FRAMING SYSTEM OF STUDS AND RAILS CONNECTED TOGETHER BY ADAPTER MEMBERS

Abstract

A framing system (1) comprises track frame elements (3) and stud frame elements (4) which are interconnected at joints (2). The framing system comprises connection means for interconnecting the frame elements (3, 4) on assembly. The connection means comprises an adaptor (10) for a frame element and fixing means for fixing the adaptor to the frame elements. The adaptor conforms to at least part of the profile of at least one of the frame elements. In one case the adaptor (10) is of generally channel profile comprising a web (11) and side flanges (12). The side flanges of the adaptor (10) are engagable in the end of the stud frame element (4) such that the flanges (12) of the adaptor engage with the flanges (8) of the stud frame element (4). Rivets (30) are used to fix the stud frame element (4) to the adaptor (10). Track fixing means comprising a fixing bolt (25) extending to engage with a receiver (26) which is captive in the web (11) of the adaptor (10). The cross section of the stud frame element (4) has full bearing with the track frame element (3) for efficient load transfer.

Description

INTRODUCTION

The invention relates to a structural framing system comprising a number of roll formed metal elements jointed together. Such a framing system may be used to provide a wall such as a partition wall of a building such as a modular building.

Many framing systems of this type are known. Stud and track systems for structural applications must enable load transfer from the top track to the stud and from the stud to the bottom track. This must be achieved without short term settlement or long term creep.

In one current arrangement the stud is located in the track and then fastened in place through the flanges. This provides a simple, site fixable method of construction. However, in use the stud usually sits on the internal radii of the track. Consequently, the connection relies on the restricted shear strength of the fastener. Tolerances are limited by site workmanship and varying settlement can present problems. As the frames are not assembled in a controlled environment, the positions of each fastener may not be exactly in line. Consequently, creep may occur locally in some studs when a load is applied to the frame.

Another known arrangement involves shaping the stud and track at the engagement regions is to reduce location tolerances and provide an improved shear load with a horizontal clamping action. An external clamping mechanism may be used to ensure that the studs are positioned in contact with the track before fastening. The clamping may be applied either local to the connection or the entire frame may be clamped. Additional grinding of the stud ends may be required to ensure a close fit. When the frame is sufficiently clamped tight, the connection can then be riveted. This system is impractical because it is slow and difficult to operate and is inflexible.

The most structurally efficient of these systems facilitates end bearing of the stud into the web of the track. The use of external clamping mechanisms or specialist equipment however leads to high cost and complexity.

There is therefore a need for an improved system which will be easy to assemble whilst ensuring efficient load transfer between the studs and the tracks.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided

• • a structural framing system comprising:—
    • a stud frame element;
    • a track frame element;
    • an adaptor between the stud element and the track element at a joint therebetween; and
    • fixing means for fixing the adaptor to the frame element(s).

In one embodiment the fixing means comprises a stud fixing means for fixing the stud element to the adaptor.

In one case the fixing means comprises a track fixing means for fixing the track element to the adaptor.

Preferably the track fixing means extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the stud element.

In one embodiment the track fixing means comprises an adjustable screw or bolt and a receiver for the screw or bolt. The receiver is preferably captive in the adaptor. The track may have a countersink for receiving a countersink head of the track fixing screw or bolt.

In one embodiment the stud fixing means extends between the stud and the adaptor. Preferably the stud fixing means extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud. The stud fixing means may comprise a self piercing rivet.

In one embodiment the frame element are of generally channel shape comprising a web and a pair of side flanges and the adaptor is locatable between the side flanges of the frame element.

In one case the width of the web of the stud frame element is narrower than the width of the web of the track frame element at the joint therebetween.

In one embodiment the adaptor comprises a pair of side flanges and a connecting member extending therebetween. The adaptor may be substantially channel shaped.

In another embodiment the connecting member comprises a central part and a pair of side parts extending from the central part to the side flanges of the adaptor. The central part is substantially flat.

In one embodiment the system comprises a track frame element, a stud frame element, a stud adaptor, a track adaptor, stud fixing means for fixing the stud frame element to the stud adaptor and track fixing means for fixing the track frame element to the track adaptor and to the stud adaptor. The track adaptor may comprise a bearer plate.

