Patent Publication Number: US-2005120661-A1

Title: Floor and ceiling receiving tracks for seating metal and wood studs and the like and which in particular include spaced-apart punch holes along first and second sides thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to stud receiving tracks and panels for use in building construction. More specifically, the present invention discloses a track receiving and seating system for use with a vertically engageable wall stud, and which in particular provides the ability to arrange the studs in a predetermined spaced-apart fashion for constructing both interior and exterior support walls.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      The prior art is well documented with various types of structural support and attachment systems. A first example of this is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,694, issued to Daudet, and which teaches a floor system and method of construction for assembling a joist support. Of note, the system includes a joist rim that has at least one attachment tab integrally formed therein and to facilitate attachment of a joist to the joist rim. Reinforcing tabs are provided adjacent to the attachment tabs for providing desired structural integrity to the attachment tab connection.  
      The Daudet system also includes a C-shaped joist that has a plurality of oval-shaped openings therein to enable components such as ducts, wires, piping, etc., to pass through. The joists are further provided with mounting holes that are adapted to accommodate wire retainer members for supporting insulation between respective joists. The system may also include preformed blocking members that are sized to extend between adjacent joists and be attached thereto to provide lateral support to the joists.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,194, issued to Colosanto, teaches a structural system for supporting a building and which includes a plurality of prefabricated lightweight steel framed bearing wall panels supporting hollow core concrete slabs which are joined with grout. The invention includes improved devices for attaching exterior finishing to exterior bearing walls without requiring a studded non-bearing exterior wall. In relevant part, the exterior finish mounting device includes a deck stud channel which is mounted to a reinforcing bar by a channel clip and secured in grout by a gusset plate with a hole in it. The exterior finish is attached to the stud channel by screws which are also secured in the grout. Flat metal straps welded to the tops of double studs eliminate the previously used threaded members with angled bearings, nuts and washers. The studs are ground at their ends to fit more perfectly within tracks and avoid the need for bearing plates. An open slide clip replaces the former splice member to allow for more latitude in positioning reinforcing bars and providing a better surface area for grout.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,808, issued to Thorsell, teaches a fastener including a combination of a gang nail plate and a clip. The plate is driven into a gypsum board panel to attach itself thereto. The clip connects with the plate and extends beyond its side edge. A screw or nail is driven through an aperture in the protruding end of the clip and in order to secure the panel to a supporting stud. The gang nail plate includes tangs protruding from the inner face thereof and a slot-forming transverse member protruding from the outer face. The clip is a flat, rectangular, spring steel plate formed with an upwardly inclined inner end, a flat outer end, and a downwardly inclined central portion. The clip&#39;s inner end is wedged into the slot to tightly connect the panel, plate and clip.  
      Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,302, issued to Caretto, teaches a method of constructing a housing development in which the necessity for taking repetitious measurements and re-measurements through the various stages of construction is minimized. A construction surface in the form of the floor of a school or building in a shopping center associated with the housing development is initially established. Full scale dimensionally-stable, flexible templates are used at each building site location to mark the foundation footings and plumbing trenches required for the houses to be built.  
      In relevant part, and referencing  FIG. 8  of Caretto, a wall section is constructed by an open rectangular frame constructed of front, back and end members. Upper and lower extending L-shaped members in particular include carriage bolts extending upwardly through horizontal surfaces thereof. Horizontal plates are attached by means of nuts in a conventional fashion to securely fasten the plate to the frame on all four sides of the house.  
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      A receiving track for use with a plurality of vertically extending and spaced-apart wall studs includes upper and lower extending elongated bodies arranged in parallel opposing and spaced-apart fashion. The plurality of wall studs (such as including three-sided metal studs or rectangular wood studs) are arranged such that they extend between the bodies.  
      Each of upper and lower extending and elongated bodies exhibits a substantially “U” shape in profile, with a bottom extending face and first and second interconnecting and upwardly extending sides. A plurality of apertures are defined in each of the extending sides, in aligning fashion and between first and second extending ends of each of the bodies. Each of the pairs of apertures exhibit a specified diameter, a centerline location of each side extending aperture being spaced apart, in a preferred variant, a distance of four inches.  
