CONNECTIONS BETWEEN METAL FRAMING MEMBERS

Abstract

The present invention relates to metal framed wall components with self-locking connections having overlapping connections be metal framing components by using: lip notches, lip-flange notches, web flange notches, notched tabs extensions, hooked tongue connecting receiver slot holes of adjacent metal component, hook tongue with receiver slot holes & wall plate, flange notches, hook tongue with bent tongue at receiver slot hole, hole projections having notches for flange or lip notches, lip flange notches at projection notches, longitudinal ends of flanges or lips and hook fingers overlap hole edge along with an adjacent flamed component having a hook tongue extending into receiver slot hole, web flange receiver slot hole overlapping adjacent metal component with the web flange receiver slot holes connecting the support member hole bottom, side or top edges and by interchanging the metal framing components at the longitudinal ends all two adjacent metal wall components to interlock together. In addition some of the same metal components are installed with the flanges extending upward from the bottom edge or downward into the bottom edge. The metal framed members can be the full width of support or between only the side edges of the hole opening or installed in various widths to connect together. The wall components spanning between support members connected by holes from support members, hooked receivers, hooked tongues, hook finger ends from the wall components.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

PARTIES OR JOINT RESEARCH

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to forming connections between metal framing members using self-locking connections between intersecting metal framing members having notches in support members and crossing members that connect together by using the notches and double notches to secure hook fingers, hook tongues and hook receivers with ledges and tabs to secure the crossing members together forming the self-locking connections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light gauge metal framing have been used in the construction of buildings for many years, however interior and exterior metal framing has always been difficult to assemble as well as construct horizontal and diagonal bracing between support framing members because of the configuration of the support members like a C channel and poor energy efficient shear wall construction. The lip and flange of the C channel protrudes from the web making it difficult to make connections. When bracing members are installed between support members for additional strength, insulation became even more difficult to install as well as form a better insulated wall.

When assembling metal framed walls the vertical support members are not rigid until the bracing members or fasteners are added to help stabilize the support members from moving. In the past there have been attempts to stiffen support members by providing lateral bracing, drywall backing or bracing members between vertical support members.

The bracing members within the wall forming structure are generally required to connect support members together, however horizontal bracing members can be very long and next to impossible to connect horizontal bracing members to individual spacer blocks located between support members. In addition the bracing members are not used to form shear walls or diagonal framing with the walls or have the flexibility to form trusses having diagonally framing members.

Metal framing has developed computer systems to form pre-punched screw holes to designate how and where to install fasteners between metal framing. Different types of notches or shapes of bracing members have help speed up framing assembly. There have been no innovation developed allow metal framing to be connected without using fasteners and nothing has been developed where the spacer brace connects support members together using notches and ledges that form a self-lock connectors that fit together to form a fast an easy connection means to form metal framed wall panels without using fasteners at the support members. The unique wall construction allows wall panels to be fabricated quickly and easily without using fasteners thereby saving money in labor and material.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The horizontal and diagonal connections between metal support members do not form continuous bracing that interlocks between each other but rather are individual components. Individual mounting brackets are used to support trusses or horizontally brace support members. Many different shapes of horizontal bracing members are used to connect metal framing members together and include various grooves, tabs, bridging backing, notches to connect the metal framing members together. Some types of connections between support members use bent hooks, bent flanges, clamping tabs, anchoring hand rail system, adjustable braces or extended tabs to connect trusses. Existing bracing members do not connect support members together at corners, provide drywall backing and connect wall panels together. Different types of brackets, shapes, leg supporting connections and blocking are used to install support members together. Slotted holes at the top base plate have been used to compensate for vertical movement between vertical and horizontal support member. Spacer braces do use various types of clips with fasteners to interlock between support members to prevent vertical and horizontal movement. There is no prior art for U or W shaped clips with spacer braces to secure support members together. Some support members have been shown to have a rim around the hole for extra strength or to reduce thermal conductivity through the support member, but not used a part of a self-locking connector. Punch out tabs has been used as spacers or as tabs where the tabs have been used to support another object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed how two adjacent spacer braces that span between support members intersect and connect at the hole of a support member. The spacer braces overlap each other at the longitudinal ends and their configurations are layered and connected upon each other while also being connected to the support member. The adjacent spacer braces can have the same configuration or different configurations. Sometimes the configurations like the U shaped spacer brace or the reverse lip spacer brace can appear similar, however when intersecting each other at the hole in the support members the size of the components such as the web, flanges and lips will vary in width in order for the spacer braces to fit together. In previous patent applications still pending use hole notches, double lips and double notches to connect the spacer braces to the holes at the support members. The notches in the spacer braces are shown to be only lip notches or lip flange notches. The longitudinal ends have the same end configurations or are different so as to overlap one another at the end configurations of the spacer brace. For example a notched tab end fits over or under an adjoining spacer brace having only lip notches; or a notched tab end connects to an adjoining spacer brace have a finger end with a tab: or a spacer brace having a finger end connected to an adjoining spacer brace having lip notches; or a spacer brace having lip notches and a receiver slot hole connected to an adjoining spacer brace having a hook tongue tor connection to the receiver slot hole; or the spacer braces can be reversed with the lips having lip notches engaging the notched tab extension; or the notched tab extension is inserted between the smaller sized hole attached to the larger sized hole; or the hook tongue can be oriented upwards for a supporting plate can secure two intersecting spacer braces; or flange notches secured at the hole bottom edge can be connected to the hooked tongue extending into the receiver slot hole; or protruding hole side edges having notches can secure a spacer brace with or without lips to the support member when the adjacent spacer brace has a hook tongue extending into the receiver slot hole; or hook fingers being extended into hole notches where the longitudinal ends of the flanges or longitudinal ends of the lips secure the hook finger of the spacer brace with the adjoining spacer brace being connected by a hook tongue extending into the receiver slot hole; or two adjoining spacer braces having a continuous web flange inserted into the hole bottom edge allowing one spacer brace to fit over an adjoining spacer brace either by altering the dimension of the upper and lower configurations or by having the hole bottom edge extend further into and through the upper spacer brace; or by adding web extensions at both ends where one end has a receiver hole and the opposing end has a hook tongue with an obstruction end to restrict vertical movement. The same configurations of overlapping a hook finger into a receiver slot hole can also be incorporated into full width spacer braces having the width equal the width of the support member. When the hole side edges have different orientations or angular sides the spacer brace configuration can be different as each flange can have a web-flange notch in each flange where the web-flange notch extends into the hole side edges and when the hole side edges have hole notches the spacer brace will also not have any horizontal and vertical movement. The layering of two adjoining spacer braces by overlapping the end configurations and installing hole notches at the sides or at the protrusions will eliminate the horizontal and vertical movement between spacer braces and the support members.

