Flush backing plate and related wall assemblies

Abstract

An innovative flush mountable backing plate useful in the construction of sheet-metal wall assemblies is disclosed herein. The flush mountable backing plate is generally comprised of a flat piece of sheet-metal that defines a central web section having an end return flange positioned at one end and an end tab positioned at the other end, wherein the end return flange is perpendicular to the web section, while the end tab is coplanar with the web section; and a flexible bend section interposed between the end tab and the central web section, wherein the bend section defines a trough that runs perpendicular to the central web section, and wherein the trough is sized and configured to receive and does receive an inwardly directed return of one of the C-shaped studs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In combination with a sheet-metal wall assembly, a flush mounted backing plate positioned between first and second vertically oriented C-shaped sheet-metal studs, wherein the C-shaped sheet-metal studs have side flanges with inwardly directed returns, and wherein the side flanges also have outwardly facing side flange surfaces, and wherein the backing plate has an outwardly facing surface that is substantially flush with the side flange surfaces of the sheet-metal studs, the backing plate comprising:
 a flat piece of sheet-metal that defines a central web section having an end return flange positioned at one end and an end tab positioned at the other end, wherein the end return flange is perpendicular to the web section, while the end tab is coplanar with the web section; and   a flexible bend section interposed between the end tab and the central web section, wherein the bend section defines a trough that runs perpendicular to the central web section, and wherein the trough is sized and configured to receive and receives an inwardly directed return of one of the C-shaped studs.   
     
     
         2 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backing plate is fastened to the first and second vertically oriented C-shaped sheet-metal studs by way of fasteners, wherein at least one of the fasteners penetrates through (i) the end tab and the side flange of the first sheet-metal stud, and at least another of the fasteners penetrates through (ii) the end return flange and a web of the second sheet-metal stud. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bend section enables the end tab to flex back and forth with respect to the central web section. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible bend section is a truncated V-shape. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 4  further comprising central web section flanges positioned along the respective upper and lower edges of the central web section. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 5  further comprising reinforcing lips positioned along the respective upper and lower edges of the web section flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet-metal wall assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a second end return flange connected perpendicular to the end tab and parallel to the end return flange.