Framing System and Method for Assembling the Same

Abstract

A framing system has a plank member with ribs protruding therefrom and a frame member with a receptor pocket therein such that the rib of the plank member is resiliently engaged within the receptor pocket of the frame member to secure the plank member to the frame member. The plank member may also be laterally moved relative to the frame member such that the ribs slide within and engage the receptor pockets. The invention is also directed to a method for engaging the plank member with the frame member along with a method for fabricating the frame member.

1 . A framing system comprising: 
 a) a plank member having a front, generally flat, surface and an opposing back surface with at least one rib protruding therefrom or at least one receptor pocket extending therein;    b) a frame member of an underlying structure having at least one receptor pocket extending therein or at least one rib protruding therefrom, wherein the frame member rib or pocket is matable with the plank member pocket or rib;    c) wherein the at least one rib has a profile with a first side and a second side which diverge from one another as they extend away from the member to which they are attached and then converge;    d) wherein the maximum height of a rib occurs at the place of maximum divergence; and    e) wherein the receptor pocket has a minimum width less than that of the maximum height of the rib such that the rib may be captured within the receptor pocket.    
   
   
       2 . The framing system according to  claim 1 , wherein plank member and the frame member are secured to one another through the engagement of the at least one rib with the at least one receptor pocket.  
   
   
       3 . The framing system according to  claim 3  wherein the at least one rib is resilient.  
   
   
       4 . The framing system according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one rib has a hollow interior and the rib bends for resiliency.  
   
   
       5 . The framing system according to  claim 4 , wherein the material of the at least one rib is capable of resilient bending.  
   
   
       6 . The framing system according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one rib is made of a resilient material that compresses for resiliency.  
   
   
       7 . The framing system according to  claim 6 , wherein the rib is solid and the material is compressible.  
   
   
       8 . The framing system according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one receptor pocket has walls which are resilient.  
   
   
       9 . The framing system according to  claim 8 , wherein the walls of the at least one receptor pocket are pushed apart to accommodate the rib.  
   
   
       10 . The framing system according to  claim 2 , wherein one or both of the at least one rib and the at least one pocket receptor are barbed.  
   
   
       11 . The framing system according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one rib and the walls of the at least one receptor pocket are rigid.  
   
   
       12 . The framing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one receptor pocket is within the frame member and wherein the at least one rib is within the plank member.  
   
   
       13 . The framing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one rib is a separate piece secured to the back surface of the plank member.  
   
   
       14 . The framing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one receptor pocket is in the plank member and the at least one rib is in the frame member.  
   
   
       15 . The framing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each plank member interlocks with an adjacent plank member.  
   
   
       16 . The framing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plank members are overlapping with adjacent plank members.  
   
   
       17 . A plank member comprising: 
 a) a front, generally flat, surface and an opposing back surface with the at least one rib protruding therefrom;    b) wherein the at least one rib has a profile with a first side and a second side which diverge from one another as they extend away from the member to which they are attached and then converge;    d) wherein the maximum height of a rib occurs at the place of maximum divergence such that the rib is adapted to be received within a receptor pocket having a minimum width less than that of the maximum height of the rib.    
   
   
       18 . The plank member according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one rib is resilient.  
   
   
       19 . A frame member of an underlying structure, wherein the frame member comprises: 
 a) at least one receptor pocket extending therein, wherein the pocket is adapted to receive a rib;    b) wherein the receptor pocket has a minimum width less than that of the maximum height of the rib such that the rib may be captured within the receptor pocket.    
   
   
       20 . The frame member according to  claim 19 , wherein the frame member is a C-shape structural member.  
   
   
       21 . A method of assembling a framing system having a plank member with a front, generally flat, surface and an opposing back surface with at least one rib protruding therefrom or at least one receptor pocket extending therein and having a frame member of an underlying structure with the other of at least one receptor pocket extending therein or at least one rib protruding therefrom, wherein the frame member rib or pocket is matable with the plank member pocket or rib comprising the steps of: 
 a) aligning the at least one rib with the at least one receptor pocket;    b) urging the at least one rib within the at least one receptor pocket until the rib snaps into the pocket; and    c) wherein the at least one rib or the at least one receptor pocket is resilient.    
   
   
       22 . A method of making a frame member adapted to receive protruding ribs from a plank member comprising the steps of: 
 a) punching slots within a flat sheet; and    b) bending the sheet into a structural member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the slots extend within the top surface to provide a receptor pocket adapted to receive the protruding ribs from the plank member.