DEFLECT-PLATE FOR WOOD CONSTRUCTION FRAME

Abstract

A deflect-plate for a frame of a building includes a lower wall, an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall, and a plurality of spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall. In some embodiments, a first one of the spring members deflects inwardly in response to a vertical force on the upper wall, and a second one of the spring members deflects inwardly in response to a vertical force on the upper wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to wood frame construction and more specifically to a deflect-plate that extends over a wooden stud in a frame of a building and allows for deflection due to a force from above, such as a downward vertical force. The downward vertical force may be a vibrational force, such as from the roof and/or floor system of an upper floor.

In conventional wood framing of walls of a building, a wooden stud may be supported by a wooden beam bottom-plate, and two parallel wooden beam top-plates may extend above an upper surface of the stud. An upper floor of the building or a roof of the building may be supported by the wooden beam top-plates.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a deflect-plate is provided for a wooden frame of a building that includes a top-plate. In some embodiments, the deflect-plate comprises a lower wall configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame; an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and a plurality of spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall, each spring member configured to deflect in response to a force applied to the upper wall to limit deflection of the top-plate.

In some embodiments, each spring member is configured to deform from an uncompressed shape to a compressed shape in response to a downward force applied on the upper wall, wherein the uncompressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall, and wherein the compressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of spring members includes a first spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force applied on the upper wall; and a second spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to the vertical force applied on the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the first spring member includes a first planar portion connected to the lower wall and oriented at an angle with respect to a second planar portion connected to the upper wall, and the second spring member includes a first planar portion connected to the lower wall and oriented at an angle with respect to a second planar portion connected to the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of spring members further includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of spring members further includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of spring members includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate is made of a material comprising rubber. In some embodiments, the rubber includes a dye.

In some embodiments, the rubber is at least one of an extruded rubber, a 3D printed rubber. In some embodiments, the rubber includes a dye.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate has nominal outer dimensions of one of: 2 inches by 4 inches, 2 inches by 6 inches, 2 inches by 8 inches, 2 inches by 10 inches, and 2 inches by 12 inches.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate has actual outer dimensions of one of: 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches, 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches, 1.5 inches by 7.25 inches, 1.5 inches by 9.25 inches, and 1.5 inches by 11.25 inches.

In some embodiments, the lower wall of the deflect-plate is configured to be secured to a top-plate of a frame by at least one fastener.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a deflect-plate is provided for a wooden frame of a building that includes a top-plate, and the deflect-plate comprises a lower wall that is configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame; an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and a means for dampening a force applied to the upper wall, the means being configured such that the means does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the upper wall and the lower wall due to the dynamic force.

In some embodiments, the means for dampening a force includes at least one spring member.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate is made of a material comprising rubber.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a wooden framing system comprises at least one wooden stud; at least one wooden bottom-plate; at least one wooden top-plate, wherein each stud is oriented vertically between a single one of the wooden bottom plates extending horizontally at a lower end of the stud and a single one of the wooden top plates extending horizontally at an upper end of the stud; at least one deflect-plate, each deflect-plate comprising: a lower wall configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame; an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and a plurality of spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall, each spring member configured to deform in response to a force applied to the upper wall to limit deflection of the top-plate.

In some embodiments, each spring member is configured to deform from an uncompressed shape to a compressed shape in response to a compressive force applied on the upper wall, wherein the uncompressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall, and wherein the compressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the plurality of spring members in the at least one deflect-plate includes a first spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force applied on the upper wall; a second spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to the vertical force applied on the upper wall; and a central spring member that includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

In some embodiments, the at least one deflect-plate is made of a material comprising a fire-rated rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art framing system that includes wooden beam top-plates and wooden beam bottom-plates;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a framing system including an exemplary embodiment of a deflect-plate of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the deflect-plate shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a deflect-plate of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the methods and systems discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods and systems are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, components, elements and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, embodiments, components, elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment, component, element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. In addition, in the event of inconsistent usages of terms between this document and documents incorporated herein by reference, the term usage in the incorporated references is supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the term usage in this document controls.

As described above, in conventional wood framing, a wooden stud may be supported by a wooden beam bottom-plate, and two parallel wooden beam top-plates may extend above an upper surface of the stud. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of such a conventional wooden framing system 10 including a stud 12, a wooden beam bottom-plate 14, a first wooden beam top-plate 16, and a second wooden beam top-plate 18.

