Abstract:
A fabrication strip for use in construction of walls, joists, and rafters. The fabrication strip comprises an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to one another. The first and second tabs are spaced apart a distance corresponding generally to the width of the support member, e.g., beam, to which the fabrication strip is secured. The second tabs include a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced longitudinally on the base of the fabrication strip a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between adjacent studs extending parallel to one another. Placement of the studs against the same side of the second portions of the second tabs will properly space the studs from one another. If desired, third tabs may be formed on the base of the fabrication strip in opposed relationship to the second tabs. Such construction is desirable for use with rafters.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to a fabrication strip and, more particularly, a fabrication strip for use in the construction industry to assemble components together in an orderly fashion. The fabrication strip can be used to facilitate the spacing of studs uniformly from one another to expedite construction of walls, joists and rafters.  
         [0002]     Conventionally, a wall in new home construction is assembled on site. A first horizontally disposed stud is placed in position. The wood stud, which may be for example, a 2 inch by 4 inch member, is marked at intervals where studs will be attached at right angles, such intervals being typically 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches. A transverse stud is aligned with a first mark and nailed into place. Other studs are sequentially added at the marks denoting the desired stud spacing. Then a horizontal stud is nailed to the end of the transverse studs opposite the first horizontal stud to define the framing for the wall. The wall framing may be constructed in place or alternately, the wall framing may be constructed on a flat surface and then tilted into place, whereby the transverse studs are the vertical studs in a finished wall framing.  
         [0003]     One person has difficulty positioning and then securing the various pieces to one another. The use of two persons to construct the wall framing, joists and rafters unduly increases the cost of construction.  
         [0004]     An object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip to assist the carpenter or like workman to more quickly and easily make building constructions.  
         [0005]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base, each tab having an alignment face at one side, the alignment faces being spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between spaced apart members.  
         [0006]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having both first tabs and second tabs transverse to the first tabs, the second tabs projecting from the fabrication strip and being spaced at a predetermined distance from one another for helping to space studs at predetermined distances from one another in construction.  
         [0007]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication strip having both first tabs and second tabs transverse to the first tabs, the second tabs projecting from the fabrication strip and being spaced at a predetermined distance from one another for helping to space studs at predetermined distances from one another in construction, the fabrication strip being suitably secured to studs by nails or screws.  
         [0008]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide wall framing comprising first and second spaced apart studs, a plurality of spaced apart transverse studs, and first and second fabrication strips secured to the first and second spaced apart studs and to the plurality of transverse studs that can be constructed quickly and easily on site by a single carpenter.  
         [0009]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereinafter.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     A first feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The elongated strip is constructed and arranged to be secured to a first stud or beam. Each tab includes an alignment face at one side. The alignment faces are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud or beam in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud or beam by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against an alignment face on a tab and then securing same in place.  
         [0011]     Another feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The elongated strip is constructed and arranged to be secured to a first stud. The second tab includes a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against an alignment face on the second portion of the second tab and then securing same in place.  
         [0012]     Yet another feature of the present invention is a fabrication strip comprising an elongated strip of material having a base and a plurality of first and second tabs extending in the same direction from the base and being generally parallel to and coplanar with one another. The first and second tabs are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the thickness of a first stud or beam to which the fabrication strip is adapted to be secured. The second tab includes a first portion extending parallel to the first tab and a second portion extending generally at right angles to the first portion. The second portions are spaced a predetermined distance from one another corresponding to the distance desired between second transverse studs extending generally at right angles to the first stud in an assembly. The elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the first stud by fastening means. The transverse studs can be assembled in predetermined spaced relationship by abutting each at one end against a second portion of the second tab and then securing same in place.  
