Patent Abstract:
A clip ( 2 ) for fitting between a first component ( 6 ) and a second component ( 4 ) in a building structure, the clip including a first member ( 8 ), a second member ( 10 ) and a connecting portion ( 12 ) connecting the first member ( 8 ) to the second member ( 10 ); the first member ( 8 ), the second member ( 10 ) and the connecting portion ( 12 ) forming a space ( 38 ) in which a portion of a leg ( 18 ) of the second component ( 4 ) is adapted to reside; the first member ( 8 ) and the second member ( 10 ) adapted for engagement with the portion of the leg ( 18 ) of the second component ( 4 ).

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a building connection arrangement and more particularly relates to an arrangement for separating a first member, such as a track, from a second member, such as a stud in a building structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a clip for providing the engagement and/or separation of the first member and second member and also to a fastening device for securing the first member to the second member. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The existing connection arrangements for a first member, such as a track, and a second member, such as a wall stud, either at the top or the bottom of the stud, provide little or no insulation acoustically. Vibrations in the building structure can be caused by building movement such as wind sway, inter-story shifting, vortex shedding or vertical deflection. Other movements that lead to poor acoustic properties at the interface between the stud and the track include impacts by pedestrians within a building or from machinery vibrations. Furthermore with the direct connection of the steel stud to the steel track, existing arrangements have allowed for a fast thermal transfer at the stud track interface. This is significant in the case of a fire risk or heat damage. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, in relation to existing fastening devices, such as screws, used to secure a stud to a track, it is difficult to temporarily hold a screw in position whilst also aligning the desired position of the stud with the track and then being able to adjust the position of the screw. 
         [0004]    The present invention seeks to reduce or attenuate vibrations and thermal transfer at the stud-track interface and to provide a more stable arrangement for applying screws to secure, where necessary, the stud to the track. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for fitting between a first component and a second component in a building structure, said clip including: 
         [0006]    a first member, a second member and a connecting portion connecting the first member to the second member; 
         [0007]    said first member, said second member and said connecting portion forming a space in which a portion of a leg of the second component is adapted to reside; 
         [0008]    said first member and said second member adapted for engagement with said portion of the leg of said second component. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the first or second member of the clip has a section protruding towards the other member to provide tension to the second component leg portion. Preferably, said clip is adapted to be retained within said first component. 
         [0010]    The first component is preferably a substantially horizontal track and the second component is a substantially vertical stud. The other of the second member or the first member of the clip may be substantially straight and frictionally engages against a surface of a flange of the first component. The clip preferably provides a frictional fit to retain the first and second components in an interference engagement. 
         [0011]    The first component of the clip preferably has a first flange, a second flange and a connecting portion that connects said first flange to said second flange and said second component has a first leg, a second leg and an intermediate portion connecting said first leg to said second leg. At least one of said first flange or said second flange can have one or more slots. 
         [0012]    The first member or the second member of said clip may have a protrusion that frictionally fits within any one of said one or more slots. A fastener means can be used to secure the clip and the second component to the first component. The first member and second member of the clip may have an aperture for the fastener means to protrude through. 
         [0013]    The section protruding towards the other member is preferably a knee or elbow that in a resting, unused position is biased to be substantially in the same plane as an opening located within the opposite member of the clip. An indicator portion may be located at a lower part of one of the first or second members to indicate the length of the second component hidden or protruding from a lower edge of one or both flanges of the first component. 
         [0014]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastening means for securing a first component to a second component in a building structure, said fastening means including: 
         [0015]    a head portion; 
         [0016]    a threaded shaft affixed to the head portion at a junction; 
         [0017]    a recess or slit formed in the shaft adjacent the junction; 
         [0000]    wherein said recess or slit is adapted to fit and be secured within a slot formed in the first component to enable the fastening means to secure the first component to the second component. 
         [0018]    Preferably the fastening means is able to be moved within the slot to a desired position before affixing said fastening means. 
