Patent ID: 6854237
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: E04B,E04C,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A structural wall, comprising: an elongated, downwardly opening, sheet-metal, upper channel member having spaced apart sidewalls defining an upper channel space between them; and an elongated sheet-metal stud including: an upper end portion sized to fit within said upper channel space and including spaced apart sidewalls that are contiguous the sidewalls of the upper channel member when the upper end portion of the stud is within the upper channel space; a screw fastener having a shank, a head and a threaded end portion opposite the head; at least one sidewall of the upper end portion of the stud including a longitudinal slot for receiving the shank portion of the screw fastener, said slot being wider than the shank of the screw fastener; said screw fastener extending through a sidewall of said upper channel member into said slot in said stud; said slot being long enough to permit vertical movement of the stud relative to the screw fastener and the upper channel member; wherein the screw fastener is adapted to be tightened to firmly connect it to the sidewall of the upper channel member, in a fixed position on said sidewall of the upper channel member, with its shank portion in the slot, free of connection with the upper end portion of said stud; and wherein the stud can move up and down relative to the screw and the upper channel member.