Fabrication strip
A fabrication strip for use in construction of walls, joists, and rafters. The fabrication strip comprises an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to one another. The first and second tabs are spaced apart a distance corresponding generally to the width of the support member, e.g., beam, to which the fabrication strip is secured. The second tabs include a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced longitudinally on the base of the fabrication strip a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between adjacent studs extending parallel to one another. Placement of the studs against the same side of the second portions of the second tabs will properly space the studs from one another. If desired, third tabs may be formed on the base of the fabrication strip in opposed relationship to the second tabs. Such construction is desirable for use with rafters.
This invention pertains to a fabrication strip and, more particularly, a fabrication strip for use in the construction industry to assemble components together in an orderly fashion. The fabrication strip can be used to facilitate the spacing of studs uniformly from one another to expedite construction of walls, joists and rafters.
Conventionally, a wall in new home construction is assembled on site. A first horizontally disposed stud is placed in position. The wood stud, which may be for example, a 2 inch by 4 inch member, is marked at intervals where studs will be attached at right angles, such intervals being typically 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches. A transverse stud is aligned with a first mark and nailed into place. Other studs are sequentially added at the marks denoting the desired stud spacing. Then a horizontal stud is nailed to the end of the transverse studs opposite the first horizontal stud to define the framing for the wall. The wall framing may be constructed in place or alternately, the wall framing may be constructed on a flat surface and then tilted into place, whereby the transverse studs are the vertical studs in a finished wall framing.
One person has difficulty positioning and then securing the various pieces to one another. The use of two persons to construct the wall framing, joists and rafters unduly increases the cost of construction.
An object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip to assist the carpenter or like workman to more quickly and easily make building constructions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base, each tab having an alignment face at one side, the alignment faces being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between spaced apart members.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having both first tabs and second tabs transverse to the first tabs, the second tabs projecting from the fabrication strip and being spaced at a predetermined distance from one another for helping to space studs at predetermined distances from one another in construction.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having both first tabs and second tabs transverse to the first tabs, the second tabs projecting from the fabrication strip and being spaced at a predetermined distance from one another for helping to space studs at predetermined distances from one another in construction, the fabrication strip being suitably secured to studs by nails or screws.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide wall framing comprising first and second spaced apart studs, a plurality of spaced apart transverse studs, and first and second fabrication strips secured to the first and second spaced apart studs and to the plurality of transverse studs that can be constructed quickly and easily on site by a single carpenter.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The elongated strip is constructed and arranged to be secured to a first stud or beam. Each tab includes an alignment face at one side. The alignment faces are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud or beam in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud or beam by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against an alignment face on a tab and then securing same in place.
Another feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The elongated strip is constructed and arranged to be secured to a first stud. The second tab includes a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against an alignment face on the second portion of the second tab and then securing same in place.
Yet another feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The first and second tabs are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the thickness of a first stud or beam to which the fabrication strip is adapted to be secured. The second tab includes a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against a second portion of the second tab and then securing same in place.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGThere is shown in the attached drawing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention wherein like numbers in the various views refer to like elements and wherein:
There is shown in
To facilitate fabrication of the wall framing 10, fabrication strips 18, 18′ are used, as will be more fully explained later. Basically, the fabrication strips 18, 18′ will be secured to the lower and upper studs 12,14 by suitable fastening means, for example, nails or screws. The wall framing 10 may be constructed in place as shown or it may be constructed on the ground and then tilted into place.
The connection of a transverse stud 16 to the lower stud 12 utilizing the fabrication strip of the present invention will be better understood by reference to
Tab 21 may have an opening 25 therein for receiving a suitable fastening means, such as a nail. Alternately the opening 25 in the tab 21 may be struck from the tab 21 and have a down-turned flange 26 (
It will be understood that the fabrication strip 18′ is constructed in a like manner as fabrication strip 18 and is connected to the upper stud 14 (
In use, the fabrication strip 18 is positioned onto the lower stud 12, with the tab 20 below the lower stud 12 and engaging the bottom surface thereof and with the tab 21 above the lower stud 12 and engaging the upper surface thereof (
Through use of the present invention a single workman can assemble a wall framing. The resultant wall framing is quickly and easily formed. Modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive principles. For example, a hole can be formed in the projection 22 similar to the hole in the tab 25. Such hole may be formed with a down-turned or in-turned flange, as in
Turning to
To facilitate fabrication of the joist construction, fabrication strips 118 are used. Basically, the fabrication strips 118 will be secured to the members 20 and 112 by suitable fastening means, for example, nails or screws.
The connection of the studs 116 to the joist 112 utilizing the fabrication strip of the present invention will be better understood by reference to
Tab 121 may have an opening 125 therein for receiving a suitable fastening means, such as a nail. Alternately the opening 125 in the tab 121 may be struck from the tab 121 and have a down-turned flange 126, which can be driven into the joist 112 to help retain the tab 121 in place on the to surface of the joist 112. A projection 122 extends transversely to the tab 121. As best seen in
In use, the fabrication strip 118 is positioned onto the joist 112 and the stud 14, with the tab 120 below the stud 14 and engaging the bottom surface thereof and with the tab 121 above the joist 112 and engaging the upper surface thereof (
Turning to
Through use of the present invention a single workman can assemble a wall framing. The resultant wall framing is quickly and easily formed. Modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive principles. For example, a hole can be formed in the projection 22 similar to the hole in the tab 25. Such hole may be formed with a down-turned or in-turned flange, as in FIGS. 3 and 6, for aiding the connection of the projection 22 to a transverse stud 16. A nail or like fastening means can be used to connect the projection 22 to the transverse stud 16. Similarly, a single workman can utilize the present invention in joist construction or in rafter construction.
