Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – In situ attached-type channel or trim strip – Flexible strip
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-26
2001-05-29
Stephen, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
In situ attached-type channel or trim strip
Flexible strip
C052S247000, C052S717060, C052S086000, C052S631000, C052S489100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237301
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of construction material and is particularly concerned with a flexible runner used in the construction of partition walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The construction of the framing of partition walls has traditionally been carried out according to the following sequence: a first piece of lumber (usually a 2″×4″ lumber) to be used as a floor runner is secured to the floor where the interior wall is to be erected, a second piece of lumber (also a 2″×4″ lumber) to be used as a ceiling runner is secured to the ceiling directly above the first piece of lumber, a plurality of studs are erected between the first and second pieces of lumber, the studs are carefully aligned with the runners and secured thereto via nails while retaining their alignment with the runners.
One major drawback of the above described use of pieces of lumber as floor and ceiling runners is the time consuming step of aligning the studs with the runner and the relative difficulty of keeping that alignment during the securing step.
To avoid the above mentioned drawback, it has been proposed to replace the floor and ceiling lumber runners by U-shaped channels made of galvanised steel. These U-shaped runners are sized to receive conventional wood studs or to receive metallic studs.
Even though the above mentioned use of U-shaped channels as floor and ceiling runners speed up the erection of interior wall frames, a major drawback remains: the U-shaped channel runners are not suited to construct walls presenting a laterally curved portion, walls erected in a space where the distance between a floor and a ceiling varies or half walls having a figured upper end.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved runner free of the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a runner for maintaining at least two studs in a predetermined relationship relatively to one another, each of the studs having a generally elongated configuration defining a pair of longitudinally opposed stud end portions, the runner comprising: at least two stud receiving components, each of the stud receiving components being configured and sized for receiving one of the stud end portions; each stud receiving component being provided with a linking means mounted thereon for mechanically linking with an adjacent stud receiving component while allowing the linked stud receiving components to be angled relatively to each other.
Preferably, at least one of the at least two stud receiving components has a generally concave configuration.
Conveniently, the at least one stud receiving component has a generally “U”-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a base wall, the base wall having a base wall peripheral edge; the at least one stud receiving component further having a pair of retaining flanges extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite sides of the base wall peripheral edge.
Preferably, the base wall has a generally rectangular and flat configuration defining a pair of opposed longitudinal edges and a pair of perpendicularly oriented transversal edges the retaining flanges extending integrally from the transversal edges.
Conveniently, each of the retaining flanges has a proximal edge merging with one of the transversal edges, an opposed distal edge and a pair of side edges extending between the proximal edge and the distal edge.
Preferably, each side edge defines a side edge perpendicular segment and an integrally extending side edge angled segment; each side edge perpendicular segment extending substantially perpendicularly from the base wall while each side edge angled segment extends at an angle from the adjacent side edge perpendicular segment inwardly towards an opposed side edge angled segment part of the same retaining flange.
Conveniently, the linking means includes a membrane extending between adjacent stud receiving component.
Preferably, the linking means includes a base strip extending between base walls part of adjacent stud receiving components.
Conveniently, the linking means includes a pair of flange strips extending between retaining flanges part of adjacent stud receiving components.
Preferably, the linking means includes a base strip extending between base walls part of adjacent stud receiving components and also includes a base strip extending between base walls part of adjacent stud receiving components.
Conveniently, the base strips extend between the longitudinal edges of adjacent base walls while the flange strips extend between the side edge perpendicular segments adjacent the side edge angled segments of adjacent retaining flanges.
Preferably, the membrane is configured, sized and made out of a suitable material so as to allow selective bending thereof when subjected to a predetermined bending force so that the predetermined bending force is necessary for modifying the configuration of the membrane.
Conveniently, either or both the base strips and the flange strips are made of a generally rectangular configuration that is inwardly bent about a fold line so as to define a generally “V”-shaped cross sectional configuration.
Preferably, either or both the base strips and the flange strips have a thickness substantially in the range of {fraction (1/16)}″, a width substantially in the range of ¾″, a length substantially in the range of 1″ and are made of galvanized steel.
Conveniently, the stud receiving components and the linking means are integrally formed of a strip of precut and folded material.
Preferably, the intersections of the retaining flanges with the side edge angled segment forms an obstructing structure; whereby the abutment structure is used for matingly configuring a pair of jointly working runners.
Conveniently, at least one of the retaining flanges has a fixing aperture extending therethrough.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank used for forming two contiguous stud receiving components part of a runner, the blank comprising: a flat sheet of material having a generally rectangular configuration, the flat sheet being divided into a pair of symmetrical half sections by a central longitudinal fold line; a lateral longitudinal fold line extending in a parallel and substantially contiguous relationship to the central longitudinal fold line on each side of the latter; the lateral longitudinal fold lines defining a central area; the central area being provided with a pair of rectangular aperture extending therethrough in a symmetrically spaced relationship relative to each other; the longitudinal edges of the rectangular apertures being in register with the lateral longitudinal fold lines; a transversal fold line extending transversally across the flat sheet and intercepting the rectangular apertures.
In accordance with the invention there is also provided a runner for receiving studs for forming a partition wall frame, each of the studs including longitudinally opposed end portions, the runner comprising: at least two stud receiving elements; each of the stud receiving elements being so configured and sized as to receive an end portion of the studs; interconnecting means for interconnecting consecutive stud receiving elements; the interconnecting means allowing the consecutive stud receiving elements to be positioned according to a predetermined relationship, and the consecutive stud receiving elements to maintain the predetermined relationship.
Advantages of the present invention include that the flexible runners allow for the easy and is ergonometric mounting of wall structures having a generally arcuate configuration.
The present invention also allows for easy and ergonometric formation of apertures such as window apertures having a generally arcuate configuration.
Furthermore, the present invention conforms to conventional forms of manufacturing is of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a runner that
Glessner Brian E.
Sofia Michel
Stephen Beth A.
Swabey Ogilvy Renault
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