Abstract:
A bracketing system is provided having two brackets joined by a flexible adhesive material that allows bridging or backing members of variable lengths and widths to be mounted between vertical studs to enhance stability of the wall construction. A wall construction assembly according to an embodiment of the invention comprises two vertical studs and a bridge backing member mounted there between by a bracketing system, which includes a left bracket and a right bracket connected by a flexible adhesive material. Because the bridge backing member can be adjustably sized to be secured on the brackets, it can be sized to fit between studs regardless of any variation in the spacing of the studs. This obviates the need to prefabricate bridge backing members to fit between variably spaced studs. The bridge backing member can be mounted flush with the stud to eliminate unevenness in the wall structure. Bridge or backing members of various widths and lengths can be mounted to the bracketing system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a wall construction assembly and, more particularly, to a bracketing system for assembling horizontal members to vertical studs. 
   2. Background Information 
   In a conventional wall frame assembly, a wall is constructed from a combination of horizontal members (or otherwise known as backing plates) affixed to vertical studs to form a frame structure onto which drywall or other types of wallboards are attached. Horizontal members and vertical studs are typically of a C-channel or U-channel flat strap stock variety, having a web connecting two flanges. Horizontal members can function as backing support by being installed transversely between vertical studs to provide enhanced lateral and vertical stability for the wall. Horizontal members can also function as reinforced backing to support heavy loads, such as from the mounting of heavy equipment on the wall to provide backing to anchor equipment. For example, when large medical equipment sinks are wall mounted in a hospital, a backing plate of sufficient load capacity is required to support it. Like bridging members, such backing plates are mounted transversely between vertical studs to provide enhanced stability to support dead loads and pull out loads. 
   Prior to the present invention, a horizontal member (referred herein alternately as bridging, backing or bridge backing member) would be affixed directly to the vertical studs, generally by means of attachment screws and/or weld. The horizontal member must be welded to account for poor design and construction tolerances. The direct assembly of horizontal members to vertical studs presented a number of problems. 
   First, though wall studs are typically installed at set intervals (e.g. 16 inch on center spacing), often there is variation in the spacing. Because of the variable spacing between studs, it is difficult to prefabricate (stock) bridge backing members to universally fit between the studs. Bridge backing members are manufactured in oversized stock lengths that must usually be cut to fit at the job site. The time and labor required to cut bridge backing members to custom fit the particular application greatly increase construction costs. 
   One attempt to overcome the problem of fitting a bridging or backing member between variably spaced studs is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,101 to Harrod, which teaches an adjustable backing board. The invention disclosed by Harrod is comprised of two interfitted rectangular channel pieces, telescoped together, with one piece being slideably mounted within the larger channel such as to be adjustable therein. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,556 to Jenkins teaches a system of expandable and retractable backing spans for fitting between studs. Both patents are directed to adjustable backing members, rather than to a bracketing system for mounting standardized backing members, and both require complex engineering to make the backing members adjustable. 
   A second problem with attaching bridge backing members directly on vertical studs is that, because the backing members are cut from stock channels, the backing members have no end surfaces that can be fastened to the vertical studs. As a consequence, in order to attach a bridge backing member between two studs, it is generally necessary to cut the ends of the flanges on the backing member so that the web of the bridge backing member can be fastened over the vertical studs. That is, the flanges must be cut to fit between the studs, such as to leave corresponding sections of the web on either end to overlap with the sides of the vertical studs. For example, n U.S. Pat. No. 1,867,449, Ecket et al. teaches a bridging member for positioning between studs variably spaced apart, in which the ends of the bridging member must be cut inwardly to provide a securing plate for attaching to the studs. The drawback of having to custom cut each bridge backing member in this way to fit between the studs is the increase in construction time and cost. 
   A third problem with the direct assembly of bridge backing members to vertical studs is that it often resulted in cosmetic problems because it created bulges in the wallboard, which required additional labor and material to correct by finishing over the uneven surface of the wall. The problem resulted from the fact that when the backing member is mounted directly on the studs, the web of the backing member sits over the side flanges of the studs which, plus the buildup of the screw, created an uneven surface. In order to eliminate this problem of an uneven surface resulting from the direct attachment of the screw on the stud surface, a backing member would have to be mounted flush with the sides of the vertical studs. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,857 to Herren et al. teaches a flush mount bridging and backing plate having a traverse end plate at one end of the channel and a Z-shaped tongue at the opposite end of the channel. The tongue fits between the two flanges of a stud, thereby allowing the backing plate to be mounted flush with the sides of the stud. The end plate and tongue provide end tabs so that the backing plate can be mounted directly onto the studs&#39; web without having to cut the flanges on the backing plate as described above. However, one major disadvantage of backing plates having prefabricated end tabs is that it is still required to mount directly to the studs without the ability to adjust to uneven stud layout. Because of the variable spacing between studs, stock backing members having prefabricated end tabs do not always fit between studs that are variably spaced apart. If in a particular application the studs are too wide or too narrow apart, such stock backing plates having prefabricated end tabs do not fit. Furthermore, it is more costly to manufacture backing plates with Z-shaped end tabs that are not adjustable. 
