Footer track with moisture vent
A footer track for supporting a plurality of wall studs, and a method for making a footer track, including a web and a pair of legs extending from opposing sides of the web. The pair of legs are spaced from one another a distance sufficient to accommodate a wall stud therebetween. The footer track defines a plurality of drain openings spaced along a length of the footer track. Preferably, each of the plurality of drain openings has a boundary defined by both of the web and one of the pairs of legs. In one arrangement, each drain opening extends a distance into the web such that the opening, itself, is defined by both the web and leg.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/668,661, filed Apr. 6, 2005, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/629,566, filed Nov. 19, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/628,880, filed Nov. 18, 2004, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to building construction and, more specifically, relates to a wall footer track configured to permit drainage or venting of moisture within the stud space of a wall.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, prior art wall footer tracks have failed to accommodated drainage or venting of moisture that has become trapped within the interior of the footer track, either during the construction process or within the space between the studs of the wall after completion of the building structure. Without a sufficient drainage or ventilation mechanism, the prior art walls are susceptible to moisture buildup within the stud space, which may cause a variety of problems, such as damage to the wall covering elements (e.g., drywall) or facilitating mold growth, among others.
In one attempt to provide for moisture drainage, a prior art footer track includes a drain hole located substantially in the center of the footer track web. A felt-like material is placed between the web of the footer track and the structure on which the footer track is supported. The felt-like material is intended to wick moisture from the interior of the footer track through the drain hole. However, in practice, this arrangement has not proven effective at removing a sufficient amount of moisture from the track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, a need exists for a footer track structure that effectively permits the evacuation of moisture from the interior of the footer track. Preferred embodiments of the present wall footer track are provided with a plurality of moisture vents, or drain openings configured to permit moisture within the stud space of an associated wall to readily escape. Desirably, a boundary of each drain opening is defined by both of a web of the footer track and one of the legs of the footer track. Advantageously, with such an arrangement, moisture within the stud space may be substantially or completely evacuated from the interior of the footer track. The drain openings may be of any shape and may be oriented in a parallel or alternating fashion along opposing sides of the footer track.
A preferred embodiment is a footer track for supporting a plurality of wall studs. The footer track includes a web and a pair of legs extending in an upward direction from opposing sides of the web. The pair of legs are spaced from one another a distance sufficient to accommodate a wall stud therebetween. The footer track defines a plurality of drain openings spaced along a length of the footer track. Each of the plurality of drain openings has a boundary defined by both of the web and one of the pairs of legs.
A preferred embodiment is a footer track for supporting a plurality of wall studs. The footer track includes a web and a pair of legs extending in an upward direction from opposing sides of the web. The pair of legs are spaced from one another a distance sufficient to accommodate a wall stud therebetween. The footer track defines a plurality of drain openings spaced along a length of the footer track. Each of the drain openings is at least partially defined by one of the pairs of legs and each of the drain openings extends at least to a juncture between the one of the legs and the web.
A preferred method of making a footer track includes creating a plurality of openings spaced along a length of a relatively flat, elongate workpiece. The method also includes bending edge portions of the workpiece to create a pair of legs extending from opposing sides of a web of the workpiece. The bending is configured such that a boundary of each of the openings is at least partially defined by both the web and one of the pairs of legs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described in greater detail below with reference to drawings of preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present invention. The drawings contain seven (7) figures.
Preferably, the footer track 10 is configured to be placed with the web 12 resting on a support surface, such as a floor for example (not shown). Desirably, the legs 14 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the stud 16 therebetween. A plurality of studs typically are supported by the footer track 10 in a spaced arrangement along the length of the footer track 10. For example, in one arrangement, the studs 16 may be spaced sixteen (16) inches from one another. The width of the track 10 (i.e., a perpendicular distance between legs 14) may vary according to the stud width and/or the needs of an individual job. Furthermore, the height of the legs 14 may be varied depending on the individual application of the footer track 10. For example, the legs 14 may be 3⅝ inches, 5⅝ inches or 6⅛ inches, or any other suitable dimension, in height from the web 12.
Preferably, the footer track 10 is constructed from a relatively light gauge steel material, such as 16, 18, 20 or 22 gauge, for example. In addition, the material may be galvanized, if desired. For example, preferred galvanization includes G40, G60, G90 or greater. However, other levels of galvanization may also be used. Furthermore, other suitable materials may be used to construct the footer track 10, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art. For example, other types of metals, polymer/plastic or composite materials may be used.
Desirably, the footer track 10 includes a plurality of vents, or drain openings 20 along its length. As described in greater detail below, preferably the drain openings 20 are at least partially located within one of the legs 14 and extend at least to a juncture between the leg 14 and the web 12. Thus, with such an arrangement, the drain opening 20 is not spaced above the inner surface of the web 12, but extends at least to the inner surface of the web 12. Accordingly, the opening 20 facilitates complete drainage of water, or other liquids, from within the footer track 10 (the space between the legs 14). In some arrangements, however, the openings 20 may be spaced slightly or substantially above the inner surface of the web 12. Such arrangements may be suitable for use in environments where large amounts of water, or other fluids, are not likely to become trapped within the interior of the footer track 10 or, for example, where another component is placed within the bottom interior of the footer track 10. In another alternative arrangement, the drain openings 20 may be located within the web 12 and extend at least to the juncture between the leg 14 and the web 12.
