CORNER FRAMING MEMBER

Abstract

The corner member acts structurally and as a trim cap for cladding. The corner member can accept multiple types of cladding with or without sheathing in channels formed in the corner member. The corner member may also comprise return flanges or a separate mounting flange that extend into the structure and are exposed to allow for fastening of internal accessories or other items that need an internal mounting surface.

Description

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application 60/808,516 filed on May 25, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The invention relates to storage sheds and other building structures and more particularly to a cost effective corner framing member for building structures that can accept multiple claddings.

BACKGROUND

There are many different “frame” designs in existence today that utilize many different materials and construction methodologies. A typical frame construction comprises vertical studs connected to base plates and top plates to create a wall frame where the wall frame is then covered by cladding such as plywood siding or the like. The most common corner construction method uses two of the same vertical stud members to create the corner. This requires the use of multiple vertical stud members and a separate trim or cap member that covers the seam between the vertical stud members and the cladding. Moreover, existing framing studs do not perform any function other than to support the walls and roof of the structure.

Thus, an improved framing member is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The corner framing member of the invention integrates all the necessary functionality into one member to create a more cost effective and easier to assemble structure. The corner member is designed to act structurally and as a trim cap for cladding. The corner member can accept multiple types of cladding with or without sheathing. For claddings that require sheathing, the corner member accepts the sheathing and allows for the cladding to be installed over the sheathing. For claddings that do not require sheathing, the corner member accepts the cladding directly. The corner member also has return flanges that allow for fastening of internal accessories or other items that need an internal mounting surface. The corner frame member cost effectively provides an aesthetic finish trim, water management, structural support, interior accessory mounting surfaces and supports multiple claddings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of an embodiment of the corner framing member of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the corner framing member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the corner framing member of FIG. 1 orthogonal to the view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the corner framing member mounted to rigid cladding.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the corner framing member mounted to sheathing and cladding.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment of the corner framing member mounted to sheathing and cladding.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternate embodiment of the corner framing member.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another alternate embodiment of the corner framing member.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing yet another alternate embodiment of the corner framing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The corner framing member is shown generally at 1 comprising a unitary member of roll-formed steel. The corner framing member 1 may also comprise extruded aluminum; extruded polymer; pultruded polymer; extruded wood composite; fabricated steel; compression molded fiberglass or other suitable material. While in the illustrated embodiment the corner member 1 is formed of a unitary piece of material it is to be understood that it could be made of component parts rigidly secured together. The corner framing member 1 has particular application in storage buildings and sheds although it may be used in any type of structure.

The corner framing member 1 includes a first exterior face 2 that extends for substantially the entire length of the corner member and is connected to a second exterior face 4 that also extends for substantially the entire length of the corner member. The length of the corner framing members 1 is typically the height of the wall it is framing and may be 8 feet in a standard construction although the framing members may be designed to any desired length. The first and second exterior faces 2 and 4 form a corner 6 that forms the corner of the shed or other building structure. In one embodiment the faces 2 and 4 are arranged at a right angle relative to one another. The exterior surfaces 2a and 4a of the faces 2 and 4 are finished in an aesthetically pleasing manner such as by painting, burnishing or the like such that these faces may present a finished exterior surface in the completed building structure.

Formed at the distal ends 2b and 4b of the exterior faces 2 and 4, respectively, are channels 8 and 10 that extend for the length of the exterior faces. The channels are dimensioned to receive the wall cladding as will hereinafter be described. The channels 8 and 10 are substantially identical such that specific reference will be made to channel 8. Channel 8 is formed of a first wall 12 that extends substantially parallel to the wall cladding. In the illustrated embodiment wall 12 is a portion of exterior face 2. A second wall 14 that forms the end of the channel is located from the distal end of wall 12 a distance sufficient to create a channel having a depth that will support and retain the wall cladding. A third wall 16 extends substantially parallel to first wall 12 and beyond the distal end of wall 12.

Extending from the end of third wall 16 is a return flange 20 that extends generally perpendicular to and away from the cladding surface. The return flanges 20 are dimensioned and positioned such that they extend into the interior of the assembled shed or other structure. As shown in FIG. 1 the return flanges 20 extend toward the interior space defined by the corner framing member 1. The return flanges 20 are exposed on the interior of the shed or other structure such that shed accessories (tool hangers, shelving, home organization products) or other structures may be secured to the return flanges 20 on the interior of the shed or other structure. The flange 20 may include connecting elements 21 that mate with the accessories such as male or female connectors, holes, flanges or the like. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the return flanges 20 terminate short of the ends of the exterior faces 2 and 4 to create extensions of the faces 2 and 4 (shown at A in FIGS. 2 and 3) at both ends of the corner member 1. Screws or other fasteners can engage these extensions to secure the corner member 1 to a base plate B and top plate T as shown in FIG. 2.

The shed or other structure is framed by mounting the corner members 1 to base plates B and top plates T to create a three dimensional space. Additional studs may be mounted to the base and top plates between the corner members as is known in the art to provide structural rigidity for the shed or other structure. The corner member 1 of the invention accepts both cladding that requires sheathing and cladding that does not require sheathing. Cladding that does not require sheathing has inherent rigidity and may consist of panels of wood, composite material, wood resin or the like. Cladding that requires sheathing typically consists of less rigid materials such as vinyl siding although sheathing may be used with rigid cladding.

