ADJUSTABLE METAL FRAMING SYSTEM AND CONNECTON

Abstract

The present invention describes an interlocking metal framing system where two concentric support members slide between each other to enable the support member to form a longer length without using extensions to add the additional length to the support members whether installed as vertical support members for a wall; or as horizontal support members for ceiling support members; or as floor-ceiling support members. The concentric support members have notches together to form a longer support member. The connector can be a clip connecting the two concentric support members together whether installed vertically or horizontally; or by having a longitudinal spacing-bracing member pass through the apertures connecting the perimeter notches of adjacent support members. The perimeter notches interlock the spacing-bracing member to the two concentric support members together eliminating vertical and horizontal movement between the concentric support members as well as the adjacent support members. The apertures are setback from both ends or both concentric support members allowing the additional length to be projected above or below the concentric support members.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

PARTIES OR JOINT RESEARCH

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes an interlocking metal framing system where two concentric support members slide between each other to enable the support member to form a longer length without using extensions to add the additional length to the support members. The concentric support members have apertures with perimeter notches for the connector spacing-bracing member to interlock the perimeter notches together to form a longer support member. The connector can be a clip connecting the two concentric support members together whether installed vertically or horizontally; or by having a longitudinal spacing-bracing member pass through the apertures connecting the hole notches of adjacent support members. The hole notches interlock the spacing-bracing member to the two concentric support members together eliminating vertical and horizontal movement between the concentric support members as well as the adjacent support members. The apertures are setback from both ends or both concentric support members allowing the additional length to be projected above or below the concentric support members. The top end and the bottom end to the concentric support members have two L-shape gaps. The floor base channel or ceiling base channel are mounted to the floor and ceiling with each having lips extending from web and flanges with the lips extending into the short leg of the L-shaped notch. The lips have lip notches to keep the bottom or top ends of the concentric support members from moving vertically and or horizontally, the lip notches are cut into the distal edge of the lip that connect to the hole notches at the aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light gauge metal framing consists of vertical and horizontal framing members that are screwed or welded together to form a structural frame for walls, floors, and ceiling framing for buildings. The vertical support members are typically a C-shape configuration that connect to a floor base channel or ceiling base channel by placing the support member into the floor base the flanges until aligned within the base channel, fasteners are then installed at the flanges of the floor base plate into the flanges of the support member. In addition, holes are installed into the web of the support members and horizontal bracing members connect the support members together. Early assembly connections had horizontal bracing members supported loosely within the holes, later adding angles to the support member to then connect fasteners to the angles and the horizontal bracing members. Over the years the properties of the metal for structural framing members have changed where the exterior surface of the metal is more abrasive allowing the connection between the horizontal bracing members and the vertical structural framing members to fit temporarily together.

Metal framing has progressed from interior metal framing supports to metal framing components having structural properties for load bearing wall systems and panelized wall systems with the exterior façade being finished and craned into position at and exterior wall. On the other hand, there has been no means to interlock the panelized wall sections to the building structure in a fast and efficient means.

When constructing buildings, it is easy to be off and inch here to a meter there, that then requires cutting or adding to existing support members in a very costly and effective method to construct metal framing. In addition, concrete structures are difficult because of the uneven surfaces. In high rise buildings high partition walls are difficult to install as well as deliver a long framing member up 30 stories. It is much easier to deliver materials up an elevator rather than requiring a crane to lift the materials up thirty stories which is expensive and time-consuming waiting for crane availability.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Typically metal framing members are connected by screws or by welding the individual components together. The screws fasteners are used for light gauge framing but are also used for the heavier gauge metal. The bearing walls using metal framing are a heavier gauge metal and the components are connected by fasteners but are also crimped or welded together or threaded bolts with washer are used for heavy gauge metal. Some horizontal bracing members have used rivets or crimping two members together. Prior art has made some improvements to restrict horizontal movement between metal framing members, however, there has been no attempt to eliminate vertical movement without fasteners.

In addition, vertical and horizontal wall framing members have not been fastened together without screws or welding that is have not been compatible to just click to twist together without the mechanical means of screws or welding. The present invention allows the horizontal and vertical framing members to just mechanically connect two components together. Many variations of a floor base channel have been developed using various notches however, none of the variations have eliminated the flanges for the floor channel base as the flanges of the base channel is used as the connecting means to secure the support member to the base channel. In addition, early attempts of securing the vertical and horizontal members together do not use an aperture in the web at the top and bottom of the support member nor in the service aperture in the middle of the web. In fact, this application shows notches within the service holes and the connection holes at the top and bottom of the support member that include notches. The lips with its notches in the base plate fit into the L-shaped notches at the vertical support member.

The patent by Andrews, Wm U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,043 issued May 29, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 8,074,416 issue Dec. 13, 2011 changes the shape of the U-shaped floor framing member having V-shaped bulges at the floor track and support member extending inward toward the flanges of the support member that has a recess in the flanges to accommodate the V-shaped protrusion. The patent attempts to connect the two members together without using fasteners, the patent prevents vertical movement of the support member with no means of preventing horizontal movement. Another patent by Andrews, Wm U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,099 issued Nov. 22, 2011 where a telescoping support member is extended above a stationary support member and the telescoping support member moves when the ceiling above has movement for excessive floor loads and the telescoping support member has concave flanges so drywall fasteners will not connect to the telescoping support member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The concentric support members have an inner concentric support member and an outer concentric support member where the inner support member slides within the C-shape configuration of the concentric outer support member. The inner concentric support member overlaps the outer concentric support member so the apertures in the web of the concentric support members can overlap each other, and where each aperture has perimeter notches. The support member can be adjusted so the perimeter notches in the aperture of the inner and the outer concentric support members can be aligned. The apertures have at least three perimeter notches to increase or decrease the inner and outer support member length of the two support members when joined together by changing the alignment of the perimeter notches in the inner and outer concentric support member alignments. The perimeter notches act like fasteners to secure the desired length settings between the concentric support members. A spacing-bracing member is inserted into the apertures and engaging the desired perimeter notches settings in order to become logged into the side edges of the perimeter notches, thereby securing the support member to the desired length. The aperture connection can be a U-clip that overlaps the perimeter notches in both support members, against the webs of both support members; or the aperture connection can be a short clip shaped as a spacing-bracing member; or a spacing-bracing member that connects two adjacent concentric support member apertures by using the spacing-bracing member to connect the two adjacent concentric support members. The U-clip connection can be installed as described above, or a short sb-clip (spacing-bracing clip) can be installed having the same configuration as the spacing-bracing member. The short sb-clip or U-clip can be installed first at both concentric support members, then the spacing-bracing member can be installed connecting both concentric support members. Depending on the difficulty of the installation the spacing-bracing members the continuous aperture between the inner and outer support member could be installed without using either clip for connection and the continuous spacing-bracing member could be installed that can connect adjacent support members. The drawings also show the U-clip having a receiver end, that is a flange extension of the U-shape clip that forms a W-shape clip. The W-shape clip has the receiver end on both sides allowing for a spacing-bracing member having a tongue end at both ends to fit into the receiver ends of a W-shape clip.

