AU2014203010A1 - A head track for a wall - Google Patents

Abstract

A HEAD TRACK FOR A WALL A wall assembly (10) including a first wall (11) that is secured to a second wall (12). Each of the walls (11, 12) has a head track (13). The head track (13) has a base (17) provided with a plurality of apertures (21). One of the apertures (21), adjacent an end portion (22) of the head track (13) is a slot having its major direction of extension transverse relative to the longitudinal axis (16) of the head track (13).

Description

1 A HEAD TRACK FOR A WALL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to head tracks for walls and more particularly to head tracks for internal walls of a building. BACKGROUND [0002] In many instances partition walls, such as internal walls used in multi storey buildings, are required to meet seismic design requirements. [0003] Considerations in respect of seismic designs include the magnitude of any seismic event that wall may be subjected to, accelerations and relative movements of the building structure to which the walls are attached, interaction of other building parts including supporting structure, the capacity of the wall to transfer seismic inertia loadings back to the supporting structure, and the ability to accommodate appropriate differential support structure movements. [0004] In addition to the above, the walls must be capable of deformation, while having sufficient rigidity. The walls must also present minimum clearances between various components. [0005] Currently available wall constructions have the disadvantage that they do not address, to a desired extent, the above considerations. OBJECT [0006] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

2 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] There is disclosed herein a head track for a wall that is to extend between a floor and a ceiling, the track being longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis and being formed of rolled sheet metal, the track having a generally "U-shaped" transverse section transverse cross-section so as to include: a longitudinally extending base; a pair of longitudinally extending side flanges between which the base is located, with the flanges converging away from the base; and a plurality of apertures in the base, at least one of the apertures being a slot that is located adjacent a longitudinal end portion of the base, with the slot being elongated transverse relative to said axis. [0008] Preferably, the base has a transverse width, with said slot extending the majority of said width. [0009] There is further disclosed herein a wall to be located between a floor and ceiling, the wall including: the above described head track; at least one fastener, the fastener passing through the slot to engage the ceiling; a plurality of stud members, the stud members being spaced at longitudinally located positions along the head track and being positioned between the flanges so as to be engaged by the flanges and to extend downward relative to the base. [0010] There is further disclosed a wall assembly including a first wall and a second wall, each wall being as described above, with the second wall extending at an angle to the first wall, a fastener passing through the slot of the head track of the second wall to engage the ceiling, a plurality of stud members engaged with the head track of the second wall and extending downwardly therefrom; and wherein the end portions of the tracks that are located adjacent each other, with threaded fasteners securing the walls together adjacent the end portions. [0011] Preferably, said angle is approximately 900.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0013] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a wall assembly; [0014] Figure 2 is a plan view of a head track; [0015] Figure 3 is a schematic enlarged view of portion of the head track of Figure 2; and [0016] Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the head track of Figure 2. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0017] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a wall assembly 10. The wall assembly 10 includes a first wall 11 and a second wall 12. The walls 11 and 12 would extend between a floor and ceiling. The walls 11 and 12 are intended to be internal of the building. [0018] In this embodiment the walls 11 and 12 are inclined by 900. However other angles may be employed. [0019] Each wall 11, 12 include a head track 13 and a bottom track (not illustrated). Between the head tracks 13 and bottom tracks there extends a plurality of stud members 14. The stud members 14, in addition to being engaged with the head track 13, are secured together with brace members (noggings) 15. [0020] Preferably the head tracks 13, bottom tracks, stud members 14 and brace members 15 are rolled from sheet metal, so that each is of a generally "U-shaped" transverse cross-section. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the head tracks 13 are 400mm to 800mm in length. However greater lengths are contemplated, such as in the embodiment of Figure 2.

4 [0021] Each head track 13, as mentioned above, is of a "U-shaped" transverse cross-section and is longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis 16. Each track 13 has a longitudinally extending base 17, and a pair of longitudinally extending side flanges 18. The longitudinal edge portions 19 of the flanges 18 are rolled back upon themselves, as best seen in Figure 4, so as to minimise sharp edges. [0022] The base 17 is located between the flanges 18 and is longitudinally parallel thereto. However the flanges 18 converge away from the base 18 at an acute angle 20. Typically the angle 20 would be 850 to 89', preferably 86' to 88'. [0023] The base 17 is provided with a plurality of apertures 21. The apertures 21 are located at longitudinally spaced locations along the base 17. At least one of the apertures 21 is a slot having its major direction of extension transverse relative to the axis 16. Each slot is located adjacent an end portion 22 of the track 13. In the embodiment of Figure 1 one of the apertures 21 is a slot, and the other aperture 21 a circular hole. [0024] In the embodiment of Figure 2 all of the apertures 21 are slots. [0025] Each of the stud members 14 is located between the flanges 18, of the associated head track 13, so that the flanges 18 are resiliently deflected apart so as to be urged into contact with the longitudinal sides of each of the stud members 14. [0026] Extending through the apertures 21 are threaded fasteners 23. The threaded fasteners 23 would engage the ceiling to secure the head track 13 thereto. [0027] Each of the walls 11 and 12 includes sheet material 24 that would be typically a plasterboard. The sheet material 24 is secured to the head tracks 13, stud members 14 and bottom track. [0028] The end portions 22 of each head track 13 are located adjacent each other with one head track 13 extending away from the flange 18 of the other head track 13.

5 [0029] Located between the walls 11 and 12, and more particularly the end stud 14 and the sheet material 24 of the adjacent wall 12, is a spacer 25. Threaded fasteners pass through the spacer 25, sheet material 24 and engage the adjacent stud member 14, to secure walls 11 and 12 together. [0030] The above described preferred embodiments have the advantage of providing for relative movement between the walls 11 and 12. More particularly by having the threaded fasteners 23 pass through a slotted aperture 21, the head tracks 13 can move relative to the threaded fastener 23 and therefore the ceiling above. In particular, pivoting movement of the head tracks 13 can take place about a pivot provided adjacent the junctions 26 of adjacent head tracks 13. [0031] The above wall assembly 10 has the advantage of allowing pivoting movement between the walls 11 and 12 should a seismic event occur.

Claims (5)

1. A head track for a wall that is to extend between a floor and a ceiling, the track being longitudinally elongated so as to have a longitudinal axis and being formed of rolled sheet metal, the track having a generally "U-shaped" transverse section transverse cross-section so as to include: a longitudinally extending base; a pair of longitudinally extending side flanges between which the base is located, with the flanges converging away from the base; and a plurality of apertures in the base, at least one of the apertures being a slot that is located adjacent a longitudinal end portion of the base, with the slot being elongated transverse relative to said axis.

2. The head track of claim 1, wherein the base has a transverse width, with said slot extending the majority of said width.

3. A wall to be located between a floor and ceiling, the wall including: the head track of claim 1 or 2; at least one fastener, the fastener passing through the slot to engage the ceiling; a plurality of stud members, the stud members being spaced at longitudinally located positions along the head track and being positioned between the flanges so as to be engaged by the flanges and to extend downward relative to the base.

4. A wall assembly including a first wall and a second wall, each wall being as defined in claim 3, with the second wall extending at an angle to the first wall, a fastener passing through the slot of the head track of the second wall to engage the ceiling, a plurality of stud members engaged with the head track of the second wall and extending downwardly therefrom; and wherein the end portions of the tracks that are located adjacent each other, with threaded fasteners securing the walls together adjacent the end portions. 7

5. The wall assembly of claim 4, wherein said angle is approximately 900. Rondo Building Services Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON