Composite structural post

A composite structural post is provided for two interior walls of a building. Such post includes a rectangular wooden stud having four faces. At least one elongate metal angle bar is secured to the rectangular wooden stud by means of an exterior face of a first arm of the elongate metal angle bar being secured to a first face of the rectangular wooden stud at a first corner second arm of the elongate metal angle bar projects from the rectangular wooden stud at that first corner, and is adjacent to a second face of the rectangular wooden stud at that first corner. The interior faces of each of the first arm and the second arm of the elongate metal angle bar are provided with specificallly recited means to enable securing a first interior wallboard and also a second interior wallboard or interior sheathing by means of self tapping screws. The second interior wallboard or interior sheathing is disposed at right angles to the first interior wallboard or interior sheathing.

(2) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(i) Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to building construction. More particularly 
it relates to a composite corner post for providing at least two interior 
walls. 
(ii) Description of the Prior Art 
In recent years, more and more effort has been expended by builders and the 
building trades to improve construction and reduce the costs of 
construction. Many new construction methods have been devised but these, 
contrary to the present invention, have been restricted almost exclusively 
to large building construction. In the prior art heretofore the 
improvements in home construction have been restricted to the introduction 
of new materials. For example, corner post construction, whether it be for 
an outside corner, i.e., a corner in the outside wall of a house, or an 
intersecting corner, has been the same for a very long time. The ordinary 
way to assemble corner posts in the past has been to secure studs together 
to make a solid post. Sometimes blocks were used as spacers, particularly 
in the case of intersecting corner posts. These posts were normally 
assembled on the construction site by using a sufficient amount of 
studding material to make a solid post. The studs were normally 
2.times.3's, 2.times.4's or 2 .times.6's and at least three pieces were 
generally needed to construct a corner post. Outside corner posts were 
made of three pieces and intersecting corner posts were made of three or 
four pieces and often included filler blocks. 
The wall finish material, e.g., wallboard, gypsum board, or lath and 
plaster, were secured at the corner of the three studs. In setting a new 
partition in an old building, difficulty was found to be encountered in 
properly securing the new studs in the old wall while preventing damage to 
the cut ends of the old wall finish material. 
This type of construction is not desirable, since the creating of the 
corner posts used a considerable amount of lumber and nails and, more 
importantly it was time consuming and labour intensive. These factors were 
especially significant because they directly affected the cost of 
building. 
Steel structural members or studs in the form of C-beams and box 
2.times.3's, 2.times.4's or 2.times.6's have been used for a number of 
years in construction work as framing for interior walls and for exterior 
walls which support, for example, plaster board and exterior sheathing. 
Such steel studs, when used as structural members for exterior walls, had 
a primary drawback in that they readily conducted exterior heat into the 
air-conditioned building in the summer, and did the reverse in winter when 
the heat loss in cold weather was found to be so serious that the walls 
were discoloured (called "shadowing"), as moisture, including greasy dirt, 
was deposited on the colder parts of the wall in direct contact with the 
steel beams supporting the wall. 
Combination wood/steel beams and/or studs have also been suggested, and 
patented, in an effort to improve the above-identified building 
construction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,075,845, patented Oct. 14, 
1913, by J. H. Mills, provided a structural material which included 
parallel wooden strips spaced apart, and two strips of sheet metal 
extending across and covering two opposite edges of the wooden strips, 
leaving two opposite sides thereof exposed for nailing purposes. Both the 
wooden and metal strips constituted an integral structure and an article 
of commerce. The metallic strip had tongues stamped out therefrom and 
embedded into the wood for securing the wooden and metallic strips 
together. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,407, patented Feb. 7, 1928, by P. Gustaveson, provided 
a nailing block for composite walls. The patented block was provided as 
the combination with a flanged metal wall member, having one of its faces 
formed so as to fit between the flanges of the wall-forming member. 
Vertically-disposed shoulders were formed on the side faces of the block 
for engagement with the edges of the flanges of the wall-forming member. 
An open loop of resilient metal was provided for securing the nailing 
block to the wall member. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,005,146, patented Jun. 18, 1935, by G. F. Kotrbaty, 
provided a self-supporting building member and joint. Such building member 
was provided in a wall construction including a plurality of juxtaposed 
building units having spaced wall sections and end sections joining the 
wall sections. The end sections were provided with centrally-disposed, 
tongue-receiving slots and channel sections on either side of the slot 
sections. A tongue keying member having resilient clip members thereon, 
extending from opposite sides and substantially-parallel to the member, 
was disposed between abutted building units, and was in locking relation 
with the tongue receiving slots. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,848, patented Aug. 13, 1935, by H. W. Dix, provided a 
structural unit building member, which included, in combination, parallel 
wall sections and end sections bridging the wall sections. The end 
sections included a central portion and lateral channel portions, one of 
the central portions having vertical tongue-receiving slots, another of 
the central portions having outwardly extending tongues insertable in the 
slots. Transverse vertical slots were provided in lateral alignment with 
the first slots. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,906, patented Jan. 4, 1966, by C. W. Koerner, provided 
a building corner post and bracket, which included a plurality of 
vertically-spaced brackets, each of the brackets comprising a body member 
having two offset sections, a first section and a second section. These 
sections were connected together at adjacent corners forming two opposed 
rectangular recesses on opposite sides of the bracket. Each of the 
sections had a pair of flanges secured thereto in a perpendicular 
relationship to the body member, the flanges being secured to the edges of 
the sections adjacent the recesses. A first upright member was secured in 
one recess to one of the flanges from the first section and one of the 
flanges from the second section. A second upright was secured in the other 
recess to the remaining flange of the first section. A third upright was 
secured in the last mentioned recess to the remaining flange of the second 
section. Adjacent surfaces of said second and third upright members were 
in abutting perpendicular relationship, thereby to form an inside corner 
there-between. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,429, patented Nov. 22, 1966, by G. D. Ratliff Jr., 
provided a composite wood-metal structural member, which included a top 
chord member, a bottom chord member spaced therefrom and a panel extending 
between and secured to the members. The top chord member was a flanged 
metal member disposed with its flange parallel to the panel and in 
abutting relation therewith. The flange had flexible spurs extending 
therefrom. The panel was impaled on the spurs, whereby, on initial loading 
of the beam, the resulting stress in the panel was only partially 
transferred to the top chore member. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,194, patented Apr. 15, 1975, by R. W. Matuschek et al., 
provided a structural corner post. The patented corner post, which 
included a vertically-extending elongated column, the top and bottom 
surfaces of the column being flat and parallel, each of the top and bottom 
surfaces being divided into first and second zones. Upper and lower 
generally-flat end caps overlay and were secured to the first zones of the 
top and bottom surfaces respectively in parallel relation and extending in 
the same direction. End caps were provided which included 
vertically-aligned overhanging edge portions which formed a female 
receptacle with an adjacent and intermediate vertical surface on said 
column. The female receptacle was adapted to receive therebetween a 
vertical structural member. The second zones of the top and bottom 
surfaces overlay a laterally-extending vertical edge portion of the column 
which formed a male connector which was adapted for engagement with the 
end portions of upper and lower horizontally-extending structural members. 