A lower surface of the stud 12 is secured to the wooden beam bottom-plate 14. The stud extends above the wooden beam bottom-plate 14 and is supported by the wooden beam bottom-plate 14. An upper surface of the stud 12 is secured to the first wooden beam top-plate 16. The second wooden beam top-plate 18 is secured to the first wooden beam top-plate 16 and extends above the first wooden beam top-plate 16.

The wooden beam top-plates 16, 18 can support structures placed on top of the wooden beam top-plates 16, 18, such as flooring or roofing. Vibrational forces can be transmitted from the structures on top of the wooden beam top-plates to the wooden beam top-plates 16, 18. FIG. 1 shows vibrational forces applied along direction A. Such forces can result in bending of the wooden beam top-plates. Bending of the wooden beam top-plates can result in deformation, such as buckling, of the stud 12.

Some traditional methods of improving the ability of a wooden frame to absorb vibrations include cutting standard-length studs to a non-standard length and adding a bridge or damper into the resulting gap. The resulting gap may be located at the top or bottom of the stud. In one example, the damper is a sound mat. In another example, the damper is a clip, such as a metal truss clip. In some examples, the metal truss clip is a Simpson strong-tie single truss clip (STC). In some embodiments, a sound mat may be inserted in addition to the truss clip.

The present disclosure provides a deflect-plate that is configured to dampen one or more dynamic forces. Each dynamic force may be a localized force or a distributed force. The present disclosure provides a deflect-plate that is configured to dampen vibrations, such as vibrations that include a vibrational force in a vertical direction transmitted to the deflect-plate from either below or above the deflect-plate. The deflect-plate can be used along with wooden framing as similarly described above. For example, in at least one embodiment, the deflect-plate replaces one of the traditional wooden beam top-plates, such as the wooden beam top-plates 16, 18 that are shown in the framing system 10 of FIG. 1. By using the deflect-plate in place of a traditional top-plate, there is no need to cut the length of a standard-length stud to a non-standard length. This reduces construction time for a frame that includes the deflect-plate and can reduce installation errors.

In at least some embodiments, the deflect-plate described herein includes a lower wall, an upper wall above the lower wall, and a plurality of internal structures connecting the lower wall to the upper wall. The internal structures are configured to distribute a force applied to the upper wall and limit deflection of structures below the lower wall of the deflect plate (e.g., a top plate that is positioned below the deflect-plate and/or a stud supporting the top-plate). In some embodiments, the internal structures are configured to deflect inwardly (i.e., towards a center of the deflect-plate), because outward deflection could extend outside a footprint of the deflect-plate and damage structures that are adjacent the deflect-plate, such as drywall.

For example, in at least some embodiments, the internal structures of the deflect-plate include spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall. The plurality of spring members are configured to deform from an uncompressed shape to a compressed shape in response to a downward vertical force applied to the upper wall of the plate. However, the spring members are further configured such that deformation of the spring members due to the vertical force applied to the plate does not cause the spring members to extend laterally beyond the lower wall or the upper wall. Instead, at least one of the spring members deform laterally inwardly in response to vertical force applied to the plate. In particular, neither the uncompressed shape of each spring member nor the compressed shape of each spring member extends beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall. Due to the internal structures and the material of which the deflect-plate is constructed, the deflect-plate described herein is able to be compressed in response to a dynamic force, such as an impulse or a vibrational force, applied to an upper surface of the deflect-plate.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a framing system 20 that includes an exemplary embodiment of a deflect-plate 21 as described herein. The framing system 20 is similar to that of the framing system 10 described above with respect to FIG. 1 in that it includes a stud 22, a wooden beam bottom-plate 24, and a wooden beam top-plate 26. The stud 22, wooden beam bottom-plate 24, and wooden beam top-plate 26 may be secured to each other by fasteners, such as nails. However, the framing system 20 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the deflect-plate 21 is used in place of a second wooden beam top-plate (e.g., the second wooden beam top-plate 18 shown in FIG. 1). The deflect-plate 21 is secured to the wooden beam top-plate 26 (e.g., via fasteners such as nails 42) and extends above the wooden beam top-plate 26.

