BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to steel stud building wall systems and especially to apparatuses for stabilizing steed studs to prevent lateral movement and torsion in such systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a connector for attaching a bridging member to the last or terminal stud in a series of studs connected to the bridging member.

Many buildings are constructed with steel stud wall framing. When a wall is built with any kind of stud, wood or steel, it is generally desirable to fix sequential studs relative to each other and each against lateral movement and torsion. In wood-stud walls, a short piece of wood blocking is typically nailed to adjacent stud pairs to stabilize them. In steel-stud walls, an elongated steel bridging member is typically inserted horizontally through pre-punched openings in a series of vertical studs to keep them aligned. Steel studs have excellent columnar strength when they are straight, but a significant portion of that strength is lost if the studs are twisted. Because steel studs are particularly vulnerable to torsion, the bridging member, which is typically channel-shaped, having a horizontal web and two vertical side flanges, is made to closely fit the openings in the vertical studs in order to maximize torque resistance. In additional to mechanical torque, metal studs can twist or bend in response to the heat of a fire when the drywall sheathing, which acts as a firebreak, is destroyed. When metal studs twist or bend, they lose their weight-bearing capacity, multiplying the damage caused directly by fire.

While channel-shaped bridging members closely received in the openings can help restrain the studs from twisting, some twisting can still occur and the studs can still shift or bend. A variety of sheet metal brackets have been designed to help prevent this shifting or bending. U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,447, granted to A. C. Briggs teaches a flat member that is welded to the bridging member and notches in the plate engage the web of the stud. U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,023, granted to Edward R. diGirolamo and Richard Mountcastle teaches an L-shaped clip that engages the sides of the bridging member and is attached to the stud and bridging member with fasteners. The portion of the clip that engages the stud extends upwardly from the portion of the clip that engages the bridging member and this upwardly extending portion has notches an offset portion so that portions can be received on either sides of the opening in the stud. U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,562, granted to John Rice, teaches an L-shaped clip that engages the sides of the bridging member and interlocks with the bridging member and the stud without the use of fasteners. U.S. Pat. No. 10,851,539, granted Allen Innovations, LLC teaches an L-shaped clip with orthogonal strengthening flanges the attaches to the bridging member and the stud with fasteners.

The prior art also includes short bridging members that, like the wood blocking members mentioned above, span only adjacent studs and have ends tailored for fastening the wall studs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,952, granted to Eugene H. Soucy, teaches fixed length intelocking bracing that does not use separate fasteners to connect to each other and the stud. U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,657, granted to Edward R. diGirolamo, Michael Torres and Thomas Trestain, teaches similar interlocking bracing that is as wide as the studs to which they connect and uses separate fasteners to connect to the studs. U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,402, granted to Edward R. diGirolamo and Micahel Torres, also teaches interlocking fixed-length braces that connect to the studs with fasteners.

The prior art also includes elongated bridging members with a series of slots that are designed for mating with the opening in the wall stud webs. U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,734, granted to William L. Elderson, teaches a v-shaped bracing member having offset notches that engage the sides of the opening in the stud.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket or connector that makes a strong connection between the bridging member and a stud, is amenable to present construction practices and is easy to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a connector for firmly connecting and stabilizing a building wall steel stud in concert with a bridging member.

The bridging member typically passes through an opening in a plurality of studs in a section of a wall. The bridging member is designed to keep the studs in alignment along the length of the wall when it is installed through the studs.

The present invention provides a connector with a stud attachment flange that preferably engages the lips or stiffening flanges of a wall stud and receives fasteners that run through the stud attachment flange and engage the lips or stiffening flanges of the wall stud to provide exceptional torsional rigidity. The connector could also attach to the web of the wall stud.

