that substantially the entire outer surface of the of
the lower portions of side web flanges are in planar contact with
the respective opposing sidewalls of the sill member.
2. The connector clip of claim 1, further comprising a vertically
oriented, centrally positioned, and outwardly extending elongated
rib that runs parallel to the opposing side web flanges.
3. The connector clip of claim 2 wherein the elongated rib has a
V-shaped cross-sectional profile.
4. The connector clip of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
holes penetrating through the web, and a plurality of corresponding
fasteners joining the sill member to the stud through the plurality
of holes.
5. The connector clip of claim 1 wherein the height of the upper
portions of the side web flanges is about two thirds the height of
the lower portions of the side web flanges.
6. The connector clip of claim 1 wherein the width of each of the
opposing side web flanges is about the same as the width of the
stud.
7. The connector clip of claim 6 wherein the height of each of the
lower portions of the side web flanges is about the same as the
depth of the sill member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/717,485, filed on Dec. 17, 2012, which
application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/630,557, filed on Dec. 15, 2011, and also to
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/853,198 filed on Apr. 1, 2013;
all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to building
construction and, more particularly, to rigid reinforcement
connector clips that are configured to interconnect studs to a
header or sill member within a sheet-metal wall assembly, as well
as to related wall assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the building construction industry, there is often a need
to connect together (interconnect) a plurality of vertical studs to
a horizontal header or sill member such as, for example, during the
construction of sheet-metal wall assemblies having doorway or
window openings. In such wall assemblies, a horizontally positioned
sheet-metal sill member is generally installed above a doorway or
window opening, and a plurality of upwardly extending "kicker"
studs are attached to the top portion of the sill member such that
they extend upward to the ceiling (so as to define a section of the
overall wall assembly). Consequently, and in order to facilitate
the attachment of kicker studs to sill members, a number of
specialty add-on "track" and "clip" components have been developed
over the years as is known in the art. Exemplary in this regard is
the ProX HEADER SYSTEM (inclusive of its related specialty track
and clip components) sold by ClarkWestern Building Systems. The
ProX HEADER SYSTEM is relatively complex and expensive.
[0004] Therefore, and although some specialty connection components
useful for interconnecting kicker studs to sill members within a
wall assembly are known, there is still a need in the art for new
and improved connector clips and related wall assemblies. The
present invention fulfills these needs and provides for further
related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In brief, the present invention is directed to a sheet-metal
wall assembly in combination with a rigid connector clip for
interconnecting a horizontally positioned sheet-metal sill member
to an abutting vertically positioned sheet-metal stud. Unlike some
common U-shaped sill members, the C-shaped sill members associated
with the present invention have opposing sidewalls that include
confronting and inwardly extending upper sill returns. The
connector clip of the present invention comprises: a substantially
planar web having a pair of opposing side web flanges, wherein each
side web flange is substantially flat and perpendicular to the web;
first and second horizontally transverse and confronting open-ended
inwardly-directed web slots on the web; and first and second
horizontally transverse open-ended flange slots aligned and
continuous with the first and second web slots, wherein the first
and second flange slots define respective upper and lower portions
of the opposing side web flanges, and wherein the web slots and the
flange slots are engaged with the upper sill returns of the sill
member such that substantially the entire outer surface of the
lower portions of side web flanges are in planar contact with the
respective opposing sidewalls of the sill member. The innovative
connector clip of the present invention is universal and may
readily accommodate (by flipping over) sill members having a depth
of either 2 or 3 inches.
[0006] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
more evident upon reference to the following detailed description
and attached drawings. It is to be understood, however, that
various changes, alterations, and substitutions may be made to the
specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from their
essential spirit and scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings like reference numerals are used to
designate like features throughout the several views of the
drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a connector clip
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector clip shown in FIG.
1, but wherein the connector clip is shown in relation (before
engagement) to a sill member (shown in side view) having a standard
depth of about 2 inches in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the connector clip shown in FIG.
