Construction member
A construction member is described and which includes a first portion defining a first channel; and a second portion matingly received in part, in the first channel, and which further defines a second channel which receives a first structural component therein, and wherein the first and second portions are fastened together.
The present invention relates to a construction member which finds usefulness as a header and which may be employed in the construction of doors, windows or the like, or which further can be used in place of the typical double top plate in the construction of load bearing walls or other supporting structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the construction of industrial and other commercial buildings, building codes will typically require the use of metal framing members for both interior and exterior walls. These metal studs and other construction members are well known in this same industry. Metal studs, for example, are dimensionally stable, lightweight and quite strong. These metal studs are joined together by screws or other fasteners to provide walls upon which wallboard is then attached by screws. They may further have apertures formed therein and which allow electrical and plumbing conduits to pass therethrough.
In both residential and commercial construction, a header is typically required to be secured on a framed wall and which spans a distance in the framed wall to define an opening for a door or corresponding window. The header must be exceptionally strong inasmuch as metal stud “cripples” may be attached thereto, and extend upwardly therefrom, to define the framed wall immediately above the header. In window installation, the sash of the window is coupled or otherwise fastened to the header to secure the window in the opening which is partially defined by the header. Trim or molding may then be secured to the header to make the window more aesthetically appealing. As best understood by a study of
Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a construction member which could be employed in the fabrication of a framed wall, and which would operate as a header and which would achieve many of the benefits to be derived from such prior art construction members, but which would avoid the detriments and other shortcomings associated with the prior art practices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member which includes a first portion defining a first channel; and a second portion matingly received in part in the first channel, and which further defines a second channel which receives a first structural component therein, and wherein the first and second portions are fastened together.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member which includes a receiver mounted on a structural component; a first portion having a main body with a width dimension, and which defines a first channel having a width dimension which is less than about 80% of the width dimension of the main body, and wherein the first portion is received in mating relation relative to the receiver; and a second portion which has a main body which is received in part in the first channel, and which is affixed to the first portion, and wherein the second portion defines a second channel which receives another structural component.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member which includes a first portion having a main body which is defined by a plurality of courses, and wherein the main body includes a first course, a second course joined to the first course, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, a third course joined to the second course and which is disposed in angulated relation relative thereto, a fourth course joined to the third course and which is disposed in predetermined, spaced, substantially parallel relation relative to the second course, and a fifth course joined to the fourth course and which is substantially perpendicular relative thereto, and wherein a first channel is defined therebetween the first and fifth courses; and a second portion having a main body which has a plurality of courses, and wherein the main body has a first course which is joined to a second course, and wherein the second course is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto, and which is further disposed in juxtaposed rested relation thereagainst the first course of the first portion, a third course which is joined to the second course and which is substantially perpendicular relative thereto, and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the second course of the first portion; a fourth course joined to the third course, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the third course of the first portion, a fifth course joined to the fourth course and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the fourth course of the first portion, and is further in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the third course of the second portion, a sixth course joined to the fifth course, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the fifth course of the first portion, and a seventh course which is joined to the sixth course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto and further is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first course of the second portion, and wherein the first and seventh courses define, in part, a second channel and which is operable to receive a structural component therein, and wherein the third, fourth and fifth courses of the second portion define a male member which is matingly received in the first channel, and wherein the first and second portions are fastened together.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
Referring now to
Referring now to
As best seen by reference to
Referring now to
The second portion 80 defines a second channel 90 which is operable to receive a structural component as will be described below. As illustrated, the second channel 90 has a width dimension which is greater than about the width dimension of the first portion. As should be understood, in certain forms of the invention, the width dimension of the second channel could be less than the width dimension of the first portion without departing from the nature of the present invention. The main body 81 is defined by a plurality of courses. In this regard, the main body has a first course 91 which is joined to a second course 92. As seen in the drawings, the second course 92 is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto, and is further disposed in juxtaposed rested relation thereagainst the first course 61 of the first portion 50. A third course 93 is provided and which is joined to the second course 92, and which is substantially perpendicular relative thereto. The third course is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the second course 62 of the first portion 50. A fourth course 94 is provided and is joined to the third course 93, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the third course 63 of the first portion. The fourth course 94 comprises the distal end 84 of the male member 82. As earlier discussed, the fourth course 94 defines the width dimension for the male member 82, and which is less than the width dimension of the first channel 70. A fifth course 95 is provided and is joined to the fourth course 94, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the fourth course 64 of the first portion 50. The fifth course 95 is further in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the third course 93 of the second portion 80. A sixth course 96 is provided and is joined to the fifth course 95, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the fifth course 65 of the first portion 50. A seventh course 97 is provided and which is joined to the sixth course 96 and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto, and further is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first course 91 of the second portion 80. As seen in the drawings, the first and seventh courses 91 and 97, respectively define, in part, the second channel 90 and which is operable to receive a structural component as will be described below. Still further, the third, fourth and fifth courses 93, 94 and 95 of the second portion 80 define the male member 82 which is matingly received in the first channel 70. As seen more clearly by reference to
As earlier discussed, the construction member 30 of the present invention may be employed as a header for a window or door as seen in
Referring now to
As seen in
The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
A construction member 30 of the present invention is best understood by a study of
Therefore it will be seen that the construction member of the present invention provides a convenient means whereby a header can be readily formed in a fashion not possible heretofore. Still further, the construction member of the present invention also provides further advantages inasmuch as the same construction member can be utilized in place of a double top plate in the construction of a framed wall or the like.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A construction member comprising:
- a first portion defining a first channel; and
- a second portion matingly received, in part, in the first channel, and which further defines a second channel which receives a first structural component therein, and wherein the first and second portions are fastened together.