Depending on the end configuration of the support members, the top end of the inner concentric support member and the bottom end of the outer concentric support member can have two L-shaped gaps in the apertures at the inner and outer concentric support ends. The two L-shaped gaps connect to a hat-channel shaped ceiling and floor mounted spacer brace. The base of the hat-channel shape is a web that is mounted to the floor or ceiling; and the brim or lips of the hat-channel shape are installed into the L-shaped gaps. The L-shaped gaps can be located at both ends of the inner and outer concentric support members where the extension may occur above or below the outer concentric support.

The perimeter notches at the apertures should have the side edges of the notches angled allowing the lips extending from the spacing-bracing member to be pressured to abut the angle notch edges of the perimeter notches at the aperture, thereby increasing friction and creating a tighter connection. The lips of the spacing-bracing members should have lip notches that are angled for the perimeter side walls to abut the angular side edges of the lip notch and the lip notches should be offset to each other allowing the angled side edges of the lip notches to engage the sloped side edges of the perimeter notches. The lip ends with its notches allows the notches of both the metal support member and the spacing-bracing members to engage and interlock between each other thereby securing the two framing members together from vertical and horizontal movement between each other. The notches interlock between each other in such a way that the notches function as screws as the fastening method for connecting metal framing therefore eliminating a screwdriver and the man hours to install screws rather than just snapping notches together.

The spacing-bracing clip member has a U-shape configuration where the web of the configuration fits into the perimeter notches and, the flanges of the U-shape configuration abuts the web of both the inner and outer concentric support members. The U-shape configuration of the spacing-bracing clip can have a short segment of the spacing-bracing member where the lip fits into the perimeter notches and where the lip has lip notches that engage the perimeter notches. When the perimeter notches are deeper, the flange with notches or the hat-shape configuration with notches can engage the larger perimeter side notches as well as the lips with lip notches.

Another embodiment is the present invention describes a metal framing system having metal support members connect to horizontal spacing-bracing members through the intermediate access holes in the web of metal support members, through the apertures of concentric support members and at the top end and bottom end of the metal support members. The horizontal spacing-bracing members intersect and connect the metal support members by having perimeter side notches that are vertical notches that indent the perimeter side edges of the aperture in the support member and the spacing-bracing member to overhang the aperture letting the notches make the connection. The perimeter notches in the aperture should be angled for the lips to engage the side edges of the perimeter notches and to prevent and eliminate vertical movement. The spacing-bracing member has notches in the lips or flange extensions having notched ends that engage the aperture side edges with the spacing-bracing member overhangs the aperture in the support member. The metal support member has two L-shaped gaps in the web that correspond to the two L-shaped flange lip extensions at the ceiling and floor horizontal spacing-bracing members for the L-shaped flange-lip extensions with the lip notches engage the gap notches.

The center reverse lip spacing-bracing member at the base plate has the same configuration as a horizontal spacing-bracing member installed in the apertures of the metal support members connecting adjacent support members. The horizontal spacing member can vary in shape and consist of a web with extending flanges from the web and additional flanges or lips extending from the flanges with flange or lip notches that engage the aperture side edges. The lip notches or flange notches are angled and or offset to the lip of flange notches on the opposing flange from the web. When bulge notches are used the bulge notches can be cut at a slight angle allowing the side edge of the slide gap 45s to engage the side edges of the bulge notch and the bulge notch on the first flange can be offset to the bulge notch on the second flange if the bulge notch is required to have friction to reduce movement. On the other hand the bulge notches would be in alignment with the slide gap side edge at the ends of the support member.

Another aspect of the invention allows the structural wall system to be used as a load-bearing wall system where the inner support member has a rigid connection between the inner and outer support member; or as a non-load-bearing wall system where the floor and ceiling mounted horizontal spacing-bracing member can be installed as a two-step process, that is the center inner U-shaped bracing member is installed first and fastened to the floor and ceiling. The outside irregular shaped members are installed over an array of the support members with or without the exterior rigid boards like drywall are installed at the flanges of the support members forming a rigid framing panel. The rigid framing panel is then installed over the center inner U-shaped bracing member, so the lips of the center inner U-shaped bracing member engages the L-shaped notches in the web of the support member interlocking the two members together.

Another aspect of the invention where the two concentric support members can be installed with a horizontal orientation rather than a vertical orientation. When installing a drywall ceiling, the horizontal support members are not referred to as studs, but a floor or ceiling joists. A drywall solution can be installed for appearance or for a fire resistance barrier and therefore the weight requires a strong support member to carry the load of drywall. So, when installing the support members, ceiling hangers are installed at the connector member apertures of the support member and the perimeter notches in the apertures allow for adjustments to occur when intersecting the wall support members that at the construction site. The horizontal support members are the lateral bracing requirements for a drywall framed ceiling.