In one preferred arrangement, the drain openings 20 are spaced along the footer track 10 at an interval other than the planned interval of the studs 16. Preferably, the spacing interval for the drain openings 20 is a value other than common stud spacing intervals, e.g., 12, 16 and 24 inches. In one presently preferred arrangement, the spacing interval for the drain openings 20 is approximately 9 inches. Advantageously, with such an arrangement, the likelihood of the studs 16 blocking a significant number of drain openings 20 is reduced, therefore permitting sufficient drainage despite the specific stud layout or how close the first drain opening 20 is relative to an end of the footer track 10. Other suitable spacing of the drain openings 20 may also be used. For example, the drain openings 20 may be spaced 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches from one another, as well as other suitable dimensions, along a length of the footer track 10. Furthermore, spacing of the drain openings 20 may be less than 9 inches, such as 4 or 5 inches, for example, or greater than 24 inches. As will be appreciated, the distance of the initial drain opening 20 relative to an end of the footer track 10 may vary due to the footer track 10 being cut to a desired length prior to installation.
With reference to
With reference to
The drain opening 20a of
Desirably, the footer tracks 10 of
The openings 20′ of the footer track 10′ are elongate, rather than being generally circular. Preferably, the openings 20′ have substantially straight, opposing sides and rounded ends. The elongate openings 20′ provide a greater area for moisture to escape from the interior of the footer track 10′. In addition, preferably, the openings 20′ are provided in an alternating, or staggered, orientation. That is, preferably, each of the openings 20′ is located on an opposite side of the web 12′ from each adjacent opening 20′.
With reference to
As discussed above, the openings 20′ are spaced from one another by a spaced dimension S along a length of the footer track 10′. The spaced dimension S may vary to accommodate an individual application of the footer track 10′, but preferably is configured such that the studs 16′ (
Another feature of the footer track 10′ of
Advantageously, the crease 30 increases the resistance to bending of the web 12′ and, therefore, the resistance to bending of the footer track 10′. Thus, the crease 30 increases the rigidity of the footer track 10′ to partially or fully offset the loss in rigidity resulting from the removal of material to create the opening 20′. Thus, the crease 30 may be of any suitable height or arrangement to provide the desired degree of reinforcement. In addition, the crease 30 may assist in channeling liquid to the opening 20′.
In some arrangements, the crease 30 includes multiple segments. For example, the illustrated crease 30 includes three linear segments that originate at a common end point adjacent the opening 20′ and extend away from the opening 20′ toward the centerline of the web 12′. In the illustrated arrangement, the common end point of the segments of the crease 30 is located substantially at the edge of its corresponding opening 20′. A center segment of the crease 30 extends generally perpendicular to the leg 14′ of the footer track 10′. The two additional segments of the crease 30 extend at an angle to the center segment. The angle may be varied as desired, but in the illustrated arrangement is approximately at 45 degrees to both the center segment and associated leg 14′. The length of each segment of the crease 30′ may also be varied as desired, but preferably is less that about one-half the width of the web 12′. Furthermore, each segment of the crease may linear or non-linear and may be continuous or interrupted.
The footer track 10″ includes elongate openings 20″, which may be defined by a leg 14″ of the footer track 10″ or by a combination of the legs 14″ and web 12″ of the footer track 10″, as described above. However, in the illustrated arrangement, the openings 20″ are oriented in a parallel fashion. That is, the openings 20″ of each leg 14″ are disposed substantially across from the openings 20″ of the opposing leg 14″.
As illustrated in
Crease 30b″ is well-suited for use with a footer track 10″ wherein the openings 20″ are arranged in a parallel configuration. Crease 30b″ comprises a segment that extends from the opening 20″ on one side of the web 12″ to an opening 20″ on an opposite side of the web 12″. In the illustrated arrangement, the crease 30″ is a straight line segment that extends between directly opposed openings 20″. However, in other arrangements, the line segment may not be linear and/or may extend between openings 20″ that are not directly across from one another. Furthermore, preferably, the crease 30″ extends to an edge of each opening 20″, however, in alternative arrangements it may end short of the edge of the opening 20″. Additionally, although the crease 30″ includes a single line segment in the illustrated arrangement, additional line segments may also be provided.
Several preferred examples of a vented footer track have been disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed examples. For instance, although circular and elongate openings (generally, 20) have been shown, the openings may be of any other suitable shape, for example, but without limitation, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular or octagonal. Furthermore, although the vented track structure is described specifically in the context of a footer track herein, it is contemplated that the inventive features, aspects and advantages may be applied to other structural track members, such as rim tracks or floor joists, for example, but without limitation.
