초록 ▼

A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize metal framing members or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls, and marginal lips that extend inward from the

A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel connectors therefore. The system and connectors of the present invention utilize metal framing members or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls, and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls, and similarly configured framing tracks having a recessed channel along the sidewalls thereof. A variety structurally related connectors, comprising at least a connector body, lip and base flange are described. These connectors are capable of interconnecting metal framing members and tracks 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 member or track 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 members or tracks 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 tracks 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 members and tracks 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 member or track cut to appropriate lengths on site.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 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

The invention claimed is: 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, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a connector having: (i) a connector body extending in the upright direction having a body width that corresponds to the inside width of the base of said framing member and having a body height that corresponds to the inside height of the sidewalls of said framing member; (ii) a base flange having a base width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicularly from the bottom of the connector body; and (iii) 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 top of the connector body; (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 base flange of said connector lies atop the base of said metal framing member, the lateral aspects of the lip flange of said connector are in abutting contact with the underside of the lips of said framing member, and the connector body is flush with an available end of said 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 through the lips of said framing member into the lateral aspects of said lip flange and/or through the base of said framing member into the base flange; and (d) securing the connector body extending outwardly from the end of said metal framing member to another member by fasteners applied therethrough into said other member. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the lateral sides of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls of said framing member for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said sidewalls. 3. The method of claim 1 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. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein each sidewall of said metal track member has at least one recessed channel running along its length in the longitudinal direction and said connector body demonstrates cutouts along its sides to accommodate the recessed channels of said track member. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the lateral sides of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls and recessed channels of said framing member for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said sidewalls and recessed channels, and wherein the connector can be additionally secured to said metal track member by fasteners applied through the recessed channels into the corresponding recessed aspect of said wall portions. 6. The method of claim 4 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. 7. A combination connector and metal framing member for interconnecting metal framing members 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, and said connector comprising: (a) a connector body extending in the upright direction having a body width that corresponds to the inside width of the base of said framing member and having a body height that corresponds to the inside height of the sidewalls of said framing member; (b) a base flange having a base width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicularly from the bottom of the connector body; and (c) 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 top of the connector body; wherein said connector is adapted to be positioning within the 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 base flange of said connector lies atop the base of said metal framing member, the lateral aspects of the lip flange of said connector are in abutting contact with the underside of the lips of said framing member, and the connector body is flush with an available end of said framing member, thereby forming a three-dimensional tight fit of said connector within the U-channel configuration of said metal framing member, and wherein said connector is secured to said metal framing member by fasteners applied through the lips of the metal framing member into the lateral aspects of the lip flange and/or through the base of said framing member into the base flange. 8. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 7 wherein the lateral sides of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls of said framing member for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said sidewalls. 9. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 7 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. 10. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 7 wherein said connector is formed by bending a single piece of stamped sheet metal. 11. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 7 wherein said base and lip flanges extend in parallel out from said connector body at angles other than ninety degrees allowing another member to be connected to the metal framing member at different angles. 12. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 8 wherein said connector wall portions extend in parallel out from the said connector body at angles other than ninety degrees allowing another member to be connected to the metal framing member at different angles. 13. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 12 wherein said base and lip flanges also extend in parallel out from the said connector body at angles other than ninety degrees allowing another member to be connected to the metal framing member at compound angles. 14. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 7 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. 15. A combination connector and metal framing member for interconnecting metal framing members with another 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 having at least one recessed channel running along its length in a longitudinal direction, and lips that extend laterally inward from the tops of the sidewalls, said connector comprising: (a) connector body extending in the upright direction having a body width that corresponds to the inside width of the base of said framing member, having a body height that corresponds to the inside height of the sidewalls of said framing member and cutouts along its sides to accommodate the recessed channels of said track member; (b) a base flange having a base width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in the longitudinal direction perpendicularly from the bottom of the connector body; and (c) 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 top of the connector body; wherein said connector is adapted to be positioning within the 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 base flange of said connector lies atop the base of said metal framing member, the lateral aspects of the lip flange of said connector are in abutting contact with the underside of the lips of said framing member, and the connector body is flush with an available end of said framing member, thereby forming a three-dimensional tight fit of said connector within the U-channel configuration of said metal framing member, and wherein said connector is secured to said metal framing member by fasteners applied through the lips of the metal framing member into the lateral aspects of the lip flange and/or through the base of said framing member into the base flange. 16. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 15 wherein the lateral sides of the connector body are formed with connector wall portions extending in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the sidewalls and recessed channels of said framing member for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said sidewalls and recessed channels, and wherein the connector can be additionally secured to said metal track member by fasteners applied through the recessed channels into the corresponding recessed aspect of said wall portions. 17. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 16 wherein said connector wall portions extend in parallel out from the said connector body at angles other than ninety degrees and said base and lip flanges also extend in parallel out from the connector body at angles other than ninety degrees allowing another member to be connected to the metal track member at compound angles. 18. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 15 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. 19. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 15 wherein said connector is formed by bending a single of stamped sheet metal. 20. The combination connector and metal framing member of claim 15 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 track member so as to form a T-connection with the other member.