Framing lumber product and a bundle of pre-marked framing lumber products

Abstract

Lumber having stud locator markings spaced along lengths thereof. The marked lumber assists in layout and assembly of a frame wall including a bottom plate, a top plate and a plurality of studs extending between the bottom and top plates. The stud are placed at one or more of a limited number of regularly-spaced pre-determined stud spacings along the plates. Respective pieces of the lumber are useful in the bottom and/or top plates. Stud locator markings define positions for placement of an end of a stud against the respective bottom and top plates. The stud locator markings indicate where the front and back surfaces of the studs intersect the respective plates. Each stud marking includes marking material affixed directly to the respective piece of lumber. The lumber is preferably substantially devoid of location indicators except for the stud markings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part application claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/535,457, filed Mar. 24, 2000, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,887, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/082,363, filed Apr. 20, 1998, the entireties of which are all incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a framing lumber product and a bundle of framing lumber products useful in the construction industry. This invention also relates to building products and buildings and building elements made with such products.

This invention relates specifically to products and methods for reducing the cost of building a wall by laying out the bottom plate, the top plate, and the studs, and assembling the studs to the bottom plate and the top plate. The invention relates to methods of making and using such products to build a building.

As used herein, framing refers to an early stage of constructing a building wherein structural members are assembled to make a structural skeleton generally defining outer wall and roof elements as well as interior wall, floor, and ceiling skeletons, which provide structural strength to the building. Thus, framing materials are those structural members which, in certain building designs, provide the structural framework for supporting closing and finishing elements such as wall closure panels, flooring, ceiling, windows, doors, and like building components which typically provide the primary visible members in a finished building.

Building structural members are made from a variety of materials, the most common of which are natural stone,-manufactured natural stone products, synthetic stone products, wood, and metal. This invention relates specifically to elongate structural members, typically wood or steel members, which are commonly used to develop such a skeletal framework for supporting the building. Such structural members, when made of wood, are commonly referred to as lumber. Corresponding structural members, made of sheet metal such as steel, are also commonly available. Such structural products can also be made from a variety of other materials, so long as such other materials provide the requisite structural strength. Accordingly, the strength of the respective material for a given cross-sectional area of such a structural member affects specification of thicknesses of elements which are used to make structural member products from that material.

For example, in a wood 2×4 piece of lumber, the full volume defined by the 2×4 thickness and width dimensions is occupied by wood. In a corresponding steel 2×4 piece of lumber, the general perimeter of the lumber as defined by the width and thickness dimensions thereof is sheet steel sufficiently thick to provide the necessary structural strength. The remaining interior portion of the framing member is empty, e.g. occupied by air. Those skilled in the art are familiar with such conventional product cross-sections.

A plurality of elongate wood building material products such as described above are sometimes referred to as framing lumber, also referred to as “sticks” or “boards” of lumber. Units of such framing lumber are commonly assembled together to make the framework or skeletal structure of the building. A typical such framework or skeletal structure for e.g. upstanding walls includes a bottom horizontal member typically referred to as a bottom plate, and a top horizontal member typically referred to as a top plate oriented parallel to and opposite the bottom plate. A plurality of studs span the distance between the bottom plate and the top plate. The studs are typically perpendicular to both the bottom plate and the top plate. The studs are connected to the bottom plate and the top plate, and thus connect the bottom plate and top plate to each other, thereby to define a wall assemblage comprising the bottom plate, the top plate, and the several studs.

A variety of materials, e.g. steel, can be used to make “lumber” products, namely elongate structural members, which can be assembled in respective stud and plate arrangements. Typical dimensions of such structural members often correspond to the dimensions commonly used for wood products which would be used in making respective assemblies for application to such structural skeletons. Namely, for a given structure assembly, e.g. exterior width and thickness of stud and plate are the same irrespective of whether wood or steel is used.

Accordingly, the terms “lumber” and “lumber product” include all wood products, whether using natural wood, or products employing aggregates of wood flakes, wood chips, wood sawdust, and the like, with or without other material additions; as well as products made with other materials, e.g. steel, or other materials in combination with wood, and conventionally used in place of such wood products. Typically, the outer width and thickness dimensions of such products closely resemble the respective outer dimensions of natural wood products, but such dimensions can vary and still be satisfactory. Thus, for example, a manufactured wood I-beam or truss can be used in place of a natural wood joist or rafter.

As used herein, “natural wood” product is a product fabricated by dimensioning and finishing a wood product relying for strength and structural integrity on the wood as harvested from a tree, and not relying primarily on adhesives or the like to hold together a large number of wood elements, or wherein wood elements represent less than, for example, 90 percent by volume of the product.

Certain portions of the construction industry have developed standards for spacings between the studs. While not all buildings are built according to standard stud spacings, use of standard stud spacings is preferred where consistent with the objectives of the construction project and the building. Standard spacing distances can vary e.g. from country to country, depending on historical and cultural patterns in various parts of the world. Whatever standard may be applicable, the use of standards in a given community, state, country, or other sociologically defined population, facilitates design and construction of buildings where the standards can be used without violating the objectives of the building project or applicable law. And indeed, standardized stud spacing at the framing stage of the building project facilitates other steps in the building project.

One of the steps in a conventional process of assembling the wall is to make marks on the bottom plate and the top plate at locations where the studs are to intersect the bottom plate and top plate, and thus the locations where the studs are to be assembled to the bottom plate and top plate.

The accuracy of placement of the studs affects a variety of steps subsequently performed in the process of constructing the building. Because of the importance associated with accuracy of placement of the stud locator markings, the job of placing the stud locator markings on the bottom plate and top plate is commonly assigned to a relatively senior worker such as the crew leader of the framing crew. The stud locator markings, when so marked, indicate the desired locations where the ends of the studs are to be secured to the bottom plate and the top plate.

In conventional practice, the markings are typically drawn free-hand with a carpenter's pencil or the like, at the construction site, typically with assist of a tape measure to determine distances. Making the stud locator markings by hand is accompanied by a number of shortcomings. First, doing the work by hand is labor intensive and thus relatively costly.

Second, doing the work by free hand drawing leads to inaccuracies. For example, since sophisticated tools are normally not used, the mark as made may not comply closely with the intended spacing.

Third, the mark may extend a cross the board at a non-perpendicular angle whereby the stud spacing at one side of the board may be different from the spacing at the other side of the board.

Fourth, any visible impression such as a line not being straight, or not being perpendicular, gives the impression that accuracy or precision is not important, whereby other workers e.g. installing the studs, may be influenced to employ less effort in the precision or accuracy of their work.

Fifth, performing the work at the construction site adds to the on-site construction time.

It is an object of the invention to provide lumber and like framing member products having stud locator markings at desired stud spacings.

It is another object to provide such framing lumber products wherein the markings are applied by machines.

It is yet another object to provide such framing lumber products wherein marking materials are printed or otherwise applied directly to the surface of a substrate member from which the framing lumber products are made.

It is a further object to provide such framing lumber products wherein the markings are formed by cutting, burning, etching, oxidizing, or otherwise modifying the substrate material from which the framing lumber is made.

It is yet another object to provide such framing lumber products wherein variations in the indicated stud spacing are consistently less than 0.13 inch leading edge to leading edge.

It is still another object to provide such framing lumber products wherein the stud locator markings are spaced to accommodate at least two standard stud spacings, while retaining readily distinguishing features in the overall stud markings layout on the respective framing member so as to enable unskilled workers to recognize the desired spacings and lay out the studs between the bottom plate and top plate.

