Wall stud assembly for modular walls

Abstract

A wall stud assembly includes first and second elongate stud members and a plurality of connectors. The first elongate stud member includes a back section, a front section substantially parallel to the back section, and two substantially parallel side portions connecting, and extending between, the back and front sections. The parallel side portions comprise engagement extensions extending beyond and forming a receiver portion with the front section. The back section extends beyond the side portions. The second elongate stud member comprises a back wall engaging the front section of the first elongate stud member and two side walls substantially parallel to and extending from the back wall configured to engage the engagement extensions of the first elongate stud member. The second elongate stud member also comprises two wall flanges substantially perpendicular to and extending from the side walls. The plurality of connectors attach the side walls to the engagement sections.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to a wall stud assembly and more particularly to a wall stud assembly for clean rooms and portable / in-plant buildings. [0002] The buildings of the type which utilize wall stud assemblies are typically prefabricated and ready for assembly at the building site. Such buildings include in-plant offices, guard houses, food service buildings, control rooms, toll booths, parking lot booths, noise control buildings, clean rooms, and the like. Such buildings are formed from load-bearing wall structures as opposed to mere partitions. These portable buildings must be of quality construction, strong and durable. They should be energy efficient, have good sound control and low maintenance. Other characteristics of such buildings are that they must be relatively easy to assemble at the job site and easily disassembled for moving to a different location if desired. They should also be economical. [0003] Such building structures ar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes a wall stud assembly that includes two elongate stud members and a plurality of connectors. The first elongate stud member has a back section, front section, and two side portions with engagement extensions that form a receiver portion with the front section. The second elongate stud member has a back wall and two side walls with engagement extensions that engage the engagement extensions of the first elongate stud member. The plurality of connectors attach the side walls of the second elongate stud member to the engagement sections of the first elongate stud member. The technical effects of this invention include improved load-bearing capacity, reduced labor costs, and improved efficiency in the construction process. Additionally, the patent text describes a wall assembly that includes a plurality of wall sections and a plurality of wall stud assemblies, each between a pair of wall sections. The wall stud assemblies each comprise a substantially rectangular first elongate stud member and a second elongate stud member that engage the wall sections. The technical effect of this invention is improved load-bearing capacity and reduced labor costs."

Problems solved by technology

Such assemblies suffer certain drawbacks, however.

For example, such assemblies are not as strong as desired.

Thus, in order to withstand typical loads, the stud assemblies are generally limited to twelve feet in height.

Although the width of the sides of the U-shaped stud members may be increased thereby to deepen the U-shaped cross-section to accommodate thicker walls, it has been found that retooling costs to effect such changes increases the cost of the stud assembly significantly.

In addition, it does not adequately address the desire for stronger stud assemblies.

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