WO2021003431A1

WO2021003431A1 - Notch connectors

Info

Publication number: WO2021003431A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/040753
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis Leblang
Original assignee: Dennis Leblang
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-02
Publication date: 2021-01-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a building construction using bulge notch connectors located within a wall cavity at the top and bottom end of metal framing members as well as through the holes in the metal forming members. The spacing-bracing members connecting the metal framing members have bulges, bulge notches, lips and lip notches in the spacing-bracing members and the holes securing the spacing bracing members have notches to secure framing members together. The holes can have holes notches or hole bulges to connect the bulges and bulge notches to connect metal framing components together. The longitudinal ends of the spacing-bracing members can have hook tongues with adjoining members having receiver holes for the tongue portion to fit into.

Description

NOTCH CONNECTORS

[0001 ] This application is a a continuous-in-part pending application of

PCT/US20/38863 filed June 21 , 2020 and US 16/503,324 filed July 3, 2019 by the Applicant, including all drawings and all the specifications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this US Patent Application.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable

PARTIES OR JOINT RESEARCH

[0003] Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention describes notch connectors that incorporates bulges, bulge notches or lip notches to connect metal framing members to spacing-bracing members and uses the web at the of the spacing bracing member as an extension to form the hook tongue and the receiver holes to connect the ends of adjacent spacing-bracing members. The spacing-bracing member will have bulges with bulge notches and spacing-bracing members with lips will have bulges with bulge notches. The spacing-bracing members can be smaller in width to fit into the aperture of the metal framing members and where the aperture has notches. Several solutions are shown where bulges with notches allow the metal framing member to have vertical movement for dead load and live load movement so the metal framing supports can move within the bulge notch or within the lip notches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Spacing-bracing members have been typically connected to metal framing members by using fasteners. Over the years the properties of the metal for structural framing members have changed where the exterior surface of the metal is more abrasive allowing the connection between the horizontal bracing members and the vertical structural framing members to fit temporarily together. Other solutions have been disclosed but none show bulges or bulges with notches or lip notches also having bulges have never been disclosed. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0006] Bulges can sometimes be referred to as rib or ridges used to strength metal framing members. Projections can also be consider bugles again used as reliefs within a framing member to add strength. Bulges have not been used to support or guide metal framing members in spacing-bracing members. Typically metal framing member and horizontal bracing members have used fasteners to connect the framing members together. The use of hole notches to spacing-bracing members notches at the bulges and lips are unique and have not found any prior art that compares to this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to having spacing-bracing members connect to other adjacent spacing-bracing members having the same or similar profile. The connecting spacing-bracing members can be located at the top or bottom ends of the metal framing members that form the metal framed construction wall and where the spacing-bracing members extend over the flanges of the metal framing members. The spacing-bracing members have a web with flanges and the flanges can have continuous curvilinear bulges. The bulges extend inward toward the opposing flanges with the bulges having flange-bulge notches that engage the metal framing members. The bulges can have angular side or have a curvilinear configuration. Other types of bulge notches are flanges that are bent on either side of the metal framing members. Another solution is the flanges of the spacing-bracing members are bent inward.

[0008] Another solution is the spacing-bracing member where lips extend inward from the flanges toward the opposing flange with the lips having lip notches where the flanges of the metal framing support members to fit into.. When the spacing bracing members are short where one or no metal framing members are installed in the short spacing-bracing member and the hook tongues with the tongue being installed in the receiver hole allowing the short wall segment to curve forming a curvilinear wall. [0009] The metal framing building components between metal framing members are typically shown as a U shaped channel having a web, flanges. When lips and/or double lip edges are added the connector is then referred to as a reverse lip spacer brace. The spacer braces can have bent flanges, W shape flanges, web notches, web-flange notches, two half notches or ½ notches, web-flange notches, lip notches, upward oriented flanges or downward oriented flanges, overlapping the webs, flanges or lips, flanges having sloped flanges, hook tongues connected to hook receivers or receiver holes, flanges being slightly canted where the entire connector is installed in a notch or only an element of the connectors is in the notch. No matter what the shape of the connector, when the hook tongue with receiver slot hole is not used a smaller connector can fit into a larger connector where the connector notches secure the metal framing members. The connector also uses hook tongues and receiver slot holes. to secure adjacent spacing-bracing connectors and where the connectors also use hole notches, hole protrusions, at the metal framing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows the space brace being connected to an adjacent spacer brace having one end engaged at the hole with a hook tongue having a notched-tab extend into the slot hole receiver. A round receiver hole shows the opposing end having angular extension allowing the spacer brace to be angled horizontally for an undulating framing wall.

[0011 ] FIG. 2 the spacer brace is shown as a reverse lip spacer brace having a web, two longitudinal walls with extending longitudinal lips with notches extending inward from the free edge with the lips facing upward and the web extension being a hook tongue with the notched-tab facing upward with both webs having an extension having tapered sides for the notched-tab to fit into the receiver hole forming the vertical wall can have an undulating wall configuration.

