US 6,647,691 B2 · Track arrangement for supporting wall studs; method; and, wall framework assembly

Abstract

A track arrangement for supporting wall studs is provided. The track arrangement includes a central longitudinal extension, first and second sidewalls and a first stud clip arrangement comprising a pair of stud clips. In a preferred embodiment, each clip comprises a portion of the sidewall bent inwardly, to form a cam surface and a stud ridge receiver. During use, the stud is forced toward the cam surface, bending the clip until a portion of the stud, specifically a stud ridge, is received in the stud ridge receiver. This will secure the stud in place, against undesired movement relative to the track. Wall assemblies are provided which preferably involve one such track arrangement positioned on the floor as a floor track, and one on the ceiling, as a ceiling track, with a stud extending therebetween. The wall framework assembly can be assembled as a slip track, or as a non-slip track.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A track arrangement for supporting a wall stud;

said track arrangement comprising:
(a) a first sidewall;
and,
(b) a first stud clip arrangement comprising at least a first clip;
(i) said first clip having a point of attachment and a free end, said first clip comprising:
(A) a front cam surface facing said first sidewall and extending at an acute angle thereto;
and,
(B) three bends spaced apart from said point of attachment of said first clip, said three bends defining a stud ridge receiver trough having opposing sidewalls that converge at an apex, said stud ridge receiver trough oriented:
with a stud ridge receiver trough opening thereof directed toward said first sidewall;
and, with the front cam surface of the first clip extending between the stud ridge receiver trough and the free end of the first clip.

7 more elements

A wall framework assembly comprising:

(a) a first track;
said first track including:
(i) a first sidewall having an outer edge, said first sidewall having a first frame defined by a first open cut;
and,
(ii) a first stud clip arrangement comprising at least a first stud clip located within said first frame;
(A) said first stud clip having a point of attachment and a free end, said first stud clip comprising:
(1) a front cam surface facing said first sidewall and extending at an acute angle thereto;
and,
(2) three bends spaced apart from said point of attachment of said first stud clip, said three bends defining a stud ridge receiver trough having opposing sidewalls that converge at an apex, said stud ridge receiver trough oriented:
with a stud ridge receiver opening directed toward said first sidewall;
and, with the front cam surface of the first stud clip extending between the stud receiver trough and the free end of the first stud clip;
and
(b) a vertical wall stud;
said vertical wall stud including:
(i) a back extension;
(ii) a first hanger wall;
(iii) a first stud ridge positioned on said first hanger wall and extending away from said hanger wall;
(c) said vertical wall stud being positioned:
(i) with a portion of the vertical wall stud located between the first clip and the first open cut, and a portion of the first stud ridge received within the stud ridge receiver trough of the first clip.

16 more elements

A method of assembling a wall framework assembly;

said method including steps of:
(a) providing a track arrangement comprising:
first and second sidewalls oriented in extension opposed to one another, each of the first and second sidewalls having an outer edge;
and, a first stud clip arrangement comprising a pair of stud clips;
(i) a first stud clip of said pair of stud clips having a point of attachment and a free end, said first stud clip comprising:
(A) a front cam surface facing said first sidewall and extending at an acute angle thereto;
and
(B) a stud ridge receiver trough spaced apart from said point of attachment of said first stud clip and oriented:
with a stud ridge receiver opening thereof directed away from said second sidewall;
and, with the front cam surface of the first stud clip extending between the stud ridge receiver trough and the free end of the first stud clip;
and,
(ii) a second stud clip of said pair of stud clips having a point of attachment and a free end, said second stud clip comprising:
(A) a front cam surface facing said second sidewall and extending at an acute angle thereto;
and,
(B) a stud ridge receiver trough spaced apart from said point of attachment of said first stud clip and oriented:
with a stud ridge receiver opening directed away from said first sidewall;
and, with the front cam surface of the second stud clip extending between the stud ridge receiver trough and the free end of the second stud clip;
(b) providing a vertical wall stud including:
(i) a back extension;
(ii) first and second opposed hanger walls positioned with said back extension therebetween;
(iii) a first stud ridge positioned on said first hanger wall and extending toward said second hanger wall;
and
(iv) a second stud ridge positioned on said second hanger wall and extending toward said first hanger wall;
(c) positioning the vertical wall stud with an end thereof between the first and second sidewalls of the track arrangement;
(d) moving the vertical wall stud toward the first pair of stud clips such that:
(i) said first stud ridge of said vertical wall stud engages said front cam surface of said first stud clip;
and
(ii) said second stud ridge of said vertical wall stud engages said front cam surface of said second stud clip;
(e) said step of moving including continuing to move the vertical wall stud toward the first pair of stud clips to:
(i) bend the first stud clip toward the second sidewall;
and
(ii) bend the second stud clip toward the first sidewall;
and
(f) said step of moving including continuing to move the vertical wall stud until:
(i) the first stud ridge engages the stud ridge receiver trough of the first stud clip, allowing the first stud clip to bend back toward the first sidewall;
and,
(ii) the second stud ridge engages the stud ridge receiver trough of the second stud clip, allowing the second stud clip to bend back toward the second sidewall.

34 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Track arrangement for supporting wall studs; method; and, wall framework assembly

Life of this patent

Track arrangement for supporting wall studs; method; and, wall framework assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24