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RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/013,361, filed Jan. 11, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,643, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/957,434, filed Aug. 22, 2007. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/013,361 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/957,434 is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components for use in building construction. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Fire-rated wall construction components and assemblies are commonly used in the construction industry. These components and assemblies are aimed at preventing fire, heat, and smoke from leaving one portion of a building or room and entering another, usually through vents, joints in walls, or other openings. The components often incorporate the use of some sort of fire-retardant material which substantially blocks the path of the fire, heat, and smoke for at least some period of time. Intumescent materials work well for this purpose, since they swell and char when exposed to flames, helping to create a barrier to the fire, heat, and smoke. 
     One example of a fire-rated wall construction component is the Firestik™ design. The Firestik™ design incorporates a metal profile with a layer of intumescent material on its inner surface. The metal profile of the Firestik™ design is independently and rigidly attached to a wall component, such as the bottom of a floor or ceiling, and placed adjacent to other wall components, such as a stud and track. The intumescent material, which is adhered to the inner surface of the metal profile, faces the stud and track, and the space created in between the intumescent material and the stud and track allows for independent vertical movement of the stud in the track when no fire is present. 
     When temperatures rise, the intumescent material on the Firestik™ product expands rapidly. This expansion creates a barrier which encompasses, or surrounds, the stud and track and substantially prevents fire, heat, and smoke from moving through the spaces around the stud and track and entering an adjacent room for at least some period of time. 
     While the Firestik™ design serves to prevent fire, heat, and smoke from moving through wall joint openings, it also requires independent attachment and proper spacing from wall components. It would be ideal to have wall components and systems which themselves already incorporate a fire-retardant material. 
     An additional problem regarding current fire-rated wall components concerns ventilation. Exterior soffits for balconies or walkways are required to be fire rated. However, these soffits need to be vented to prevent the framing members from rotting. The rot is caused when airflow is taken away and condensation forms inside the framing cavity. The moisture from the condensation attacks the framing members and destroys them from the inside out. In many cases, the deterioration is not noticed until the framing is completely destroyed. Therefore, a fire-rated wall component is needed which accommodates proper ventilation during times when no fire or elevated heat is present, and seals itself when fire or elevated heat is present. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and systems for use in building construction. The term “wall,” as used herein, is a broad term, and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning. The term includes, but is not limited to, vertical walls, ceilings, and floors. It is an object of the invention to provide wall components and systems which have fire-retardant characteristics. It is also an object of the invention to provide wall components and systems which allow for needed ventilation during times when no fire or elevated heat is present. 
     To achieve these objects, the present invention takes two separate components, a wall component and intumescent material, and combines the two for use in building construction. The present invention includes at least one surface on a wall component capable of accepting intumescent material. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the intumescent material sits flush with a second surface of the wall component. This allows the wall component to retain its general shape and geometry without creating unwanted edges, protrusions, or uneven shapes. It also removes the need for a separate product or wall component to be installed outside or adjacent to a stud or track. 
     In an embodiment which resembles a vent or ventilation system, the intumescent material includes a set of holes. The term “holes,” as used herein, is a broad term, and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning. The term includes, but is not limited to, holes, mesh, and slots. When the vent is in use, the combination of the holes in the intumescent material and the holes in the vent surface allow for continuous air flow through the vent. The holes need not match up co-axially, as long as air flow is permitted. In some embodiments, the holes in the intumescent material may line up co-axially with the holes in the vent surface. Additionally, in some embodiments a flat strap sits above the intumescent material. The flat strap may be a discrete piece attached separately, or may already be an integral part of the vent itself. The flat strap has its own set of holes which, when in use, allow for continuous air flow through the vent. In some embodiments the holes may be aligned co-axially with both the holes in the vent surface and the holes in the intumescent material. By having three sets of holes, air can flow through the vent, intumescent material, and strap during times when there is no fire or elevated heat. When the temperature rises, however, the intumescent material will expand quickly and block air pathways. In this manner, the entire vent will be sealed, substantially preventing fire, heat, and smoke from reaching other rooms or parts of the building for at least some period of time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the various devices, systems and methods presented herein are described with reference to drawings of certain embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, such devices, systems, and methods. The drawings include 5 figures. It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose of illustrating concepts of the embodiments discussed herein and may not be to scale. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component connected to a floor and stud element. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component with annular portions. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component with annular portions, including intumescent material. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component with slots and intumescent material in the slots. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate perspective views of embodiments of a fire-rated wall component including holes for ventilation. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component including holes for ventilation. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component including holes for ventilation. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component with intumescent material on its top surface. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component with intumescent material on both its top and side surfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and systems for use in building construction. Fire-rated wall construction components and assemblies are commonly used in the construction industry. These components and assemblies are aimed at preventing fire, heat, and smoke from leaving one portion of a building or room and entering another, usually through vents, joints in walls, or other openings. The components and assemblies often incorporate the use of some sort of fire-retardant material, such as intumescent material, which substantially blocks the path of the fire, heat, and smoke for at least some period of time. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  10  connected to a floor or ceiling element  18  and stud element  20 . The wall component  10  is used as a track for holding a stud within a vertical wall, and may include slots along its sides. The slots provide areas for connection with the studs and allow for vertical movement of the attached studs during an earthquake or some other event where vertical movement of the studs is desired. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , wall component  10  has both a flat top surface  28  and two annular surfaces  24  and  26 . Top surface  28  is flat for ease of attachment to the bottom surface of a floor or ceiling  18 . The two annular surfaces  24  and  26  are designed to receive intumescent material. The intumescent material, identified as  12  and  14  in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is bonded to annular surface  24  and  26 . The term “bonded,” as used herein, is a broad term, and is used in accordance with its ordinary meaning. The term includes, but is not limited to, mechanically bonded or bonded using adhesive. In some embodiments, when the intumescent material is bonded, an outer surface of the intumescent material will be flush with top surface  28 . This allows top surface  28  to remain flush, or at least partially flush, with the bottom of floor element  18 , and may aid in the installation of wall component  10  to a floor or ceiling. This flush attachment additionally allows the wall component  10  to retain a fluid or smooth-shaped geometry free of added edges, overlaps, or protrusions. 