[0012] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG’s 1 & 2 showing a U shaped spacer brace where the flanges extend on the outside edges of the vertical flanges of the support member, but the extensions of the longitudinal spacer braces are shorter so the notched-tabs with the receiver holes are between the vertical support members allowing the undulating wall to pivot in the receiver holes having the notched-tabs be the pivots. In FIG’s 1 & 2 the notched-tabs extending through the receiver holes, however the width of the spacer brace in FIG. 3 shows is wider than the width of the support members and the extensions at the receiver hole and the hook tongue are tapered so the notched-tabs can pivot for a curved wall.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows three different flange and lip configurations as shown in FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the flange lip configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the bulge notch where the bulge notch is in the flange of the spacing-bracing member.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows the bulge notch in the flange along with the lip notch in the lip of the spacing-bracing member.

[0017] FIG. 8 shows the bulge of the spacer brace insert into the hole notch at the lower corners of the hole in the support member.

[0018] FIG. 9 shows the bulge having a bulge notch where the side edge hole fits into and the lip of the space brace fits into the hole notch of the web in the support member.

[0019] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of FIG. 9 where the bulge notch fit into the side edge of the hole and the lip from the spacer brace fits into the hole notch of the web in the support member.

[0020] FIG. 11 shows an isometric of the U shaped spacer brace at the ceiling using the flange bulge notch as the sliding connecting and the reverse lip spacer brace at the floor using the lip notch and the web notch to form a self-locking fixed

connection.

[0021 ] FIG. 12 shows a wall section at the ceiling with a U shaped spacer brace where the flange bulge has a flange bulge notch for the support channel to slide through. [0022] FIG. 13 shows a wall section at the floor with a U shaped Spacer Brace where the flange bulge has a flange bulge notch for the support channel to slide through.

[0023] FIG’s 14-16 shows how the hole side edges or protrusions can extend into the hole side edges to form other spacer brace configurations. The figures show how the bulges between the web and the flanges can create an indentation to secure the spacer brace into the hole side edges or how the bulges can have an indentation or notch to slide within the hole side edges and how the flanges can be bent and the lip also bent to create a different configuration of the spacer brace.

[0024] FIG’s 17-24 shows various spacer brace bulge notches and flange bulges when intersecting the support member.

[0025] FIG’s 25 & 26 shows different views of the notched-tab at the ends of the spacer brace most clearly shown in FIG. 25 having the web extend through the holes of the support member with notches extend around both side planes of the hole with the head of the notched-tab extending through to the opposite side of the hole opening. When the head of each notched-tab extends through the hole in opposite directions, the notched-tabs are basically level between each other and secured together by the notches in the notched-tab. On the other hand FIG. 25 shows an elevation of the hole in the support member with some of the various hole edge configurations that the notches could show. The inside edges of the hole can vary in shape and location depending on the shape of the spacer brace and where the hole notches in the protrusion are located. The protrusions and notches accomplish the same function as they both keep the spacer brace lodged in the hole notches or the side or bottom edges of the hole.

[0026] FIG. 27 shows a wall support member having a spacer brace passing through the hole and another spacer brace at the floor, however another reverse lip spacer brace is between the flanges that can slide between the flanges and where the lips can be connected to a diagonal spacer brace forming a tight fit. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows two U shaped spacer braces 302 having a web 302a with two flanges 302b extending downward from the longitudinal sides of the web 302a. The left U shaped spacer brace 302 shows a notched-tab 126nt extending downward from the web extension 302we. The opposing end of the web 302a shows a receiver slot hole 129sh located near the hole bottom edge 36be. The web 302a is indented 302i at the hole 36 with the indentation 302i extending into the flanges 302b. The flanges 302b and the web 302a rest against the plane of the web 42a of the support member on one side and the web 302a, and the web 302a forms a hook finger 127 that extends over the hole bottom edge which is the anchor space 355 for the inside plane of the hook finger 127 to rest against from the opposing side of the web 42a from the support member.. The right spacer brace 302 has a hook tongue 128 with a notched-tab 126nt extending downward, however the extension 302we has tapered side edges. The tapered side edges are angled so the notched-tab 126nt can fit into the round-hole receiver 129rh as shown in the web 302a on the opposite end of the right U shaped spacer brace 302. The round- hole receiver 129rh has ridges 320 at the side edges of the round-hole receiver 129rh. The ridges 320 are spaced at intervals to allow the notched-tab 126nt to fit between the ridges 320 to stop the notched-tabs from rotating. The right U shaped spacer brace 301 has the tapered side edges to rotate when the notched-tab 126nt is inserted into the round- hole receiver 129rh. Once the notched-tab 126nt is located at the proper angle between adjacent U shaped spacer braces 302 the head 126nth can be bent having the head 126nth being secured in the round-hole receiver 129rh.

