A STUD WALL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR IN-PLANE BUILDING MOVEMENT ISOLATION

Abstract

A stud wall restraint system for in-plane building movement isolation uses a channel having side flanges and a web therebetween. The web has intermittent elongate longitudinal slots orientated along a longitudinal axis of the channel and the web comprises intermittent integrally formed fold out connectors which comprise elongate slots. The channel can be used for arrangements that allow for non-axial loadbearing walls to accommodate in-plane vertical and horizontal building movements whilst providing for enhanced structural restraint and resistance against out-of-plane transverse actions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to isolating building components from building movements whilst maintaining their structural integrity. More particularly, this invention relates to channels and arrangements thereof that allow for non-axial loadbearing walls to accommodate in-plane vertical and horizontal building movements whilst providing for enhanced structural restraint and resistance against out-of-plane transverse actions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lightweight walls are typically made of vertically positioned, equally spaced wall studs that are fitted into horizontal channels at the head and base of the wall, wherein sheathings are then fixed to the stud frame.

Non-axial loadbearing walls (commonly known as wind-bearing walls) must be isolated from in-plane vertical building movements (such as live load deflections), as well as in-plane horizontal building movements (such as seismic or wind-induced drift) whilst maintaining their out-of-plane restraint and resistance against transverse actions (such as wind actions, body impact and shelf loads).

Such isolation may be achieved by providing floating connections between the wall stud and the head or base channel, however, the out-of-plane structural resistance of such a connection is typically insufficient due to the thinness of the sheet metal comprising these elements. This affects the economy of the wall design, as providing added reinforcements to enhance the structural capacity of the stud-to-channel connection is labour intensive and costly, and may impede the functionality of the floating connection.

The present invention seeks to provide a way which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

There is provided herein stud wall restraint system arrangements involving a channel with integrated manually bendable connectors (clips) with slots that allow in-plane vertical and horizontal building movements whilst providing enhanced structural restraint and resistance against out-of-plane transverse actions.

Fasteners (typically concrete screw anchors) are installed through the horizontal slots along the channel, providing floating connections to accommodate in-plane horizontal building movements between the channel and the support structure (e.g. concrete slab). The slots may be flanged for greater strength and stiffness around the slotted portion of the channel. Bushings may be used so that the fasteners do not compress the channel against the substrate that it is connected to, allowing for free sliding between the channel and the substrate. The bushings may be non-metallic such as being made of plastic to prevent potential noise due to steel-on-steel contact.

Fasteners (typically self-tapping metal screws) are also installed through the vertical slots within the connectors, providing floating connections to accommodate in-plane vertical building movements between the channel and the wall studs. Vertical slots may also be made within the channel's flanges to allow for additional floating connections between the wall stud and the channel where required.

Such floating connections provide out-of-plane structural restraint and resistance to the wall but do not impede in-plane building movements, hence eliminating unwanted load swaps between the wall and the primary structure.

The integrated connectors provide enhanced structural restraint and resistance against out-of-plane actions. Stress-relief perforations may be incorporated at the juncture between the connectors and the channel's web, allowing for manual bending of the connectors on site. The connectors may be bent downwards, upwards or at an angle where required. The channel may be manufactured with the connectors cut out but not bent, enabling flat-packing and more economic freight. This feature also makes the channel less prone to damage during transport and handling.

For partial-height walls, the channel may be connected through the horizontal slots to a plenum bracing assembly.

Alternatively, the connectors may be bent upwards, providing a fixing plate for back bracing a partial-height wall to an overhead support structure. The apertures incorporated within the connector are utilised for such cases where fixed connections may be required.

For curtain walls, the slots within the connectors may be oriented parallel to the channel's web to allow for vertical building deflections.

For wall openings (e.g. door or window openings) the channel may be used as a header or sill member. The integrated connectors may be used to connect the channel to the jamb studs and cripple studs.

The channel may be used at the base of a wall as well as the head, as required.

Notches may be incorporated intermittently along the channel's flanges to provide stress relief in the longitudinal direction of the channel should any incidental impediment of horizontal in-plane movements occur.

According to one aspect, there is provided a stud wall restraint system for in-plane building movement isolation, the system comprising: a channel having side flanges and a web therebetween wherein: the web comprises intermittent elongate longitudinal slots orientated along a longitudinal axis of the channel; the web comprises intermittent integrally formed fold out connectors; and the connectors comprise elongate slots.

The flanges may comprise intermittent collocating pairs of transversal slots.

When the channel is installed, the longitudinal slots may run horizontally and the slots of the connectors may run vertically.

Stress-relief perforations may form a line of weakness along a base of each connector so that each connector may be folded out by hand.

The system may further comprise fasteners securing the channel to a support structure using the longitudinal slots and wherein bushings prevent compression of the web by the fasteners. The bushings may be non-metallic.