It is yet another object to provide framing lumber products having stud locator markings which include crossing lines which resemble the enlarged “X” markings commonly employed when the markings are conventionally made by hand drawing.

It is another object to provide framing lumber products which are devoid of marking indicators away from the stud locator marking, thereby to enhance viewer-recognition of the stud locator markings.

Still another object is to provide bundles of such framing lumber products bearing the stud locator markings on the individual boards or other units of the framing lumber products.

Other objects are to provide methods of fabricating framing lumber products bearing the stud locator markings, for example at the manufacturing facility where the lumber dimensions are established, at a retail facility, or at another manufacturing facility.

Still other objects are associated with selling units of framing lumber products from a common stock of un-marked units of such product, and applying stud locator markings to respective ones of the un-marked units of lumber product which are to be used as e.g. bottom plate or top plate, after such units have been sold to customers and before such units are delivered to such customers.

Yet other objects are to provide improved methods of constructing walls of buildings including laying out the framing lumber units, in accord with stud locator markings applied to the lumber while the lumber was still off site, and prior to the framing lumber units arriving at the construction site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprehends a bundle of framing lumber product, comprising a plurality of elongate pieces of dimension lumber, and a plurality of stud locator markings spaced along the lengths of the elongate pieces of dimension lumber.

The pieces of dimension lumber are generally useful for laying out and assembling a wall, wherein the wall comprises a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of dimension studs extending between the bottom plate and the top plate at one or more of a limited number of e.g. regularly-spaced pre-determined standard stud spacings along the bottom plate and the top plate. Respective ones of the elongate pieces of lumber are useful in the bottom plate and/or the top plate. The respective elongate pieces of lumber have first and second ends and lengths therebetween, front surfaces and back surfaces, and opposing sides extending between the front and back surfaces along the lengths thereof.

Each stud locator marking defines a position for placement, on the respective elongate piece of lumber, of an end of a stud dimension lumber piece having opposing front and back surfaces and a preferably standard thickness dimension therebetween, against the respective elongate piece of lumber. The respective stud locator markings on the respective elongate pieces of lumber indicate the positions where the front and back surfaces of respective stud lumber pieces are to be placed against the respective elongate piece of e.g. dimension lumber. The stud locator markings are spaced from each other along the lengths of the elongate pieces of lumber at at least one of the limited number of pre-determined standard stud spacings. Each of the plurality of stud locator markings comprises marking material affixed directly to the respective elongate piece of lumber.

The stud locator markings on units of the framing lumber product are preferably spaced at about 8 inches leading edge to leading edge, optionally 16 inches or 24 inches, or any other desired standard stud spacing.

In preferred embodiments, variations in spacing between the stud locator markings on a respective framing lumber product, and between respective ones of the framing lumber products, are consistently no more than 0.13 inch leading edge to leading edge.

Some embodiments include sets of 2 side-by-side stud locator markings arrayed along the lengths of respective units of the framing lumber product.

Respective units of the framing lumber product are preferably substantially devoid of location marking indicators except for the stud locator markings.

In some embodiments, the stud locator markings extend substantially across the full widths of units of, the framing lumber product, the units of the framing lumber product being devoid of other marking indicators extending more than half way across the widths of the framing lumber products whereby the stud locator markings can be readily visually distinguished from any such other markings by appearance differences which are not color differences.

Preferred lumber product comprises respective stud locator markings having respective leading edge lines, trailing edge lines, and crossing lines between the leading and trailing edge lines, optionally first and second crossing lines extending from respective leading edge lines to respective trailing edge lines.

In a second family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a framing lumber product useful in laying out and assembling a wall wherein the wall comprises a bottom plate and a top plate, and a plurality of dimension studs extending between the bottom plate and the top plate at one or more of a limited number of pre-determined cooperating, preferably standard stud spacings along the bottom plate and the top plate. The framing lumber product comprises an elongate piece of lumber for use in one of the bottom plate and the top plate, and a plurality of stud locator markings spaced along the length of the elongate piece of lumber. The elongate piece of lumber has first and second ends and a length therebetween, a front surface and a back surface, and opposing sides extending between the front and back surfaces along the length thereof. Each stud locator marking defines a position for placement, on the elongate piece of dimension lumber, of an end of a stud dimension lumber piece having opposing front and back surfaces and a preferably standard thickness dimension therebetween, against the elongate piece of lumber. The marking indicators on the elongate piece of lumber indicate the positions where the front and back surfaces of respective stud lumber pieces are to be placed against the elongate piece of lumber. The stud locator markings are spaced from each other along the length of the elongate piece of lumber at at least one of the limited number of pre-determined standard stud spacings. Each of the plurality of stud locator markings comprises marking material affixed directly to the elongate piece of lumber such that a process of placing a stud against the framing lumber product does not routinely displace the respective stud locator marking.

The framing lumber product may include sets of 2 side-by-side stud locator markings arrayed along the length of the framing lumber product.

In a third family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a framing lumber product operative to assist in layout and assembly of a wall wherein such wall comprises a bottom plate and a top plate, and a plurality of dimension studs extending between the bottom plate and the top plate at one or more of a limited number of pre-determined preferably standard cooperating stud spacings along the bottom plate and the top plate. The framing lumber product comprises an elongate piece of lumber for use in one of the bottom plate and the top plate, and a plurality of stud locator markings spaced along the length of the elongate piece of lumber. The elongate piece of lumber product has first and second ends and a length therebetween, a front surface and a back surface, and opposing sides extending between the front and back surfaces along the length thereof. Each stud locator marking defines a position for placement, on the elongate piece of lumber, of an end of a stud dimension lumber piece having opposing front and back surfaces and a standard thickness dimension therebetween, against the elongate piece of lumber. The plurality of stud locator markings are spaced from each other along the length of the elongate piece of lumber at at least one of the limited number of pre-determined stud spacings. Each of the stud locator markings comprises marking material affixed directly to the elongate piece of lumber such that a process of placing a stud against the framing lumber product does not routinely displace the respective stud locator marking. The elongate piece of lumber is generally devoid of marking indicators away from the stud locator markings.

In a fourth family of embodiments, the invention comprehends a method of fabricating a lumber product. The method comprises fabricating a stick of lumber as to length, width, and thickness at a manufacturing facility; after fabricating the stick of lumber and before delivering the stick to a customer, defining a plurality of stud locator markings on the stick, including arraying the stud locator markings on the stick at intervals of one or more of a limited number of predetermined preferably standard cooperating stud spacings, the spacings of the stud locator markings thus corresponding to standard spacings where front and back surfaces of stud dimension lumber pieces may be placed against the respective stick of dimension lumber in layout and assembly of a wall.

In some embodiments, the method comprehends defining and emplacing the stud locator markings on the stick of lumber prior to shipping the stick from the manufacturing facility.

In some embodiments, the method comprises defining and emplacing the stud locator markings on the stick at the retail distribution facility.

Preferred methods of defining and emplacing the stud markings on the stick include, for example and without limitation, printing the stud locator markings onto the stick of lumber, chemically etching the stud locator markings onto the stick of lumber, making the stud locator markings by oxidizing stick material at a respective surface of the stick, making the stud locator markings by burning respective markings into the surface of the stick with laser-generated energy, or mechanically or otherwise cutting shallow lines in a respective surface of the stick of lumber.