The wooden beam top-plate 26 and the deflect-plate 21 are configured to support forces from structures, such as upper flooring or roofing, that are placed on top of the deflect-plate 21.

A detailed view of one embodiment of the deflect-plate 21 is shown in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the deflect-plate 21 is shown in an undeformed configuration in which no force is applied to the deflect-plate 21. The deflect-plate 21 includes a lower wall 30, an upper wall 32 above the lower wall 30, and a plurality of spring members 34, 36, 38 connecting the lower wall 30 to the upper wall 32. The lower wall 30 is configured to be fastened to the wooden beam top-plate 26, and the upper wall 32 is configured to support a structure, such as an upper floor or a roof of a building that is place on top of the upper wall 32.

The lower wall 30 is substantially planar and has a lower surface 40 that is configured to be in direct facing engagement with an upper surface of the wooden beam top-plate 26. In FIG. 2, the lower wall 30 is secured to the wooden beam top-plate 26 by nails 42. In some embodiments, other fasteners may be used.

The upper wall 32 is substantially planar and has an upper surface 44 that is configured to be in direct facing engagement with a lower surface of a structure such as a floor structure, a sub-floor structure, or a roof structure of a building.

The upper wall 32 is in a spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall 30. An open space defined between the upper wall 32 and the lower wall 30 allows for some displacement of at least a portion of the upper wall 32 with respect to at least a portion of the lower wall 30.

When the deflect-plate 21 is subjected to a downward vertical force, as indicated in FIG. 2 by the distributed force along the direction B, the upper wall 32 is deformed towards the lower wall 30 because the upper wall 32 is connected to the lower wall 30 by the plurality of spring members 34, 36, 38. Each spring member 34, 36, 38 may have a constant or a variable spring coefficient and each spring member 34, 36, 38 may have a different spring coefficient. In some embodiments, the spring members 34, 36, 38 have the same spring coefficient. The spring members 34, 36, 38 are configured so that they do not extend laterally beyond the upper wall 32 or the lower wall 30 when the plate 21 is subjected to a vertical force.

The first spring member 34 and the second spring member are configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force along direction B on the upper wall 32. More specifically, the first spring member 34 includes a first planar portion 50 that is connected to the lower wall 30 and oriented at an angle a with respect to a second planar portion 52 that is connected to the upper wall 32. The first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 extend longitudinally (perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of FIGS. 2 and 3) along the entire length of the deflect-plate 21. The first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 are connected at a point of attachment 54. When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 32 of the plate 21, the angle a decreases, and the point of attachment 54 of the first and second planar portions 50, 52, moves inwardly along the direction of arrow C.

The first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 may have a thickness that is selected to provide a desired spring coefficient of the first spring member 34. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 may have a thickness of about 0.25 inch. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 are integrally formed, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 are integrally formed by extrusion. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 50 and the second planar portion 52 are not integrally formed and are joined together.

The second spring member 36 includes a first planar portion 60 that is connected to the lower wall 30 and oriented at an angle β with respect to a second planar portion 62 that is connected to the upper wall 32. The first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 extend longitudinally along the entire length of the deflect-plate 21. The first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 are connected at a point of attachment 64. When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 32 of the plate 21, the angle β decreases, and the point of attachment 64 of the first and second planar portions 60, 62 moves inwardly along the direction of arrow D.

The first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 may have a thickness that is selected to provide a desired spring coefficient of the second spring member 36. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 may have a thickness of about 0.25 inch. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 are integrally formed, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 are integrally formed by extrusion. In some embodiments, the first planar portion 60 and the second planar portion 62 are not integrally formed and are joined together.

The plurality of spring members further includes the central spring member 38. The central spring member 38 includes a tubular portion 70 that is connected to the lower wall 30 by a first planar portion 72 (first flange) extending upwardly from the lower wall 30, and that is connected to the upper wall 32 by a second planar portion 74 (second flange) depending downwardly from the upper wall 32. The tubular portion 70 extends longitudinally along the entire length of the deflect-plate 21.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion 70 has a square cross section as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; however, in other embodiments, the tubular portion 70 can be structured differently. The tubular portion has a first wall 76 and a second wall 78 that meet at a first corner 80. The tubular portion has a third wall 82 and a fourth wall 84 that meet at a second corner 86.

