Abstract:
A connection between metal studs and bridging members using a separate light gauge bridging connector with teardrop-shaped interface notches and longitudinally-offset interface notches that more effectively grip the web of the metal studs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to steel stud building wall systems and especially to apparatuses for stabilizing steed studs to prevent lateral movement and torsion in such systems. 
         [0002]    Many industrial, and a growing number of residential, buildings are constructed with steel stud wall framing for a variety of reasons. Steel framing is fireproof, does not warp, cannot be infested, and does not rot. When a wall is built with any kind of stud, wood or steel, it is generally desirable to fix sequential studs relative to each other and each against lateral movement and torsion. In wood-stud walls, a short piece of wood blocking is typically nailed to adjacent stud pairs to stabilize them. In steel-stud walls, an elongated steel bridging member is typically inserted horizontally through pre-punched openings in a series of vertical studs to keep them aligned. Steel studs have excellent columnar strength when they are straight, but a significant portion of that strength is lost if the studs are twisted. Because steel studs are particularly vulnerable to torsion, the bridging member, which is typically channel-shaped, having a horizontal web and two vertical side flanges, is made to closely fit the openings in the vertical studs in order to maximize torque resistance. In additional to mechanical torque, metal studs can twist or bend in response to the heat of a fire when the drywall sheathing, which acts as a firebreak, is destroyed. When metal studs twist or bend, they lose their weight-bearing capacity, multiplying the damage caused directly by fire. 
         [0003]    While channel-shaped bridging members closely received in the openings can help restrain the studs from twisting, some twisting can still occur and the studs can still shift or bend parallel to the wall. A variety of sheet metal brackets, beginning with a simple right angle, have been designed to prevent this shifting or bending. The prior art brackets are all relatively labor intensive to install and their connections are all relatively weak. For example, with the simple right angle bracket, the installer places the horizontal leg of the bracket on the bridging member and the vertical leg of the bracket against the web of the wall stud. Screws are inserted through both legs to attach the bracket to the bridging member and the stud. The bracket relies on the screw connections to function, and the installer must ensure that the bracket is placed correctly. Later prior art brackets have improved on this basic connection. 
         [0004]    The prior art also includes short bridging members that, like the wood blocking members mentioned above, span only adjacent studs and have ends tailored for fastening the wall studs, but these bridging members are relatively expensive because they use additional material to form the ends, they require a large number of fasteners, and they are necessarily of fixed length, which makes them useless if the spacing between any two studs has to be varied from the norm. 
         [0005]    The prior art also includes elongated bridging members with a series of slots that are designed for mating with the opening in the wall stud webs, but these make relatively weak connections and also have the disadvantage that they cannot accommodate any variation in the spacing between studs. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket that uses less material than prior art brackets, installs faster and more easily using fewer fasteners, and forms a connection that is stronger, resisting both lateral and torsional loads better than the prior art. The present invention is especially well-suited to interior drywall framing, which uses lighter, smaller structural members than those used to frame exterior structural walls. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a connector for firmly connecting and stabilizing a building wall steel stud in concert with a bridging member, employing a bridging connector with notches that arc away from the central web of the wall stud in order to more firmly interface with it away from the edges of the web opening in which the connector is installed. 
         [0008]    The present invention employs a bridging connector that has multiple points of improved interface with the central web of the wall stud, and therefore improved performance of the connection. 
         [0009]    The present invention employs a bridging connector with depending flanges, the ends of which firmly interface with the central web of the wall stud for an improved interface, and therefore improved performance of the connection. 
         [0010]    The present invention employs a bridging connector with interface edges that are not directly opposed through the central web of the wall stud, resulting in an improved interface and therefore improved performance of the connection. 
         [0011]    The present invention employs a bridging connector with an octagonal stiffening embossment that allows the connector to be made from lighter materials than would otherwise be possible. 
         [0012]    The present invention employs a method of making a bridging connector that includes forming notches with arced edge portions that are created by bending down the side flanges, simplifying the method and making the bridging connector less costly to produce. 
         [0013]    The present invention employs a bridging connector with longitudinally-offset notches that create a tighter interface with the central web of the wall stud and therefore result in improved performance in the connection. 
         [0014]    The present invention provides a connector for firmly connecting and stabilizing a building wall steel stud in concert with a bridging member. The bridging member passes through an opening in each of several studs in a section of a wall. The bridging member is designed to keep the studs in alignment along the length of the wall when it is installed through the studs. 