The web extension can be short or long and the receiver hole can be a receiver slot hole 129sh or a round-hole receiver129rh so the notched-tab 126nt can be swiveled to be oriented at an angle. Additional round-hole receivers129rh can be added to the web 302a so additional hook tongues 128 having notched-tabs 126nt (not shown) could be inserted from a crossing spacer brace from a perpendicular wall having support members. Any shape spacer brace could be used to form the pivotal configuration as explained above. For example (but not shown) a C shaped spacer brace 303 could be used and a notched-tab 126nt could be installed in the support member or the floor spacer brace could just have a groove at the flanges for the web 42a of a support member to fit into. The receiver slot hole 129sh with the notched-tab 126nt can be used as an end connections between abutting lengthy spacer braces between support members not just short segmented section to form curvilinear walls. When the U shaped spacer braces 302 are wider than the hole 36, the plane on both side of the hole 36 can be inserted into the flange-web notch 126fw in the flange 302b and web 302a of the spacer brace 302. If the spacer brace was a reverse lip spacer brace 301 the lip notches 126p would also give additional support at the hole 36 intersection. Another alternative solution in FIG. 1 shows the flanges 302b and the web 302a (referred to also as a web-flange notch 126fw that shows the hook figure 127 where the web 302a has an extension 301 e that extended over the hole bottom edge 36be and the hook finger 127 extension downward. The hole bottom edge 36be and the hole side edge 36se form a hole notch 126h at the corners of the hole 36. When the web 302a of the U shaped spacer braces 302 extends into the hole notch 126h, the U shaped spacer brace 302 will not move up and down within the hole notch 126h.

[0028] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG.1 except the spacer brace is shown as a reverse lip spacer brace 301 where the underside of the web 301 a is against a floor and the flanges 301 b extend upward with lips 301 c extending outward. The lips 301 c are shown having lip notches 126p shown previously being installed in the web notches 126w of the support member. The reverse lip spacer braces 301 are shown having an extension 301 e at both ends of the web 301 a with the left end having a notched- tab 126nt extending upward with the opposite end having a round-hole receiver 129rh located near the extension 301 e. Both extensions 301 e are tapered so when the notched-tab 126nt is inserted into the round-hole receiver 129rh, the notched-tab 126nt is allowed to swivel within the round-hole receiver 129rh. The head 126nth can be bent once the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is oriented to the desired angle to then be secured to the floor for installation of the support members that fit into the lip notches 126p and into the web notches 126w in the L-shaped gap 45e. When completed drywall or other types of wall board can be mounted to the support members to form a curved wall.

[0029] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 except a U shaped spacer brace 302 has a wider web 302a than the web 301 a of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 in FIG. 2. The middle U shaped spacer braces 302 shows the base of a support member between the flanges 302b bearing on the web 302a of the U shaped spacer brace 302a. The U shaped spacer brace 302 can be manufactured in short segments or longer lengths where additional support members can be installed to the U shaped spacer brace 302 by fastening screws (not shown) from the support member flanges 42b into the flanges 302b of the U shaped spacer brace as standard metal framing are presently connected. The longitudinal ends of the U shaped spacer brace 302 are shown having web extension 302we extend from the webs 302a to notched-tabs 126nt extending upward from the hook tongue at one end and a receiver hole 129h installed in the web extension 302we at the opposing end. The web extensions 302we can have receiver holes 129h or notched-tab 126nt at both ends depending on the configuration of the wall framing. In addition, the flanges 302b can be formed as tabs 302bt that can be bent inward to secure the lip 42c and web 42a between the bent tabs or have a flange-bulge notches 126fg in the flanges 302b to a corresponding bulges in the flanges 42b of the spacer brace 302. The three short U shaped spacer braces 302 can be used to form serpentine curvilinear walls or just connecting different wall framing segments together.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a construction framing system using three different spacing bracing members connected to metal framing members at the top and bottom of the metal framed construction wall. The spacing-bracing member at the left end shows a U shaped spacer brace 301 having bulges 302b connecting the metal framing members. The adjoining spacing-bracing members have extension 302e with a hook tongue 128 with the tongue 128t extends into a receiver slot hole 129sh. The middle spacing-bracing member is again a U shape spacer brace 302 where the flanges have bent flanges to engage the metal framing member. The right spacing bracing member is a reverse lip spacer brace 301 where the flanges 301 b has lips 301 c with lip notches 126p to secure the metal framing members.

[0031 ] FIG. 5 shows an enlarge of FIG. 4 with a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301 a with flanges 301 b extending from the longitudinal edges of the web 301 a with lips 301 c extending inward toward the opposing flange with lip notches 126p. The lip notches 126p engage the metal framing member having a web 42a with flanges 42b extending from the longitudinal web 42a and lips 42c extending from the flanges 42b. The side edges of the lip notches 126p engage the web 42a and lips 42c of the metal framing member with the back edge of the lip notch 126p engages the flanges 42b of the metal framing member shown as a C channel 42. The spacing-bracing member is shown having a short length, however additional metal framing members can be attached when additional lip notches 126p are installed.