1, but wherein the connector clip is turned upside down and shown
in relation (before engagement) to a sill member (shown in side
view) having a standard depth of about 3 inches in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective partial view of a wall
assembly, wherein the connector clip is shown in relation (engaged
and attached) to a sill member having a standard depth of about 2
inches in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective partial view of a wall
assembly, wherein the connector clip is turned upside down and
shown in relation (engaged and attached) to a sill member having a
standard depth of about 3 inches in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an elevated perspective partial exploded view of a
wall assembly, wherein the connector clip is turned upside down
(flipped over) and shown in relation to a sill member having a
standard depth of about 3 inches in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective partial (non-exploded)
view of the wall assembly shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals are used to designate like features and, more
particularly, to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention in an embodiment
is directed to a connector clip 10 in a combination with a
sheet-metal wall assembly 12 (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). As best
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the innovative connector clip 10
interconnects (joins together) a horizontally positioned
sheet-metal sill member 14 (generally either 2 or 3 inches in
depth) to an abutting vertically positioned sheet-metal stud 16
(e.g., a cripple stud). As shown, the sill member 14 has opposing
sidewalls 14' that include confronting and inwardly extending upper
sill returns 14''. The connector clip 10 is preferably, but not
necessarily, made of sheet-metal and is generally or substantially
rigid enough to reduce flexural torsional buckling when the wall
assembly 12 is carrying a load.
[0016] As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the connector clip 10 comprises
a substantially planar web 18 having a pair of opposing side web
flanges 20a, 20b, wherein each side web flange 20a, 22b is
substantially flat and perpendicular to the web 18. The web 18 also
includes first and second horizontally transverse and confronting
open-ended inwardly-directed web slots 18', 18'' (for receiving the
upper sill returns 14''). Similarly, the opposing side web flanges
20a, 20b include first and second horizontally transverse
open-ended flange slots 20a', 20b' (FIG. 1) aligned and continuous
(contiguous) with the first and second web slots 18', 18'' (also
for receiving the upper sill returns 14'').
[0017] The first and second flange slots 20a', 20b' define
respective upper and lower portions 20a-upper, 20a-lower,
20b-upper, 20b-lower of the opposing side web flanges 20a, 20b
(FIG. 1). In this configuration, the web slots 18', 18'' and the
flange slots 20a', 20b' are able to receive and engage with the
upper sill returns 14'' of the sill member 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) such
that substantially the entire outer surface of the of the lower
portions 20a-lower, 20b-lower of side web flanges 20a, 20b are in
planar contact with the respective opposing sidewalls 14' of the
sill member 14. Moreover, the width of each of the opposing side
web flanges 20a, 20b is preferably about the same as the width of
each stud 16 (to thereby ensure a snug fit).
[0018] As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the connector clip 10 further
comprises a vertically oriented, centrally positioned, and
outwardly extending elongated rib 22 (also sometimes referred to as
a crimp, ridge or corrugation) that runs parallel to the opposing
side web flanges 20a, 20b. In certain preferred embodiments, the
rib 22 has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile. The rib 22 generally
reduces buckling and twisting throughout the clip 22 when a load is
applied on the wall assembly 12. In alternative embodiments, the
connector clip includes a plurality of ribs (not shown).
[0019] In order to facilitate attachment of the studs 16 to the
sill member 14, the connector clip 10 further comprises a plurality
of holes 24 penetrating through the web 18 (FIG. 1). A plurality of
corresponding fasteners 26 (e.g., sheet-metal screws) fasten and
join together the sill member 14 to the stud 16 (FIG. 4-7).
[0020] Finally, and in order to facilitate attachment of the
connector clip 10 (by flipping or turning upside down) to the stud
16 and to either a 2 inch or 3 inch deep sill member 14, the height
of the upper portions 20a-upper, 20b-upper of the side web flanges
20a, 20b is about two thirds the height of the lower portions
20a-lower, 20b-lower of the side web flanges 20a, 20b. Thus, and in
this configuration, the height of each of the lower portions
20a-lower, 20b-lower of the side web flanges 20a, 20b is about the
same as the depth of the selected 2 or 3 inch sill member 14 (to
thereby ensure a snug fit that facilitates attachment prior to
secure fastening with the fasteners 26).
[0021] While the present invention has been described in the
context of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the
invention may be embodied in other specific ways or in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. Therefore, the described embodiments are to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The
scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended
claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes
that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims
are to be embraced within their scope.
* * * * *