The present invention relates to wall construction, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a connection between two or more wall studs to provide reinforcement to the studs and to provide backing members between the studs for anchoring wall mounted structures such as cabinets, handrails, and grab bars to the backing member.
Walls in light-framed buildings are often formed with wood studs and top and bottom sills. In recent years, however, the use of metal studs has gained acceptance, especially in commercial buildings, but also in residential construction. Some designers prefer to use metal studs and tracks rather than wood studs and sills.
Wood studs typically have nominal cross-sectional dimensions of two inches by four inches. Metal studs are typically formed of sheet metal bent to encompass a cross sectional area having nominal dimensions of two inches by four inches. Metal studs are typically formed of sheet metal bent into a generally C-shaped cross-section in which a relatively broad central web is flanked by a pair of narrower side members that are bent at right angles from the web. The web typically has a width of three and ⅝ inches. The side members of the C-shaped stud typically extend a nominal two inches from the web. To enhance the structural rigidity of the side members of the stud, the ends of the side members are normally bent over into a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of the web. These turned over edges of the side members form marginal lips which are typically one quarter to one half inch in width. The metal studs are often erected with the webs oriented on the same side in the same direction.
In building construction, there are certain situations which require the building studs to be braced or linked transversely to provide enhanced structural rigidity. Often studs are transversely bridged when they are over eight feet in length so that they provide adequate stability in a lateral direction within the wall which they support.
In certain instances, studs require transverse backing between the studs in a building to provide structural support against forces acting normal to or parallel to the plane of the wall. For example, structural backing is provided between adjacent parallel studs for the installation of wall structures such as cabinets, handrails, and grab bars. In the United States, handrails and grab bars may have to conform to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A common way to provide backing is to place pieces of plywood or other members between adjacent studs and use screw fasteners to attach these pieces to adjacent studs. The number and placement of backing pieces is determined by the expected forces acting on the studs and the backing members. Typically, drywall (also known as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, sheetrock, or gyprock) panels cover the studs and backing.
The use of firestops, bridging and backing in construction trade is well known in the prior art. There are many patents that teach backing pieces, bridging members, and blocking members that are formed from sheet metal for use with studs.
The present invention provides a connection between a stud and backing pieces that is easily erected and allows for the secure attachment of components to a hollow wall that may be sheathed with drywall panels. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more sheet metal connectors are attached to the vertical studs and blocking pieces are attached to the one or more connectors.
In one embodiment of the invention where the connector is attached to a sheet metal stud, the wall stud of the connection has an elongated, vertically disposed, substantially planar web. The web has a given width and has an exterior surface on one side of the web and an interior surface on the opposite side of the web. The first wall stud is also formed with a substantially planar side member laterally connected to the web, the side member being disposed orthogonally to the web and running alongside the web, the side member extending from the interior surface side of the web and having an outer surface on one side of the side member and an interior surface on the opposite side of the side member. The first wall stud also has a substantially planar lip flange laterally connected to the side member opposite from the web, the lip flange being disposed parallel to the web and orthogonally to the side member, the lip flange running alongside the side member and being disposed on the interior surface side of the web. The lip flange has a selected width that is substantially narrower than the web. The lip flange has an interior surface that faces the interior surface of the web on one side of the lip flange and a facing surface on the opposite side of the lip flange.
The connector of the connection is disposed in interfacing engagement with the wall stud. The connector has an elongated, substantially planar web having a longitudinal axis with a first end and a second end. The longitudinal axis is disposed substantially aligned with the long axis of the elongated wall stud. The web has an exterior surface on one side of the web and an interior surface on the opposite side of the web. The interior surface of the web interfaces with a portion of the side member of the wall stud.
The connector is also formed with a substantially planar first lateral plate laterally connected to a first lateral side of the web. The connector is also formed with a substantially planar second lateral plate laterally connected to a second lateral side of the web.
To make the connection to the wall stud, fasteners are driven through the web of the connector into the side member of the wall stud.
To make the connection to the blocking pieces, separate fasteners are driven through the first and second lateral plates and into blocking pieces interfacing with the first and second lateral plates. The preferred fasteners are self-drilling, self-tapping screws with low profile heads.
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The backing connector 7 interfaces with the side member 5 of the stud 2. As shown in
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To make the connection to the wall stud 2, fasteners 19 are driven through the web 7 into the wall stud 2. Preferably fastener openings 32 are provided in the web 7 to show the preferred placement of the fasteners 19. As shown in
To make the connection to the blocking pieces 23 and 24, separate fasteners 19 are driven through the first and second lateral side plates 9 and 10 and into blocking pieces 23 and 24 interfacing with the first and second lateral side plates 9 and 10. The preferred fasteners are self-drilling, self-tapping screws with low profile heads. Preferably fastener openings 18 are provided in the first and second lateral side plates 9 and 10 to show the preferred placement of the fasteners. The connector is preferably made from sheet metal on an automated die.
The blocking pieces 23 and 24 are preferably formed with bottom edges and the first and second strengthening tabs 30 and 31 interface with a respective bottom edges of the blocking pieces.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63284598 | Nov 2021 | US |