Patent Publication Number: US-2010115878-A1

Title: Spring bracket for framing stud installation

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to components used in building construction, and more specifically to the installation of framing studs between a ceiling and a floor. The present application is directed to a spring bracket used to facilitate such installation. 
     Metal framing stud-based walls are commonly used in commercial and some residential building construction as they provide a strong and reliable support structure. Such walls use vertically positioned elongate, framing studs having a “[”-shaped cross-section, which are spaced horizontally to form a wall. These framing studs are typically secured in place by fastening both an upper end and a lower end of the framing stud to respective and floor framing tracks, also referred to as headers and footers. Once the framing studs have been installed and properly positioned, the fasteners at the upper end of the framing stud often need to be removed to accommodate a sag in the ceiling. Failure to remove these fasteners can result in a stud columnar deformation. 
     Further, after the framing studs have been installed, sheets of wallboard are fastened to the studs, and wallboard joint compound is applied to seams formed by adjacent panels. However, when applying joint compound, improperly installed fasteners at both ends of the framing stud may cause dimple-like deformations and associated stress of the naturally brittle joint compound once set. For these reasons, fasteners are typically removed once the framing studs have been installed. Of course, removing these fasteners adds to the total labor time required for these projects. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present spring bracket for framing stud installation, which features a clamping portion for mounting to a framing stud, and legs for engaging a ceiling or floor. The spring bracket therefore avoids having to use fasteners to secure the framing stud in place. In addition to securing the stud in place without fasteners, the present spring clip bracket accommodates ceiling sagging and maintains the stud position. 
     More specifically, a spring bracket is provided for installing a framing stud between a ceiling and a floor, including at least one clamping portion configured for gripping an end of the frame stud; and at least one leg attached to the clamping portion and configured for engaging the ceiling or floor, wherein the spring bracket is the sole device for securing the framing stud in place upon installation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present spring bracket; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the same; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a spring bracket of the present invention, shown mounted on a framing stud; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the spring bracket of the present invention, shown mounted on a framing stud with the legs in a preinstalled position; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the spring bracket of the present invention, shown mounted on a framing stud with the legs in a deformed position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present spring bracket; 
         FIG. 7B  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the present spring bracket; 
         FIG. 7C  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present spring bracket; 
         FIG. 7D  is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present spring bracket; and 
         FIG. 7E  is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present spring bracket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a spring bracket, generally designated  10 , is shown mounted on a framing stud  12 . Included on the spring bracket  10  is at least one clamping portion  14  configured for gripping an upper end  16  of the framing stud  12 . Preferably, the clamping portion  14  is generally diamond-shaped when viewed from a front side of the spring bracket  10  ( FIG. 2 ). Other shapes for the clamping portion  14  are also considered, including for example, a generally double diamond-shape  14   a  when viewed from a front side of the spring bracket  10 , wherein one diamond is stacked on top of another diamond ( FIGS. 7C ,  7 D, and  7 E). 
     Attached to the clamping portion  14  is at least one and preferably two legs  18  configured for engaging a ceiling  20  ( FIG. 6 ) and which are moveable between a preinstalled position and a deformed position. Preferably, the legs  18  are generally “L”-shaped, with a short end  19  being connected to the clamping portion  14 . However, it is noted that the legs could have different shapes, including for example, a generally “S”-shape or radiused-shape ( FIG. 7D ). Further, legs  18  including at least one angle-forming bend ( FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 D, and  7 E) are considered. Included on the legs  18  are at least one friction enhancing formation  22  on a free end  23  for engaging the ceiling  20 . Preferably, the formation  22  is generally tooth-shaped, although other shapes are also considered, including fork-like  22   a  ( FIG. 7A ), tabbed  22   b  ( FIG. 7B ) and splayed teeth  22   c  ( FIGS. 7C ,  7 D,  7 E). 
