Patent Application
20240115045
None
When constructing a building such as a home, office building, industrial building, or warehouse—internal-to-the-wall supports are often needed for the attachment of external-to-the wall cabinets, handrails, and other load bearing items. Such internal-to-the-wall supports are commonly referred to as blocking.
Early blocking—which is still in use today—often consisted of a simple piece of wood block which extended horizontally between two wooden studs with the wooden block fastened (typically by way of screws or nails) directly to the studs. More recently, the proliferation of metal framing assemblies to replace wooden studs brought about different solutions for attaching blocking to the metal studs.
Typically, a metal clip is attached to metal studs to hold and locate a wooden blocking element. These metal clips are often referred to as blocking clips. Current blocking clips come in two general forms. One is a front-loaded clip in which the wooden blocking member is inserted from the user-facing side of the wall. The other is a rear-loaded clip in which the wooden blocking member is inserted from the side of the wall opposite the user. Front-loaded clips are considered easier for installation.
Many rear-loaded clips come in the form of a flat plate which attaches to the stud by a series of screws. Two tabs extend from the bottom surface of the plate on opposing edges of the stud. The blocking member is then rear-loaded onto the tabs and connected to the flat plate by additional screws. In some field installations, the rear-loading nature of this device can result in increased labor time and therefore higher installation cost.
Many front-loaded clips come in the form of a flat plate which attaches to the stud by a series of screws. Flanges extend from the bottom surface of the plate on opposing edges of the stud with back straps extending away from the stud off each of the flanges. In practice, the front-loading nature of this device is an improvement over rear-loaded clips. However, the installer must then manually hold the blocking member in alignment with the back strap members while attaching the blocking member to the clips. This can make it difficult for a single installer to attach the blocking member to the blocking clip.
The need exists, therefore, for an improved blocking clip which is simple to manufacture and install while still being capable of withstanding the weight loads of external-to-the wall cabinets, handrails, and other load bearing items.
Disclosed herein is a blocking clip for a construction framing assembly. The blocking clip will comprise a web, a first flange, a first back strap, and a first tab.
The web will have a web first edge and a web second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the web first edge. The web will also have a web outside surface and a web inside surface opposite the web outside surface.
The first flange will have a first flange first edge, a first flange second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the first flange first edge, a first flange first end substantially perpendicular with the first flange first edge, and a first flange second end substantially parallel with and opposite the first flange first end. The first flange first edge will be attached to the web first edge with the first flange extending from the web inside surface at the web first edge.
The first back strap will have a first back strap first edge, a first back strap second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the first back strap first edge, a first back strap first end substantially perpendicular with the first back strap first edge, and a first back strap second end substantially parallel with and opposite the first back strap first end. The first back strap first edge will be attached to the first flange second edge.
The first tab will have a first tab first edge, a first tab second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the first tab first edge, a first tab first end substantially perpendicular with the first tab first edge, and a first tab second end substantially parallel with and opposite the first tab first end. The first tab will be substantially in a plane formed by the first flange second end and the first back strap second end.
In some embodiments, the web may comprise at least one web screw hole. When present, the web screw hole(s) may pass from the web outside surface through the web inside surface.
In certain embodiments, the first tab first end may be attached to the first back strap second end. In some embodiments, the first tab second edge may be attached to the first flange second end. In still other embodiments the first tab first end may be attached to the first back strap second end and the first tab second edge may be attached to the first flange second end.
In some embodiments, a first angle may be formed between the web and the first flange. The first angle may have a first measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between the web inside surface and a first flange inside surface.
In certain embodiments, a third angle may be formed between the first flange and the first back strap. The third angle may have a third measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between a first flange outside surface and a first back strap outside surface.
In some embodiments, a fifth angle may be formed between the first back strap and the first tab. The fifth angle may have a fifth measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between a first back strap outside surface and a first tab inside surface.
In certain embodiments, the first tab may comprise at least one first tab screw hole. When present, the first tab screw hole(s) may pass from a first tab outside surface through a first tab inside surface.
In some embodiments, the first back strap may comprise at least one first back strap screw hole. When present, the first back strap screw hole(s) may pass from a first back strap outside surface through a first back strap inside surface.
The blocking clip may comprise a material of construction which is metal. The material of construction of the blocking clip may be of a first gauge which is greater than a second gauge of a material of construction of a stud to which the blocking clip may be attached.
In certain embodiments, the blocking clip may further comprise a second flange, a second back strap, and a second tab. When present, the second flange may have a second flange first edge, a second flange second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the second flange first edge, a second flange first end substantially perpendicular with the second flange first edge, and a second flange second end substantially parallel with and opposite the second flange first end. The second flange first edge may be attached to the web second edge with the second flange extending from the web inside surface at the web second edge.