The vertical edge portion and the intermediate vertical surface were 
located 90.degree. apart. The column comprised a pair of 
longitudinally-extending structural elements arranged in parallel relation 
having the opposing longitudinal surfaces spaced slightly apart and a 
third longitudinally-extending structural element abutting and arranged 
perpendicular to the pair of structural elements. The pair and the third 
structural elements were of substantially-equal length. The third 
structural element formed the laterally-extending vertical edge portion. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,302, patented Apr. 26, 1977, by L. J. Meyer, provided a 
metal flange web connection, which included two coextensive spaced-apart 
parallel channel portions facing the same direction and extending the 
length of the member. Each of the channel portions defined a slot having 
parallel walls for engaging and clamping to the opposite faces of an edge 
portion of a plywood sheet. The walls had a large number of sharp 
projections extending inwardly for penetration into the plywood, thereby 
to form a friction bond with both faces of the plywood along the length of 
the channel portion. The adjacent walls of the channel portions also 
defined a third channel portion which was parallel to, and faced in a 
direction opposite from the first two channel portions. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,225, patented Aug. 21, 1984, by J. K. Hovind, provided 
a stud extender, which consisted solely of a first wide flat side, a 
second side, which was substantially-parallel and spaced from the first 
wide flat side, and a flat front, free of any elements frontward thereof. 
The flat front was perpendicular to, and adjoined, the two sides at 
substantially-square corners, all formed solely of sheet metal. At least 
one wide flat side had means for locating the stud extender against a wood 
stud with the front of the extender in a uniform-spaced parallel 
relationship to the front of the wood stud when the wide flat side was 
disposed against and extending across a minor extent of the side of the 
wood stud. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,098, patented Oct. 28, 1986, by L. H. Taylor, provided 
a metallic structural member, which included a hollow, 
generally-quadrangular in transverse cross-section stud consisting of at 
least three contiguous walls with the middle of the at least three walls 
being provided with a multiplicity of parallel, spaced, longitudinal rows 
of longitudinally-spaced slits, to reduce transmission of heat and sound 
there across and to prevent convection of air currents therethrough. 
Alternate rows of slits were staggered such that the longitudinal spaces 
of one row were positioned substantially-midway of the length of the slits 
of adjacent rows, thereby further reducing sound and heat transmission 
across at least three walls. 
Canadian Patent No. 130, 742, patented Jan. 23, 1911, by S. Whitehall, 
provided joints for cleats, which included two members, each member having 
its abutting ends mitred to provide an inclined face and also a reduced 
end portion and a shoulder. The shoulder was diagonally opposite the 
reduced end portion. The latter and the shoulder of one member lay 
adjacent opposite edges of the inclined face of the other member. 
Canadian Patent No. 266,651, patented Dec. 14, 1926, by E. A. Isaac, 
provided a corner lock, which included planks meeting at a desired angle. 
Inner and outer metal plates were bent at a corresponding angle and were 
provided with registering bolt holes. Bolts and nuts were provided. Kerfs 
were provided in the outer surfaces of the planks. Flanges on the outer 
plate fitted into the kerfs. 
Canadian Patent No. 324,361, patented Jul. 19, 1932, by I. R. Wilson, 
provided a fastening means for corner frame members, which included an 
integral plate having substantially-right angularly extending leg portions 
which engaged the sides of the frame members to be braced and an integral 
connecting portion connecting the leg portions. Flanges were struck out 
from the leg portions and engaged the frame members within the plane of 
their joint. One flange extended from the connecting portion of the plate 
to lie within the plane and across the joint of the frame member. That 
flange was substantially-rectangular in shape and was reinforced by the 
connecting portion, with the free edges of the flange contacting with the 
sides of the frame members. 
Canadian Patent No. 695,368, patented Oct. 6, 1964, by J. Conville, 
provided a wall partition fitting, which included a one-piece fitting 
having a body, with first, second, and third channels on the body. The 
first and second channels had outer edges and opened away from each other 
and lay in the plane of the second wall. Wall-forming material was 
provided for the second wall and was in part positioned in the first and 
second channels. The third channel opened transversely to the direction of 
opening of the first and second channels. A partition wall stud was 
positioned in the third channel, the third channel being defined by 
opposed flanges, one of the flanges being secured to the first channel 
outer edge and the other of the flanges being secured to the second 
channel outer edge. Both flanges were secured to the stud. Parts of the 
wall-forming material for the partition wall overlay both of the flanges 
and was secured to the stud. The partition wall-forming material extended 
to the wall-forming material of the second wall completely to enclose the 
fitting. 
