BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein relates to a device and method for providing a support for framing an opening.
2. Background Information
For framing openings for doors or other similar structures at a construction site, it is known that a web of a metal stud must face the opening for mounting a door or other similar structure desired. In many cases, these openings must have double studs for additional support. Conventionally, the studs have been either tied together with straps or welded together. Straps cause bulging that complicates the addition of drywall. Multiple straps are needed along the entire length of the studs, which adds materials and labor costs to the project. Alternatively, welding is expensive, time consuming, presents fire hazards, and requires special inspections. Similar to straps, multiple welds are required along the entire length of the two studs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A jamb stud connection assembly for providing a support for framing an opening comprises generally a first stud, a second stud, and a connector. Each of the first stud and the second stud comprises a web, a pair of flanges, and a pair of returns. Each of the flanges extends substantially perpendicularly from the web, and the returns extend inwardly from the flanges such that the returns are substantially parallel to the web. The connector comprises an elevation, a pair of side flanges, and a pair of terminal flanges. The side flanges extend from the elevation, and the terminal flanges extend outwardly from the side flanges such that the terminal flanges are substantially parallel to the elevation. The first stud and the second stud are connected and secured together by the connector such that the elevation of the connector is flush with and attached to the web of the first stud, and the terminal flanges of the connector are flush with and attached to the web of the second stud. When the first stud and the second stud are secured together by the connector, the returns of the first stud are flush with the returns of the second stud. The jamb stud connection assembly may be vertically installed inside a wall adjacent to the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stud.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a side view of the connector shown in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2C is a front view of the connector shown in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention, in which a connector is shown in phantom by broken lines.
FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the jamb stud connection assembly shown in FIG. 3A, in which the connector is shown in phantom by broken lines.
FIG. 3C is a rear view of the jamb stud connection assembly shown in FIG. 3A, in which the connector and a pair of returns of a stud are shown in phantom by broken lines.
FIG. 3D is a top view of the jamb stud connection assembly shown in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A illustrates a use of a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention for providing a support for framing an opening, wherein the jamb stud connection assembly is installed inside a wall.
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional top view of the jamb stud connection assembly, which is installed inside a wall.
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional top view of a jamb stud connection assembly installed inside a wall and engaging a door frame.
FIG. 5 shows a jamb stud connection assembly with a header attached thereto in accordance with the present invention, in which a connector is shown in phantom by broken lines.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a connector in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of a connector in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a stud to be used in a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention. A stud 10 comprises a web 20, a pair of flanges 30, and a pair of returns 40. Each of the flanges 30 extends substantially perpendicularly from the web 20, and the returns 40 extend inwardly from the flanges 30 such that the returns 40 are substantially parallel to the web 20. The length of the stud 10 may vary depending on the vertical length of a space where the stud will be positioned.
FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate an embodiment of a connector in accordance with the present invention. A connector 50 comprises an elevation 60, a pair of side flanges 70, and a pair of terminal flanges 80. The side flanges 70 extend from the elevation 60, and the terminal flanges 80 extend outwardly from the side flanges 70 such that the terminal flanges 80 are substantially parallel to the elevation 60. The side flanges 70 of the connector 50 may extend outwardly diagonally from the elevation 60 as shown in FIG. 2B.
A connector in accordance with the present invention may vary in dimensions such as length, width, and/or height. The dimensions of a connector may vary depending on dimensions of studs to be joined by the connector. FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of different embodiments of connectors, 50a and 50b, that are different in dimensions.
FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate an embodiment of a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention. The jamb stud connection assembly 2 comprises a connector 50 and two studs, 10a and 10b. The first stud 10a and the second stud 10b are connected and secured together by the connector 50 such that the elevation 60 of the connector 50 is flush with and attached to the web 20a of the first stud 10a by one or more screws 90, and the terminal flanges 80 of the connector 50 are flush with and attached to the web 20b of the second stud 10b by screws 90. Because the webs, 20a and 20b, are the strongest portions of the studs, 10a and 10b, securing the studs together at their webs creates a much stronger connection than any known connecting methods. When the first stud 10a and the second stud 10b are joined together by the connector 50, the returns 40a of the first stud 10a are flush with the returns 40b of the second stud 10b. When the first stud 10a and the second stud 10b are joined together by the connector 50, the connector 50 may be located within the studs, 10a and 10b, such that the side flanges 70 of the connector 50 are substantially perpendicular to the flanges, 30a and 30b, of the studs, 10a and 10b, as shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D. In another embodiment, the connector 50 may be located within the studs, 10a and 10b, such that one of the side flanges 70 of the connector 50 is placed near one of the returns 40a of the first stud 10a and the other side flange 70 of the connector 50 is placed near the other return 40a of the first stud 10a so as not to block the open space formed between the two studs, 10a and 10b.
FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate that a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention is used for providing a support for framing an opening. An example of such opening is an opening for a door. FIGS. 4A and 4B show that the jamb stud connection assembly 2 comprising a connector 50 and two studs, 10a and 10b, is installed vertically inside a wall 100 adjacent to the opening 104. Only one connector 50 may be needed to join the two studs, 10a and 10b, together. As shown in FIG. 4A, to support for framing an opening, a pair of jamb stud connection assemblies are vertically installed, and a header 92 is horizontally connected to and in-between the jamb stud connection assemblies. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 5, the connector 50 of each jamb stud connection assembly 2 secures the first stud 10a and the second stud 10b together at the point where the header 92 is attached to the jamb stud connection assembly. The header 92 is for supporting a weight of a structure located above. The point where the header 92 is attached to the jamb stud connection assembly 2 is the point at which the greatest load is located. By placing the connector 50 at the point where the greatest load is located, only one connector 50 can be used to secure the two studs, 10a and 10b, together for each jamb stud connection assembly.
The header 92 may be attached to the jamb stud connection assembly 2 through a bracket 94 by screws. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the header 92 may be attached to the second stud 10b of the jamb stud connection assembly 2 through a bracket 94 placed on the second stud 10b. In another embodiment, the header 92 may be attached to the first stud 10a of the jamb stud connection assembly 2 through a bracket placed on the first stud 10a.
FIG. 4C illustrates that a jamb stud connection assembly in accordance with the present invention is used for supporting a door frame. FIG. 4C shows that the jamb stud connection assembly 2 is vertically installed inside the wall 100′ and engages a door frame 98.
While the said detailed description elaborates workable embodiments of the present invention, the said embodiments shall not be construed as a limitation on the patented scope and claims of the present invention and, furthermore, all equivalent adaptations and modifications based on the technological spirit of the present invention shall remain protected within the scope and claims of the invention herein.
Patent Application
20110271614