      Pairs of extending tabs are defined from cutout portions taken from the bottom extending face of each elongated body. Each of the pairs of tabs are arranged in spaced-apart and opposing fashion and such that a center point between the pair of tabs is in alignment with a selected pair of side extending apertures. In a preferred embodiment, the pairs of tabs correspond to sixteen inch on-center spacings along the upper and lower extending bodies.  
      Each of the bodies further includes, in a preferred embodiment, a lip edge extending from at least one end of the bottom extending face. The extending lip edge engages a succeeding body placed in end-to-end extending fashion and may include one or more apertures for engaging an overlapping lip edge of a succeeding track and for receiving fasteners for securing the tracks together as well as to a floor or ceiling location.  
      A further variant teaches the application of an indicia, such as numbering, between first and second ends of the elongated body. In particular, a ten foot running length of elongated channel will include one foot numerical indications (ranging 1-10 feet), on one side thereof, whereas an opposite side will possess the same indicia in reverse order. In assembly, selected ends of the plurality of extending studs are seated upon the bottom extending face, between the pairs of upwardly extending tabs, and in substantially center aligning fashion between the selected pairs of apertures. At this point, fasteners are inserted through the apertures for securing the studs to the upper and lower extending bodies. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective illustration of spaced-apart floor and ceiling receiving tracks and between which are seated a plurality of vertically extending stud members;  
       FIG. 2  is a sectional perspective of a selected floor or ceiling receiving track and which illustrates spaced-apart apertures located in both of first and second upwardly extending sides, as well as pairs of opposing and seating tabs located upon an interconnecting and bottom extending face;  
       FIG. 3  is a sectional cutaway of a selected floor or ceiling receiving track, such as taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , and illustrating the seating engagement of a selected vertical stud member;  
       FIG. 4  is a further sectional cutaway of a pair of selected floor or ceiling receiving tracks and illustrating the seating engagement of a further selected vertical stud member for interengaging, in abutting end-to-end fashion, the pair of receiving tracks;  
       FIG. 5  is a cutaway view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and illustrating the engagement of the stud upon an associated pair of seating tabs;  
       FIG. 6  is a sectional perspective of a floor or ceiling receiving track and which illustrates an extending lip edge associated with a bottom extending face;  
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustration of first and second tracks according to the illustration of  FIG. 6  and engaged in end-to-end abutting fashion and in which their respective lip edges overlap;  
       FIG. 8  is a side illustration of a selected track engaged in end-abutting fashion with a substantially “L” shaped bracket portion according to a further variant of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a sectional perspective of a floor or ceiling receiving track and which illustrates an axially extending cut defined in a bottom extending face according to a further variant;  
       FIG. 10  is a further environmental perspective showing first and second receiving tracks, of the type illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in end-to-end interengaging fashion;  
       FIG. 11  is a sectional perspective of a selected floor or ceiling receiving track according to a yet further variant, similar to that previously represented in  FIG. 2 , and which again illustrates spaced-apart apertures located in both of first and second upwardly extending sides, as well as pairs of opposing and seating tabs located upon an interconnecting and bottom extending face and associated with each pair of spaced-apart apertures;  
       FIG. 12  is a yet further environmental perspective illustrating first and second receiving tracks, such as shown in  FIG. 4 , in an abutting end-to-end engagement according to a preferred variant of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  illustrates a numerical indicia scheme placed along an elongate running length of receiving track and according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 14  is a succeeding illustration of a numerical indicia scheme placed along a bottom face of an elongated extending track. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view is illustrated at  10  in perspective of a track receiving and seating system. In particular, the present invention discloses upper  12  and lower  14  seating channels for use with a plurality of vertically extending and interengagable wall studs  16 ,  18 ,  20 , et seq., and which in particular provides the ability to arrange the studs in a predetermined spaced-apart fashion for constructing both interior and exterior support walls.  
      Each of the upper and lower seating tracks  12  and  14  defines an elongate extending and substantially “U” shaped body arranged in parallel opposing and spaced apart fashion. The plurality of wall studs,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , et seq., are illustrated as three-sided metal studs (see as for example studs  16  and  18  illustrated in the sectional cutaway illustrations of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively). Although not shown, it is further understood that wooden studs, exhibiting a rectangular cross section, could be substituted for the metal studs illustrated and again be arranged such that they extend between the extending bodies  12  and  14 .  
