Offset leg framing element for fire stop applications

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is directed to an offset leg framing element for use in a fire rated assembly and comprises: a web section having opposing edges; a pair of outwardly extending sidewalls integrally connected to the web, wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel and confront each other. In addition, at least one laterally extending ledge section is integrally connected to one of the pair of outwardly extending sidewalls; and at least one downwardly extending leg is integrally connected to the at least one ledge section. The offset leg framing element may be characterized in that the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the ledge section width (w 2 ) is greater than or equal to one (h 1/ w 2 ≧1), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the web section width (w 1 ) is greater than or equal to one sixth (h 1/ w 1 ≧0.1667).

1 . An offset leg framing element for use in a fire rated assembly, comprising:
 a web section having opposing edges;   a pair of outwardly extending sidewalls integrally connected to the web section, wherein each sidewall has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of each sidewall is integrally connected to one of the opposing edges of the web section, and wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel and confront each other;   at least one laterally extending ledge section integrally connected to one of the pair of outwardly extending sidewalls, wherein the at least one ledge section has an inner edge and an outer edge, and wherein the inner edge of the at least one ledge section is integrally connected to the distal end of one of the pair of sidewalls; and   at least one downwardly extending leg integrally connected to the at least one ledge section, wherein the at least one leg has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of the at least one leg is integrally connected to the outer edge of the at the at least one ledge section.   
     
     
         2 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 1  wherein the distance between the opposing edges of the web section defines a web section width (w 1 ), and wherein the distance between the proximal and distal ends of at least one of the pair of sidewalls defines a sidewall height (h 1 ), and the distance between the inner and outer edges of the at least one ledge section defines a ledge section width (w 2 ), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the ledge section width (w 2 ) is greater than or equal to one (h 1/ w 2 ≧1), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the web section width (w 1 ) is greater than or equal to one sixth (h 1/ w 1 ≧0.1667). 
     
     
         3 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 2 , further comprising an outwardly facing intumescent material positioned lengthwise on an outer portion of the least one leg. 
     
     
         4 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 3  wherein the outer portion of the least one leg has a proximal section adjacent to the at least one ledge, and a distal section adjacent to the proximal section and the distal end of the at least one leg, and wherein the intumescent material is positioned on the proximal section of the at least one leg. 
     
     
         5 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of vertically aligned slots positioned along the distal section of at least one of the legs. 
     
     
         6 . An offset leg framing element in combination with an elongated support beam for use in a fire rated assembly, wherein the support beam has an applied fire resistant coating on most of its sides, and wherein the applied fire resistant coating has an average thickness (t 1 ), comprising:
 an elongated offset leg framing element attached lengthwise and positioned immediately adjacent to the elongated support beam along a section of the support beam that does not have an applied fire resistant coating thereon;   an elongated web section of the offset leg framing element having opposing edges, wherein the elongated web section is attached lengthwise to the elongated support beam along the section of the support beam that does not have an applied fire resistant coating thereon;   a pair of outwardly extending sidewalls integrally connected to the web and in contact with the applied fire resistant coating, wherein each sidewall has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of each sidewall is integrally connected to one of the opposing edges of the web, and wherein the sidewalls are substantially parallel and confront each other;   at least one laterally extending ledge section integrally connected to one of the pair of outwardly extending sidewalls, wherein the at least one ledge section has an inner edge and an outer edge, and wherein the inner edge of the at least one leg section is integrally connected to the distal end of one of the pair of sidewalls; and   at least one downwardly extending leg integrally connect to the at least one ledge section, wherein the at least one leg has a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end of the at least one leg is integrally connected to the outer edge of the at the at least one ledge section.   
     
     
         7 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 6  wherein the distance between the opposing edges of the web section defines a web section width (w 1 ), and wherein the distance between the proximal and distal ends of at least one of the pair of sidewalls defines a sidewall height (h 1 ), and the distance between the inner and outer edges of the at least one ledge section defines a ledge section width (w 2 ), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the ledge section width (w 2 ) is greater than or equal to one (h 1/ w 2 ≧1), and wherein the ratio the sidewall height (h 1 ) over the web section width (w 1 ) is greater than or equal to one sixth (h 1/ w 1 ≧0.0625), and wherein the thickness (t 1 ) of the applied fire resistant coating is about equal to the sidewall height (h 1 ) (t 1 ≈h 1 ). 
     
     
         8 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 7 , further comprising an outwardly facing intumescent material  38  positioned lengthwise on an outer portion of the least one leg. 
     
     
         9 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 8  wherein the outer portion of the least one leg has a proximal section adjacent to the at least one ledge, and a distal section adjacent to the proximal section and the distal end of the at least one leg, and wherein the intumescent material is positioned on the proximal section of the at least one leg. 
     
     
         10 . The offset leg framing element of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of vertically aligned slots positioned along the distal section of at least one of the legs.