Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SLOTTED M-TRACK BEAM STRUCTURES
AND RELATED WALL ASSEMBLIES
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to structural building wall
construction and, more particularly, to dynamic head-of wall metal header beam
structures
and related wall assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002) Interior wall construction systems using horizontal channel shaped
beams
as headers and footers together with manually fastened vertical studs is
generally known.
In common practice, the channel beams and studs of such systems are made of
formed
metal, typically steel.
[0003] An advantage of steel wall construction is not only strength, but also
ease
of assembly. For example, steel studs may be readily positioned into opposing
steel footer
and header channel beams (also sometimes referred to as tracks or runners) by
means of
retaining devices in one or both of the beams. Examples of such steel wall
constructions
may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,854,096 and 4,805,364 both to Smolik.
[0004] Steel wall constructions may also be configured to allow building
movement such as during a seismic event without damage to the wall. In this
regard, full-
height non-bearing walls configured to accommodate vertical ceiling movement
are
known (e.g., dynamic head-of wall systems), and are commonly installed beneath
overhead structural members such as roof beams, floor beams, and the like.
Examples of
these types of steel wall constructions may be found in U.S. Patent No.
5,127,203 to
Paquette and U.S. Patent No. 5,127,760 to Brady. In these exemplary steel wall
assemblies a stud is vertically positioned within the header channel beam at a
vertically
aligned slot and a screw is inserted through the slot and into the stud. In
these type of
configurations, and upon movement of the building and/or overhead structural
member
(e.g., during an earthquake), the studs are able to slide vertically in the
header channel
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beam as the screws slide in the slots (thereby preventing the drywall from
cracking during
earthquakes by permitting the wallboard to move up and down).
[0005] A disadvantage of these prior art approaches is that each screw must be
precisely installed by a tradesman standing on a stool or ladder, which is
both time-
consuming and expensive. The fastening screw must not be installed too tight
such that it
could bind and prevent the sliding motion of the stud within the channel beam.
The screw
must also not be installed too loose such that it protrudes and inhibits
subsequent
wallboard installation.
[0006] Because of these shortcomings and others inherent to known steel wall
assemblies and dynamic head-of wall systems, there is still a need in the art
for new and
improved wall assemblies, especially wall header beams or tracks and related
wall
assemblies that accommodate vertical header channel beam movement relative to
a
plurality of fixed studs. The present invention fulfills these needs and
provides for further
related advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings are intended to be illustrative and symbolic
representations
of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention and as such they are
not
necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, it is to be expressly understood that
the relative
dimensions and distances depicted in the drawings are exemplary and may be
varied in
numerous ways. Finally, like reference numerals have been used to designate
like
features throughout the several views of the drawings.
[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slotted M-track in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a slotted M-track
together
with a stud in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
slotted M-
track is shown with a stud engaged in one of a plurality of longitudinally
spaced
elongated stud receiving slots.
[0010] Figure 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
the
slotted M-track shown in Figure 1.
[0011 ] Figure 4 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3
of the
slotted M-track shown in Figure 2, but shown with a stud engaged in the slot
so as to
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defining a gap between the upper end portion of the stud and the underneath
portion of
the coplanar legs of the slotted M-track.
[0012] Figure S is a perspective view of a structural wall assembly configured
to
accommodate vertical movement relative to a plurality of fixed studs in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a slotted M-
track
or building wall header beam support structure generally characterized by a M-
shaped
channel beam or track member (as viewed in cross-section). In this embodiment,
the M-
shaped channel beam member is defined by a pair of elongated confronting
sidewalls
integrally connected to an open end of an elongated and generally V-shaped
slotted stud
receiving track by a pair of elongated and spaced apart legs. The V-shaped
stud
receiving track is positioned between the pair of confronting sidewalk and the
pair of
elongated and spaced apart legs. The legs are perpendicularly connected to the
sidewalls and to the open end of the generally V-shaped stud receiving track.
The V-
shaped stud receiving track includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced
elongated slots,
with each slot sized and configured to receive an upper end portion of a stud.
More
broadly stated, the present invention is directed to a building wall beam
structure
comprising an elongated channel member having a generally M-shaped cross-
sectional
contour.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a slotted M-
track generally characterized by a U-shaped header beam or track member in
which a
slotted V-shaped channel has been fastened to the underneath portion of the
web and/or
confronting sidewalls of the U-shaped channel. In this embodiment, the slotted
V-
shaped channel is preferably defined as a plurality of single slotted V-shaped
clips (that
are individually fastened along the underneath portion of the web and/or
confronting
sidewalls of the U-shaped channel).