The description of the drawings and the description via the claims sound different, but the FIG's appear the same. At the end of the figure description is a figure table of contents noting the embodiments to a number. After that figure table of contents is a claim glossary of terms relating to the figure numbers. Since the spacer brace can be used in so many different configurations and orientations, but are installed the same, the interlocking connections need to be claimed in a different manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an upward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace connecting adjacent support members and overlapping an adjacent spacer brace connecting the lip notches to the support members at the holes.

FIG. 2 shows an upward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace having angular flanges connecting adjacent support members and overlapping an adjacent spacer brace connecting the lip notches to the support members at the holes.

FIG. 3 shows a downward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace overlapping an identical adjacent spacer brace connected at the lip notches to the holes of a support member.

FIG. 4 shows a downward oriented U shaped reverse lip spacer brace with lip flange notches depressed at the hole bottom edge.

FIG. 4 shows two downward adjacent oriented spacer braces having the lower oriented spacer brace with a lip-flange notch engaging the hole bottom edge with the upper oriented spacer brace having only lip notches engaging the hole side edges.

FIG. 5 shows upward oriented reverse lip spacer braces connected at the hole by a notched tab web extension and connected by an overlapping adjacent spacer brace having lip notches.

FIG. 6 shows an upward oriented reverse lip spacer brace having lip notches and a longitudinal end with a notched tab web and an opposing end having the notched tab end with the end portion of the tab extending downward over the hole bottom edge.

FIG. 7 shows an upward oriented reverse lip spacer brace connected together like FIG. 8 between spacer blocks with projections that overlap the web of the support member.

FIG. 8 shows an upward oriented reverse lip spacer braces connected at the hole with lip notches and connected to an adjacent spacer brace by having slot holes in the web so the adjacent reverse lip spacer brace with a hook tongue can connect to the slot hole at the first reverse lip spacer brace.

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of FIG. 5 shown connecting two spacer blocks together.

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows an upward oriented U shaped spacer brace with notches at bottom and sides engaging the hole sides that overlaps an adjacent spacer brace with a notched tab extension at the web that engages the sides of the hole.

FIG. 12 shows an upward oriented U shaped spacer brace with notches at the bottom and sides engage the hole sides and an adjacent spacer brace with an upward hook engage the flat plate that is fastened to the support member.

FIG. 13 shows a downward oriented U shape spacer brace with the flanges and web being indented at the hole and the web extending over the hole bottom edge with the opposing end of an identical U shaped spacer brace having the flanges and web being indented at the hole, however the web extension has a hook tongue extending upward that overlaps the first U shaped spacer brace for connecting a bracing plate to the support member.

FIG. 14 shows downward U shaped spacer brace with notch in flanges engage hole bottom edge with an identical U shaped spacer brace having the opposing end having an indentation at flanges and web with web extension having a hook tongue overlap the web of the first U shaped spacer brace extending downward into the receiver slot hole.

FIG. 15 shows two adjacent upward oriented U shaped spacer braces connecting to a support member with the web of the longitudinal end having flange notches connected to the underside of a hole protrusion with the opposing end having a web extension with a hook tongue for insertion into a receiving hole in the web of the adjacent spacer brace along with 2 diagonal oriented U shaped spacer braces where the hook finger end connection has an extension that engages the hole top edge at the hole notch while the lower diagonal oriented U shaped spacer brace has a notch tab end connection that engages the hole side edges.

FIG. 16 shows two downward oriented U shaped spacer braces where both longitudinal end shows indented flanges and web where one end has a hook finger where the extension is inserted into the holes notches and the opposing end has a hook tongue where the extension overlaps the first spacer brace with the hook tongue having a curvilinear tip for inserting into the receiver slot hole.

FIG. 17 shows a similar configuration as FIG. 16 except the reverse lip spacer braces are shown with the lips and hook finger support the reverse lip spacer brace at one end with the hook tongue at the opposing end has the extension overlapping the adjacent spacer brace.

FIG. 18 shows two reverse lip spacer braces overlapping the hole bottom edge with a continuous web flange notch allowing the first reverse lip spacer brace to extend lower into the continuous web flange notch an adjacent spacer brace to overlap the first reverse lip spacer brace.or using an alternate solution of having the hook tongue extend into a receiver slot hole.

FIG. 19 shows the two reverse lip spacer braces overlapping and engaging the hole bottom edge as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows and enlargement of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a deeper web flange notches where the lower reverse lip spacer brace has a deeper flange for additional strength or allowing for the hole bottom edge to be longer for a different configuration or the deletion of the lips with notches.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 23 except the flanges does not overlap the support member, but only is aligned with the flanges of the support member.

FIG. 23 shows a horizontal bracing member having extension with a hook finger and the opposing end having a hook tongue with the extension overlapping an adjacent horizontal bracing member connected to the receiver slot hole, but having and extending flanges that overlap the flanges of the support member.

FIG. 24 shows the end connection of a reverse lip spacer brace where the longitudinal end of the lip and the hook finger or hook receiver engage both sides of the support member.

FIG. 25 shows the end connection of a U shaped spacer brace having a flap engage one side the web of a support member and a hook finger or hook receiver engage the opposing side of the support member.