The spacing-bracing member has a web extension 301 e with a hook tongue 128 at the longitudinal ends. The hook tongue 128 has tongue 128t end with a notch tab end 126nt with tapered side edges. A notch 128ntn is shown between the notches tab 126nt and the extension 301 e so the notch 128ntn can engage a receiver slot hole 129sh in the web 301 a of an adjoining spacing-bracing member.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a U shaped spacer brace 302 having a web 302a with extending flanges 302b and where the flanges 302b have bulges 302g. The upper and lower U shaped spacer braces 302 have bulge notches 302bg extending inward toward the opposing flange 302b. The flange-bulge notches 126gf has the bulge 302bg removed at the flange-bulge notch 126gf so the side edges of the bulge 302bg will support the lip 42c and web 42a of the metal framing member extending between the upper and lower U shaped spacer braces 302. The flanges 42b of the metal framing members abut the flanges 302b of the spacing-bracing member at the flanges 302b securing the metal framing members between the two flanges 302b and the side edge of the bulges 302bg at the bugle notch 126gf.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a combination of FIG. 5 & FIG. 6 where an upper and a lower spacing-bracing members connect the metal framing member between them at the upper and lower ends of the U shaped spacer braces 301 . A U shaped spacer brace 302 does not have lips 301 c that are shown when the spacing-bracing member is a reverse lip spacer brace 301 . Both members have web 302a & 301 a and both have flanges 302b & 301 b, however when lip 301 c are added the member is referred to as a reverse lip spacer brace 301. The upper spacing-bracing member is shown as a U shaped spacer brace 302 having a web 302a with flanges 302b having bulges 302bg in the flanges 302b where the bulges 302bg have flange bulge notches 126gf. This is the only FIG. showing the lips as lips 302c that represents any U shaped spacer brace 302 can be converted to a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having the lip as lip 301 c and having lip notches 126p. The upper reverse lip spacer brace 302 is shown as having a flange bugle notch 126bf. On the other hand the lower reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown at the left flange 301 b while the right flange is shown a U shaped spacer brace 302 having only the flange 302b. Both the left and right flanges show bulges 302bg or 301 bg as irregular shaped bulges having angled sides with the angles side 302ba and angled side 302bb are angled forming a bulge 302bg or 301 bg extending toward the opposing flanges and both flanges having flange bulge notches 126bf where the angled sides 302ba & 302bb form the bulge notch 126bf. The side edges of the angled sides 302ba & 302bb secure the metal framing member at the lips 42c and web 42a of the metal framing members with the flanges 42b braced the flanges 301 b & 301 b The lip 301 c has the lip notch 126p .

[0034] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 except the space brace is a reverse lip spacer 301 as they both have a half-circle shape at the bulge 301 g. The bulge 301 g is shown as a half-circle being vertically oriented having a bulge notch 126bg on the exterior side of the bulge notch 126bg for the hole side edges 36se to fit into. The flanges 301 b extend from the bulge notch 126bg to the lips 301 c that extend externally at an angle. The hole lip notches 126hp are vertically oriented and inset into the hole side edges 36se for the longitudinal edges of the lips 301 c to be inserted into. The reverse lip spacer brace 301 is inserted into the hole 36 at a slight angle allowing the flanges 301 b to bend where the bulge notches 126bg slide into the hole side edges 36se and the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is continually pressed downward until the lips 301 c engage the both hole side edges 36se.

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a reverse lip spacer brace 301 having a web 301 a with bulges 301 g at each intersection of the flanges 301 b with the left side having a horizontal oriented lip 301 c and the right side having an angular oriented lip 301 c. The left hole side edge 36se at the bottom corner has a web-bulge notch 126wg as shown in FIG. 8 for the bulge 301 g to fit into and the left lip 301 c has a lip notch 126p for the hole side edge 36se to fit into. The right side would typically have the same above described combination of self-locking connections on the opposing side of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 . Another combination of self-locking connection is shown on the right side which is the same combination as shown in FIG. 10.