         [0015]    The present invention provides a connector with edges that interlock with the web of a wall stud to provide exceptional torsional rigidity. The edges are braced by the body plates of the connector, allowing them to resist substantially higher loads than flanges adjacent to the web of the wall stud. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides a connector with edges or similarly narrow lines that interface with the sides of the bridging members that connect wall studs, also providing exceptional torsional rigidity. These narrow interfaces are braced by flanges that intersect with the sides of the bridging members instead of being positioned alongside and parallel to the sides of the bridging members. 
         [0017]    The interfaces with the sides of the bridging members are further reinforced by bracing the opposite ends of the flanges against the web of the wall stud, so that the diagonal flanges are trapped between the sides of the bridging members and the web of the wall stud. 
         [0018]    The exceptional strength of the interlocking connections between the bridging connector, the bridging member and the wall stud allow the bridging connector to be firmly connected with a single fastener that attaches the body of the bridging connector to the bridging member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an upper front right perspective view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and bridging connector formed according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention before it is inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel wall stud above a typical cold-formed steel bridging member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention as it is being inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel wall stud above a typical cold-formed steel bridging member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention interfacing with the sides of the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel wall stud and resting on a typical cold-formed steel bridging member before being attached to the bridging member with one or more separate fasteners. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention, showing the portion of the bridging member below the bridging connector, the inner surfaces of the boundary flanges of the bridging connector, and the inner surfaces of the side flanges of the bridging connector in phantom line. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an upper rear left perspective view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a lower rear left perspective view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a left side elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the progressive die forming stages of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the first progressive die forming stages of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the middle progressive die forming stages of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the last progressive die forming stages of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the an alternate preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention, showing the portion of the bridging member below the bridging connector, the inner surfaces of the boundary flanges of the bridging connector, and the inner surfaces of the side flanges of the bridging connector in phantom line. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 ,  16  and  17 , the invention is a building connection  1  between a substantially vertical wall stud  2 , a substantially horizontal bridging member  11 , and a bridging connector  19 . The wall stud  2  is typically one of several sequentially-arranged, cold-formed steel studs  2  in the frame of a building wall. The bridging member  11  is typically a separate cold-formed steel member that interfaces with and spans a plurality of wall studs  2 . The bridging connector  19  is preferably made from cold-formed steel, but it could also be cast from a material such as aluminum or fabricated in another manner and from other suitable materials. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ,  19  and  20 , the substantially vertical wall stud  2  preferably has a central web  3 , a first side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 , and a second side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 . The central web  3  includes an opening  8 . The most common shape for the opening  8  in an interior drywall stud  2  is shown in the drawing figures. The opening is 2.5 inches in height. As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ,  16  and  17 , the wall stud also typically has stiffening flanges  57 , each of which has an inner edge  59 , an inner surface  61  and an outer surface  62 . The central web  3  of the wall stud  2  typically has four sides  4 . The first and second side flanges  9  of the central web  3  have corresponding first and second inner surfaces  53  and first and second outer surfaces  54 . The opening  8  is often vertically elongated, with an edge  65  that has first and second elongated portions  66  and first and second end portions  68 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the substantially horizontal bridging member  11  has an at least partially planar middle web  12 , an at least partially planar first boundary flange  17 , and an at least partially planar second boundary flange  17 . The at least partially planar middle web  12  has a first boundary  13  and a second boundary  13 , an internal surface  15  and an external surface  16 . The at least partially planar first boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the first boundary  13 . The first boundary flange  17  has an internal surface  71  and an external surface  72 . The at least partially planar second boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the second boundary  13 . The second boundary flange  17  has an internal surface  71  facing toward the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and an external surface  72  facing away from the external surface  72  of the first boundary flange  17 . The first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11  have first and second outer edges  75 , respectively, that are mutually parallel. In the typical drywall framing application, the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11  is 0.75 inches wide and the boundary flanges  17  are 0.5 inches tall. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , the bridging connector  19  contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  and is fastened to the bridging member  11 . The bridging connector  19  preferably has a first body part  20 , a second body part  20 , a first web-interface notch  134 , and a neck  32  joining the first body part  20  to the second body part  20 . The first and second body parts  20  have corresponding first and second interior surfaces  21  and first and second exterior surfaces  22 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-13  and  18 - 20 , preferably the first body part  20  has a first inner edge  23 , a central portion  111 , and a first side flange  35 . The central portion  111  is preferably bounded at least in part by the first inner edge  23  and a first boundary bend  33 . The first side flange  35  is preferably joined to the central portion  111  along the first boundary bend  33 . The first side flange  35  has a first inner end edge  103  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The first inner end edge  103  is at least partially coincident with the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . Preferably, the second body part  20  has a second inner edge  23 . The first side flange  35  preferably has a first outer end edge  91  and a first lower edge  95 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-10 ,  13  and  18 - 20 , preferably the first web-interface notch  134  has a first edge  136  at least partially coincident with a portion of the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . The first edge  136  extends from a first outer corner  135  to a first innermost point  137  where the first edge  136  joins a second edge  136 , the first edge ( 136 ) extending from the first innermost point ( 137 ) toward the first side flange ( 35 ). The second edge  136  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20 . The second edge  136  extends from a second outer corner  135  to the first innermost point  137  and extending at least partially beside the second opposed side face  3  of the central web  2 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  9 ,  10 ,  13  and  17 , a portion of the first edge  136  preferably is at least partially coincident with the first boundary bend  33  and arcs away from the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The first edge presents a substantially ellipsoid arc edge portion  138  that is open toward, and not in contact with, the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . This is a concave edge portion  138 . 