         [0013]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent hereafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]     There is shown in the attached drawing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention wherein like numbers in the various views refer to like elements and wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall framing fabricated using the fabrication strip of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged detail view taken in the area of circle  2  in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the connection of a first stud to a second stud taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view of the assembly of the fabrication strip to a first horizontal stud; illustrating the position of the first horizontal stud just prior to assembly to the fabrication strip;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is detail perspective view of the assembled first horizontal stud and fabrication strip; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a detail cross-sectional view taken generally along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention as applied to joist construction;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a detail perspective view of the assembly of a portion of the fabrication strip to a joist;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a detail cross-sectional view of the joist construction;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a detail cross-sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present invention as applied to a rafter construction; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a fabrication strip as used in the rafter construction. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     There is shown in  FIGS. 1-6  of the attached drawing a wall framing  10  embodying the present invention. Basically, the wall framing comprises first and second or lower and upper studs  12 ,  14 . The studs  12  and  14  are spaced apart vertically as shown in  FIG. 1  and are generally parallel to one another. Secured to the upper and lower studs  12 ,  14  at predetermined spaced intervals are transverse studs  16 . The predetermined spaced intervals may be, for example, 12, inches, 16 inches or 24 inches, as in common presently in construction. The studs  12 ,  14 , and  16  are typically 2 inch by 4 inch, though other size studs may be used if desired.  
         [0028]     To facilitate fabrication of the wall framing  10 , fabrication strips  18 ,  18 ′ are used, as will be more fully explained later. Basically, the fabrication strips  18 ,  18 ′ will be secured to the lower and upper studs  12 , 14  by suitable fastening means, for example, nails or screws. The wall framing  10  may be constructed in place as shown or it may be constructed on the ground and then tilted into place.  
         [0029]     The connection of a transverse stud  16  to the lower stud  12  utilizing the fabrication strip of the present invention will be better understood by reference to  FIGS. 2-6 .  FIG. 2  shows a transverse or vertical stud  16  secured to the lower stud  12  with the aid of the fabrication strip  18  of the present invention. The fabrication strip  18 , which may be made from metal, for example, steel or aluminum in strip form, is nailed or otherwise secured at intervals to the lower stud  12  by nails or like fastening means. The fabrication strip  18  has holes  17  therein ( FIG. 4 ) for receiving a nail  24  to secure the fabrication strip  18  to the lower stud  12 . Extending transversely from the base  19  of the fabrication strip  18  is a first tab  20 , which is adapted to be positioned beneath the lower stud  12 , as seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  5 , and  6 . Extending transversely from the base  19  of the fabrication strip  18  is a second tab  21 , which is generally parallel to the first tab  20 . The tabs  20  and  21  are integral with the base  19  of the fabrication strip  18  and are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the lower stud  12  so that the tabs  20  and  21  rest upon the upper and lower surfaces of the lower stud  12 . The tabs  20  are generally coplanar and the tabs  21  are generally coplanar.  
         [0030]     Tab  21  may have an opening  25  therein for receiving a suitable fastening means, such as a nail. Alternately the opening  25  in the tab  21  may be struck from the tab  21  and have a down-turned flange  26  ( FIG. 6 ), which can be driven into the lower stud  12  to help retain the strip  21  in place on the to surface of the lower stud  12 . A projection  22  extends transversely to the tab  21 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the projections  22  on the fabrication strip  18  have alignment faces that are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the desired distance between the transverse studs  16 , for example, 16 inches.  
         [0031]     It will be understood that the fabrication strip  18 ′ is constructed in a like manner as fabrication strip  18  and is connected to the upper stud  14  ( FIG. 1 ) in the same manner that the fabrication strip  18  is connected to the lower stud  12 .  
