Abstract:
A securing device for securing a wall to an I-beam. The securing device includes two members that coupled to the sides of an I-beam and are secured together so as to couple the securing device to the I-beam. The two members define a surface that is spaced from the bottom surface of the I-beam that can receive fasteners and the thickness of the two member is such that ordinary fasteners can be used to secure a wall component to the two members of the securing device thereby reducing the need to drill, weld or otherwise attach wall members directly to the I-beam.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/784,227 filed Mar. 20, 2006 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to building construction and, in particular, concerns a clamping device for use with I-beams in order to mount interior walls in buildings. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Mounting the interior walls of commercial buildings requires a significant effort. Conventionally, metal pieces, commonly referred to as “stickers”, are welded at periodic intervals to load bearing I-beams, which support the building. An upper surface of a sticker is welded to the lower flange of an I-beam and a strut is attached to the lower surface of the sticker by screws or other fasteners. The strut is then used to frame the interior wall and provide an attachment point for other wall members, such as dry wall sheets and the like. In this fashion, the interior wall is supported by the I-beam without directly piercing the I-beam with mechanical fasteners, which can weaken the I-beam, in keeping with building code. 
     This fabrication method is expensive and time consuming, however. Welds must be performed by a welder who possesses significant, specialized experience. Furthermore, each sticker is welded over approximately 12 inches, requiring significant time to properly perform, even for an experienced welder. Additionally, the stickers are closely spaced along the I-beam, on the order of feet, meaning that numerous stickers are utilized in a building. Moreover, the welds must be inspected and tested to ensure they meet building code requirements. All of these factors significantly add to the time and cost of fabricating a building. 
     From the foregoing, it is apparent that there is need for a construction device for securing an interior wall of a building to an I-beam which may be deployed faster and at reduced cost than present devices. To this end, there is a need for a securing device that reduces the need for expensive weld attachments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the present invention which, in one aspect, comprises a first and second bracket members that are adapted to engage opposing ends of a support beam, such as an I-beam. The first and second bracket members are engaged together by a securing member that clamps the first and second bracket members to the support beam. The first and second bracket members define a mounting surface that is spaced from the support beam wherein the mounting surface is adapted to receive fasteners to facilitate the interconnection of a wall member, such as a stud to the mounting surface without requiring the fasteners to be directly coupled to the support beam. 
     In one implementation, the support beam comprises an I-beam having a central member with legs extending perpendicularly outward from the central member at a first end of the central member. The first and second bracket members engage with the legs and a securing member is coupled therebetween so as to draw the first and second bracket members towards each other upon actuation of the securing member. The first and second bracket member define a mounting surface that extends generally parallel to the first and second legs but is spaced therefrom to facilitate fasteners being secured through the mounting surface without engagement with the legs of the I-beam. 
     In one specific implementation, the first and second bracket members are formed of sheet steel having a thickness that is selected to permit ordinary fasteners, such as screws, to be screwed therethrough. In one implementation, the mounting surface receives fasteners that couple a C-channel to the mounting surfaces. The C-channel then receives a wall component such as a stud, strut, joist or the like. Fasteners can then be used to couple the sidewalls of the C-channel to the stud, strut, joist or the like to thereby secure the member to the I-beam. 
     By allowing more mechanical attachment, rather than welded attachment of the brackets to the structural support beam, the cost of installation is reduced. Further, by forming a mounting surface that is spaced from the structural support beam, fasteners can then be used to more easily secure the wall components to the structural support beam. 
     These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a clamping device attached to an I-beam shown in cross-section; 
         FIG. 2  is a side-elevation view of the clamping device of  FIG. 1  attached to the I-beam; 
         FIG. 3  is a top-down view of one embodiment of a clamp bracket, prior to folding to shape; 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side elevation view of the clamp bracket of  FIG. 3  after folding to shape; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the clamp bracket of  FIG. 3  after folding to shape; 
         FIG. 6  is front and side elevation view of one embodiment of a support bracket for use with the clamp bracket; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the support bracket; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the support bracket of  FIG. 7  in use with the clamp bracket. 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation view of an alternative securing mechanism for the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial elevation view of an exemplary wall built using the devices of  FIGS. 1 and 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  present front and side elevation views of one embodiment of a clamping device  100  for use in securing a wall component, such as a stud, to a structural support such as an I-beam  102 . In general, the device  100  is positioned around, and compressively secured to, the lower flange  106  of an I-beam  102 . The underside of the device  100  provides a surface that is spaced from the I-beam to which struts or wall elements may be attached in the manner described below. Advantageously, as will described below, the device  100  may be quickly, yet firmly, secured to the I-beam  102  with less use of welds. The clamping device  100  comprises a plurality of clamp brackets  104  and a securing mechanism  110 . 
