Metal construction member

Abstract

A metal construction member is disclosed in which the main body is fabricated from a high yield steel sheet which has a thickness dimension of about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches, and a yield strength of about 57 ksi to about 65 ksi, and has a cross sectional shape which imparts increased strength to the metal construction member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a metal construction member, and more specifically, to a metal construction member fabricated from a high yield strength steel with a reduced thickness dimension.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The use of metal construction members, such as studs, trusses, braces, and the like, has become increasingly popular and necessary in commercial, industrial, and even residential structures. Metal studs are dimensionally stable, lightweight and quite strong, and building codes will often require the use of metal framing members for both interior and exterior walls. These metal studs are joined together by screws or other fasteners to provide walls upon which wallboard is then attached by screws. They may further have apertures formed therein and which allow electrical and plumbing conduits to pass therethrough.[0003]The specific material used to fabricate construction members, and the shape, thickness and yield strengths of these material...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a metal construction member for non load bearing construction applications which has a C-shaped main body which is defined by a web portion which has opposite, longitudinally extending peripheral edges; a pair of flange members which are made integral with the web portion and which individually extend substantially normally upwardly relative to the opposite, longitudinally extending peripheral edges of the web portion; and a pair of return members which are individually made integral with the respective flange portions and which are oriented in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the web portion. The main body is fabricated from a high yield steel sheet which has a thickness dimension of about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches, and a yield strength of about 57 ksi to about 65 ksi, and wherein as the yield strength of the high yield strength steel sheet increases the thickness dimension of the high yield steel sheet decreases.

Problems solved by technology

The specific material used to fabricate construction members, and the shape, thickness and yield strengths of these materials, has never been optimized with respect to price and performance.

This prior art construction member, however, is overly complex, and expensive to manufacture, and would be difficult to utilize in place of a standard-sized wall stud.

Furthermore, the use of high strength steel for the fabricating of metal studs has not been favored by manufacturers because of the higher costs associated with the material, and the associated difficulties of fastening wall board and the like to this material by employing self tapping screws which are applied by powered screw fastening tools.

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