Another aspect of the invention is the connection of the horizontal connector member can be installed back-to-back where the web of a first horizontal connector is attached to a second horizontal connector at the web, therefore the lip notches at the top end of a lower support member is connected to the first horizontal connector and the upper support member connects to the second horizontal connector. When this occurs the upper and lower support members do not overlap between the outer support member and the inner support member. With no overlapping additional bracing between the upper and lower support member will be required to reduce buckling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an array of three concentric support members having an inner support member being extended along with a horizontal spacing bracing member connecting the apertures and connected with perimeter notches at the aperture and a reverse lip spacer brace with lip notches at the floor along with the perimeter notches at the inner support member at the top end.

FIG. 2 shows two apertures at the inner and outer concentric support members with the reverse lip spacer brace extending through the perimeter notches.

FIG. 3 shows an enlargement of two perimeter notches at the side edges of the aperture and FIG. 4 shows the lip with the lip notch that extends into the perimeter notches of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the aperture of the inner concentric support member and the aperture of the outer support member with the perimeter notches aligned between the two members.

FIG. 6 shows and enlargement of a U-shape clip that is installed at the bottom edge of the aperture used to connect two concentric support members together before installing a spacing-bracing member connecting additional adjacent concentric support members.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric drawing of the U-shape clip installed in the perimeter notches of the two concentric support members.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric drawing of the U-shape clip installed over the bottom edge of two adjacent apertures of an outer and inner support members with the second support member shown as a dashed image; the spacing-bracing member is installed over the U-shape clip to connect adjacent concentric support members together as well an adjacent support members.

FIG. 9 shows the U-shape clip 307 on the left side installed over the bottom edge of the aperture with a spacing-bracing member having a tongue end inserted into the receiver side of the U-shape clip also shown in FIG. 10. The enlarged FIG. shows a receiver having U-shape for tongue end in FIG. 16 to fit into.

FIGS. 11-14 shows different configurations of the hook receiver 129 but shown as a W-shape clip.

FIGS. 15 & 16 show the hook receiver end at a spacing-bracing members instead of at a C-shape clip. The hook receiver shows the hook tongue end as shown in FIG. 16 inserted into the notches of the hook receiver. FIG. 16 shows the hook receiver as shown in FIG. 15 but also shows the tongue end with the notched tab that connects to the notches at the hook receiver.

FIG. 17 shows the reverse lip spacer brace with the top end having the lip notch engage the perimeter side edges.

FIG. 18 shows the U-shape spacer brace at the top end with bulge notches engage the perimeter side edges.

FIG. 19 shows an enlargement of the web with the L-shape gap in the web of the support member.

FIG. 20 shows the reverse lip spacer brace mounted directly on the floor with drywall mounted on the support member and a fire rated insulation mounted between the support members.

FIG. 21 through FIG. 26 shows the reverse lip spacer brace with the lip having a lip notch, however any on the FIG's can be shown as having a bulge with the bulge having a bulge notch as shown in FIG. 18 with the bulge notch 126bg extending into the straight hole gap 45i or the L-shape gap 45e and the bulge notch 126bg engages the gap side edges of the notched web.

No additional FIG's are shown, however when the profile of FIG. 23 is installed over the profile of FIG. 22 forming a back-to-back connection of the connector members as another method to connect the L-shape gap at an inner support member 42i extension to the L-shaped gap at an outer support member 420. The same connection can be used for the ceiling construction when the connector member is braced at the ceiling structure on the building construction.

No additional FIG's are shown, however FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 or FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 could have the web of the reverse lip spacer channel or web of the base channel able to connect to a wall structure (masonry or concrete wall) or a metal framed wall structure using fasteners into the wall construction to form a metal framed ceiling construction using the inner and the outer concentric support members as the horizontal framing members and the appropriate support hangers from the building ceiling structural system.

DESCRIPTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows an isometric drawing of a reverse lip spacer brace 301 intersecting an outside concentric support member 420 and an inside concentric support member 42i connected at the aperture 36 at the inside and outside concentric support members. FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of the aperture connection. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is a U-shaped framing member having a web 301a with side walls 301b extending from the web 301a and where the side walls 301b are extended to become extended side walls 301bb where the extended side walls 301bb have an indentation cut into the longitudinal side edge of the extended side wall 301bb forming a side wall notch 126p. The extended side wall 301bb has also been referred to as a first lip 301c attached to the first side wall 301b and a second lip 301c attached to the second side wall 301b with both first lip 301c and the second lip 301c have lip notches 126p. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 with the lip notches 126p engages the side edges of the L-shape gap 45e at the floor and becomes secured into the L-shape gaps 45e when the lip notches 126p engages the back edge of the L-shaped gap 45e. The L-shaped gaps 45e have tapered side walls so the first and second side walls will bend as the lip 301c and lip notch 126p slide into the L-shape gap 45e. The L-shape gap 45e functions as a web notch 126w where the short segment of the L-shape gap keeps the lip notch 126p secured for vertical movement while the lip notch 126p keeps the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from horizontal movement. Two additional L-shaped gaps 45e are shown at the top end of the inner concentric support member; the top end of the far right inner concentric support member is shown having vertical slot gaps 45s where the reverse lip spacer brace 301 with lips 301c and a lip notch 126p can slide vertically within the slot gaps 45s allowing the floor structure to bend due to variable increase loading of the floor load and then return back to its original position. The middle configuration shows an outside concentric support member having an inner concentric support member overlap within the configuration of the outside concentric support member having apertures to connect a reverse lip spacer brace 301 as shown in FIG. 2. A closer look will show the flange 42b having a flange indentation 42id where the flange 42b is indented leaving the corner edges at the lip 42c and the web 42a able to protrude slightly for the inner support member corner edges able to slide against the inner plane of the flange 42ib of the outside support member easier to slide between the two surfaces reducing friction between the two members.