   In sum, the standard practice in the art is to mount backing members directly onto and over studs, which results in the disadvantages described above. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a bracketing system that can mount horizontal bridge backing members with vertical studs. There is a need for a cost-effective installation method for a bracketing system that can mount stock bridging or backing members between variably spaced studs without the need to cut each individual member to fit between the studs. There is a need for a bracketing system that can mount bridge backing members without having to cut the flanges of the members to create end tabs for mounting on the studs. There is a need for a bracketing system that can allow for a bridge backing member to mount flush with the stud, so as to eliminate cosmetic unevenness in the wall structure. The claimed invention avoids the above problems and provides significant savings in material and labor costs (e.g. scrap (leftover) materials can be used as bridge backing between studs and on said bracketing system). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a bracketing system that allows for adjustably connecting building components in a building construction. 
   It is a purpose of the present invention is to provide a bracketing system for adaptable on-site installation of bridging or backing members between variably spaced vertical studs. This bracketing system comprises two brackets held together by an adjustable adhesive material. The bracketing system can be mounted onto the vertical studs of a wall construction for supporting a bridging or backing member there between. 
   It is a purpose of the present invention is to provide an efficient method of indirectly mounting bridging or backing members between vertical studs that will eliminate the need for attaching the bridging or backing members directly on the vertical studs. 
   It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a bracketing system that will reduce the time, labor, and material required for mounting bridging or backing members by eliminating the need to cut each (pre-fabricated or stock) member to fit between variably spaced studs. 
   Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a bracketing system that will reduce the time, labor, and material required for mounting bridging or backing members by eliminating the need to cut each member to create end tabs for attaching directly on the vertical studs. 
   Still a further purpose of the present invention is to provide an efficient method of mounting bridging or backing members with vertical studs that will enhance the structural stability of the wall frame construction and mounting equipment thereto. 
   Still a further purpose of the present invention is to provide a bracketing system that can accommodate bridging or backing members of various widths and lengths. 
   The present invention introduces such refinements. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracketing system comprises a left bracket and a right bracket joined by an adhesive material. The designation “left” and “right” is for ease of reference only and is not intended to limit the orientation of the brackets. The left bracket has a reverse L-shape, with a first left plate joined at a right angle to a second left plate. Mirroring the left bracket, the right bracket has an elongated L-shape, with a first right plate joined perpendicularly at right angle to an elongated second right plate. In an embodiment of the invention, the second right plate is formed with a groove that runs along its length parallel to the first right plate. The groove divides the second right plate of the right bracket substantially into two halves. 
   The left bracket is joined to the right bracket by a removable adhesive adjustable tap. The removable adhesive attaches to the respective second left plate and second right plate of the two brackets, such that the two second plates are substantially co-planar with each other. 
   To mount a bridge backing member to a vertical stud, the bracketing system is first installed on the stud. In a preferred method of installing the bracketing system, the left bracket is placed in a desired vertical location on the stud, with the first left plate mating to the web of the stud. The right bracket is then peeled from the adhesive, such that the exposed adhesive attaches to a flange on the stud. The right bracket is wrapped around the flange of the stud. In this configuration, the respective first left plate and first right plate of the two brackets will sandwich the web of the stud, while the respective second left plate and second right plate are substantially co-planar. One half of the second right plate of the right bracket will mate with the inside surface of the flange. The other half of the second right plate of the right bracket extends beyond the flange of the stud for mounting with a bridge backing member. The adhesive material functions to temporarily hold the two brackets in place with the stud while a screw or other attachment means is passed through the first left plate and first right plate sandwiching the stud web in order to attach the brackets to the stud. 