FIG. 26 shows the end connection of a U shaped spacer brace having the flanges and web indented so the longitudinal ends engage one side of the web of a support member with the hook finger or hook receiver engage the opposing side of the support member.

FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 25 however the section is taken through an intermediate connection of a support member where the lips have lip notches and each flange has a flange-web notch where the flange-web notch and lip notches engage the hole at the web of the support member.

FIG. 28 shows two reverse lip spacer braces stacked above each other with the overlapping reverse lip spacer brace having a wider web with a wider lip to engage the hole side edges, plus the lower reverse lip spacer brace has a receiver slot hole for the overlapping reverse lip spacer brace having a hook receiver with a notched tab tip.

FIG. 29 shows two overlapping U shaped spacer braces having a continuous web-flange notches that engage the hole side edges of the support member along with a hook tongue where the tongue is a notched tab that extends upward through a slot hole into the adjacent U shaped spacer brace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301a with flanges extending vertically approximately coplanar to the holes side edges 36sewith lips 301c having lip notches 126p and where an adjoining second reverse lip spacer brace 301 overlaps the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 and described previously in U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250. In order to overlap each other the reverse lip spacer braces 301 the width of the web 301a, the length of the flanges 301b or the lips 301c will vary depending on shape and snugness between reverse lip spacer braces 301. This continuation in part application shows the hole notches 126h at the hole side edges 36se as shown in pending application Ser. No. 15/430,781 being into this CIP, but is only shown at the furthers left hole rather than all the holes 36 in the support member for clarification purposes. The lip notches 126p at the left support member show the lips 301c with the lip notches 126p shorter while the hole notches 126h have a deeper depth so the lip notches 126p will extend deeper into the hole notch 126h as shown in U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781 therefore eliminating any vertical and horizontal movement within the hole notch 126h. All the holes 36 can have hole notches 126h to eliminate vertical movement at the holes 36 or maybe installed at the hole side edges 36se without the hole notch 126h. At the right no hole notches 126h are shown as the hole notches 126h can be a double lip notch 126dp or a double hole notch 126dh as shown in Ser. No. 15/449,250. If the hole notch 126h is wide enough for only one lip notch 126p the lower reverse lip spacer braces 301 would have its lip notch 126p not fit into the hole notch 126h and only the upper reverse lip spacer brace at the lip notch 126p would only engage the hole notch 126h keeping the lower spacer brace 301 tight against the hole bottom edge 36be. As mentioned in U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250 the width of upper oriented spacer brace has a narrower width web 301 with longer flanges 301b and longer lips 201c to fit into the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 except the flanges 301b are angular allowing two overlapping reverse lip spacer braces 301 to fit against each other as described in pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250. The web 301a, flanges 301b and lips dimensions can vary depending how the upper reverse lip spacer brace 301 wants to fit into the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301. The hole notches 126h can be a double hole notch 126dh and the lips 301c can be double requiring a double lip notch 126dp as for FIG. 1. FIG. 3 like FIG's 1 & 2 does not show a gap 45 between the lips 301c because the web 301a is narrower, the flanges 301b are longer in length and the lips 301c are wider in width as the longitudinal edges of the lips 301c are shown aligned.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 except the two overlapping reverse lip spacer braces 301 is shown face down with the left reverse lip spacer brace 301 having the lips 301c supported by the hole bottom edge 30be. The lips 301c have lip notches 126p that extend inward from the longitudinal edge of the lips 301c so the web 42a of the support member fits against the back edge of the lip notches 126p with the side edges of the lip notch 126p abut both side planes of the web 42a of the support member. The second reverse lip spacer brace 301 also extends through the hole 36 overlapping the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 at a slight angle, in order to have the longitudinal edges of the lips 301c fit through the hole 36 and have the back edge of the lip notches 126p engage the hole side edges 36se. As in FIG. 2 the width of the web 301a and the width of the flanges 301b and lips 301c will be wider in order to have both reverse lip spacer braces 301 fit tightly together and may have fasteners (not shown) to additionally secure the reverse lip spacer braces 301 together. As discussed earlier hole notches 126h may be installed at the hole side edges 36se either as a single notched hole 126h or as a double wide notched hole 126dh.

FIG. 4 shows the same profile as shown in FIG.3, however the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 shows the lip notch 126p starting at the longitudinal edge of the lip 301c extending the full width of the lip 301c with the lip notch 126p continuing into the flange 301b or flange notch 126fg forming a continuous lip-flange notch 126pf. The lip-flange notches 126p at the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 is installed at a slight angle so one lip-flange notch 1216pf has the hole side edge 36se installed into the lip-flange notch 126pf allowing the side edges of the lip-flange notch 126pf to engage the longitudinal planes of the web 42a of the support member. When the lip-flange notches 126pf extends below the hole bottom edge 36be another adjacent reverse lip spacer brace 301 with only lip notches 126p at both lips 301c can overlap the first reverse lip spacer brace 301. The second reverse lip spacer brace 301 can be identical in shape and size, that is the web 301a, flanges 301b and lips 301c can be the same width and length and still form a secure connection between two adjoining reverse lip spacer braces 301. To form a tighter connection between the first and second reverse lip spacer braces 301, the web 301a of the overlapping reverse lip spacer brace 301 should be wider in order to have a tight connection at the webs 301a using fasteners between the first and second reverse lip spacer braces 301. In U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781 hole notches 126h are used at the corner of the hole side edges 36se and hole bottom edge 36be for the lips notches 126p to fit into or the hole notches 126h can have protrusions to also secure the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from vertical movement.

Some of the FIG's shown In the provisional application US 62/083,276 have been incorporated into this application shown in FIG's 5-15. Many different longitudinal overlapping end configurations from U shaped spacer braces 302 or reverse lip spacer braces 301 are shown where a first metal framing member end configuration is secured in a hole 36 of adjacent support members and a second metal framing member having the same or different end configuration overlaps the first metal framing member and secured to the first metal framing member and/or to the hole 36 of the support member.