The invention also provides a building system comprising a framing system of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of portion of an assembled frame according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a joint detail of the frame;

FIG. 3 is a side partially cross sectional view of the joint detail;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view in the direction of the arrows IV to IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of portion of another assembled frame according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a joint detail of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side partially cross sectional view of the joint detail of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view in the direction of the arrows VIII-VIII

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an assembled frame incorporating the joint detail of FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the frame portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the frame portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a structural frame incorporating the joint details of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of part of a building incorporating the framing system of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of part of a building incorporating the framing system of the invention;

FIG. 16 is another view of the building part of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view of a detail of one joint in the building part of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of detail of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of portion of an assembled frame according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective exploded view of a joint detail of the frame of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the joint detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a structural framing system 1 according to the invention comprising a number of frame elements typically of metal, in this case steel sections, connected at joints 2. The frame elements in this case comprise track frame elements 3 and stud frame elements 4 which are interconnected to form the framing system.

The track frame element 3 is of rolled steel and comprises an elongated channel having a web 5, and side flanges 6 which extend continuously the length of the element 3. In this case the side flanges 6 are overbent. The overbent flanges 6 taper inwardly to the width of the stud to ensure a smooth joint between the stud and track frame elements.

The stud frame element 4 is also of rolled steel and comprises an elongated generally c-shaped lipped channel having a web 7, and side flanges 8 which extend continuously the length of the element. The side flanges 8 have inturned side lips 9.

The framing system comprises connection means for interconnecting the frame elements 3,4, on assembly. The connection means comprises an adaptor 10 for a frame element and fixing means for fixing the adaptor to the frame elements. The adaptor preferably conforms to at least part of the profile of at least one of the frame elements.

In this case the adaptor 10 is of generally channel profile comprising a web 11 and side flanges 12. The side flanges of the adaptor 10 are engagable in the end of the stud frame element 4 such that the flanges 12 of the adaptor engage with the flanges 8 of the stud frame element 4.

The framing system comprises fixing means for fixing the adaptor 10 to the frame elements. The fixing means comprises a stud fixing means for fixing the stud frame element to the adaptor 10 and a track fixing means for fixing the track frame element 3 to the adaptor 10.

The stud fixing means in this case comprises rivets 29 which are applied by a suitable rivet gun to fix the flanges 8 of the stud frame element 4 to the flanges 12 of the adaptor 10. The rivets 29 may be of any suitable type such a self piercing rivets which do not require a pre-drilled hole(s).

The track fixing means comprises an adjustable screw or bolt 25 and a receiver 26 for the bolt 25. The receiver 26 is captive in the web 11 of the adaptor 10 and on rotation of the bolt 25 in the receiver 26 the adaptor 10 to which the stud frame element 4 is fixed is drawn into the track to provide an extremely strong and secure joint which facilitates load transfer.

It will be noted that the underside of the web 5 of the track 3 has a countersink 30 for receiving a countersunk head 31 of the fixing bolt 25 so that the head does not protrude and thereby location of one joint adjacent to another is not inhibited—there is flat face-to-face contact as illustrated for example by 40 in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The track fixing means provided by the bolt 25 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stud frame element 4 for efficient transfer of vertical loads.

It will be noted that in this case the width of the web 7 of the stud frame element 4 is narrower than the width of the web 5 of the track frame element 3 at the joint so that the track flanges 6 are bent over the stud flanges 8 as will be particularly apparent from FIG. 4. This slight oversizing of the track 3 relative to the stud 4 ensures that the ends of the stud 4 have full face to face contact with the web 5 of the track 3 when they are drawn together by the fixing bolt 25, thus ensuring full load bearing contact. Guide counterforms may be provided on the track flanges to ensure correct positioning of the stud. The overbent track feature also facilitates mounting of insulation boards to the framing system as a generally flat surface is provided. The framing system of the invention ensures full bearing of the stud 4 in the track 3 for efficient load transfer through the joint.

The framing system can be speedily and simply assembled. The adaptors are attached to the stud with self piercing rivets as a sub-assembly. The studs can then be attached to the track with a single fastener that is driven in from the side. This means that the frame does not have to be turned during the assembly sequence and can be slid flat along rollers.

A single fastener is used to draw the stud 4 and the track 3 together with a notional torque. This positions the stud 4, aligns it vertically and enables the full cross section of the stud 4 to have effective full bearing with the track 3. Once the frame is in position, any load is transferred through the stud directly to the track 3.

Once the frame is assembled, the connection eliminates any chance of creep occurring when under load.

The load bearing connection of the invention is particularly applicable for use in a light steel building system.