   For a vertical stud having a C-channel frame section with lips on the flanges, the bracketing system must be mounted in a manner that accommodates the lips of the flanges. When the right bracket is wrapped around the flange of the stud, the groove on the second right plate of the right bracket accommodates the lip on the flange of the stud. With the groove accommodating the lip of the flange, the first right plate mates to an inside surface of the web of the stud, sandwiching the web between the first left plate and the first right plate. One half of the second right plate of the right bracket will mate with an inside surface of the flange, with the lip of the flange accommodated by the groove on the second right plate. Again, a screw or other attachment means is used to secure the first left plate and first right plate to the stud. 
   Conversely, the bracketing system can be installed by first attaching the right bracket to the stud. The first plate of the right bracket mounts to the inside face of the web on the stud. When the right bracket first plate mounts to the inside web, one half of the second right plate mounts to the inside face of the flange on the stud, with the groove accommodating the lip of the flange, and the other half of the second right plate extending outward. The first left plate of the left bracket then mounts to the outside face of the web on the stud, such that the respective first plates of the two brackets sandwich the web of the stud. Metal screws or other attachment means are used to attach the respective first left plate and first right plate to the web of the stud, and screws can be used to also attach the second right plate of the right bracket to the flange of the stud. 
   With pairs of brackets mounted to each stud at a corresponding elevation, a bridge backing member can be mounted between the brackets. The bridge backing member can be mounted to the face of the second plates of the respective brackets such that the web of the backing member is flush with the flange of the stud. Because the backing member can be movably positioned on the brackets, the backing member (cut from stock or scrap materials) can be adjusted to fit between the studs regardless of any variation in the spacing of the studs. This obviates the need to notch the stock backing member to fit between variably spaced studs. This also obviates the need notch each stock backing member to create end tabs for mounting with the studs. 
   Bridge or backing members of various widths can be mounted to the bracketing system. In one embodiment of the invention, the flanges of the bridge backing member can mount over and under the respective top and bottom edges of the second left plate or second right plate. For bridge backing members having narrower (generally 3⅝, 4 or 6 inches) widths, the left and right brackets are provided with notches in the second left plate and second right plate. The flanges of the bridge backing member can be inserted into the notches of the brackets. For example, one flange of the bridge backing member can insert into corresponding notches on the second left plate and second right plate, of the respective second plates. Alternatively, flange of the bridge backing member can insert into corresponding notches on the second left plate and second right plate with the other flange mounted under the bottom edge on the second left plate and second right plate. Or both flanges of the bridge backing member can insert into notches in the second left plate or second right plate. Once the bridge backing member is mounted to the brackets, screws or other attachment means can be used to secure it to the brackets. In this way, a backing member can be mounted between sets of brackets attached to the studs. 
   While the foregoing describes the present invention in relation to illustrations and examples, it is understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the illustrations and examples described herein. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternative modifications and equivalents that may be included in the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and various other objects and advantages of the invention will be described and understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a bracketing system shown in a closed configuration. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bracketing system shown in an opened configuration. 
       FIG. 4  is a top sectional view of a bracketing system and a vertical frame member. 
       FIG. 5  is a top sectional view of the bracketing system engaged with a vertical frame member. 
       FIG. 6  is a top sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a bridge backing member mounted at an angle to the vertical frame members. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a narrow bridge backing member mounted to a pair of bracketing systems having notches. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing a wide bridge backing member mounted to a pair of bracketing systems. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A building construction assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bridge backing member  20  is mounted between two vertical studs  10  by bracketing systems  30 . Both vertical stud  10  and bridge backing member  20  are made of common channel stock of the C-channel or U-channel variety, having in common two flanges  12  joined by a web  14  to form a channel frame. For a C-channel frame as shown in  FIG. 4 , each flange  12  has lip  13 . It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the bracketing system  30  described herein can work for its intended purpose with either C-channel or U-channel frames. 
     FIG. 1  shows a bridge backing member  20  mounted between two bracketing systems  30 . Bracketing system  30  is mounted to each of two vertical studs by 10 attachment means  70  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). As shown more particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each bracketing system  30  includes a left bracket  40  and a right bracket  50  connected by adhesive material  60 . The “left” and “right” designations are for ease of reference only and are not meant to limit the orientation of the respective brackets. Left bracket  40  has a first left plate  42  joined to a second left plate  44 . Right bracket  50  has a first right plate  52  joined to an elongated second right plate  54 . The second right plate  54  has a groove  56  therein that runs substantially along its length and parallel to first right plate  52 , dividing second right plate  54  into two sections,  54   a  and  54   b . Left bracket  40  is connected to right bracket  50  by adhesive material  60  that attaches to the sides of second left plate  44  and second right plate  54 , such that second left plate  44  and second right plate  54  are substantially coplanar as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 , the bracketing system  30  includes a left bracket  40  having at least one notch  46  in second left plate  44 . Likewise, right bracket  50  also has at least one corresponding notch  58  in second right plate  54 . The notches allow for bridging/backing members of varying widths to be mounted to bracketing system  30  as described more fully below. 