FIG. 5 shows two solutions for connecting the longitudinal ends of two reverse lip spacer braces 302 to the hole 36 opening in the web 42a of the support member. The right reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown face-up where the bottom side of the web 301a extends over the hole bottom edge 36be with the flange 301b extending upward from the web 301a with lips 301c extending from the distal side of the flanges 301b outward so the lip notches 126p can extend into the holes side edges 36se. The web 301a is shown having an extension 301e with a notch tab 126nt longitudinal end where the notch 126 fits against the hole side edges 36se and the side edges of the tab 126te xtends against both side planes formed by the web 42a of the hole 36 in the support member. After the right reverse lip spacer brace 301 is installed into the hole side edges 36se, the middle reverse lip spacer brace 301 shown having the web 301a, flanges 301b with lips 301c and having lip notches 126p is inserted into the hole 36. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is inserted into the hole at a slight angle in order to have the lips 301c fit between the hole side edges 36se and the lip notches 126p fit into the hole side edges 36se. The third space brace is shown as a U shaped spacer brace 302 which has the same configuration as the reverse lip spacer brace 301 except without the lips 301c. The connection at the hole 36 shows the longitudinal end at the web 302a having a notched tab 126nt end with a notch 126 engaging the hole side edges 36se with one tab 126t bracing one plane of the web 42a and the other tab 126t shown bent downward over the hole bottom edge 36be forming a hook finger with the extension 302e of the hook finger 127 is support at the hole bottom edge 36be and the finger portion support the at the opposing side plane of the web 42. The middle reverse lip spacer brace 301 shows the web 301a support by the extension 302e and secured by the lip notches 126p of the middle reverse lip spacer brace 301.

FIG. 6 shows the left longitudinal end as described as the longitudinal end in the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 at FIG. 5. The right longitudinal end in FIG. 6 shows the web 302a having the same configuration as the third spacer brace as shown in FIG. 5 where the hook finger 127 uses the extension 302i to extend across the hole bottom edge 36be and the tab 126t being the end of the hook finger 127.

FIG's 7, 8 & 15 shows an exploded view of a reverse lip spacer brace 301 shown in FIG. 8 installed between insulated spacer blocks 55. The support member shown as a C channel 42 has a web 42a with a hole 36 where two horizontal reverse lip channels 156 overlapping the hole 36 connecting both horizontal reverse lip channels 156 together. The horizontal reverse lip channels 156 originally described in pending application U.S. Ser. No. 15/449,250 then later referred to as reverse lip spacer braces 301 in provisional application US 62/083,272. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 has a web 301a with upward oriented flanges 301b extending from the web 301a connected to lips 301c having lip notches 126p where the back edge of the lip notches 126p abut the hole side edge 36se with the side edges of the lip notches 126p abutting the side planes of the web 42a of the support member 42. The lip notches 126p shown on the right side of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 are installed into the hole side edges 36se prior to installing the adjacent reverse lip spacer brace 301. The lip notches 126p are indented from the longitudinal ends of the lips 301c and the web 301a has a receiver slot hole 129sh. The opposing longitudinal end of the adjacent reverse lip spacer brace 301 has an indentation at the web 301a and flanges 301b for the web 301a for a hook tongue 128 with an extension 301e that extends over the longitudinal end indentation, over the hole bottom edge 36be for the hook tongue 128 to extend into the receiving slot hole 129sh of the first reverse lip spacer brace 301. The receiver slot hole 129sh can be located between the hole bottom edge 36be and longitudinal end of the web 301a or on opposite side of the hole bottom edge 36be. In later applications U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781 & U.S. Ser. No. 15/724,137 the lip notches 126p has been expanded and holes notches 126h and hole protrusions 36p have been added to eliminate horizontal and lateral movement between the reverse lip spacer braces 301 and the support members. In later application the receiver slot hole 129sh shows many shapes, extending ledges 79 along with hook tongues 128 where the tongue ends have curvilinear configurations, notched tabs 126nt or irregular shaped ends to swivel within the receiver slot hole 129sh and where the extension portion of the hook tongue 128 is able allow the spacer brace to be oriented into a different direction. In addition later applications have changed the shape of the spacer braces by the addition of bulges, notches, ledges and protrusions all still maintaining the rigid connection between metal framing members.

FIG. 9 shows the same configuration is in FIG. 10 where an earlier patent showed an exploded view of a reverse lip channel 156 now referred in FIG. 10 as reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301a or 156a, flanges 301b or 156b with lips 301c or 156c having notches 126 now referred to as lip notches 126p shown between spacer blocks 55. FIG. 10 shows the same configuration as FIG. 5 where one longitudinal end is showing the notched tab 126nt engaging the hole side edges 36se at one support member with the lip notches 126p at the opposing end engaging second support member with intermediate lip notches 126p engaging intermediate support members (not shown). By installing the longitudinal end with the notched tab 126nt into the hole bottom edge 36be first the notched tab 126nt is now secured into the hole 36. The second reverse lip spacer brace 301 can now be installed over the notched tab 126nt end. The size of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 does not require a smaller or larger configuration as the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is not overlapping the flanges 301b and lips 301c but only at the web 301a at the notched tab 126nt. The typical lip notches 126p are indented from the end of the reverse lip spacer 301 so the lip notch 126p will have a rigid extension past the lip notches.

