Patent Publication Number: US-2002002803-A1

Title: Stud wall constructions

Description:
[0001] The present invention relates to stud wall constructions and to a bracket for use in such constructions.  
       [0002] In stud wall constructions, the upper ends of upright metal studs are commonly received in a horizontal channel member (the head channel) which is fixed to the underside of the overlying floor slab or of an overlying concrete beam. The ends of the upright studs are not fixed to the head channel, so that the head channel is left free to move vertically relative to the upright studs: however, the studs are restrained from moving sideways by a pair of horizontal bracing strips which are fixed to the studs on both their inner and outer sides; further, blocks are positioned between the pair of bracing strips at intervals, and the bracing strips are fixed to these blocks, to prevent the bracing strips bowing inwardly or outwardly.  
       [0003] The above-described arrangements are relatively complicated and time consuming to construct: moreover because of the presence of the bracing strips, uneven surfaces are presented, on both sides of the studs, for application of internal and external cladding panels.  
       [0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stud wall construction which comprises a horizontal channel member and at least one channel-section upright stud having opposite sides which terminate with inturned margins, and a bracket serving to restrain said stud against moving sideways whilst allowing said horizontal channel member against deflection of its opposite flanges, said bracket comprising a channel-section member having a base and opposite sides projecting from said base, said opposite sides terminating with inwardly-extending flanges which are formed to provide a pair of pockets, the bracket being disposed within said horizontal channel member with its said pockets receiving said inturned margins of said stud and with said sides of the bracket, between its said base and its said flanges being fixed to the respective flanges of said horizontal channel member.  
       [0005] Preferably each flange of the bracket is bent to form a first portion which projects inwardly, and a second portion which projects outwardly, these two portions lying parallel to each other and spaced apart to form the respective pocket. Preferably the bracket is formed from sheet metal.  
       [0006] Preferably the bracket is fixed to the horizontal channel member by means of self-tapping screws inserted into holes drilled through the flanges of the horizontal channel member: preferably two such screws are used, in staggered positions, on each side of the channel member.  
       [0007] It will be appreciated that the installation of such brackets, one for each stud, is less complicated and saves time compared with the conventional arrangements. Also, a more even surface is provided, on both sides of the upright studs, for the application of cladding panels. Further, the bracket effectively secures the opposite sides or flanges of the horizontal channel member together, so providing additional support. 
     
    
    
     [0008] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a conventional stud wall construction;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the use, in a stud wall construction, of a bracket in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a bracket in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the bracket shown in FIG. 3; and  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a sectional view through an upright stud of the wall construction shown in FIG. 2, showing the engagement of the upper end of the stud by the bracket. 
    
    
     [0014] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a conventional stud wall construction is shown, in which the upper ends of upright metal studs S are received within a head channel C which is fixed to the underside of a concrete floor slab F. The ends of the studs S are not fixed to the head channel C, and the head channel is therefore free to move up and down in the vertical plane. In order to restrain the studs S from moving sideways in the vertical plane, bracing strips B are fixed to the opposite sides of the studs: further, to prevent the bracing strips B from bowing inwardly or outwardly, blocks L are positioned between them in some of the spaces between adjacent studs, and the bracing strips B are fixed to the blocks L.  
     [0015] In a stud wall construction in accordance with the present invention, and referring to FIG. 2, the upper ends of the metal studs S are restrained against sideways movement by brackets R, which still allow vertical movement of head channel C relative to the studs S.  
     [0016] As shown in FIGS.  3  to  5 , each bracket R is generally of U-or channel-shape in cross-section, having a flat rectangular base  10  and two rectangular sides  12 ,  14  projecting from the opposite ends of the base  10  at right angles to it. Respective flanges  13 ,  15  project from the outer ends of the sides  12 ,  14 , each flange being bent through 180° to form two portions parallel to each other and with a small gap between them: thus, the respective flanges  13 ,  15  have first portions  13   a ,  15   a  which project inwardly towards each other from the outer ends of the sides  12 ,  14 , and second portions  13   b ,  15   b  which project outwardly again from the inner ends of the portions  13   a ,  15   a ; the two portions of each flange thus define a pocket P which is open down the outer edge of the flange. The bracket R is positioned in the head channel C, outside of the stud S, with the base  10  of the bracket disposed in the vertical plane and its sides  12 ,  14  disposed against the inner surfaces of the opposite sides or flanges of the head channel C. In particular, the length of the base  10  of the bracket R, and accordingly the spacing of the outer surfaces of the sides  12 ,  14  of the bracket, correspond with the spacing between the inner surfaces of the opposite sides or flanges of the channel C: also, preferably the height of the base  10  and sides  12 ,  14  corresponds with the depth of the channel C. The bracket R is fixed in position by means of self-tapping screws e.g. T inserted into holes drilled through the sides or flanges of the channel C and the sides  12 ,  14  of the bracket, between the base  10  and flanges  13 ,  15  of the bracket: preferably two such screws T are used in each side, in staggered manner, as shown.  
     [0017] It will be noted that the inturned margins M of the opposite sides of each stud S are received in the pockets P formed between the two parallel portions of the two flanges  13 ,  15  of the bracket. This allows relative sliding movement between the bracket R and the stud S in the vertical direction, but restrains the stud S from sideways displacement.  
     [0018] The use of the brackets R simplifies the construction of the stud wall. Also, a more even surface is provided, on both sides of the studs, for the application of cladding panels. Moreover, because the sides of the bracket, between its base  10  and its flanges  13 ,  15 , are fixed to the respective flanges of the horizontal head channel C, the bracket effectively secures the two sides or flanges of the head channel C together and so strengthens the head channel against sideways deflection of its opposite flanges.