Patent ID: 6993883

Claim:
A composite stud comprising: a generally elongated frame member, said frame member defining a frame longitudinal axis, a frame first longitudinal end and a generally opposed frame second longitudinal end; said frame member having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a frame base wall and a pair of frame side walls; said frame base wall defining a base wall inner surface, a base wall outer surface and a pair of opposed base wall main peripheral edges; each of said frame side walls defining a corresponding side wall inner surface, a side wall outer surface, a side wall first main edge and a generally opposed side wall second main edge; each of said side wall first main edges being attached to a corresponding one of said base wall main peripheral edges; said frame side walls extending from said frame base wall so that said side wall inner surfaces are in a generally facing relationship relative to each other, said frame base wall and said frame side walls together defining a generally open base channel, said base channel having a channel opening located generally opposite said frame base wall; a core component; said core component defining a core longitudinal axis, a core first longitudinal end and an opposed core second longitudinal end; said core component having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration defining a core first main wall, a core second main wall, a core first auxiliary wall and a core second auxiliary wall; said core component being configured and sized so as to be insertable into said base channel with said core first main wall positioned generally adjacent said base wall inner surface and said core first and second auxiliary walls positioned generally adjacent a corresponding one of said side wall inner surface, said core component being provided with an insertion recess section configured and sized to allow said core component to be at least partially inserted in said base channel from an insertion direction generally angled relative to said frame longitudinal axis in a snap-like manner, said insertion recess section forming a fifth wall of said core component and extending generally at an angle between said core first main wall and said core second auxiliary wall; retaining means positioned between said frame member and said core component for retaining at least a portion of said core component in said base channel once inserted thereinto.