      Each of upper and lower extending and elongated bodies, as further illustrated in the sectional perspective of  FIG. 2  by lower extending and selected body  14 , exhibits a substantially “U” shape in profile, with a bottom extending face  22  and first  24  and second  26  interconnecting and upwardly extending sides. Each of the elongated bodies  24  and  26  is further preferably constructed of a steel material, however it is contemplated that other types of material, such as durable and impact resistant plastics, can be employed within the scope of the invention.  
      A plurality of apertures are defined in each of the extending sides, in aligning fashion, and between first and second extending ends of each of the bodies. For example, pairs of aligning apertures are illustrated by corresponding pairs of inwardly curved and cross-sectionally aligning walls  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 , these being defined along each of the extending sides  24  and  26 , respectively, and extending along the channel body  14  in  FIG. 2 .  
      Each of the pairs of apertures exhibits a specified diameter, a centerline location of each side extending aperture being spaced apart, in a preferred variant, a distance of four inches. The selection of four inches is considered important to a preferred embodiment, in that it equates to multiples of 8″, 12″, 16″, 24″, et seq. and which corresponds to the placement of vertically extending wall studs in such as 18″ on-center and 24″ on-center intervals and which are generally accepted to be industry standards for assembling interior and exterior construction walls. It is further understood that other on-center spacing intervals of the rows of aligning apertures are possible, such as including 6″ on-center spacings and the like.  
      Pairs of extending tabs are defined from cutout portions taken from the bottom extending face of each elongated body. In particular, and referencing again the sectional perspective of  FIG. 2 , pairs of opposing tabs are illustrated at  40 ,  42 , et seq. Each of the pairs of tabs are arranged in spaced apart and opposing fashion and such that a center point between the pair of tabs is in alignment with a selected pair of side extending apertures, in this example a center point between pair of tabs  40  aligning cross sectionally with pair of side apertures  28  and a further center point between tabs  42  aligning with side apertures  36 .  
      In one preferred embodiment, and as is again illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the pairs of tabs  40  and  42  correspond to sixteen inch on-center spacings along each of the upper and lower extending bodies  12  and  14 . Referring further to the further variant of elongated body  44  in  FIG. 11 , the same again includes a bottom face  46  and interconnecting and upwardly extending sides  48  and  50 . Individual pairs of apertures are again shown in aligning fashion (and such as in particular in  4 ″ on-center spacing) at  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62 .  
      Corresponding to each pair of apertures, is an associated pair of spaced-apart tabs, i.e., tabs  64  for apertures  52 , tabs  66  for apertures  54 , tabs  68  for apertures  56 , tabs  70  for aperture  58 , tabs  72  for aperture  60  and tab  74  (second tab not illustrated) for apertures  62 . While it is not necessary to provide pairs of offsetting tabs for each and every pair of spaced-apart apertures, the same may be desirable in certain variants and such as where it is desirable to strongly reinforce the wall construction.  
      The tabs are further formed, in the variants illustrated, from cutout portions taken from the bottom extending face of the elongated body and as are also illustrated in the axial cutaway illustration of  FIG. 5 . As is again referenced in each of  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 5 , selected vertical extending studs, in this example again illustrated by three-sided metal (steel or aluminum) studs are provided and which seatingly engage between the selected pairs of the tabs, see as again is best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Upon seating engagement of the stud into the seating channels defined in the upper  12  and lower  14  extending bodies, fasteners (see screws  76 ) are applied through each of the associated pairs of aligning apertures and in order to secure the studs into place in on-center aligning fashion.  
      As is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a pair of seating channel bodies are shown in abutting end-to-end fashion, and by which a stud  77  is inserted within the seating channel defined between the abutting ends of the first and second elongated bodies. Specifically, pairs of screws  76  are inserted into apertures located typically at ⅜″ spacing on center from the ends of the elongated bodies, and in order to secure the bodies together.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the bodies further includes, in a preferred embodiment, a lip edge  78  extending from at least one end of a bottom extending face  80  associated with a first example of an elongated body  82 . The body again includes upwardly extending sides  84  and  86 , aligning pairs of side extending apertures  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 , et seq., and selected and offsetting tabs  96 .  