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
structural wall assembly configured to accommodate vertical beam movement
relative
to a plurality of engaged studs. In this embodiment, the structural wall
assembly
includes: an elongated sheet-metal channel shaped footer beam (or track); an
elongated
sheet-metal slotted M-track header beam (vertically spaced apart and
confronting the
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footer track); and a plurality of sheet-metal studs (having upper and lower
end portions)
vertically positioned between the footer and header beams (or tracks). The
slotted M-
track header beam (or track) is defined by a pair of elongated confronting
sidewalls
integrally connected to an open end of an elongated and generally V-shaped
stud
receiving track. The V-shaped stud receiving track is positioned between the
pair of
confronting sidewalk and a pair of elongated and spaced apart legs. The legs
are
perpendicularly connected to the sidewalk and to the open end of the generally
V-
shaped stud receiving track. The V-shaped stud receiving track includes a
plurality of
longitudinally spaced elongated slots, with each slot sized and configured to
receive a
sheet-metal stud. The studs are positioned between the confronting header and
footer
beams (or tracks) such that lower end portions of the studs are received into
the channel
shaped footer beam and upper ends portions of the studs are slidably received
(or
engaged) into the plurality of longitudinally spaced slots of the V-shaped
stud receiving
track. The upper end portions of the studs are generally spaced apart from the
coplanar
legs so as to define a gap.
[0016] These and other aspects of the present invention will become more
evident upon reference to the following detailed description and attached
drawings. It is
to be understood, however, that various changes, alterations, and
substitutions may be
made to the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from their
essential spirit and scope. In addition, it is to be further understood that
the drawings
are intended to be illustrative and symbolic representations of certain
exemplary
embodiments of the present invention and as such they are not necessarily
drawn to
scale. Finally, it is expressly provided that all of the various references
cited herein are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to the drawings, the present invention in one embodiment is
directed to a slotted M-track 10 (sometimes referred to as a building wall
header beam
or channel) generally characterized by an elongated M-shaped channel beam
member
12. The slotted M-track is particularly useful as a header beam in dynamic
head-of wall
systems. As best shown in Figures 1 through 4, the M-shaped channel beam
member 12
is defined by a pair of elongated confronting sidewalk 14 integrally connected
to an
open end 16 of an elongated and generally V-shaped stud receiving track 18.
The V-
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shaped stud receiving track 18 is positioned between the pair of confronting
sidewalk
14 and a pair of elongated and spaced apart coplanar legs 20. As shown, the
legs 20 are
perpendicularly connected to the sidewalk 14 and to the open end 16 of the
generally V-
shaped stud receiving track 18. As further shown, the V-shaped stud receiving
track 18
includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced elongated slots 22, with each
slot 22 sized
and configured to receive an upper end portion 27 of a stud 24. Each stud 24
preferably
comprises an elongated sheet-metal member 25 having confronting flanges 26
positioned along the lengthwise edges 28 of the elongated sheet-metal member
25.
Each slot 22 is generally perpendicularly aligned relative to each of the
confronting
sidewalls 14 and coplanar legs 20 of the M-shaped channel beam member 12.
[0018] Preferably, the M-shaped channel beam member 12 is made from a
rectangular and elongated flat metal sheet. The flat metal sheet may in some
embodiments is galvanized steel. In order to form the plurality of
longitudinally spaced
slots 22, the metal sheet is punched a series of times along its
longitudinally axis. The
slots 22 are preferably relatively narrow (e.g., ~6 inches wide by four inches
long prior
to bending), perpendicular aligned relative the longitudinal axis of metal
sheet, and
spaced apart every four inches so as to aid the installer in laying out 12
inch, 16 inch or
24 inch centers as is common in the building wall industry. The slots 22 may,
however,
be spaced at other intervals such as, for example, one inch intervals so as to
accommodate a wider variety of stud 22 configurations. The punched metal sheet
is
then preferably bent lengthwise five times with a standard sheet-metal bending
machine
(e.g., brake-formed or roll-formed) to thereby achieve a M-shaped cross-
section; the
five bends corresponding to the five interior edges 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 of the
M-shaped
channel beam member 12 (interior edges best shown in Figure 3).
[0019] In another embodiment (not shown), the present invention is directed to
a
slotted M-track generally characterized by a standard U-shaped header beam (or
track)
in which a slotted V-shaped channel has been fastened to the underneath
portion of the
web and/or confronting sidewalk of the U-shaped channel (as shown in Figure 3
of
Applicants' earlier U.S. Patent No. 6,748,705, which patent is incorporated
herein by
reference in its entirety). In this embodiment, the slotted V-shaped channel
is preferably
defined as a plurality of single slotted V-shaped clips (that are individually
fastened
along the underneath portion of the web and/or confronting sidewalls of the U-
shaped
channel).
