Patent Application
20100115878
The present invention relates generally to components used in building construction, and more specifically to the installation of framing studs between a ceiling and a floor. The present application is directed to a spring bracket used to facilitate such installation.
Metal framing stud-based walls are commonly used in commercial and some residential building construction as they provide a strong and reliable support structure. Such walls use vertically positioned elongate, framing studs having a “[”-shaped cross-section, which are spaced horizontally to form a wall. These framing studs are typically secured in place by fastening both an upper end and a lower end of the framing stud to respective and floor framing tracks, also referred to as headers and footers. Once the framing studs have been installed and properly positioned, the fasteners at the upper end of the framing stud often need to be removed to accommodate a sag in the ceiling. Failure to remove these fasteners can result in a stud columnar deformation.
Further, after the framing studs have been installed, sheets of wallboard are fastened to the studs, and wallboard joint compound is applied to seams formed by adjacent panels. However, when applying joint compound, improperly installed fasteners at both ends of the framing stud may cause dimple-like deformations and associated stress of the naturally brittle joint compound once set. For these reasons, fasteners are typically removed once the framing studs have been installed. Of course, removing these fasteners adds to the total labor time required for these projects.
The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present spring bracket for framing stud installation, which features a clamping portion for mounting to a framing stud, and legs for engaging a ceiling or floor. The spring bracket therefore avoids having to use fasteners to secure the framing stud in place. In addition to securing the stud in place without fasteners, the present spring clip bracket accommodates ceiling sagging and maintains the stud position.
More specifically, a spring bracket is provided for installing a framing stud between a ceiling and a floor, including at least one clamping portion configured for gripping an end of the frame stud; and at least one leg attached to the clamping portion and configured for engaging the ceiling or floor, wherein the spring bracket is the sole device for securing the framing stud in place upon installation.
Referring now to
Attached to the clamping portion 14 is at least one and preferably two legs 18 configured for engaging a ceiling 20 (
The clamping portion 14 and die legs 18 are preferably formed out of a continuous, planar strip of spring steel (e.g., AISI 1074 or AISI 1090) or other suitable material to permit movement of the legs between the preinstalled position and the deformed position.
Referring now to
A friction causing surface 30 is optionally positioned between a lower end 32 of the framing stud 12 and the floor 24 to reduce movement of the framing stud 12 during and after installation. At the upper end 16 of the framing stud 12, the friction-enhancing formations 22 engage the ceiling 20 and similarly reduce movement of the framing stud.
Once the spring bracket 10 and the framing stud 12 have been installed between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20, it is likely that the ceiling will eventually sag. When this occurs, the ceiling 20 exerts a downward force on the spring bracket 10, causing the legs 18 to move from the preinstalled position (
Movement of the legs 18 between the preinstalled position and the deformed position also aids the installation of the framing stud 12. Depending on the length of the framing stud 12 and the distance between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20, it is often difficult to fit the framing stud (with a spring bracket 10), between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20. However, installation can be achieved by placing the upper end 16 of the framing stud 12 (with the sprint bracket 10 attached) on the ceiling 20 at an angle, followed by straightening out the framing stud by moving the lower end 32 toward the floor 24 to engage the friction-causing surface 30. It is noted that placement of the spring bracket 10 is not limited to the upper end 16 of the framing stud, but is also mountable on the lower end 32, wherein the legs 18 engage the floor 24 rather than the ceiling 20. Further, while use of a single spring bracket 10 is sufficient to secure the framing stud 12, it is contemplated that spring brackets are mountable on both the upper end 16 and the lower end 32 of the framing stud to further secure the framing stud in place.
In the event that it is difficult to fit the framing stud 12 (with the spring bracket 10 mounted on it) between the floor 24 and the ceiling 20, the legs 18 can be moved towards their deformed position, thereby reducing the total height of the framing stud 12 and spring bracket 10 combination. Once the framing stud 12 and spring bracket 10 are properly positioned, the legs 18 engage and exert a biasing force upon the ceiling 20 as they plant a retaining force towards their preinstalled position.
Unlike the conventional approach of securing the framing stud 14 to the ceiling 20 and the floor 24 using fasteners frame tracks, no fasteners or other parts are required with the present spring bracket 10. As such, the spring bracket 10 is the sole device for securing the framing stud 12 in place relative to the floor 24 when the framing stud is installed between the ceiling 20 and the floor 24. The spring bracket therefore avoids the pitfalls encountered by the conventional fastener-based approach.
In particular, the present spring bracket 10 reduces the labor involved in installing framing studs 12. Once the framing studs 12 have been secured, there is no need to remove any fasteners or perform additional steps to prepare for a possible sag in the ceiling 20. Indeed, when the ceiling 20 sags, the resulting force on the bracket 10 causes the legs 18 of the spring bracket 10 to move from the preinstalled position to the deformed position, while still retaining the framing stud 16 in a secure position. It is noted that the spring bracket 10 can be used for various sizes and dimensions of walls and framing studs 12. By adjusting the biasing force (i.e., the amount of spring precompression) and the length of the legs 18, the spring bracket 10 can be tailored to accommodate walls and framing studs 12 with particular sized and dimensions.
Further, when wallboard compound is eventually applied to the walls, the likelihood of crystal deformations or resulting stress seen with the conventional fastener-based approach are reduced or eliminated.
While a particular embodiment of the present spring bracket for framing stud installation has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