         [0032]     In use, the fabrication strip  18  is positioned onto the lower stud  12 , with the tab  20  below the lower stud  12  and engaging the bottom surface thereof and with the tab  21  above the lower stud  12  and engaging the upper surface thereof ( FIG. 4 ). The fabrication strip  18  can be constructed and arranged with the tabs  20  and  21  suitably spaced apart to accommodate the width of the beam or support member to which it is to be affixed. Suitable fastening means, for example, nail  24  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) will pass through the holes  17  in the fabrication strip  18  to secure the base  19  of the fabrication strip  18  to the lower stud  12 . Further, the carpenter can strike the tab  21  to drive the down-turned flange  26  ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) into the top surface of the lower stud  12  to further secure the fabrication strip  18  in place. If desired, suitable fastening means, such a nail can be driven through the hole  25  to further secure the tab  21  in place on the lower stud.  12 . With the fabrication strip  18  firmly anchored to the lower stud  12 , a transverse stud  16  can be positioned against the face of the projection  22  on the tab  21  and affixed in place. Sequentially, additional transverse studs  16  can be added to the same side of the projections  22  in abutting relationship with the faces of the tabs  22  and the studs  16  will be spaced apart equidistantly, with the distance between studs  16  corresponding to the desired predetermined distance of 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches, as is commonly used in construction. The remote ends or the top ends of the transverse studs  16  can secured to the second or upper stud  14  through use of the fabrication strip  18 ′, which functions in the same fashion as the fabrication strip  18 .  
         [0033]     Through use of the present invention a single workman can assemble a wall framing. The resultant wall framing is quickly and easily formed. Modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive principles. For example, a hole can be formed in the projection  22  similar to the hole in the tab  25 . Such hole may be formed with a down-turned or in-turned flange, as in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , for aiding the connection of the projection  22  to a transverse stud  16 . A nail or like fastening means can be used to connect the projection  22  to the transverse stud  16 .  
         [0034]     Turning to  FIGS. 7-10  there is shown a joist construction embodying the present invention. Basically, the joist construction  110  comprises a joist  112  secured to the top member or stud  20  of the wall framing  10 . A plurality of studs  116  are secured to the joist  112  in a parallel and predetermined spaced relationship by means of the fabrication strip  118 . The predetermined spaced intervals may be, for example, 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches, as in common presently in construction. The studs  12 ,  14 , and  16  are typically 2 inch by 4 inch, though other size studs may be used if desired.  
         [0035]     To facilitate fabrication of the joist construction, fabrication strips  118  are used. Basically, the fabrication strips  118  will be secured to the members  20  and  112  by suitable fastening means, for example, nails or screws.  
         [0036]     The connection of the studs  116  to the joist  112  utilizing the fabrication strip of the present invention will be better understood by reference to  FIGS. 7-10 .  FIG. 7  shows a plurality of horizontally disposed studs  116  secured to the joist  112  and top member  14  with the aid of the fabrication strip  118  of the present invention. The fabrication strip  118 , which may be made from metal, for example, steel or aluminum in strip form, is nailed or otherwise secured at intervals to the joist  112  by nails or like fastening means. The fabrication strip  118  is like the fabrication strip  18 , except that the spacing between the tabs  121 ,  122  is greater than the spacing between the tabs  21 , 22  to accommodate both the joist  112  and the top member  14 . The fabrication strip  118  has holes  117  therein ( FIG. 8 ) for receiving a nail  124  ( FIG. 7 ) to secure the fabrication strip  118  to the joist  112  and the top member  20 . Extending transversely from the base  119  of the fabrication strip  118  is a first tab  120 , which is adapted to be positioned beneath the stud  14 , as seen in  FIGS. 7-10 . Extending transversely from the base  119  of the fabrication strip  118  is a second tab  121 , which is generally parallel to the first tab  120 . The tabs  120  and  121  are integral with the base  119  of the fabrication strip  118  and are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the stud  12  and the joist  112  so that the tabs  120  and  121  rest upon the upper surface of the joist  112  and the lower surface of the stud  14 , respectively. The tabs  120  are generally coplanar and the tabs  121  are generally coplanar.  
         [0037]     Tab  121  may have an opening  125  therein for receiving a suitable fastening means, such as a nail. Alternately the opening  125  in the tab  121  may be struck from the tab  121  and have a down-turned flange  126 , which can be driven into the joist  112  to help retain the tab  121  in place on the to surface of the joist  112 . A projection  122  extends transversely to the tab  121 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the projections  122  on the fabrication strip  118  are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the desired distance between the transverse studs  116 , for example, 16 inches.  
