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, base 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 ▼

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 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 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 pair of lips receiving grooves positioned at the given height from the base flange 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 base flange of said connector lies atop the base 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 base flange into the base 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 base 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 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. 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 lip flange having a width corresponding to the body width of said connector body extending perpendicularly from the connector body in parallel with and spaced apart by the given height from the base flange overlappingly on the lips of said metal framing member, and said lip flange is secured by fasteners therethrough to the lips 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 5 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. The method of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls of said metal framing member further comprise at least one recessed channel running along its length in a longitudinal direction and wherein the lateral sides of the bottom aspect of said connector body further comprise connector wall portions extending in parallel with the sidewalls of said framing member and recessed to accommodate the recessed channels of said sidewalls, for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said recessed channels, and wherein the connector can be additionally secured to said metal track member by fasteners applied through the recessed channels of the sidewalls of said framing member into the corresponding recessed wall portions of said connector body. 12. 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 pair of base flanges having a base width that corresponds to the body width of the connector body extending in opposite longitudinal directions from the bottom of the connector body; and (c) a pair of lip receiving grooves each extending laterally inward one from each side of the connector body at the given height from the base flange, said grooves sized and positioned to receive and envelop the lips of the metal framing member when the base flanges of said connector abut the inside base of said 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, and wherein, once positioned within the metal framing member, the base flanges of said connector lie atop the base 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, forming a three-dimensional tight fit of said connector within the U-channel configuration of the metal framing member. 13. The connector of claim 12 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 12 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 12 wherein said connector further has a lip flange having a width corresponding to the body width of said connector body extending perpendicularly from the connector body in parallel with and spaced apart by the given height from the base flange overlappingly on the lips of the metal framing member, and said lip flange is secured by fasteners therethrough to the lips of the 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 15 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 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. 21. The connector of claim 12 wherein said connector is formed by bending a single piece of stamped sheet metal. 22. The connector of claim 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 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. 27. The connector of claim 12 wherein the sidewalls of said metal framing member further comprise at least one recessed channel running along its length in a longitudinal direction and wherein the lateral sides of the bottom aspect of said connector body further comprise connector wall portions extending in parallel with the sidewalls of said framing member and recessed to accommodate the recessed channels of said sidewalls, for forming a tight fit in abutting contact with said recessed channels, and wherein the connector can be additionally secured to said metal track member by fasteners applied through the recessed channels of the sidewalls of said framing member into the corresponding recessed wall portions of said connector body.