         [0046]    It would be difficult, if not impossible, to form web-interface notches  134  that are narrow enough to fully engage the very thin central webs  3  of interior dry wall studs  2 , which are typically 0.015-0.034 inches thick. This design allows edges  136  of each web-interface notch  134  to arc away from the central web  3 , following the contour of the boundary bend  33  and then extending forward to contact the central web  3  on the depending flanges  35 . The flanges  35  so tightly engage the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  that the flanges  35  are slightly pushed back and the bridging connector  19  is slightly deformed. This tight engagement improves the connection  1  and its ability to resist rotation of the wall stud  2 . 
         [0047]    Preferably, the first inner end edge  103  of the first side flange  35  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the first edge  136  and the first inner end edge  103  is the only portion of the first edge  136  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud. Preferably, the second inner end edge  103  of the second side flange  35  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the second edge  136  and the second inner end edge  103  is the only portion of the second edge  13  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud. The second side flange  35  preferably has a second outer end edge  91  and a second lower edge  95 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 ,  9 ,  10  and  18 - 20 , preferably the bridging connector  19  also has a second web-interface notch  134  and the neck  32  joins the first body part  20  to the second body part  20  between the first and second web-interface notches  134 . The second web-interface notch  134  preferably has a third edge  136  at least partially coincident with a portion of the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . The third edge  136  extends from a third outer corner  135  to a second innermost point  137  where the third edge  136  joins a fourth edge  136 . The fourth edge  136  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20 . The fourth edge  136  extends from a fourth outer corner  135  to the second innermost point  137  and extending at least partially beside the second opposed side face  3  of the central web  3 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-9  and  12 , preferably the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  also has a third boundary bend  33  and a third side flange  35 . The third boundary bend  33  bounds the central portion  111  of the first body part  20 . The third side flange  35  is joined to the central portion  111  along the third boundary bend  33 . The third side flange  35  has a third inner end edge  103  that contacts the first side face  3  of the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The third inner end edge  103  is at least partially coincident with the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . The first side flange  35  preferably has a third outer end edge  91  and a third lower edge  95 . 
         [0050]    Preferably, a portion of the third edge  136  of the second web-interface notch  134  at least partially coincident with the third boundary bend  33  arcs away from the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 , presenting a substantially ellipsoid arc edge portion  138  that is open toward, and not in contact with, the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  5 - 9  and  12 , the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  also preferably has a central portion  111  and a third side flange  35 . The central portion  111  is bounded at least in part by the second inner edge  23  and a second boundary bend  33 . The second side flange  35  is joined to the central portion  111  along the second boundary bend  33 . The second side flange  35  has a second inner end edge  103  that contacts the second opposed side face  6  of the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The second inner end edge  103  is at least partially coincident with the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20  and the second edge  136  extends from the first innermost point  137  toward the second side flange  35 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9  and  12 , preferably the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  also has a fourth boundary bend  33  and a fourth side flange  35 . The fourth boundary bend  33  bounds the central portion  111  of the second body part  20 . The fourth side flange  35  is joined to the central portion  111  along the fourth boundary bend  33 . The fourth side flange  35  has a fourth inner end edge  103  that contacts the second opposed side face  6  of the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The fourth inner end edge  103  is at least partially coincident with the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20  and the fourth edge  136  extends from the second innermost point  137  toward the fourth side flange. The fourth side flange  35  preferably has a fourth outer end edge  91  and a fourth lower edge  95 . 
         [0053]    Preferably, the third inner end edge  103  of the third side flange  35  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the third edge  136  and the third inner end edge  103  is the only portion of the third edge  136  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud. Preferably, the fourth inner end edge  103  of the fourth side flange  35  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the fourth edge  136  and the fourth inner end edge  103  is the only portion of the fourth edge  13  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud. 