When present, the second back strap may have a second back strap first edge, a second back strap second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the second back strap first edge, a second back strap first end substantially perpendicular with the second back strap first edge, and a second back strap second end substantially parallel with and opposite the second back strap first end. The second back strap first edge may be attached to the second flange second edge with the second back strap extending from the first flange second edge substantially parallel with the web.
When present, the second tab may have a second tab first edge, a second tab second edge substantially parallel with and opposite the second tab first edge, a second tab first end substantially perpendicular with the second tab first edge, and a second tab
second end substantially parallel with and opposite the second tab first end. The second tab may be substantially in a plane formed by the second flange second end and the second back strap second end.
In some embodiments, the second tab first end may be attached to the second back strap second end. In other embodiments, the second tab first edge may be attached to the second flange second end. In still other embodiments, the second tab first end may be attached to the second back strap second end and the second tab first edge may be attached to the second flange second end.
In certain embodiments, a second angle may be formed between the web and the second flange. The second angle may have a second measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between the web inside surface and a second flange inside surface.
In some embodiments, a fourth angle may be formed between the second flange and the second back strap. The fourth angle may have a fourth measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between a second flange outside surface and a second back strap outside surface.
In certain embodiments, a sixth angle may be formed between the second back strap and the second tab. The sixth angle may have a sixth measurement angle of approximately 90° measured between a second back strap outside surface and a second tab inside surface.
In some embodiments, the second tab may comprise at least one second tab screw hole. When present, the second tab screw hole(s) may pass from a second tab outside surface through a second tab inside surface.
In certain embodiments, the second back strap may comprise at least one second back strap screw hole. When present, the second back strap screw hole(s) may pass from a second back strap outside surface through a second back strap inside surface.
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a blocking clip for a construction framing assembly. The blocking clips are described below with reference to the Figures. As described herein and in the claims, the following numbers refer to the following structures as noted in the Figures.
175 refers to a second back strap screw hole.
Further shown in
The first back strap first edge (161) will be attached to the first flange second edge (121) as shown in the Figures. The first back strap will then extend away from the second flange second edge substantially parallel with the web (110). As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a third angle (α3)) will be formed between the first flange and the first back strap with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a third measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the first flange outside surface and a first back strap outside surface.
In some embodiments, the first back strap (160) may include at least one optional first back strap screw hole (165). When present, the first back strap screw hole(s) may pass from a first back strap outside surface through a first back strap inside surface. As the first back strap screw hole(s) pass from the first back strap outside surface through the first back strap inside surface, the first back strap screw hole(s) may also be referred to as first back strap through hole(s). These first back strap screw hole(s) or first back strap through hole(s) provide an access point through which a fastener—such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like—may pass to attach a blocking member (50 as shown in
Also shown in
The second back strap first edge (171) will be attached to the second flange second edge (132) as shown in the Figures. The second back strap will then extend away from the first flange second edge substantially parallel with the web (110). As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a fourth angle (α4)) will be formed between the second flange and the second back strap with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a fourth measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the second flange outside surface and a second back strap outside surface.
In some embodiments, the second back strap (170) may include at least one optional second back strap screw hole (175). When present, the second back strap screw hole(s) may pass from a second back strap outside surface through a second back strap inside surface. As the second back strap screw hole(s) pass from the second back strap outside surface through the second back strap inside surface, the second back strap screw hole(s) may also be referred to as second back strap through hole(s). These second back strap screw hole(s) or second back strap through hole(s) provide an access point through which a fastener—such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like—may pass to attach a blocking member (50 as shown in
The first flange first edge (121) will be attached to the web first edge (111) as shown in the Figures. The first flange will then extend away from the web inside surface. As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a first angle (α1)) will be formed between the first flange and the web with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a first measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the first flange inside surface and the web inside surface.
Similarly,
The second flange first edge (131) will be attached to the web second edge (112) as shown in the Figures. The second flange will then extend away from the web inside surface. As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a second angle (α2)) will be formed between the second flange and the web with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a second measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the second flange inside surface and the web inside surface.
The first tab (140) will be substantially in a plane formed by the first flange second end (124) and the first back strap second end (164) as shown in the Figures. In some embodiments the first tab first end (143) may be attached to the first back strap second end while in other embodiments the first tab second edge may be attached to the first flange second end (124). Other embodiments may exist where the first tab first end is attached to the first back strap second end and the first tab second edge is attached to the first flange second end. As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a fifth angle (α5)) will be formed between the first back strap (160) and the first tab with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a fifth measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the first back strap outside surface and the first tab inside surface.
