Wall construction

Sept. 19, 1967

3,341,997

P. PESTEL ET AL

WALL CONSTRUCTION

Filed April 7, 1965

Sheets-Sheet 1

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FIG. I.

INVENTORS PAUL PESTEL &amp; JAMES MANOERSACH

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ATTORNEY

Sept. 19, 1967

3,341,997

P. PESTEL ET AL

WALL CONSTRUCTION

Filed April 7, 1965

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US3341997A_D0004.tif" />

ATTORNEY

Sept. 19, 1967

3,341,997

P. PESTEL ET AL

WALL CONSTRUCTION

Filed April 7, 1965

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US3341997A_D0005.tif" />

ATTORNEY

United States Patent Office 3341,997

Patented Sept. 19, 1967

3,341,997

WALL CONSTRUCTION

Paul Pestel, Anaheim, and James Manderbach, Hacienda Heights, Calif., assignors to The Flintkote Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Massachusetts

Filed Apr. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 446,147

Claims. (Cl. 52—364)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A metal, wall stud with side faces to which wall panels can be nailed. The stud has a web portion with utility holes in it, each of the utility holes having a straight edge portion for supporting wall cross-members passing through the stud. A smaller hole is located near the straight edge portion of the larger utility hole. The crossmembers pass through the utility holes, and a short length of wire is wrapped around each cross-member, and through the smaller hole, and the wire ends are twisted together to securely fasten the cross-member to the stud.

. This invention pertains to interior and exterior partition wall structures, and more particularly to an improved metal stud configuration.

In the general type of wall construction to which this invention pertains, conventional wall panels, such as gypsum board, are nailed or screwed to studs in the form of metal “I” or “V”-shaped sections. Secondary metal sections generally span these studs horizontally to provide bracing within the wall structure. In one widely used type of wall construction, the connection between each such transverse bracing section and a stud involves a central, opening in the web of the stud, through which the bracing extends and by means of which it is supported. A loop or core passing through this opening in the web, around the bracing section, and around the outer face of the stud, usually is attached to secure the bracing in place. This technique is used also in securing electrical conduit, piping and the like that are passed through, “utility” openings in the stud, the securing of these utilities being desirable due to various conditions, such, as vibrational effects. It is significant to note that passing wire around the outside of the metal stud is unsatisfactory, mainly because this wire interferes with fastening of the wall panels flatly against the stud face.

It is the main object of this invention to improve the manner of securing transverse bracing sections, conduit, pipe and the like, to upright metal studs.

In accordance with this invention, this object is attained by a simple but unobvious modification of the stud configuration. In the specific embodiment disclosed hereafter, in the channel forming and punching operations involved in manufacture of the basic stud section, an additional opening is punched out adjacent each of the openings intended for reception of transverse bracing and utilities.. This additional opening preferably is substantially triangular or diamond-shaped (with an apex pointing toward the main opening), for reasons discussed hereafter, and through it the wire is attached instead of passing the wire around the outer stud face.

. Further objects, advantages and details of this invention will become evident from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a metal stud channel section embodying the improvement according to this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-section through a finished wall incorporating the stud shown in FIGURE 1, and showing the wire connection between the stud and transverse bracing;

FIGURE 3 is a partial, enlarged cross-section showing the nailing connection between a wall panel and the stud;

FIGURE 4 is a partial face view of a stud according to a first modified embodiment of this invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial face view of a stud according to a second modified embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an “I” type metal stud incorporating the improvement according to this invention and illustrating the use of various means for securing a wall panel thereto.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the stud, indicated generally at 2, may be formed out of thin gauge rolled sheet steel, aluminum or other suitable metal. This stud is in the form of a channel or box section comprising a web 4, integral sides or nailing faces 6, and short stiffening flanges. 8 bent inwardly. In the specifically illustrated case the principal stud dimensions are approximately 2.50 inches across the web 4 and 1.25 inches across the nailing. face 6, although obviously these dimensions are variable to meet different design requirements.