         [0038]     In use, the fabrication strip  118  is positioned onto the joist  112  and the stud  14 , with the tab  120  below the stud  14  and engaging the bottom surface thereof and with the tab  121  above the joist  112  and engaging the upper surface thereof ( FIG. 8 ). Suitable fastening means, for example, nail  124  ( FIG. 7 ) will pass through the holes  117  in the fabrication strip  118  to secure the base  119  of the fabrication strip  118  to the joist  112  and/or the stud  14 . Further, the carpenter can strike the tab  121  to drive the down-turned flange  126  ( FIG. 10 ) into the top surface of the joist  112  to further secure the fabrication strip  118  in place. If desired, suitable fastening means, such a nail can be driven through the hole  125  to further secure the tab  121  in place on the joist  112  and the stud  14 . With the fabrication strip  118  firmly anchored to the joist  112  and the member  14 , a transverse stud  116  can be positioned against the alignment face of the projection  122  on the tab  121  and affixed in place. Sequentially, additional transverse studs  116  can be added to the same side of the projections  122  in abutting relationship with the faces of the tabs  122  and the studs  116  will be spaced apart equidistantly, with the distance between studs  116  corresponding to the desired predetermined distance of 12 inches, 16 inches or 24 inches, as is commonly used in construction.  
         [0039]     Turning to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is illustrated a fabrication strip  218  of the present invention as applied to a rafter construction. The fabrication strip  218  is basically of the same construction as the previously described fabrication strips, but differ in three main respects. First, the tabs  220  and  221  are constructed and arranged such that the spacing between the tabs  220  and  221  will accommodate the thickness of the ridge beam  214 . Second, to accommodate rafters extending from each side of the ridge beam  214 , outwardly extending tabs or projections  226  are provided on the tabs  220  at the same spacing as the tabs  222  and opposed thereto. Rafters  216  on each side of the ridge beam  214  can be appropriately spaced and the tabs  226  are basically the same as the tabs  222 , except that they extend from the base  219  in the opposite direction from the tabs  222 . Third, since the rafters  216  join the ridge beam  214  at an angle, the top edges of the tabs  222  and tabs  226  may be angled or cut off to correspond to the angle between the rafters  216  and the ridge beam  214 . In other words, the top edges of the tabs  222  and  226  will not extend above the tops of the rafters in a presently preferred embodiment.  
         [0040]     Through use of the present invention a single workman can assemble a wall framing. The resultant wall framing is quickly and easily formed. Modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive principles. For example, a hole can be formed in the projection  22  similar to the hole in the tab  25 . Such hole may be formed with a down-turned or in-turned flange, as in FIGS.  3  and  6 , for aiding the connection of the projection  22  to a transverse stud  16 . A nail or like fastening means can be used to connect the projection  22  to the transverse stud  16 . Similarly, a single workman can utilize the present invention in joist construction or in rafter construction.  
         [0041]     The fabrication strip can be used in the joining of various housing structures to one another, for example, securing roof trusses to wall framing. In this regard a fabrication strip having upright tabs can be secured to the top horizontally disposed stud member of a wall framing and a roof truss can be secured to upright tabs on the fabrication strip to secure the roof trusses in place. Thus, depending upon application, the fabrication strip can be formed with a base and a single row of tabs extending from the base, with the tabs being spaced uniformly from one another, and each having sufficient thickness so that a transverse stud or like structural member can be positioned against a face on one side of the tab and secured in place in uniformly spaced relationship. The tabs in the single row can include a first portion extending transversely to the base and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion, with the face abutting a transverse stud being on the second portion. Another row of tabs can be provided on the fabrication strip, which tabs extend from the base in parallel relationship to the first portion of the tabs of the first row, the respective tabs being spaced apart a distance about the same as the thickness of a 2 inch by 4 inch stud to fit on opposite sides of a stud. Other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.  
         [0042]     The device of the present invention can be used with all types of building materials, for example, wood, steel, plastic, or composite material.  
         [0043]     Further, the invention can be used in various framing applications in construction, for example, floor, wall or roof. It will be recognized that the fabrication device, which was previously described a being usable for repetitive spacing of 12 inches, 16 inches and 24 inches can also be used for any other predetermined repetitive spacings of construction framing.  
         [0044]     While I have shown a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.