   Again referring to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred method for assembling the building construction, a bracketing system  30  is mounted on a first vertical stud  10 . Another bracketing system  30  is mounted on a second vertical stud  10 . A bridge backing member  20  is mounted between the two bracketing systems  30 . 
   Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in order to mount bracketing system  30  on vertical stud  10 , left bracket  40  is placed on vertical stud  10  with first left plate  42  mating with first surface  14   a  of web  14  of vertical stud  10 . To facilitate assembly of bracketing system  30  on vertical stud  10 , adhesive material  60  can be applied to a flange  12  of vertical stud  10  to hold bracketing system  30  in place while left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  are secured to vertical stud  10 . The right bracket  50  is wrapped around flange  12  of vertical stud  10 , such that first right plate  52  mates with second surface  14   b  of web  14  of vertical stud  10 . In this configuration, first left plate  42  and first right plate  52  sandwich web  14  of vertical stud  10  and second left plate  44  is substantially coplanar with second right plate  54  as shown in  FIG. 5 . An attachment means  70  is passed through the first right plate  52 , the web  14 , and the first left plate  42  to mount bracketing system  30  to vertical stud  10  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Or, conversely, the attachment means can be applied in an opposite orientation. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show the assembly of bracketing system  30  onto a vertical stud  10  having a C-channel cross-section, wherein flange  12  has lip  13 . For a vertical stud  10  having a C-channel cross-section, right bracket  50  is wrapped around vertical stud  10  with groove  56  accommodating lip  13  on vertical stud  10 . Again, web  14  of vertical stud  10  is sandwiched between first left plate  42  and first right plate  52 . First right plate  52  mates with second surface  14   b  of web  14 , and section  54   a  of second right plate  54  mates with an inside surface of flange  12 . Section  54   b  of second right plate  54  extends beyond lip  13  of vertical stud  10 , so as to allow mounting of a bridge backing member  20  thereon as shown in  FIG. 6 . It should be noted that though  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the mounting of bracketing system  30  to a vertical stud having a C-channel cross-section, it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the above method of mounting bracketing system  30  would work equally well with any stock channel frame, including studs having a U-channel cross-section. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , after bracketing system  30  is mounted to vertical stud  10 , a bridge backing member  20  can be mounted to bracketing system  30 . In order to mount bridge backing member  20  on bracketing system  30 , the bridge backing member  20  is attached to the second left plate  44  of left bracket  40  at one end and to section  54   b  of second right plate  54  of right bracket  50  at the other end. Attachment means  70  is used to fasten bridge backing member  20  on bracketing system  30 . 
   As described herein, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  are mounted to a vertical stud  10  such that left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  are on substantially the same elevation, as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, referring to  FIG. 7 , which shows another embodiment of the invention, left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  can be mounted to a vertical stud  10  in a stepped configuration. In this configuration, the bridge backing member  20  can be mounted diagonally or at some angle with respect to vertical studs  10 . 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 9 , bridge backing member  20  is mounted onto bracketing system  30  by mating the web  24  of bridge backing member  20  against either the second left plate  44  of left bracket  40  or second right plate  54  of right bracket  50 . When web  24  of bridge backing member  20  is mated against the second left plate  44  of left bracket  40 , one flange  22  of bridge backing member  20  sits over a top edge of left bracket  40  and the other flange  22  of bridge backing member  20  sits under a bottom edge of left bracket  40 . Similarly, when web  24  of bridge backing member  20  is mated against section  54   b  of second right plate  54  of right bracket  50 , one flange  22  of bridge backing member  20  sits over a top edge of right bracket  50  and the other flange  12  of bridge backing member  20  sits under a bottom edge of right bracket  40 . 
   In another embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 8 , bridge backing member  20  is mounted on bracketing system  30  by inserting flanges  22  of bridge backing member  20  into notches  46  in second left plate  44  of left bracket  40  and into notches  58  in second right plate  54  of right bracket  50 . 
