Abstract:
A channel screed that is less likely to cause troweled wall covering material to crack is provided. The channel screed includes a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges. Channel flanges extend from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member. Semi-circular receptacles are located along the bottom member lengthwise edges. The semi-circular receptacles are adapted to receive fastening clips to be secured into place. The fastening clips have a width of about one inch and may be positioned along butt joints and adjacent to framing members for attaching the channel screed to the framing members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a channel screed, and more particularly, to a channel screed with fastening clips. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Channel screeds are generally known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,282,592, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a channel screed that serves as a means to which molding or other trimmings may be attached; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,720, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a channel screed used for aesthetic purposes in the construction of wall surfaces for providing an aesthetic partitioning in a wall covered with plaster, cement, concrete, mortar, stucco, or drywall. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional channel screed  10 . The conventional channel screed  10  includes channel flanges  11  and base/nail flanges  12 . The channel flanges  11  provide a guide for an even application of plaster, stucco, or other exterior material  13  and allow the expansion or contraction of adjoining panels of the exterior material  13 . The base/nail flanges  12  allow the channel screed  10  to be secured to framing members/studs in a building/structure. 
         [0006]    As framing members/studs in a building/structure shift through time, the base/nail flanges  12  may cause the exterior material  13  to crack  14  along the external edges of the base/nail flanges  12 . Accordingly, there is a need for a channel screed that may be properly secured to framing members/studs of a building without causing exterior material  13  to crack. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A channel screed that is less likely to cause cracks in adjacent exterior material is provided. The channel screed includes a bottom member having bottom member lengthwise edges. Channel flanges extend from the bottom member lengthwise edges perpendicular to the bottom member. Semi-circular receptacles are located along bottom member lengthwise edges. The semi-circular receptacles are adapted to allow fastening clips to be secured into place. 
         [0008]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the channel flanges each have a lip extending outwardly and parallel to the bottom member at a top end. 
         [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the semi-circular receptacles each have a center and each include an upper protruding member and a lower protruding member. The lower protruding member extends outwardly parallel to the bottom member. The upper protruding member extends outwardly along a radius extending from the center of each semi-circular receptacle. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper protruding member extends about 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper protruding member extends greater than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle. 
         [0011]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom member includes venting slots or holes. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the channel screed further includes at least one fastening clip having one end received into the semi-circular receptacles. 
         [0013]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each include a hole for allowing a screw or nail to be attached to a framing member through the hole. 
         [0014]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips have a width of about an inch. 
         [0015]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each have a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange. The hinge connect portion extends at an angle from the fastening clip flange. The fastening clip flange extends adjacent and parallel to the bottom member when secured and hinged into place. 
         [0016]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening clips each have a hinge connect portion and a fastening clip flange. The hinge connect portion has a semi-circular rounded portion on a side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on another side. 
         [0017]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hinge connect portion includes a radial portion and a connecting flange portion. The radial portion has a shape of a cylinder of a fixed radius. The connecting flange portion extends from the radial portion and connects with the fastening clip flange such that the connecting flange portion extends parallel to the fastening clip flange. 
         [0018]    A pair of channel screeds abutting end to end is also provided. The pair of channel screeds have abutting ends, the abutting ends being an abutting joint. A fastening clip is received in the semi-circular receptacle bridging the abutting joint to lock the pair of channel screeds into abutment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional channel screed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a channel screed with fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds with fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds with fastening clips according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a fastening clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fastening clip of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front view depicting channel screeds and fastening clips with respect to stud locations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a channel screed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a fastening clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a channel screed according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a fastening clip according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention suitable for use with the channel screed of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a channel screed showing attachment of fastening clips according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a channel screed with fastening clips according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a channel screed  20  with fastening clips  21  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed  20  may be made of a metal such as aluminum and includes a bottom member  22 , channel flanges  23 , and semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  24 . The channel flanges  23  are connected to lengthwise edges of the bottom member  22  and extend perpendicular to the bottom member  22 . The channel flanges  22  may include lips  25 , underneath which an exterior material such as stucco or plaster may be troweled. The semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  24  are located along the lengthwise edges of the bottom member  22 . The semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  24  allow the fastening clips  21  to be inserted, rotated, and locked into place within the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  24 . The fastening clips  21  may be inserted into any desired location. The fastening clips  21  may have a width of about one inch and may include pre-punched holes  26  for allowing nails or screws to be easily inserted for attachment to framing members. 
