Support structure for use with metal beams

Abstract

A support bar for spanning a pair of metal studs is attached to the studs by gripping fasteners formed at the ends of the support bar or attached to a horizontal support beam by a gripping fastener at one end. The gripping fastener is formed out of the support bar in the form of a first loop that extends from the first end of the bar and lies in a first plane, substantially perpendicular to the rod, with a second loop extending from the first loop lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first loop. In a second embodiment, the gripping fastener is formed out of the bar as a series of slots in the bar, perpendicular to the central axis, for a short distance along its length, at the ends. The slots are sized to fit the thickness of the metal stud.

1 . A support structure, comprising:
 a bar having a first and second end;
 a first loop formed from the bar at the first end, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the bar; and 
 a second loop formed from the bar extending from the first loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first loop. 
   
   
   
       2 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the first loop and the second loop share a common leg. 
   
   
       3 . The support structure of  claim 2  wherein the first loop is an open loop with an opening at a top and the second loop is an opening loop with an opening at a bottom. 
   
   
       4 . The support structure of  claim 3  wherein the second loop includes a curved portion at its opening that bends towards the common leg. 
   
   
       5 . The support structure of  claim 4  wherein the bar is made of a corrosion resistant material. 
   
   
       6 . The support structure of  claim 5  wherein the bar is zinc plated. 
   
   
       7 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising
 a first containment device slideably connected to the second end of the bar.   
   
   
       8 . The support structure of  claim 7  further comprising
 a second containment device slideably connected to the second end of the bar.   
   
   
       9 . The support structure of  claim 8  wherein the first containment device and the second containment device are washers. 
   
   
       10 . The support structure of  claim 9  wherein the first containment device and the second containment device are made of a fire resistant material. 
   
   
       11 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a hook extending from the second end of the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bar.   
   
   
       12 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third loop extending from the second end of the bar lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bar;   a fourth loop attached to the third loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the third loop.   
   
   
       13 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a connection tube slideably engaged with the second end of the bar;   an extension rod slideably engaged with the connection tube;   a third loop extending from the extension rod lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the extension rod;   a fourth loop attached to the third loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the third loop.   
   
   
       14 . A support structure for spanning metal studs, comprising:
 a bar having a first and second end;   a first loop formed from the bar at the first end, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the bar, the first loop being an open loop with an opening at a top; and   a second loop formed from the bar, extending from the first loop, lying in a plane perpendicular to the first loop, the second loop being an open loop with an opening at a bottom, the first loop and the second loop sharing a common leg.   
   
   
       15 . The support structure of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a first washer slideably connected to the second end of the bar; and   a second washer slideably connected to the second end of the bar.   
   
   
       16 . The support structure of  claim 15  wherein the first washer and the second washer are made of a fire resistant material. 
   
   
       17 . The support structure of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a hook extending from the second end of the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bar.   
   
   
       18 . The support structure of  claim 15  further comprising
 a third loop extending from the second end of the bar and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bar; and   a fourth loop attached to the third loop, lying in a plane perpendicular to the third loop.   
   
   
       19 . The support structure of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a connection tube slideably engaged with the second end of the bar;   an extension rod slideably engaged with the connection tube;   a third loop extending from the extension rod lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the extension rod; and   a fourth loop attached to the third loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the third loop.   
   
   
       20 . A support structure, comprising:
 a bar having a first and second end;   a first loop formed from the bar at the first end, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the bar, the first loop being an open loop with an opening at a top; and   a second loop formed from the bar and extending from the first loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first loop, the second loop being an open loop with an opening at a bottom, the first loop and the second loop sharing a common leg, and the second loop including a curved portion at its opening that bends towards the common leg.   
   
   
       21 . The support structure of  claim 20  further comprising:
 a first washer slideably connected to the second end of the bar made of a first fire resistant material; and   a second washer slideably connected to the second end of the bar made of a second fire resistant material.   
   
   
       22 . The support structure of  claim 20  further comprising
 a connection tube slideably engaged with the second end of the bar;   an extension rod slideably engaged with the connection tube;   a third loop extending from the extension rod lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the extension rod; and   a fourth loop attached to the third loop, lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the third loop.   
   
   
       23 . The support structure of  claim 20  further comprising:
 a hook extending from the second end of the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bar.   
   
   
       24 . A support structure for spanning metal studs, comprising:
 a bar having a first and second end, the first end containing a plurality of slots substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to a central axis of the bar, the slots being sized to snuggly fit over a thickness of the metal studs.   
   
   
       25 . The support structure of  claim 24  wherein the second end contains a slot substantially parallel to the plurality of slots. 
   
   
       26 . The support structure of  claim 24  wherein the second end contains a cutout having a height substantially equal to a height of the plurality of slots. 
   
   
       27 . The support structure of  claim 24  wherein the bar is flat.