FIG. 2 shows the reverse lip spacer brace 301 in FIG. 1 installed on a base channel 120 having a web 120a and a first flange and a second flange 120b extending from the web 120a. The support member 42 with the end profile of the web 42a, flanges 42b and lips 42c abut and transverse the web 301a of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 with the flanges 42b, that abut the flanges 301b of the reverse lip spacer brace. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the web 301a installed on the web 120a with the first side wall 301b and the second side wall extending into L-shaped gaps 45e. The base channel 120 being connected at the web 120a and connected to the web 301a of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 can be connected at the manufacturing facility or at the construction site where the metal framing members are being installed. The lip notches 126p are shown installed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 with the first lip notches 126p at the first lip 301c being offset to the second lip notches 126p at the second lip 301c forming a friction connection between the first and second lip notches 126p and the perimeter notches in the apertures 36 of the outer and inner concentric support members 410 & 421.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an isometric drawing of intersecting reverse lip spacer brace 301 intersection the web 420 & 42ia of the outer and inner concentric support members as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the perimeter notch 36h aligned with the perimeter notch 36h in both the outer and inner concentric support members. The perimeter notch 36h is shown having a back edge 126be with a horizontal side and a slope top side edge with the entrance having flare side edge 126f. The flare side edge allows the spacer brace to be inserted into the perimeter notch from the bottom or top end of the perimeter notch 126h. The sloped side edge allows the horizontal bracing member or horizontal clip to engage the side edge of a clip or spacer brace forced by pressuring the side edges of a spacing-bracing member or clip to engage the sloped side edge of the perimeter notch 126h. The flare edge 126f allows the lip to slide horizontally to engage the perimeter notches.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement to the aperture 36 at the outside concentric support member 420 and the aperture 36 of an inside concentric support member 42i. The two apertures 36 are not in alignment but the perimeter notches 126h are in alignment allowing a horizontal spacing-bracing member (not shown) to interlock the perimeter notches to engage the side edges of the clip or the lip and or lip notches to engage the perimeter notches 126h.

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of FIG. 6 showing the concentric inner and outer support members having the inner web 42ia and the outer web 420a abut each other as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. FIG. 6 shows the sloped top edge 126te of the perimeter notch 126h. The perimeter notch 126h is shown having a shallow depth, however a deeper sloped top edge 126te is better as the angle side edge has a better chance of forming a tighter connection because the flange 301b of the spacing-bracing spacer brace can bend more thereby creating a tighter connection. The tighter the connection the less chance of having the two members become disengaged. The sloped flare edge 126f is shown at the top and bottom entrance to the perimeter notch 126h.

FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of the U-shaped clip 308 having a web 308a that extends the length of the opening of the perimeter hole 36h from the first perimeter side edge 36se to the second perimeter side edge 36se. The web 308a has a first flange 308b extending from the longitudinal side edge of the web 308a with an opposing flange 308b extending from the opposing longitudinal side edge of the web 308a, opposite the first flange 308b. The U-shaped clip 308 has a first end and a second end, where the web 308a extends past the back edge of the perimeter notch 36h at the first perimeter side wall and past the back edge of the perimeter notch 36h at the second perimeter side wall. The web 308a at the first end and the second end has a cut indentation into the first and second ends of the web 308a forming a web notch 126w at both ends. The longitudinal ends of the flanges 308b should be angled slightly for an easy installation. The first flange and the second flange should have a flared edge again for easy installation purposes.

FIG. 8 shows the U-shaped clip 308 installed between the perimeter notches of the perimeters of the inner and outer concentric support member 420 & 42i. The U-shaped clip 308 is resting on the hole bottom edge 36be of the outer concentric support member. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown in ghost as the web 301a is resting on the web 308a of the U-shaped clip 308. The U-shaped clip 308 is used when the installer feels like he/she can't install the reverse lip spacer brace 301 into the perimeter notches 126p and still elevating the outer and inner support members 420 and 42i into place.

FIG. 9 shows a W-shaped clip (at the left end) of a chain of various shape spacer braces and clips being connected at the apertures at web 42a of the support member 42. The W-shaped clip 307 can function as a U-shaped clip 308 and as a support means to connect a spacer brace 302 using the W-shaped clip 307. The W-shaped clip functions the same as the U-shaped clip where the web 307a extends over the hole bottom edge 36be, or in this case two-hole bottom edges 36be of two concentric support members. The web 307a is inserted and connects the perimeter notches 36h at the first side wall edge and the second side wall edge. The web 307a also has web notches 126w at the first and second ends that engage the perimeter notches 16h. The W-shaped is the flange 307b extends from the web 307a and the flange 307b extends further forming a hook-shape with the flange extending as the hook bottom edge 307c of the hook-shape and extending further shown as the hook-return 307d. The end of the hook-shape has a flare 307f edge protruding away from the flange 307b. The bottom edge 307c is shown having a web notch 126w at the first end and the second end of the bottom edge 307c. The web 307a also has web notches 126w cut where the web notches 126w engage the perimeter notches 126h at the apertures at the inner and outer concentric support members 42i & 420.

FIGS. 11-14 shows various shapes of the W-shape clip 307 similar to FIG. 9 that will allow the W-shaped clip to have a tighter fit to the web 42a not shown in any of the figures. The W-shape clip 307 is also referred to as a hook receiver 129 with the flanges noted as flanges 129a. FIG. 11 is a similar U-shaped spacer brace 307 having hooked receivers 129 on both sides with a first leg 129a extending downward from the web 307a having an outward second leg 129b and extending again upward forming a third leg 129c with a gap 45 between the first and third legs 129a & 129c. Dimples 321 are shown as one of many types of an abrasive planar surface showing a fixation connection which protrudes inward and outward in the gap 45 and inward between the first legs 129a. Other types of abrasive planar surfaces could be the shape of the connection, ridges, grooves, abrasive surface however, could also be a smooth surface. The fixation connection could be affected by the material used and whether the W-shape clip 307 is flexible enough to retain its shape after being moved. FIG. 12 shows a more curvilinear configuration of a fluid shape W-shaped clip 307 where the hook receivers 129 have a curved configuration between the web 307a and the first legs 129a and a curved configuration between the end of the first legs 129a through the second leg 129b to the start of the thirds leg 129c. FIG. 13 shows the same configuration as FIG. 55 except a flare 129d is shown at the end of the third leg 129c. FIG. 14 look like FIG. 13 except a kink 129k or indentation is shown on the interior side of the gap 45 between the first leg 129a and the third leg 129c so the kink 129k in the third leg 129c is tight to the first leg 129a.