Canadian Patent No. 697,320, patented Nov. 10, 1964, by H. G. Kewley, 
provided a joint between two members which was constructed using a 
retaining strip, where one or both of the parts to be joined was formed 
with a groove extending along the member adjacent its edge to receive a 
flange of the retaining strip or was provided with a shoulder or block 
over which the flange can engage. The joint so constructed included two 
members or parts which were retained in position in contact with each 
other by the engagement in, or with, grooves or shoulders formed in, or 
on, one or both of the two parts to be joined. 
Canadian Patent No. 857,130, patented Dec. 1, 1970, by S. Mollinger, 
provided a corner connection, which included an initially-flat metal bar 
which was deformed so as to obtain two exterior legs, a series of main 
flaps with counter flaps and a series of penetrating prongs. The 
penetrating prongs were struck out and bent from the metal bar at a 
substantially-right angle thereto. The metal bar was bent at a 
substantially-right angle to form two exterior legs. The main flaps were 
struck out and bent at a substantially-right angle to one of the exterior 
legs at such a distance from the juncture of the legs as to allow for the 
thickness of one of the members to be connected. The counter flap was 
struck out of the main flap and was bent at an acute angle thereto at such 
a distance from the base of the main flap as to allow for the thickness of 
one of the members to be connected and to allow insertion of both members 
to be connected without interference with the penetrating prongs. The 
exterior legs and the main flaps were bent away from the projected faces 
of members to be connected at an angle governed by the length of the 
penetrating prongs. 
Canadian Patent No. 858,168, patented Dec. 15, 1970, by J. M. van Ryn, 
provided a corner bend, which included a unitary sheet metal member having 
a pair of longitudinal flanges normally forming an angle therebetween of 
less than 90.degree. and resiliently joined together along the apex of the 
angle by an integrally-formed bead portion having an arcuate surface 
intersected by each flange. Each flange was provided with a roughened 
external surface to enable a filler compound to adhere thereto. They were 
also provided with toothed means formed integrally of each flange and 
directed towards the opposite flange. The toothed means was adapted to 
penetrate the surface of a dry wall structural element and to engage 
therewith when the corner bead was applied thereto. 
Canadian Patent No. 1,073,182, patented Mar. 11, 1980, by Nisbet, provided 
a moulded plastic corner connector, which was adapted to be removably 
secured by friction fit to elongated frame members for effecting a 
removable resilient connection therebetween. The joining member included a 
plurality of interconnected webs of resilient material. The webs formed a 
deep channel of substantially U-shaped cross-section having spaced opposed 
sides joined by a relatively narrow web. The channel comprised two channel 
sections disposed at right angles to each other, the spaced opposed sides 
of the channel comprising two substantially-flat congruent L-shaped webs, 
the relatively narrow web joining the sides of the channel extending 
between the outside edges of the L-shaped webs. The sides of the channel 
were additionally joined by a diagonally-disposed reinforcing rib 
extending from the inside corners of the L-shaped webs to the outside 
corners thereof. 
(3) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
(i) Aims of the Invention 
In spite of the above patents, the construction industry is still faced 
with the problem of providing a simplified composite framing construction 
for buildings involving the provision of novel integrally-united nailers 
or nailing surfaces to which wallboard or interior sheathing may be 
secured which are extremely simple in construction and capable of 
economical manufacture and sale at a very nominal price. 
It is one object of this invention substantially completely to eliminate 
the problem in present day corner post construction and yet to retain the 
structural advantages of the prior art. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a light-weight corner post 
which may be prefabricated, yet which has sufficient strength to function 
properly. 
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an improved corner 
for interior sheathing which will not crack and open up upon settling and 
drying of wooden studs. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide an elongated corner 
bar which can be used to construct both outside and intersecting corner 
posts. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved partition 
construction. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved construction 
between a partition and a wall or other partition. 
(ii) Statement of Invention 
This invention provides, a composite wooden/metal structural post for the 
erection of two interior walls which are disposed at right angles to one 
another, the post comprising the combination of: (A) a rectangular wooden 
stud having four faces and four corners; and (B) at least one elongate 
metal angle bar having an "L"-shaped cross-section, and having a first arm 
and a second arm which are disposed at right angles to one another, each 
arm having an exterior face and an interior face, the interior faces of 
each of the first arm of the elongate metal angle bar and the second arm 
of the elongate metal angle bar having a sufficiently rough surface for 
gripping a tip of a self-tapping screw to cause the self-tapping screw to 
enter the respective arm of the elongate metal angle bar upon application 
of torque to the self-tapping screw, the first arm of the elongate metal 
angle bar being secured to a first face of the rectangular wooden stud at 
one corner of the rectangular wooden stud by means of the exterior face of 
the first arm of the elongate metal angle bar being in secured contact 
with the first face of the rectangular wooden stud, and with the exterior 
face of the second arm of the elongate metal angle bar extending outwardly 
from the rectangular wooden stud at the corner adjacent to a second face 
of the rectangular wooden stud which is perpendicular to the first face of 
the rectangular wooden stud at that corner; the first arm of the elongated 
metal angle bar thus having means for securing a first interior wallboard 
or interior sheathing directly to the interior face of the first arm of 
the elongate metal angle bar as well as to the first face of the 
rectangular wooden stud by means of the self-tapping screws, and the 
second arm of the elongated metal angle bar thus having means for securing 
a second interior wallboard or interior sheathing directly to the interior 
face of the second arm of the elongate metal angle bar by means of the 
self-tapping screws; the second interior wallboard or interior sheathing 
being securable at right angles to the first interior wallboard or 
interior sheathing. 