     In certain embodiments of  FIG. 1 , the clamp brackets  104  may comprise a shaped metallic sheet  112  ( FIG. 3 ) which is bent to the form of one of the clamp brackets  104 .  FIG. 3  presents one embodiment of the metallic sheet  112  prior to bending. The clamp bracket  104 , prior to bending, comprises a substantially flat, metallic sheet  112  which is formed to a predetermined shape. The shape of the metallic sheet  112  may be achieved by stamping or other metal forming operations generally known to those knowledgeable in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic sheet  112  comprises a steel alloy, however, other metals and metallic alloys may be utilized, as necessary. Advantageously, the metallic sheet  112  possesses a thickness not greater than a predetermined value in order to allow screws to easily pierce the clamp bracket  104  in order to attach struts to the bracket  104 . In one embodiment, the sheet  112  is formed of sheet steel and has a thickness which less than about 1/32 inch. In another embodiment, the sheet  112  is formed of sheet steel and has a thickness not greater than about 3/16 inch. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the metallic sheet  112  is generally rectangular, possessing a first end  114 A and a second end  114 B. A first plurality of arms  116 A extends outward towards the first end  114 A, while a second plurality of arms  116 B extends outward towards the second end  114 B. The first plurality of arms  116 A, serve as the base and sides of the clamp bracket  104  when the metallic sheet  112  is bent to shape. A gap  120  is also located between the first plurality of arms  116 A. As discussed below in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 1-2 , the gap  120  provides an opening by which fireproofing material may be sprayed within the interior surface of the clamp bracket  104  and the lower flange  106  of the I-beam  102 . The first plurality of arms are preferably dimensioned to a clamp bracket length  122  of approximately 4″ and a height  124  of approximately 3¼″. A clamp portion  126  is also formed within each of the first plurality of arms  116 A, configured so as to allow the clamp bracket  104  to engage the lower flange  106  of the I-beam  102 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the clamp portion  126  defines a V-notch  134 , however, the clamp portion  126  may comprise any shape which functions to engage the flange  106  of the I-beam  102 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the V-notch possesses a V-notch offset length  130  of approximately ¾″, a V-notch offset height  132  of approximately 1⅜″, and a V-notch angle of approximately 45 degrees. As is also shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer edges of the clamp portion  126  define a fold  127  that can be folded so as to extend perpendicular to the clamp portion  126  to reinforce the clamp portion  126  so as to inhibit bending of the claim portion  126  in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the clamp portion  126 . 
     The second plurality of arms  116 B, as described below, forms the rear of the clamp bracket  104 . The second plurality of arms  116 B possesses, in one embodiment, a height  136  of approximately 2½″ and a width  140  of approximately 3″. An aperture  123  is further formed in each of the second plurality of arms  116 B. The aperture  123  is generally circular, with an aperture diameter  144  dimensioned so as to allow the clamp bracket  104  to accept the securing mechanism  110 , as discussed in greater detail below. The aperture  123  is positioned at an aperture positioning dimension  146  of approximately 1⅜″ with respect to the edge of the second plurality of arms  116 B. The clamp portion  126  and the aperture  123  will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 1-2  with respect to mounting the device  100 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the metallic sheet  112  after it has been bent to the shape of the clamp bracket  104 . To create this shape, the metallic sheet  112  is bent along a plurality of bends  150 , comprising a first and a second plurality of bends  150 B, illustrated in  FIG. 3  by dashed lines. Generally, the metallic sheet  112  is bent approximately along the lines of the bends  150  towards the center of the metallic sheet  110  in order to form the clamp bracket  104 . The first plurality of arms  116 A are folded first, at the first plurality of bends  150 A, to form an attachment portion  152  and clamp bracket sides  154  of the clamp bracket  104 . As discussed below in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 1-2 , the attachment portion  152  provides a location for attachment of struts to the clamp bracket  104 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-5 , the first plurality of bends  150 A define a clamp bracket width  156  of approximately 3 inches, a clamp bracket height  160  of approximately 2½″, and a clamp bracket flange dimension  162  of approximately ¾″. The second plurality of arms  116 B are folded next upon one another, at the second plurality of bends  150 B, to form the rear of the clamp bracket  104 . When bent in this fashion, the apertures  123  within each of the second plurality of arms  116 B substantially overlap. Advantageously, the overlapping arms  116 B reinforce the area about the aperture  123 , helping to inhibit failure of the device  100  about the aperture  123 , as will be discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 1-2  below. 