The invention also comprehends a method of distributing lumber having length, width and thickness. The method comprises shipping the lumber from a fabrication facility via a distribution system which delivers the lumber to a sales distribution facility; receiving and temporarily storing the lumber at the sales distribution facility, pending sale of units of the lumber; delivering units of the lumber to customers; and after shipping the lumber from the fabrication facility and before delivering the units of lumber to customers, defining on at least one respective unit of the lumber a plurality of stud locator markings, including arraying the stud locator markings on the unit of the lumber at one or more of a limited number of predetermined preferably cooperating stud spacings. The spacings of the stud locator markings thus correspond to preferably standard spacings where front and back surfaces of stud dimension lumber pieces may be placed against the respective unit of lumber in layout and assembly of a wall.

Some embodiments include stocking the lumber in the sales distribution facility without stud locator markings thereon, selling as a seller, from the unmarked stock respective units for use as marked units and respective units for use as unmarked units, and after selling units to a purchaser, to be used as marked units, marking the respective units at desired stud spacings with stud locator markings before delivering such units to the purchaser, such that the seller provides to purchasers both unmarked and marked units of lumber from a single common stock of units of lumber.

The method may include shipping the lumber from the dimension fabrication facility to a second manufacturing facility and defining the stud locator markings on one or more units of the lumber at the second manufacturing facility before delivering the lumber to the sales distribution facility.

Optionally, the method comprehends defining the stud locator markings on respective units of lumber while the units of lumber are located at the retail distribution facility.

In yet another family of embodiments, the invention comprehends, in the process of building construction, a method of fabricating a wall. The method comprises acquiring first and second units of elongate lumber bearing thereon pre-affixed stud locator markings arrayed along lengths thereof at one of a limited number of predetermined preferably standard cooperating stud spacings; and laying out the first and second units of elongate lumber parallel to and spaced from each other. The first and second units each define a plurality of stud locator markings thereon, arrayed along the length of the respective units of lumber, at one or more of a limited number of predetermined such stud spacings. The spacings of the stud locator markings correspond to spacings where front and back surfaces of stud lumber pieces may intersect the respective unit of lumber in layout and assembly of the wall.

The method further includes aligning the stud locator markings on the first unit of elongate lumber with the stud locator markings on the second unit of elongate lumber, such that a stud extending between respective cooperating stud locator markings on the respective first and second units of elongate lumber is placed against both the first unit and the second unit at respective first and second generally perpendicular angles.

As used herein, the phrase “generally perpendicular” allows for the normal angle variations commonly resulting from construction work done on the building site.

The method yet further includes laying out studs between facing ones of the stud locator markings on the respective first and second units of product thus to define the first unit of product as a bottom plate and the second unit of product as a top plate of the wall to be fabricated, and a plurality of stud members extending between the bottom plate and the top plate; and assembling and securing the studs to the top plate and the bottom plate, the studs thereby defining generally perpendicular angles with the top plate and the bottom plate, thereby to fabricate a wall structural framework combining the studs, the bottom plate, and the top plate without making stud locator markings on the bottom plate and top plate at the construction site.

The method optionally includes, for example, acquiring first and second such units of lumber as 2×4's and assembling thereto 2×4 studs to make a wall structural framework, acquiring first and second such units of lumber as 2×6's and assembling thereto 2×6 studs to make a wall structural framework, or acquiring first and second such units of lumber as 2×8's and assembling thereto 2×8 studs to make a wall structural framework, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cut away plan view of a first embodiment of lumber products of the invention showing a simplistic illustration of stud markings of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cut away plan view of a second embodiment of lumber products of the invention employing “X's” in the stud marking indicators, as well as a second trailing mark.

FIG. 3 shows a cut away plan view of a third embodiment of lumber products of the invention employing a center line indicator in the markings.

FIG. 4 shows a fragmentary elevation view of a third embodiment of lumber products of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cut away bundle of sticks of lumber representing a fourth embodiment of lumber products of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded orthogonal view of a cut away portion of a wall made with sticks of lumber product of an embodiment as in FIG. 2 but without the second trailing mark.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bundle of pre-marked framing lumber completely enclosed by an integral member such as shrink wrapped plastic film.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bundle of pre-marked framing lumber enclosed in a cardboard container and showing one end before the last flap is folded in place.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bundle of pre-marked framing lumber held as a unitary bundle by an integral member in the form of a pallet having four upstanding and spaced apart posts.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bundle of pre-marked framing lumber held as a unitary bundle by an integral member in the form of a pair of honeycomb-like structure.

The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology and phraseology employed herein is for purpose of description and illustration and should not be regarded as limiting. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a unit of framing lumber product 10 of the invention. Such framing lumber product is also referred to, both herein and in the trade, as a “stick” of wood, or as a “board.” All such wording is to be taken as referring to the class of framing materials used in fabricating frame wall structures and the like discussed herein, irrespective of the composition of the material associated with such framing lumber product. Thus, e.g. wood and steel products are all generally referred to using a common naming convention.

Board 10 has a length “L,” a width “W,” and a thickness “T,” all as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The width and thickness are preferably, though not necessarily, uniform along length “L.” Board 10 is defined by a front surface 10F, a back surface 10B, a left side surface 10L, a right side surface 10R, and end surfaces 10E.

Board 10 bears a plurality of stud locator markings 12 evenly-spaced along the length thereof. Each marking 12 includes a leading mark 14 and a trailing mark 16. Respective leading and trailing marks are omitted when generally coincident with end surfaces 10E. Thus, note the absence of mark 14 at end surface 10E in FIG. 1.

Leading and trailing marks 14, 16 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as lines printed on the substrate wood of board 10. Marks 14,16 indicate the positions where the ends of front and back surfaces, 22F and 22B respectively, of respective studs 24 (FIG. 6) are to be placed against, or intersect, board 10 when the board is used along with other framing members, in making a wall frame assembly or other suitable building frame assembly:

Marks 14, 16 can be located precisely at the loci where the stud surfaces are to intersect board 10. However, in order to provide for typical variations in thickness of commercially available studs, marks 14, 16 are preferably spaced away from each other by an additional short distance such as about 0.06 inch to about 0.13 inch so that marks 14, 16 are not completely covered when an oversize stud is placed on board 10. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that stud dimensions vary within a normal range in accord with standard cutting and surfacing tolerances, as well as in accord with variations in, and changes in, moisture content of water-containing stud materials such as wood. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6, marks 14, 16 should be prominent and readily seen on board 10, so as to facilitate worker recognition of the locations of stud locator markings 12. Thus, marks 14, 16 typically extend across a substantial portion of width “W” on the respective, e.g. top, surface of the board. Marks 14, 16, can optionally extend part or all the way down one or both of side surfaces 10L or 10R, as mark elements 14A, 16A respectively (FIG. 6), whereby the marks 14A, 16A remain visible even if one or both of marks 14, 16 on front or top surface 10F are covered by e.g. an oversize stud.

Marks 14, 16 should be sufficiently distinctive to be readily recognized and distinguished as defining markings 12. Marks 14, 16 may, for example be relatively dark and/or thick in width, so as to quickly catch the viewer's eye. Within the context of being readily perceived as the stud markings, markings 12 can take on a variety of forms, can be made a variety of ways, and can employ a variety of marking methods and materials.