[0036] FIG. 1 1 shows a U shaped spacer brace 302 with the exterior side of the web 302a mounted against the ceiling with its flanges 302b extending downward. A rounded shape bulge 302g is shown extending outward from the flange 302b and in the middle of the longitudinal oriented bulge 302g shows a bulge notch 126bg that is in alignment with the web 42a of the support member. The bottom reverse lip spacer brace 301 has the exterior side of its web 301a fastened (not shown) to the floor with its flanges 301 b extending upward and its lips 301 c extending outward. A bulge 301 g is shown extending outward from the web 301a protruding outward from the flange 301 b so a bulge notch 126g can be located in the bulge 301 g aligned with the web 42a of the support member. Again the top and bottom spacer braces are mounted at floor and ceiling and the support member has its web 42a with its sliding gaps 45s inserted into the flanges 302b & 301 b. The bottom end of the support member also has a slide gap 45s, but is shown with a slide notch 126s at the end and aligned so the slide notch 126s is on the flange sides of the slide gap 45s. After the web 42a is inserted in the flanges 301 b at the slide gap 45s of the L-shaped gap 45e, then the lip 301 c is inserted into the slide gap 45s and adjusted to fit into the two slide notches 126s in both slide gaps 45s and the support member is then slid horizontally so the web 42a can fit into the bulge notches126bg. One end of the web 302a is bent to form a hook finger 127 at one end of the reverse lip spacer brace 301. At the top of the support member additional vertically oriented web slot holes 36ws are shown and are aligned with the slide gaps 45s above. Should a support member need to be cut shorter, the web slot holes 36ws would then be used as the slide gaps 45s. The left key tab 36k shows a notched-tab notch 126ntn at side edge of the key hole 36k A key tab 36k is part of the web 42a along with the shape of the hole 36, while the notched-tab 126nt at the hole side edge 36se is the key tab 36k separated from the web 42a. The key tab 36k and the notched-tab 126nt at the corner of the hole 36 are similar as the key tab 36k is bent at a diagonal while the notched-tab 126nt is bent horizontally. Also the key is smaller than the hole 36 and acts as a protrusion 36p that support the lip 301 c with the lip notch 126p.

[0037] FIG 12 shows a wall section through a longitudinal U shaped spacer brace 302 where the web 302a has the exterior side mounted against the ceiling with fasteners (not shown) and two flanges extending downward where the right flange 302b shows a bulge notch 126bg projecting from the exterior sides of the flanges 302b. As further explained bugles 302b with bulge notches 126bg are required on both flanges 302b for the U shaped spacer brace 302 to slide vertically in the slide gaps 45s. The bulge 302g have vertical oriented bulge notches 126g located at the slide gaps 45s so the sides of the vertically oriented bulge notches 126bg engage both planes of the web 42a of the support member. The bulges 302g can be located on the interior or exterior side of the U shaped spacer brace 302. The bulge notches 126bg are notched typically 16” or 24” on center and can have a flared edge to make it easier to insert into the slide gap 45s which is also shown to have a flared edge at the end of the support member. When bending occurs from a ceiling or floor member above, the slide gaps 45s located in the web 42a of the support members, allows the U shaped spacer brace 302 to move vertically by allowing the support member to slide vertically inward within the slide gaps 45s. On the left side the bulge 302g is shown extending inward on the ventral side of the U shaped spacer brace 302. In this case the left bulge 302g does not have a bulge notch 126bg in the bulge 302g, but a slide bulge notch 126sg is shown on the interior side of the slid gap 45s so the bulge 302g can be inserted into the slide notch 126s. By having the right slide gap 45s have a bulge notch 126bg and the left slide gap 45s having a slide notch 126s, the two different types of notches interlock the support member and the U shape spacer brace 302 together.

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a C shaped spacer brace 303 has the web 303a with its exterior side mounted at the floor by fasteners (not shown). The flanges 303b extend upward with the lips 303c extending interior from the flanges 303b. The flanges 303b also have the bulge 303g protruding on the external sides from the flanges 303b and have a bulge notch 126bg occurring typically 16” or 24” on center. The support member has the slide gap 45s at the bottom of the web 42a along with a slide notch 126s for the lip 303c to be inserted into. When the web 42a is inserted into the slide gap 45s the lip 303c along with the flange 303b will bend then the bulge notch 126g will engage the side planes of the web 42a at the slide gap 45s until the lips 303c are inserted into the slide notches 126s in the web 42a of the support member.