     By incorporating intumescent material onto a wall component such as a track for studs in the manner shown, it becomes unnecessary to use or attach additional features or devices to the wall component. Instead, when the temperature rises near the wall component  10 , the intumescent material  12  and/or  14  will heat up. At some point when the intumescent material becomes hot enough, it will quickly expand to multiple times its original volume. This intumescent material will expand towards the floor or ceiling element  18  and outwards toward any open space. This helps to substantially prevent fire, heat, and smoke from moving past, through, or around wall component  10  and stud  20  for at least some period of time. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  32 . In this embodiment, the wall component  32  again takes the form of a track member for use in holding studs in place within a vertical wall. However, here the wall component  32  has two slots, shown as  34  and  36 , wherein the intumescent material  40  and  42  is attached. As can be seen in the drawing, the top surface layers of intumescent material  40  and  42  are flush with the top surface  38  of wall component  32 . This allows the top surface  38  of wall component  32  to maintain a smooth geometry, which may aid in the installation of wall component  32  to a floor, ceiling or intersecting wall. This flush attachment additionally allows the wall component  10  to retain a fluid or smooth-shaped geometry free of added edges, overlaps, or protrusions. However, a flush attachment as described above is not essential to the success of the present invention. 
     It is possible that more than two slots could be used in the type of embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , or even as few as one. The purpose of having the intumescent material located in the slots  34  and  36  is to create fire protection areas. When the intumescent material  40  and  42  becomes hot, it will expand rapidly into the open areas around it. Much as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , this expansion will help to create a barrier, or seal, substantially preventing fire, heat, and smoke from moving from one area of a building to another for at least some period of time. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate other embodiments of a fire-rated wall component  46 . Here, the wall component takes the form of a vent. The wall component  46  has a lower ventilation area  48  which includes a set or series of ventilation holes. These holes, which are hidden from view in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , but are shown in  FIG. 7 , allow air and other matter to travel between floors and rooms in a building, or between the outside of a building and the interior of a building. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5A , a strip of intumescent material  50  is attached adjacent to and above ventilation area  48 . The top surface of the intumescent material is flush with the top surface  54  of wall component  46 . This allows for easy installation and use of a flat strap  52 . A flush fit, however, is not essential to the success of the present invention. 
     The intumescent material  50  has a series of surfaces defining holes. These holes are hidden from view in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  but are shown in  FIG. 6 . The holes allow air and other matter to continue to travel between floors and rooms in a building, or between the outside of a building and the interior of a building. Flat strap  52  also has a series of holes  60  located in its center area. This series of holes, much like the ventilation and intumescent material holes, allows air and other matter to travel between floors and rooms in a building, or between the outside of a building and the interior of a building. 
     When the intumescent material  50  becomes hot, it will expand rapidly into the open areas around it. Much as in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , this expansion will help to create a barrier, or seal, substantially preventing fire, heat, and smoke from moving from one area of a building to another for at least some period of time. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  56 . In this view, intumescent material holes  58  are visible, and the intumescent material  50  extends along the sides of vent area  48 . When the intumescent material  50  becomes hot, it expands rapidly, filling much if not all of the space underneath the flat strap  52 . This expansion substantially cuts off any air movement through the vent surface  48 , and substantially prevents fire, heat, and smoke from moving through the vent for at least some period of time. As can be seen in the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the flat strap  52  is formed as an integral part of the wall component  56 . In other embodiments, the flat strap  52  may be a discrete piece attached separately. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  66 . Here, ventilation holes  68  can be seen in the vent area  48 . The intumescent material  50  is attached to both the vent area  48  and along its extended sides. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  72 . In this embodiment, the wall component  72  resembles a simple track for holding a wall stud  20  beneath a ceiling  18 . Here, the intumescent material  74  is attached to the top surface of the wall component  72 . During installation, it is possible to install the wall component  72  and intumescent material  74  to the ceiling  18 . In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by threading a screw through both the wall component and intumescent material. Additionally, in some embodiments the intumescent material may extend down one or both sides of the wall component  72 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a fire-rated wall component  80 . In this embodiment, the wall component  80  resembles a simple track for holding a wall stud. However, here the intumescent material  84  extends both along a portion of the top and side surfaces of the wall component  80 . In some embodiments, an outer surface of the intumescent material  84  may be flush with the top surface  82 . 
     The present application does not seek to limit itself to only those embodiments discussed above. Other embodiments resembling tracks, vents, or other wall components are possible as well. Various geometries and designs may be used in the wall components to accommodate the use of fire-retardant material. Additionally, various materials may be used. The wall component material may comprise steel or some other material having at least some structural capacity. The fire-retardant material may comprise intumescent material or some other material which accomplishes the same purposes as those described above.

Summary:
The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components for use in building construction. The invention provides wall components and systems which have fire-retardant characteristics, as well as wall components which allow for needed ventilation in a building throughout times when no fire is present. Embodiments include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving intumescent material. When the intumescent material becomes hot, it expands rapidly and fills its surrounding area, blocking fire, heat, and smoke from traveling to other areas of a building.