         [0019]    The slot is preferably one of a plurality of slots formed in a flange of said first component. An underside of the head portion preferably presents a substantially large contact area with said flange on either side of said slot to provide additional grip to secure and strengthen the connection of the second component to the first component. The fastening means may be used with the clip of the first aspect of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from above of a pair of clips, with each clip arranged to be located at a first end of opposed sides or legs of a second component, such as stud; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view from above of a pair of clips according to another embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is side view of the clip shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from below showing the connection of the stud to a first component, such as a track, that has a series of slots located in each of the flanges of the track and showing a separate clip locating a stud to a corresponding flange of the track; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from below, similar to  FIG. 3 , except that there are no slots provided in the track flanges and connection of the stud to the track is formed without the use of fastening means; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from above, similar to  FIG. 1 , of a pair of clips but instead of having an aperture through an upper portion of the clip there is a projection on one member of each of the clips; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the clip shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from below showing the connection of a stud to a track using a pair of clips shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective front and back views of a fastening means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing the fastening means of  FIG. 8  used in a slot of a flange of a track to secure a stud to the track; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  highlighting the contact of the fastening means with the slot so that the fastening means can move within the slot without dislodging the fastening means; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a view of a lower portion of two types of fastening means that can be used, one being a needle point screw and the other a self-drilling screw; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of engagement of the fastening means within the slot of the flange of the track. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , there is shown a clip  2  that, together with a further clip  2 , is used to secure a vertical second component, such as a stud  4 , to a horizontal first component, such as a track  6  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The clip  2  has a first leg or member  8  and a second leg or member  10  that are joined by a web or connection portion  12 . The track  6  has a pair of first and second flanges  7  and  9  bridged by a connecting portion  11 . The stud  4  has a pair of first and second legs  18  and  20  that are bridged and connected by intermediate portion  16 . The outer surface of first member  8  engages with an inner surface of second flange  9  of track  6  as seen in  FIG. 4 , when one of the clips  2  is fitted to second leg  20  of stud  4 . Similarly, the outer surface of member  8  of the other clip  2  engages with an inner surface of first flange  7  of track  6  as seen in  FIG. 4 , when the other clip  2  is fitted to first leg  18  of stud  4 . Member  8  of clip  2  is substantially straight and is generally longer than second member  10  which is not straight and has an elbow or knee  14  having a portion that can project into an opening  36  (more clearly shown in the left clip  2  in  FIG. 1 ). The purpose of the knee or elbow  14  is to provide tension to the section of leg  20  (and leg  18 ) of stud  4  which fits between the pair of members  8  and  10 . The knee  14  provides the requisite tension to hold the legs  18 ,  20  in position in the space  38  (see  FIG. 2 ) between the members  8  and  10 . The leg  20  has a top portion  22  and two side portions  24  and  26  that are upright from or perpendicular to the web  31  of leg  20 . Upright portion  24  connects to the web or connecting portion  16  of the stud  4 . The top section  22  fits within the space  38  generally, but not necessarily against the inside of the connecting portion  12  of clip  2  and is secured in place by the tension created by the pair of members  8  and  10  and in particular with the protruding section or knee  14 . Opening  36  exists to provide tension in the thin first member  8 . The protruding section or knee is biased to be located in substantially the same plane as opening  36  when the clip  2  is in a resting and unused position. The clip  2  is preferably made from plastics material. The clip  2  can alternatively be fitted to the bottom section of the stud  4  to join to a track  6 . The connection or engagement of clip  2  to the leg  18  (which has a corresponding top portion and side portions) of stud  4  is similarly to that described in relation to the connection of clip  2  to leg  20 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 4  there is shown a pair of clips  2  fitting to respective legs  18  and  20  of stud member  4  at the top end thereof and that fit within the interior open space  19  of the channel of the track  6 , bounded by flanges  7 ,  9  and connecting portion or web  11 . The outer face  21  of each of the first members  8  provides an interference or frictional fit against the internal surfaces of the flanges  7  and  9  of track  6 , respectively. Thus, once the stud  4  is engaged within the track  6 , there is no up and down movement possible due to the frictional engagement of the respective