Load-bearing framing assembly and related method

Abstract

The present invention relates to header assemblies that support a downwardly directed load above an opening in the framing of a load-bearing wall, as well as to related methods. In one embodiment, a load-bearing framing assembly is disclosed. The load-bearing header assembly comprises: a pair of horizontally positioned header members for receiving a downwardly directed load; and a pair of parallel and vertically positioned sheet-metal jamb members. The header members are disposed within the jamb members. In another embodiment, a method for making a load-bearing wall assembly is disclosed. The method comprises at least the following steps: providing and positioning onto a floor and a ceiling respective bottom and top tracks; providing and vertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jamb members; and providing and horizontally positioning within the pair of jamb members a pair of header members.

1 . A load-bearing framing assembly, comprising:
 a pair of horizontally positioned header members for receiving a downwardly directed load, each header member being spaced apart and parallel to the other, each header member having first and second end sections;   a pair of parallel and vertically positioned jamb members, each jamb member being spaced apart and confronting the other so as to define an opening, each jamb member being C-shaped or U-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar web flanked along its opposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardly directed flanges, with each flange being perpendicular to the web and having outer lips parallel to the web and confronting each other, each web having first and second apertures positioned a selected distance away from the bottom of the opening and spaced apart from each other, thereby defining a spacer section of the web, each of the first and second apertures being sized and configured to receive in an operative arrangement the respective first and second end sections of the pair of header members; and   wherein the load-bearing framing assembly is characterized in that the respective first and second end sections of the pair of header members are received into the first and second apertures of each web of the pair of jamb members such that the outer lips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respective first and second end sections of the pair of header members.   
   
   
       2 . The load-bearing framing assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the header members have C-shaped cross-sections. 
   
   
       3 . The load-bearing framing assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sections of the jamb members are larger than the C-shaped cross-sections of the header members. 
   
   
       4 . The load-bearing framing assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the jamb members and header member are made of sheet-metal. 
   
   
       5 . The load-bearing framing assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the first and second apertures are rectangular shaped and the same size. 
   
   
       6 . The load-bearing assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the opening defines a window or a doorway. 
   
   
       7 . The load-bearing framing assembly according to  claim 5 , further comprising top and bottom tracks, the top and bottom tracks being spaced apart and confronting each other with the jamb members being disposed therebetween so as to define a wall having the opening. 
   
   
       8 . The load-bearing assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the opening defines a window or a doorway. 
   
   
       9 . A method for making a load-bearing wall assembly, comprising:
 providing and positioning onto a floor and a ceiling respective bottom and top tracks such that the top and bottom tracks are spaced apart and confronting each other;   providing and vertically positioning within the top and bottom tracks a pair of jamb members such that each jamb member is spaced apart and confronting the other so as to define an opening, each jamb member being C-shaped or U-shaped and having an inwardly facing planar web flanked along its opposing vertical edges by confronting and outwardly directed flanges, with each flange being perpendicular to the web and having outer lips parallel to the web and confronting each other, each web having first and second apertures positioned a selected distance away from the bottom of the opening and spaced apart from each other, thereby defining a spacer section of the web, each of the first and second apertures being sized and configured to receive in an operative arrangement respective first and second end sections of a pair of header members; and   providing and horizontally positioning the first and second end sections of the pair of header members within the first and second apertures such that each header member is spaced apart and parallel to the other and such that the outer lips of each flange abut or nearly abut the respective first and second end sections of the pair of header members.