Patent ID: 8281552

Claim:
A header track for an exterior wall comprising: a web; two flanges extending from opposite sides of the web, the web and two flanges forming a periphery of the header track such that the header track forms an overall generally C-shaped structure having empty space defined between the two flanges, the generally C-shaped structure being sized and shaped to receive studs for exterior walls; wherein at least one of the flanges comprises: a lower portion comprising a plurality of elongate, linear slots, each extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the header track and spaced along a length of the at least one flange for allowing a fastener to pass therethrough and for permitting orthogonal movement of the studs relative to the track, wherein the lower portion is a planar wall extending from a lowermost edge of the at least one flange to a location above uppermost ends of the slots; at least one elongate groove extending longitudinally along the at least one flange above the plurality of slots, the elongate groove being spacially offset from a plane containing the web and protruding outwardly and away from the empty space defined between the two flanges; a generally planar solid wall portion for attachment of a sheathing element, the solid wall portion extending downwardly from an edge of the web and longitudinally along the at least one flange directly above the elongate groove; and a plurality of tabs positioned along and attached to the at least one flange beneath the sheathing attachment area, the tabs configured to support the sheathing element, whereby the elongate groove is located between the lower portion and the plurality of tabs.