Thus, markings 14, 16 can be as simple in configuration as a pair of lines as seen in FIG. 1. The configuration of markings 14, 16 can be represented by an array of more than two e.g. parallel lines (not shown), can be represented by fully covering with marking material the entirety (not shown) of the area defined as the marking 12, or by any other indicator design or graphic, or other single or multiple indicators suitable to associate the respective marks, design, or graphic or other indicator with the area so being defined as marking 12. Thus, what is illustrated as markings 14, 16 is exemplary of a wide variety of single or multiple element indicators and indicator elements that can be used to define markings 12. In light of the teachings here, a wide variety of such indicators and elements can now be devised by mere engineering selection by those skilled in the art.

The illustrated embodiments show a significant advantage of preferred embodiments of the invention. Namely, other than the stud markings, in the illustrated embodiments, the front/top surface of the board is generally devoid of scale or other organized markings other than the stud markings, and is thus not generally suitable as a measuring scale. While the e.g. 8-inch spacing of markings 12 such as in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 does provide for limited measurement capability at 8-inch intervals, no general measurement scaling is indicated on surface 10F. Thus, while markings 12 are spaced apart by known distances, preferred embodiments of boards of the invention are generally devoid of wholesale scale markings sufficient for use as general measuring instrument. The absence of indicator markings other than stud locator markings 12 works to focus the viewer's attention on the stud locator markings, and separately works to avoid creating marking “clutter” which may hide or otherwise obfuscate a worker's perception of the markings 12.

A variety of processes and materials can be used to form marks 14, 16. For example and without limitation, marks 14, 16 can be printed on board 10 using readily available printers and printing inks, can be cut into the wood as with a mechanical saw, or can be chemically etched into the wood. Marks 14, 16 can be burned into the wood using, for example, a laser beam, or can be formed by other forms of oxidizing or otherwise modifying the wood to create the desired visual indications. Similar processes can readily be devised for forming marks 14, 16 on units of framing lumber product made from other materials such as e.g. steel.

In all cases, the marking materials used to form stud locator markings 12 are limited in location to the general areas of markings 12 and do not extend generally from marking to marking. Further, the marking materials, e.g. the printing ink, are affixed directly to the underlying substrate of the framing lumber product.

To that end, the underlying substrate is not limited to e.g. the wood, or metal, which provides the bulk of the strength of the lumber product. Thus, the substrate may comprise multiple layers including, for example, coatings, lamina, and the like intended for purposes other than that of providing marking indicators to assist in measuring or cutting of the board, and/or the making of an assembly using the board. For example, the substrate may include one or more layers as a coating or other lamina which forms an intimate component of the underlying substrate material affixed directly or indirectly to an underlying primary e.g. wood or steel strength member, or the substrate may comprise a number of layers which together define the primary substrate strength.

Namely, the marking materials are not, in this invention, affixed to a tape or other carrier layer generally extending along the length of the board including between markings 12, wherein primary purpose of the carrier layer is to serve as carrier of the marking material and to assist in making measurements along the length of the board.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in two ways. First, each of crossing lines 20A and 20B extends from leading mark 14 to trailing mark 16, or could as well be described as extending from trailing mark 16 to leading mark 14. In some embodiments, lines 20A, 20B are confined to the space inside marks 14, 16, so as to not touch marks 14, 16. Some of the crossing lines 20A, 20B are so drawn in FIG. 5. As to each marking 12, crossing lines 20A, 20B thus generally define an “X” inside the respective marking. Crossing lines 20A, 20B preferably do extend the full distance between marks 14, 16, generally as illustrated in FIG. 2 because the industry practice of creating the stud locator markings on bottom plates and boards commonly includes such outlying lines (14, 16) in combination with such crossing lines (20A, 20B) touching such outlying lines, whereby the combination of such crossing lines disposed inside respective leading and trailing lines is familiar to trained workers, and use of such linear configuration in the invention avoids recognition training when the invention is first introduced to a work crew on the construction site.

Second, the embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 by adding a second trailing mark 16B, defining between mark 16 and mark 16B, an additional marking 12A immediately adjacent, and contiguous with, marking 12. Marking 12A, for example, sets forth the locus where a second stud may be placed against, and joined to, board 10 in a double-thickness stud arrangement such as around a window or door opening.

In both FIGS. 1 and 2, respective markings 12 are spaced from each other by a distance “S” defined from a first leading mark 14 to a leading mark 14 in an adjacent marking 12. FIGS. 1 and 2 are generally drawn to indicate relative dimensions of a standard 2×4 board, having nominal width “W” of 3.5 inches and nominal thickness “T” of 1.5 inches. According to those approximate size relationships, the distances “S” between markings 12, leading mark line 14 to leading mark line 14, are spaced from each other by 8 inches.

The 8-inch spacing accommodates both the 16-inch stud spacing standard wherein a stud is joined to board 10 at every other marking 12, and the 24-inch stud spacing standard wherein a stud is joined to board 10 at every third marking 12. Namely, the marking spacing can be standardized at 8 inches because both 16 and 24 are whole number multiples of 8. Accordingly, the 8-inch spacing is preferred whereby, for boards of a given width, thickness, and length, a single product specification can be stocked for sale and use as bottom plate and/or top plate to define either 16 inch or 24 inch spacings.

The markings can be applied to individual units of product when the product is sold to a consumer, and before the product is released to the customer. In the alternative, the product can be manufactured so that most or all of the units of such product in a bin or bundle bear e.g. 8-inch markings when stocked at the sales facility. In such case, the seller may elect to fill all sales of boards of such dimensions from the marked stock, or may elect to fill from such marked stock only sales of boards where the customer expects to use the markings to locate or place stud ends or ends of other sticks of framing lumber.

While both 16 and 24 are whole number multiples of 2-inch and 4-inch spacings, 2-inch and 4-inch spacings are so close together as to again present visual clutter on the board. Thus, spacings “S” of 4 inches and less are not part of this invention.

Such marked lumber attracts a premium cost of manufacture because of the markings. Accordingly, the customer normally prefers the cost advantage of buying the marked lumber only for those framing members where the benefits of the markings are realized, namely where stud spacing determinations are being made.

Spacing “S” can as well be 16 inches, 24 inches, or any other spacing that accommodates the desired standards environment in which the lumber product may be expected to be used without introducing visual clutter that tends to obfuscate the selection of stud markings for stud placement. However, lumber bearing only a 16 inch spacing is not readily used at 24 inch spacing. Similarly, lumber bearing only a 24 inch spacing is not readily used at 16 inch spacing. The critical characteristic of the spacing of markings 12 is that the spacing accommodate at least one spacing standard in the environment within which the board is intended to be used, preferably a spacing standard to the cultural environment within which the board is intended to be used. Accommodating 2 or more spacing standards, or custom spacings, with a single unit of product is preferred. For example, in the United States of America, 16 inch and 24 inch spacings are standard. In countries using the metric system, a metric measure is standard, and so spacing “S” is based on a metric unit of measure in such countries.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that crossing lines 20A, 20B of FIG. 2 have been deleted and a dashed center line 21 has been added, extending parallel to, and mid-way between marks 14, 16. Dashed center line 21 thus indicates the center of the respective marking 12. Center line 21 may be used, for example, to locate respective back and front stud surfaces 22 when a pair of studs is to be positioned straddling the respective marking. In addition, center line 21 can be used as a cut indicator where the respective plate is to be cut at the mid-point of the marking so as to accommodate a single stud straddling a joint in the respective plate.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of a short section of a board 10, looking across the top of the board, thus showing an edge view of the front surface 10F of the board. Marks 14 and 16 are shallow mechanical cuts, such as from a saw blade, indicated as 14C and 16C and cut into front surface 10F of the board. Thus, cuts 14C, 16C extend into the board a minor distance e.g. no more that about 10% of thickness “T,” preferably no more than 5% of the thickness.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first end of a bundle 26 of boards of the invention. The bundle includes a plurality of boards 10, held together by e.g. straps 28 to form the bundle. A single strap is shown in FIG. 5. Those skilled in the art will recognize the appropriate number and type of straps to be used in a given shipping or other handling environment. The boards 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 are generally dimensioned as 2×4's bearing markings 12 spaced at spacings “S” of 16 inches.