FIG's 11 and 12 both show a U shape spacer brace 302 having a web 302a being support at the hole bottom edge 36be of a support member with flanges 302b extending upward where the web 302a. The right longitudinal end of the U shape spacer brace 302 shows a flange-web notch 126fw at the intersection of the web 302a and flange 302b forming a continuous notch between the web 302a and flange 302b. FIG. 11 shows the flange-web notch 126fw support at a hole bottom edge 36be having a diagonal bottom edge. FIG. 12 shows a key hole 36k at the hole bottom edge 36be where a smaller size hole is connected to the larger hole. The back edge of the flange portion of the flange-web notch 126fw is support at the hole bottom edge 36be of the larger hole 36 and the web portion of the flange-web notch 126fw has the side edges of the key hole 36k securing the web portion of the flange-web notch 126fw. FIG. 11 shows the left longitudinal end configuration having a notched-tab 126nt as described in FIG. 10 and where the notched-tab 126nt longitudinal end is installed at the hole bottom edge 36be with the notches 126 secured at the hole side edges 36se prior to the flange-web notches 126fw longitudinal end of the adjacent U shaped spacer brace 302 is installed in the hole 36 of the support member. FIG. 12 shows a hook tongue 128 having an extension 302e with the tongue portion extending upward from the hole bottom edge 36be requiring the hook tongue longitudinal end to be installed prior to adjoining the second U shaped spacer brace 302 shown to the left with the flange-web notch 126fw into the hole 36. The hook tongue 128 is shown extending upward for a vertical plate or separation can be installed across the hole 36 opening. The same configuration can also have the tongue end of the hook tongue 128 extending downward.

FIG. 13 shows two U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302a with flanges 302b extending downward from the longitudinal side edges of the web 302a with the left longitudinal end has indentations in the flanges 302b and web 302a with the remaining portion of the web 302a having an extension 302e being the arm of the hook tongue 128 with the end of the hook tongue extending upward as also described previously. The right longitudinal end of the U shaped spacer brace 302 also has the indentation at the flanges 302b and web 302a with the remaining portion of the web 302a having an extension 302e that extends over the hole bottom edge 36be and being the arm of a hook finger 127 that extends against the web 42a of the support member while the longitudinal ends of the flanges 302b supports the opposing plane of the web 42a. The tongue end of the hook tongue 128 extends upward against a flat plate 201 that completes the U shaped spacer braces 302 from moving laterally as well as vertically as the flat plate 201 has fasteners to secure the web 42a and U shaped spacer braces 302 together. As mentioned earlier the flat plate 201 can be used as a fire stop separating the air gap that exists between adjacent support members.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of two U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302a with flanges 302b extending downward from the longitudinal side edges of the web 302a with the left longitudinal end with the flanges 302b and web 302a being indented with an extension 302e forming the arm of a hook tongue 128 where the tongue end extends downward along with the flanges 302b. The opposing longitudinal end of the U shaped spacer brace 302 shows flange notches 126fg with the opening beginning at the longitudinal edges of the flanges 302b with the side edges extending toward the web 302a and indented from the right longitudinal end allowing the side edges of the flange 302b have enough bearing support at the right longitudinal end of the flange 302b. In addition the right longitudinal end shows a receiver slot hole 129sh to the left of the hole 36. The right longitudinal end of the left U shaped spacer brace 302 is installed in the hole 36 by first installing the U shaped spacer brace 302 at a slight angle so the flange notches 126fg can engage the hole bottom edges 36be before the adjacent U shaped spacer brace 302 with the hook tongue 128 with the tongue end can be inserted into the receiver slot hole 129sh. As stated earlier the U shaped spacer brace 302 or reverse lip spacer brace 301 can have various shapes as well as various types of receivers, notches and hook tongues to form additional configurations.

FIG. 15 shows two horizontally oriented U shaped spacer braces 302 intersecting at hole 36 where the right longitudinal end of the web 302a is supported at the hole bottom edge 36be with the longitudinal side edges have flanges 302b that extend upward away from the hole bottom edge 36be. The left end has the hook tongue 128 in the web 302a and the right end has the receiver shot hole 129sh for the hook tongue 128 to extend into when connecting adjacent U shaped spacer braces 302 together as previously described. The right longitudinal end has flange notches 126fg where the flange notches 126fg that extend into the hole side edges 36se and the hole protrusion 36p. In application U.S. Ser. No. 15/724,137 hole protrusions 36p are used and are shown here extending into the flanges notches 126fg that secures the U shaped spacer brace 302 from moving laterally as well as vertically. Many different shapes of spacer braces with and without lips can restrict the horizontal and vertical movement within support members. At the hole top edge 36te shows a diagonal oriented U shaped spacer brace 302 where the flanges 302b and web 302a are indented with a hook finger 127 extending from the web 302a across the hole top edge 36te with the finger end extending upward so a fastener 122 can be connected to the web 42a. The extension 302e is inserted into a hole notch 126h or a hole protrusion 36p where the extension 302e so as to form a hole notch 126h to accomplish the same function of preventing horizontal and vertical movement as well as the hook finger 127 and the longitudinal end edge also securing the web 42. At the hole bottom edge 36be the U shaped spacer brace 302 is shown intersecting the hole bottom edge 36be at a diagonal where the longitudinal end of the web 302a shows the notched tab 126nt end fitting against the hole side edges 36se or into a hole notch 126h (not shown). In this case the downward oriented diagonal U shaped spacer brace 302 is inserted into the hole bottom edge 36be first where the longitudinal end has notch tab 126nt where the notches 126n fit against the hole side edges 36se with the tabs 126t and the longitudinal edges of the flanges 302b engage both sides of the web 42a of the support member. After the lower U shaped spacer brace 302 is installed over the hole bottom edge 36be, the first horizontal U shaped spacer brace 302 previously described is installed over the longitudinal end of the notched tab 126nt of the diagonal U shaped spacer brace by installing the U shaped spacer brace 302 at an angle then turned so the flange notches 126fg can engage the underside of the hole protrusion 36p first. The previously mentioned identical U shaped spacer brace 302 with the hook tongue on the left longitudinal end can then be inserted into the receiver slot hole 129sh of the second U shaped spacer brace 302. Obviously different longitudinal ending connections can be used to form a rigid connection between the metal framing members.