surfaces of the members  8  (of respective clips  2 ) and the interior surfaces of the flanges  7  and  9 . A lower portion of member  8  has a pair of angled sides  39  and  40  that meet at a lowest point  41 , to form an indicator portion, and this allows a user to check the length of stud  4  when it is in situ. Any sideways movement of the stud  4 , that is, within the channel or interior space  19  provided in track  6 , is prevented when plaster board lining is in place in a wall, for example. There are some situations where the track  6  need not be screwed or fastened to the stud  4  and in these cases the embodiment of the clip  2  shown in  FIG. 4  is used and as mentioned above, when the plaster board wall is in place then that prevents the sideways movement of the stud  4  within the track  6 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1  again, there is provided an aperture  34  above the opening  36  that extends through both members  8  and  10  and this allows a fastening means, such as a screw  32 , to protrude therethrough. The screw  32  is shown in  FIG. 3  to also protrude through one of the slots  28  in either or both flanges  7 ,  9  of track  6 . The plurality of slots  28  allows the position of the track  6  in relation to the stud  4  to be variable and also allows the screw  32  to be able to slide up and down within each slot  28  to provide positional variation. The screw  32  fitted on either side of the stud  4 , that is through first and second legs  18  and  20 , protrudes through the side flanges  7 ,  9  of the track  6 , member  8  of clip  2 , through the web portion  33  of leg  18  (or web portion  31  of leg  20 ) of stud  4 , and through member  10  of clip  2  to secure that part of the stud  4  to the track  6 . The apertures  34  in members  8 ,  10  are preferably threaded to assist with providing a tightening action of the screw  32  against the sides of slot  28  in either flange  7 ,  9 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1A  there is shown an alternative clip  2 A which is used to secure a vertical second component such as a stud  4  to a horizontal first component such as a track  6 . The clip  2 A has a first leg or first member  8 A and a second member  10 A that are joined by a web or connecting portion  12 A. The essential differences between clip  2 A and clip  2  is that the opening  36 A is more elongate than opening  36  and that the member  10 A has a longer protruding or curved section that forms the basis of the clip and that has the knee  14 A. The top portion of member  10 A has a narrower joining portion  15 A to the web  12 A. Web  12 A has a pair of depending projections  13 A either side of the portion  12 A and this assists in locating and keeping the clip  2 A at the top portions  22 ,  23  of the respective webs  31  or  33  of legs  20  or  18  of stud  4 . In addition, the aperture  34 A is generally smaller than the aperture  34  of clip  2  shown in  FIG. 1  and this is used to locate a fastener means, particularly in the form of a nail, which can be used to secure the stud  4  to the track  6 , particularly where a user uses a nail gun. 
         [0038]    In use and assembling the clips  2  to secure a stud  4  to a track  6 , the pair of clips  2  are attached to the top side (or bottom side) of stud  4  and, in particular, to a top portion  22  of leg  20  and to corresponding top portion  23  of leg  18  of the stud  4 . The stud  4  is then placed in the desired position of the channel or interior of the track  6  and an interference fit occurs with each clip  2  and, in particular, between the outer face  21  of member  8  and the interior surfaces of flanges  7  and  9  of track  6 . In this particular embodiment no fastening devices, such as screw  32 , are used and the outer face  21  of member  8  is frictionally fitted to prevent up and down movement of stud  4  with respect to track  6 . To prevent sideways movement, the plaster board of the interior wall is installed against the track  6  and stud  4 . 
         [0039]    Where a track  6  is requested to be supplied with slots  28 , a fastener  32  is used. In the same manner as in relation to  FIG. 4  the clips  2  are placed on the legs  18  and  20 , either at the top or at the bottom of stud  4 . The screws, examples of which is provided in  FIG. 11 , protrude through the aperture  34  of member  8  of one clip  2 , then pierce through the respective web  33  and  31  of leg  18  or  20  of the stud  4  and then through the aperture  34  of the other member  10  of clip  2 . Adjustment of the screw  32  can then be made, up and down, within the slot  28  and then securely tightened when a desired position is obtained. The length of the stud  4  can be determined from the amount of the lower part  25  of clip  2  protruding beneath the lower edges  27 ,  29  of flanges  7  or  9  of the track  6 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5  there is shown an alternative embodiment of the clips  2  compared to  FIG. 1 . This embodiment, shown also in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , does not have apertures  34  through the clip  2  and does not use fastening means  32 . Instead, generally located at the location of the aperture  34  in member  8  of clip  2  in  FIG. 1 , there is a protrusion  42  on the outside face  21 , at an upper location thereof, of member  8 . The protrusion  42  has a width which is substantially equal to the width of each slot  28  in track  6  so that an interference friction fit is formed between the inner longer sides of the slot  28  and the circumferential edge of protrusion  42 . The shape of the protrusion  42  need not be restricted to being circular or cylindrical, it can square or rectangular in plan. The vertical position of the stud  4  in relation to the track  6  can still be adjusted through movement up or down of the protrusion  42  and clip  2  within the slot  28 . Installation of the clip  2  is similar to that of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 3 , but as mentioned previously, adjustment is made through the interference fit of protrusion  42  within the slot  28 . The legs  18  and  20  have an interference frictional fit within and between the members  8  and  10  of the respective clip  2 . 