Referring to FIG. 4, for rigid materials the cladding 24 is inserted directly into the channels 8 and 10 and the cladding may be secured to the corner member by fasteners 29 such as screws. The rigid cladding 24 may be formed with flanges 26 that fit within the channels 8 and 10. The cladding 24 is inserted into the top of the channels 8 and 10 and is slid down into position in the corner member 1. In one typical construction the cladding will extend between adjacent corner members although the cladding does not have to span the entire distance between corner members.

Referring to FIG. 5, for less rigid materials a sheathing 30 is inserted into the channels 8 and 10. The sheathing may comprise plywood, pressboard or other rigid building material. After the sheathing is inserted into the channels, the cladding 32, such as vinyl siding, is secured over and to the sheathing 30 using screws or other fasteners 29. A separate cladding corner piece 34 may also be used that is fit over the corner member 1. The cladding 32 is shown extending over corner member 1 in FIG. 5; however, the sheathing 30, cladding 32 and channels 8 and 10 may be dimensioned such that both the edge of the sheathing 30 and the edge of the cladding 32 are received in the channels 8 and 10 as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7 another embodiment of the invention is shown where like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The corner member 40 shown in FIG. 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 except that return flanges 20 are not part of corner member 40. To mount shed accessories (tool hangers, shelving, home organization products) or other structures on the interior of the shed or other structure a separate mounting flange 42 is provided that is secured to the walls 16 of the corner framing member 40. The mounting flange 42 may include connecting elements 46 that mate with the accessories such as male or female connectors, holes, flanges or the like. The mounting flange 42 may extend for the height of the wall structure or for a portion thereof. The mounting flange has a “W” profile where first and second flanges 42a and 42b are disposed parallel to walls 16 and are secured thereto by fasteners 44 such as screws. Mounting flange 42 further includes walls 42c, 42d, 42e and 42f that present surfaces for mounting the accessories. Connecting elements 46 may be provided on any of the walls for receiving the accessories.

Referring to FIG. 8 another embodiment of the invention is shown where like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The corner member 50 shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 except that return wall 12 terminates at wall 14 such that the channels 8 and 10 are only enclosed on two sides (formed by walls 14 and 16) and are open to the front of the corner member 50. The corner unit 50 may be used with the separate mounting flange 42 previously described with respect to FIG. 7. Moreover, return flanges 20 may be included on corner member 50 if desired.

Referring to FIG. 9 another embodiment of the invention is shown where like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The corner member 60 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 except that channels 8 and 10 are subdivided into separate sub-channels 8a, 8b and 10a, 10b by wall 62. Walls 62 extend from walls 14 substantially parallel to and spaced between walls 12 and 16. The sub-channels 8a and 10a receive sheathing 30 and the sub-channels 8b and 10b receive cladding 32. The corner unit 60 may be used with the separate mounting flange 42 previously described with respect to FIG. 7. Moreover, return flanges 20 may be included on corner member 50 if desired.

While embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A corner framing member for a structure comprising:

a rigid elongated member having a channel formed therein for receiving cladding;

a mounting flange connected to the elongated member and extending into the structure where it is exposed to the interior of the structure.

2. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein the corner member comprises a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said cladding is received in said channel.

3. The corner framing member of claim 1 said elongated member having a second channel formed therein for receiving cladding.

4. The corner framing member of claim 3 wherein said channel and said second channel are arranged at right angles relative to one another.

5. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said elongated member has a first extension adapted to be connected to a base plate.

6. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said elongated member has a second extension adapted to be connected to a top plate.

7. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said cladding is slid into said channel.

8. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said cladding is placed into the top of the channel and lowered into position.

9. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said mounting flange includes means for connecting said flange to an accessory.

10. The corner framing member of claim 1 wherein said mounting flange is connected to a side wall of said channel.

11. A corner assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated member having a first channel and a second channel for receiving cladding;

cladding located in said first channel and said second channel;

the corner member comprising a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said cladding is received in said first channel and said second channel.

12. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said first channel is enclosed on three sides.

13. The corner assembly of claim 12 wherein said first channel is enclosed on two sides.

14. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said first channel is subdivided into two channels.

15. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said cladding is placed into the top of the channel and lowered into position.

16. The corner assembly of claim 11 wherein said elongated member supports a flange that extends interior of the corner assembly.

17. The corner assembly of claim 16 wherein said flange includes means for connecting said flange to an accessory.

18. The corner assembly of claim 11 further including sheathing located under the cladding.

19. The corner assembly of claim 18 wherein the sheathing is located in said channel.

20. The corner assembly of claim 19 wherein said first channel is subdivided into a first sub-channel and a second sub-channel where cladding is located in the first sub channel and sheathing is located in the second sub-channel.

21. A corner assembly comprising:

a rigid elongated member having a channel for receiving sheathing;

sheathing located in said channel;

the corner member comprising a first face and a second face that meet at a corner, said corner being exposed when said sheathing is received in said channel.

22. The corner assembly of claim 21 wherein said sheathing is covered by cladding.

23. The corner assembly of claim 22 wherein said cladding extends over the first face.

24. The corner assembly of claim 22 wherein said cladding is located in said channel.

25. The corner assembly of claim 21 wherein a cladding corner piece covers at least a portion of said first face and said second face.