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[0020] The slotted M-track 10 of the present invention is generally affixed to
an
overhead building support structure (not shown) like, for example, steel floor
pan using
fasteners such as, for example, screws or shot pins. Likewise, an elongated
sheet-metal
channel shaped footer beam 40 (best shown in Figure 5) is generally affixed to
the floor
(not shown); the channel shaped footer beam 40 is positioned such that it is
aligned
parallel and confronting to the slotted M-track 10. The installed slotted M-
track 10 then
generally receives a plurality of 16 to 20 gage steel studs 24. In this
regard, an upper
end portion 27 of each stud 24 is inserted into and loosely received by one of
the slots
22. Preferably, the upper end portion 27 of each stud 24 is positioned about
half way
into the V-shaped stud receiving track 18 (or individual and spaced apart from
the
coplanar legs 20 (of the M-shaped channel beam member 12) so as to define a
gap 29 of
about ~ inches. In this configuration, the M-shaped channel beam member 12 may
be
deflected either up or down a total of about 1 ~ inches.
[0021] The studs 24 are kept in place by the cross-sectional M-shaped
configuration of the slotted M-track 10. Moreover, the cross-sectional M-
shaped
configuration provides structural stiffness and strength thereby anchoring
each stud 24
in the horizontal direction, while the loosely received connection permits
freedom of
movement in the vertical direction. After placement of the studs 24 into the
slots 22 of
the slotted M-track 10, each stud 24 is vertically aligned and then secured to
an
elongated sheet-metal channel shaped footer beam 40 (best shown in Figure 5).
[0022] The slotted M-track 10 is preferably manufactured in standard lengths
of
ten to twelve feet; however, the lengths may be varied to accommodate varying
installation purposes. Likewise, the slotted M-track 10 is preferably
manufactured to
have a cross-sectional height of about 2 ~ inches to about 4 inches; however,
these
dimensions may also be varied to accommodate varying installation purposes. In
addition, the slotted M-track 10 is preferably configured such that each of
the spaced
apart coplanar legs 20 is about ~ inch longer that the space 31 defined by the
open end
16 of V-shaped stud receiving track 18. In this configuration, the installer
is given a
surface to support the end of the stud 22 during installation.
[0023] In view of the foregoing and in another embodiment as best shown in
Figure 5, the present invention is also directed to a structural wall assembly
42
configured to accommodate vertical beam movement relative to a plurality of
engaged
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studs. In this embodiment, the structural wall assembly 42 includes: an
elongated
sheet-metal channel shaped footer beam 40; an elongated sheet-metal slotted M-
track
header beam 10 (vertically spaced apart and confronting the footer beam); and
a
plurality of sheet-metal studs 24 (having upper and lower ends) vertically
positioned
between the footer and header beams. The slotted M-track header beam 10 is
defined
by a pair of elongated confronting sidewalls 14 integrally connected to an
open end 16
of an elongated and generally V-shaped stud receiving track 18. The V-shaped
stud
receiving track 18 is positioned between the pair of confronting sidewalls 14
and a pair
of elongated and spaced apart coplanar legs 20. The legs 20 are
perpendicularly
connected to the sidewalls 14 and to the open end 16 of the generally V-shaped
stud
receiving track 18. The V-shaped stud receiving track 18 includes a plurality
of
longitudinally spaced slots 22 (or is defined by a plurality of single slotted
V-shaped
clips), with each slot 22 sized and configured to receive a sheet-metal stud
24. The
studs 24 are positioned between the confronting header 10 and footer beams 40
such
that the lower ends of the studs 24 are received into the channel shaped
footer beam 40
and the upper ends 27 are slidably received into the plurality of
longitudinally spaced
slots 22 of the V-shaped stud receiving track 18 (or plurality of single
slotted V-shaped
clips). The upper ends 27 of the studs 24 are spaced apart from the coplanar
legs 20 so
as to define a gap 29. The size of the gap 29 determines the normal range of
up and
down deflection of the slotted M-track header beam 10.
[0024) While the present invention has been described in the context of the
embodiments illustrated and described herein, the invention may be embodied in
other
specific ways or in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or
essential
characteristics. Therefore, the described embodiments are to be considered in
all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore,
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descriptions and
all
changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims
are to be
embraced within their scope.
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