GB2470721A

GB2470721A - A stud for use in timber frame walls

Info

Publication number: GB2470721A
Application number: GB0909349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony John Fillingham
Original assignee: Mitek Holdings Inc
Current assignee: Mitek Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2009-06-01
Filing date: 2009-06-01
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Also published as: DK2261434T3; DK2546428T3; GB0909349D0; EP2261434A1; EP2261434B1; EP2546428B1; EP2546428A1; GB2470796A; GB0919897D0

Abstract

A stud 12 for use in timber frame walls comprising two parallel elongate timber posts 9, 10 joined together by at least a pair of struts 1a, 1b, each strut having three conjoined sections comprising a first short section (2), a second longer section (3) connected at an obtuse angle to the first section and a third short section (4) connected to the second section at an obtuse angle and being generally parallel to the first section, with the first and third sections of each strut fixed to and parallel with the respective timber post so that the second sections form a bridge between the timber posts, and wherein the two struts are on opposing elongate faces of the timber posts.

Description

WALL STRUT

Introduction

The present invention relates to a strut for fastening timbers to construct a wall and to a wall made using the strut. It also relates to a method of constructing a wall using such a strut.

Background

Timber frame walls are traditionally made using a plurality of spaced vertical stud timbers fastened together at opposing ends and at spaced intervals along their lengths. For example a timber frame wall can be built in situ by fastening a first timber called a sole plate along the floor, a second timber called a head plate along the ceiling, and then fixing stud timbers to both the sole plate and the head plate at spaced intervals. Such a wall is strengthened by fastening horizontal noggin timbers between the stud timbers at intervals and is usually finished by fastening plaster board sections between the studs on both sides of the wall. Insulation and sound proofing materials can be packed between the vertical timbers.

Such a partition wall can also be preconstructed in panels and subsequently fixed in place.

There is an increasing need for more insulation to be incorporated into walls to reduce CO2 emissions and meet ever more stringent building regulations. Thicker insulation requires the walls to be deeper. However deeper walls of conventional construction require thicker stud timbers which increases the cost considerably. In addition thicker timbers are heavier and thus more difficult and expensive to transport and handle and walls made of thicker timbers require stronger support.

To overcome this problem it is known to form each vertical stud from two spaced apart timbers which may be connected together. However known such arrangements tend to lack versatility and strength.

Braces are known in the building industry for strengthening timber frames and one example is given in US 3,591,997 in which a sheet metal channel member is arranged to form a diagonal brace connecting several upright members of a frame.

Metal web members for pre-manufactured wooden trusses are also known of V. U, W or S shapes. They are shown for example in US 5,996,303 and are used for horizontal roof trusses and floor joists.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a stud for use in timber frame walls comprising two parallel elongate timber posts joined together by at least two struts, each strut having three conjoined sections comprising a first short section, a second longer section connected at an obtuse angle to the first section and a third short section connected to the second section at an obtuse angle and being generally parallel to the first section, with the first and third sections of each strut fixed to and parallel with the respective timber post so that the second sections form a bridge between the timber posts, and wherein the two struts are on opposing elongate faces of the timber posts. They may be arranged in opposite orientations, such that the second sections of each strut form a cross separated by the depth of the timber posts.

Alternatively the struts may be staggered along the length of the posts, or offset one from the other.

The struts may be formed with protrusions in a region of each of the first and third sections which protrusions can be pushed into a timber surface to positively engage and grip the side of the timber post. Such protrusions preferably take the form of integral punched metal fasteners, i.e. nailbeds. Alternatively they could be provided with holes to accommodate nails or screws or rivets for fastening to the timber surfaces.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a stud for a timber wall, the method comprising fastening together two generally parallel elongate timber posts with two metal struts, each strut having three conjoined sections comprising a first short section, a second longer section connected at an obtuse angle to the first section and a third short section connected to the second section at an obtuse angle and being generally parallel to the first section, by pressing the first section of a first strut into one side of one of the timber posts, pressing the third section of the first strut into one side of the second timber post, pressing the first section of a second strut into the opposite side of the first timber post, and pressing the third section of the second strut into the opposite side of the second timber post, in such a manner that the respective second sections of the struts form a cross separated by the depth of the timber posts.

In a preferred embodiment each wall stud comprises a plurality of crossed struts at spaced intervals along its length.

A wall stud constructed in this manner can be used instead of a traditional timber wall stud or can be pre-assembled into a wall section or complete wall by joining together several such studs.

Preferably the struts are made of metal, advantageously of steel, and are preferably stamped out of metal sheets.

They may be formed by stamping V shaped forms and then breaking the V shape in half at the root of the V to make two symmetrical half struts. The steel plate used can be of relatively thin gauge because the arrangement of the crossed struts form very strong structures. The steel plate may be stamped to form struts of uniform width along their length and then peripheral portions along the edges of the second section may be folded over, e.g. at right angles to the plate, so as to add lateral strength to the strut.

Such struts make assembly of wall studs relatively easy and quick and provide increased strength to the studs.

They are versatile since they can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be manufactured to close tolerances. Thus any thickness of walls can be constructed to suit particular applications. Such struts have a cavity running along their length to accommodate insulation and building services such as electric wires or pipes without affecting the integrity of the structure.

The thicker the wall the more insulation can be installed, increasing the thermal resistance of the wall and decreasing the U value to meet modern building standards.

Using the invention allows the wall thickness to be increased without using thicker timbers with consequent savings in cost and weight.

