Metal framing member with off site manufactured locking tabs
A metal framing member for use as a stud, joist, rafter, truss, etc. is disclosed. The framing member includes at least one knock out opening and a corresponding tab that is positioned onto the metal framing member during the manufacturing process via computer so that structures built using the studs such as window frames, door jams, etc. are accurately and quickly fabricated. The knock out opening can also be used as a chase to allow wiring or a stiffening rod to pass through the member. Each tab is also preferably provided with a pair of pre-punched holes so that the tab can be fastened to other building components using standard screws.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/459,868, filed Jun. 12, 2003, which was a continuation-in-part of 09/885,843, filed on Jun. 20, 2001, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to dwelling framing members, and in particular, to an attachment locking tab and opening which is used to attach one stud to another in such members by having the tab and its corresponding knock out positioned onto the metal stud via computer in accordance with the layout plans of the structure that is to be formed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONStructural members are frequently made of metal, as it has advantages over wooden structural members. Compared to wood, metal is insect proof, fire proof, and has high uniformity and strength. However, its use is limited due to high cost, erection problems, and handling difficulties. U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,804, issued to Attalla, addresses some of these concerns. The patent discloses an improved metal framing member (STRONG STUD) that utilizes stiffening sections to enable a lighter gauge of metal to be used. The framing member also features embossed surfaces that facilitate fastening using standard self-tapping fasteners. Safety edges are provided to eliminate the sharp edge problem of handling metal framing members.
In addition to the above concerns, a framing member often must be provided with a chase to allow wiring or other objects to pass through the member. Introducing this chase after the framing member has been fabricated, as well as clipping or attaching the wiring to the member, can be tedious and time consuming. The patent mentioned above does not address this concern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,838, issued to Madsen et al. on Aug. 31, 1999, discloses the use of a bendable tab which must be bent on the job by the metal stud installer. The use of the STRONG STUD taught in the '804 patent which utilizes heavy gauge, high strength material would make accurate and effective bending by the installer costly and difficult. Further, manual bending for even heavier gauge material that might be necessary in certain construction environments would be impossible.
Further, Madsen et al. teaches the use of a tab that is substantially less than that of the opening or knock-out. However, the Madsen et al. knock-out opening is substantially greater than the size of the tab which weakens the stud and potentially can cause buckling or torsion problems. Nor does Madsen et al. disclose or suggest the use of pre-punched pilot holes but instead relies solely on the use of self-tapping screws to connect the tab to another structure.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved metal framing member that includes a manufactured locating tab that is suitable for all metal studs, irrespective of the gauge of the metal, that can be placed at predetermined positions within the stud to serve to locate the attachment of other studs, has a knock-out opening that is substantially the same size as the size of the tab, that has pre-formed pilot holes for simplifying the installation of standard screw fasteners, and can serve as a preformed chase and a means of clipping objects passing through the chase to the member. Further, the use of a locking tab that enables one stud to be attached to a track member which can serve as a plate, header, footer, etc. without the need for additional fastening is also needed. A metal framing member including such a chase, locking tabs, that is low cost and can be handled safely is not found in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a metal framing member including at least one manufactured locking tab. The framing member has a substantially rectangular cross-section. Preferentially, at least two stiffeners run longitudinally along the metal framing member. Two locking tabs are punched out of the bottom portion between the two stiffeners. The locking tabs resulting from the punched out section of the framing member have an angled locking guide which serves to assist the locking tabs to be mated to corresponding punched out tab openings in a slotted tab punched out of a track meant to be attached to said framing member. Once the framing member locking tab is slid over its mating slotted tab so that tab openings are aligned with the locking tabs, the framing member is locked into place along the track. Additional locking tabs are optionally provided on each leg of the framing member to enable the framing member to be more securely attached to the track member. The tab openings that engage by locking tabs on the framing member can be either round or rectangular. Also, rather than provide another tab arrangement on the legs of the framing member, an opening that matches a mating opening in the track member can be pinned together using press pins well known in the art. Each locking tab assembly on the framing member and its corresponding track member is made at the factory using computer software to accurately match each position in accordance with the building design. Thus, the two parts can be put together securely and quickly without the use of screws, bolts or other fasteners.
Therefore, it is an aspect of this invention to provide an improved metal framing member.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a framing member with a locking tab assembly that will mate with a locking tab assembly on a track member.
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a metal framing member with a receiving opening for a locking tab that is preferably rectangular shaped.