The slots of the connectors may orientate along a longitudinal axis of the channel when the connectors are not folded out.

Each connector do not extend beyond the flanges when folded out in one embodiment.

Each fold out connector may be adjacent to a respective pair of the transversal slots.

The flanges may comprise intermittent pairs of the pairs of transversal slots wherein each pair is located either side of a base edge of a respective connector along the longitudinal axis of the channel.

The slots of the connectors may orientate transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the channel.

The connectors extend beyond the flanges when folded out in another embodiment.

The system may further comprise the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed as a head channel wherein the web thereof is horizontal and wherein: the head channel is secured under a support structure using the longitudinal slots to allow horizontal in-plane movement between the channel and the support structure; and webs of the studs may be engaged using the slots of respective connectors to allow vertical in-plane movement between the channel and the stud wall.

Flanges of the studs may be engaged using respective pairs of transversal slots to allow vertical in-plane movement between the channel and stud wall.

A further channel may be installed as a base channel wherein the web thereof is horizontal and wherein: the channel is secured on a floor structure using the longitudinal slots of the base channel to allow horizontal in-plane movement between the channel and the floor structure; and webs of the studs may be engaged using the connectors of the base channel.

The connectors may further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein the webs of the studs may be engaged using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the stud wall.

Flanges of the studs may be engaged using respective pairs of transversal slots.

The stud wall may be a full-height stud wall and wherein the channel is secured against the support structure using the longitudinal slots.

The stud wall may be a partial height stud wall and wherein the channel is secured to the support structure via plenum bracing using the longitudinal slots.

The system may further comprise the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed as a head channel wherein at least one connector is bent outwardly away from the flanges and secured against a plenum bracing strut.

The connectors may further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein at least one connector is secured against the plenum bracing strut using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the plenum bracing strut.

The plenum bracing strut may be vertical.

The plenum bracing strut may be diagonal.

The system may further comprise a curtain wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed wherein the web is vertical and wherein: the channel is secured to a side of a support structure using the longitudinal slots of the channel to allow horizontal in-plane movement between the channel and support structure; and webs of the studs may be engaged using the slots of the folded out connectors to allow vertical in-plane movement between the channel and the curtain wall.

The slots may be reinforced with a raised peripheral flange extending in between the flanges.

The bushings avoid compression of the peripheral flange.

The system may further comprise the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed to form a header-to-jamb or a sill-to-jamb connection wherein the channel is installed horizontally with respect to a jamb stud and the channel terminates at a base of a folded out connector which is secured to a web of the jamb stud.

The connectors further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein the web of the jamb stud is secured to the folded out connector using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the stud wall.

The system may further comprise the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed to form a header-to-cripple stud connection or a sill-to-cripple stud connection wherein a cripple stud meets the web of the channel and is secured thereto using a folded out connector of the channel.

The flanges may comprise intermittent stress relief notches.

The flanges may comprise intermittent pairs of stress relief notches collocating along a longitudinal axis of the channel.

The notches may narrow towards the web.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a channel for a stud wall restraint system suitable for use as a head or base channel for stud walls for in-plane building movement isolation;

FIG. 2 shows the channel of FIG. 1 wherein connectors thereof are not folded out;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the channel suited for curtain walls;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the channel comprising stress relief notches;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary stud wall installation using the channels;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary head channel installation;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary base channel installation;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary header-to-jamb connection;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary header-to-cripple stud connection;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary curtain wall installation;

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary partial height stud wall installation with fixed strut plenum bracing;

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary partial height stud wall installation with slidable strut plenum bracing;

FIG. 13 shows a connector for slidably connecting the channel to plenum bracing in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary partial height stud wall installation with slidable wire plenum bracing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a channel 100 for use in a stud wall restraint system for in-plane building movement isolation. The channel 100 is cut and formed from a metal sheet such as steel. The channel 100 has side flanges 101 and a web 102 therebetween.

The web 102 comprises intermittent longitudinal slots 103. The flanges 101 may comprise intermittent collocating pairs of transversal slots 104.

The web 102 further comprises intermittently integrally formed fold out connectors 105. The connectors 105 comprise elongate slots 107.

FIG. 2 shows wherein the connectors 105 are not folded out and FIG. 1 shows wherein the connectors 105 are folded out. The connectors 105 may be folded out between the flanges 101 but, for certain applications as will be described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 11, the connectors 105 may be folded out away from the flanges 101.

The connectors 105 are integrally formed in that they are cut or punched from the metal sheet during manufacture. With reference to FIG. 2, stress-relief perforations 106 may form a line of weakness along a base edge of each connector 105 so that the connector 105 may be folded out by hand.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a head or base channel variant 100A wherein the slots 107 of the connectors 105 orientate along a longitudinal axis of the channel 100A when the connectors 105 are not folded out.