This invention also provides a composite wooden/metal structural post for 
the erection of two pairs of interior walls, each of the pair of walls 
including interior walls which are disposed at right angles to one 
another, the post comprising the combination of: (A) a rectangular wooden 
stud having four faces and four corners; and (B) a first elongate metal 
angle bar and a second elongate metal angle bar, each such elongate metal 
angle bar having an "L"-shaped cross-section, and having a first arm and a 
second arm which are disposed at right angles to one another, each such 
arm having an exterior face and an interior face, the interior faces of 
each of the first arm of the first elongate metal angle bar and the second 
arm of the first elongate metal angle bar having a sufficiently rough 
surface for gripping a tip of a self-tapping screw to cause the 
self-tapping screw to enter the respective arm of the first elongate metal 
angle upon application of torque to the self-tapping screw, and the 
interior surfaces of each of the first arm of the second elongate metal 
angle bar and the second arm of the second elongate metal angle bar having 
a sufficiently rough surface for gripping a tip of a self-tapping screw to 
cause the self-tapping screw to enter the respective arm upon application 
of torque to the self-tapping screw; wherein a first arm of the first 
elongate metal angle bar is secured to a first face of the rectangular 
wooden stud at a first corner of the rectangular wooden stud by means of 
the exterior face of the first arm of the first elongate metal angle bar 
being in secured contact with the first face of the rectangular wooden 
stud, and with the exterior face of the second arm of the first elongate 
metal angle bar extending outwardly from the rectangular wooden stud at 
the first corner adjacent to a second face of the rectangular wooden stud, 
which face is perpendicular to the first face of the rectangular wooden 
stud at the first corner; the first arm of the elongate metal bar thus 
having means for securing a first interior wallboard or interior sheathing 
directly to the interior face of the first arm of the first elongate metal 
angle bar as well as to the first face of the rectangular wooden stud by 
means of the self-tapping screws, and the second arm of the first 
elongated metal bar thus having means for securing a second interior 
wallboard or interior sheathing directly to the interior face of the 
second arm of the first elongated metal bar by means of the self-tapping 
screws, the second interior wallboard or interior sheathing being 
securable at right angles to the first interior wallboard or interior 
sheathing; and wherein a first arm of the second elongate metal angle bar 
is secured to a third face of the rectangular wooden stud, the third face 
of the rectangular wood stud being opposed to, but parallel with, the 
first face of the rectangular wooden stud at a second corner thereof, the 
second corner of the rectangular stud being opposed to the first corner of 
the rectangular wooden stud, by means of the exterior face of the first 
arm of the second elongate metal angle bar being in secured contact with 
the third face of the rectangular wooden stud, and with the exterior face 
of the second arm of the second elongate metal angle bar extending 
outwardly from the rectangular wooden stud at the second corner adjacent 
to a fourth face of the rectangular wooden stud, which face is 
perpendicular to the third face of the rectangular wooden stud at that 
second corner; the first arm of the second elongate metal angle bar thus 
having means for securing a third interior wallboard or interior sheathing 
directly to the interior face of the first arm of the second elongate 
metal angle bar as well as to the rectangular wooden stud by means of the 
self-tapping screws, and the second arm of the second elongate metal bar 
thus having means for securing a fourth interior wallboard or interior 
sheathing directly to the interior surface of the second arm of the second 
elongate metal angle bar by means of the self-tapping screws, the fourth 
interior wallboard or interior sheathing being securable at right angles 
to tile third interior wallboard or interior sheathing. An interior corner 
consisting of two interior walls which are dispose at right angles to one 
another, comprising (A) a composite wooden/metal structural post, the post 
comprising the combination of (a) a rectangular wooden stud having four 
faces and four corners; and (b) at least one elongate metal angle bar 
having an "L"-shaped cross-section, and having a first arm and a second 
arm which are disposed at right angles to one another, each arm having an 
exterior face and an interior face, the interior faces of each of the 
first arm of the elongate metal angle bar and the second arm of the 
elongate metal angle bar having a sufficiently rough surface for gripping 
a tip of a self-tapping screw to cause the self-tapping screw to enter the 
respective arm of the elongate metal angle bar upon application of torque 
to the self-tapping screw, the first arm of the elongate metal angle bar 
being secured to a first face of the rectangular wooden stud at one corner 
thereof by means of the exterior face of the first arm of the elongate 
metal angle bar being in secured contact with the first face of the 
rectangular wooden stud, and with the exterior face of the second arm of 
the elongate metal angle bar extending outwardly from the rectangular 
wooden stud at the corner adjacent to a second face of the rectangular 
wooden stud, which face is perpendicular to the first face of the 
rectangular wooden stud at that corner; (B) the first interior wall 
comprising an interior wallboard or interior sheathing which is secured 
directly to the interior face of the first arm of the elongate metal angle 
bar as well as to the first face of the rectangular wooden stud by means 
of self-tapping screws; and (C) the second interior wall comprising an 
interior wallboard or interior sheathing which is secured directly to the 
interior face of the second arm of the elongate metal angle bar by means 
of self-tapping screws; the second interior wall being secured at right 
angles to the first interior wall, thereby to provide the corner. 
