Abstract:
A framing system for a wall that uses just one type of unit. The Universal Stud is the same unit that serves as its own plate or track. A plurality of the stud having the same slot configuration at each end and two sides of the stud receiving that same slot allows for a multitude of jobs to be done with just one type of unit. The Universal Stud flange sides are mended with holes along it to allow wiring and pipes to be hung off it and still not endangering cutting them. Also, the Universal Stud wall has inherent qualities to it that is the solution to many job problems. (thinner, any profile to each side, soundproof, chases within it, bracing construction, and the flexibility to be used within other stud walls)

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/591,371 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
       [0002]     Hence forth the Universal Stud is the name for unit for which the patent is being applied.  
       Field of the Invention  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to the field of wall framing and particularly to specific areas and jobs of framing that the ordinary “C” has a problem doing or can not do physically.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Presently, the art of wall framing systems is rendered inefficient in several physical respects. Many of these inefficiencies arise from the limitations of the standard “C” stud. At the present time the standard “C” stud is designed to make straight walls 4½″ thick with only metal electrical conduit running through it. The standard stud system needs special studs and tools to complete most framing projects. The areas that the standard “C” stud has to have special studs and tools on the job site in order to frame is: 
    A) Sound proofing the walls     B) Creating curves laterally     C) Creating curves vertically     D) Creating curves both laterally and vertically at the same time     E) Creating 2½″ finished walls that both where wires can be run and at the same time be sound proof.     F) Creating any thickness walls that can curve or angle or go straight independent of the other side of the wall.     G) Create remodeled walls that can be extended to make contact with both the floor and the ceiling     H) Create braces and supports easily     I) Easily install wires after the wall has been completed     J) Fur-out walls only using 2″ of floor space and still run electrical wires     K) Install 1½″ drain lines in the standard 4½″ thick walls     L) Run electrical, pipes, computer, security, sound, and telephone through the chases in the wall     M) Easy to attach rough-in fixtures to the interior of the walls using only zip ties     N) Creating bulkheads and unusual wall configurations. 
 
 The above fourteen jobs can all be completed by just having the Universal Stud on the job site. 
   
