Abstract
A metal structure stabilizer is creases along a longitudinal axis with longitudinal stripes along the axis of the crease. Each longitudinal stripe has slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal structure stud and a tab positioned adjacent to the slots for connection with a metal stud.
Claims
1. A brace for structurally connecting metal studs, the brace comprising: a length of metal that folded along a longitudinal axis to define longitudinal stripes that are angled with the longitudinal axis; each of the longitudinal stripes has a plurality slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud and at least one tab that is positioned to abut a metal stud and receive a fastener that connects the at least one tab to a metal stud.
2. A stabilizer for a metal structure, the stabilizer comprising: a length of metal that is creased along a longitudinal axis and folded to define longitudinal stripes in intersecting planes; each of the longitudinal stripes has at least one slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal structure and at least one tab that is positioned to abut a portion of metal structure.
3. The stabilizer of claim 2, wherein the at least one tab is positioned to receive a fastener that joins the at least one tab to the metal structure.
4. A metal structure comprising: least one beam disposed in a first direction; a plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction relative to the at least one beam and connected to the at least one beam; each of the plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction has at least one aperture; at least one metal structural stabilizer that is creased along a longitudinal axis and folded to define longitudinal stripes; and, at least one of the longitudinal stripes has a slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction and at least one tab that is positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction.
5. A structure comprising: at least one beam disposed in a first direction; a plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction relative to the at least one beam and connected to the beam to define at least two end metal studs; each of the plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction has at least one aperture; at least one brace folded to define longitudinal stripes; and, at least one of the longitudinal stripes has at least one slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction, at least one tab on the brace is positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction, and an end tab on the brace is positioned to be connected with an end metal stud disposed in the second direction; whereby end metal studs of the at least two metal structures are positioned back-to-back and a fastener connects the least one brace in each of the at least two metal structures together.
6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the at least one longitudinal stripe has a plurality of slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction, a plurality of tabs that are positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction, and a plurality of end tabs that are positioned to be connected with an end metal stud disposed in the second direction. metal studs defining an end of the structures are connected with at least one fastener.
7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the metal end studs are connected back-to-back and a plurality of fastener pass through the plurality of end tabs to secure the end studs together.
8. The structure of claim 6, wherein each end metal stud is dimensioned to receive a fastener head and the at least two metal structures are positioned back-to-back without interference from the head of a fastener.
9. The structure of claim 5, where in the brace is formed from a metal stripe.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The following drawings illustrate an embodiment of the brace within:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a metallic panel or structure incorporating a brace;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brace that is creased and folded to form lengthwise stripes with slots and tabs;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom perspective of a portion of the brace illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates the initial insertion position of a brace through an aperture in a generally vertical metallic stud;
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrated the rotation of the brace in FIG. 4 to engagement position of the brace with the intermediate stud;
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrated a fully inserted brace with fasteners connecting the brace to a stud;
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrated the connections of a brace end tab fastened to an end stud;
[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a brace end tab fastened to two end studs that are back to back;
[0013] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate metallic structures positioned with end studs back to back and a common fastener connects the end studs and braces together; and,
[0014] FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating end studs of metallic structures incorporating braces positioned back to back without a common fastener.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The brace or bridge and a metal structure incorporation the same will be described with reference to the drawings wherein like numeral refer to the same or similar structures.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary metal structure 10 has a lower beam 12, a plurality of studs 14 that have a back 20 that includes at least one aperture 22, and a brace 30 that is positioned within the apertures 22. A tab 40, see FIG. 2, on brace 30 is connected to the back 20 of an end stud with fasteners 24. Depending on the dimension of the studs 14, there may be multiple apertures 22 and braces 30.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the brace 30 has a length that is determined by the dimensions of the structure 10 incorporating the brace 30. Along the length of the brace 30 there are a plurality of apertures 32, that are preferably formed in the brace 30 with a punch press, that include a slot 34 and a tab 36. The tab 36 may have a through hole 38 to receive a fastener 24. The dimensions of the slot 34 are selected according to the gauge of the stud 20. For example, If the vertical stud 14 is formed from metal stock between 0.040 and 0.10 inches and the brace 30 is formed from metal stock between 0.050 and 0.070 inches, the width of slot 34 will typically be about 0.1 inches.
[0018] Still with reference FIGS. 2 and 3, the brace 30 has a crease or backbone 42 that runs along the length of the brace 30. The brace 30 is folded along the crease 40 to form lengthwise stripes 44 and 46 that lie in planes that are angled with respect to each other. The apertures 32, slots 34, and tabs 36 in stripes 44 and 46 are generally opposite to each but offset according to the gauge of the stud 14 so they face opposite surfaces of the back 20 of the studs 14, see FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the brace 30 is installed in the stud 14 by angling the brace 30 to pass through the aperture 22, see direction A, and rotating the brace 30 to position the portion of stud back wall 20 that defines the aperture 22 in the slots 34. The tabs 36 are preferably on opposite surfaces of the stud back wall 20. The tabs 36 are generally perpendicular to the respective strip 44 or 46 and receive fasteners 24 secure the brace to back wall 20 of the stud 14.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates the connection of a brace 30 to an end stud wall 20. The tabs 40 of brace 30 are positioned to abut an inner surface back wall 20 of the stud 14. Preferably the stud 14 has recesses 26 for receiving the head of the fastener that connects the tabs 40 to the stud 14 and remains within the plane defined by the back 20 of stud 14. The tabs 40 are folded to be generally perpendicular to the respective strip 44 or 46
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a connection between two end studs 14 that are placed with back walls 20 back-to-back and the sides 21 facing away from the back-to-back walls. In the illustrated configuration there is only one brace 30 and the fasteners 24 pass through both studs 14 and connect with tabs 40 on the one brace 30. This configuration can be particularly useful when there is a desire for added stability in a panel.
[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a connection between the end stud of two metal structures 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, where each structure 10 includes a brace 30. The end studs 14 of the structures 10 have back walls 20 back-to-back with the sides 21 of each end stud 14 facing in an opposite direction and the tabs 40 of the braces 30 aligned. The fasteners 24 pass through the studs 14 and the tabs 40 to connect the two metal structures 10 together, see FIG. 10. This eliminates the need for an additional structural part, such as a gusset plate, to achieve stability and virtually elimates any gap between the abutting end studs 14.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a connection between the end stud of two metal structures 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, where each structure 10 includes a brace 30, a tab 40 and a fastener 24. In the configuration. The end studs 14 of the structures 10 have back walls 20 back-to-back with the sides 21 of each end stud 14 facing in an opposite direction with separate fasteners 2 connected to the tabs 40. This back-to-back structures is possible because the heads of the fasteners 24 are in the recesses 26 and do not interfere with the back-to-back placement of the back walls 20.
