Abstract: A composite fire-rated gasket for use in building construction is disclosed that comprises, in a multi-layered stacked configuration, the following elements: (1) a flexible flat sheet metal strip having a width and opposing first and second faces; (2) an intumescent strip adjacent to the first face of the sheet metal strip; (3) a first foamed plastic strip adjacent to the second face of the sheet metal strip; (4) a second foamed plastic layer adjacent to the intumescent strip; and (5) an elongated non-foamed protective material layer adjacent to the second foamed plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment, the flat metal strip is in the form of a spine having a plurality of ribs outwardly extending therefrom. The composite fire-rated gaskets and related building construction assemblies disclosed herein slow and impede the spread of fire and smoke (during a fire) and also reduces sound transmission between adjacent rooms in a building.

Abstract: A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

Abstract: A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

Abstract: Robust multi-purpose, multi-layer, building construction tapes and building construction framing members and related wall assemblies are disclosed that comprise a sheet metal framing member (all profiles) in combination with a new and more robust type of multi-layer building construction tape for fire safety and sound reduction. The multi-layer building construction tape comprises a flexible thermal barrier layer attached to (1) a flexible intumescent material layer having a lesser width (thereby enabling flex-lock rollover) and/or (2) a resilient unfoamed cross-linked polyethylene layer. In combination, the thermal barrier layer is on a surface of the sheet metal framing member, whereas the thermal barrier layer is attached to the intumescent layer or polyethylene layer (as the case may be) such that the thermal barrier layer is between the sheet metal framing member and the intumescent layer or the polyethylene layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer fire safety tape comprising a flexible closed-cell polymer foam layer adjoined to a flexible intumescent material layer is disclosed, including methods of making and using the same. The multi-layer fire safety tape is preferably composed of, in series, a flexible backing/release layer; a flexible closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; a first adhesive interface layer between the backing/release layer and the closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; a flexible intumescent material layer; a second adhesive interface layer between the intumescent material layer and the closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; and a flexible outer protective layer. In further embodiments, the multi-layer fire safety tape of the present invention further comprises a second closed-cell polymer foam layer adjacent to the intumescent material layer and/or the outer protective layer.

Abstract: A composite fire-rated gasket for use in building construction is disclosed that comprises, in a multi-layered stacked configuration, the following elements: (1) a flexible flat sheet metal strip having a width and opposing first and second faces; (2) an intumescent strip adjacent to the first face of the sheet metal strip; (3) a first foamed plastic strip adjacent to the second face of the sheet metal strip; (4) a second foamed plastic layer adjacent to the intumescent strip; and (5) an elongated non-foamed protective material layer adjacent to the second foamed plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment, the flat metal strip is in the form of a spine having a plurality of ribs outwardly extending therefrom. The composite fire-rated gaskets and related building construction assemblies disclosed herein slow and impede the spread of fire and smoke (during a fire) and also reduces sound transmission between adjacent rooms in a building.

Abstract: Fire rated building construction framing members and related wall assemblies are disclosed that comprise a sheet metal framing member (all profiles) in combination with a new type of multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape comprises a flexible thermal barrier layer attached to a flexible intumescent material layer. In combination, the thermal barrier layer comprises a thermoplastic material that is on a surface of the sheet metal framing member, whereas the thermal barrier layer is attached to the intumescent layer such that the thermal barrier layer is between the sheet metal framing member and the intumescent layer. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape slows and impedes the spread of fire and smoke (during a fire) and also reduces sound transmission between adjacent rooms in a building.

Abstract: Robust multi-purpose, multi-layer, building construction tapes and building construction framing members and related wall assemblies are disclosed that comprise a sheet metal framing member (all profiles) in combination with a new and more robust type of multi-layer building construction tape for fire safety and sound reduction. The multi-layer building construction tape comprises a flexible thermal barrier layer attached to (1) a flexible intumescent material layer having a lesser width (thereby enabling flex-lock rollover) and/or (2) a resilient unfoamed cross-linked polyethylene layer. In combination, the thermal barrier layer is on a surface of the sheet metal framing member, whereas the thermal barrier layer is attached to the intumescent layer or polyethylene layer (as the case may be) such that the thermal barrier layer is between the sheet metal framing member and the intumescent layer or the polyethylene layer.

Abstract: Fire rated building construction framing members and related wall assemblies are disclosed that comprise a sheet metal framing member (all profiles) in combination with a new type of multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape comprises a flexible thermal barrier layer attached to a flexible intumescent material layer. In combination, the thermal barrier layer comprises a thermoplastic material that is on a surface of the sheet metal framing member, whereas the thermal barrier layer is attached to the intumescent layer such that the thermal barrier layer is between the sheet metal framing member and the intumescent layer. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape slows and impedes the spread of fire and smoke (during a fire) and also reduces sound transmission between adjacent rooms in a building.

Abstract: Fire rated building construction framing members and related wall assemblies are disclosed that comprise a sheet metal framing member (all profiles) in combination with a new type of multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape comprises a flexible thermal barrier layer attached to a flexible intumescent material layer. In combination, the thermal barrier layer comprises a thermoplastic material that is on a surface of the sheet metal framing member, whereas the thermal barrier layer is attached to the intumescent layer such that the thermal barrier layer is between the sheet metal framing member and the intumescent layer. The multi-layer fire safety/sound reduction tape slows and impedes the spread of fire and smoke (during a fire) and also reduces sound transmission between adjacent rooms in a building.

