Patent ID: 8132376

Claim:
An exterior wall system, comprising: an elongate outer track having a web, a first side flange and a second side flange, the first and second side flanges of the outer track extending in the same direction from opposite side edges of the web of the outer track, the first and second side flanges of the outer track being substantially parallel and spaced apart by a first distance, the outer track secured to a ceiling component; an elongate inner track having a web, a first side flange and a second side flange, the first and second side flanges of the inner track extending in the same direction from opposite edges of the web of the inner track, the first and second side flanges of the inner track each having a flared shape such that the first and second side flanges have upper parallel portions spaced apart by a second distance and lower parallel portions spaced apart by a third distance, wherein the second distance is selected to permit the upper parallel portions to nest within the outer track and the third distance is substantially equal to the first distance; a plurality of studs spaced from one another along a length of the inner track, each of the plurality of studs arranged vertically and an upper end of each of the plurality of studs received between the lower parallel portions of the first and second side flanges of the inner track, each of the plurality of studs secured to the inner track; an upper sheathing board having a lower edge, the upper sheathing board secured relative to the outer track with the lower edge of the upper sheathing board substantially aligned with the lower edge of the first side flange of the outer track; a lower sheathing board having an upper edge, the lower sheathing board secured relative to the plurality of studs below the upper sheathing board with the upper edge facing and substantially aligned with the lower edge such that the outer surface of the lower sheathing board is substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper sheathing board.