Structural members with gripping features and joining arrangements therefor

Abstract

A joining arrangement is provided for use in the construction of stud frame which includes a releasable attachment/detachment feature. The first member (plate) includes in at least one side wall a formation which, when members are joined, engages a corresponding formation in at least one wall of the second member (stud). The formation, such as a V-shaped protrusion, is/are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the member and the formation on the second member is disposed generally parallel to its longitudinal axis such that upon engagement of the first and second members, the respective formations in the first and second members engage such that they are in alignment, thereby, securing the first member to the second. Additionally, a plurality of protrusions, which provide a gripping feature, may be formed on the upper surface of web for inhibiting the stud from sliding, slipping, moving and/or migrating within the plate.

1 . A system for interconnecting and framing studs, comprising: 
 a first structural member adapted to be positioned atop a surface in a horizontal orientation, said first member having a channel-shaped cross-section including a first planar web side with a plurality of protrusions formed on an upper surface thereof, and a pair of opposing parallel vertical walls integrally connected to said first planar web side, each vertical wall having an inwardly directed male protrusion formed continuously along a substantial length of said first member, each inwardly directed male protrusion integrally formed and directly positioned adjacent a respective longitudinal edge of said first planar web; and    at least one second structural member having a first and second terminus end, said first end adapted to be transversely interconnected to said first member in a vertical and perpendicular orientation to said first member, each second member having a channel-shaped cross-section including a vertically oriented second planar web side and a second pair of opposing parallel vertical walls integrally connected to said second planar web side, each vertical wall having an inwardly projecting flange integrally formed to an outer edge of said vertical wall such that said flanges are coplanar with each other, and an inwardly protruding female recess integrally formed directly adjacent to said first and second terminus ends of said second member in each vertical wall and extending substantially the entire width of said vertical wall;    wherein one of said first or second terminus ends of said at least one second structural member is adapted to be interconnected within said first structural member by inserting a selected terminus end into said first structural member and twisting said second member until said inwardly directed male protrusions of said first member are received, aligned and interconnected with said inwardly protruding female recesses of said second member to form a perpendicularly interconnected structural framing joint between said first and second structural members;    wherein said plurality of protrusions formed on the upper side of said first planar web are provided for inhibiting said at least one second structural member from sliding within said first structural member.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 2  further comprising a third structural member adapted to be positioned atop said second terminus end of said at least one second structural member in a horizontal orientation, said third member having a channel-shaped cross-section and including a third planar web side including a plurality of protrusions formed on a lower side thereof, and a third pair of opposing parallel vertical walls integrally connected to said third planer web, each vertical wall having an inwardly directed male protrusion formed continuously along a substantial length of said third member, each inwardly directed male protrusion integrally formed and directly positioned adjacent a respective longitudinal edge of said third planar web; 
 wherein the other of said first and second terminus ends of said at least one second structural member is adapted to be interconnected within said third structural member by inserting the respective other terminus end into said third structural member and twisting said second member until said inwardly directed male protrusions of said third member are received, aligned and interconnected with said inwardly protruding female recesses of said second member to form a perpendicular interconnected structural framing joint between said third and second structural members; and    wherein said plurality of protrusions disposed on said lower side of said web of said third structural member are provided for inhibiting said at least one second structural member from sliding within said third structural member.    
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said inwardly directed male protrusions and inwardly protruding female recesses have V-shaped cross-sections which are adapted to be received by each other.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said second planar web side of said at least one second structural member includes at least one opening for accommodating conduits.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one second structural member includes a telescopic feature allowing said at least one second structural member to be either lengthened or shortened in the longitudinal direction to accommodate floor to ceiling height misalignments.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each second structural member comprises an inner and outer element, wherein said inner element is adapted to closely fit within and interface with said outer element such that said inner element is may slidably move within said outer element.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein crushed regions are formed on said inwardly projecting flanges substantially proximate said inwardly protruding female recesses on said second structural member.  
     
     
         8 . A system for interconnecting and framing studs, comprising: 
 a first longitudinal structural member adapted to be positioned atop a surface in a horizontal orientation, said first member having a channel-shaped cross-section including a first planar web side defined by a pair of opposing parallel edges, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on an upper surface of said first planar web side, and a pair of opposing parallel vertical walls are integrally connected to said pair of opposing parallel edges, each vertical wall having an inwardly directed male V-shaped protrusion formed therein, said V-shaped protrusion positioned adjacent each opposing edge of said first planar web and extending a substantial length of said first member; and    at least one second longitudinal structural member having a first and second terminus end, said first end adapted to be transversely interconnected to said first member in a vertical and perpendicular orientation to said first member, each second member having a channel-shaped cross-section including a vertically oriented second planar web side defined by a pair of vertically oriented parallel edges and a second pair of opposing parallel vertical walls integrally connected to said pair of vertically oriented opposing parallel edges defining said second planar web side, each vertical wall having an outer edge with an inwardly projecting planar flange integrally formed to said outer edge such that each flange is coplanar with each other and opposes said second planar web in a parallel manner, and an inwardly protruding V-shaped female recess integrally formed adjacent to said first terminus end of said second member in each vertical wall in a perpendicular orientation with respect to said second planar web, said female recess extending substantially the entire width of said vertical wall;    wherein said first terminus end of said at least one second structural member is interconnected within said first structural member by inserting said first terminus end into the open ended side of said first structural member and twisting said second member until said inwardly directed V-shaped male protrusions of said first member are received, aligned and interconnected with said inwardly protruding V-shaped female recesses of said second member to form a perpendicularly interconnected structural framing joint between said first and second structural members;    wherein said plurality of protrusions formed on the upper side of said first planar web are provided for inhibiting said at least one second longitudinal structural member from sliding within said first longitudinal structural member.    
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8  further comprising an inwardly protruding V-shaped female recess integrally formed adjacent to said second terminus end of said second member in each vertical wall in a perpendicular orientation with respect to said second planar web, said female recess extending substantially the entire width of said vertical wall.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9  further comprising a third longitudinal structural member adapted to be positioned atop said second terminus end of said at least one second structural member in a horizontal orientation, said third member having a channel-shaped cross-section and including a third planar web side defined by a third pair of opposing parallel edges, said web including a plurality of protrusions formed on a lower side thereof, and a third pair of opposing parallel vertical walls integrally connected to said pair of opposing parallel edges, each vertical wall having an inwardly directed V-shaped male protrusion having a generally V-shaped cross-section integrally formed in said vertical wall adjacent each opposing edge of said third planar web and extending a substantial length of said third member; 
 wherein said second terminus end of said at least one second structural member is interconnected within said third structural member by inserting said second terminus end into the open ended side of said third structural member and twisting said second member until said inwardly directed V-shaped male protrusions of said third member are received, aligned and interconnected with said inwardly protruding female recesses of said second member to form a perpendicular interconnected structural framing joint between said third and second structural members; and    wherein said plurality of protrusions disposed on said lower side of said web of said third longitudinal structural member are provided for inhibiting said at least one second longitudinal structural member from sliding within said third longitudinal structural member.    
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said second planar web side of said at least one second structural member includes at least one opening for accommodating conduits.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one second structural member includes a telescopic feature allowing said at least one second structural member to be either lengthened or shortened in the longitudinal direction to accommodate floor to ceiling height misalignments.  
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein each second structural member comprises an inner and outer element, wherein said inner element is adapted to closely fit within and interface with said outer element such that said inner element is may slidably move within said outer element.  
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein crushed regions are formed on said inwardly projecting flanges substantially proximate said inwardly protruding female recesses on said second structural member when said female recesses are formed on said first and second terminus ends of second structural member.