In accordance with this embodiment, the connectors 105 may not extend beyond the flanges 101 when folded out.

The pairs of transversal slots 104 may locate adjacent to the base edge of each connector 105 so that flanges of a stud may be secured within the channel 100 using both the transversal slots 104 and the connector 105 as will be described in further detail below.

Specifically, each pair of transversal slots 104 may locate just to either side of the base edge of the clip 105 so that the connector 105 may engage the web of the stud whereas the transversal slots 104 adjacent thereto may engage the flanges of the stud extending to one side of the web of the stud.

In a preferred embodiment shown, the flanges comprise intermittent pairs of the pairs of transversal slots 104 so that stud may be engaged in both front or back orientations.

FIG. 5 shows a stud wall 108 comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs 109.

The head channel 100A may be installed as is further shown in FIG. 6 wherein the channel 100A is secured under a support structure 110 (such as a concrete slab) using the longitudinal slots (such as by using concrete anchor screws 111) to allow horizontal in-plane movement between the channel 100A and the support structure 110.

Furthermore, flanges 112 of a stud 109 may be engaged using respective pairs of transversal slots 104 (such as by using self-tapping metal screws 113) to allow vertical in-plane movement between the channel 100A and the studs 109 of the stud wall 108.

Furthermore, webs 114 of the studs are engaged using the slots 107 of respective connectors 105 (such as by using self-tapping metal screws 113) to allow vertical in-plane movement between the channel 100A and the studs 109 of the stud wall 108.

FIG. 7 similarly shows wherein the base channel 100A is installed in a similar manner on a floor structure 116 but wherein the connectors 105 further comprise point fixation apertures 115 (i.e., to fix the connectors 105 at point without relative movement thereto) and wherein the web 114 of the stud 109 is secured using the fixation apertures 115 (such as by using self-tapping metal screws 113) to prevent relative movement between the base channel 100A and studs 109 of the stud wall 108. The fixation apertures 115 may be circular.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show wherein the stud wall 108 is a full-height stud wall 108 wherein the channel 100 is secured against the support structure 110 using the longitudinal slots 103. However, the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 14 show a partial height stud wall 108B wherein the head channel variant 100A is used in a similar manner but wherein the channel 100A is secured to the support structure 110 via slidable plenum bracing 117.

The embodiment of FIG. 12 shows wherein the slidable plenum bracing 117 comprises diagonal bracing struts 118 secured by anchor plates 119 to the support structure 110. FIG. 14 shows wherein the slidable plenum bracing 117 comprises splayed bracing wires 120 tied to the anchor plates 119 and a vertical bracing strut 121.

FIG. 13 shows wherein an attachment bracket 122 engages the longitudinal slot 103 of the channel 100 and comprises major and/or minor diagonal members 123 for attachment of diagonal bracing struts 118 or splayed bracing wires 120, and vertical members 124 which may secure either side of the vertical bracing strut 121.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary fixed plenum bracing installation 125 for the partial height stud wall 108B wherein the channel 100 is installed as a head channel and wherein at least some of the connectors 105 are bent up away from the flanges 101 of the channel 100 and secured against plenum bracing struts 126. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the plenum bracing struts 126 are installed vertically but, in embodiments, the connectors 105 may be bent at an angle to allow for diagonal plenum bracing struts 126. The plenum bracing struts 126 may be secured using the metal screws 113 going through the fixation apertures 115 of the connectors 105. The plenum bracing struts 126 may be braced with diagonal kicker bracing struts 127 secured to the support structure 110 if necessary.

FIG. 3 shows the channel 100 suited for use for a curtain wall 128 as is illustrated in FIG. 10. A curtain wall 128 typically comprises a plurality of studs 109 which may run past the side of a support structure 110 such as an intermediate floor slab.

In accordance with this embodiment, the slots 107 of the connectors 105 are rather orientated transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel 100B.

Furthermore, the connectors 105 extend beyond the flanges 101 when folded out, preferably quite substantially.

As such, the channel 100B may be secured against a side of the support structure 110 using the longitudinal slots 103 (such as by using concrete anchor screws 111) to allow relative in-plane horizontal movement between the channel 100B and the support structure 110.

Furthermore, the connectors 105 may be folded out beyond the flanges 101 of the channel 100B and secured to webs 114 of the studs 109 of the curtain wall 128 using the now vertically orientated slots 107 (such as by using self-tapping metal screws 113) to allow relative in-plane vertical movement of the studs 109 of the curtain wall 128 with respect to the channel 100B.

The slots 103 may be reinforced with a raised peripheral flange 129 extending in between the flanges 101. The bushings of the fasteners 111 may allow for the height of the peripheral flange 129.