The exploded view of FIG. 6 illustrates use of marked boards 10 in combination with studs 24 to make an upstanding, e.g. vertical, wall frame structure 30. FIG. 6 illustrates the left portion of a wall, cut away at the right side of the drawing. As seen in FIG. 6, a marked horizontal bottom plate board 10BP is located at the bottom of the wall structure. A marked horizontal top plate board 10TP is located at the top of the wall structure. A plurality of studs 24 extend upwardly, e.g. vertically, between the bottom plate board and the top plate board.

While marked boards 10 may be used for studs 24, the markings are typically not needed on the studs, whereby the assembly is generally not aided by markings on the studs. Thus, the cost of any markings on the studs is generally not balanced by value utilized in such studs, whereby the cost of such markings may become a lost cost. Accordingly, unmarked boards are typically preferred for the studs, so as to avoid losing the premium cost associated with the markings.

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of 8-inch spacings “S” on the bottom plate and top plate boards, in combination with standard 16 inch spacings between the studs. The window opening 32 shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a good use of the 8-inch spacing interval. As seen there, window 32 spans a width greater than the 16-inch nominal spacing between adjacent studs 24A, 24B, and less than the 32 inch nominal spacing between studs 24A, 24C. Thus, an additional stud 24D is conveniently employed at the intervening 8-inch spacing thereby to firmly support the right edge of window opening 32 while employing a standard 8-inch spacing adjustment in the framing structure.

The wall structure represented in FIG. 6 may be assembled as follows. Two marked boards 10 to be used as the bottom plate 10BP and top plate 10TP are selected from a stock of two or more units of such marked boards. The two boards 10 are laid out on a generally horizontal surface on the right side surfaces 10R of the boards. The two boards 10 are spaced from each other by a distance modestly greater than the length“L” of the studs to be placed between the bottom plate and top plate.

As so laid out, the boards are oriented such that stud markings 12 on the bottom plate board are facing respective stud markings 12 on the top plate board, and are aligned with such stud markings on the top plate board. Generally, the marking-to-marking alignment between the bottom plate and top plate boards is such that studs extending between corresponding markings on the two boards form generally perpendicular angles with both the bottom plate board and the top plate board. Further, as illustrated at the left edge of wall structure 30 in FIG. 6, the left end 10E of the bottom plate board is aligned with the left end 10E of the top plate board, so the left stud forms approximately perpendicular angles with both the bottom plate board and the top plate board.

With the bottom plate and top plate boards so laid out, studs are placed in generally perpendicular orientations between the bottom plate and top plate boards at the specified preferably standard intervals. Additional stub studs, such as stud 24B, are added, and regularly-spaced studs may be cut, as needed to provide space and support for openings in the wall, such as openings for windows and doors. The exemplary window opening 32 is illustrated in FIG. 6.

The various wall elements are thus generally placed in the locations where they will be positioned in the assembled wall frame structure 30. The various wall frame structure elements are then fastened, mounted, affixed, or otherwise joined or secured to each other at the indicated stud locator markings by, for example, nails, adhesive, screws, or other fastening technology.

If desired, various ones of the wall structure elements can be secured/affixed to each other before all of the wall elements are positioned as described above. Thus, for example, the left and right studs 24L, 24R may be assembled to the bottom plate and to the top plate boards 10BP, 10TP; whereafter the workers select additional studs from stud stock, insert the additional studs into the gross opening defined by the perimeter outlined by bottom plate 10BP, top plate 10TP, stud 24L, and stud 24R, and fasten such studs to the bottom plate and top plate. Once the studs are secured in place, and any auxiliary framing such as around window opening 32 has been completed, the so-fabricated frame wall can be erected into its place in forming part of the skeleton of the building.

The above process generally tracks conventional procedure for assembling a wall, except for the use of the pre-marked boards 10TP and 10BP. Namely, in conventional wall assembly, unmarked bottom plate and top plate boards are laid out close to each other, optionally in side surface to side surface contact with each other, and are marked with the stud locator markings by a member of the construction crew, at the construction site, before spacing the bottom plate and top plate boards from each other for entry of the stud boards into the frame matrix.

By contrast, in the invention, the steps of positioning the boards for cooperative marking of the boards, and on-site marking of the boards by the construction crew, are omitted.

Regarding conventional framing, there are certain inconsistencies of marking location, inherent in markings drawn free-hand using e.g. a carpenter's pencil. The placement of the markings on the boards in a typically more closely controlled manufacturing environment, as in the invention, provides added precision and repeatability to the location of the markings so placed, whereby greater conformity and precision in stud spacings, and greater conformity and precision to the desired perpendicularity of the angles between the studs and the bottom plate and top plate, may be achieved in the finished frame wall structure.

In some wall embodiments, as in a gable structure, the bottom plate and top plate boards diverge from each other. In such case, the studs may intersect and join e.g. the underlying bottom plate at perpendicular angles, may be spaced at the bottom plate according to the markings 12, and extend from the bottom plate parallel to each other, while the same studs intersect and join e.g. the overlying top plate at non-perpendicular angles and at spacings on the top plate not corresponding to the markings 12 on the top plate board. The lack of correspondence between stud spacing at the top plate and marking spacing on the top plate corresponds to the distance defined by the hypotenuse of a right triangle represented by angle formed by the top plate and bottom plate boards.

The teaching herein has been directed to framing upstanding walls. The invention can be satisfactorily employed for walls oriented at any angle, such as vertical walls, non-vertical but otherwise upstanding walls, and nominally horizontal frameworks such as floors and ceilings, and the like. Thus, the invention contemplates frame assemblies as described here irrespective of the spatial orientation of the so-assembled framing. “Spatial orientation” refers to partially-imaginary surfaces defined by the left and right surfaces 10L, 10R of the respective pieces of lumber.

The primary purpose of indicator markings on framing lumber product of the invention is to define locations for placement of the studs at the bottom plate and top plate, or similar framing members. Any other marking indicators present on the stick, where used, are fabricated to be less distinctive than the stud locator markings so that the stud locator markings are relatively more distinctive and/or more conspicuous, thereby to stand out from any such secondary markings. Thus, while other markings can in some embodiments be employed in combination with the invention, use of such or similar other indicator markings is limited to those which can be employed without detracting from the facile recognition of the stud locator markings.

By so prioritizing the relative importance and distinctiveness of the stud locator markings 12, one can control any tendency for the stud locator markings to recede in distinctness in a “busy” surface, whereby one can control the potential for loss of value of the stud locator markings as an assembly assist. Thus, preferred embodiments are those such as at FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 where the “stud” marked surface 10F is otherwise generally devoid of any other indicator markings, whether locator markings or measurement markings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stud locator markings can extend substantially less than the full width of the respective stick of lumber, especially where the stick is otherwise devoid of other marking indicators.