A “utility” opening generally indicated at 12 is shown as punched in the web 4. Although only one such opening is shown, it will be understood that plural openings are formed at spaced locations (e.g., one foot apart) along the over-all length of the stud. At opposite ends of opening 12, there are edges 14 which provide ledges adapted principally to engage and support a transverse structural element such as a brace. A narrower passage is defined at each end by edges indicated at 16, this passage being intended to accommodate other building elements such as electrical conduit or small diameter piping.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, directly below opening 12 there has been punched, in the course of manufacturing, a four-sided diamond-shaped opening 18. It is noted particularly that converging upper edges. 20 form a corner or apex 22 which points in the direction of its associated utility opening 12.

Referring next to FIGURE 2, in a finished partition wall, panels 24 of gypsum board or the like are fastened to each stud 2 by means of screws 26, as illustrated, or by adhesive. The function of the indentations 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 3. Each of these indentations is adapted to capture the point of a screw and aid its penetration of the stud.

As previously noted, various conduits, lines and piping, as well as transverse bracing members, may be strung through the utility openings 12. Heretofore these elements have been secured by a turn of wire crossing outside one of the nailing faces 6, which was unsatisfactory for reasons previously explained. In FIGURE 2 there is shown (in end view) a transverse brace 28 which has been secured by a loop of wire 30 that passes through the utility opening 12 and through the diamond-shaped hole 18 and is joined and tightened by twisting at 32. By virtue , of .the converging edges of hole 18, the wire 30, as it is tightened, tends naturally to be self-seating in the apex 22. The brace 28 is properly held downwardly against both the ledges 14, thereby providing more effective strengthening of the structure.

Alternative embodiments of this invention are shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. As evident in FIGURE 4, a triangular. (three-sided) hole 12' rather than diamond-shaped (four-sided) hole 12 can be provided, and such holes can be provided both above and below the utility hole 12'. Thus, one of these holes can accommodate a wire serving to secure a conduit or the like, while the other accommodates a wire serving to secure a transverse brace.

3,341,997

Also, the stud is reversible in the vertical direction. The two sides 20' converge to form an apex 22' which functions as in the case of the configuration discussed in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGURE 5, this illustrates that a single intermediate hole 18 can be provided to serve a pair of utility openings 12. This opening similarly has a corner of apex 22 pointing toward each of the adjacent utility openings. Furthermore, as in the case of FIGURE 4, each utility opening will then be served by a hole 18 provided both above and below it.

The channel or box type of stud shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 is generally intended for the mounting of wall panels by means of screws or adhesive. In FIGURE 6 there is illustrated a different type of stud which is specially adapted to accommodate either nails (including staples) or screws. This stud, generally designated 34, is of the “I” section type having a web 35 in which stiffening ribs 37 preferably are formed. The “utility” opening 36 and the “diamond-shaped” (four-sided) opening 38 correspond exactly to the openings 12 and 18, respectively, shown in FIGURE 1. The metal is bent in a “Y” having legs 40 to define nailing faces 42. The overlapping sections of this configuration are secured by punched and clinched tabs as indicated at 48. The faces are cut along lines 44, separated by sections 46, to provide seats for reception of a nail, screw or the like. As examples, there are shown fasteners in the form of a screw 50, staple 52 and a nail 56. Nails commonly are used in this type of construction to secure special clips (not shown) which hold the edges of adjacent panels in abutting relation.

This invention is not limited to securing bracing to metal studs, but is broadly applicable to securing in similar manner any building member or element such as power cables, wiring for communications and electrical controls, and various type of piping. Although wire has been shown as the means for securing these members, other means such as plastic rope or tape are applicable. Also, the scope of this invention is not limited to the exact shapes of utility opening disclosed herein. Further departures from the specifically disclosed embodiments of this invention can be effected without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the following claims.