Abstract: A multi-layer fire safety tape comprising a flexible closed-cell polymer foam layer adjoined to a flexible intumescent material layer is disclosed, including methods of making and using the same. The multi-layer fire safety tape is preferably composed of, in series, a flexible backing/release layer; a flexible closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; a first adhesive interface layer between the backing/release layer and the closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; a flexible intumescent material layer; a second adhesive interface layer between the intumescent material layer and the closed-cell polymer foam thermal barrier layer; and a flexible outer protective layer. In further embodiments, the multi-layer fire safety tape of the present invention further comprises a second closed-cell polymer foam layer adjacent to the intumescent material layer and/or the outer protective layer.

Abstract: A sheet metal framing member having a J-shaped retention flange is disclosed herein. The innovative sheet metal framing member is made from a continuous piece of sheet metal and is especially configured for use in a wall assembly. The sheet metal framing member comprises a U-shaped track section (for receiving a plurality of studs) connected to a J-shaped retention flange (for retaining a piece of drywall). The U-shaped track section includes a first web connected to confronting first and second flanges, and the J-shaped retention flange includes a second web connected to the second flange and a third flange. The second flange confronts and is between the third flange and the first flange, and the height of the second flange is greater than the height of the first flange, while the first web is parallel to the second web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fire retardant head-of-wall assembly as disclosed herein.

Abstract: A connector clip configured to interconnect a sill member to a stud within a sheet-metal wall assembly is disclosed herein. The innovative connector clip comprises: a piece of sheet-metal that defines a planar web; and at least a first web flange perpendicular to the web. The innovative connector clip may be characterized in that the web includes at least a first transverse web slot positioned for receiving a first sill flange of the sill member when the sill member is positioned adjacent to one of the ends of the stud, and wherein the first transverse web slot defines a right angle with the first web flange.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inside corner framing element for supporting wallboard at the intersection of two adjoining walls made from sheet metal framing members. The inside corner framing element may be characterized as either: (1) an elongated sheet metal strip bent lengthwise two times to define a truncated W-shaped cross-sectional profile with at least one linear receiving slot positioned at an end of the elongated sheet metal strip; or (2) an elongated sheet metal strip bent lengthwise three times to define a W-shaped cross-sectional profile with at least one linear receiving slot positioned at an end of the elongated sheet metal strip.

Abstract: An innovative flush mountable backing plate useful in the construction of sheet-metal wall assemblies is disclosed herein. The flush mountable backing plate is generally comprised of a flat piece of sheet-metal that defines a central web section having an end return flange positioned at one end and an end tab positioned at the other end, wherein the end return flange is perpendicular to the web section, while the end tab is coplanar with the web section; and a flexible bend section interposed between the end tab and the central web section, wherein the bend section defines a trough that runs perpendicular to the central web section, and wherein the trough is sized and configured to receive and does receive an inwardly directed return of one of the C-shaped studs.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a connector clip for interconnecting a horizontally positioned sill member to an abutting vertically positioned stud. The connector clip comprises: a planar web having a pair of opposing side web flanges, each side web flange is flat and perpendicular to the web; first and second horizontally transverse and confronting open-ended inwardly-directed web slots on the web; and first and second horizontally transverse open-ended flange slots aligned and continuous with the first and second web slots. The first and second flange slots define respective upper and lower portions of the opposing side web flanges, and the web slots and the flange slots are engaged with the first and second upper sill returns of the sill member such that the entire outer surface of the of the lower portions of side web flanges are in planar contact with the respective opposing sidewalls of the sill member.

Abstract: A connector clip configured to interconnect a sill member to a stud within a sheet-metal wall assembly is disclosed herein. The innovative connector clip comprises: a piece of sheet-metal that defines a planar web; and at least a first web flange perpendicular to the web. The innovative connector clip may be characterized in that the web includes at least a first transverse web slot positioned for receiving a first sill flange of the sill member when the sill member is positioned adjacent to one of the ends of the stud, and wherein the first transverse web slot defines a right angle with the first web flange.

Abstract: A curved wall structure is disclosed herein that comprises a curved footer track; a curved header track confronting and vertically spaced apart from the curved footer track; a plurality of studs having upper and lower end portions (wherein the studs are vertically positioned between the spaced apart and confronting header and footer tracks such that the lower end portions are received into the footer track and the upper end portions are received into the curved header track); and a corrugated curved wall panel having a plurality of vertically spaced apart grooves. Mineral wool (or other suitable insulation material) may be positioned between the plurality of studs and adjacent to the corrugated curved wall panel. In addition, a heat-expandable intumescent material strip may be positioned along a top portion of at least one of the downwardly extending sidewalls of the curved header track and adjacent to the first curved wallboard.

Abstract: Fireblock devices, wall assemblies and related methods useful for retarding the spread of smoke and fire through dynamic head-of-wall construction joints and gaps are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fireblock device is characterized by an elongated angled channel member having an elongated intumescent material strip, wherein the angled channel member is defined by an elongated top flange member connected to an elongated side flange member along a lengthwise edge, and wherein the top and side flange members define a right angle and a lengthwise interior corner region, and wherein the top and side flange members each have inner flange member surfaces that face inwardly with respect to the interior corner region, and outer flange member surfaces that face outwardly with respect to the interior corner region, and wherein the intumescent material strip is affixed on the outer flange member surface of the side flange member.