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BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This disclosure generally relates to building construction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Demand for electricity and other sources of energy continues to put an emphasis on the need for energy efficiency. This is particularly so in the case of building construction design. In this regard, tremendous strides have been made toward energy efficiency of structures. By way of example, heat loss from insulated wall cavities has been reduced. However, some of this reduction in loss has resulted in somewhat weaker structures, such as those in which increased stud spacing of a wall is used in order to increase the availability for insulation placement. This can also have an impact on the interior of the wall, such as by reducing locations for attaching drywall, for example. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Insulated supports are provided. In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of an insulated support comprises: a framing member formed of a length of dimensional lumber, the framing member having opposing faces and opposing sidewalls extending between the faces, the framing member further having cutouts positioned along a length thereof; and insulated plugs sized and shaped to be received within the cutouts such that the insulated plug, when inserted into the cutouts, increase an insulation (R) value of the support. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of an insulated support comprises: a framing member having opposing faces and opposing sidewalls extending between the faces, the framing member further having a cutout positioned along a length thereof; and an insulated plug sized and shaped to be received within the cutout such that the insulated plug, when inserted into the cutout, increases an insulation (R) value of the support. 
         [0007]    Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages of this disclosure will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of an insulated support. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partially cut-away, schematic view another embodiment of an insulated support. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional, schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partially cut-away, schematic view another embodiment of an insulated support. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional, schematic view of another embodiment of an insulated support. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partially cut-away, schematic view another embodiment of an insulated support. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional, schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Insulated supports are provided. In this regard, several exemplary embodiments will be described that generally involve framing members. In some embodiments, a framing member is formed of dimensional lumber that incorporates one or more cutouts. Plugs of insulation are positioned within the cutouts. As such, a support with decreased weight and increased insulation properties compared to conventional timber framing is provided. Notably, at least some of these supports are capable of being worked by conventional construction tools. 
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a support. As shown in  FIG. 1 , support  100  includes a framing member  102 . In this embodiment, the framing member is formed of a length of 2″×6″ dimensional lumber although various other dimensions and/or materials can be used in other embodiments. Framing member  102  includes opposing faces  106 ,  108 , with sidewalls  110 ,  112  extending between the faces, and endwalls  114 ,  116  extending between the sidewalls and faces. 
         [0018]    A series of cutouts, e.g., cutout  104 , are located along the length of the framing member. The cutouts extend between the faces and, in this embodiment, are generally rectangular and are located along the framing member such that spacing between adjacent cutouts is generally uniform, while spacing between an end of the framing member and an adjacent cutout is generally longer. Providing this additional material of the framing member at the ends enables the framing member to be trimmed without necessarily affecting the cutouts and provides an increased area for attachment of fasteners while reducing a likelihood of splitting the framing member. In other embodiments, various other sizes, shapes, locations and numbers of cutouts can be used. Notably, the cutouts reduce the overall weight of the support and, thus, transportation costs associated with shipping the supports can be lower than that associated with shipping conventional supports formed of similar materials. 
         [0019]    Insulation plugs, e.g., plug  120 , are positioned at least partially within each of the cutouts. The plugs can be formed of various materials, such as an insulating foam that is typically used as building insulation, e.g., polyurethane foam. The plugs increase the insulation value (i.e., R value) of the support. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2 and 3  schematically depict another exemplary embodiment of a support. As shown in  FIG. 2 , support  200  includes a framing member  202 , a portion of which is presented. Framing member  202  includes opposing faces  206 ,  208 , with sidewalls  210 ,  212  extending between the faces, and endwalls (one of which is shown) extending between the sidewalls and faces. 
         [0021]    A series of cutouts, e.g., cutout  204 , are located along the length of the framing member. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cutouts extend between the faces. In this embodiment, the cutouts are generally rectangular, with the inner walls  218  of the framing member that define the cutouts being generally perpendicular to the faces. However, various other configurations can be used. Note that the cutouts also are evenly spaced along the length of the framing member, with the length of material between the endwall  214  and cutout  204  being longer than the length of material between cutout  204  and an adjacent cutout  216 . In other embodiments, various other spacing could be used. 