In some embodiments, the first tab (140) may include at least one optional first tab screw hole (145). When present, the first tab screw hole(s) may pass from a first tab outside surface through a first tab inside surface. As the first tab screw hole(s) pass from the first tab outside surface through the first tab inside surface, the first tab screw hole(s) may also be referred to as first tab through hole(s). These first tab screw hole(s) or first tab through hole(s) provide an access point through which a fastener—such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like—may pass to attach a blocking member (50 as shown in
Similarly, the second tab may have a second tab first edge (151) and a second tab second edge (152) substantially parallel with and opposite the second tab first edge as shown in
The second tab (150) will be substantially in a plane formed by the second flange second end (134) and the second back strap second end (174) as shown in the Figures. In some embodiments the second tab first end (153) may be attached to the second back strap second end while in other embodiments the second tab first edge (151) may be attached to the second flange second end (134). Other embodiments may exist where the second tab first end is attached to the second back strap second end and the second tab first edge is attached to the second flange second end. As such, an angle (sometimes referred to as a sixth angle (α6)) will be formed between the second back strap (170) and the second tab with said angle having a measurement angle (sometimes referred to as a sixth measurement angle) of approximately 90°—preferably exactly 90°—measured between the second back strap outside surface and the second tab inside surface.
In some embodiments, the second tab (150) may include at least one optional second tab screw hole (145). When present, the second tab screw hole(s) may pass from a second tab outside surface through a second tab inside surface. As the second tab screw hole(s) pass from the second tab outside surface through the second tab inside surface, the second tab screw hole(s) may also be referred to as second tab through hole(s). These second tab screw hole(s) or second tab through hole(s) provide an access point through which a fastener—such as a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like—may pass to attach a blocking member (50) as shown in
An alternative embodiment of a blocking clip (100) for a construction framing assembly (10 as shown in
Like the embodiment of a blocking clip (100) shown in
Further, like the embodiment of a blocking clip (100) shown in
Also, like the embodiment of a blocking clip (100) shown in
Additionally, like the embodiment of a blocking clip (100) shown in
The difference between the embodiment of a blocking clip (100) shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The blocking clips disclosed herein will preferably be formed of a metal material, such as steel. While the blocking clip may be manufactured using any number of manufacturing methods, the preferred manufacturing method is stamping utilizing conventional metal stamping equipment. Preferably, the blocking clip will be stamped from a coil of steel using a progressive die. The metal material will have a thickness (also known as a gauge) which may be in a range of between 0.030 inches (20 ga) and 0.054 inches (16 ga). Preferably, the gauge of the blocking clip material will be greater than the gauge of the stud to which the blocking clip is attached—although embodiments may exist in which the gauge of the blocking clip material is less than or equal to the gauge of the stud to which the blocking clip is attached.
The blocking clips will preferably be formed as a unitary piece of material. That is to say that the web, first flange, first back strap, first tab, (optional) second flange, (optional) second back strap, and (optional) second tab originate as a single piece of flat material which is then formed (such as by stamping) into the blocking clip.
To install a blocking member using the blocking clip, an installer simply inserts a first blocking clip onto a first stud with the C-shaped channel formed by the web, the first flange, and the second flange extending around a portion of the first stud and the web outside surface facing away from the first stud. The installer then secures the first blocking clip to the first stud by passing one or more fasteners—preferably screws—through the web screw hole(s) and into corresponding stud screw holes.
This process is repeated with a second blocking clip inserted onto a second stud with the C-shaped channel formed by the web, the first flange, and the second flange extending around a portion of the second stud and the web outside surface facing away from the second stud. The installer then secures the second blocking clip to the second stud by passing one or more fasteners—preferably screws—through the web screw hole(s) and into corresponding stud screw holes.
Next, the installer places the blocking member from the user-facing side of the wall (i.e.—front-loaded) in between the two blocking clips with a first portion of the blocking member resting against the second tab of the first blocking clip, and a second portion of the blocking member resting against the first tab of the second blocking clip. The installer then may optionally secure the blocking member to the blocking clips by passing one or more fasteners—preferably screws—through one or more of the first tab screw hole(s), the second tab screw hole(s), the first back strap screw hole(s), and/or the second back strap screw hole(s) and into the blocking member.
In some embodiments, the blocking member may be cut at an angle other than 90° at the ends which abut against the blocking clip when installed. This allows the blocking member to extend at an angle relative to the ground surface between blocking clips which are connected at different heights on opposing studs—thereby allowing for items like stair handrails to be installed at an angle relative to the ground surface.
Once installed, the assembly of blocking clip(s), blocking member, and stud(s) provides a flush surface for ease of mounting gypsum board, drywall, or the like. The blocking clips described herein address many of the issues associated with existing prior art blocking clips. Specifically, the front-loaded nature of the blocking clip disclosed herein makes for easier installation of the blocking component compared to existing back-loaded blocking clips. Additionally, the first tab and second tab allow for the blocking component to rest against the tabs while the installer is attaching screws, thereby reducing the need for the installer to simultaneously align the blocking component with the blocking clip and install the screws.