         [0033]    Because the channel screed  20  does not have a continuous base/nail flange  12 , but rather a plurality of fastening clips  21  spaced apart and having a width of about one inch, the channel screed  20  with fastening clips  21  eliminates cracking of exterior material troweled to edges of the channel screed  20 . Alternatively, the fastening clips  21  may have a larger or a smaller width. However, the larger the width of the fastening clips  21 , the greater the probability of cracking. Smaller widths such as ½ inch may also be suitable. If the width is too small, such as ⅛ of an inch, the fastening clips  21  may detach too easily from the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  24 . Thus, the fastening clips  21  may have a range of widths, varying between about ¼ of an inch and 1 ½ inches, which is the approximate thickness of a stud. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds  30  with fastening clips  31  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screeds  30  may have various lengths, but typically are about 10 feet long. To obtain channels screed sections longer than 10 feet, multiple channel screeds may be aligned and secured together with fastening clips  31  inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  32  at butt joints  33 . The fastening clips  31  are inserted along the framing members/studs typically at intervals of 16 inches. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a set of channel screeds  30  with fastening clips  34  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the multiple channel screeds may be aligned and secured together with fastening clips  34  inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  32  at butt joints  33 . The fastening clips  34  may be inserted along butt-joint locations that do not correspond with framing members/studs, but may additionally be inserted along butt-joint locations that correspond to the framing members/studs typically at intervals of 16 inches. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a fastening clip  34  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the fastening clip  34  of  FIG. 5 . The fastening clip  34  may have a width of about one inch and has a hinge connect portion  35  and a fastening clip flange  36 . The hinge connect portion  35  is shaped to have a tight fit within the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portion  32  such that channel screeds may be securely attached to each other when butt joints  33  do not line up with framing members/studs. In one exemplary embodiment, the hinge connect portion  35  includes a semi-circular rounded portion on one side and a rectangular non-rounded surface on the other side. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a front view depicting channel screeds  30  and fastening clips  31 ,  34  with respect to stud locations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the fastening clips  31  may be used at locations that line up with framing members/studs  37  and the fastening clips  34 , which have a tighter fit and do not include a hole for attaching to a framing member/stud  37 , may be used at butt joints  33  that do not line up with framing members/studs  37 . Although not depicted in  FIG. 7 , the fastening clips  34  may additionally be used at butt joints  33  that line up with framing members/studs  37 . The fastening clips  34  have a tighter fit and therefore are necessary for use at butt joints  33  that do not line up with framing members/studs  37 . The fastening clips  31  are easier to attach to the channel screeds  30  and therefore are best used along framing members/studs  37  located toward the middle sections of the channel screeds  30 . The fastening clips  31  may additionally be used at butt joints  33  that correspond to framing members/studs  37 , as the fastening clips  31  securely affix channel screeds  30  together once the fastening clips  31  are attached to the framing members/studs  37 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a channel screed  40  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed  40  includes a bottom member  41 , channel flanges  42 , and semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  43 . Each of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  43  have a center and include an upper protruding member  44  and a lower protruding member  45 . The lower protruding member  45  extends outwardly parallel to the bottom member  41 . The upper protruding member  44  extends outwardly along a radius extending from a center of each semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion  43 . In an exemplary embodiment, the upper protruding member  44  extends 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion  43 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a fastening clip  50  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fastening clip  50  has a hinge connect portion  51  and a fastening clip flange  52 . The hinge connect portion  51  includes a rounded head/radial portion  53  and a connecting flange portion  54 . The rounded head/radial portion  53  has a shape of a cylinder with a fixed radius and is shaped to fit into the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portion of the channel screed. The connecting flange portion  54  extends from the rounded head/radial portion  53  and connects with the fastening clip flange  52  such that the connecting flange portion  54  extends parallel to the fastening clip flange  52 . Because the fastening clip  50  is formed with a 90° bend adjacent to the rounded head/radial portion  53 , when the fastening clip  50  is lowered to horizontal it is locked into the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portions of the channel screed and cannot be pulled out. However, once inserted, the fastening clip  50  may be slid horizontally along the length of the semi-circular receptacle/hinge portions. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a channel screed  60  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed  60  includes bottom member  61 , channel flanges  62 , semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  63 , upper protruding members  64 , and lower protruding members  65 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the upper protruding members  64  may extend further than 15° beyond a location vertical from the center of each of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  63  such that an alternative fastening clip may be secured in place. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a fastening clip  70  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fastening clip  70  has a hinge connect portion  71  and a fastening clip flange  72 . The hinge connect portion  71  extends at an angle from the fastening clip flange  72  and is narrower in thickness for allowing the fastening clip  70  to be secured into the narrower slot of the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  63 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a channel screed  80  showing attachment of fastening clips  81  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. To attach the fastening clips  81  to the channel screed  80 , the fastening clips  81  are first elevated and the rounded head/radial portion  84  is inserted into the semi-circular receptacles/hinge portions  82  and are then lowered/rotated until the fastening clips extend parallel to and flush with the bottom member  83 . When the fastening clips  81  extend parallel to the bottom member  83 , the channel screed  80  may be secured to a framing member by securing the fastening clips  81  to framing members of a building/structure. 
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a channel screed  90  with fastening clips  91  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel screed  90  includes bottom member  92  with a plurality of vent slots or holes  93 . According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vent slots  93  may be ⅛″ wide by 1″ long, spaced 1½″ on center lengthwise, with multiple rows spaced laterally ½″ on center such that each row of vent slots lengthwise provides approximately 1 square inch of vented area per lineal foot. 
         [0044]    While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope.