Patent ID: 7765771

Claim:
A structural framing system, comprising: at least one first framing component having a length and having upper and lower flange elements separated by a web element, said web having a depth as measured between said upper and lower flange elements, said upper and lower flange elements each having corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples spaced therealong the length of the first framing component, said upper dimples protruding from said upper flange element toward said lower flange element and said lower dimples protruding from said lower flange element toward said upper flange element in such manner that a distance between a lower most surface of said upper dimples and an upper most surface of said lower dimples is less than said depth; at least one second framing component having a web and flanges extending from sides of said web in a first direction, and a depth adapted to fit between said upper and lower flange elements of said first framing component, said second framing component further adapted to extend from positions along said first framing component substantially corresponding to said corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples; and at least one third framing component for securing together said first and second framing components, said third framing component comprising: a first plate member adapted to be secured to said web of said first framing component and having a height substantially equal to said depth of said web of said first framing component; and a second plate member adapted to be secured to a surface of the web of said second framing component so that the first place member extends perpendicular to said web opposite from said direction in which said flanges extend, a portion of said second plate member having a height less than said distance between said surfaces of said dimples so as to avoid interference with said dimples during attachment of said third framing component to said first and second framing components.