Wall construction

#This invention relates to wall structures composed of metal framing and wallboard sheeting connected to the framing. More particularly, it relates to a simple way of providing for relative movement between an upper channel member, or header, and the rest of the wall, in response to wall movement such as may occur during an earthquake, for example.

#It is well known to use metal framing in building wall construction. Commonly, the framing comprises a downwardly opening upper channel, or header, an upwardly opening upper channel, or footer, and vertical studs extending between the channels and having end portions that are within the channels. An advantage of using metal framing members is that they provide a strong frame structure that can be configured to accommodate for movement of the buildings such as occurs during an earthquake, without resulting in damage to the wall of which the framing is a part.

#Typically, the upper channel member is secured to an upper concrete structure and the lower channel member is secured to a lower concrete structure. During an earthquake, and at other times as well, there is relative movement between the two concrete structures. It is necessary that the framing that extends between the concrete structures be able to accommodate the relative movement without damage to the framing and the wall of which it is a part. Relative movement between the two concrete structures can be caused by earthquakes, roof loads, expansion and contraction, loading and unloading upper floors in multi-story buildings, settling, and wind loads, for example.

#Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial view looking towards the assembly of an upper channel member, a lower channel member, a stud having an upper end portion, and a clip in said upper end portion, said clip being shown connected to the upper channel member, said view being taken from above, with the mid portion of the stud being broken away for purposes of indicating indeterminate length;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view of the framing assembly shown by FIG. 1, such view including a fragmentary portion of some sheeting that is connected to the stud;

#FIGS. 1-7 show wall framing comprising an upper sheet metal channel member 10, a lower sheet metal channel member 12 and a plurality of studs 14 that are supported at their lower ends in the lower sheet metal channel 12 and at their upper ends project into a channel space 16 formed below an upper web 18 and between a pair of side flanges 20, 22 that depend from the web 18. The lower channel 12 includes a channel space 24 that is defined above a lower web 26 and between a pair of side flanges 28, 30 that project upwardly from the lower web 26. The upper flanges 20, 22 include lower edges 32, 34. The lower flanges 28, 30 include upper edges 34, 36. As shown by FIG. 3, a plurality of sheet metal studs 14 are spaced apart along the channels 10, 12. The studs 14 are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the channels 10, 12.

#Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular, each studs 14 preferably has a web 40, front and rear (or first and second) flanges 42, 44 and a pair of lips 46, 48. The flanges 42, 44 are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the web 40. The lips 46, 48 are in spaced, coplanar parallelism with and are perpendicular to the flanges 42, 44. They are also parallel to the web 40. The front to rear dimension of the studs substantially equals the distance between the side flanges 28, 30 of the lower channel member 12. Web 40 and lips 46, 48 extend perpendicular to the upper side flanges 20, 22 and the lower side flanges 28, 30.

#Each stud 14 includes a lower butt end 50 and an upper butt end 52. Butt end 50 preferably rests on the web 26. Butt end 52 is spaced above the lower edges 32, 34 a distance x and below the upper web 18 a distance y. As will hereinafter be explained, the dimensions x, y are variable dimensions. This is because the framing permits relative vertical movement between the upper channel 10 and the rest of the wall structure that includes the studs 14 and the lower channel member 12. FIG. 1 shows an at rest position. When the wall structure is in this position, the dimension x is smaller than the dimension y but is large enough to provide substantial lateral bracing between the upper end portions of the studs 14 and the side flanges 20, 22 of the upper channel member 10.