In addition a wall made in accordance with the invention has a cavity running along the whole height and length, rather than just between stud timbers and hence insulation is easier to instal. Also building services such as wires and pipes are easier to fit.

Use of the struts of the invention increases the bending stiffness in the plane of the stud without increasing the volume of the timber. It will be evident to a skilled man that economy of timber usage is one significant advantage of the invention.

Using crossed struts on opposite sides of the stud increases the rigidity of the stud since stiff points on the timber are provided at each position where a strut is fastened to the timber. It also gives equal bending resistance to both timbers and reduces the risk of thermal bridging.

If studs are required for eccentrically loaded locations it is relatively easy to increase the member size of one of the stud sections whilst maintaining the same strut size.

Specific embodiments For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a strut according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the strut of figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a wall stud constructed using a plurality of the struts of figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the wall stud of figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wall section constructed using a plurality of wall studs of figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the wall section of figure 5 boarded on one side.

Detailed description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a strut 1 with three sections 2, 3 and 4. End sections 2 and 4 are parallel to each other and make an obtuse angle with the middle section 3. On each of the end sections there is a nail plate or a set of protrusions 5, 6 standing out from the surface of the strut 1 for engagement with a timber post. Preferably the protrusions are each tapered to a relatively sharp point to make it easier to insert them into an undrilled post, for example by means of pressing the end sections against the post. Such pressing can be done manually using a hammer or industrially using an industrial press to apply an appropriate pressure.

The strut is preferably formed of metal which may be pressed or cast, and is advantageously formed of steel. It may be pressed as a V shape and then split or cut at the base of the V to form two separate struts. The struts may be pressed with uniform width along their length and then the edges folded over along peripheral parts of the sides of the middle section to increase the lateral strength and rigidity of the strut.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the end sections 2 and 4 are provided with holes 7 and 8 by which the strut may be fixed to posts using nails, screws or rivets.

Figure 3 illustrates a wall stud 12 comprising two generally parallel posts 9 and 10, fastened together with three pairs of struts la and lb. Three of the struts la are on the near sides of the posts 9 and 10 and three of the struts lb are on the far sides of the posts 9 and 10 as viewed in the figure. It can clearly be seen that each pair of struts form a cross shape, although the diagonals of the crosses are separated by the depth of the posts. Such a wall stud 12 may be constructed to be any size but typically would be around 2.35 metres long with a depth of 0.200 metres. The crossed pairs of struts la and lb may be fastened to the posts at any position but in one example they are separated by a distance of about 0.6 metres and each extend a total of 0.3 metres in the direction of the stud. The struts may be staggered, offset from each other, or crossed.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the stud 12 comprising wooden posts 9 and 10 fastened together with three pairs of metal studs la and lb positioned on opposite faces of the posts.

In Figure 5, five such studs 12 are attached together at their ends with planks 13 and 14 to form a skeleton wall structure 15.

In Figure 6 one side of the skeleton wall structure 15 is boarded to form a wall. The boarding may be a single section as shown in the figure or may be formed of several parts to cover the whole area.

Of course many variations and modifications may be envisaged by the man skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stud for use in timber frame walls comprising two parallel elongate timber posts joined together by at least a pair of struts, each strut having three conjoined sections comprising a first short section, a second longer section connected at an obtuse angle to the first section and a third short section connected to the second section at an obtuse angle and being generally parallel to the first section, with the first and third sections of each strut fixed to and parallel with the respective timber post so that the second sections form a bridge between the timber posts, and wherein the two struts are on opposing elongate faces of the timber posts.
2. A stud according to claim 1 wherein each one of the pair is arranged in opposite orientations, such that the second sections of each strut form a cross separated by the depth of the timber posts.
3. A stud according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the struts are formed with protrusions in a region of each of the first and third sections which protrusions are adapted to be pushed into a timber surface to positively engage and grip the side of the timber post.
4. A stud according to claim 3 wherein the protrusions take the form of integral punched metal fasteners.
5. A stud according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the struts are provided with holes to accommodate nails or screws or rivets for fastening to the timber surfaces.
6. A stud according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the struts are formed of metal.
7. A stud according to claim 6 formed of thin gauge metal.
8. A stud according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the struts are formed of steel.
9. A stud according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the struts are formed by stamping.
10. A stud according to claim 9 formed by stamping V shaped forms and then breaking the V shape in half at the root of the V to make two symmetrical half struts.
11. A stud according to any one of claims 9 or 10 wherein the struts are formed by stamping to form struts of uniform width along their length and then peripheral portions along the edges of the second section are folded over, generally at right angles to the plate.
12. A method of making a stud for a timber wall, the method comprising fastening together two generally parallel elongate timber posts with two metal struts, each strut having three conjoined sections comprising a first short section, a second longer section connected at an obtuse angle to the first section and a third short section connected to the second section at an obtuse angle and being generally parallel to the first section, by pressing the first section of a first strut into one side of one of the timber posts, pressing the third section of the first strut into one side of the second timber post, pressing the first section of a second strut into the opposite side of the first timber post, and pressing the third section of the -10 -second strut into the opposite side of the second timber post.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the respective second sections of the struts form a cross separated by the depth of the timber posts.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the wall stud comprises a plurality of crossed struts at spaced intervals along its length.
15. A wall stud formed by the method of any one of claims 12, 13 or 14.
16. A wall section formed by joining together a plurality of studs according to any of claim 1 to 11 or made according to the method of any one of claims 12 to 14.