Bracing beams for sheet metal framing walls
One or more diagonal brace beam sections (26) extend between a pair of connectors (32). One of the connectors is placed inside of a first stud (14) that opens towards a closed side of the next stud (14) the second connector member (32) abuts against the web of the second stud (14). The connectors (32) are connected to the studs (14) by screw fasteners or some other suitable form of fasteners. The several diagonal brace beam sections (26) form an internal brace beam for the wall that extends from an upper corner at one end of the wall downwardly to a lower corner at the opposite end of the wall.
This invention relates to framing walls comprising horizontal and vertical sheet metal framing members. More particularly, it relates to framing walls in which bracing beam sections are provided between the studs for bracing the wall along a diagonal line or lines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONU.S. Pat. No. 5,784,850, granted Jul. 28, 1998, to
William L. Elderson, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,618, granted Feb. 8, 2000, to William L. Elderson, show prior art framing that includes a bracing member extending horizontally through openings in the webs of sheet metal studs. Some walls need to be braced better than other walls, e.g. walls that are subjected to high wind loads. A known way of bracing these walls is to attach diagonal sheet metal straps to the flanges of the studs on one or both sides of the wall. Wall board is installed over the straps. A problem with this practice is that the straps distort the wall board enough that it is no longer planar and this can be seen. An object of the present invention is to provide a bracing system for a framing wall comprising diagonal braces which are positioned between the studs so that exterior straps and the distortion to the wall board that they cause are eliminated.
There is a need for an improved way of bracing a framing wall without the use of openings in the webs of the studs or straps on the outsides of the studs. The principal object of the present invention is to meet this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA wall structure of the present invention includes first and second sheet metal studs, each in the form of a channel having a closed side formed by a web and an open side formed by and between spaced apart flanges. The open side of the first stud faces the closed side of the second stud. A first connector member is positioned inside the first stud. It has a web that is connected to the web of the first stud and a pair of flanges that project from said web towards the second stud. A second member has a web that is connected to the web of the second stud and a pair of flanges projecting from said web towards the first stud. A brace beam extends between the studs and connector members. The brace beam has a first end that is inside the first connector member and a second end that is inside the second connector member. The flanges of the first connector member are connected to the first end of the brace beam and the flanges of the second connector member are connected to the second end of the brace beam.
In one embodiment, the web of the first connector member is connected to the web of the first stud by screw fasteners and the web of the second connector member is connected to the web of the second stud by screw fasteners. It is also within the scope of the invention to weld the brace beam to the first and second connector members. According to an aspect of the invention, the flanges of the first connector member are connected to the first end of the brace by a screw fasteners and the flanges of the second connector member are connected to the second end of the brace beam by screw fasteners.
Preferably, the brace beam extends at a diagonal to the first and second studs.
In preferred form, the first and second studs each includes inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending parallel to each other and to the web and perpendicular to the flanges.
According to an aspect of the invention, the ends of the brace beams are connected to the connector members by screw fasteners which extend through the side flanges of the connector members and screw into the side flanges of the brace beam, forming a pivotable connection between the connector members and the ends of the brace beam. This allows the brace beam to be positioned substantially vertically between a pair of studs. Then, the brace beam is rotated to allow placement of the first connector member inside of the first stud and the web of the second connector against the web of the second stud. The brace beam is of such a length that when the webs of the connectors are against the webs of the studs, the brace beam extends at a diagonal to the first and second studs. Then, screw fasteners are used to connect the studs to the two connector members, to in that manner connect the ends of the brace beam to the two studs.
In another embodiment of the invention, the ends of brace beams are welded to connector members, one of which is inserted into a first stud and the other of which is connected to the web on the outside of a second stud. The sheet metal material is resilient enough to allow positioning of the brace beam between two studs, with the connector at one end of the brace beam inside of the first stud, and placement of the connector at the second end against the outer surface of the web of the second stud.
Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the illustrated embodiments, set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
Referring to
As previously stated, the brace beam section 26′ may be a plain channel member, composed of only a web 40 and a pair of flanges 42, 44, and the web 40 may be directed downwardly (
The embodiment of
The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes to the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of patent claim construction, including use of the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A wall structure, comprising:
- first and second sheet metal studs, each in the form of a channel having a closed side formed by a web and an open side formed by and between spaced apart flanges that are connected to the web;
- wherein the first and second studs each includes inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending parallel to each other and to the web and perpendicular to the flanges;
- said open side of the first stud facing the closed side of the second stud;
- a first connector member configured to be positioned inside of the first stud, said first connector member having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the first stud and a pair of flanges that project from said web towards the second stud;
- a second connector member having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the second stud and a pair of flanges projecting from said web towards the first stud;
- a brace beam having a first end configured to fit inside the first connector member and a second end configured to fit inside the second connector member;
- wherein the first connector member is connected to the first end of the brace beam by a fixed first connection and the second connector member is connected to the second end of the brace beam by a second fixed connection;
- wherein the first connector member is insertable sideways part way into the open side of the first stud, wherein the second stud is springable away from the first stud, and wherein the brace beam is swingable sideways to more the first connector member inside of the first stud with its web against the web of the first stud and place the web of the second connector member against the web of the second stud, and wherein the second stud is then springable back towards the first stud so as to place the web of the second stud against the web of the second connector; and
- wherein the first connector member is connectable to the first stud and the second connector member is connectable to the second stud.
26. The wall structure of claim 25, wherein the brace beam extends at a diagonal to the first and second studs.
27. the wall structure of claim 25, wherein the brace beam is welded to the first and second connector members.
28. the wall structure of claim 26; wherein the brace beam is welded to the first and second connector members.
29. a wall structure, comprising:
- first and second sheet metal studs, each in the form of a channel having a closed side formed by a web and an open side formed by and between spaced apart flanges that are connected to the web;
- wherein the first and second studs each includes inwardly directed lips on the flanges extending parallel to each other and to the web and perpendicular to the flanges;
- said open side of the first stud facing the closed side of the second stud;
- a first connector member configured to be positioned inside of the first stud, said first connector member having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the of the first stud and a pair of flanges that project from said web towards the second stud;
- a second connector member having a web configured to be positioned against the web of the second stud and a pair of flanges projecting from said web towards the first stud;
- first and second spaced apart brace beams, each having a first end configured to fit inside the first connector member and a second end configured to fit inside the second connector member and a second end configured to fit inside the second connector member;
- wherein the first connector member is connected to the first end of both brace beams by fixed connections and the second connector is connected to the second end of both brace beams by a fixed connections;
- wherein the first connector member is a insertable sideways part way into the open of the first stud, wherein the second stud is springable away from the first stud, and wherein the brace beams and the connector members are swingable sideways to place the first connector member inside of the first stud with its web against the web of the first stud and place the web of the second connector member against the web of the second stud, and wherein the second stud is then springable back towards the first stud so as to place the web of the second stud against the web of the second connector; and
- wherein the first connector member is connectable to the first stud and the second connector member is connectable to the second stud.
30. The wall structure of claim 29, wherein the first and second brace beams extend in a diagonal to the first and second studs.
31. The wall structure of claim 30 wherein the brace beams are welded to the first and second connector members.
32. The wall structure of claim 31 wherein the two brace beams are welded to the first and second connector member
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 22, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2009
Inventor: Matt F. Surowiecki (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 12/284,318
International Classification: E04C 3/32 (20060101); E04C 2/38 (20060101); E04B 1/38 (20060101);