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a metal track member with a receiving opening for a locking tab that is circular shaped.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a metal framing member and corresponding track member that can be attached together without the use of screws, bolts or other fasteners well known in the art.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a metal framing member and track member that has computer generated tabs to enable the two parts to mate together accurately and easily.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a metal framing member and track member that can also be locked with a press pin through openings in the respective members.
Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a metal framing and corresponding track member that has accurate and dependable fixed locations to eliminate installation errors and increase the productivity of the framing process.
Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a metal framing member that has a punched locking tab having an angled material guide so that the metal framing member will easily snap over the mating locking tab openings on the track member.
These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Surface section 16 is generally 6″ to 8″ wide. In the preferred embodiment, surface section 16 includes stiffeners 18, which run longitudinally along surface section 16. Typically, as noted above, knock out opening 12 is centrally located between stiffeners 18. Note that the geometry and size of knock out opening 12 and tab 14 are substantially the same, differing primarily due to the width of the cut. By having opening 12 and tab 14 substantially the same, less material is wasted and the framing member is stronger thus exhibiting a greater resistance to torsion forces and axis buckling.
Knock out opening 12 is shown in detail in
In the preferred embodiment, opening 12 is 1 11/16″ by 1 11/16″, with upper end 20 of the chase having a radius of ⅞″ instead of being cut square. Tab 14 is not completely severed from opening 12, but is connected along lower edge 22. Preferably, tab 14 is folded up at lower edge 22 so that tab 14 is substantially perpendicular to raised surface section 16. However, as noted above, other angles are easily selectable depending on the needs of the construction project.
In the preferred embodiment, two holes 24 are provided in tab 14 to serve as fastener holes. One hole 24 is positioned ½″ from lower edge 22, while the other is positioned ½″ from rounded edge 26. Holes 24 are otherwise centered on tab 14. Holes 24 preferably have a radius of 3/32″ and are capable of receiving standard screw fasteners (not shown) to attach wiring, stiffening rods, or other framing members to tab 14.
Returning to
As shown in
As shown in
A tab attachment assembly having at least two raised portions 52 is provided in the web of stud member 50. A punched locking tab 54 is provided in each of raised portion 52. An angled material guide 56 is also provided in each of raised portion 52. At least two punched knock-out tabs openings 62 are provided in the upper portion of slotted tab 60 in track channel member 58. Track channel member locking assembly is aligned so that tab opening 62 is aligned with the tab attachment assembly of stud member 50. Once stud member 50 is inserted over upper portion of slotted tab 60, the two parts are attached together. The stability of the attachment is augmented by the use of knock-out locking surface 64 of stud member 50 which engages locking surface of locking tab 66 of track channel member 58. This is shown only on one leg of the respective parts but could also be used as a match set on both legs.
Referring now to
Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
Claims
1. An off site manufactured metal framing attachment apparatus for attaching a first metal structural framing member to a second structural framing member, said apparatus comprising:
- at least two punched raised portions in said first member, each of said raised portions comprising:
- a punched locking tab and an angled material guide together defining a receiving opening
- a punched slotted tab in said second structural framing member, said punched slotted tab further comprising a plurality of punched out tab openings, whereas the number of said tab openings correspond to the number of said locking tabs of said at least two raised portions;
- wherein sliding said first member over said second member with said angled material guides of said locking tab assisting in aligning the two members together so that each said locking tab engages its mating said tab opening thus locking together said first structural member to said second structural member.
2. The framing attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking tabs and said tab openings are rectangular in shape.
3. The framing attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking tabs and said tab openings are circular in shape.
4. The framing attachment apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first pin opening in said first structural member and a corresponding second pin opening said second structural member such that when said first and second structural members are locked together, said first and second pin openings are aligned with respect to one another such that a press pin can be inserted therein.
5. The framing attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second structural framing members are substantially U-shaped have a pair of opposing leg sections and web sections interposed therein and wherein said apparatus further comprises a leg punched locking tab on at least one leg section of said first structural framing member and a corresponding punched leg tab opening on at least one leg section of said second structural framing member such that when said first and second structural members are locked together, said at least one leg locking tab engages its corresponding at least one leg tab opening thereby increasing the positional stability of the two locked structural framing members.
6. The framing attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first structural framing member is a metal stud and said second structural framing member is a track channel.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 25, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 4, 2005
Inventor: Anthony Attalla (Amherst, NH)
Application Number: 11/066,678