Acoustical and firestop rated track for wall assemblies having resilient channel members

Abstract

Metal profiles used as top and bottom tracks with legs spaced apart a width to accommodate wall stud framing and resilient channel attached to at least one side of the stud framing One of the profile legs having a minimum of one return flange aiding in holding studs in place during construction and assembly life cycle. Intumescent material attached to a portion of at least one of the legs located proximate to the overhead (ceiling) structure or floor structure. Profiles are used to provide stud support, drywall edge support, fire stop protection at intersection joints, and accommodate the buildup of resilient channel used in the wall assembly All in one piece is installed at one time saving labor, materials, replacing limited caulk type materials used and eliminating installation defects typical in current construction methods

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S Provisional Application No. 61 / 284,395 filed on Dec. 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 284,396 filed on Dec. 18, 2009, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposesTECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to wall assemblies and, more particularly, to wall assemblies having a plurality of Resilient Channel (RC) members attached lengthwise to the wall studs of a newly constructed wall assembly The track component of the present invention is especially adapted for use in acoustical partitioning, and in some embodiments also functions as a firestop for containment of smoke and fire.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Metal framing assemblies used to construct commercial and residential buildings are common in the building construction arts These metal framing assemblies are generally constructed from a ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The use of ripped pieces of wallboard at the top and bottom of a newly constructed wall assemblies utilizing outwardly extending Resilient Channel members has a number of drawbacks, including, for example: (1) on-site wallboard for fire rated walls is typically ⅝ inch thick and the gap distance created by most Resilient Channel members is only ½ inch, thereby requiring the installer to have a separate thickness of wallboard (½ inch thick) to create rips from; (2) if ⅝ inch wallboard is used instead, the outwardly protruding framing fastener heads tend to create a bulge along the top and bottom of the wall; and (3) wallboard rips do not expand and seal during fire events, but rather shrink and crack so as to reduce fire protection for fire rated joints.

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