The presentation provides a connection between a wall stud and a bridging member made with a bridging connector, the connection including: the wall stud including a central web, a first side flange attached to one side of the central web, a second side flange attached to a second side of the central web and opposed to the first side flange, the first and second side flanges being substantially planar members and extending parallel to each other, a first stiffening flange attached to the first side flange on a side of the first side flange opposed to where the first side flange attaches to the central web, a second stiffening flange attached to the second side flange on a side of the second side flange opposed to where the second side flange attaches to the central web, the first and second stiffening flanges being substantially planar members and disposed in alignment; the bridging member disposed generally orthogonally to the wall stud, the bridging member including a middle web and first and second boundary flanges attached to the middle web, the first boundary flange being disposed in opposed relation to the second boundary flange and on opposed sides of the middle web, the middle web and the first and second boundary flanges being substantially planar members with the first and second boundary flanges being disposed substantially parallel to each other and disposed substantially orthogonally to the middle web; the bridging connector including a stud attachment flange that interfaces either with the central web of the wall stud or the first and second stiffening flanges of the wall stud, the stud attachment flange is a substantially planar member, the stud attachment flange connects to the central web of the wall stud or to the first and second stiffening flanges of the wall stud with one or more separate fasteners, the stud attachment flange attaches to a bridging attachment flange at a juncture, the bridging attachment flange is a substantially planar member and is disposed substantially orthogonally to the stud attachment flange, the bridging flange interfaces with a portion of the central web of the bridging member, the bridging attachment flange connects to the middle web of the bridging member with one or more separate fasteners, the bridging attachment flange has first and second end flanges that extend at an angle to the bridging attachment flange so that the first and second end flanges are not aligned with the bridging attachment flange, the first and second end flanges bracket the first and second boundary flanges of the bridging member, and the first and second end flanges are substantially planar members, and the first and second end flanges are disposed generally orthogonally to the first and second boundary flanges of the bridging member.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first and second end flanges are disposed at angle of 45 degrees to the bridging attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first and second end flanges are disposed at an acute angle to the bridging attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first and second end flanges are disposed at an orthogonal angle to the bridging attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where one or more openings are formed in the bridging attachment flange to receive the one or more fasteners that attach the bridging attachment flange to the middle web of the bridging member.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the bridging attachment member is formed with a central extension that extends in alignment with the generally planar bridging member past where the first and second end flanges connect to the bridging attachment member with the central extension extending away from the stud attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where a fastener opening is formed in the central extension that receives one of the fasteners that connects the bridging connector to the bridging member.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the bridging member has a center line that runs along a long axis of the bridging member and the fastener opening in the central extension that receives a fastener that attaches the bridging connector to the bridging member is on one side of the center line of the bridging member, and one of the one or more fastener openings in the bridging attachment flange that receives one of the one or more fasteners that attach the bridging connector to the bridging member on the other side of the center line of the bridging member.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the bridging attachment flange is formed with a first embossment that extends from a first side edge of the bridging attachment flange toward the center line of the bridging member and a portion of the first embossment overlies the middle web of the bridging member, and the bridging attachment member is formed with a second embossment that extends from a second side edge of the bridging attachment flange toward the center line of the bridging member and a portion of the second embossment overlies the middle web of the bridging member.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the fastener opening in the central extension is the fastener opening that is farthest away from the stud attachment flange and the fastener opening in the central extension is on one side of the central line of the bridging member, and the embossment that is farthest from the stud attachment flange extends from the side of the bridging attachment flange that is on the other side of the central line of the bridging member from the fastener opening in the central extension, and one of the one or more fastener openings in the bridging attachment flange is closest to the stud attachment flange and the fastener opening of the one or more fastener openings in the bridging attachment flange that is closest to the stud attachment flange is disposed to one side of the central line of the bridging member and the embossment that is closest to the stud attachment flange extends from the side of the bridging attachment flange that is on the other side of the central line from the one of the one or more fastener openings in the bridging attachment flange that is closest to the stud attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first and second embossments in the bridging attachment flange are preferably straight.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the stud attachment flange is also formed with first and second guide tabs that interface with the first and second side flanges.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first guide tab is bent from a first side edge of the stud attachment flange that extends orthogonally to the juncture between the stud attachment flange and the bridging attachment flange, and the second guide tab is bent from a second side edge of the stud attachment flange that extends orthogonally to the juncture between the stud attachment flange and the bridging attachment flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the bridging attachment flange is formed with first and second end edges that are in general alignment and the first and second side edges bracket the central extension.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first end flange is a substantially planar member and is bent from the bridging attachment flange at the first end edge, and the second end flange is a substantially planar member and is bent from the bridging attachment flange at the second end edge.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first end flange is formed with an inner side edge that extends along the first boundary flange and lies closely adjacent to the first boundary flange, and the second end flange is formed with an inner side edge that extends along the second boundary flange and lies closely adjacent to the second boundary flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the first end flange extends orthogonally to the first boundary flange, and the second end flange extends orthogonally to the second boundary flange.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the separate fasteners are threaded fasteners.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection where the separate fasteners are self-drilling fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the bridging connector formed according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an upper side view of the connection of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection of the present invention made with one embodiment of the present invention. The fasteners are not shown.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection of the present invention made with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of one embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 5, the invention is a building connection 1 between a substantially vertical wall stud 2, a substantially horizontal bridging member 3, and a connector 4. The wall stud 2 is typically one of several sequentially-arranged, cold-formed steel studs 2 in the frame of a building wall. The bridging member 3 is typically a separate cold-formed steel member that interfaces with and spans a plurality of wall studs 2. The bridging member 3 is preferably made from cold-formed steel, but it could also be cast from a material such as aluminum or fabricated in another manner and from other suitable materials.

As shown in FIG. 4, the substantially vertical wall stud 2 preferably has a central web 5, a first side flange 6 integrally attached to the central web 5, and a second side flange 7 integrally attached to the central web 5. The central web 5 typically includes an opening 8, as shown in FIG. 5. The opening 8 typically is 2.5 inches in height. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall stud 2 also typically has stiffening flanges 9 and 10. The opening 8 is often vertically elongated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the substantially horizontal bridging member 3 has an at least partially planar middle web 11, an at least partially planar first boundary flange 12, and an at least partially planar second boundary flange 13. Preferably, the middle web 11, the first boundary flange 12 and the second boundary flange 13 are substantially planar members.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bridging connector 4 contacts the first and second stiffening flanges 9 and 10 of the wall stud 2 and is fastened to the bridging member 11.