With reference to FIG. 5, the stud wall 108 may comprise an opening 130 formed by header-to-jamb connections 131A, sill-to-jamb connections 131B, header-to-cripple stud connections 132A and sill-to-cripple stud connections 132B.

FIG. 8 shows the header-to-jamb connection 131A in further detail wherein the channel 100 is installed horizontally with respect to the jamb stud 109 and the channel 100 terminates at a base edge of a connector 105 which is folded out between the flanges 101 and secured to the web 114 of the jamb stud 109 using the fixation apertures 115. The sill-to-jamb connection 131B would be the inverse of the arrangement shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows the header-to-cripple stud connection 132A wherein a cripple stud 109 terminates against the web 102 of the channel 100 and is secured thereto using a folded-out connector 105 of the channel 100. Screw fasteners 113 may secure the web 114 of the cripple stud 109 using the fixation apertures 115 of the connector 105. The sill-to-cripple stud connection 132B would be the inverse of the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 4 shows a stress relief channel embodiment 100C wherein the flanges 101 comprise intermittent stress relief notches 133. The notches 133 may comprise intermittent pairs of notches 133 collocating along a longitudinal axis of the channel 100C. Furthermore, the notches 133 may narrow towards the web 102.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

The term “approximately” or similar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1.-32. (canceled)

33. A stud wall restraint system for in-plane building movement isolation, the system comprising: a channel having side flanges and a web therebetween wherein: the web comprises intermittent elongate longitudinal slots orientated along a longitudinal axis of the channel;the web comprises intermittent integrally formed fold out connectors; andthe connectors comprise elongate slots which are: aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the channel when the connectors are not folded out; andorientated transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel when the connectors are folded out; and

34. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the transversal slots of the flanges comprise intermittent collocating pairs of transversal slots.

35. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein, when the channel is installed, the longitudinal slots run horizontally and the slots of the connectors run vertically.

36. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein stress-relief perforations form a line of weakness along a base of each connector so that each connector may be folded out by hand.

37. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising fasteners securing the channel to a support structure using the longitudinal slots and wherein bushings prevent compression of the web by the fasteners.

38. The system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the bushings are non-metallic.

39. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein each connector does not extend beyond the flanges when folded out.

40. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein each fold out connector is adjacent to a respective pair of the transversal slots.

41. The system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the transversal slots of the flanges comprise intermittent collocating pairs of transversal slots and wherein each pair is located either side of a base edge of a respective connector along the longitudinal axis of the channel.

42. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the connectors extend beyond the flanges when folded out.

43. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein a further channel is installed as a base channel wherein the web thereof is horizontal and wherein: the channel is secured on a floor structure using the longitudinal slots of the base channel to allow horizontal in-plane movement between the channel and the floor structure; andwebs of the studs are engaged using the connectors of the base channel.

44. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the connectors further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein the webs of the studs are engaged using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the stud wall.

45. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the transversal slots of the flanges comprise intermittent collocating pairs of transversal slots and wherein flanges of the studs are engaged using respective pairs of transversal slots.

46. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the stud wall is a full-height stud wall and wherein the channel is secured against the support structure using the longitudinal slots.

47. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the stud wall is a partial height stud wall and wherein the channel is secured to the support structure via plenum bracing using the longitudinal slots.

48. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed as a head channel wherein at least one connector is bent outwardly away from the flanges and secured against a plenum bracing strut.

49. The system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the connectors further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein at least one connector is secured against the plenum bracing strut using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the plenum bracing strut.

50. The system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the plenum bracing strut is vertical.

51. The system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the plenum bracing strut is diagonal.

52. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the slots are reinforced with a raised peripheral flange extending in between the flanges.

53. The system as claimed in claim 52, further comprising fasteners securing the channel to a support structure using the longitudinal slots and wherein bushings prevent compression of the web by the fasteners and wherein the bushings avoid compression of the peripheral flange.

54. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed to form a header-to-jamb or a sill-to-jamb connection wherein the channel is installed horizontally with respect to a jamb stud and the channel terminates at a base of a folded out connector which is secured to a web of the jamb stud.

55. The system as claimed in claim 54, wherein the connectors further comprise a plurality of fixation apertures and wherein the web of the jamb stud is secured to the folded out connector using the fixation apertures to prevent movement between the channel and the stud wall.

56. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising the stud wall comprising a plurality of spaced-apart studs and wherein the channel is installed to form a header-to-cripple stud connection or a sill-to-cripple stud connection wherein a cripple stud meets the web of the channel and is secured thereto using a folded out connector of the channel.

57. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the flanges comprise intermittent stress relief notches.

58. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the flanges comprise intermittent pairs of stress relief notches collocating along a longitudinal axis of the channel.

59. The system as claimed in claim 57, wherein the notches narrow towards the web.