When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 32, the square cross section of the tubular portion 70 becomes a rhombus-shaped cross section. Due to the downward vertical force applied to the upper wall 32, the first corner 80 of the tubular portion 70 moves laterally outwardly in a first direction along arrow E, and the second corner 86 moves laterally outwardly in a second direction along arrow F, which is opposite the direction of arrow E. However, these corners 80, 86 do not move laterally beyond the edges of the upper wall 32 and the lower wall 30 or interfere with the spring members 34, 36.

As can be seen from the above description, the deflect-plate 21 includes spring members 34, 36, 38 that deform so that the spring members 34, 36, 38 do not extend laterally beyond the lateral edges of the upper wall 32 and the lower wall 30 of the plate 21. Because of this deformation, vertical compression forces applied to the plate 21 do not cause lateral expansion of the spring members 34, 36, 38 that would damage or otherwise affect structures that are positioned laterally adjacent the deflect-plate 21. For example, the geometry of the spring members 34, 36, 38 ensures that downward vertical forces are dispersed laterally in the spring members 34, 36, 38 and do not cause the spring members to deform outwardly and damage drywall that is positioned adjacent the deflect-plate 21.

The deflect-plate 21 of the present disclosure also provides improved lateral stability of the plate. The spring members 34, 36, 38 allow for relative lateral displacement of the lower wall 30 with respect to the upper wall 32. Thus, if a lateral force is applied to the upper wall 32, a lateral force of lesser magnitude is transferred from the lower wall 30 to the top-plate 26 and stud 12. Similarly, if a lateral force is applied to the stud 12, a lateral force of lesser magnitude is transferred from the upper wall 32 to a structure secured to the upper surface 44 of the upper wall 32.

A detailed view of a second embodiment of a deflect-plate 121 is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the deflect-plate 121 is shown in an undeformed configuration in which no force is applied to the deflect-plate 121. The deflect-plate 121 includes a lower wall 130, an upper wall 132 above the lower wall 130, and a plurality of spring members 134, 136, 138 connecting the lower wall 130 to the upper wall 132. The deflect-plate 121 of FIG. 4 can be used in place of the deflect-plate 21 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The lower wall 130 of the deflect-plate 121 is configured to be fastened to the wooden beam top-plate 26 of FIG. 2, and the upper wall 132 is configured to support a structure, such as an upper floor or a roof of a building that is place on top of the upper wall 132.

The lower wall 130 is substantially planar and has a lower surface 140 that is configured to be in direct facing engagement with an upper surface of the wooden beam top-plate 26. The lower wall 130 can be secured to the wooden beam top-plate 26 by fasteners, such as nails.

The upper wall 132 is substantially planar and has an upper surface 144 that is configured to be in direct facing engagement with a lower surface of a structure such as a floor structure, a sub-floor structure, or a roof structure of a building.

The upper wall 132 is in a spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall 130. An open space defined between the upper wall 132 and the lower wall 130 allows for some displacement of at least a portion of the upper wall 132 with respect to at least a portion of the lower wall 130.

When the plate 121 is subjected to a downward vertical force (i.e. a force along direction G), the upper wall 132 is deformed towards the lower wall 130 because the upper wall 132 is connected to the lower wall 130 by the plurality of spring members 134, 136, 138. Each spring member 134, 136, 138 may have a constant or a variable spring coefficient and each spring member 134, 136, 138 may have a different spring coefficient. In some embodiments, the spring members 134, 136, 138 have the same spring coefficient. The spring members 134, 136, 138 are configured so that they do not extend laterally beyond the upper wall 132 or the lower wall 130 when the plate 121 is subjected to a vertical force.

The first spring member 134 and the second spring member are configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force along direction G on the upper wall 132. More specifically, the first spring member 134 includes an arcuate portion 150 that has a first end that is connected to the lower wall 130 and a second end that is connected to the upper wall 132. When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 132 of the plate 121, a center region 152 of the arcuate portion 150 moves inwardly along the direction of arrow H.

The arcuate portion 150 of the first spring member 134 may have a thickness that is selected to provide a desired spring coefficient of the first spring member 134. In some embodiments, the arcuate portion 150 may have a thickness of about 0.25 inch.

The second spring member 136 includes an arcuate portion 154 that has a first end that is connected to the lower wall 130 and a second end that is connected to the upper wall 132. When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 132 of the plate 121, a center region 156 of the arcuate portion moves inwardly along the direction of arrow J.