While not preferred, the invention can be practiced using multiple colors to represent different indicator uses. Thus, a first color (e.g. black) can be used to define the stud locator markings while a second color (e.g. blue) can be used to define inch ruler (not shown) or other markings. However, such use of multiple colors adds to the cost of marking the lumber, whereby, where multiple marking indicators are used, marking indicators readily distinguishable by configuration and/or placement of the marking, are preferred over marking indicators distinguishable by color.

Marking materials used for making the marks such as at 14 and 16 are preferably placed directly on the elongate board 10. Certain marking materials such as inks comprise combinations of ingredients such as colorants, dryers, and e.g. polymeric carriers, and the like used to affix the marking material to a board 10 substrate, wherein such ingredients are desirable elements of the marking material per se. The marking material is distinguished herein from e.g. backing materials used primarily as carriers for the marking material, for example a continuous web of tape onto which the marking material may be printed for subsequent application of the printed tape e.g. along the full length of the bottom plate or top plate board to so mark the respective board.

The teaching herein discusses locations of the front and back surfaces 22F and 22B of the studs. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that dimension lumber pieces vary in width and thickness within industry standards, and such variations are intended to be incorporated into the teaching herein such that the markings for the locations of the stud sides allow for such standard variations.

Positions of the sides of the studs to be joined to the elongate piece of lumber can be indicated on the bottom plate/top plate pieces by e.g. printing on the bottom plate and top plate pieces lines corresponding to the desired locations of the studs. At the end of the elongate bottom plate or top plate piece, the location for the respective side of the stud to be joined to, or otherwise placed against, the elongate bottom plate or top plate piece can be indicated by the end of the respective board 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As used herein, references to “framing lumber product” and to “studs” includes elongate wood building framing materials, commonly referred to as “sticks” of wood, having such standard sizes as 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, and the like, and available in a variety of lengths. In addition, “framing lumber product” includes such products made from a variety of other substances, for example, chip board, flake board, sheet metal, various other manufactures made from wood products or fibrous wood by-products such as fiberboard, or combinations of fiberboard with other wood elements, or wood elements with fiberboard or other suitable structural members, as well as laminates and other combinations of such and similar products otherwise known for use as structural framing members. The usefulness of employing the invention in the full range of materials suitable for making structural building or wall framing structures will now be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The marking material has been described herein as being limited to the general areas of the marking such as, for example, by printing with ink as the marking material at the locations indicated by lines 14, 16, 20A, 20B, and the like. It will be understood that the objectives of recognizing proper stud location can as well be met by reversing the image such that the marking material (e.g. ink) is printed everywhere on the associated surface except at the respective lines, or each line can be outlined or otherwise specifically defined by the marking material.

Those skilled in the art will now see that certain modifications can be made to the apparatus and methods herein disclosed with respect to the illustrated embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the instant invention. And while the invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is adapted to numerous rearrangements, modifications, and alterations, and all such arrangements, modifications, and alterations are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring now to FIG. 7-10, four different embodiments are depicted wherein an integral member is used which functions to retain and/or secure the plurality of pre-marked elongated pieces of lumber together as a bundle or as a single unit. As mentioned above, a strap can serve to retain or hold the plurality of pre-marked elongated pieces of lumber products together. The strap can be formed from various materials, such as metal, plastic, cloth, fabric, nylon web, etc. However, a strap may not be able to provide all of the functions and benefits of some of the integral members taught below.

In FIG. 7, a bundle 40, consisting of a plurality of pre-marked framing lumber products 10 (not shown), is depicted as being completely enclosed by an integral member 42. The integral member 42 can be formed from various materials, including but not limited to, cloth, fabric, heavy gauge paper, woven or non-woven materials, nylon, a nylon web, plastic, plastic film, thin plastic film, as well as other materials known to those skilled in the art. The integral member 42 can be formed from a clear material that permits one to visually see through it or it can be formed from an opaque material. By “opaque” it is meant that the material is neither transparent nor translucent. A desired material is a plastic film having a gauge or thickness of less than about 0.2 inches. Desirably, the gauge or thickness of the plastic film is less than about 0.1 inches, and more desirable, is less than about 0.05 inches. The plastic film can be shrink wrapped around the bundle 40 of pre-marked framing lumber products 10. By “shrink wrap” it is meant a protective wrapping consisting of a clear plastic film that is wound about one or more articles and then is shrunk by heat to form a sealed tight-fitting package. The integral member 42 can also be shrunk about the plurality of pre-marked framing lumber products 10 by using vacuum or other means known to those skilled in the art.

It should be noted that the integral member 42 can also be loosely or tightly wrapped about the bundle 40 consisting of a plurality of pre-marked framing lumber products 10. The integral member 42 can be secured to itself using various means known to those skilled in the art. For example, glue, adhesive, co-adhesives, tape, mechanical fasteners such as pins, clips, snaps, staples, buttons, etc. can be used. In addition, one or more straps or binder members such as rope, yarn, cables, bands, etc can also be used to secure the integral member 42 to the plurality of pre-marked framing lumber products 10.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the integral member 42 also functions as an external wrapper or cover to shelter the plurality of pre-marked elongated pieces of lumber products 10 from the elements. Typically, lumber is shipped by railroad cars and on flat bed trucks during which the lumber products can be exposed to inclement weather such as rain, snow, sleet, blowings and, dirt, etc. When the bundles 40 are completely wrapped and enclosed, the individual pieces of lumber 10 can be kept clean and dry. The integral member 42 can also function as advertisement or provide notice of the specific kind and type of lumber products 10 enclosed therein. For example, one could print, write, form symbols, draw pictures, etc. on the outer surface of the integral member 42. One could also designate the size, dimension and/or quality of the individual pieces of lumber 10 enclosed within the integral member 42.

Turning to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of an integral member 44 in the shape of a rigid or semi-rigid container is shown. The integral member 44 again encloses the bundle 40 containing a plurality of pre-marked framing lumber products 10. In FIG. 8, the ends of some of the individual pieces of lumber 10 are visibly shown. The integral member 44 is in the form of a rigid, structured container having a pair of opposite ends 46 and 48. Each end, 46 and 48, contains one or more flaps that can be opened and closed. In FIG. 8, four flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 are shown at the end 46. Three of the four flaps, 50, 52 and 54 are depicted in a closed position while the fourth flap 56 is depicted in an open position. When all of the flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 are moved to the closed position, the end 46 of the integral member 44 will be closed. The flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 can be sealed to one another by using glue, adhesive, co-adhesive, mechanical fasteners, etc. or they can be folded or bended about another flap to form a permanent closure. When the four flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 are closed and sealed, the end 46 of the integral member 44 will be completely closed.

The integral member 44 is depicted as being a rectangular container but it should be evident to those skilled in the art that the integral member 44 can have various shapes, for example it can be square, oval, circular or have an odd shaped geometry. The flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 can be opened to insert the plurality of pieces of framing lumber products 10 and then can be closed to seal the container. The flaps 50, 52, 54 and 56 can again be opened at a later time to remove the individual pieces of framing lumber 10 from the integral member 44.