The bridging connector 4 is preferably cut, punched and cold-formed from sheet steel. The bridging connector 4 has a stud attachment flange 14 that is attached to the first and second stiffening flanges 9 and 10 with fasteners 15, that are preferably threaded screws. The stud attachment flange 14 could also attach to the central web 5 of the wall stud 2.

Bridging attachment flange 16 is attached to the stud attachment flange 14 at an angle, preferably an orthogonal angle, and attaches to the web 11 of the bridging member 3 with fasteners 15 that are preferably self-drilling, threaded fasteners.

The bridging attachment flange 16 is formed with first and second end flanges 17 and 18 that extend at an angle to the bridging attachment flange 16. The first and second end flanges 17 and 18 preferably bracket the first and second boundary flanges 12 and 13 of the bridging member 3. The first and second end flanges 17 and 18 are preferably bent at a 45 degree angle to bridging attachment flange 16. The first and second end flanges can also be preferably bent at an angle of between 15 degrees and 90 degrees to the bridging attachment flange 16.

First and second openings are preferably formed in the bridging attachment flange 16 for the fasteners 15 that connect the bridging attachment flange 16 to bridging member 3.

The bridging attachment member 16 is preferably formed with a central extension 19 that extends in the plane of the generally planar bridging attachment flange 16 past where the first and second end flanges 17 and 18 are bent from the bridging attachment flange 16 and away from the stud attachment flange 14. The central extension 19 extends along and in registration with the central web 11 of the bridging member 3.

Preferably a fastener opening 20 is formed in the central extension 19 for receiving a fastener 15 that connects the connector 4 to the bridging member 3.

Another fastener opening 21 is formed in the main body of the bridging attachment flange 16. Multiple fastener openings could be formed in the bridge attachment flange 16.

Preferably the bridging member 3 is formed with a center line 22 that runs along the long axis of the bridging member 3 and fastener opening 20 for receiving fastener 15 is on one side of center line 22, and fastener opening 21 for receiving fastener 15 is on the other side of center line 22, when the bridging connector 4 is attached to the bridging member 3.

Preferably, the bridging attachment flange 16 is formed with a first embossment 23 that extends from a first side edge 24 of the bridging attachment member 16, and a second embossment 25 that extends from a second side edge 26 of the bridging attachment member 16. The embossments 23 and 25 are preferably straight. The embossments 23 and 25 preferably extend such that when the connection is made they overlie the web 5 of the bridging member 3, and the embossments 23 and 25 end near the center line 22.

In the preferred embodiment, the fastener opening 20 in the central extension 19 or the fastener opening that is farthest away from the stud attachment flange 14 is on one side of the central line 22 of the bridging member 3 in the installed condition, and the embossment 23 that is farthest from the stud attachment flange 14 extends from the side of the bridging attachment flange 16 that is on the other side of the central line 22. Similarly, the fastener opening 21 in the main body of the bridging attachment flange 16 and the fastener opening that is closer to the stud attachment flange 14 is to one side of the central line 22 in the installed condition and the embossment 25 closest to the stud attachment flange 14 extends from the side of the bridging attachment flange 16 that is on the other side of the central line 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stud attachment flange 14 is also formed with first and second guide tabs 27 and 28 that interface with vertical surfaces on the stud 2, in this case the first and second side flanges 6 and 7, to align the bridging connector 4 and help support the stud 2.

The bridging connector 4, stud 2 and bridging member 3 are preferably made from cold-formed sheet steel. In the preferred embodiment, the stud attachment flange 14 is a generally planar member and the bridging attachment flange 16 is preferably a substantially planar member bent from the stud attachment flange 14 at a juncture 30. The stud attachment flange 14 is preferably formed with first and second side edges 31 and 32 that extend generally orthogonally to the juncture 30. The first guide tab 27 is preferably bent from the stud attachment flange 14 at the first side edge 31. The second guide tab 28 is preferably bent from the stud attachment flange 14 at the second side edge 32. The bridging attachment flange 16 is preferably formed with first and second end edges 33 and 34 that are in general alignment with each other and are disposed on either side of the central extension 19. The first end flange 17 is preferably a substantially planar member and is preferably bent from the bridging attachment flange 16 at the first end edge 33, and the second end flange 18 is preferably a substantially planar member and is preferably bent from the bridging attachment flange 16 at the second end edge 34. The first end flange 17 is preferably formed with an inner side edge 35 that extends along the first boundary flange 12 and lies closely adjacent to the first boundary flange 12 to resist deformation of the first boundary flange 12. The second end flange 18 is preferably formed with an inner side edge 36 that extends along the second boundary flange 13 lies closely adjacent to the second boundary flange 13 to resist deformation of the second boundary flange 13. The first end flange 17 preferably extends orthogonally to the first boundary flange 12. The second end flange 18 preferably extends orthogonally to the second boundary flange 13.