Framing members to enhance thermal characteristics of walls

Abstract

Various metal framing members enhance thermally insulative characteristics of a wall. Framing members include a metal stud with a web portion having through-holes that include at least one piece of retained material. Each of the through-holes lengthens or disrupts thermally conductive paths across the framing member, forming convoluted or serpentine thermal paths. The through-holes are arranged in a pattern that defines a truss structure that includes a number of straight-line web sections that extend uninterruptedly diagonally across a width of the web portion. Framing members include tracks, to hold metal studs, each with a web portion with through-holes that lengthen or disrupt thermally conductive paths. The framing members may be the result of a continuous manufacturing processing, formed of a unitary singular piece of material (e.g., galvanized metal). Thermally insulative gaskets or membranes may insulate the tracks from adjacent structure or surfaces. Structures may be provided as a kit.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present disclosure relates to structural members, for example metal framing members.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Metal studs and framing members have been used in the areas of commercial and residential construction for many years. Metal studs offer a number of advantages over traditional building materials, such as wood. For instance, metal studs can be manufactured to have strict dimensional tolerances, which increase consistency and accuracy during construction of a structure. Moreover, metal studs provide dramatically improved design flexibility due to the variety of available sizes and thicknesses and variations of metal materials that can be used. Moreover, metal studs have inherent strength-to-weight ratio which allows them to span longer distances and better resist forces such as bending moments.[0005]Although metal studs exhibit these and numerous other qualities, there are some challenges associated with their man...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Various structural or framing members are disclosed which may enhance thermally insulative characteristics of a wall or other structure incorporating the structural or framing members. Structural or framing members include metal studs having web portions with patterns of discontinuities that lengthen or disrupt thermally conductive paths.

Problems solved by technology

Although metal studs exhibit these and numerous other qualities, there are some challenges associated with their manufacture and use in construction.

For instance, existing designs typically sacrifice strength over weight of the stud.

Furthermore, manufacturing efficiency consid

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