FIGS. 15 & 16 show the hook receiver 129 with the ridges 130 attached to the hook end 129 of the U-shaped spacer brace 302. At the left side of FIG. 16, another U-shaped spacer brace 302 is shown with the opposing end having the hook tongue 128 also shown having ridges 130. When the hooked tongue 128 is inserted into the gap 45 of the hook receiver 129 the ridges 130 will interlock between each other to increase a vertical resistance force that could separate the hook tongue 128 from the hook receiver 129. The hook receivers shown in FIGS. 11-14 with the dimples 321, ridges 130, kinks 129k or curvilinear configurations all contribute to adding resistance between the hook tongue and hook receivers and any of the hook receivers can be added as a hook receiver at the end of the any spacer brace. The hook tongue acts as a restraining plate that rests on the anchor space 355 at the interior of the gap 45 on the second leg 129b. The dimples 321, ridges 130, kinks 129a and the curvilinear shape of the hook tongue 128 interlock with the hook receiver to increase the resistance between each other. The left side of FIG. 16 shows the tongue side of the U-shaped spacer brace 302. In addition, the hook receiver 129 at the U-shaped spacer brace 302 shows an extension 302e over the anchor space 355 of the hole bottom edge 36be. To connect to the W-shape clip, the U-shaped spacer brace 302 has the flanges 302b abut the support member, the web 302a has an extension 302e that spans across the third leg 129c of the hook receiver 129 allowing the hook tongue 128 with its abrasive planar surface to extend into the gap 45 of the hook receiver 129. A spacer brace would have a hook receiver end 129a, 129b, 129c, 129e and 129f at the first end and a hook tongue 128 at the opposing end. The hook receiver 129 would be installed over the hole bottom edge 36be of the apertures of the inner and outer support members 42i. The flanges 302b could extend upward and the space brace shape could be a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a hook receiver end 129a, 129b, 129c, 129e and 129f at the first end and a hook tongue 128 at the opposing end.

FIG. 17 shows two reverse lip spacer braces 301 connected by a support member shown as a C channel 42 has a web 42a with extending flanges 42b and outwardly extending lips 42c with longitudinal edges of the lips 42c having a lip notch 126p with a flare edge 126f. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 shown at the top edge of the support member is also shown in FIG. 22 and the dorsal side of the web 301a is against the floor. The support member is shown with the web 42a having two L-shaped gaps 126e where the flanges 301b and lip 301c would intersect the web 42a. The web 42a of the support member is narrow at the L-shaped gaps 45e and is wide enough for the flange 301b and lip 301c to slide into. The flange 301b will bend ventrally inward when the lip 301c and flange 301b are inserted into the narrow portion of the L-shaped gap 45e. The opposing L-shaped gap 45e will also be inserted at the same time. The lips 301c will become slanted downward as pressure is applied to insert the lips 301c into the L-shaped gap 45e. The lips 301c could be slanted initially in order to fit into the L-shaped gap 45e more easily. Once the lips 301c are completely inserted into the L-shaped gap 45e the lip 301c will flex back into their original position when the lips 301c reach the web notch 126w at the top of the L-shaped gap 45e. The web gap 45w or a web indentation 42ai is more clearly shown in FIG. 3 and the lip notch 126p is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. When the lip notch 126p is oriented to the longitudinal direction of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 and the web notch 126w which is oriented in the direction of the C channel 42 cross, the vertical and horizontal notches become a self-locking secured connection between the two framing members. The web 42a between the L-shaped gaps 45e at the bottom edge of the support member describes the notched-tab 126nt with the notched-tab notches 126ntn and head 126nth as previously described in other notched-tabs.

FIG. 18 shows a U-shaped spacer brace 302 has its dorsal side of the web 302a mounted against the ceiling with its flanges 302b extending downward. A rounded shape bulge 302g is shown extending outward from the flange 302b and in the middle of the longitudinal oriented bulge 302g shows a bulge notch 126bg that is in alignment with the web 42a of the support member. The bottom reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the dorsal side of its web 301a fastened (not shown) to the floor with its flanges 301b extending upward and its lips 301c extending outward. A bulge 301g is shown extending outward from the web 301a protruding outward from the flange 301b so a bulge notch 126g can cut into the bulge 301g and aligned with the web 42a of the support member. Again, the top and bottom spacer braces are mounted at floor and ceiling and the support member has its web 42a with its slide gaps 45s inserted into the flanges 302b & 301b. The bottom end of the support member also has a slide gap 45s but is shown with a slide notch 126s at the end and aligned so the slide notch 126s is on the flange sides of the slide gap 45s. After the web 42a is inserted in the flanges 301b at the slide gap 45s of the L-shaped gap 45e, then the lip 301c is inserted into the slide gap 45s and adjusted to fit into the two slide notches 126s in both slide gaps 45s and the support member is then slid horizontally so the web 42a can fit into the bulge notches 126bg. One end of the web 302a is bent to form a hook finger 127 at one end of the reverse lip spacer brace 301. At the top of the support member additional vertically oriented web slot holes 36ws are shown and are aligned with the slide gaps 45s above. Should a support member need to be cut shorter, the web slot holes 36ws would then be used as the slide gaps 45s.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show an isometric drawing of intersecting reverse lip spacer brace 301 intersection the web 42a of the support member. FIG. 19 shows the web 42a highlighted as shaded with the L-shape notch 45e at the bottom edge of the support member 42. The side edges of the L-shape notch 45e are not angled, however as shown before the side edges can be angled. The head of the L-shape gap at the short L-shape is slightly wider to allow for the lip notch 126p shown in FIG. 4 can bend to be flexible enough to engage the L-shape gap 45e.