   In this way, left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  can accommodate bridge backing members  20  having webs of different widths. Bridge backing members  20  of varying widths can be mounted to left bracket  40  and right bracket  50  by use of the notches  46  and  58 . It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a bridge backing member  20  having a wide web is not only structurally stronger, having a greater load capacity, it will allow the attachment means  70  to be spread out with the result that the mounting of the assembly will be more secure. 
   When the brackets  40 ,  50  are screwed to the stud  10 , the adhesive material  60  can be pulled off. The bridge backing member  20  can then be mounted to the face of the second plates  44 ,  54  of the respective brackets  40 ,  50  such that the web  24  of bridge backing member  20  is flush with the flange  12  of the stud  10 . 
   Because of the bridge backing member  20  can be movably positioned on the brackets  40 ,  50 , the bridge backing member  20  can be adjusted to fit between the studs  10  regardless of any variation in the spacing of the studs  10 . This obviates the need to cut each stock bridge backing member  20  to fit between variably spaced studs  10 . This also obviates the need to cut each stock bridge backing member  20  to create end tabs for mounting with the studs  10 . 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 10 . The bracketing system  30  shown in  FIG. 10  is comprised of a left bracket  80  and right bracket  90  connected by adhesive material  60 . Again, the “left” and “right” designations are for ease of reference only and are not meant to limit the orientation of the respective brackets. 
   Left bracket  80  has a first left plate  82  joined at a right angle to a second left plate  84 . The second left plate  84  is joined to a third left plate  86 , which in a preferred embodiment lies at approximately 45° to second left plate  84 , though other angles would work as well. In turn, third left plate  86  is joined at approximately a 135° angle to fourth left plate  88 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , first left plate  82  and fourth left plate  88  are substantially coplanar. The angled third left plate  86  provides additional strength and stability for applications requiring additional load capacity. 
   Similarly, right bracket  90  has a first right plate  92  joined at a right angle to an elongated second right plate  94 . The second right plate  94  is joined to a third right plate  96 , which in a preferred embodiment lies at approximately 45° to second right plate  94 , though other angles would work as well. In turn, third right plate  96  is joined at approximately a 135° angle to fourth right plate  98 . The first right plate  92  is substantially coplanar with fourth right plate  98 , with angled right plate  98  providing additional strength and stability for applications requiring additional load capacity. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, fourth right plate  98  is joined at a right angle to a fifth right plate  100 . The fifth right plate  100 , parallel to second right plate  94 , had a width less than the width of flange  12  of stud  10 , such that fifth right plate  100  can fit between web  14  and lip  13 . Further, the second right plate  94  has a groove  102  therein that runs substantially along its length and parallel to first right plate  92 , dividing second right plate  94  into two sections,  94   a  and  94   b.    
   Left bracket  80  is connected to right bracket  90  by adhesive material  60  that attaches to the sides of second left plate  84  and second right plate  94 , such that in a closed configuration second left plate  84  and second right plate  94  are substantially coplanar as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
   Further referring to  FIG. 10 , in order to mount this embodiment of bracketing system  30  on vertical stud  10 , left bracket  80  is placed on vertical stud  10  with first left plate  82  and fourth left plate  88  mating with first surface  14   a  of web  14  of vertical stud  10 . To facilitate assembly of bracketing system  30  on vertical stud  10 , adhesive material  60  can be applied to a flange  12  of vertical stud  10  to hold bracketing system  30  in place while left bracket  80  and right bracket  90  are secured to vertical stud  10 . The right bracket  90  is wrapped around flange  12  of vertical stud  10 , such that first right plate  92  and fourth right plate  98  mate with second surface  14   b  of web  14  of vertical stud  10 . In this configuration, first left plate  82  and first right plate  92  sandwich web  14  of vertical stud  10 , and second left plate  84  is substantially coplanar with second right plate  94  as shown in  FIG. 10 . An attachment means  70  is passed through an aperture (not shown) in third left plate  86  to secure first left plate  82  to stud  10 . From the opposite side, an attachment means  70  is passed through an aperture in third right plate  96  to secure first right plate  92  to stud  10 . Additionally, attachment means  70  are also applied to fourth left plate  88  and fourth right plate  98  to secure left bracket  80  and right bracket  90  to stud  10 . 
   Once left bracket  80  and right bracket  90  are secured to stud  10 , a bridge backing member  20  can be mounted to bracketing system  30  as described above. Attachment means  70  is used to fasten bridge backing member  20  on bracketing system  30 .