The connection means used in the system of the invention for connecting the stud to the track acts to draw the stud 4 into effective full bearing with track 3. The stud engages against the track 3 to achieve full bearing load distribution.

No metal is removed from the flanges of the stud; therefore the structural properties of the stud are not affected.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8 there is illustrated another structural framing system 50 of the invention in which parts similar to those of FIGS. 1 to 4 are identified by the same reference numerals. In this case an adaptor 51 comprises a pair of side flanges 52 and a connecting part extending therebetween. The connecting part comprises a central section 53 and a pair of side parts 54 extending from the central section 53. The V-shaped adaptor 51 because it is flexible can facilitate fabrication of the sub-assembly. It can fit a wide range of stud sizes.

It will be appreciated that the system may be used to join adjacent frame elements in any application such as a wall type frame as illustrated to which cladding panels may be attached. Such a wall may be load bearing or non load bearing and may, for example, form part of a modular building unit.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate part of a framing system incorporating the joint details of the invention. These drawings show how the sub-assemblies engage in a face-to-face manner at 40 so that full load transfer is facilitated. The connection has no protruding parts either along the outer web 5 or outer flanges 6 of the track 3.

Referring to FIG. 13 there is illustrated a typical building frame with a window opening 60. The load bearing connections are in the full height studs 4 only as these transfer the vertical loads. The connections of the invention are in both the top and bottom of all load bearing studs. The section size of the stud is selected to suit the desired structural design.

Referring to FIG. 14 there is illustrated part of a building incorporating the framing system of the invention. Various insulation boards 70 are attached to the framing system. The boarding can be fixed to the track 3 and stud 4 frame elements. The overbent track flange 6 ensures that the board will not crack at the track to stud location.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18 there is illustrated part of a building incorporating the framing system of the invention. In this case the load bearing connection is used in an exterior wall 80 incorporating conventional block work 81. Boarding and insulation can be fixed to the frame elements.

Referring to FIGS. 19 to 21 there is illustrated another structural framing system 100 according to the invention which is similar to those described above and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case there is a bearer plate 102 which is a close fit with the web 5 of the track frame element 3. The web 5 of the track frame element 3, the bearer plate 102, and the web 11 of the adaptor 10 all have fixing holes respectively indicated as 21, 22, 23 for reception of a fixing bolt 25 which is engageable with a fixing nut 26. Side fixing screws or rivets 29 which extend through the side flanges 8 and 12 of the adaptor and stud frame element 4 are used to fix the stud frame element to the adaptor. In this way the adaptors and fixings ensure close connection between the stud frame elements and the track frame elements.

In this case a single fastener is used to draw the stud component and the track together with a notional torque. This positions the stud, aligns it vertically and enables the full cross section of the stud to have effective full bearing with the track. Once the frame is in position, any load is transferred through the stud directly on to the bearer plate. The load is then transferred from the bearer plate on to the track element 3. The vertical position of the adaptor in the stud does not have a critical tolerance and can feature a range of fastener connections, such as bolts with riv-nuts or utilising a press formed thread.

Once the frame is assembled, the connection eliminates any chance of creep occurring when under load.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A structural framing system comprising:— a stud frame element comprising a web and a pair of side flanges;a track frame element comprising a web and a pair of side flanges;an adaptor comprising pair of sides and a connector extending between the sides;the sides of the adaptor being fixed to the side flanges of the stud by stud fixings to form a sub-assembly; anda fixing means extending between the web of the track frame element and the connector of the adaptor for drawing the stud frame element and adaptor sub-assembly to the track frame element so that the stud frame element is in full engagement with the track frame element for full bearing load distribution between the stud frame element and the track frame element.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the fixing means extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the stud element.

25. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the track fixing means comprises an adjustable screw or bolt and a receiver for the screw or bolt.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the receiver is captive in the adaptor.

27. The system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the track has a countersink for receiving a countersunk head of the track fixing screw or bolt.

28. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the stud fixing means extends between the stud and the adaptor.

29. The system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the stud fixing means extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud.

30. The system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the stud fixing means comprises a self piercing rivet.

31. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the width of the web of the stud frame element is narrower than the width of the web of the track frame element at the joint therebetween.

32. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the adaptor is substantially channel shaped.

33. The system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the connecting member comprises a central part and a pair of side parts extending from the central part to the side flanges of the adaptor.

34. The system as claimed in claim 33 wherein the central part is substantially flat.

35. The building system comprising a framing system as claimed in claim 23.

36. The modular building system comprising a framing system as claimed in claim 23.