      As is further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the extending lip edge  78  overlappingly engages a lip edge  98  (see in phantom) associated with a succeeding body  100  placed in end-to-end extending fashion. Although not shown, it is understood that nails/screws or the like are hammered (or otherwise forcibly secured) through the overlapping lip edges  98  and  100  and in order to secure the running lengths of the extending channels in secure end-to-end fashion. Although further not shown, it is also understood that two abutting ends of elongated channel can be secured, with only one having an extending lip edge and which would in this instance extend over a level edge of an associated bottom face and as is best represented in the examples of  FIGS. 2 and 11 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , a further example of an elongated body is illustrated generally at  102  and by which an associated and bottom extending lip edge  104  engages a bottom face of an angled bracket portion  106 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , each of the bodies, see for example at  108 , further teaches an incision  110  extending axially inwardly from at least one end (see also lip edge  112 ) of a bottom extending face  114 . As further is specifically shown in  FIG. 10 , an abutting and end extending face  116  of a succeeding body  118  seats within the incision  110  to overlap the first  108  and second  118  bodies in end-to-end extending fashion. It is also envisioned that only a single one of the elongated bodies may require an axial incision formed along its corresponding bottom facing surface and in order to adequately overlap and to be interengaged (such as again through the use of nail or screw fasteners) together.  
      Referring to  FIG. 12 , an illustration is shown in perspective of first  14  and second  14 ′ elongated bodies arranged in end-to-end abutting fashion as substantially shown in  FIG. 4 . Of note, lip-edges  112  and  112 ′, associated with bodies  14  and  14 ′ respectively, overlap in substantially planar fashion (and unlike the incision seating manner illustrated in  FIG. 10 ).  
      In this fashion, abutting pairs of vertical edges  120  and  122  of planar bodes  14  and  14 ′ are arranged such that aperture pairs  124  and  126  are spaced at such as ⅜″ distances on center from the edge boundaries of the abutting bodies (again defined by vertical edges  120  and  122 ). Succeeding pairs of apertures, e.g. at  128  for body  14  and at  130  for body  14 ′, are spaced at  4 ″ on center from the edge boundaries (and not preceding apertures  124  and  126 ) and in order to maintain a correct 4″ on center relationship with each succeeding pair of apertures.  
      Also, nails or other fasteners, see at  132 , may be employed to secure together the extending and abutting ends of the lip edges, and such as prior to engagement of a vertical stud, and such as is also shown at  77  in  FIG. 4 . Referring again to  FIG. 9 , apertures  133  are formed at locations through the lip edge  112  and in order to facilitate application of the nails  132 . It is also envisioned that a lip edge  112  exhibiting the apertures  133  will define an overlapping edge of such a pair of lip edges, the underlying lip edge not requiring apertures to facilitate application of the nails or other suitable fasteners.  
      Referring to  FIG. 13 , an illustration is shown at  134  of an elongated receiving track according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the track repeats substantially the features previously described and including first  136  and second  138  extending sides, a bottom face  140 , and end extending lip edges  142  and  144 . Additional features include pairs of raised tab portions  146 ,  148  and  150  et seq., as well as aligning pairs of apertures  152 ,  154 ,  156 , et seq.) as substantially described in the variant of  FIG. 12 .  
      In a particular variant, the elongated track is produced according to a length of ten feet and includes numerical foot marking indicia ranging from 1-9 along first extending side  136 . As illustrated, a reciprocal and reverse numbering scheme extends along the second side  138  as shown. The numerical indications for 0′ and 10′ are not shown in  FIG. 13  but are understood to correspond to the opposite ends of the receiving track  134  and such that the track is reversible in use.  
      Referring further to  FIG. 14 , a variation  158  of an elongated track is illustrated and by which the reciprocal and reverse numbering scheme extends along the bottom face and in particular along opposite facing edges of a bottom face  160  associated with the track  158 . It is also envisioned that pairs of raised tabs  160 ,  162 ,  164  et seq., can extend at equal one foot (12″) or two foot (24″) intervals, as well as extending at 16″ spaced on center intervals.  
      It is also contemplated that other numbering or coding indicia schemes can be employed, such including color coding and the like and which employs a repetitive illustration of four or more colors. It is also contemplated that other lengths of receiving track, such as for example eight foot, twelve foot, etc., can be incorporated, each with a unique numbering or coding indicia scheme for determining placement of wall studs (not shown) and operating independently or in tandem with the aligned pairs of apertures and/or the opposing tabs.  
      Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. In particular it is envisioned that the receiving tracks can be used in variants including either both top and bottom extending lengths or, alternately, would also cover applications in which it is applied to only one of upper or lower ends of the wall construction.