This invention also provides two interior corners consisting of two pairs 
of interior walls, each pair of interior walls including two walls which 
are disposed at right angles to one another, the interior corners 
comprising: (A) a composite wooden/metal structural post comprising the 
combination of: (a) a rectangular wooden stud having four faces and four 
corners; and (b) a first elongate metal angle bar and a second elongate 
metal angle bar, each elongate metal angle bar having an "L"-shaped 
cross-section, and having a first arm and a second arm which are disposed 
at right angles to one another, each arm having an exterior face and an 
interior face, the interior faces of each of the first arm of the first 
elongate metal angle bar and the second arm of the first elongate metal 
angle bar having a sufficiently rough surface for gripping a tip of a 
self-tapping screw to cause the self-tapping screw to enter the respective 
arm of the first elongate metal angle upon application of torque to the 
self-tapping screw, and the interior surfaces of each of the first arm of 
the second elongate metal angle bar and the second arm of the second 
elongate metal angle bar having a sufficiently rough surface for gripping 
a tip of a self-tapping screw to cause the self-tapping screw to enter the 
respective arm upon application of torque to the self-tapping screw; 
wherein a first arm of the first elongate metal angle bar is secured to a 
first face of the rectangular wooden stud at a first corner thereof by 
means of the exterior face of the first arm of the first elongate angle 
metal bar being in secured contact with the first face of the rectangular 
wooden stud, and with the exterior face of the second arm of the first 
elongate metal angle bar extending outwardly from the rectangular wooden 
stud at the first corner adjacent to a second face of the rectangular 
wooden stud, which face is perpendicular to the first face of the 
rectangular wooden stud at the first corner; wherein a first arm of the 
second elongate metal angle bar is secured to a third face of the 
rectangular wooden stud, the third face of the rectangular wood stud being 
opposed to, but parallel with, the first face of the rectangular wooden 
stud at a second corner thereof, the second corner of the rectangular 
wooden stud being opposed to the first corner thereof, by means of the 
exterior face of the first arm of the second elongate metal angle bar 
being in secured contact with the third face of the rectangular wooden 
stud, and with the exterior face of the second arm of the second elongate 
metal angle bar extending outwardly from the rectangular wooden stud at 
the second corner adjacent to a fourth face of the rectangular wooden 
stud, which face is perpendicular to the third face of the rectangular 
wooden stud at the second corner; (B) a first interior wallboard or 
interior sheathing being secured directly to the interior face of the 
first arm of the first elongate metal angle as well as to the first face 
of the rectangular wooden stud by means of the self-tapping screws, and a 
second interior wallboard or interior sheathing being secured directly to 
the interior face of the second arm of the second elongated metal bar by 
means of the self-tapping screws, the second interior wallboard or 
interior sheathing being secured at right angles to the first interior 
wallboard or interior sheathing, thereby to provide one corner; and (C) a 
third interior wallboard or interior sheathing being secured directly to 
the interior face of the first arm of the second elongate metal angle bar 
as well as to the third face of the rectangular wooden stud by means of 
the self-tapping screws, and a fourth interior wallboard or interior 
sheathing being secured directly to the interior face of the second arm of 
the second elongate metal angle bar by means of the self-tapping screws; 
the fourth interior wallboard or interior sheathing being secured at right 
angles to the third interior wallboard or interior sheathing, thereby to 
provide a second corner. 
This invention also provides, as a third embodiment, an interior corner of 
a right angle external wall comprising: a rectangular wooden stud having 
four faces; at least one elongate "L"-metal angle bar which is secured to 
the rectangular wooden stud by means of a first arm of the elongate 
"L"-metal angle bar which is secured to a first face of the rectangular 
wooden stud, and a second arm of the elongate "L"-metal angle bar which is 
free and unsecured and which projects from the rectangular wooden stud; a 
first interior wallboard or interior sheathing secured to the first arm of 
the elongate "L"-metal angle bar and to the rectangular wooden stud by 
means of screws; and a second wallboard or interior sheathing secured to 
the arm which is free and unsecured and which projects from the 
rectangular wooden stud by means of screws, the second interior wallboard 
or interior sheathing being disposed at right angles to the first interior 
wallboard or interior sheathing. 
(iii) Other Features of the Invention 
By a feature thereof, one leg of one or both elongate metal angle bar is 
provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced-apart, pointed, punched-out 
teeth, whereby the elongate metal angle bar may be secured to the 
associated face of the rectangular wooden stud. 
By yet another feature thereof, one leg of each elongate metal angle bar is 
provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced-apart apertures, whereby 
the elongate metal angle bar may be secured to the associated face of the 
rectangular wooden stud.

(5) DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
(i) Description of FIGS. 1A. 1B and 1C 
As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, three types of conventional prior art 
corner constructions are shown. The ordinary way to assemble corner posts 
has been to secure studs together to make a solid post. In FIG. 1A, an 
interior prior art corner post construction is provided by a first stud 
11, which has its end edge 11A butted against a face 12A of a second stud 
12. A third stud 13 is lapped in face-to-face contact, i.e., face 13A in 
contact with face 12a of the second stud 12 and has its end edge 13B 
butted against face 11B of the first stud 11. 
In FIG. 1B, an exterior prior art corner post construction is provided by a 
first (central) corner stud 14, which is butted exteriorly at one of its 
faces 14A by face 15A of a second corner stud 15, and at its other face 
14B by face 16A of a third corner stud 16. A fourth corner stud 17 is 
butted with one of its side faces 17A against the end edges 14C of the 
first corner stud 14, and end edges 16C of the third corner stud 16 and 
end edges 15C of the second corner stud 15. 
In FIG. 1C, an interior prior art partition wall post structure is provided 
which includes a first main wall stud 18, which is butted at one side edge 
18A by a face 19A of a second wall stud 19 and at its other side edge 18B 
by a face 20A of a third wall stud 20. A fourth partition stud 21 is 
butted with its face 21A against face 18C of the first wall stud 18. 