[0039] FIG’s 14 & 15 show two hole elevations and FIG. 16 shows an isometric view similar to the reverse lip spacer brace 301 shown in FIG. 25. An irregular shaped reverse lip spacer brace 301 in FIG. 16 shows the plane of the web 301 a resting on the hole bottom edge 36be with the side planes 301 ba & 301 bb extending upward at angles sloping inward at an acute angle forming a bulge 301 g at their intersection. The bulge 301 g can be formed to have a bulge notch 126g where the web 301 a and a portion of the flange 301 b have a combined notch referred to as a bulge notch 126g or the bulge 301 g has no notch at all. The longitudinal edge of the flanges 301 b have lips 301 c that bend outward toward the hole side edge 36se as shown in FIG. 14. The free edge of the lip 301 c abuts a hole protrusion 36p as shown on the left hole side edge 36se or indented shown as a lip hole notch 126hp. The structural integrity of the hole 36 should be at the furthest indentation at the lip hole notch 126hp. The left side of the hole side edge 36se in FIG. 15 shows an inverted reverse lip spacer brace 301 as shown on the right hole side edge 36se also described in FIG. 25. By having the left side inverted, the web 301 a has the longitudinal sides 302ba &302bb extending downward with the flanges 320ba& 302bb conforming to the hole side edges 36se with the bulge 301 g located at the corner of the flange 302ba and the web 302a with the bulge 302g tucked under the hole protrusion 36p. The left side shows a lip notch 126p at the hole bottom edge 36be at the end of the flange 302bb. The right side shows the U shaped spacer brace 302 having the same web 302a & flange 302ba having the bulge 302g, however the hole side edge 36se has a hole notch 126h shown as a bulge notch 126bg where the bugle 302g fits into the bugle notch 126bg. On the other hand in FIG. 16 on the right side shows the flange 301 bb being extended and slightly bent forming a lip extension 301 ce with a lip notch 126p. In the isometric view FIG. 16 shows an extended lip 301 ce that is also angled. The extended lip 301 ce has the lip notch 126p extending inward from the free edge of the extended lip 301 ce. FIG. 16 could also be a U-shaped spacer brace 302 having flange notches 126f extend into the hole protrusion 36p or on the hole bottom edge 36be, because the hole protrusion 36p gives the U-shaped spacer brace 302 an entirely new invention as the hole protrusion 36p keep the U-shaped spacer brace 302 from moving vertically within the hole 36

[0040] FIG’s 17-24 shows the cross section of various configurations of bulges that can be used to form the bulge notches 126bg located in the bulges 302g or slide notches 126s located in slide gaps 45s or holes notches 126h located in the holes of the support members. Only one flange is shown in the enlargements, however typically the bulges 302g are located on both flanges of the spacer brace. The bulges 302g can be located anywhere along the plane of the flanges and are located in a slide gap 45s of a web 42a of a support member. A U shaped spacer brace 302 is used where the bulge 302g extends wider than the slide gap 45s so a bulge notch 126bg can be formed on the exterior side of the bulge notch 126bg so both sides of the bulge slide notch 126sg engage both sides of the slide gap 45s. The bulges 302g can be located on either side of the slide gap 45s. FIG. 17 shows a pointed shape bulge 126g having a vertex where the two planes intersect with a bulge slide notch 126sg located where the web 42a of the slide gap 45s intersect the bulge slide notch 126sg and in FIG. 18 the pointed shaped bulge 126g does not have a bulge slide notch 126sg, but instead has a slide notch 126s so the bulge 302g can fit into and will be lodge into the slide notch 126s and will not move vertically within the slide notch 126s. FIG’s 19 & 20 are similar however the bulge 302g is like a half-circle shaped bulge and in FIG. 19 the bulge 302g has a bulge notch 126bg and in FIG. 15 the bulge 302g is continuous and the slide gap 45s has a slide notch 126s to fit into. FIG.21 & 22 are similar to FIG. 19 that is the bulge 302g is a combination of two bulges 302g where one-half of the bulge 302g extends over the internal side of the slide gap 45s and the other half of the bulge 302g extends over the exterior side and both halves have the bulge notch 126bg that extends over the side plane of the slide gaps 45s. FIG. 22 is similar to FIG.21 having two half bulges 302g each extending over the exterior and interior sides of the slide gap 45s, however both bulges 302g extend into the slide notches 126s of the slide gap 45s. FIG. 23 is similar to FIG’s 21 & 22 as the bulge 302g consist of two half bulges where one half bulge has bulge notch 126bg and the other half bulge has a slide notch 126s. FIG. 24 has the slide gap 45s is horizontal rather than vertical and the half bulges are the same as in FIG.23.

[0041 ] FIG. 25 386 shows the hole 36 with many different hole notches 126h and various configurations so the edges of a horizontal spacing-bracing channel can intersected any of the hole edges to secure the horizontal spacing-bracing member from moving vertically or horizontally within the hole 36 opening. The hole bottom edge 36be shows a notched-tab126nt extending upward into the hole 36 from the web 42a of the support member. The outside plane of the web 302a of the reverse lip spacer brace 302 has a notched-tab indentation126nti corresponding to a shadow profile of the notched-tab 126nt at the hole bottom edge 36be so the two metal crossing members interlock together. The size of the hole 36 in support members have standard hole dimensions, because the structural strength of the support member is based on a specific size of a hole. The hole variations are based on reducing the interior hole dimensions by adding protrusions, not by removing portions of the web 42a to form the hole 36 configurations. In other FIG’s the reverse lip spacer brace 301 is shown in reverse with the lips 301 c adjacent to the hole bottom edge 36be. When this occurs the web 301 a is installed below the hole protrusions 36p located at the hole side edges 36se securing the reverse lip spacer brace 301 within the hole 36 vertically and the lip notches 301 c extending around the hole side edges 36se or hole bottom edge 36be secure the reverse lip spacer brace 301 from horizontal movement. The installation of the reverse lip spacer brace 301 under the hole protrusions 36p and along with the lip 301 c or the lip notches 126p requires the bracing channel to be rotated between the hole edges allowing the reverse lip spacer brace to obtain better angled leverage for easier installation as well as give flexibility to the metal properties of the reverse lip spacer brace 301.