Furthermore, the size of the openings 20 may be varied according to the desired application. For example, the width W preferably is between about one-quarter to about one inch and the length L preferably is between about one inch and about four inches. One consideration in determining the minimum size of the opening 20 is to size the opening 20 large enough to ensure that the opening 20 will not become clogged with dust or debris and that surface tension of water will not operate to effectively close off the opening 20. With respect to the maximum size, it is preferred that the opening 20 be small enough to inhibit or prevent the passage of pests, such as rodents, for example, through the opening 20. Although such sizing is preferred to accommodate these considerations, other suitable dimensions may also be used. For example, the width W may be less than one-quarter inch or greater than one inch. Furthermore, the length L may be less than one inch or greater than four inches. Preferably, if the openings 20 are less than about one and three-quarters inches, the spacing dimension S is an odd number in inches. Preferably, if the openings are greater than about one and three-quarters in length, the spacing dimension S is an odd or even number in inches. Such an arrangement assists in avoiding repetitive obstruction of the openings 20 by the studs 16.
In addition, the relationship of the position of the openings 20 on one side of the web 12 relative to the position of the openings 20 on the opposite side of the web 12 may be varied as desired. For example, the alternating orientation disclosed herein advantageously reduces that likelihood that the track 10 will bend, due to the absence of material at the openings 20, when the track 10 is handled. However, parallel orientations may be desired to increase available venting or drainage when a concern with bending of the track 10 during handling is either reduced or not present. Furthermore, other relative positioning may be desirable, such as a partial overlap of the openings 20 on opposite sides of the web 12, for example.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present footer track has been described in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features and aspects of the footer track may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.
Claims
1. A footer track for supporting a plurality of wall studs, comprising:
- a web;
- a pair of legs extending in an upward direction from opposing sides of said web, said pair of legs spaced from one another a distance sufficient to accommodate a wall stud therebetween;
- wherein said footer track defines a plurality of drain openings spaced along a length of said footer track, and wherein each of said plurality of drain openings has a boundary defined by both of said web and one of said pairs of legs.
2. The footer track of claim 1, wherein said boundary extends inward from said leg into said web such that a portion of said drain opening is defined by said web.
3. The footer track of claim 1, wherein said drain opening is generally circular in shape when said web and said leg are oriented in a single plane.
4. The footer track of claim 1, wherein said plurality of drain openings are spaced at approximately 9 inch intervals.
5. The footer track of claim 1, wherein each of said drain openings is defined by an opposing one of said pair of legs relative to each adjacent of said drain openings.
6. The footer track of claim 1, wherein each of said drain openings on one side of said web is substantially aligned with one of said drain openings on an opposite side of said web.
7. The footer track of claim 1, additionally comprising means in said web for directing fluid into one or more of said openings.
8. The footer track of claim 7, wherein said means in said web comprises a crease.
9. A footer track for supporting a plurality of wall studs, comprising:
- a web;
- a pair of legs extending in an upward direction from opposing sides of said web, said pair of legs spaced from one another a distance sufficient to accommodate a wall stud therebetween;
- wherein said footer track defines a plurality of drain openings spaced along a length of said footer track, wherein each of said drain openings is at least partially defined by one of said pairs of legs and wherein each of said drain openings extends at least to a juncture between said one of said legs and said web.
10. The footer track of claim 9, wherein said drain opening extends inward from said leg into said web such that a portion of said drain opening is defined by said web.
11. The footer track of claim 9, wherein said drain opening is generally circular in shape when said web and said leg are oriented in a single plane.
12. The footer track of claim 9, wherein said plurality of drain openings are spaced at approximately 9 inch intervals.
13. The footer track of claim 12, wherein each of said drain openings is defined by an opposing one of said pair of legs relative to each adjacent of said drain openings.
14. The footer track of claim 9, wherein each of said drain openings is defined by an opposing one of said pair of legs relative to each adjacent of said drain openings.
15. The footer track of claim 9, wherein each of said drain openings on one side of said web is substantially aligned with one of said drain openings on an opposite side of said web.
16. The footer track of claim 9, additionally comprising means in said web for directing fluid into one or more of said openings.
17. A method of making a footer track, comprising:
- creating a plurality of openings spaced along a length of a relatively flat, elongate workpiece;
- bending edge portions of said workpiece to create a pair of legs extending from opposing sides of a web of said workpiece;
- wherein said bending is configured such that a boundary of each of said openings is at least partially defined by both said web and one of said pairs of legs.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said bending is configured such that said boundary of said opening extends inwardly from said leg into said web such that a portion of said drain opening is defined by said web.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said bending is configured such that approximately one-half of said opening is defined by said web and approximately one-half of said opening is defined by one of said pairs of legs.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said creating of said openings comprises creating openings having a generally circular shape prior to said bending.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein said creating of said openings comprises positioning said openings such that said plurality of openings are spaced at approximately 9 inch intervals.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2006
Inventor: Adam Sutton (Kaneohe, HI)
Application Number: 11/260,516
International Classification: E02D 19/00 (20060101);