2. A construction member as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the construction member is employed as a header for a window or a door, or further can be employed in place of a double top plate in the construction of a wall.
3. A construction member as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a receiver which is mounted on an adjacent second structural component, and wherein the first portion is affixed to the receiver.
4. A construction member as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the second portion has a main body which defines at least in part, a male member, and wherein the male member is received in the first channel and rests, in part, in juxtaposed relation relative to the first portion.
5. A construction member as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the first portion is defined, in part, by a pair of spaced apart legs and wherein each leg has a proximal and a distal end, and wherein the distal end of each leg rests in juxtaposed relation relative to the second portion.
6. A construction member as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the male member and/or the distal end of the respective legs are fastened to the second portion.
7. A construction member as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the male member has a length and width dimension, and the first channel has a width and depth dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the male member is less than the width dimension of the first channel, and the length dimension of the male member is greater than the depth dimension of the first channel.
8. A construction member as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the spaced apart legs of the first portion define the width dimension of the first portion, and wherein the width dimension of the male member is about 20% to about 80% of the width dimension of the first portion.
9. A construction member as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the first portion.
10. A construction member as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is less than the width dimension of the first portion.
11. A construction member as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the width dimension of the first channel is less than about 80% of the width dimension of the first portion.
12. A construction member comprising:
- a receiver mounted on a structural component;
- a first portion having a main body with a width dimension, and which defines a first channel having a width dimension which is less than about 80% of the width dimension of the main body, and wherein the first portion is received in mating relation relative to the receiver; and
- a second portion which has a main body which is received, in part, in the first channel, and which is affixed to the first portion, and wherein the second portion defines a second channel which receives another structural component.
13. A construction member as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the second portion defines a male member which is received in mating relation in the first channel, and wherein the male member has a distal end which defines a surface which lies in juxtaposed engagement thereagainst the first portion, and wherein the distal end of the male portion defining the surface has a width dimension, and wherein the first portion has a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the of the surface which is defined by the distal end of the male member is less than about 80% of the width dimension of the first portion.
14. A construction member as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the main body of the first portion further has a pair of spaced legs each having a distal end, and wherein the distal end of each leg further includes a flange portion which is angularly disposed relative to the respective legs, and wherein each flange portion has a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the flange portion is equal to or greater than about 10% of the width dimension of the first portion, and wherein the respective flange portions lie in juxtaposed relation thereagainst the second portion.
15. A construction member as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the main body of the second portion defines respective shoulder regions on the opposite sides of the male member, and wherein the respective flange portions are juxtaposed thereagainst the respective shoulder regions, and wherein the respective shoulder regions each have a width dimension which is equal to or greater than about 20% of the width dimension of the adjoining flange portions.
16. A construction member as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is greater than about the width dimension of the first portion.
17. A construction member as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is equal to or less than the width dimension of the first portion.
18. A construction member as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the receiver includes sidewalls which defines a channel having a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the receiver is greater than the width dimension of the first portion.
19. A construction member comprising:
- a first portion having a main body which is defined by a plurality of courses, and wherein the main body includes a first course, a second course joined to the first course, and disposed in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, a third course joined to the second course and which is disposed- in angulated relation relative thereto, a fourth course joined to the third course and which is disposed in predetermined, spaced, substantially parallel relation relative to the second course, and a fifth course joined to the fourth course and which is substantially perpendicular relative thereto, and wherein a first channel is defined therebetween the first and fifth courses; and
- a second portion having a main body which has a plurality of courses, and wherein the main body has a first course which is joined to a second course, and wherein the second course is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto, and which is further disposed in juxtaposed rested relation thereagainst the first course of the first portion, a third course which is joined to the second course and which is substantially perpendicular relative thereto, and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the second course of the first portion; a fourth course joined to the third course, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the third course of the first portion, a fifth course joined to the fourth course and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the fourth course of the first portion, and is further in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the third course of the second portion, a sixth course joined to the fifth course, and which is disposed in juxtaposed resting relation thereagainst the fifth course of the first portion, and a seventh course which is joined to the sixth course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative thereto and further is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first course of the second portion, and wherein the first and seventh courses define, in part, a second channel and which is operable to receive a structural component therein, and wherein the third, fourth and fifth courses of the second portion define a male member which is matingly received in the first channel, and wherein the first and second portions are fastened together.
20. A construction member as claimed in claim 19, and wherein the first portion has opposite ends, and a width dimension, and wherein the construction member further comprises a receiver which has sidewalls and which defines a channel, and wherein at least one end of the first portion is received in the channel, and wherein the first portion is screwthreadably fastened to the receiver, and wherein force applied to the construction member is transmitted to the receiver in screw shear.
21. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the first portion.
22. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is less than the width dimension of the first portion.
23. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein third course of the first portion is substantially planar, and disposed at a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the second and fourth courses of the first portion.
24. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the third course of the first portion is non-planar.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 6, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2006
Inventor: Robert Madsen (Enterprise, OR)
Application Number: 10/912,879
International Classification: E04H 12/00 (20060101);