FIG. 16 shows two U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302a with two longitudinal side edges having flanges 302b that extend downward with a first end having flanges 302b and web 302a with a web extension 302e shown inserted into the hole notches 126h at the finger end of the hook finger 127 with the longitudinal ends of the flanges 302b engaging both side planes of the web 42a of the support member. Flange notches 126fg are also shown as intermediate connections between support members with the flange notches 126fg extending the full height of the flanges 302b so the side edges of the web 302a can be inserted into the hole notches 126h. The left longitudinal end of the U shaped spacer braces 302 also has the flanges 302b and web 302a indented, however the indentation 302i at the web 302a is deeper as the extension 302e at the web 302a is narrower as the extension 302i passes through the hole 36 where the tongue end shown having a curvilinear hook of the hook tongue 128 will be inserted into the receiver slot hole 129sh shown in the web 302a near the right longitudinal end. Since the extension 302e at the right longitudinal end is being inserted into the hole notches 126n, the U shaped spacer brace 302 will be installed at an angle having the extensions 302e engaging the hole notches 126h.

FIG. 17 shows the two reverse lip channels shown in FIG. 2 however the longitudinal end configurations as similar to FIG. 16. The lip 301c is wider than the hole 36 therefore the longitudinal ends of the lips 301c abut one side plane of the web 42 and the web 301a has an extension 301e where the hook finger 127 extends over the hole bottom edge 36be with the finger end securing the opposing plane of the web 42a at the hole 36. The opposing longitudinal end of an identical reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the left longitudinal end with the extension 301e of the web 301a extended through the hole 36 where the extension 301e rests on the web 301a of the first reverse lip spacer brace with the hook portion extending through the receiver slot hole 129sh.

FIG's 18-21 are similar to each other as two reverse lip spacer braces 301 each having a web 301a with the longitudinal side edges distal to the flanges 301b where the longitudinal edges of the flanges 301b have lip 301c extending outward away from the web 301a with the lips 301c have lip notches 126p extending inward toward the web 301a from the longitudinal edges of the lips 301c. The first reverse lip spacer brace 301 shown at the right side of the hole 36 with the right longitudinal end extending into the hole 36 engaging the hole side edges 36se at the lip notches 126p and where the web 301a and the flanges 301b have continuous flange-web notches 126fw. The flange-web notch 126fw engages the hole bottom edge 36be so the back edge of the flange-web notch 126fw at the flanges 301b is secured to the hole bottom edge 36be. When the second reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the right longitudinal end fit into the hole 36 the flange-web notch 126fw from the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 fits lower into the hole bottom edge 36be allowing the second reverse lip spacer brace 301 at the right longitudinal end to overlap the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 18 also shows an alternative overlapping end connection solution where the right reverse lip spacer brace 301 has an extension 301e extend from the web 301a with a receiver slot hole 129sh having a ledge 79 extending down where the opposing end of a adjacent reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a hook tongue 128 with an extension 301e extending from the web 301a for the tongue end having a curvilinear end to wrap around the ledges 79 at the receiver slot hole 129sh.

FIG. 20 shows an enlargement of FIG. 19 where the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the hole bottom edge 36be being inserted into the flange-web notch 126fw where the web 301a is below the hole bottom edge 36be allowing the second reverse lip spacer brace also having the flange-web notch 126fw to also be inserted into the hole bottom edge 36be. In FIG. 21 the hole bottom edge 36be can now extend above the second overlapping reverse lip spacer brace 301 where a ledge shaft 79s with a ledge tab 79t is bent over the web 301a of the second overlapping reverse lip spacer brace 301 as well as the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 connecting both spacer braces together. In U.S. Ser. No. 15/430,781 shows the ledge tab 79t being bent over the web 302a of a U shaped spacer brace 302 as well as a notched tab 126nt being extended from the hole bottom edge 36be.

FIG. 22 was originally shown in the provisional application US 62/083,276 along with many other FIG's incorporated into this application. The isometric view was originally considered as a possible window or door header or a diagonal spacer brace as the width of the web 302a of the U shaped spacer brace 302 spanned between support members shown as the width of the C shaped channels 42 having a web 42a, flanges 42b and lips 42c. In addition the extension 302e at the web 302a are shown with a hook tongue 128 with the tongue end extending into a receiver slot hole 129sh shown at the opposing end and also shown in FIG. 10 as well as the present application. FIG. 23 shows the same configuration as a U shaped spacer brace 302 shown in FIG. 16, however the extra flanges 325xf abut the webs 42a of two adjacent support members and the lips 325p overlap the flanges 42b of the support member at the flanges 42b of the right support member and also can be extended to overlap the flanges 42b of the left support member.

FIG's 24-26 is shown in U.S. Ser. No. 15/090,460 were the reverse lip spacer brace 301 or the U shaped spacer brace 302 are braced on both sides of the web 42a of the support member. In FIG. 24 the lips 301c and the hook receiver 129 are shown supporting both sides of the web 42a with the hole side edges 36se supporting the flanges 301b. In FIG. 25 the flanges 302b are also being supported by the hole side edges 36se with the flanges 302b having flaps 76f extending from the flanges 302b and the hook receiver 129 are shown supporting both sides of the web 42a. Fasteners 122 can be installed into the web 42a to keep the spacer braces from lateral or vertical movement.