     The clamping portion  14  and die legs  18  are preferably formed out of a continuous, planar strip of spring steel (e.g., AISI 1074 or AISI 1090) or other suitable material to permit movement of the legs between the preinstalled position and the deformed position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , similar to the fastener-based system described in the Background section above, the spring clip  10  is used to install the framing stud  12 , securing it between the ceiling  20  and a floor  24 . To install the framing stud  12 , the spring bracket  10  is mounted on the framing stud such that the clamping portion  14  grippingly engages the upper end  16  of the framing stud. More specifically, clamping action is focused at at least one clamping point  26  where opposing portions  15   a ,  15   b  of the clamping portion  14  are closest to each other. The remaining portions of the clamping portion  14  are configured for generating a biasing force at the clamping point  26 . Once the bracket  10  is positioned on the stud  12 , the framing stud is positioned vertically between the floor  24  and ceiling  20  ( FIG. 5 ), with the legs  18  exerting a downward biasing force on the stud through the clamping portion  14 . 
     A friction causing surface  30  is optionally positioned between a lower end  32  of the framing stud  12  and the floor  24  to reduce movement of the framing stud  12  during and after installation. At the upper end  16  of the framing stud  12 , the friction-enhancing formations  22  engage the ceiling  20  and similarly reduce movement of the framing stud. 
     Once the spring bracket  10  and the framing stud  12  have been installed between the floor  24  and the ceiling  20 , it is likely that the ceiling will eventually sag. When this occurs, the ceiling  20  exerts a downward force on the spring bracket  10 , causing the legs  18  to move from the preinstalled position ( FIG. 5 ) to the deformed position ( FIG. 6 ). It is noted that  FIG. 6  represents one of many potential deformed leg positions that result from the sagging of ceiling  20 . However, it is contemplated that the degree and angle of deflection of the legs  18  may vary depending on the application and upon the configuration of the legs, as seen in  FIGS. 6-7E . 
     Movement of the legs  18  between the preinstalled position and the deformed position also aids the installation of the framing stud  12 . Depending on the length of the framing stud  12  and the distance between the floor  24  and the ceiling  20 , it is often difficult to fit the framing stud (with a spring bracket  10 ), between the floor  24  and the ceiling  20 . However, installation can be achieved by placing the upper end  16  of the framing stud  12  (with the sprint bracket  10  attached) on the ceiling  20  at an angle, followed by straightening out the framing stud by moving the lower end  32  toward the floor  24  to engage the friction-causing surface  30 . It is noted that placement of the spring bracket  10  is not limited to the upper end  16  of the framing stud, but is also mountable on the lower end  32 , wherein the legs  18  engage the floor  24  rather than the ceiling  20 . Further, while use of a single spring bracket  10  is sufficient to secure the framing stud  12 , it is contemplated that spring brackets are mountable on both the upper end  16  and the lower end  32  of the framing stud to further secure the framing stud in place. 
     In the event that it is difficult to fit the framing stud  12  (with the spring bracket  10  mounted on it) between the floor  24  and the ceiling  20 , the legs  18  can be moved towards their deformed position, thereby reducing the total height of the framing stud  12  and spring bracket  10  combination. Once the framing stud  12  and spring bracket  10  are properly positioned, the legs  18  engage and exert a biasing force upon the ceiling  20  as they plant a retaining force towards their preinstalled position. 
     Unlike the conventional approach of securing the framing stud  14  to the ceiling  20  and the floor  24  using fasteners frame tracks, no fasteners or other parts are required with the present spring bracket  10 . As such, the spring bracket  10  is the sole device for securing the framing stud  12  in place relative to the floor  24  when the framing stud is installed between the ceiling  20  and the floor  24 . The spring bracket therefore avoids the pitfalls encountered by the conventional fastener-based approach. 
     In particular, the present spring bracket  10  reduces the labor involved in installing framing studs  12 . Once the framing studs  12  have been secured, there is no need to remove any fasteners or perform additional steps to prepare for a possible sag in the ceiling  20 . Indeed, when the ceiling  20  sags, the resulting force on the bracket  10  causes the legs  18  of the spring bracket  10  to move from the preinstalled position to the deformed position, while still retaining the framing stud  16  in a secure position. It is noted that the spring bracket  10  can be used for various sizes and dimensions of walls and framing studs  12 . By adjusting the biasing force (i.e., the amount of spring precompression) and the length of the legs  18 , the spring bracket  10  can be tailored to accommodate walls and framing studs  12  with particular sized and dimensions. 
     Further, when wallboard compound is eventually applied to the walls, the likelihood of crystal deformations or resulting stress seen with the conventional fastener-based approach are reduced or eliminated. 
     While a particular embodiment of the present spring bracket for framing stud installation has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.