The studs are normally 2.times.3's, 2.times.4's or 2.times.6's, and, as 
seen above, at least three pieces are needed to construct a corner post. 
As seen, the outside corner posts are generally made of three pieces and 
intersecting corner posts are made of three or four pieces. This type of 
construction uses a considerable amount of lumber and more important it is 
time consuming. These factors are especially significant because they 
directly affect the cost of building. 
Studs which are provided for the construction of composite structural 
corner posts according to embodiments of the present invention will now be 
described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. 
(ii) Description of FIG. 2 
As seen in FIG. 2, a composite post 200 includes a rectangular wooden stud 
201, which includes an "L"-metal (e.g., steel) elongated angle bar 202 
having an "L" shaped cross-section secured to one side edge 203 thereof. 
One leg 204 of the metal elongated angle bar 202 is provided with a 
plurality of vertically-spaced-apart, pointed, punched-out teeth 205, 
whereby an elongated angle bar 202 is secured to side edge 203 of the 
wooden stud 201. Leg 204 is provided with a roughened surface 208 to 
enable screws to be secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The other 
leg 207 is free and unsecured and projects from the stud 201, and is also 
provided with a roughened surface 208 to enable screws to be secured 
thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The roughened surfaces 208 facilitate 
securing interior sheathing to the composite stud by means of screws. 
(iii) Description of FIG. 3 
As seen in FIG. 3, a composite post 300 includes a wooden stud 201, which 
includes a metal (e.g., steel) elongated angle bar 202 having an 
"L"-shaped cross-section secured to one side edge 203 thereof. One leg 204 
of the metal elongated angle bar 202 is provided with a plurality of 
vertically-spaced-apart, pointed, punched-out teeth 205, whereby an 
elongated angle bar 202 is secured to side edge 203 of the wooden stud 
201. Leg 204 is provided with a roughened surface 208 to enable screws to 
be secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The other leg 207 is free 
and unsecured and projects from the stud 201, and is also provided with a 
roughened surface 208 to enable screws to be secured there-to in a 
self-tapping fashion. The roughened surfaces 208 facilitate securing 
interior sheathing to the composite stud by means of screws. 
As part of composite post 300, rectangular wooden stud 201 also includes a 
second metal (e.g., steel) elongated angle bar 210 having an "L"-shaped 
cross-section secured to another side edge 211 thereof which is parallel 
to side edge 203. One leg 212 of the second metal elongated angle bar 210 
is provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced-apart, pointed, 
punched-out teeth (not seen), whereby the second elongated metal angle bar 
210 is secured to side edge 211 of the wooden stud 201. Leg 212 is 
provided with a roughened surface (not seen) to enable screws to be 
secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The other leg 214 is free and 
unsecured and projects from stud 201, and is also provided with a 
roughened surface (not seen) to enable screws to be secured thereto in a 
self-tapping fashion. The roughened surfaces facilitate securing interior 
sheathing to the composite stud by means of screws. 
(iv) Description of FIG. 4 
As seen in FIG. 4, a composite post 400 includes a wooden stud 401, and one 
"L"-metal (e.g., steel) elongated angle bar 402 having an "L"-shaped 
cross-section. Elongated metal angle bar 402 is secured to one side face 
403 of stud face 401. One leg 404 of the metal elongated angle bar 402 is 
provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced-apart nailing apertures 
405, whereby the elongated metal angle bar 402 may be secured (as by 
nails, screws, etc.) to the side face 403 of the wooden stud 401. Leg 404 
is provided with a roughened surface 408 to enable screws to be secured 
thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The other leg 407 is free and unsecured 
and projects from stud 401, and is also provided with a roughened surface 
408 to enable screws to be secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The 
roughened surfaces 408 facilitate securing interior sheathing to the 
composite stud by means of screws. 
(v) Description of FIG. 5 
As seen in FIG. 5, a composite post 500 includes a rectangular wooden stud 
401, and two opposed metal elongated angle bars 402 having an "L"-shaped 
cross-section, 410 having an "L"-shaped cross-section. One leg 404 of the 
elongated metal angle bar 402 is provided with a plurality of 
vertically-spaced-apart nailing apertures 409, whereby the elongated metal 
angle bar 402 is secured (as by nails, screws, etc.) to the side face 403 
of the wooden stud 401. Leg 404 is provided with a roughened surface 408 
to enable screws to be secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The 
other leg 407 is free and unsecured and projects from stud 401, and is 
also provided with a roughened surface 408 to enable screws to be secured 
thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The roughened surfaces 408 facilitate 
securing interior sheathing to the composite stud by means of screws. 
As part of composite post 500, rectangular wooden stud 401 also includes a 
second metal (e.g., steel) elongated angle bar 410 having an "L"-shaped 
cross-section. Second elongated metal angle bar 410 is secured to one side 
edge 413 of stud 401. One leg 411 of the second elongated metal angle bar 
410 is provided with a plurality of vertically-spaced-apart nailing 
apertures (not seen), whereby the elongated metal angle bar 410 is secured 
(as by nails, screws, etc.) to the side face 413 of the wooden stud 401. 
Leg 411 is provided with a roughened surface (not seen) to enable screws 
to be secured thereto in a self-tapping fashion. The other leg 412 is free 
and unsecured and which projects from stud 401, and is also provided with 
a roughened surface (not seen) to enable screws to be secured thereto in a 
self-tapping fashion. The roughened surfaces facilitate securing interior 
sheathing to the composite stud by means of screws. 