FIG's 27-29 correspond to FIG's 24-26, however the spacer braces are shown overlapping the ends of the adjacent spacer braces not the entire length of the adjacent spacer brace. FIG. 27 shows a reverse lip spacer brace 301 where the lips 301c and lip notches 126p and where the back edge of the lip notches 126p abut the hole side edges 36se with the side edges of the lip notches 126p extend on the sides of the web 42a of the support member. The flanges 301b are braced against the hole side edges 36se and the flanges 301b and the web 301a have a continuous web-flange notch 126wf where a portion of the web 301a and a portion of the flange 301b extend into the web-flange notch 126wf securing both sides of the web 42a by the web-flange notch 126wf. When a second reverse lip spacer brace 301 (not shown) being the same dimensions overlaps the first reverse lip spacer brace 301 a gap 45 (shown in previous FIG's) will existing between the first and second reverse lip spacer braces 301. FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 27 as they both have lip notches 126p that engage the hole side edges 36se, however the upper or second reverse lip spacer brace 301 has a hook tongue 128 where the tongue end shown as a notched tab 126nt extends downward through the receiver slot hole 129sh in the web 301a of the lower or first reverse lip spacer brace 301 with the notched tab 126nt extending and engage the bottom edge of the web 301a and having a similar profile as FIG. 17. In addition the first and second reverse lip spacer braces 301 has the second profiles abut the first profile required the second reverse lip spacer brace 301 to have a narrower width web 301a, a taller flange 301b and a wider lip 301c so the lip notches 126p are in alignment with the hole side edges 36se. FIG. 29 is similar to FIG. 26 where the flange 302b and the hook finger 127 engage both sides of the web 42a at the first longitudinal end of the lower U shaped spacer brace 302 with the second end of the lower U shaped spacer brace 302 having a hook tongue 128 extending upward from the web 302a into and through the receiving slot hole 129sh of the upper U shaped spacer brace 302 where the notched tab 126nt tongue end extends through the receiver slot hole 129sh of the upper U shaped spacer brace 302. In addition the web 302 as in FIG. 28 is shorter at the upper U shaped spacer brace 302 in order to have the flanges 302b abut both U shaped spacer braces 302. The web-flange notch 126wf of the U shaped spacer brace 302 engages both sides of the web 42a when connecting to intermediate support member between the longitudinal ends of the U shaped spacer brace 302. The ledges 79 that extend from the receiver slot holes 129sh (shown in other FIG's can also be used in FIG's 28 & 29.

The present invention of the unique spacer braces are so versatile that the spacer brace allows for a much easier and quicker installation of metal framing walls, installing horizontal and diagonal lateral bracing or installing hold-down spacer bracing at floors, installing horizontal and diagonal braces between support members either between holes or at the flanges.

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.

Claims

1. A metal framing element having a low oriented configuration longitudinal end and a higher oriented longitudinal end when connecting two adjacent metal framing supports together at the aperture opening at the support member by: a metal framing element having different longitudinal end profiles wherein one longitudinal end having a profile that lays below the higher profile allowing the higher profile to overlap a lower profile without altering the profile of said metal framing element and maintain the aperture bottom edge and side edge profile of said metal framing element and having;a longitudinal web having a front end and a back end with flanges extending the side edges of said web and downward to said aperture bottom edges with the said side edges of said flanges having lips extending into said aperture side edge for a continuous lip notch extends into a flange notch engaging said aperture side edges into said aperture bottom edges with the flange notches support at the aperture bottom edge for;a second metal framing element having an identical profile as said first metal framing element with the same profile to overlap said first metal framing element as said first framing element is below said aperture bottom edges with the said lips resting on the lips of said first metal framing element.

2. The metal framing element according to claim 1 wherein said continuous lip notch and flange notch engage additional metal framing support members between said longitudinal ends.

3. The metal framing element according to claim 1 wherein said aperture side edges have notches that align to said lip notches having the back edge of said lip notches overlap into said aperture side edge notches.

4. The metal framing element according to claim 3 wherein the second end of said metal framing element with said lips and said notches engage the aperture side edge notches and the first end of said metal framing element has said web with said extension and having notches and notched tabs with said notches extend into said aperture with said notched tabs extending around said aperture side edges into said aperture side edge notches with said second end extending into said aperture side edges before said first side with said lip notches overlaps said first end with said lip notches engage the aperture side edge notches.

5. The metal framing element according to claim 4 wherein the said longitudinal web having a web according to claim 1 wherein the web of said first metal framing element is supported at said aperture bottom edge with the flanges and lips extend away from said aperture bottom edge with an extension having notches that engage the aperture side edges and said flanges and said lips engage the opposing longitudinal end of said second metal framing element overlaps the extension with said notches and said web of said flanges and said lip with notches engage said aperture side edges.

6. The metal framing element according to claim 4 where the said lips of said first metal framing element is supported first at said aperture bottom edge with the said flanges and said web extend away from the aperture bottom edge with an extension having notches that engage the aperture side edges and said flanges and said lips engage the opposing longitudinal end of said second metal framing element overlaps the extension with side notches and said web of said flanges and said lip with notches engage said aperture side edges T/aim 4 in reverse upside down

7. The metal framing element according to claim 4 wherein said extension having notches extends at both said longitudinal ends with the end edge of one said notch extends over said aperture to the opposing side of said aperture for said second metal framing element having said extension with said notches overlap said first metal framing element having been previously secured in said aperture.

8. The metal framing element according to claim 5 wherein the web of said first metal framing element is supported at said aperture with the web having a web receiver indented from said aperture for the opposing end of the said second metal framing element having an extension of a hook tongue with said tongue being inserted into said web receiver with the tongue end having a larger configuration than said web receiver to restrict vertical and horizontal movement of said tongue into said web receiver.

9. A metal framing element having a low oriented configuration longitudinal end and a higher oriented longitudinal end when connecting two adjacent metal framing supports together at the aperture opening at the support member by: a metal framing element having different longitudinal end profiles wherein one longitudinal end having a profile that lays below the higher profile allowing the higher profile to overlap a lower profile by altering a smaller profile to overlap and fit into a larger profile said adjoining metal framing element and maintain the lip notches into said aperture and having the longitudinal webs abut the said higher profile and said lower profile of said metal framing elements and having;a larger profile metal framing element having a longitudinal web with the side edges of said web attached to longitudinal flanges with a notch being continuous through the web extending into said flanges at said web side edges indented from the longitudinal ends of said flanges and said web for;a smaller profile metal framing element having a longitudinal web with the side edges of said web attached to longitudinal flanges with a notch being continuous through the web extending into said flanges at said web side edges indented from the longitudinal ends of said flanges and said web for:said larger profile metal framing element having said continuous web notch with said flange notches extend into the bottom edge of said aperture with said aperture extending through said larger profile metal framing element and continue with said bottom edge of said aperture in said smaller profile metal framing element interlocking said smaller and larger metal framing elements to said aperture of said metal framing support member.

10. The metal framing element according to claim 9 wherein the bottom edge of said aperture extends through said larger profile of said metal framing element in said smaller profile of said metal framing element for said bottom edge is long enough to said bottom edge to be wider than said smaller profile of said metal framing element.