         [0022]    Insulation plugs, e.g., plug  220 , are positioned at least partially within each of the cutouts. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plug has opposing faces  222 ,  224 , with sidewalls (e.g.,  226 ) that contact the inner walls of the cutouts. Notably, in this embodiment, the sidewall  226  is generally perpendicular to the faces  222 ,  224  of the plug. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of a support is depicted schematically in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , support  400  includes a framing member  402  that incorporates a set of cutouts (e.g., cutout  404 ) into which plugs (e.g., plug  406 ) are placed. In contrast to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , this embodiment additionally incorporates cleat plates, e.g., plate  408 , that reinforce the framing member adjacent to the cutout locations. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  schematically depicts another embodiment of a support. In particular,  FIG. 5  is a cut-away depicting an alternative configuration of a cutout and plug arrangement. As shown in  FIG. 5 , support  500  includes a framing member  502  that incorporates one or more cutouts, e.g., cutout  504 . Cutout  504  is defined by contoured inner walls, e.g., inner wall  506 , of the framing member. Thus, at least one of the inner walls is not generally perpendicular to the face of the framing member. 
         [0025]    An insulation plug is positioned at least partially within each of the cutouts. For instance, a plug  508  is positioned within the cutout  504 . The sidewalls, e.g., sidewall  510 , defining a periphery of the plug are generally complementary to the inner walls of the cutout. Specifically, in this embodiment, the sidewalls of the plug are concave and the inner walls of the cutout are convex. When inserted into the cutout, the plug tends to stay in position within the cutout due to an interference fit formed between the inner walls of the framing member and the sidewalls of the plug. In other embodiments, various other shapes of complementary features can be used. Note, however, that the shapes used in the embodiment of  FIG. 5  provide an increased thickness of the framing member in a vicinity of the cutout into which fasteners can penetrate. 
         [0026]    Another embodiment of a support is depicted schematically in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , support  600  includes a framing member  602  that incorporates cutouts  604 ,  606 . Notably, each of the cutouts of this embodiment is configured as a recess, in contrast to a through-cut as depicted in the previous embodiments. Specifically, as can be seen in  FIG. 7 , cutout  604  is located in face  608  and cutout  606  is located in face  610 . In this embodiment, the recesses oppose each other and are symmetric although various other numbers, locations and configurations of recesses can be used in other embodiments. 
         [0027]    Each cutout mounts an insulation plug. In particular, cutout  604  mounts a plug  612  and cutout  606  mounts a plug  614 . Notably, a span  620  of material separates the plugs and provides a structural web for improving bending strength of the framing member. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, various portions of the framing member, such as the span  620 , can be configured as separate pieces that are joined as an assembly. In this regard, various joinery techniques, such as mortise and tendon, dove tailing and/or butt joining, can be used. Notably, when separate pieces are used, various materials and/or grades of materials can be used, such as oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood, for example. Additionally, cleat plates can be used, in some embodiments, for reinforcement and/or as an attachment technique for joining constituent components that are used to form various portions of the framing member. 
         [0029]    Reinforcement of a support can be accomplished in various manners if desired. By way of example, a sheet of material can be fixed to one or more faces of a support. In some embodiments, such a sheet can be formed of wood, e.g., plywood or OSB, or sheet metal. 
         [0030]    Support  600  also incorporates a through-hole  622  that is sized and shaped to accommodate a utility run, such as a cable run. In this embodiment, the through-hole is formed through the two plugs  612 ,  614 , as well as through the material  620 . In other embodiments, however, various other locations could be used for one or more through-holes. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that the through-hole of  FIG. 6  is lined. In this regard, a section of tubing  624 , such as electrical grade PVC tubing is used. In other embodiments, other materials can be used to line and/or define a through-hole. By way of example, a corrugated material (e.g., flexible electrical conduit) can be used. Notably, the corrugations of such a material can be compressed toward each other after insertion into the through-hole, thereby tending to secure the lining in place. This feature can also enhance mechanical retention of the plug within the cutout. In other embodiments, a through-hole can be unlined. 
         [0032]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. By way of example, spacing of cutouts between each other and/or from the periphery of a framing member can be selected based on one or more of strength of the support and insulation value. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

Summary:
Insulated supports are provided. In this regard, representative insulated support includes: a framing member having opposing faces and opposing sidewalls extending between the faces, the framing member further having a cutout positioned along a length thereof; and an insulated plug sized and shaped to be received within the cutout such that the insulated plug, when inserted into the cutout, increases an insulation (R) value of the support.