The arcuate portion 154 of the second spring member 136 may have a thickness that is selected to provide a desired spring coefficient of the second spring member 136. In some embodiments, the arcuate portion 154 may have a thickness of about 0.25 inch.

The plurality of spring members further includes the central spring member 138. The central spring member 138 includes a tubular portion 170 that is connected to the lower wall 130 by a first planar portion 172 (first flange) extending upwardly from the lower wall 130, and that is connected to the upper wall 132 by a second planar portion 174 (second flange) depending downwardly from the upper wall 132. The tubular portion 170 extends longitudinally along the entire length of the deflect-plate 121.

According to one embodiment, the tubular portion 170 has a circular cross section as shown in FIG. 4; however, in other embodiments, the tubular portion 170 can be structured differently. In FIG. 4, the tubular portion 170 has a cylindrical outer wall 176. The cross-section of the cylindrical outer wall 176 has a left arc having a left midpoint 180 and a right arc having a right midpoint 186.

When a downward vertical force is applied to the upper wall 132, the circular cross section of the tubular portion 170 becomes an oval-shaped cross section. Due to the downward vertical force applied to the upper wall 132, the concavity of the left arc is increased and the concavity of the right arc is increased. Due to the downward vertical force applied to the upper wall 132, the left midpoint 180 of the tubular portion 170 deforms laterally outwardly in a first direction along arrow K as the concavity of the left arc is increased by the vertical force, and the right midpoint 186 of the tubular portion deforms laterally outwardly in a second direction along arrow L, which is opposite the direction of arrow K, as the concavity of the right arc is increased by the vertical force. However, these left and right sides 180, 186 do not move laterally beyond the edges of the upper wall 132 and the lower wall 130 or interfere with the spring members 134, 136.

As can be seen from the above description, the deflect-plate 121 includes spring members 134, 136, 138 that deform so that the spring members 134, 136, 138 do not extend laterally beyond the lateral edges of the upper wall 132 and the lower wall 130 of the plate 121. Because of this deformation, vertical compression forces applied to the plate 121 do not cause lateral expansion of the spring members 134, 136, 138 that would damage or otherwise affect structures that are positioned laterally adjacent the deflect-plate 121. For example, the geometry of the spring members 134, 136, 138 ensures that downward vertical forces are dispersed laterally in the spring members 134, 136, 138 and do not cause the spring members to deform outwardly and damage drywall that is positioned adjacent the deflect-plate 121.

The deflect-plate 121 of the present disclosure also provides improved lateral stability of the plate. The spring members 134, 136, 138 allow for relative lateral displacement of the lower wall 130 with respect to the upper wall 132. Thus, if a lateral force is applied to the upper wall 132, a lateral force of lesser magnitude is transferred from the lower wall 130 to the top-plate 26 and stud 12. Similarly, if a lateral force is applied to the stud 12, a lateral force of lesser magnitude is transferred from the upper wall 132 to a structure secured to the upper surface 144 of the upper wall 132.

As shown in relation to FIG. 2, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure may be used in place of a traditional wooden beam top-plate. For example, the deflect-plate may be used in place of one wooden beam top-plate of a pair of wooden beam top-plates in a typical wooden framing assembly. Accordingly, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure may have outer dimensions that match a wooden beam top-plate. For example, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure may be sized to take the place of a standard piece of lumber. This allows the deflect-plate to be used in place of a wooden beam top-plate and to remain relatively easy for framers in the field to account for and install.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate has a height of 2 inches (nominal) and a width in the range of 4 inches (nominal) to 12 inches (nominal). In some embodiments, the nominal outer dimensions of a deflect-plate of the present disclosure may be 2 inches by 4 inches, 2 inches by 6 inches, 2 inches by 8 inches, 2 inches by 10 inches, 2 inches by 12 inches, or other outer dimensions.

In some embodiments, the deflect-plate has a height of about 1.5 inches (actual) and a width in the range of about 3.5 inches (actual) to about 11.25 inches (actual). In some embodiments, the actual outer dimensions of a deflect-plate of the present disclosure may be about 1.5 inches by about 3.5 inches, about 1.5 inches by about 5.5 inches, about 1.5 inches by about 7.25 inches, about 1.5 inches by about 9.25 inches, about 1.5 inches by about 11.25 inches, or other outer dimensions.

