Patent ID: 8413394

Claim:
A two-piece fire-rated track assembly for a linear wall gap, comprising: a first track that has a web, a first flange and a second flange, wherein the web is substantially planar and has a first side edge and a second side edge, the first flange and the second flange extend in the same direction from the first and second side edges, respectively, wherein each of the first and second flanges is substantially planar such that the first track defines a substantially U-shaped cross section; a second track that has a web, a first flange and a second flange, wherein the web is substantially planar and has a first side edge and a second side edge, the first flange and the second flange extend in the same direction from the first and second side edges, respectively, wherein each of the first and second flanges is substantially planar such that the second track defines a substantially U-shaped cross section, each of the first and second flanges has a free end opposite a respective one of the first side edge and second side edge, wherein each of the free ends defines a kick-out portion that extends downwardly away from the web, in a lateral direction opposite the web and away from the other kick-out portion; at least one heat-expandable intumescent strip attached to the second track and extending lengthwise along an outer surface of one of the first and second flanges of the second track, the intumescent strip comprising a portion that extends past an outer surface of the web of the second track; wherein the first track and the second track are aligned with one another in the same direction and the first track is snugly nested within the second track such that a gap, if any, between the first flange and the second flange of the first track and a corresponding one of the first flange and the second flange of the second track is less than about the size of a head of a fastener used to attach wall studs to the first track.