The integral member 44 can be formed from various materials including cardboard, plywood, wood, fiber board, composite board, oriented strand lumber, etc. These, as well as other materials, which can be formed into a rigid or semi-rigid container are known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of an integral member 58 is shown which is capable of retaining and/or securing a plurality of pre-marked elongated pieces of lumber products 10 together as a bundle 40. In FIG. 9, the integral member 58 includes a pallet 60 having at least two, and desirably four or more, upstanding posts 62 extending upward from the upper surface of the pallet 60. The posts 62 can be of a common height or one or more of the posts 62 can have a greater or lesser height. The posts 62 can be arranged approximate a corner of the pallet 60 or can be spaced inward therefrom. Each post 62 can extend 12 inches or more above the upper surface of the pallet 60. Desirably, the posts 62 will extend 18 inches or more above the upper surface of the pallet 60. More desirable, the posts 62 will extend 24 inches or more above the upper surface of the pallet 60. The posts 62 can be widened or enlarged to become a complete side wall of the bundle 40. For example, each of the four posts 62 shown in FIG. 9 can be formed as a side wall that together cooperate to form an open ended or four sided box. The four sides could then be secured to the upper surface of the pallet 60 to form a container having an open top surface. A lid could be attached to the upper ends of the side walls, if desired, to form an enclosed container or box.

The pallet 60 can be formed from various materials including wood, metal, plastic, composite material, oriented strand lumber products or any combination thereof. The upstanding posts or side walls can be formed from a material which is identical to, similar to or different from the material used to construct the pallet 60.

The integral member 58 can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate the size and configuration of the bundle 40 which is to fit therein. The integral member 58 can be easily lifted and moved with a conventional fork lift truck or by an overhead crane mechanism. The integral member 58 also has the unique ability to allow a consumer to individually remove a piece of framing lumber 10 without having to open or unwrap anything beforehand.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of an integral member 64 is shown. In this embodiment, the integral member 64 includes at least one engagement member 66. When a single engagement member 66 is utilized, it can be positioned anywhere along the length of the pieces of framing lumber products 10 which comprise the bundle 40. However, the bundle 40 will retain its integrity when the single engagement member 66 is located approximately around the middle or vertical centerline of the bundle 40.

In FIG. 10, a pair of engagement members 66 and 68 are depicted with each located approximate an end of the bundle 40. In other words, each engagement member 66 and 68 is aligned at an opposite end of the bundle 40. Each engagement member 66 and 68 can have a width we which is at least 1 inch. Desirably, the width we of each engagement member, 66 and 68, can range from between about 1 inch to about 12 inches. More desirably, the width we of each engagement member 66 and 68 can range from between about 2 inch to about 9 inches.

Each of the engagement members 66 and 68 has a honeycomb-like structure containing multiple compartments or cells 70. By “honeycomb structure” it is meant a structure consisting of a plurality of compartments or cells 70 separated by relatively thin walls 72. The walls 72 can be coated or treated with a relatively high coefficient of friction of material, if desired, to securely hold a piece of framing lumber 10 therein. Each compartment or cell 70 can have a predetermined cross-sectional configuration. For example, each compartment or cell 70 can have a square, a rectangular, a triangular, a hexagonal, an oval, a circular or any other desired geometry. Each compartment or cell 70 can also be formed to have a different cross-sectional shape relative to another compartment or cell 70 contained in the integral member 64, if desired.

Each compartment or cell 70 is sized, dimensioned and configured to receive one of the plurality of pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber products 10. Likewise, each compartment 70 can have an odd shaped configuration. Each compartment 70 can be sized to snugly receive the end of a single piece of framing lumber 10. If desired, each compartment 70 can be sized and dimensioned to tightly receive the end of a single piece of framing lumber 10. An interference fit between a compartment 70 and a piece of framing lumber 10 can also be used, if desired.

The integral member 64 can be formed from various materials. Desirably, the integral member 64 is constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material. However, it may be advantageous to construct the integral member 64 such that a portion of the engagement members 66 and 68 are formed from a material that is flexible and pliable such that it can be deformed slightly if needed. For example, the periphery or circumference of the compartments or cells 70 can be formed from a soft plastic such that the dimension of each compartment or cell 70 can be altered as a piece of framing lumber 10 is inserted into it. This capability will ensure a tight fit between the piece of framing lumber 10 and the compartment 70 while the overall or outer shape of the integral member 64 retains its original configuration.

To the extent the following claims use means plus function language, it is not meant to include there, or in the instant specification, anything not structurally equivalent to what is shown in the embodiments disclosed in the specification.

Claims

1. A bundle of pre-marked framing lumber product comprising:

a) a plurality of pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber product operative to assist in the layout and assembly of a wall, wherein such wall comprises a bottom plate and a top plate, and a plurality of dimension studs extending between said bottom plate and said top plate at one or more of a limited number of pre-determined stud spacings located along said bottom plate and said top plate, wherein respective ones of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber are operative for use in said bottom plate and/or in said top plate, each of said respective pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber having a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, a front surface, a back surface and opposing sides extending between said front and back surfaces along the length thereof, and having thickness dimensions between said front and back surfaces and between said opposing sides thereof;

b) a plurality of stud locator markings, reflecting application of said markings by at least one of a marking machine or by a lumber-modifying process, not by a hand-held marker, said plurality of stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of each of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber and disposed directly on said front surface of each of said pre-marked elongated pieces of lumber, each of said plurality of stud locator markings having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and defining a position for placement of an end of each of said plurality of dimension studs, each of said plurality of dimension studs having opposing front and back stud surfaces which face along the length of each of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber, and each of said plurality of dimension studs having a thickness dimension located between said front and back stud surfaces, said opposing front and back stud surfaces being joined to said respective pre-marked elongate piece of lumber, said respective stud locator markings on said front surface of each of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber indicating where said front and back surfaces of said respective dimensioned studs are to intersect with said respective front surface of each of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber;

(c) an integral member capable of retaining said plurality of pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber together as a bundle, and

d) each of said plurality of stud locator markings located on a respective one of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber being spaced apart from each other along the length thereof by at least one of said limited number of pre-determined stud spacings, each of said stud locator markings including a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein said leading and trailing edges are displaced from each other by approximately a standard thickness of such stud lumber piece, and each of said stud locator markings being visually conspicuous on said front surface of each of said pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber so as to quickly catch a viewer's eye.

2. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral member is a wrapper.

3. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 2 wherein said wrapper is a shrink wrap.

4. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 3 wherein said shrink wrap is a plastic film.

5. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral member is a loose wrap.

6. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral member is a honeycomb-like structure containing multiple compartments each sized to receive one of said plurality of pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber.

7. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 6 wherein said integral member includes a pair of honeycomb-like structures each located at an opposite end of said bundle.

8. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral member is a cardboard container.

9. The bundle of framing lumber product as recited in claim 1 wherein said integral member is a pallet having at least four upstanding members designed to hold said plurality of pre-marked elongate pieces of lumber together as a unit.

10. A framing lumber product operative to assist in layout and assembly of a wall, wherein said wall includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a plurality of dimension studs extending between said bottom and top plates at one or more of a limited number of pre-determined stud spacings situated along said bottom and top plates, said framing lumber product comprising:

a) an elongate piece of lumber for use as one of said bottom and top plates, said elongate piece of lumber having a first end, a second end, a length between said first and second ends, a front surface, a back surface, and opposing sides extending between said front and back surfaces along the length thereof;

b) each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces having a pair of ends, a front surface and an opposing back surface, and a thickness dimension between said front and back surfaces;

c) a plurality of stud locator markings spaced along the length of said elongate piece of lumber, each of said plurality of stud locator markings defining a position for placement of an end of each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces against said elongate piece of lumber, said stud locator markings indicating positions where said front and back surfaces of each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces is to be placed against said elongate piece of lumber; and

d) each of said plurality of stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of said elongate piece of lumber by at least one of said limited number of pre-determined stud spacings, and each of said plurality of stud locator markings comprising marking material affixed directly to said elongate piece of lumber such that a process of placing a stud against said framing lumber product does not routinely displace said respective stud locator marking.

11. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein said stud locator markings are each spaced at about 8 inches leading edge-to-leading edge.

12. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein said stud locator markings are each spaced at about 16 inches leading edge-to-leading edge.

13. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein said stud locator markings are each spaced at about 24 inches leading edge-to-leading edge.

14. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein variations in spacing between said stud locator markings are consistently no more than 0.13 inches leading edge-to-leading edge.

15. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 further including sets of 2 side-by-side stud locator markings arrayed along the length of said framing lumber product.

16. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein said elongate piece of lumber is substantially devoid of location marking indicators except for said stud locator markings.

17. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein said stud locator markings extend substantially across a full width of said elongate piece of lumber, said framing lumber product being devoid of other marking indicators which extend more than half way across the width of the elongate piece of lumber whereby said stud locator markings can be readily visually distinguished from any such other marking indicators by appearance differences which are, not color differences.

18. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein a respective one of said stud locator markings has a leading edge line, a trailing edge line, and crossing lines located between said leading edge line and said trailing edge line.

19. The framing lumber product as recited in claim 10 wherein a respective one of said stud locator markings has a leading edge line, a trailing edge line, and first and second crossing lines extending from said leading edge line to said trailing edge line.

20. A pre-marked framing lumber product operative to assist in layout and assembly of a wall, wherein said wall includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of studs dimension lumber pieces extending between said bottom and top plates at one or more of a limited number of pre-determined cooperating stud spacings situated along said bottom and top plates, said pre-marked framing lumber product comprising:

a) a pre-marked elongate piece of lumber for use as one of said bottom and top plates, said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber having a first end, a second end, a length between said first and second ends, a front surface, a back surface and opposing sides extending between said front and back surfaces along the length thereof;

b) each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces having a pair of ends, a front surface and an opposing back surface, and a thickness dimension between said front and back surfaces;

b) a plurality of stud locator markings reflecting application of said markings by at least one of a marking machine and a lumber-modifying process, not by a hand-held marker, said plurality of stud locator markings spaced along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber, each of said plurality of stud locator markings defining a position for placement of an end of each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces against said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber, said plurality of stud locator markings indicating positions where said front and back surfaces of each of said plurality of stud dimension lumber pieces is to be placed against said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber; and

d) each of said plurality of stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber by at least one of said limited number of pre-determined stud spacings, each of said plurality of stud locator markings comprising marking material affixed directly to said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber such that a process of placing a stud against said framing lumber product does not routinely displace said respective stud locator marking, and said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber being generally devoid of marking indicators located away from said plurality of stud locator markings.

21. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 20 wherein variations in spacing between said plurality of stud locator markings are consistently no more than 0.13 inch leading edge-to-leading edge.

22. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 20 further including sets of 2 side-by-side stud locator markings arrayed along the length of said pre-marked framing lumber product.

23. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 20 wherein a respective one of said plurality of stud locator markings has a leading edge line and a trailing edge line.

24. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 23 wherein a respective one of said plurality of stud locator markings has first and second crossing lines extending from said leading edge line to said trailing edge line.

25. A pre-marked framing lumber product comprising:

a) a pre-marked elongate piece of lumber having a first end, a second end, a length between said first and second ends, a front surface, a back surface and opposing sides extending between said front and back surfaces along the length thereof, and thickness dimensions between said front and back surfaces and between said opposing sides thereof;

b) a plurality of stud locator markings, reflecting application of said markings by at least one of a marking machine and a lumber-modifying process, not by a hand-held marker, said plurality of stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber on said front surface of said pre-marked piece of lumber, each of said plurality of stud locator markings including a leading edge and a trailing edge, with said trailing edge of a first of said stud locator markings being disposed toward a second of said stud locator markings, and with said leading edge of said second stud locator marking being disposed toward said first stud locator marking, said leading edge and said trailing edge, on a given one of said stud locator marking, being separated by a distance generally defined by at least a standard nominal stud thickness;

c) each of said plurality of stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber by at least one of a limited number of pre-determined standard stud spacings; and

d) each of said plurality of stud locator markings including a visual marking indicator associated directly with said front surface of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumbers said plurality of stud locator markings being visually conspicuous so as to quickly catch a viewer's eye.

26. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 25 wherein said stud locator markings extend substantially across a full width of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber, said framing lumber product being devoid of other marking indicators which extend more than half way across the width of the elongate piece of lumber whereby said stud locator markings can be readily visually distinguished from any such other marking indicators by appearance differences which are, not color differences.

27. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 25 wherein said trailing edge of a first of said stud locator markings is separated from said leading edge of a second of said stud locator markings by a first distance, whereby when a first stud is properly mounted to said pre-marked framing lumber product at said first stud locator marking and a second stud is properly mounted to said pre-marked framing lumber product at said second stud locator marking, said first and second studs define a second distance therebetween, and said second distance is greater than said first distance whereby at least a portion of each of said first and second stud locator markings remain visible while said first and second studs are mounted upon said pre-marked framing lumber product.

28. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 27 wherein a standard dimension stud can be placed on said front surface of said elongated piece of lumber, at one of said stud locator markings, so that neither of said leading edge and said trailing edge is completely covered on said respective surface.

29. A pre-marked framing lumber product comprising:

a) a pre-marked elongate piece of lumber having a first end, a second end, a length between said first and second ends, a front surface, a back surface, and opposing sides extending between said front and back surfaces along the length thereof, and thickness dimensions between said front and back surfaces and between said opposing sides thereof;

b) a plurality of stud locator markings spaced apart from each other along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber on said front surface of said pre-marked piece of lumber, each of said stud locator markings including a leading edge and a trailing edge, with said trailing edge of a first of said stud locator markings being disposed toward a second of said stud locator markings, and with said leading edge of said second stud locator marking being disposed toward said first stud locator marking, said leading edge and said trailing edge, on a given one of said stud locator markings, being separated by a distance generally defined by at least a standard nominal stud thickness;

c) each of said stud locator markings being spaced from each other along the length of said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber by at least one of a limited number of pre-determined standard stud spacings; and

d) each of said stud locator markings having been associated directly with said pre-marked elongate piece of lumber by a process selected from the group consisting of: i) using a machine printing process to print ink directly on said elongate piece of lumber, thereby to develop said markings directly on said framing lumber product, ii) mechanically cutting such markings into said elongate piece of lumber, iii) burning such markings into said elongate piece of lumber, and iv) chemically treating said elongate piece of lumber so as to produce said markings.

30. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 29 wherein said plurality of stud locator markings are spaced from each other by distances of one of about 8 inches, about 16 inches, and about 24 inches, leading edge-to-leading edge.

31. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 29 wherein variations in spacing between said plurality of stud locator markings on said framing lumber product and from unit of product to unit of product, being consistently no more than 0.13 inches from leading edge-to-leading edge.

32. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 29 further including sets of two side-by-side stud locator markings arranged along the length of said pre-marked framing lumber product.

33. The pre-marked framing lumber product as recited in claim 29 wherein said framing lumber product is substantially devoid of any locations marking indicators situated away from said plurality of stud locator markings.