FIG. 20 shows the reverse lip spacer brace 301 attached to the floor 40 except hardboard 331 is attached to the flanges 42b of the support members 42. The wallboard 331 is suspended above the floor 140 by a gap 45 that is recommended to reduce moisture penetration and allow for expansion of the wallboards 331. A fire-resistant material 334 is installed between the flanges 42b and over the reverse lip spacer brace 301 and is anchored to the floor 401 by an anchor bolt 354 or other available means to secure the reverse lip spacer brace 301. A fire-stop 332 is installed in the gap 45 to eliminate fire penetration between wallboards 331 and the floor 401.

FIG. 21-26 shows various applications of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 installed at the floor or at the ceiling with or without a continuous floor channel 120 or ceiling channel 120. The ceiling application allows for the reverse lip spacer brace 301 to be fixed the floor or ceiling base channel or where the support channel 42 are allowed to slide in a lip notch 126p or a bulge notch 126bg (shown in FIG. 18). Another type of ceiling channel is a T-shape base channel 343 as shown in FIG. 21 where the web 343a is fastened to the ceiling with fasteners 122 or an anchor bolt 354. The web 343a is wider than the width of the support member 42 and has a flange 343b extending from both sides of the web 343a and a lips 343c extending from the flanges 343b with the lips 343c bending inward forming a C-shape. A reverse lip spacer brace 301 is mounted on the interior side of the C-shape at the web 343a and fastened with an anchor bolt 354 or fasteners not shown but shown in FIG. 24. The reverse lip spacer brace with its web 301a, slightly angled flanges 301b and lips 301c. The lips 301c have lip notches 126 where the lip notches 126p extend at an angle so the lip notches 126p can engage the side edge of a sliding gap 45s that is cut into the top end of the support member allowing the support member to move within the lip notches 126p in the sliding gap 45s. A fire-board 331 is installed and connected with fasteners over the flange 42b of the support member. Another smaller fire-board 331 is installed over the first fire-board and connected with fasteners to the flange 343b. The fire-board 331 at the T-shape channel 343 overlaps the fire-board 331 at the support member 42.

FIG. 22 shows the reverse lip spacer brace 301 fastened directly to the ceiling with the top end of the support member has L-shape gaps 45e cut into the web of the support member 42. FIG. 17 shows the same reverse lip spacer brace 301 installed in the top end of the support member 42 where a large hole 36b is shown and where the lip notches 126p slide vertically against the hole side edges at the hole 36b. The flanges 301b are longer when installed as a sliding spacer brace in order for the lip notches 126p to be engaged to the large hole 36 side edges. The fire-board 331 is installed over the flanges 42b of the support member 42 and a fire stop 332 is installed between the ceiling and the fire-board 331. FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 22 except the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is mounted to the floor rather than the ceiling.

FIG. 24 is similar to FIG. 21 except the lip 343c is slightly longer and an extended flange 343d is added at the end of the lip 343c. The extended flange 343d has an extended lip 343dp extending from the extended flange 343d and the extended lip 343dp has an angled lip notch 126p. The extended flange 343d with the extended lip 343dp and lip notch 126 are installed into a slide gap 45s at the top end of the web 42a of the support member 42. Fasteners 122 are used to fix the T-shape base channel 343 to the ceiling. The lip notches 126p slide vertically within the slide gap 45s and the lip notches 126p also keep the support member 42 from moving horizontally as the lip notches 126p keep the web 42a from moving out of the side edges of the slide gap 45 in the support member 42.

FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 are similar both FIG's having a base channel 120 with a web 120a and a first flange 120b and a second flange 120b extending from the web 120a plus a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301a with a first and a second flange 301b with lips 301c and lip notches 126p cut into the lips 301c. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is mounted showing a anchor bolt 354 extending through the web 301a and the web 120a into the floor at FIG. 26 or the ceiling at FIG. 25. Both FIG's show fire board or hardboard 331 mounted on the flanges 120b of the base channel 120 with fire resistant material 334 similar to mineral wool insulation. The top end and bottom end of the web 42a in the support member 42 show an L-shape gap 45e cut into the web 42a where the lip 301c engages into the L-shape gap 45e and the lip notch 126p engage the short end of the L-shape gap 45e to keep the support member 42 from moving horizontally.

No additional FIG's are shown, however when the profile of FIG. 23 is installed over the profile of FIG. 22, the web 301a of FIG. 23 abuts the web 301a of FIG. 22. Fasteners are used to connect between the first and second connector members 301. The back-to-back connection of the connector members 301 is another method to connect the L-shape gap 45e at an inner support member 42i extension to the L-shaped gap 45e at an outer support member 420. The same connection can be used for the ceiling construction when the connector member 301 is braced at the ceiling structure on the building construction.

No additional FIG's are shown, however FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 or FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 could have the web 301a of the reverse lip spacer channel 301 or web 120a of the base channel 120 able to connect to a wall structure (masonry or concrete wall) or a metal framed wall structure using fasteners 122 into the wall construction to form a metal framed ceiling construction using the inner and the outer concentric support members as the horizontal framing members and the appropriate support hangers from the building ceiling structural system.

It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or structures shown and describing in the specification and drawings, since obvious modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The flexibility of the described invention is very versatile and can be used in many different types of building applications.