11. A metal framing element having a low oriented configuration longitudinal end and a higher oriented longitudinal end when connecting two adjacent metal framing supports together at the aperture opening at the support member by: a metal framing element having different longitudinal end profiles wherein one longitudinal end having a profile that lays below the higher profile allowing the higher profile to overlap a lower profile by altering a smaller profile to overlap and fit into a larger profile said adjoining metal framing element and maintain the lip notches into said aperture and having the longitudinal webs abut the said higher profile and said lower profile of said metal framing elements and having;a larger profile metal framing element having a longitudinal web with the side edges of said web attached to longitudinal flanges with a continuous lip extending from the distal end of said flanges having notches indented from the side edges of said lip having notches indented from the side edges of said lip with the said notches at the said lip being indented from the longitudinal ends of said lips;a smaller profile metal framing element having a longitudinal web with the side edges of said web attached to longitudinal flanges with continuous lips extending from the distal end of said flanges having notches indented from the side edges of said lip with the said notches at the said lip being indented from the longitudinal ends of said lips; and wheresaid web of said larger profile being installed over said aperture bottom edge with metal framing element having said web with said flanges and said lips having notches overlap said larger profile with the said lips with said notches resting on the said lips of said larger profile metal framing element engaging the aperture side edges.

12. The metal framing element according to claim 10 wherein the said lips with notches do not extend into said flanges when the width of said web of said smaller profile metal framing element has a narrow width and said flanges have a wider width and said lips have a wider width for said smaller profile metal framing element to extend over s13. said flanges and said lips of said larger profile metal framing element.

13. The metal framing element according to claim 10 wherein the said lips with notches do not extend into said flanges when the width of said web being wider than said web of said larger profile and the width of said flanges of said smaller profile metal framing element having said shorter width flange and the said width of said lips being shorter than the said larger profile metal framing element for said smaller profile metal framing element overlaps said larger profile metal framing element with said lips having notches engage said aperture at said side edge.

14. The metal framing element according to claim 13 wherein the said lips with notches from said smaller profile extend into notches at said aperture side edges with said larger profile metal framing element fitting below said smaller profile metal framing element.

15. The metal framing element according to claim 14 wherein the said lips with notches from said larger profile metal framing element and said smaller profile metal framing element have their respective said notches of said lips engage into the same aperture having notches at said side edges forming a double height notch at said aperture side edges connecting two adjacent said smaller profile metal framing elements and said larger profile metal framing elements together as said double height notch.

16. The metal framing element according to claim 11 wherein said lips with notches extending into said flanges forming a continuous lip flange-lip notch with said larger profile metal framing element has the said web installed over said aperture bottom edge with said flange-lip notch engaging said aperture side edges for said smaller profile metal framing element engaging into said larger profile metal framing element for said smaller profile metal framing element to rest upon said larger metal framing element.

17. A structural framing system, comprising: a longitudinal spacing-bracing member comprising a web lying in a plane, said web having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, a first longitudinal wall connected to said first side of said web and a second longitudinal wall connected to said second side of said web, a first end and a second end;said web, said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall forming a channel, a first lip connected to an edge of said first longitudinal wall distal with respect to said web, a second lip connected to an edge of said second longitudinal wall distal with respect to said web, said first lip and said second lip extending in substantially opposite directions, said first lip and said second lip each comprising a pair of notches at said first end with an opposing pair of said notches at said second end of said spacing-bracing member, said notches extending toward engaging the longitudinal axis of said web;a first structural member and a second structural member substantially identical to said first structural member, each said structural member having a web and flanges, each said structural member having an aperture having a bottom edge, side edges and a top edge extending through said respective webs, said apertures being defined by a perimeter, whereby said notches at said first end and at said second end are configured to engage a respective one of said perimeters forming a connection among said longitudinal spacing-bracing member, said first structural member and said second structural member with said notches indented from said first end and said second end engaging said apertures in said first structural member and said second structural member.

18. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall extend away from each other and each wall extends from said web of said longitudinal spacing-bracing member greater than 90 degrees.

19. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said notches from said first lip extend into said first longitudinal wall and said notches from said second lip extend into said second longitudinal wall to said web.

20. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said longitudinal spacing bracing member has said first side of said web on said bottom edge of said aperture of said first structural member with said second end extending on said bottom edge of said aperture in said second structural member with said pair of notches of said lips engaging the side edges of said aperture in said first structural framing member and said second structural member.

21. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said longitudinal spacing-bracing member has said first end of said longitudinal spacing-bracing member has said first side of said web rest on said bottom edge of said aperture with said web of said second end rests upon a bracing member already being occupied at said bottom edge of said aperture of said second structural member with said pair of notches of said lips engaging the side edges of said apertures in said first structural framing member and said second structural member.

22. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said longitudinal spacing bracing member has said first end with said lips resting on said bottom edge of said aperture of said first structural member with said notches engaging said side edges of said aperture for the second end of said longitudinal spacing bracing member with said lips resting said bottom edge of said aperture of said second structural member.

23. The structural framing system according to claim 22 wherein said longitudinal spacing bracing member has said first end with said lips resting on said bottom edge of said aperture of said first structural member with said notches engaging said side edges of said aperture for the second end of said longitudinal spacing bracing member with said lips resting upon a bracing member already being occupied at said bottom edge of said aperture of said second structural member with said pair of notches of said lips engaging the side edges of said apertures of said second structural member.

24. The structural framing system according to claim 22 wherein said longitudinal spacing bracing member has said first end with said notches from extending into said first and second longitudinal walls with said notch edges from said first and second longitudinal walls resting on said bottom edge of said aperture of said first structural member with said notches for the second end with said notches from said first and second longitudinal walls rest on said bottom edge of said aperture of said second structural member.

25. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein said notches at said lips have a flared edge on at least one side of said notches.

26. The structural framing system according to claim 17 wherein the ridges extending thru having ridge extending from said first side and said second side of said web.