 
       SUMMARY OF THE UNIVERSAL STUD  
       [0019]     The Stud is much smaller than the standard stud and measures 1½″ one direction and 1″ the other direction and comes in the same lengths that the standard stud comes in (eight and ten feet). The Stud also differs in that the Stud also doubles as the plates for itself. The Stud has at each end a slot ( FIGS. 1-5 ) that widens at each end to allow it to be slid easily ( FIGS. 1-1 ) over the walls of the plates ( FIGS. 1-6 ). The slots allows for the Studs to be extended to meet the ceiling heights. In the middle of the 1½″ side and at each end of the Stud is a pre-drilled hole ( FIGS. 1-3 ) to make it user friendly to screw the Stud to the plate ( FIGS. 1-7 ). Along each open side of the Stud, the metal is hemmed over ( FIGS. 1-4 ) to both give the stud strength and leave smooth edges along which the wiring run without it being cut. Also along one of the hemmed sides, holes are placed every foot ( FIGS. 1-8 ) to allow the use of zip ties at multiple heights. (See  FIG. 1 )  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles of the invention being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0021]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a multitude of framing jobs are solved by having the Universal Stud on the job site. The framing system includes just one type of unit that doubles for plates and studs. The Universal Stud and or Plate has two flanged sides with mended edges connected to a base plate with slots at each end. These slots are used to interlock the studs over the plates. (both the same units). At each end of the stud and plate is a hole pre-drilled to make attachment of the stud to the plate with ease and to create tight joints. Along one of the flanged sides pre-drilled holes are placed every 12″ for ease of attachment of pipes and wires. (FIG. # 1 )  
         [0022]     In another preferred embodiment when the studs are used with either the Universal plate or the standard plate, there is a dead air space created within the walls and no studs touching both sides. This both creates a chase in every wall to run wires and pipes and with the dead air space forms a block for sound to travel in between the two walls. (FIG. # 2 )  
         [0023]     Another preferred embodiment is the ease with which the Universal Stud can construct curved walls either horizontally, vertically or both. To curve a wall horizontally the Universal Studs that are to be used for the plates, are placed on the floor next to the desired curve drawn on the floor. The plate is cut more often if the curve is sharper and less for longer bends. For every needed bend in the bottom plate, a ¼″ peace of one of the sides is removed and the bottom is cut to the far side. The far side that was not cut is bent to match the curve. The top plate is cut to match the bottom plate but in the mirror image. The studs are placed with one or more pure flat on the plates. To curve the vertical walls, simply cut both sides of the stud opposite each other and bend the stud to match the desired curve. (FIG. # 3 ) &amp; (FIG. # 3   a )  
         [0024]     Another preferred embodiment, is the ease with which the Universal Stud works in conjunction with standard “C” stud and its plate. Because the stud is only 1″ deep and the plate is 3½″ deep, this leaves 1½″ through which pipes and wires can be run. (FIG. # 4 )  
         [0025]     In another preferred embodiment, the ease with which the Universal Stud can be cut, bent, and re-enforced to make bracing for walls. Because the Universal Stud&#39;s sides are hemmed, this allows the stud to be cut much easier than standard “C” stud can and is much smaller and allows bracing to be fit into cramped areas. (FIG. # 5 )  
         [0026]     In another preferred embodiment, the Universal Stud is the only stud that creates a sound proof wall, can run wires through it, and does it all within 2½″ with finished ½″ drywall on both sides. The stud/track is only 1½″ deep, and as long as the studs are not placed opposite each other the void area is ½″. The ½″ area becomes the dead air space and the chase for wiring. (FIG. # 6 )  
         [0027]     In another preferred embodiment, the Universal Stud wall can be assembled on the floor and raised up, assembled with tracks in place first, and in cramped areas. It also can be expanded to meet ceilings to make tight walls in between ceilings and floors. The way that the stud slides over the plates, it allows the studs to stay in one spot and they only need to be screwed together when the wall is in place. Also because the stud slides over the plate, the studs can be raised up before they are screwed together thus expanding the whole wall. (FIG. # 7 )  
         [0028]     In another preferred embodiment, the Universal Stud can be used to create walls to fur out next to walls, fur around pipes, create chases in walls, and create walls that have two different profiles from one side to the other. Because the depth of the stud is just 1 1/12″ instead of 3½″, floor space is usable that would normally be lost under the wall. ( FIGS. 8-9 ) The same thing can be said for the furring out of pipe chases or anything that has to alter the wall. ( FIGS. 8-10 ) Where chases are required to house pipes, ducts, or structural framing within the finished walls, the Universal Stud wall can be placed on each side of the chase. ( FIGS. 8-11 ) Because the walls are looked at from one side at a time not both like the normal “C” stud wall, the configuration of the wall shape on one side can be different from the other side. As an example, one room could have rounded corners when the room next to it could have square corners. ( FIGS. 8-12 )  
         [0029]     In another preferred embodiment, the Universal Stud can be cut easily or ordered in specific lengths for things such as creating bulkheads. Also the studs ability to connect to itself makes it easy to create long walls or bulk heads that interlock without special bracketing. When creating a shorter wall or bulkhead, the Universal Stud is cut to length and the original end is slid over the plate with desired spacing. The other cut end is slid under the top plate or if ordered to length slid over the plate with the slot and screwed off. ( FIGS. 9-15 ) The short wall or bulkhead is ready to be installed and can be done by one workman because of the light weight of the system. Adding new walls and bulkheads to the installed units is much easier to do than the standard “C” stud. To attach two Universal Plates together simply cut off an angle of one corner of the back (  FIG. 10 - 14 )so that it sides easily inside the end of the other plate to which it is to be attached. ( FIGS. 10-13 ) Both of the sides of the cut plate slide over the outside of the sides of the second plate and the sides of the second plate go inside of the cut plate. ( FIGS. 10-13 ) Finally, a screw would be install through the hole in the second plate into the cut plate and screws are installed through the cut plates sides into the second plate. ( FIGS. 10-13 )  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]     FIG. # 1  the blue print of Universal Stud/Plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]     FIG. # 2  a cross-section view of a typical Universal Stud/Plate wall showing how the stud on one side does not traverse to the other side thus creating a dead air space according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]     FIG. # 3  and FIG. # 3   a  are perspective views on how to curve the Universal Stud/ Plate wall according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]     FIG. # 4  is a perspective view of how the Universal Stud can be used in conjunction with the standard “C” stud wall according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]     FIG. # 5  is a perspective view of how the Universal Stud can be easily converted to any kind of bracing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     FIG. # 6  are views of how the Universal Stud can create finished walls, sound proof, and still able to run wiring through the wall according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]     FIG. # 7  are views of the procedures to construct a Universal Stud wall and how to expand walls to meet ceilings according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]     FIG. # 8  is a perspective view of several types of uses for the Universal Stud walls. It portrays how the Universal Stud/Plate can help with furring out walls, boxing out pipe chases, typical walls, and same wall that has different profiles on each side according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]     FIG. # 9  is a perspective view of a complex bulkhead and made simple by the use of the Universal Stud according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]     FIG. # 10  is two views of the steps necessary the mend plates together. The perspective view shows the cut to allow the back to slide inside the other plate. The top view both shows how the sides are interlocked together and where the screws are installed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.