LIGHT-WEIGHT METAL STUD AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

A light-weight metal framing member includes a metal stud and reinforcement plate(s), and method to produce a light-weight metal framing member may include forming a pair of channel members each having a respective major face having a respective first edge, and reinforcing such with one or more reinforcement plates, preferably at opposed ends thereof. Each member includes first and second flanges extending along the respective major face. A wire matrix includes a pair of wires each having apexes alternatively physically attached to the pair of channel members. The wire matrix forms longitudinal passages to support utility lines and position the lines away from the pair of channel members. The apexes are secured to flanges of the pair of channel members to strengthen the stud and reduce weight.

主权项

1. A metal framing member, comprising:
a metal stud having: a first elongated channel member, the first elongated channel member having a respective major face having a respective first edge along a major length thereof and a respective second edge along the major length thereof, a respective first flange extending along the first edge at a non-zero angle to the respective major face of the first elongated channel member; a second elongated channel member, the second elongated channel member having a respective major face having a respective first edge along a major length thereof and a respective second edge along the major length thereof, a respective first flange extending along the first edge at a non-zero angle to the respective major face of the second elongated channel member, and a respective second flange; a first continuous wire member having a plurality of bends to form alternating apexes along a respective length thereof, the apexes of the first continuous wire member alternatively physically attached to the first and the second elongated channel members along at least a portion of the first and the second elongated channel members; and a second continuous wire member having a plurality of bends to form alternating apexes along a respective length thereof, the apexes of the second continuous wire member alternatively physically attached to the first and the second elongated channel members along at least a portion of the first and the second elongated channel members, the first and the second elongated channel members held in spaced apart parallel relation to one another by both of the first and the second wire members, with a longitudinal passage formed therebetween; the metal framing member further comprising: at least a first reinforcement plate and at least a first resistance weld that physically couples the first reinforcement plate to the metal stud, the first reinforcement plate having a plate portion having a length, a width, a gauge, a first edge and a second edge, the second edge opposed from the first edge across the length of the plate portion, the length of the plate portion sized to interference fit between the first elongated channel member and the second elongated channel member, the reinforcement plate adjacent to the first and the second continuous wires within the first and the second elongated channel members.