Pre-formed Joining Profiles for Structural Member Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metallic framing systems for building construction are time-consuming and costly due to the need for manual labor and additional materials, lack structural strength until wall board is affixed, and are not adaptable to irregularities in floor-to-ceiling heights or building movements.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming joining profiles in structural members using a forming assembly with a mid anvil and side anvils to clamp and shape the members, creating detachable engagement with corresponding profiles, allowing for efficient and secure fastening of structural members without requiring extensive manual bending or additional materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional manual fastening methods are used to connect stud members to top and bottom members, then the framing system achieves structural strength, but the construction process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming engagement features (such as lips, tabs, or interlocking geometries) on the stud members, top members, and bottom members during manufacturing. These pre-formed features automatically engage with each other when the components are assembled, eliminating the need for manual fastening operations during construction while maintaining structural strength.
2Reliability
If tab and slot arrangements with manual bending are used to secure stud members, then the connection is effective, but additional labor time is required for bending tabs multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates manual tab bending by pre-forming the engagement features during manufacturing. The stud members, top members, and bottom members are equipped with pre-shaped lips, tabs, or interlocking geometries that automatically engage during assembly, removing the time-consuming manual bending step entirely while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement features are designed to be self-securing, where the geometry of the pre-formed lips or tabs automatically locks the components together upon assembly without requiring additional manual intervention for bending or fastening, making the system self-servicing during construction.
3Strength
If traditional framing methods are used, then structural strength is achieved after wall board installation, but the system provides insufficient rigidity during initial assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides immediate structural stability during assembly through pre-formed engagement features such as lips that extend between spaced flanges, tabs that lock into place, or interlocking geometries. These features create rigid connections between stud members, top members, and bottom members as soon as they are assembled, eliminating the need to wait for wall board installation to achieve structural rigidity.
4Strength
If conventional framing systems are used, then basic structural support is provided, but the system cannot adapt to irregularities in floor-to-ceiling heights or building movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable and flexible engagement features that allow the framing system to adapt to varying conditions. The pre-formed lips, tabs, or interlocking geometries are designed with degrees of freedom or adjustment mechanisms that enable the structure to accommodate irregularities in floor-to-ceiling heights and building movements while maintaining structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables rapid, cost-effective, and secure assembly of metallic framing systems, minimizing labor and material costs while providing structural integrity and adaptability to changes in building dimensions and movements.
Implementation Method 1
a forming body is advanced toward the member until the member is clamped to a base of the forming body. At least one anvil is advanced toward a flange of the member thus forming the joining profile in the flange
Implementation Method 2
at least one anvil is advanced toward a flange of the member thus forming the joining profile in the flange
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming a joining profile in a structural member comprises providing an assembly having a base member, a forming body and a pair of side anvils having profiles formed therewithin. The method further comprises mounting the structural member on the base member, advancing the forming body toward the structural member such that the structural member is clamped to the base member, urging the side anvils toward flanges of the structural member, forming a profile in each of the flanges, and engaging protrusions of the side anvils with the web such that opposing portions of the web are forced upwardly by the protrusions at locations adjacent to each one of the flange profiles in order to accommodate formation of the flange profiles in the structural member. Formation of the joining profiles in the structural members allows for detachable engagement thereof with another member having a corresponding mating profile.