Structurally Reinforced Girts and Related Systems and Methods

Abstract

Girts, systems incorporating girts, and methods of using girts are disclosed. The girts are structurally reinforced by gussets that are formed with material from the girt walls. In some embodiments, the gussets are formed via an efficient metal stamping process. The girts have a high mechanical strength, are easily manufactured, allow for water drainage and air circulation, improve thermal performance, decrease sound transmission, and reduce material, transportation and labor costs relative to traditional girts. In addition, isolators that may be used with the girts reduce thermal conductivity and divert moisture from mounting locations.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A girt, the girt comprising:
 a first wall having a width, the first wall including:
 at least two openings and remaining material; 
 a first edge opposite a second edge; 
 and a first section disposed between a first opening and a second opening of the at least two openings, wherein the first section spans at least a portion of the width of the first wall between the first edge and the second edge; and 
 a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall, the second wall comprising an edge, wherein the edge of the second wall and the first edge of the first wall form a corner; 
   wherein the at least two openings have a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the remaining material.   
     
     
         22 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the ratio of the surface area of the at least two openings to the surface area of the remaining material is greater than 1.1 to 1. 
     
     
         23 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the ratio of the surface area of the at least two openings to the surface area of the remaining material is greater than 1.5 to 1. 
     
     
         24 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the ratio of the surface area of the at least two openings to the surface area of the remaining material is greater than 2 to 1. 
     
     
         25 . The girt of  claim 21 , further comprising a means of structurally supporting the girt. 
     
     
         26 . The girt of  claim 25 , wherein the means of structurally supporting the girt is at least one gusset. 
     
     
         27 . The girt of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one gusset is disposed in at least a portion of the corner, such that the at least one gusset is aligned along the first section. 
     
     
         28 . The girt of  claim 21 , further comprising a third wall comprising an edge, wherein the edge of the third wall and the second edge of the first wall form a second corner. 
     
     
         29 . The girt of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one additional gusset, wherein the at least one additional gusset is disposed in at least a portion of the second corner, aligned along the first section. 
     
     
         30 . The girt of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one additional gusset is aligned with the at least one gusset along the first section. 
     
     
         31 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the girt is comprised of one or more of steel, stainless steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, plastic, and fiber reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         32 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the first opening of the at least two openings is a flared punch. 
     
     
         33 . The girt of  claim 21 , wherein the second opening of the at least two openings is an unflared drainage hole. 
     
     
         34 . The girt of  claim 21 , further comprising an isolator having at least one angular pocket and at least one retaining arm, wherein the isolator is disposed on at least a portion of the second wall. 
     
     
         35 . A wall assembly, the wall assembly comprising:
 a structure wall having an exterior side and an interior side;   at least one wall stud disposed along the interior side of the structure wall; and   at least one girt disposed along the exterior side of the structure wall, the at least one girt comprising:
 a first wall including:
 at least two openings, including a first opening and a second opening; 
 remaining material; 
 a first edge opposite a second edge; 
 at first section, the first section disposed between the first opening and the second opening; and 
 
 a second wall substantially perpendicular to the first wall, wherein the second wall includes an edge that forms a corner with the first edge of the first wall; 
 wherein the at least two openings have a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the remaining material. 
   
     
     
         36 . The wall assembly of  claim 35 , further comprising at least one isolator disposed between the at least one girt and the exterior side of the structure wall. 
     
     
         37 . The wall assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one isolator is comprised of an angular pocket and a retaining arm. 
     
     
         38 . The wall assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one isolator is fastened to the at least one girt and/or the at least one wall stud. 
     
     
         39 . The wall assembly of  claim 36 , further comprising a fastener extending through the at least one girt and the at least one isolator. 
     
     
         40 . The wall assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the ratio of the surface area of the at least two openings to the surface area of the remaining material is greater than 1.5 to 1.