Because the deflect-plate of the present disclosure may be used in place of a wooden beam top-plate, and because the deflect-plate absorbs structural vibrations, which can be acoustic vibrations, there is no need to cut the length of the stud 22 from a typical stud length as done in conventional solutions described above. This can reduce construction for the framing system 20 of FIG. 2 relative to conventional frames including a non-standard length stud. For example, in some embodiments, the stud 22 can have a standard stud length that is typically suitable for a constructing a level of a structure having a desired ceiling height. In some embodiments, the stud 22 has a length that is suitable for constructing a level of a structure having an 8-foot ceiling. In some embodiments, the stud 22 has a length that is suitable for constructing a level of a structure having a 9-foot ceiling. In some embodiments, the stud 22 has a length that is suitable for constructing a level of a structure having a 10-foot ceiling. In some embodiments, the stud 22 has a length that is suitable for constructing a level of a structure having another desired ceiling height.

In some embodiments, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure is made of a material including rubber. In some embodiments, the deflect-plate may be formed by various methods including extrusion, 3D printing, and/or other methods. In some embodiments, the rubber includes an extruded rubber, a 3D printed rubber, and/or a rubber formed by another method. In some embodiments, the rubber is fire-rated. In some embodiments, the rubber is not fire-rated. In some embodiments, the rubber is an extruded rubber. In some embodiments, the rubber is high density extruded rubber.

In some embodiments, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure is made of a material that is configured to resist the exposure of a standardized fire exposure for one hour. In some embodiments, a deflect-plate of the present disclosure is made of a material that is compliant with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) one-hour fire rating standard.

In some embodiments, a building can be constructed using both fire-rated deflect-plates of the present disclosure and non-fire-rated deflect-plates of the present disclosure. For example, in some structures, corridor walls in the structure can be constructed using fire-rated deflect-plates of the present disclosure, while at least some of the other walls of the structure can be constructed using non-fire-rated deflect-plates of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-fire-rated rubber is not colored. In some embodiments, the fire-rated rubber has a red color, such as from a red dye. By providing fire-rated and non-fire-rated deflect-plates in different colors, the fire-rated and non-fire-rated deflect-plates may be more easily distinguishable to building inspectors.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a set of framing materials is provided. The set of framing materials includes at least one deflect-plate according to the present disclosure that is fire-rated and dyed a first color, such as red. The set of framing materials further includes at least one deflect-plate according to the present disclosure that is non-fire-rated and dyed a second color that is different from the first color.

The spring members of the deflect-plate may be provided in any number of different configurations as long as the spring members stay within the volume bounded by the upper wall and lower wall of the deflect-plate when the spring members are subjected to a vertical force and compressed to a deformed condition. As discussed above, the deflect-plate includes three spring members; however, in other embodiments, the deflect-plate can include any number of spring members arranged in any appropriate configuration.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, a deflect-plate comprises the upper wall 32, the lower wall 34, and the three spring members 34, 36, 38. In some embodiments, a deflect-plate consists essentially of the upper wall 32, the lower wall 34, and the three spring members 34, 36, 38. In some embodiments, a deflect-plate consists of the upper wall 32, the lower wall 34, and the three spring members 34, 36, 38.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a deflect-plate comprises the upper wall 132, the lower wall 134, and the three spring members 134, 136, 138. In some embodiments, a deflect-plate consists essentially of the upper wall 132, the lower wall 134, and the three spring members 134, 136, 138. In some embodiments, a deflect-plate consists of the upper wall 132, the lower wall 134, and the three spring members 134, 136, 138.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a deflect-plate is provided for use with a wooden frame of a building that includes a top-plate. In some embodiments, the deflect-plate includes a lower wall that is configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame, an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall, and a means for dampening a dynamic force applied to the upper wall. The means is configured such that the means does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the upper wall and the lower wall due to the dynamic force. In some embodiments, the means is a spring member. In some embodiments, the means includes at least one spring member as shown and described in relation to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

The present disclosure provides deflect-plates that have various advantages over traditional wooden beam top-plates. The deflect-plate can absorb both static and dynamic forces to limit deflection of structures below the deflect-plate. The deflect-plate of the present disclosure is configured to deflect due to static forces so that the deflect-plate does not expand laterally. Because the deflect-plate does not expand laterally, damage to surrounding structures due to such lateral expansion is avoided. The deflect-plate is also configured to dampen dynamic forces, such as structural vibration and sound.