(vi) Description of FIG. 6 
As seen in FIG. 6, a metal post 800 includes a pair of metal elongated 
angle bars each having an "L"-shaped cross-section including legs 801, 
802, arms 803, 804 which are folded over at 1800.degree. to be 
interconnected by a flat web 805 to provide a channel 826 between legs 
801, 802 and web 805. Legs 801, 802 are each provided with respective 
inwardly-facing, centrally-oriented flanges 806, 807. The flanges 806, 807 
commence at a region spaced from the top and terminate at a region spaced 
from the bottom. Legs 802 and 803, and 804 are provided with upper and 
lower apertures 808. All legs 801, 802, 803, 825 are provided with a 
roughened surface to enable screws to be secured thereto in a self-tapping 
fashion. The roughened surfaces 809 facilitate securing interior sheathing 
to the composite stud by means of screws. The flat web 805 is provided 
with apertures filled with hollow cylindrical plugs 813 in order to be 
able to fish electrical or telephone wires therethrough. 
FIG. 6 also shows the manner in which an upper wooden plate 810 and one 
bottom wooden shoe 812 are secured to the composite metal elongated angle 
bar 800. 
FIG. 6A shows how the bar 800 is used. 
As seen, a wall 815 which may be an inside partition wall or an outside 
wall, includes a plurality of upright studs 820 covered by sheathing 817, 
818. A partition wall 821 is erected using metal post 800 providing one 
element of the present invention. 
Sheathing 818 is secured to leg 801 and sheathing 817 is secured to leg 
804. Sheathing 823 (forming wall 821) is secured to let 803, and sheathing 
823 (forming wall 821) is secured to leg 802. 
(vii) Description of FIG. 7 
As seen in FIG. 7, a metal post 900 includes a pair of elongated metal 
angle bars each having an "L"-shaped cross-section including legs 901, 
902, 903, and 904, legs 903, 904 being folded over by 1800 to provide 
interconnecting elongate flat web 905 to provide a channel 906 between 
legs 901, 902 and web 904. Legs 901, 902 are each provided with respective 
inwardly-facing, centrally-oriented flanges 906, 907. The flanges 906, 907 
commence at a region spaced from the top and terminate at a region spaced 
from the bottom. Legs 901, 902, are provided with upper and lower 
apertures 909. Each of legs 901, 902, 903, 904 is provided with a 
roughened surface to enable screws to be secured thereto in a self-tapping 
fashion. Web 905 is provided with a plurality of apertures 911 to enable 
electrical or telephone wires to be fished therethrough. The roughened 
surface facilitates securing interior sheathing to the composite stud by 
means of screws. 
FIG. 7 also shows the manner in which an upper metal plate 912 and a bottom 
metal shoe 913 are secured to the metal post 900 through apertures 909 
FIG. 7A shows how the metal post 900 is used. As seen, a wall 915 which may 
be an inside partition wall or an outside wall, includes a plurality of 
metal studs 920 covered by sheathing 916, 917. A partition wall 925 is 
erected using metal post 900 providing one element of the present 
invention, and metal studs 920. Sheathing 916 is secured to leg 903 and 
sheathing 917 is secured to 904. Sheathing 919 (forming wall 825) is 
secured to leg 901 and sheathing 919 (forming wall 825) is secured to leg 
902. 
(viii) Description of FIG. 8. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B 
FIG. 8, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show the framing for a partition wall which 
includes an inner aspect 1000 of an inner corner (see FIG. 8B) and an 
inner aspect 1001 of an outside corner (see FIG. 8A). As seen, a wall 1002 
which may be an inside partition wall or an outside wall, includes a 
plurality of upright studs 1005, covered by sheathing 1003, 1004, 1006. A 
partition wall 1007 is erected using studs 300, 500, 800, or 900, 
providing one element of the present invention. For simplicity, FIG. 8B 
shows the use of stud 300. The area of joining of the wall 1002 with the 
wall 1007 is provided, as noted above, by composite stud 300, i.e., wooden 
stud 201 and two elongated metal angle bars 202, 210 as previously 
described. Sheathing 1004, 1100, are secured to the free and unsecured and 
which projects secured legs 207, 214, while sheathing 1008, 1004 are 
secured to secured legs 204, 212 of elongated metal anglebar 300 by means 
of screws 1011. 
As noted above, while elongated metal angle stud 300 has been described as 
being used, it is possible, of course, to use elongated metal angle studs 
500, 700, 800 or 900. 
The partition wall 1007 includes a plurality of spaced-apart vertical studs 
1010, covered with sheathing 1007, 1008. Exterior corner 1001 is provided 
by composite stud 200 secured to a conventional outside corner stud 1010. 
Sheathing 1009 is secured to the unsecured leg 207 of elongated metal 
angle stud 200, while sheathing 1013 is secured to the secured leg 204 of 
elongated metal angle bar 200 by screws 1011, while, for simplicity 
composite stud 200 has been described as being used, other composite studs 
400 or 600 of other embodiments of this invention may be used. Exterior 
sheathing 1008 and 1012 are secured to conventional stud 1010. 
(ix) Description of FIG. 9, FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B 
FIG. 9, FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show the framing for a partition wall which 
includes an inner corner 1100, (see FIG. 9B) and an inner aspect of an 
outside corner 1101 (see FIG. 9A). As seen, a wall 1102 includes a 
plurality of upright studs 1105, covered by sheathing 1103, 1104, 1106. A 
partition wall 1107 is erected using the composite studs providing 
alternative embodiments of the present invention, i.e., 700, 800, or 900. 