     In further advantage, this design reduces the cost of the device  100 . Metal sheet and metal forming and shaping operations of the type described above are relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, the metallic sheets  112  may be shipped in the planar form shown in  FIG. 3  to a job site where they are bent to shape as needed, reducing the space and shipping cost of the device  100 . 
     In one embodiment of the clamp bracket  104 , a support bracket  164  may also be interconnected to the clamp bracket  104  in order to further reinforce the clamp bracket  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the support bracket  164  comprises a generally C-shaped bracket. The support bracket  164  is configured so as to span the width  156  of the clamp bracket  104  and interconnect the sides of the clamp bracket  104  at approximately the position of the clamp portion  126 , adjacent the V-notch  134  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The support bracket  164  may be attached to the clamp bracket  104  using welds, rivets, adhesives, or other joining methods. In this manner, the clamp bracket  104  is inhibited from buckling particularly about the V-notch  134 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a support bracket  172  which provides greater reinforcement to the clamp bracket  104 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . This alternative support bracket  172 , shown in  FIG. 7 , comprises a first and a second generally C-shaped bracket portions  174  and  176  interconnected along one edge so as to define an angled V-shaped structure. An aperture  180  is formed in the second C-shaped bracket to allow fireproofing material to pass through the alternative support bracket  172 , so as to coat the underside of an interconnected I-beam, when the device  100  is used. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the alternative support bracket  172  is placed with the first and second bracket portions  174  and  176  are interconnected to the clamp bracket  104  at approximately clamp portion  126  and sides  154 , respectively. More specifically, the support bracket  172  is shaped so as to fit within the clamp portion  126  and the attachment portion and couples to the interior walls of each about the V-notch  134 . In this way, buckling is inhibited and reinforcing along the length  122  of the support bracket  104  is provided. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1-2 , the clamp brackets  104  are mounted to the I-beam  102  using the securing mechanism  110 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , a pair of clamp brackets  104  are inserted into opposing ends of the lower flange  106  of the I-beam  102  at the clamp portion  126 , such that the ends of the flange  106  of the I-beam  102  are positioned within the V-notch  134 . Each of the clamp brackets  104  are substantially aligned with respect to the aperture  123  so as to allow the securing mechanism  110  to interconnect the pair of the clamp brackets  104  and pull the pair of clamp brackets  104  towards each other with the flange  106  of the I-beam  102  interposed therebetween. In this fashion, the securing mechanism  110  compressively secures each of the clamp brackets  104  to the I-beam  102 . When mounted in this fashion to the I-beam  102 , the device  100  is oriented with the attachment portion  152  facing below and being spaced from the flange  106 . In this manner, the device  100  provides a location for wall members, such as studs, struts and the like to be mounted to the clamping device  104 . Advantageously, the attachment portion  152  is designed to be thin enough to allow fasteners, such as screws, to penetrate, allowing the attachment of wall components to the clamping device  100  more quickly and less expensively. In further advantage, when the device  100  is mounted to an I-beam, the gap  120  in the clamping device  104  allows fireproofing material sprayed on the I-beam and device  100  to enter and coat the interior of the device  100  as well as coat the lower flange  106 , facilitating compliance with fire code regulations. 