Because the deflect-plate may be used with studs of standard lengths, and the studs do not need to be cut to a non-standard length, the deflect-plate reduces construction time for a frame that includes the deflect-plate, and the deflect-plate can reduce installation errors.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one example, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For instance, examples disclosed herein may also be used in other contexts. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the examples discussed herein. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A deflect-plate for a wooden frame of a building that includes a top-plate, the deflect-plate comprising:

a lower wall configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame;

an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and

a plurality of spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall, each spring member configured to deform in response to a force applied to the upper wall to limit deflection of the top-plate.

2. The deflect-plate of claim 1, wherein each spring member is configured to deform from an uncompressed shape to a compressed shape in response to a compressive force applied on the upper wall, wherein the uncompressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall, and wherein the compressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall.

3. The deflect-plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring members include

a first spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force applied on the upper wall; and

a second spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to the vertical force applied on the upper wall.

4. The deflect-plate of claim 3, wherein the first spring member includes a first planar portion connected to the lower wall and oriented at an angle with respect to a second planar portion connected to the upper wall, and the second spring member includes a first planar portion connected to the lower wall and oriented at an angle with respect to a second planar portion connected to the upper wall.

5. The deflect-plate of claim 4, wherein the plurality of spring members further includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

6. The deflect-plate of claim 3, wherein the plurality of spring members further includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

7. The deflect-plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spring members includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

8. The deflect-plate of claim 1, wherein the deflect-plate is made of a material comprising rubber.

9. The deflect-plate of claim 8, wherein the rubber includes a dye.

10. The deflect-plate of claim 8, wherein the rubber is at least one of an extruded rubber, a 3D printed rubber.

11. The deflect-plate of claim 10, wherein the rubber includes a dye.

12. The deflect-plate of claim 8, wherein the deflect-plate has nominal outer dimensions of one of:

2 inches by 4 inches,

2 inches by 6 inches,

2 inches by 8 inches,

2 inches by 10 inches, and

2 inches by 12 inches.

13. The deflect-plate of claim 1, wherein the lower wall of the deflect-plate is configured to be secured to a top-plate of a frame by at least one fastener.

14. A deflect-plate for a wooden frame of a building that includes a top-plate, the deflect-plate comprising:

a lower wall that is configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame;

an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and

a means for dampening a force applied to the upper wall, the means being configured such that the means does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the upper wall and the lower wall due to the dynamic force.

15. The deflect-plate of claim 14, wherein the means for dampening a force includes at least one spring member.

16. The deflect-plate of claim 14, wherein the deflect-plate is made of a material comprising rubber.

17. A wooden framing system comprising:

at least one wooden stud;

at least one wooden bottom-plate;

at least one wooden top-plate, wherein each stud is oriented vertically between a single one of the wooden bottom plates extending horizontally at a lower end of the stud and a single one of the wooden top plates extending horizontally at an upper end of the stud;

at least one deflect-plate, each deflect-plate comprising: a lower wall configured to be secured to the top-plate of the wooden frame; an upper wall above the lower wall and in spaced apart facing relation with the lower wall; and a plurality of spring members connecting the lower wall to the upper wall, each spring member configured to deform in response to a force applied to the upper wall to limit deflection of the top-plate.

18. The framing system of claim 17, wherein each spring member is configured to deform from an uncompressed shape to a compressed shape in response to a compressive force applied on the upper wall, wherein the uncompressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall, and wherein the compressed shape does not extend beyond a volume bounded by the lower wall and the upper wall.

19. The framing system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of spring members in the at least one deflect-plate includes

a first spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to a vertical force applied on the upper wall;

a second spring member configured to deform inwardly in response to the vertical force applied on the upper wall; and

a central spring member that includes a tubular portion, the tubular portion being connected to the lower wall by a first planar portion extending upwardly from the lower wall, and the tubular portion being connected to the upper wall by a second planar portion depending downwardly from the upper wall.

20. The framing system of claim 17, wherein the at least one deflect-plate is made of a material comprising a fire-rated rubber.