Glossary Terms

• 36 hole or aperture; 36se—hole side edge, 36be—hole bottom edge, 36te—hole top edge, 36p—hole protrusion, 36pn—protrusion nodule, 36fs—flange slot hole, 36v—V shape hole, 36r—round hole
• 42 support member, 42a—web, 42b—flange, 42c, 42o—outer support member, 42i—inner support member.
• 45 gap, 45e—L-shaped gap, 45s—slide gap, 45t T-shape gap
• 120 base channel, a—web, b—flange, 120bg—bulge
• 126 notch, 1tp 26p—lip notch, 126w—web notch, 126pp—double lip notch,
• 126 tp—tapered notch, 126f—flare edge
• 127 hook finger, bent arm
• 128 hook tongue
• 129 hook receiver, 129sh—receiver slot hole, 129a—first leg, 129b—second leg, 129c—third leg, 129d—fourth leg, 129f—flare
• 301 reverse lip spacer brace, 301a—web, 302b—flange, 302c—lip, 301e—extension,
• 301 g—bulge, 301ce—extended lip, 301cc—lip extension, 301bb extended side wall
• 302 U shaped spacer brace, 302a—web, 302b—flange, 302c—lip, 302cc—added lip, 302g—bulge
• 321 dimples
• 331 fire board or hardboard or fire rated material
• 332 fire stop
• 334 fire resistant material
• 343 T-shape base channel, 343a—web, 343b—flange, 343c—lip, 343d—extending leg, 343dp—extending lip
• 354 anchor bolt
• 355 anchor space

Claims

1. A structural framing system comprising a second support member within the configuration of a first support member attached by a connector member: said first support member has a web with an attached first flange with a first lip extension and an attached second flange opposite said first flange with a second lip extension, said web forming a planar wall has a first planar side and a second planar side, a first end and a second end both have a first aperture and a second aperture cut into said web at said first end and said second end, said first aperture has two L-shaped gap configurations and a second aperture has two L-shaped gap configurations each have an open gap end with a long leg and a short leg, with the short leg projecting toward said first flange and said second aperture projecting toward said second flange, said first end and said second end has a fifth aperture cut through said web setback from said first and said second aperture at said first end and said second end, said fifth aperture has a first perimeter edge and a second perimeter edge opposite said first side edge with a third perimeter edge opposite said fourth perimeter edge, said first perimeter edge and said second perimeter edge each has at least three pair of perimeter side notches cut into said first perimeter edge and second perimeter edge;a second support member has a comparably similar configuration as said first support member, an equal or shorter length, a smaller width web with an attached first flange and an attached second flange opposite said first flange, said second support member has a third end and a fourth end, said fourth end has said first and said second L-shaped gap configuration as said first support member, said third end has a recessed hole cut into said web leaving a front hole opening opposite a back hole edge and a first hole side edge and attached to a second hole side edge, said first hole side edge has a first narrow width gap cut further into said web and said second hole side edge has a second narrow width gap cut further into said web, said third end and said fourth end has said fifth aperture cut through said web setback from said third and said fourth apertures;said first support member and said second support member each with said fifth aperture able to slide between each other to align said perimeter notches in said fifth aperture to form a continuous notch opening for said connector member with a first connector notch and a second connector notch to engage said perimeter notches or, said connector member able to engage the aligned said perimeter notches in said fifth aperture with a shape configuration able to engage said perimeter notches, adjusting said perimeter notch alignment with said connector member increases the combined length of said first support member and said second support member to form a continuous first-second support member.

2. The structural framing system according to claim 1 further comprising said connector member having a web with a first web side edge and a second web side edge and a first web end and a second web end, said first web side edge attached to a first side wall with a first lip and said second web side edge attached to said second side wall with a second lip, said first lip with an indentation cut for a first lip notch and said second lip with an indentation cut for a second lip notch.

3. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said first lip notch and said second lip notch have angular cutouts in relation to the horizontal direction of said connector member and said first lip notch being offset to said second lip notch.

4. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said connector member has said web with said first and said second side walls have angular side walls extending from said web.

5. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said perimeter notches at said fifth aperture of said inner support member aligned to said perimeter notches at said outer support member forming a continuous notched opening to engage an intersecting crossing of said connector member.

6. The structural framing system according to claim 5 wherein said fifth aperture has said connector member with said first and second lip notch to connect engage said inner plane and outer plane at said first and said second perimeter side edge of said inner support member and, said first and said second lip notch connect engage said inner plane and said outer plane at said first and said second perimeter side edge of said outer support member, said first connector member having a first pair of said first and said second lip notches setback from said first end and a second pair of said first and said second lip notches setback from said second end.

7. The structural framing system according to claim 2 wherein said connector member being a continuous track secured at a top end and said connector member being a continuous track secured at the bottom end of said continuous first-second support member, said continuous track having an equal configuration as said first connector member except said connector member able to connect additional first-second connector members, said connector member with top end of said inner support member connected at said first aperture with said first lip notch connected to said first L-shape notch and said second lip notch connected to said second L-shape notch at said first aperture, said connector member with said bottom end of said outer support member connected at said fourth aperture with said first lip notch connected to said first L-shape notch and said second lip notch connected to said second L-shape notch at said fourth aperture.

8. The structural framing system according to claim 7 wherein said connector member has fasteners holes in said web to secure said web to a floor, or a ceiling, or a wall building construction, or when connecting back-to-back connector members together at said web.

9. The structural framing system according to claim 1 wherein said two L-shape notches at the second end of said combination first-second support member can be T-shaped notches wherein said first lip and said second lip with said first lip notch and said second lip notch, said first lip and said second lip extend toward said opposite said first and said second side wall forming a C-shape bracing member.

10. The structural framing system according to claim 7 wherein said first side wall and said second side wall requires an expansion gap said first and second side walls at said connector member has longer depth first and second side walls to allow for wall movement at the two said straight notches at said fourth end of said inner support member.

11. The structural framing system according to claim 10 wherein said connector member uses bulges protruding from said first and said second side walls, with said first and second bulges having bulge notches engaging the side edges of said two said straight notches in lieu of lip notches for an expansion connection at a ceiling.