The same configurations of the various notches and horizontal spacing-bracing members can be applied to other connection criteria used to hole the two crossing framing members together. So by making the hole smaller by adding hole

protrusions 36p, the hole is now smaller, but large enough to install hole notches 36n in the hole protrusions 36p without have to retest the structural capacity of the support member. Some hole protrusions 36p use one side of the hole protrusion 36p as a hole notch 126h and the existing hole side edge 36se as another surface to form a hole notch 126h.

[0042] FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the exterior side of the support member shown as a C channel 42 with a large shaped hole 36 and a key hole 36k below with key hole tabs 36kt on both sides of the key 36k. A U shaped spacer brace 302 with the exterior side of the web 302a facing upward and the extension 302e extending through the key hole 36k with the extension 302e and the flanges 302b abut the interior side on the web 42a. The extension 302e has receiver notches 126r on both side edges for the key tabs 36kt to fit into. The first leg 129a of the hook receiver 129 and the extension 302e abuts the interior side of the web 42a and the first leg 129a is bent inward downward against the exterior side plane of the web 42a. The second leg 129b extends away from the web 42a and is then bent vertically leaving a gap 45 between the first leg 129a and the third leg 129c. The second leg 129b has receiver notches 126r on both side edges. The key hole tabs 36kt form a triangular shape because the key tabs 36k are bent at an angle shown as a dashed line at the corner edges of the hole 36 and the edge of the key tabs 36kt where the extension 302e intersects the key tabs 36kt. At the hole top edge 36te two tongue tabs 128tt are shown extending downward from the hook tongue 128 with the right tongue tab 128tt bent.

[0043] FIG. 27 shows a metal framing members connected at the top end and bottom end with two different configured spacing-bracing members. The bottom end shows a ledge 79 protruding from the interior side of the web 42a and where the ledge 79 engages a punch out 326. The punch out 326 with a wrap-around tab 326tw that has a pivot end 326pe and a vented end 326ve with the wrap-around tab 326tw wraps around the ledge 79 plus flanges 302b of the U shaped spacer brace 302 having a flange notch 126fg this is L-shaped and where the ledge 79 is also inserted into the L portion of the flange notch 126fg. The top end of the metal framing member has another U shaped spacer brace 302 having a web 302a with extending flanges 302b and where the flanges 302b show a bulge 302bg being intersection a bulge notch 126bg. The bulge 302bg is removed in the flange 302b so the flange 42b of the metal framing member can engage into the bulge notch 126bg with the side edges of the bulge 302bg engages the lip 42c and web 42a. In addition the hook tongue 128 as shown in FIG’s 1 -6 is slightly different at the tongue 128t could be located at the longitudinal end of the U shaped spacer brace 302 as shown in the previous FIG’s however a ledge 79 is protruding outward where two ledges at protruding outwardly (the ledge 79 could also be referred to as a punch out having two tabs) with the ledges 79 extending into a receiver slot hole 129sh. The other receiving slot hole 129sh shows a ledge 79 extending above the plane of the web 302a.

[0044] Various shapes of horizontal spacing-bracing members are shown

throughout the application having different means to connecting a spacing-bracing member or several spacing-bracing members together to adjacent metal support members as well as various means to close the hole in the support member to create a fire stop between the spacing-bracing chambers and the support members [0045] The present invention of the unique spacer braces are so versatile that the spacer brace allows for a much easier and quicker installation of metal framing walls, installing horizontal and diagonal lateral bracing or installing hold-down spacer bracing at floors, installing horizontal and diagonal braces between support members either between holes or at the flanges.

[0046] It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or structures shown and describing in the specification and drawings, since obvious modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The flexibility of the described invention is very versatile and can be used in many different types of building applications.

Claims

1. A structural framing system, comprising:

a first longitudinal spacing-bracing member comprising a web lying in a plane, said web having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, a first longitudinal wall connected to said first side of said web and a second longitudinal wall connected to said second side of said web; said web, said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall forming a channel, said first longitudinal wall and said longitudinal wall each having a bulge extending inward toward said web and each said bulge having bulge notches having a first continuous cut into said bulge with said continuous cut starting at the inward curve ending at said opposing end of said bulge and separated by a second continuous cut with said first continuous cut and said second continuous cut form a first bulge side edge and a second bulge side edge with said bulge notch having a top bulge side edge and a bottom bulge side edge with a third cut connecting the start of said first continuous cut edge and said first start of said second continuous cut with a forth continuous cut being said bottom edged of said bulge notch with said bulge notches aligned to said bulge notches at said second longitudinal wall, said first bulge notch and said second bulge notch each comprising a plurality of bulge notches extending toward a longitudinal axis of said web; a structural member having a first end and a second end with said first end and said second end being said first end attached to said first spacing-bracing member with said second end attached to a substantially identical to said first spacing-bracing member, each said structural member having a web and flanges with lips extending from said flanges, are configured to engage said spacing-bracing member with said web against said first longitudinal wall and said second

longitudinal wall with said web and said lips against said first bulge side edges and said second bulge side edges, respective said bulge notches forming a connection to said first longitudinal spacing-bracing member and a second longitudinal spacing bracing member.