         [0054]    Preferably, one of the first and second inner end edges  103  on the first and second side flanges  35  of the bridging connector  19  is closer to the opening  8  in the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  than the other of the first and second inner edges  103 . Preferably, one of the third and fourth inner end edges  103  on the third and fourth side flanges  35  of the bridging connector  19  is closer to the opening  8  in the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  than the other of the third and fourth inner edges  103 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , the first side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  preferably interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the first side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  and the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the first side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  has a first inner surface  37  facing the bridging member  11  and the first inner surface  37  of the first side flange  35  is curvilinear convex where the first inner surface  37  of the first side flange  35  interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The first side flange  35  also has a first outer surface  38  opposite the first inner surface  37 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , the second side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  preferably interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the second side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  and the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the second side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  has a second inner surface  37  facing the bridging member  11  and the second inner surface  37  of the second side flange  35  is curvilinear convex where the second inner surface  37  of the second side flange  35  interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The second side flange  35  also has a second outer surface  38  opposite the second inner surface  37 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6   19  and  20 , the third side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  preferably interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the third side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  and the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the third side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  has a third inner surface  37  facing the bridging member  11  and the third inner surface  37  of the third side flange  35  is curvilinear convex where the third inner surface  37  of the third side flange  35  interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The third side flange  35  also has a third outer surface  38  opposite the third inner surface  37 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , the fourth side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  preferably interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  19  and  20 , preferably the fourth side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  and the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , preferably the fourth side flange  35  of the bridging connector  19  has a fourth inner surface  37  facing the bridging member  11  and the fourth inner surface  37  of the fourth side flange  35  is curvilinear convex where the fourth inner surface  37  of the fourth side flange  35  interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The fourth side flange  35  also has a fourth outer surface  38  opposite the fourth inner surface  37 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bridging connector  19  is preferably fastened to the bridging member  11  with only a single fastener  81 , but can be fastened to the bridging member with two or more fasteners  81 . The bridging connector  19  can also be formed to allow it to be fastened to the wall stud  2 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-13  and  18 - 20 , preferably the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  is embossed for increased stiffness. The second body part  20  is preferably embossed for increased stiffness. Preferably, the first body part  20  and the second body part  20  share a single stiffening embossment  132 . Most preferably, the single stiffening embossment  132  is octagonal. The stiffening embossment  132  allows the bridging connector  19  to be made from exceptionally light, 20-gauge, sheet metal; without the stiffening embossment  132 , the bridging connector  19  would have to be made from 18-gauge sheet metal, which is substantially thicker and requires more force, and therefore energy, to form. Preferably, the stiffening embossment  132  is a regular octagon oriented so that it has opposed sides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bridging member  11 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the bridging connector  19  of the present invention is preferably formed by first selecting a sheet metal blank  131 , and then cutting the outer edge contour  133  of the bridging connector  19 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , preferably the outer edge contour  133  includes a first elongated web-interface notch  134 , a first body part  20  and a second body part  20  joined by a neck  32 . 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the first elongated web-interface notch  134  preferably has a first outer corner  135 , a first edge  136  that extends from the first outer corner  135  to a first innermost point  137 , and a second edge  136  that extends from the innermost point  137  to a second outer corner  135 . The greater part of the first edge  136  and the greater part of the second edge  136  are mutually parallel. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , preferably the first body part  20  has a central portion  111  bounded by a first inner edge  23  at least partially coincident with the first edge  136  of the first elongated web-interface notch  134 . The second body part  20  preferably has a central portion  111  bounded by a second inner edge  23  at least partially coincident with the second edge  136  of the first elongated web-interface notch  134 . 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , the next step in forming the bridging connector  19  preferably is bending down a first portion of the first body part  20  to form a first boundary bend  33  and a first side flange  35  joined to the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  along the first boundary bend  33 . 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , preferably a portion of the first edge  136  of the first elongated web-interface notch  134  at least partially coincident with the first boundary bend  33  arcs away from the second edge  136  of the first elongated web-interface notch  134 . This presents a substantially ellipsoid arc edge portion  138  that is open toward the second edge  136  of the first elongated web-interface notch  134 . This is a concave edge portion  138 . 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , the method preferably includes the step of embossing a central stiffening embossment  132 . 
