Structural framing system and components thereof

Abstract

A structural framing system is provided that includes at least one first framing component having upper and lower flange elements separated by a web element having a depth measured between the upper and lower flange elements, the upper and lower flange elements having upper and lower positioning dimples spaced therealong. The dimples protrude in such manner that a distance between the upper and lower dimples is less than the depth of the web.

1 . A structural framing system, comprising: 
 at least one first component having upper and lower flange elements separated by a web element, said web having a depth as measured between said upper and lower flange elements, said upper and lower flange elements having corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples spaced therealong, said dimples protruding from said upper flange element toward said lower flange element and said lower dimples protruding from said lower flange element toward said upper flange element in such manner that a distance between a lower most surface of said upper dimples and an upper most surface of said lower dimples is less than said depth;    at least one second framing component having a depth adapted to fit between said upper and lower flange elements of said first framing component, said second framing component further adapted to extend from positions along said first framing component substantially corresponding to said corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples; and    at least one third framing component for securing together said first and second framing components, said third framing component comprising: 
 a first plate member adapted to be secured to said web of said first framing component and having a height substantially equal to said depth of said web of said first framing component; and  
 a second plate member adapted to be secured to a surface of said second framing component, a portion of said second plate member having a height less than said distance between said surfaces of said dimples so as to avoid interference with said dimples during attachment of said third framing component to said first and second framing components.  
   
   
   
       2 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 1 , said corresponding upper and lower positioning dimples comprising at least two dimples located on said upper flange and at least two dimples located on said lower flange.  
   
   
       3 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 2 , said at least two dimples of said upper flange being separated from each other by a distance along said upper flange sufficient to loosely hold therebetween a thickness of an upper portion of said second framing component and said at least two dimples of said lower flange being separated from each other by a distance along said lower flange sufficient to loosely hold therebetween a thickness of a lower portion of said second framing component.  
   
   
       4 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 3 , said second framing component able to freely stand when said respective thicknesses thereof are seated between said at least two upper and at least two lower dimples, without securing said third framing component between said first and second framing components.  
   
   
       5 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 1 , said first and second plate members of said at least one second framing component substantially perpendicular to each other.  
   
   
       6 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least another second framing component in spaced apart relation along said at least one first framing component to said at least one second framing component.  
   
   
       7 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one second framing component is a plurality of second framing components corresponding in locations along said at least one first framing component to locations of said positioning dimples.  
   
   
       8 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein adjacent second framing components of said plurality of second framing components are braced together along lengths thereof by at least one fourth framing component.  
   
   
       9 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 8 , said at least one fourth framing component, comprising: 
 a web element having a length allowing it to fit between said adjacent second framing components;    upper and lower flange elements, each having first and seconds ends; and    securing tabs extending from said first and second ends of said upper and lower flange elements, said securing tabs for attaching said at least one fourth framing components to said adjacent second framing components.    
   
   
       10 . A structural framing system as recited in  claim 9 , said securing tabs extending integrally from said ends of said upper and lower flange elements of said at least one fourth framing component beyond said length of said web element on either side of said length of said web element.  
   
   
       11 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 9 , being “C” shaped in cross-section.  
   
   
       12 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 9 , being “I” shaped in cross-section.  
   
   
       13 . A structural framing component, comprising first and second plate members extending from each other at a predetermined angle, said first plate member having a length defining surface and a width defined from said second plate member, said second plate having a width defined from said first plate member, a first length defining surface proximate said first plate number and extending from said first plate member along said width for a distance smaller in length than said width and a second length defining surface uniformly extending from said first length defining surface for the remainder of said width, said second length defining surface being smaller than said first length defining surface.  
   
   
       14 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said second length defining surface of said second plate member is defined on both sides of said length by an upper edge and a lower edge, each such edge being offset from, and not uniformly extending from, respective upper and lower edges of said first length defining surface of said second plate member.  
   
   
       15 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 15 , said lower edge of said second plate member having a notch therealong, which notch extends in a direction toward said upper edge surface.  
   
   
       16 . A structural framing component, comprising: 
 a web element having first and second ends and a length defined therebetween;    upper and lower flange elements, each having first and seconds ends substantially proximate said ends of said web; and    securing tabs extending from said first and second ends of said upper and lower flange elements beyond said ends of said web, said securing tabs for attaching said framing component between two other adjacent-running framing components of a larger structural framing system.    
   
   
       17 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said securing tabs are integrally formed with said flange elements.  
   
   
       18 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 16 , being “C” shaped in cross-section.  
   
   
       19 . A structural framing component as recited in  claim 16 , being “I” shaped in cross-section.