Z-shaped attachment element for building construction

Abstract

A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

Claims

1. A Z-shaped sheet metal framing attachment element for use in building construction, the Z-shaped attachment element consisting essentially of: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated, adjoining middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends and defining interior angles therebetween; wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a substantially Z-shaped cross-sectional profile; and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and extending into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element; wherein the Z-shaped attachment element is a unitary structure of one-piece construction composed of a single piece of sheet metal.

2. The Z-shaped sheet metal framing attachment element of claim 1 wherein the interior angles formed between the middle web section and the upper and lower flanges are about the same and between a range of about 15° to about 60°.

3. The Z-shaped sheet metal framing attachment element of claim 2 wherein the upper and lower flanges have widths that are substantially equal to each other, and wider than a width of the middle web section.

4. A building assembly comprising, in combination, the Z-shaped attachment element according to claim 1, wherein the upper flange of the Z-shaped attachment element is attached to an overhead beam within a building, and wherein a fire-proofing or insulation material is applied thereon, and wherein the fire-proofing or insulation material is substantially removed from a lower surface of the lower flange of the Z-shaped attachment element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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 different views of the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sheet metal Z-shaped attachment element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sheet metal Z-shaped attachment element attached to and overhead I-beam, and wherein a fire-proofing or insulation material has been applied thereon, and wherein the applied fire-proofing or insulation material has been substantially removed from the lower surface of the lower flange of the Z-shaped attachment element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the sheet metal Z-shaped attachment element attached to an overhead I-beam having fire-proofing and/or insulation material applied thereon as shown in FIG. 2, wherein a sheet metal U-shaped header track has been attached to the lower surface of the lower flange of the Z-shaped attachment element (as part of a wall assembly made from U-shaped tracks and C-shaped studs) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is block flow diagram that shows the steps of making a Z-shaped attachment element from a single piece of sheet metal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(6) In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols or markings have been used to identify like or corresponding elements, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention disclosed herein.

(7) Accordingly, and as best shown in FIG. 1-3 (showing preferred embodiments), the present invention in an embodiment is directed to a Z-shaped attachment element 10 for use in building construction. The inventive Z-shaped attachment element 10 is used to facilitate the attachment of a header track 20 to an overhead beam 22 that as has been sprayed and encrusted with a fire-proofing and/or insulation material 24. The inventive Z-shaped attachment element 10 is preferably made from a single piece of sheet metal (e.g., 12-to-24-gauge steel) that is both elongated and rectilinear. More specifically, the single piece of sheet metal (used to make the Z-shaped attachment element 10) is (1) first cut (e.g., die cut) to form a plurality of holes 12 (e.g., rectangular holes) lengthwise along, and within the interior of, the piece of sheet metal, and (2) then bent lengthwise two times to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile (having a plurality of holes that now define notches 12) that constitutes the Z-shaped attachment element 10 of the present invention.

(8) As shown, the Z-shaped attachment element 10 comprises an elongated upper flange 14 and an elongated lower flange 16, wherein the upper and lower flanges 14, 16 are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other. In addition, an elongated middle web section 18 is between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges 14, 16 along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends 15, 17. The middle web section 18 is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges 14, 16, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile (which profile, in turn, imparts flexibility and springiness to the Z-shaped attachment element 10—especially when attached to an overhead beam 22). The interior angles formed between the middle web section 18 and the upper and lower flanges 14, 16 are preferably about the same and between the range of about 15° to about 60°. In addition, and as shown, the upper and lower flanges 14, 16 have widths that are substantially equal to each other, and wider than the width of the middle web section 18.

(9) Upon lengthwise bending of the single piece of sheet metal two times after cutting, a plurality of notches 12 are formed along the lower lengthwise bend 15 and into the lower flange 16 and the adjoining middle web section 18, but not into the upper bend 17 or the upper flange 14, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element 10. The notches 12 are sized and configured to receive the head of a fastening tool (such as, for example, a rivet gun) to thereby facilitate the attachment of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element 10 to an overhead beam 22.

(10) In another embodiment, and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention is directed to a building assembly 26 comprising, in combination, a Z-shaped attachment element 10 as described above, wherein the upper flange 14 of the Z-shaped attachment element 16 has been attached (via fasteners—not shown) to an overhead beam 22 (e.g., an I-beam) within a building (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fire-proofing and/or insulation material 24 has been spray applied thereon (to thereby encrust the beam 22 and adjoined Z-shaped attachment element 10 with fire-proofing and/or insulation material 24). Prior to attaching a U-shaped header track 20 to the Z-shaped attachment element 10 (which, in turn, has already been attached to an overhead beam 22), a bottom portion the fire-proofing and/or insulation material 24 is preferably substantially removed from the lower surface of the lower flange 16 of the Z-shaped attachment element 10 (by scraping the lower surface with a scraper, for example). In this way, the attachment of a header track 20 to an overhead beam 22 covered with a fire-proofing and/or insulation material 24 is facilitated (i.e., made much easier).

(11) In yet another embodiment, and as set forth in FIG. 4, the present invention is also directed to a method of a making a Z-shaped attachment element 10 for use in the construction of a building. The inventive method involves cutting and bending a single piece of sheet metal as described above. More specifically, the inventive method comprises the flowing steps: (1) step 1—providing an elongated and generally rectilinear single piece of sheet metal; (2) step 2—cutting a plurality of holes along the length of the single piece of sheet metal; and (3) step 3—bending the piece of sheet metal longitudinally two times to produce a generally Z-shaped profile that is defined by opposing upper and lower elongated flanges 14, 16 connected at upper and lower lengthwise bends 15, 17, respectively, by an interposing elongated middle web section 18 forming a plurality of notches 12 into and along the lower flange 16, the lower bend 15, and the middle web section 18, but not into the upper bend 17 or the upper flange 14, of the Z-shaped attachment element 10.

(12) While the present invention has been described in the context of the embodiments 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 description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.