     In certain embodiments, the securing mechanism  110  may comprise a threaded rod  166  and a plurality of nuts  170 . The threaded rod  166  is preferably dimensioned so as to fit within the aperture  123  of each of the clamp brackets  104  and to substantially span the distance between clamp brackets  104  engaged with the lower flange  106  of an I-beam  102 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the threaded rod is approximately ⅜″. The nut  170  is mounted on the end of the threaded rod  166  and threaded so as to urge the clamp bracket  104  towards the flange  106  of the I-beam  102 . In one advantage, the nut  170  may be tightened on the threaded rod  166  so as to compressively engage the clamp brackets  104  with the flange  106  of the I-beam  102  with a force sufficient to prevent the clamp brackets  104  from moving with respect to the I-beam  102 . 
     In one advantage, the overlapping second plurality of arms  116 B reinforce the area of the device  100  about the aperture  123 . When the device  100  supports an interior wall, the weight of the wall pulls the device downward. As a result, the threaded rod  166  presses against the edge of the aperture  123 . Therefore, reinforcing the aperture  123  increases the load bearing capacity of the device  100  about the aperture  123 , reducing the likelihood of failure of the device  100  at the aperture  123  and enhances the robustness of the device  100 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative securing mechanism  111 . In this securing mechanism, instead of the nut  170  positioned on the outer surface of the arms  116 A,  116 B, the apertures  123  receive first and second inset nuts  171 A,  171 B. The inset nuts  171 A,  171 B possess flanges  177  that define mouths  182 A,  182 B which extend about the outer surface of the aperture  123  so as to secure the inset nuts  171 A,  171 B in the apertures  123 . Inset nut  171 A further defines a recessed surface  173  which has an aperture  175 A that receives the threaded rod  166 . In one embodiment, the inset nut  171 A terminates at about the recessed surface  173 , providing a position to receive the nut  170 . In another embodiment, the inset nut  171 B possesses a threaded receiving portion  179  with an aperture  175 B configured to receive and secure the threaded rod  166 . In this manner, the inset nuts  171 A,  171 B allow the nut  170  and threaded rod  166  of the alternative securing mechanism  111  to be inset with respect to the outer surface of the arms  116 A,  116 B which facilitates finish treatment of the walls as the flange  177  extends outwardly from the outer surface of the arms  116 A,  116 B a distance that is less than the distance of the nut  170 . Thus, it is easier to make a smooth appearing wall surface when applying drywall and the like. In one embodiment, the flange possesses a width  180  of approximately 3/32 inch and the diameter of the mouth  182  is approximately 11/16 inch. In another embodiment, the recessed surface  173  and mouth  182  of the of the inset nut  171 A are spaced apart by a width  184  of approximately 1 inch 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the clamp members  104  as they are used to provide support for a wall  200 . As shown, two clamp members  104  are positioned on either side of the I-beam  102  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . The clamp members  104  are secured together with the securing mechanism  110  so that the assembly is rigidly coupled to the I-beam  102 . The lower surface of the clamp members  104  define the attachment portions  152 . A C-channel member  202  can then be positioned proximate the attachment portions  152  and fasteners  204  can then be secured through the bottom surface  206  of the C-channel member  202  through the attachment portion  152 . The bottom surface  152  is preferably spaced from the bottom surface of the I-beam  102  a distance that is selected to permit the fasteners  204  to extend into the interior space of the clamp members  104  without contacting the I-beam. 
     Subsequently, a wall member  200  can then be positioned within the recess  212  defined by the C-channel member  202  and the wall member  210  can then be secured within the C-channel  202  via fasteners  214  that extend through the side walls  216  of the C-channel member  202 . The wall member  200  can comprise any of a number of known light steel or wood wall construction members including studs, struts, joists or the like. Similarly, C-channel attachment can then be provided on the opposite side (not shown) of the wall  200  in a known manner. The wall members will include structural members that extend the height of the wall and then other wall components such as drywall, insulation, and the like will be added in a manner known in the art. 
     In further advantage, the design of the device  100  allows a construction worker of average skill to mount the clamping device  100  to the I-beam  102 , not just skilled welders, reducing the cost of installing the clamping device  104 . In this manner, the device  100  may be quickly, yet securely fastened to an I-beam  102 , reducing the cost and the time required to erect interior walls in buildings. 
     Although the foregoing description has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the present teachings, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Consequently, the scope of the present teachings should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the appended claims.