For simplicity FIG. 11b shows the use of stud 300. FIG. 9B shows the use 
of stud 700. The area of joining of a wall 1102 with a partition wall 1107 
is provided as noted above by composite "T"-stud 700, i.e., wooden stud 
601 and two elongated metal angle bars 602, 616. The partition wall 1107 
includes a plurality of spaced-apart vertical studs 1108, covered with 
sheathing 1109, 1110. Sheathing 1004 is secured to the unsecured leg 607 
of elongated metal angle bar 700 and sheathing 1106 is secured to the 
unsecured leg 612 of the elongated metal angle bar 700. Wall 1109 is 
secured to the secured leg 604 of the elongated metal angle composite 700, 
and wall 1110 is secured to the secured leg 604 of the elongated metal 
angle bar 700, all by screws 1111. 
The exterior corner is provided by composite stud 600 secured to a 
conventional stud 1108. Sheathing 1109 is secured to the unsecured leg 607 
of elongated metal angle bar 600, while sheathing 1112 is secured to the 
secured leg 604 of elongated metal angle bar 600, all by screws 1111. 
Exterior sheathing 1109, 1113 is secured to conventional stud 1108. 
(x) Description of FIG. 10 
FIG. 9 shows the construction of a box 1200 around a duct 1201. The box 
1200 is defined by outside corner walls 1202, 1204. One inner box wall 
1203 is secured at one edge to elongated corner angle bar 202 or 402 which 
is secured to wall 1202 and at the other edge by another elongated corner 
angle bar 202 or 402. The other inner box wall 1205 is secured at one edge 
to one elongated corner angle bar 202, or 402 which is secured to wall 
1202 and at the other edge to a further elongated corner angle bar 202, or 
402 which is secured to wall 1203. 
(xi) Description of FIG. 11 
FIG. 11 shows an insulated basement wall structure 1300. Concrete wall 1303 
is provided with a framed knee wall of wooden or metal members and defined 
by a shoe 1302 and a series of studs 1301. The studs 1301 are covered on 
the exterior side of the wall with a conventional sheathing 1304 and on 
the interior with wallboard sheathing 1305. STYROFOAM.TM. (or similar 
product) insulating sheets 1308 are placed against the interior side of 
the concrete wall and wooden or metal furring straps 1307 are placed into 
vertical channels, manufactured for that purpose, in the surface of the 
STYROFOAM.TM. and nails or screws are fixed through the furring straps and 
the STYROFOAM.TM. into the concrete wall 1303, thus securing the furring 
straps and STYROFOAM.TM. sheets to the concrete wall 1303. The wooden or 
metal furring straps thus fastened and fixed provide a nailer surface to 
which wallboard 1305 can be fastened by nails or screws. 
The first metal angle bar (200 or 400) is fastened with nails or screws to 
the top of the vertical furring straps on the one corner and the second 
metal angle bar is fastened with nails or screws on the other corner to 
the interior side edges of the studs 1301. These metal angle bar provide 
surfaces to which the vertical and horizontal wallboards 1305 are fastened 
with screws and thus a junction is formed which will tend to prevent 
cracking, splitting and separating of the wall-board junctions as the 
wooden members of the wall dry, twist, warp, shrink and settle. 
(xii) Description of FIG. 12 and FIG. 12A 
FIG. 12 and FIG. 12A show plan views of the junction 1400 of the structure 
of a framed partition wall and the structure of a framed ceiling, whereby 
the partition wall 1401 intersects the ceiling 1402 at right angles. 
Partition wallboard 1404, secured to either side of the partition wall 
1401, intersects ceiling wallboard 1403 at right angles. 
A partition is formed from a series of metal or wooden studs (shown as 1406 
in FIG. 12A) secured perpendicularly to a single or double top plate 
(shown as 1409 in FIG. 12A). The ceiling is formed from a series of 
parallel floor joists 1405 to which wooden or metal straps 1403 are 
fastened. A variation of the ceiling structure is formed by a series of 
parallel lower chords or members of manufactured roof trusses. 
By securing one arm of the metal angle bar corners to the straps 1407 and 
the other arm, which is at right angles to the first arm, to the side edge 
of the top plate 1409, a nailer surface is thus provided by the first arm 
to which the ceiling wallboard 1403 is fastened by screws 1408 and a 
second nailer surface is provided by the second arm of the metal angle bar 
corner to which the wallboard 1404 is fastened by screws 1408, thus 
providing a junction which is ready for filler and finishing. 
A problem which has been identified in the construction industry is the 
cracking, splitting and separating of finished wallboard joints and 
corners at the junction of partition and ceiling wallboard typified by 
junction 1400. This problem results from drying, twisting, shrinking and 
warping of the wooden members used in frame construction and also results, 
in the case of a ceiling structure formed by the lower chords or members 
of manufactured roof trusses, from the lifting of the roof truss in 
various weather conditions. The object of this invention is to reduce or 
eliminate the cracking, splitting and separating of the wallboard corners. 
A second anticipated benefit of this invention is the substantial reduction 
in the quantity of wood necessary to frame and provide nailer surfaces to 
which the wallboard can be fastened at the junction typified by junction 
1400. The ceiling wallboard typified by 1403 and the partition wall 
wallboard typified by 1404 are, by the presently existing construction 
techniques, fixed to separate framing members, namely the top plate and 
straps respectively. These members, although fastened together with nails, 
are subject to movements because of the drying, twisting, shrinking, 
warping and lifting associated with such wooden members, thus causing 
cracking, splitting, separating of these corner junctions. Because the 
metal angle bar are of one manufactured piece construction to which the 
wallboards are fastened and are not subject to the drying, twisting, 
shrinking, warping and lifting characteristic of wooden members, the 
filled and finished wallboard junctions do not crack, separate or split 
open. 
6) Conclusion 
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain 
the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing 
from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and 
modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and 
conditions. Consequently, such changes and modifications are properly, 
equitably, and "intended" to be, within the full range of equivalence of 
the following claims.