Connectors, tracks and system for smooth-faced metal framing
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
E04B-001/38
출원번호
US-0438060
(2003-05-13)
발명자
/ 주소
Saldana, Eluterio
대리인 / 주소
Reiss Seth M.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
31인용 특허 :
23
초록▼
A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the si
A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls. A variety structurally related connectors, comprising at least a connector body, lip flange, and two lip receiving grooves, are described. These connectors are capable of interconnecting metal framing performing all framing functions including, without limitation, floor and ceiling joists, top and bottom plates, roof rafters, roof rims, window sills, trusses, headers and wall studs. The connectors lock into place within the stud and are secured from the inside using fasteners applied into the non-surface aspects of the stud. The stud connectors demonstrate three dimensional rigidity and a box-like fit within the metal framing studs to form joints that are strong, durable and precise. The framing system using the stud connectors of the present invention leaves the outside surfaces of the framing members and studs smooth and continuous, without protruding fastener heads or interruptions of any sort. The resulting smooth outside surfaces can be covered much more easily and inexpensively than the uneven and generally awkward outside surfaces presently encountered in metal framed structures. The manner in which the connectors lock within the studs promote their safe and efficient installation. The system and connectors of the present invention enables an entire structure to be framed using one type and size of metal framing studs cut to appropriate lengths on site.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for interconnecting a metal framing member with another member in a manner that leaves the framing member sidewalls free of fasteners, said metal framing member having a U-channel configuration formed by a base extending in a longitudinal direction and having a given inside base width, s
1. A method for interconnecting a metal framing member with another member in a manner that leaves the framing member sidewalls free of fasteners, said metal framing member having a U-channel configuration formed by a base extending in a longitudinal direction and having a given inside base width, sidewalls on each lateral side of the width of the base extending upright in a perpendicular direction a given sidewall height from the base, and lips that extend laterally inward from the tops of the sidewalls to a given lip width on each side thereof, said method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a connector having:(i) a connector body extending in the upright direction having a body width of at least a lower portion thereof that corresponds to the inside width of the base of said metal framing member;(ii) a lip flange having a lip width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicularly from the connector body; and(iii) a pair of lip receiving grooves positioned at the given height from the base of the metal framing member each extending laterally inward from each side of the connector body in parallel with and to a groove depth that corresponds to the width of the lips of said metal framing member;(b) positioning said connector within said metal framing member, by either twisting said connector directly from above or sliding said connector in from an available end of said metal framing member, such that the lip flange of said connector lies atop the lips of said metal framing member, the lip receiving grooves of said connector receive the respective lips of said metal framing member therein, and the lower portion of the connector body within said metal framing member is in abutting contact with the sidewalls of said metal framing member, thereby forming a three-dimensional tight fit of said connector within the U-channel configuration of said metal framing member;(c) securing said connector to said metal framing member by fasteners applied at least through the connector lip flange into the lips of said metal framing member; and(d) securing an upper portion of the connector body extending outwardly from said metal framing member to another member by fasteners applied therethrough into said other member. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said connector has a pair of lip flanges extending in parallel with each other in opposite longitudinal directions from each other. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the lateral sides of the lower portion of the connector body are formed wit respective support tabs with a curved shape for facilitating movement of the connector body into abutting contact with the sidewalls of said metal framing member. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the lateral sides of the lower portion of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with the sidewalls of said metal framing member. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said connector further has a base flange having a width corresponding to the body width of said connector body extending perpendicularly from the bottom of the connector body in parallel with and spaced apart by the given height from the lip flange overlappingly on the base of said metal framing member, and said base flange is secured by fasteners therethrough to the base of said metal framing member. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said base and lip flanges extend out from the connector body in parallel with each other in the same longitudinal direction. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said base and lip flanges extend out from the connector body in parallel with each other in opposite longitudinal directions. 8. The method of claim 5 wherein access holes are formed in said lip flange to facilitate accessing said base flange from above when securing said base flange to the base of said metal framing member. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said lip flange is provided with locking clips that extend from and below outside corners of said lip flange in order to lock said lip flange under the lips of said metal framing member. