Deflection and drift structural wall assemblies

Abstract

Metal framing system composed of stud and track profiles having preformed slots which allow system to accommodate for vertical deflection and horizontal drift/adjustment. Embodiment of the system also used to create protection of fire rated joints in rated wall partitions.

1 . A U-shaped profile having a web surface and two leg surfaces affixed and extending in a perpendicular fashion with a minimum of one slot located through a minimum of one of the leg surfaces such that the lengthwise dimension is parallel the web surface and the width of the slot is less than the diameter of a fastener head having it's shank extending through the slot, preventing said fastener from passing through the slot, while allowing said fastener to move in either direction parallel to the profile web. 
     
     
         2 . An embodiment of the invention with multiple slots or rows of slots located in one leg or both legs. 
     
     
         3 . An embodiment of  claim 1  having a minimum of one additional slot located in the web in which the lengthwise dimensions is perpendicular to the web and leg intersection. 
     
     
         4 . An embodiment of  claim 3  having multiple slots in the web. 
     
     
         5 . Said profile of  claims 2  and  3  having opposing slots in opposing legs spaced apart and offset intermittently so that opposing slots don't line up with one another but a slot is opposed by at least a portion of the solid surface spacing between two slots on the opposing leg. 
     
     
         6 . An embodiment of  claim 1 - 5  having a material including intumescent being as thick or thicker or thinner than a fastener head profile providing sealing of joints from one or a combination of air, sound, smoke, fire, and thermal transfer between the wall sheathing and substrates affixed to the at least the outer surface of a minimum of one leg with an adhesive, positioned between a minimum of one of the web and leg intersections and said slot(s) in the leg(s) for both non-rated and fire rated joints or walls 
     
     
         7 . Said material or intumescent of  claim 6  being similar or thicker than a fastener and creating an offset surface a distance similar or thicker than said fastener beyond the leg outer surface. 
     
     
         8 . Said material and or intumescent of  claim 7  having a polyester coating on the outer surface 
     
     
         9 . Said material and or intumescent of  claim 7  or  8  wrapping around the web and leg intersection onto a portion of an outer web surface. 
     
     
         10 . Said embodiments of  claims 1 - 9  having a minimum of one additional corrugation in a minimum of one leg surface or having one leg “hemmed” at the end creating an offset surface distance from the outer leg surface that is the same or thicket than a fastener 
     
     
         11 . Said embodiment of  claim 10  having a minimum of one corrugation in both leg surfaces or having both legs “hemmed” at the end creating an offset surface distance from the outer leg surface that is the same or thicker than a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . A C-Shaped profile having a web with flanges extending perpendicular to the web and return flanges which extend perpendicular to the flanges and parallel to the web and a minimum of one slot formed in a flange located proximate and end of a minimum of one of said flanges with said slot being of a width that is equal to or narrower than the outer dimensions of a smooth or threaded fastener shank such that when said fastener shank extends through said slot at least the lengthwise edges of the flange which define said slot engage said fastener via contact with the outer edges of the fastener shank or threaded surfaces of a threaded shank creating a connection securing said fastener from a “pull out” while still allowing the fastener to move in a liner direction defined by the slot when increased pressure is applied to the fastener. 
     
     
         13 . An embodiment of  claim 12  with said slot having “flared” edges directed inward towards the opposing flange such that the inward protruding longitudinal edges are spaced a distance apart that is equal to or narrower than the outer dimensions of a smooth or threaded 
     
     
         14 . Said profile of  claims 12  and  13  having single or multiple slots located in a single or multiple flanges near a single or multiple ends. 
     
     
         15 . Said profile of  claims 12  and  13  having a minimum of one corrugation in a minimum of one flange and said slot located within a portion or exclusively through the corrugation surface. 
     
     
         16 . Said profiles of  12  and  13  having an embossed pattern in the flange or web surface areas. 
     
     
         17 . A wall assembly comprised of an embodiment of the U-shaped profile and an embodiment of the C-shaped profile with a minimum of one end of a C-shaped profile located between the legs of a minimum of one of the embodiments of the U-shaped profile, having a mechanical or friction fit fastener located through a minimum of one slot of a minimum of one U-shaped profile with the head of the fastener proximate to the outer surface of the U-shaped profile leg outer surface and said fastener shank extending into a minimum of one said slot of a minimum of one C-shaped profile with the lengthwise edges of said slot in the C-shaped profile in contact with the outer or threaded surface of the fastener shank creating a connection with the shank or threaded shank of the fastener, said connection firmly connecting the fastener not allowing it to “pull out” from installed position, with C-shaped profile and fastener able to be move in a lateral (horizontal) direction defined by the slot in the connected U-Shaped profile, with C-shaped profile able to move in an up and down (vertical) direction defined by the slot in the connected C-shaped profile with the fastener held in place (from vertical movement) by the U-shaped profile.