         [0041]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 7 , it has been mentioned that a fastener need not be used, nor a protrusion  42 . In these situations, as well as embodiments using a fastener or protrusion, the clips  2  act to separate the metal stud  4  and metal track  6  to inhibit thermal and acoustic transfer and limit vibrations at this interface. This is particularly assisted by the connecting portion  12 ,  12 A contacting the top or bottom edge  22  (of leg  20 ) and contact of leg  8  between the inside surface of either flange  7  or  9  of track  6  and the outside surface of web  31  or  33  of legs  20  and  18 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 11  there is shown a fastening means in the form of a screw  50 . It has a head  52 , a tip  56  and a threaded shaft  54  which meets the underside of the head  52  at a junction or joining portion  60 . Adjacent the joining portion  60  is a recess or slit  58  that extends circumferentially around the upper part of shaft  54 . 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the slit or recess  58  is used to accommodate respective sides  66  and  68  of a slot  64  of a flange member (similar to flanges  7 ,  9  of track  6 ) of track  62 . The point of contact between the screw  50  and the edges  66  and  68 , through the recess  58  is shown at points  70  and  72  in  FIG. 10 , above the threaded shaft  54  and in  FIG. 12 , side on to the screw  50 . The screw  50  can therefore be adjusted up and down within the confines of the slot  64  to make adjustment of the position of the stud  4  with respect to the track  6 . The main advantage of this is that the screw  50  remains in position and is not dislodged from the slot  64  without significant force. Initially when placing the screw through the slot  64 , a little force may be required to engage the recess  58  with the edges  66  and  68  of the slot  64 . 
         [0044]    Another advantage of the design of the screw  50  is its relatively large head  52 , compared to the diameter of shaft  54 , that presents a greater surface area to bear against the side flange of track  62  and on either side of the slot  64 , as shown in the shaded regions  74 ,  76  in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0045]    Referring to Table 1 below, it is seen that the screw  50  identified in the first row of the Table 1, with a head diameter of 14 mm, in a slot  64  having width of 5 mm, the underside area of the head  52  that contacts against the outer side of a dependent side flange of track  62 , shown by the shaded region  74  has a surface contact area of 49.4 mm 2 . This is doubled when the underside area of the head  52  contacts against the outer side of a dependent side flange of track  62  on the other side of the slot  64 , designated by shaded area  76 , effectively doubles the contact area to 98.8 mm 2 . From Table 1 it is seen that there is a far superior contact area than any of the other three types of screws. This therefore provides or enables a thinner height or depth of the head  52  so that the head  52  effectively sits almost flush with the outer surface of the depending flange of track  62 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison between standard screws: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Surface 
                 Total 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Head 
                 Slot 
                 area - 
                 surface 
                 Com- 
                 Com- 
               
               
                   
                 diameter 
                 width 
                 1 side 
                 area 
                 parison 
                 parison 
               
               
                   
                 (mm) 
                 (mm) 
                 (mm 2 ) 
                 (mm 2 ) 
                 % 
                 X 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Studco SDT 
                 14.0 
                 5 
                 49.4 
                 98.8 
                   
                   
               
               
                 screw (50) 
               
               
                 10 G button 
                 12.0 
                 5 
                 27.4 
                 54.8 
                 55% 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 head 
               
               
                 8 G button 
                 10.5 
                 5 
                 17.2 
                 34.4 
                 35% 
                 2.9 
               
               
                 head 
               
               
                 8 G flat top 
                 8.0 
                 5 
                 6.5 
                 13 
                 13% 
                 7.6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0046]      FIG. 11  shows in part view, different embodiments of a lower portion of the screw  50  which, on the left has an extended needle point terminating in point  56  and on the right is a self-drilling screw that has a recess  78  at the lower part thereof to remove any excess material of the object in which the self-drilling screw enters.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4