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the upper portion of said connector body beginning above where said lip receiving grooves are formed has a shape that allows one or more other members to be connected to said metal framing member at an angle other than ninety degrees or at different angles one to the other. 11. A connector for interconnecting a metal framing member with another member in a manner that leaves the framing member sidewalls free of fasteners, said metal framing member having a U-channel configuration formed by a base extending in a longitudinal direction and having a given inside base width, sidewalls on each lateral side of the width of the base extending upright in a perpendicular direction a given sidewall height from the base, and lips that extend laterally inward from the tops of the sidewalls to a given lip width on each side thereof, said connector comprising:(a) a connector body extending in the upright direction having a body width of at least a lower portion thereof that corresponds to the inside width of the base of the metal framing member;(b) a lip flange having a lip width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicularly from the connector body; and(c) a pair of lip receiving grooves positioned at the given height from the base of the metal framing member each extending laterally inward from each side of the connector body in parallel with and to a groove depth that corresponds to the width of the lips of the metal framing member;wherein said connector is adapted to be positioned within the metal framing member, by either twisting said connector directly from above or sliding said connector in from an available end of the metal framing member, such that the lip flange of said connector overlaps the lips of the metal framing member, the lip receiving grooves of said connector receive the respective lips of the metal framing member therein, and the lower portion of the connector body within the metal framing member is in abutting contact with the sidewalls of the metal framing member, thereby forming a three-dimensional tight fit of said connector within the U-channel configuration of the metal framing member, andwherein said connector is secured to said metal framing member by fasteners applied at least through the connector lip flange into the lips of the metal framing member. 12. The connector of claim 11 wherein said connector has a pair of lip flanges extending in parallel with each other in opposite longitudinal directions from each other. 13. The connector of claim 11 wherein the lateral sides of the lower portion of the connector body are formed with respective support tabs with a curved shape for facilitating movement of the connector body into abutting contact with the sidewalls of said metal framing member. 14. The connector of claim 11 wherein the lateral sides of the lower portion of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with the sidewalls of said metal framing member. 15. The connector of claim 11 wherein said connector further has a base flange having a width corresponding to the body width of said connector body extending perpendicularly from the bottom of the connector body in parallel with and spaced apart by the given height from the lip flange overlappingly on the base of the metal framing member, and said base flange is secured by fasteners therethrough to the base of said metal framing member. 16. The connector of claim 15 wherein said base and lip flanges extend out from the connector body in parallel with each other in the same longitudinal direction. 17. The connector of claim 15 wherein said base and lip flanges extend out from the connector body in parallel with each other in opposite longitudinal directions. 18. The connector of claim 15 wherein access holes are formed in said lip flange to facilitate accessing said base flange from above when securing said base flange to the base of said metal framing member. 19. The connector of claim 11 wherein said lip flange is provided with locking clips that extend from and below outside corners of said lip flange in order to lock said lip flange under the lips of said metal framing member. 20. The connector of claim 11 wherein said lip flange is not continuous and instead comprises a pair of flange tabs one extending out from each side of said connector body. 21. The connector of claim 11 wherein said connector is formed by bending a single piece of stamped sheet metal. 22. The connector of claim 11 wherein the upper portion of said connector body beginning above where said lip receiving grooves are formed has a shape that allows one or more other members to be connected to the metal framing member at an angle other than ninety degrees or at different angles one to the other. 23. The connector of claim 11 further comprising a pair of L-shaped support brackets extending upwards from each inside corner of said lip flange that serve to support said connector within a second framing member by abutting the inside sidewalls and underside lips of said second framing member. 24. The connector of claim 11 wherein vertical slots are formed in the upper portion of said connector body that receive fasteners holding said connector body to a second framing member and that allow the second framing member to be slid backwards and forwards relative to a first framing member secured to said connector in order to true a corner prior to securing said connector to said second framing member. 25. The connector of claim 15 wherein said connector body does not extend above where said lip flange extends from said body and further comprises square sidewalls which extend out from the sides of said connector body occupying the space between said base flange and said lip flange. 26. The connector of claim 11 wherein said connector body has a planar configuration on one upright side thereof and is drilled with pre-drilled holes for fastening by fasteners to a planar side of another member at an end of said first framing member so as to form a T-connection with the other member.
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