Infill Wall Support Clip for Continuous Drywall Bracing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The labor-intensive process of cutting and finishing drywall for various room layouts in building construction increases costs, and existing solutions do not provide efficient lateral bracing and continuous fire-rated assemblies for partition walls.

Innovation Solution

The infill wall support clip, comprising a top flange, side tab, and side flange, anchors to trusses and wall panels, allowing continuous drywall installation without cutting, providing lateral bracing, sound insulation, and transferring loads while resisting fire spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If drywall is cut to fit various room layouts, then the drywall can be installed to match specific room configurations, but the installation process becomes labor intensive and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroom layout adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall assembly is segmented into modular components: continuous uncut drywall panels, infill wall panels, and support clips. This segmentation allows the drywall to remain continuous while the modular infill panels adapt to different room layouts, eliminating the need to cut drywall for layout adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Infill wall panels serve as intermediaries between the continuous drywall and the structural framework. These panels can be adjusted in position and configuration to accommodate various room layouts without requiring cuts to the main drywall panels, thus maintaining installation efficiency while providing layout adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If drywall is cut and finished for various layouts, then room configurations can be customized, but labor costs and construction time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroom configuration flexibilityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Infill wall panels are pre-assembled with support clips and framing components before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for quick installation on-site without time-consuming cutting and finishing operations, reducing construction time while maintaining configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for parameter changes in room layout by adjusting the position, size, and configuration of infill wall panels rather than modifying the drywall itself. This enables flexible room configurations through repositioning modular components rather than time-intensive cutting and finishing work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If traditional wall support methods are used, then structural support is provided, but lateral bracing and fire-rated assemblies are not effectively achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidfire rating and lateral bracing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wall assembly uses composite construction combining metal support clips, wood or metal framing members, and drywall panels. This composite structure integrates lateral bracing functionality and fire-rated properties into the wall system, achieving both structural support and enhanced reliability for fire resistance and lateral load resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functions are merged into the infill wall panel system: structural support, lateral bracing, fire rating, and sound insulation are all integrated into a single wall assembly approach. This eliminates the need for separate systems and ensures reliable performance of all functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If continuous drywall installation is implemented, then construction costs are reduced, but lateral bracing and load transfer capabilities must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidlateral bracing and load transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Metal support clips serve as intermediaries between the continuous drywall and the structural framing. These clips provide lateral bracing and load transfer capabilities without interrupting the continuity of the drywall installation, maintaining both installation efficiency and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Lateral bracing and load transfer are provided locally at specific points through support clips and framing members rather than requiring continuous structural elements. This allows continuous drywall installation while maintaining necessary strength at critical locations through localized reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10533314B2Infill wall support clip

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 PATCO LLC

AI summary

An infill wall support clip is described. The infill wall support clip provides lateral bracing for wall panels in residential or commercial buildings. The infill wall support clip anchors to a top track of wall panels and to a bottom track of a floor truss. The infill wall support clip provides spacing between the wall panel and the floor truss such that drywall may be continuously overlaid on top of the wall panel.