Abstract:
A structural framing system is provided that includes at least one first framing component having upper and lower flange elements separated by a web element having a depth measured between the upper and lower flange elements, the upper and lower flange elements having upper and lower positioning dimples spaced therealong. The dimples protrude in such manner that a distance between the upper and lower dimples is less than the depth of the web.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/961,561, filed Oct. 8, 2004. Such application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     This invention relates to a structural framing system and components thereof, preferably for use in buildings and other such structures. Buildings have long been constructed of structural framing systems. For example, most homes are constructed of an all wood frame consisting of 2×4s, 2×6s, etc. and plywood to create the overall frame of the outside of the house and the interior walls. Obviously, other materials and equipment are also used, but the essential framing of the structure is of wood. In recent times, and usually, but not always, for use in commercial real estate structures, steel and/or other metal alloy structural components have been created to replace the wood framing components.  
         [0004]     An improved steel or other metal alloy structural framing component and component system is the subject hereof.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A structural framing system is provided. The system comprises at least one first framing component having upper and lower flange elements separated by a web element, the web having a depth as measured between the upper and lower flange elements, the upper and lower flange elements having corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples spaced therealong, the dimples protruding from the upper flange element toward the lower flange element and the lower dimples protruding from the lower flange element toward the upper flange element in such manner that a distance between a lower most surface of the upper dimples and an upper most surface of the lower dimples is less than the depth of the web, at least one second framing component having a depth adapted to fit between the upper and lower flange elements of the first framing component, the second framing component further adapted to extend from positions along the first framing component substantially corresponding to a pair of the corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples, and at least one third framing component for securing together the first and second framing components, the third framing component comprising a first plate member adapted to be secured to the web of the first framing component and having a height substantially equal to the depth of the web of the first framing component, a second plate member adapted to be secured to a surface of the second framing component, a portion of the second plate member having a height less than the distance between the surfaces of the dimples so as to avoid interference with the dimples during attachment of the third framing component to the first and second framing components.  
         [0006]     Other objects of the invention will impart the obvious and will impart the apparent from the following description.  
         [0007]     The invention accordingly comprises assemblies and components possessing the features, properties and the relation of components which will be exemplified in the products hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a structural framing system encompassed by the scope of the invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a joist track component;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of web stiffener structural framing components;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a blocking structural framing component; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing connection of the blocking structural framing component of  FIG. 5  to adjacent joists of a structural framing system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]     A structural framing system is shown in  FIG. 1 . This system includes at least framing components  20 ,  30  and  40 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the system may also include framing component  60 , used between two of components  30  to help stabilize the system. Usually the system will include a plurality of components  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  60 .  
         [0016]     Directing attention to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , track component  20  is seen to have a web  22  and first and second flange members  21  and  23  separated from each other by a depth “D” of web  22 . Spaced along flanges  21  and  23  are dimples  24   a ,  24   b ,  25   a ,  25   b ,  26   a ,  26   b , etc. In a preferred, but not mandatory, embodiment the dimples are pared together along first and second flanges  21  and  23  in such a way that dimples  24   a  and  b  on first flange  21  are essentially vertically in line with dimples  24   a  and  b  of flange  23 , and the space between dimples  24   a  and  24   b  along both flanges  21  and  23  are designed to snugly hold the thickness of flange elements  31  and  33  of frame components  30  (as best seen in  FIG. 1 ). However, use of a single dimple on the first flange and a corresponding single dimple on the lower, second flange for easy alignment purposes of components  30 , is also anticipated.  
         [0017]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , dimples  24 ,  25 ,  26 , etc. of first flange  21  extend in a direction toward second flange  23 , while dimples  24 ,  25 ,  26 , etc. of lower flange  23  extend in an upward direction toward flange  21 . Track components  20  are designed to correspond to and fit with components  30 , so that the depth of components  30  (as measured between flanges  31  and  33 ), fit between flanges  21  and  23  of components  20 . The height “H” of dimples  24 ,  25  and  26 , etc. must at least be such that when second flange  33  of component  30  is resting on flange  23  of component  20  the dimples extending downward from flange  21  far enough so as to retain component  30  in an upright position prior to securing the components together.  
         [0018]     Turning now to a discussion of  FIG. 4 , in a preferred embodiment component  40  is seen to have a first plate member  42  and a second plate member  44 . First plate member  42 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , abuts against web  22  of component  20 , while second plate member  44 , as also seen in  FIG. 1 , abuts against web  32  of component  30 . There are predrilled holes  45  in second plate member  44  for aiding securement to web  32 . It is shown in  FIG. 4  that the preferred angle between plates  42  and  44  of component  40  is ninety degrees, as the usual case will be for component  30  to be extending perpendicularly from component  20  of system  10 . However, it is anticipated herein that angles ranging between 0 and 180 degrees are possible for the angle of connection between components  30  and  20 , and therefore between first and second plates  42  and  44  of components  40 . Such construction angles are typically determined with regard to aesthetics and strength considerations.  
         [0019]     In order for component  40  to be easily and quickly secured onto webs  22  and  32  of components  20  and  30 , respectively, with minimization of interference with the placement thereof by the dimples extending downward and upward from flanges  21  and  23  of component  20 ,  FIG. 4  shows a non-continuous notch  48  in the top and bottom edges of plate  44 ; i.e., after notch  48  the length of plate  44  increases back to its original length.  
         [0020]     Finally, turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , blocking component  60  is seen to have web  62 , upper flange  61 , lower flange  63  and securing tabs  65   a, b, c  and  d . Appearing in cross section, component  60  may either be a “C″” shaped channel or an “I” shaped channel. In addition, securing tabs  65   a - d  can either be separate structures attached to flanges  61  and  63 , or may be formed integrally therewith, so long as tabs  65   a - d  extend past the ends of web  62  so that they can be attached between adjacent components  30 , as seen in  FIG. 6  through predrilled holes  67 .  
         [0021]     Unless otherwise expressly indicated, when used throughout this document the term “substantially” shall have the meaning of “approximation”, not “magnitude”; i.e., it shall have the meaning, “being largely but not wholly that which is specified.” See,  Webster&#39;s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary , Merriam-Webster Inc., 1989. Hence, applicant is not using the term “substantially” to denote “considerable quantity” or “significantly large,” but is instead using the term as a qualifier/minimizer of a term. For example, in the fictitious phrase “the head portion is substantially above the body portion,” using the above intended definition, the phrase “substantially above” is meant to indicate that while most of the head portion can be located above the body portion, there is certainly at least some of the head portion located in planes with the body portion, or even below parts of the body portion. As a further example, as used in the fictitious phrase “substantially hollow,” using the above intended definition, the phrase “substantially” is meant to indicate that there are areas where the item is not hollow, without regard to a quantity of hollow verses non-hollow areas. These examples are meant to be illustrative of the meaning to be attributed to the term “substantially” as used throughout this document, even if these particular phrases are not found herein.  
         [0022]     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0023]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the inventions herein described and all statements of the scope of the inventions, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.