         [0000]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , preferably the method includes the step of punching one or more fastener openings  82  in the sheet metal blank  131 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , the method preferably includes the step of forming a second elongated web-interface notch  134  in the outer contour  133  of the bridging connector  19 . The second elongated web-interface notch  134  has a third outer corner  135 , a third edge  136  that extends from the third outer corner  135  to a second innermost point  137 , a fourth edge  136  that extends from the second innermost point  137  to a fourth outer corner  135 , wherein the greater part of the third edge  136  and the greater part of the fourth edge  136  are mutually parallel. The web interface notches  134  are wider than the central web  3  of the wall stud because the central webs  3  of drywall wall studs  2  are so thin (typically 0.015 inches to 0.034 inches) that it would be impractical, if not impossible, to cut slots that narrow using automated die presses. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , preferably the method includes the step of forming the neck  32  between the first elongated web-interface notch  134  and the second elongated web-interface notch  134 . 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  16  and  17 , the method preferably includes the step of bending down a second portion of the first body part  20  to form a third boundary bend  33  and a third side flange  35  joined to the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  along the third boundary bend  33 . A portion of the third edge  136  of the second elongated web-interface notch  134  at least partially coincident with the third boundary bend  33  arcs away from the fourth edge  136  of the second elongated web-interface notch  134 . This presents a substantially ellipsoid arc edge portion  138  that is open toward the fourth edge  136  of the second elongated web-interface notch  134 . This is a concave edge portion  138 . 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  16  and  17 , preferably the method includes the step of bending down a first portion of the second body part  20  to form a second boundary bend  33  and a second side flange  35  joined to the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  along the second boundary bend  33 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  16  and  17 , the method preferably includes the step of bending down a second portion of the second body part  20  to form a fourth boundary bend  33  and a fourth side flange  35  joined to the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  along the fourth boundary bend  33 . 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in an alternate preferred embodiment, the invention is building connection  1  that includes a substantially vertical wall stud  2 , a substantially horizontal bridging member  11 , and a bridging connector  19  contacting the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  and fastened to the bridging member  11 . 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the substantially vertical wall stud  2  preferably has a central web  3  having an opening  8 , a first side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 , and a second side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the substantially horizontal bridging member  11  preferably has an at least partially planar middle web  12 , an at least partially planar first boundary flange  17 , and an at least partially planar second boundary flange  17 . Preferably, the at least partially planar middle web  12  has a first boundary  13  and a second boundary  13 , an internal surface  15  and an external surface  16 . Preferably, the at least partially planar first boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the first boundary  13 . The first boundary flange  17  has an internal surface  71  and an external surface  72 . Preferably, the at least partially planar second boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the second boundary  13 . The second boundary flange  17  has an internal surface  71  facing toward the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and an external surface  72  facing away from the external surface  72  of the first boundary flange  17 . Preferably, the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11  have first and second outer edges  75 , respectively, that are mutually parallel. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the bridging connector  19  preferably has a first body part  20 , a second body part  20 , a first web-interface notch  134 , a second web-interface notch  134 , and a neck  32  that joins the first body part  20  to the second body part  20  between the first and second web-interface notches  134 . 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the first body part preferably has a first inner edge  23  and a first outer edge  101 , a central portion  111  bounded at least in part by the first inner edge  23  and a first boundary bend  33 , and a first side flange  35  joined to the central portion  111  along the first boundary bend  33 . The first side flange  35  has a first inner end edge  103  that contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The first inner end edge  103  is at least partially coincident with the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the second body part  20  preferably has a second inner edge  23  and a second outer edge  101 . 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , preferably the first web-interface notch  134  has a first edge  136  at least partially coincident with a portion of the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . The first edge  136  extends from a first outer corner  135  to a first innermost point  137  where the first edge  136  joins a second edge  136 . The second edge  136  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20 . The second edge  136  extends from a second outer corner  135  to the first innermost point  137 . 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , the second web-interface notch  134  preferably has a third edge  136  at least partially coincident with a portion of the first inner edge  23  of the first body part  20 . The third edge  136  extends from a third outer corner  135  to a second innermost point  137  where the third edge  136  joins a fourth edge  136 . The fourth edge  136  is at least partially coincident with a portion of the second inner edge  23  of the second body part  20 . The fourth edge  136  extends from a fourth outer corner  135  to the second innermost point  137 . 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , preferably, the first and second web-interface notches  134  are longitudinally offset so that the first web-interface notch  134  is closer to the first outer edge  101  than the second web-interface notch  134  is, and the second web-interface notch  134  is closer to the second outer edge  101  than the first web-interface notch  134 , so that the central web  3  of the substantially vertical wall stud  2  is held by the first and second web-interface notches  134  with increased frictional engagement.