The fabrication strip can be used in the joining of various housing structures to one another, for example, securing roof trusses to wall framing. In this regard a fabrication strip having upright tabs can be secured to the top horizontally disposed stud member of a wall framing and a roof truss can be secured to upright tabs on the fabrication strip to secure the roof trusses in place. Thus, depending upon application, the fabrication strip can be formed with a base and a single row of tabs extending from the base, with the tabs being spaced uniformly from one another, and each having sufficient thickness so that a transverse stud or like structural member can be positioned against a face on one side of the tab and secured in place in uniformly spaced relationship. The tabs in the single row can include a first portion extending transversely to the base and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion, with the face abutting a transverse stud being on the second portion. Another row of tabs can be provided on the fabrication strip, which tabs extend from the base in parallel relationship to the first portion of the tabs of the first row, the respective tabs being spaced apart a distance about the same as the thickness of a 2 inch by 4 inch stud to fit on opposite sides of a stud. Other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.
The device of the present invention can be used with all types of building materials, for example, wood, steel, plastic, or composite material.
Further, the invention can be used in various framing applications in construction, for example, floor, wall or roof. It will be recognized that the fabrication device, which was previously described a being usable for repetitive spacing of 12 inches, 16 inches and 24 inches can also be used for any other predetermined repetitive spacings of construction framing.
While I have shown a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base, a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally coplanar with one another, the elongated strip being constructed and arranged to be secured to a support, each tab including a face at one side, the faces being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between studs extending generally at right angles to the support in an assembly, the elongated strip being adapted to be secured to the support by fastening means, whereby studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against said face on the tab and then securing same in place.
2. A fabrication strip as in claim 1, wherein the tabs include a first portion extending transverse to the base and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between studs extending generally parallel to one another and at right angles to the fabrication strip.
3. A fabrication strip as in claim 1, wherein each tab is formed integrally with and bent from the base.
4. A fabrication strip as in claim 1, including a plurality of second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to one another, the second tabs each including a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between studs extending generally at right angles to the fabrication strip.
5. A fabrication strip as in claim 1, including a plurality of third tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to one another, the third tabs each including a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between studs extending generally at right angles to the fabrication strip.
6. A fabrication strip as in claim 5, wherein the third tabs extend from the base in opposed relationship to the second tabs.
7. A fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base, a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel with one another, the first tabs and the second tabs, respectively, being generally coplanar, the elongated strip being constructed and arranged to be secured to a first stud, the second tab including a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud in an assembly, the elongated strip being adapted to be secured to the first stud by fastening means, whereby transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against a second portion of the second tab and then securing same in place.
8. A fabrication strip as in claim 7, wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are integral with and bent from the base.
9. A fabrication strip as in claim 7, wherein the elongated strip is made from metal.
10. Building construction comprising first and second generally parallel spaced apart stud members and a plurality of spaced apart transverse stud members secured to said spaced apart studs, a first fabrication strip secured to said first spaced apart stud members, a second fabrication strip secured to said second spaced apart stud member, each fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base, the tabs including a first portion extending generally perpendicular to the base and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the first portions being generally coplanar, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between transverse stud members extending between said first and second space apart stud members.
11. The building construction as in claim 10, wherein the elongated strip is made from metal.
12. The building construction as in claim 10, including a plurality of second tabs extending in the same direction from the base as the first tabs and being generally coplanar, the second tabs being spaced from the first tabs a distance corresponding to the thickness of the first or second stud member.
13. The building construction as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of tabs and the second tabs are integral with and bent from the base.
14. The building construction as in claim 13, wherein the elongated strip is made from metal.
15. A building construction comprising first and second generally parallel spaced apart studs and a plurality of spaced apart transverse studs secured to said spaced apart studs, a first fabrication strip secured to said first spaced apart stud members, a second fabrication strip secured to said second spaced apart stud, each fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base, each tab including a face at one side, the faces being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between transverse studs extending between said first and second space apart studs.
16. The building construction as in claim 15, including a plurality of second tabs extending in the same direction from the base as the plurality of first tabs and being generally coplanar, the second tabs being spaced from the first tabs a distance corresponding to the thickness of the first or second stud member.
17. The building construction as in claim 15, wherein the plurality of tabs and the second tabs are integral with and bent from the base.
18. The building construction as in claim 15, wherein the elongated strip is made from metal.
19. The building construction as in claim 15, including a plurality of third tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to one another, the third tabs each including a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion, the second portions being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between studs extending generally at right angles to the fabrication strip.
20. A fabrication strip as in claim 19, wherein the third tabs extend from the base in opposed relationship to the second tabs.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 13, 2006
Inventor: Jeff Sode (Wauconda, IL)
Application Number: 11/030,803
International Classification: E04C 3/30 (20060101);