12. A connection comprising an outer support member and an inner support member with apertures secured by a connection member: said outer support member having a C-shape configuration with a web attached to a first flange with a lip and a second flange with a lip opposite said first flange with said lip, said outer support member encompasses an (OD) outside planar surface and an (ID) inside planar surface and a top end and a bottom end, said inner support member encompasses an (OD) outside planar surface and an (ID) inside planar surface and a top end and a bottom end comparably similar to said outer support member with a smaller profile able to form a concentric C-shape configuration or a U-shape configuration, with said first flange and second flange having a continuous indentation leaving the corners at said web and said lip to abut said inside planar surface of said outer support member;said outer support member with a first aperture spaced along the centerline of said web setback from the top end and a second aperture aligned and setback from said bottom end, said first aperture and said second aperture having said outer planar surface cut through to said inner planar surface with said first aperture and said second aperture each having a first perimeter edge and a second perimeter edge opposite said first perimeter edge with a third perimeter edge opposite said fourth perimeter edge between said first perimeter edge and said second perimeter edge, said first perimeter edge and said second perimeter edge form a pair of first perimeter notches with an opening cut into said first perimeter edge and another opening cut into said second perimeter edge forming a pair of said first perimeter notches with at least a second pair of perimeter notches cut into said first and said second perimeter edge of said first aperture and said second aperture, said perimeter notch has a first notch edge, a second notch edge and a back notch edge;said inner support member with a third aperture setback from the top end and a fourth aperture setback from the bottom end, said third and said fourth aperture have a pair of said first and said second perimeter notches comparably similar to said outer support member, said inner support member having an outer planar surface able to slide within the said inside planar surface of said outer support member to align a pair of said perimeter notches at said first aperture or said second aperture of said outer support member to align with a pair of said perimeter notches at said third aperture or said fourth aperture;said first connector member has a first connector notch and a second connector notch opposite said first connector notch to engage said first aperture, or engage said second aperture, or engage a combination of two adjacent said apertures and when aligned form said first-second aperture between said outer support member and said inner support member, said first and second connector notch has an indentation cut into the same or a different element to engage said first perimeter side end and said second perimeter side edge of said first and said second perimeter notch, setback from a front end and a back end of said connector member, and fits tight into the narrow width opening between said first perimeter edge and said second perimeter edge at said apertures of said outer and said inner support members, said first and second perimeter notches have sloped notch side edges for easy access to said first and said second connector notch;

13. The connection according to claim 12 wherein said first and said second apertures have said first and said second perimeter notches being a pair of said perimeter notches have a wide width opening for the profile of a second connector member to fit tight within the pair of said perimeter notches and wherein a second connector element to engage the has second connector notch to connect to said first spacing member having a longitudinal web with a first side wall connecting to a first side wall with a second side wall connected to a second side wall extension from the opposed side of said web, said first side wall extension having a side wall notch cut into said side wall extension and said second side wall extension having a side wall notch cut into said second side wall extension.

14. The connection according to claim 12 with a narrow width notch opening for said connection member with a first thin arm extension with a connector notch end and a second thin arm extension with a connector notch end, generally horizontally from said connection member with said first and said second connector notch end, said connection notch has an indentation cut into said first and said second thin arm to engage said first and said second perimeter notch.

15. The connection according to claim 12 wherein said first or said second aperture and said third or fourth aperture has said first and said second perimeter notches with a narrow width notch opening for said connection member with a web with a first side edge and a second side edge opposite said first side edge, with a first end having a first flange and a second end having a second flange, said first flange abuts against the inside plane of said inner support member and said second flange abuts against the outside plane of said outside support member with said first side edge and said second side edge have a web notch with an indentation cut into said first side edge and said second side edge able to be pressured into said back notch edge of said first and second perimeter notch and against said inside planar side and said outer planar side of said outer and said inner support members. Forms the clip

16. The connection according to claim 13 wherein said connection having variable connection capabilities wherein said perimeter notches in said third aperture and said fourth aperture in said second support member can be adjusted to aligned to any perimeter notches in said first aperture and said second aperture in said first spacing member to form said continuous opening for said connector member to engage

17. The connection according to claim 13 wherein said side wall notches at said first spacing member in alignment with said first aperture and said second aperture, said first pair of perimeter notches in alignment with said second perimeter notches forming a fixed setting between said first and second perimeter notches.

18. The connection according to claim 13 wherein the pair of said first perimeter notches or said second perimeter notches has said cut opening with a wide width at said cut opening tapering to a narrow back width.

19. The connection according to claim 13 wherein the pair of said first perimeter notches or said second perimeter notches engage said top edge, back edge, and bottom edge side wall notches said connection member.

20. The connection according to claim 13 wherein said first connection member overlaps a second connection member of an equal or smaller width from the opposing directions at said first aperture and said second aperture requiring said first and second perimeter notches to have a wide width to engage said first and second wall notches together within the same perimeter notch.

21. A method of erecting an expandable wall structure, of the method comprising: attaching a fixed top track to a ceiling or a sliding top track to a ceiling;attaching a bottom track to a floor, said bottom track located directly below said top track;inserting an inner support member into a outer support member, each said support member having an aperture at a top end and a bottom end, said outer support member having said aperture with L-shaped perimeter notches at the upper and lower aperture at said first and said second end, said inner support member having an aperture at a top end and a bottom end with said top end having said aperture with L-shape perimeter notches and said second end having said sliding top track with a recessed gap with deep straight gaps on both sides of said recessed gap, each said outer and said inner support member has a connection aperture above said first and said second aperture at each end with each connection aperture having perimeter notches;insert said inner support track into said outer support track, set an inner web against an outer web or reverse said inner support member against the lip of said outer support member;align said connection apertures in said outer and said inner support members to form a continuous inner-outer aperture;extending the inner support member with said L-shape perimeter notches to said fixed top track, or extend the opposite end of said inner support member with said recessed gap and said straight gaps into said sliding top track, leaving said inner support member overlapping said outer support member;insert a connection clip or a connection member through the connection apertures by pressuring said clip or connection member into the perimeter notches and, or the connection member with the lip notches;install mineral wool to framing members as required by building codes;abut and connect drywall with fasteners against said inner and said outer support members as required by building codes;install fire caulking as required by building codes.