2. A structural framing system, comprising:

a first longitudinal spacing-bracing member comprising a web lying in a plane, said web having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, a first longitudinal wall connected to said first side of said web and a second longitudinal wall connected to said second side of said web; said web, said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall forming a channel, said first longitudinal wall and said longitudinal wall each having a bulge extending inward toward said web and each said bulge having bulge notches having a first continuous cut into said bulge with said continuous cut starting at the inward curve ending at said opposing end of said bulge and separated by a second continuous cut with said first continuous cut and said second continuous cut form a first bulge side edge and a second bulge side edge with said bulge notch having a top bulge side edge and a bottom bulge side edge with a third cut connecting the start of said first continuous cut edge and said first start of said second continuous cut with a forth continuous cut being said bottom edged of said bulge notch with said bulge notches aligned to said bulge notches at said second longitudinal wall, said first bulge notch and said second bulge notch each comprising a plurality of bulge notches extending toward a longitudinal axis of said web; said web having a first end and a second end with said first end having an extension with said extension having a tongue end having a tapered end with a notch between said tapered end and said extension with a second end having a receiver hole to accept said tapered end with said notch; a first structural member and a second structural member substantially identical to said first structural member, each said structural member having a web and flanges with lips extending from said flanges, are configured to engage said spacing-bracing member with said web against said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall with said web and said lips against said first bulge side edges and said second bulge side edges, respective said bulge notches forming a connection to said longitudinal spacing-bracing member; whereby said first longitudinal spacing-bracing member is configured to be connected to a second substantially identical longitudinal spacing-bracing member by a U-shaped connector to nest within said first longitudinal spacing-bracing member and said second longitudinal spacing-bracing member, said U-shaped connectors having opposing said hook tongue and said receiver to receive a respective one of said perimeters of said respective spacing-bracing members..

3. A structural framing system, comprising:

a first longitudinal spacing-bracing member comprising a web lying in a plane, said web having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, a first longitudinal wall connected to said first side of said web and a second longitudinal wall connected to said second side of said web; said web, said first longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall forming a channel, a first lip connected to an edge of said first longitudinal wall distal with respect to said web, a second lip connected to an edge of said second longitudinal wall distal with respect to said web, said first lip and said second lip extending toward each other, said first lip and said second lip each comprising a plurality of notches spaced along a longitudinal length of said spacing-bracing member, said notches extending toward toward said opposing lip; a structural member having a first end and a second end with said first end and said second end being said first end attached to said first spacing-bracing member with said second end attached to a substantially identical to said first spacing-bracing member, each said structural member having a web and flanges with lips extending from said flanges, are configured to engage said spacing-bracing member with said flanges against the back edge of said lip notch with said web and said lips of said structural member engage said side edges of said lips forming a connection to said first longitudinal spacing-bracing member and a second

longitudinal spacing-bracing member.

4. The structural framing members according to claim 3 wherein said first

longitudinal wall and said second longitudinal wall have bulges or lips that extend from said flanges inward toward said opposing said flange.

5. The structural framing members according to claim 4 wherein the bulges having angled flanges to form the bulges with said angled flanges being the side edges support for said structural member.

6. The structural framing members according to claim 5 wherein the angled flanges have bulge notches with the web and lips of said structural member.

7. The structural framing members according to claim 3 wherein said web in said structural member have said top end and said bottom end having a pair of gaps extending inward from said top end and said bottom end for said longitudinal spacing-bracing member to have said flanges and said lips to fit into.

8. The structural framing members according to claim 7 wherein said gaps have gap notches for said lips to fit into or said bulges to fit into said gaps.

9. The structural framing members according to claim 8 wherein said gaps have gap notches for said bulges or said lips for said notches or said lips extend the said notches or said lips into said gap notches at either side edges defining said gaps.

10. The structural framing members according to claim 9 wherein the said gaps have no notches in said gaps have bulge notches in said gap side edges slide vertically in the bulges or said lip notches.

11. The structural framing members according to claim 3 wherein said aperture in said structural members has said spacing-bracing member extends through said apertures with said apertures have hole notches for said bulges or said lips to fit into.

12. The structural framing members according to claim 11 wherein said side edges of said aperture conform to the configuration of said bulges in said spacing-bracing member.

13. The structural framing members according to claim 11 wherein said spacing bracing member has said web abutting said bottom edge of said hole or said spacing-bracing member is inverted with said lips engaging the side edges of said aperture.