Multi-purpose framing product
A furring apparatus includes first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component. The first and second mating components define an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component. The first and second mating components include mating connectors that telescopingly engage in a direction parallel the column. Opposing wedge-shaped members slidingly engage angled surfaces on the structural ring and are movable to reduce an effective size of the through hole of the structural ring, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.
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This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional application Serial No. 60/659,321, filed Mar. 7, 2005, entitled MULTI-PURPOSE FRAMING PRODUCT.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to a framing product adapted to fit around a “lolly” column, I-beam, jack screw, or other structural beam or column product used in building constructions, where the product must be finished.
Various attempts have been made to simplify and standardize the task of finishing a “lolly” column, I-beam, jack screw, or other structural beam or column product used in building constructions. However, based on a review of the industry, further improvements are possible in terms of simplicity of parts, ease of installation, structural integrity, flexibility of use, low cost of components, and functionality of design.
Thus, a system having the aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus is provided that is useful to support wall board around an elongated building component such as a beam or column. The furring apparatus includes first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component. The first and second mating components further define an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component. The first and second mating components include abutting surfaces, with one of the abutting surfaces including a groove and the other of the abutting surfaces including a tongue shaped to fit into the groove and retain the first and second mating components together.
In another aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus includes first and second C-shaped mating components each including ends with mating connectors, the first and second C-shaped components being positionable to define a structural ring with a through hole defining a direction through the structural ring; the ends including connectors constructed to engage parallel the direction defined by the through hole in the structural ring.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a furring apparatus includes a structural ring made of mating components, the components including an inner wall defining a through hole shaped and adapted to receive a structural column. The furring apparatus further includes a wedging member shaped to move along the inner wall to reduce an effective size of the through hole, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A furring apparatus 20 (
The components 21 and 22 can be positioned around a building component 24, one slightly above the other. After aligning the connectors 29 and 30, the components 21 and 22 can be engaged without the use of separate tools by telescopingly sliding the “T” connectors 29 into the T-shaped groove connectors 30. The wedges 35 are then positioned and moved with a ratcheting movement downwardly until they engage the component 24 and hold the structural ring in place. It is contemplated that as many of the structural rings can be placed on the column 24 in vertically spaced positions as needed. The connection can be made secure by friction between the components themselves, including friction created by the wedges 35 or by the tongue and groove connectors 29 and 30 themselves. Alternatively, it is contemplated that glue, nails, or other means can be used. Wall board 28 is then positioned against and attached to the flat outer surfaces 27 and nailed, screwed, glued or otherwise secured in place ... including finishing corners and painting as desired.
It is contemplated that the product can include a relief or “knock-out” for routing wiring, plumbing, etc. through the product during framing.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A furring apparatus useful to support wall board around an elongated building component such as a beam or column, comprising:
- first and second mating components that, when positioned together, define a structural ring with a through-hole shaped and adapted to surround a selected building component; the first and second mating components further defining an outer surface adapted to engage and support wall board around the selected building component; the first and second mating components including abutting surfaces, with one of the abutting surfaces including a groove and the other of the abutting surfaces including a tongue shaped to fit into the groove and retain the first and second mating components together.
2. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove are integrally formed from material of the first and second mating components.
3. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue is T-shaped, and the groove is matingly shaped to interlockingly receive the T-shaped tongue.
4. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the tongue and groove are configured to engage in a longitudinal direction parallel the vertically-open aperture.
5. The furring apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the first and second mating components include an inner wall with an angled portion, and including at least one wedge-shaped member movable along the longitudinal direction while in engagement with angled portion of the inner wall, such that an effective size of the through-hole is reduced as the wedge-shaped member is moved.
6. The furring apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second mating components includes an inner wall, and including at least one column-engaging member adapted to move along an inner wall to reduce an effective size of the vertically-open aperture, such that the first and second mating components are adapted to surround and stably engage differently sized building components.
7. A furring apparatus comprising:
- first and second C-shaped mating components each including ends with mating connectors, the first and second C-shaped components being positionable to define a structural ring with a through hole defining a direction through the structural ring; the ends including connectors constructed to engage parallel the direction defined by the through hole in the structural ring.
8. A furring apparatus comprising:
- a structural ring made of mating components, the components including an inner wall defining a through hole shaped and adapted to receive a structural column; and
- a wedging member shaped to move along the inner wall to reduce an effective size of the through hole, such that the furring apparatus is useable on differently sized columns.
9. The furring apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the inner wall defines at least one non-symmetrical portion, and wherein the wedging member slidingly engages the non-symmetrical portion in a manner causing the wedging member to move toward or away from a center of the through hole.
10. The furring apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the inner wall defines at least one angled portion, and wherein the wedging member is movable to different locations along the angled portion in a manner changing an effective size of the through hole, thus adapting the furring apparatus to be stably positioned around the different sized columns.
11. A building structure comprising: a building column, and the furring apparatus defined in claim 8 positioned around the building column and with the wedging member engaging the building column and stabilizing the structural ring relative to the building column.
12. The building structure defined in claim 11, including at least two of the wedging members positioned in opposite positions on the structural ring.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 7, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Theodore Livernois (Traverse City, MI)
Application Number: 11/361,431
International Classification: E04B 5/00 (20060101); E04B 1/00 (20060101);