Interconnectable studs and tracks for a building system

Abstract

Studs and tracks that easily and quickly interconnect to form structural panels or frames for a building system are provided. Studs have an extension extending from each end of the stud, and tracks have slot-like structures that are shaped and dimensioned to receive the stud extensions. Upon simply sliding stud extensions into respective slot-like structures of upper and lower tracks, various types of structural panels and frames can be easily and quickly formed.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A stud that provides vertical support in a building structure, said stud comprising: 
 first and second parallel sides spaced a distance apart, each parallel side having a first end and a second end;    a pair of end segments perpendicularly joined to said first ends of said first and second parallel sides and located within the space created between said first and second parallel sides;    a third side connecting said second ends of said first and second parallel sides; and    an extension extending from said third side in a direction substantially parallel in plan view to said first and second sides.    
     
     
         2 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension extends within a perimeter formed by said first, second, and third sides.  
     
     
         3 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension extends outside a perimeter formed by said first, second, and third sides.  
     
     
         4 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension extends from said third side at a longitudinal end of said stud.  
     
     
         5 . The stud of  claim 1  further comprising a second extension extending from said third side.  
     
     
         6 . The stud of  claim 5  wherein said first extension extends from said third side at one longitudinal end of said stud, and said second extension extends from said third side at the other longitudinal end of said stud.  
     
     
         7 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension has a thickness and is substantially flat.  
     
     
         8 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension has an incline.  
     
     
         9 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension extends from said third side at substantially about 90°.  
     
     
         10 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension has a notch for receiving a correspondingly dimensioned tab.  
     
     
         11 . The stud of  claim 1  wherein said extension has a hook-like structure.  
     
     
         12 . The stud of  claim 1  further comprising a slot-like structure on said third side, said slot-like structure shaped and dimensioned to receive an extension of another stud.  
     
     
         13 . A stud for non-vertical assembly in a building structure, said stud comprising: 
 first and second parallel sides spaced a distance apart, each said parallel side having a first end and a second end;    a third side connecting said first ends of said first and second parallel sides; and    a slot-like structure on said third side.    
     
     
         14 . The stud of  claim 13  wherein said slot-like structure comprises a narrow enclosure having an opening.  
     
     
         15 . The stud of  claim 13  wherein said slot-like structure comprises a slot punched through said third side.  
     
     
         16 . The stud of  claim 13  wherein said slot-like structure comprises two spaced-apart substantially parallel sides, each said side having a ledge extending substantially perpendicularly from the top of said side towards the other said ledge, said sides and said ledges running substantially parallel to said first and second sides of said stud.  
     
     
         17 . The stud of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of said slot-like structures.  
     
     
         18 . The stud of  claim 17  wherein each of said slot-like structures is spaced at regular intervals along said third side.  
     
     
         19 . The stud of  claim 13  wherein said slot-like structure comprises a tab, said tab dimensioned to be received in a correspondingly dimensioned notch.  
     
     
         20 . The stud of  claim 13  further comprising an extension extending from said third side, said extension shaped and dimensioned to be received in a slot-like structure of another stud.  
     
     
         21 . A structural panel for use in a building system comprising: 
 a vertical stud having first and second parallel sides and a third side connecting said first and second parallel sides, said vertical stud having at least one extension extending from said third side; and    a second stud having first and second parallel sides and a third side connecting said first and second parallel sides, said second stud having a slot-like structure dimensioned and shaped to receive said extension; wherein:    said extension of said stud is inserted in said slot-like structure of said second stud, said second stud forming a non-vertical member of said panel.    
     
     
         22 . The panel of  claim 21  further comprising a third stud having first and second parallel sides and a third side connecting said first and second parallel sides, said third stud having a slot-like structure dimensioned and shaped to receive said extension; wherein: 
 said vertical stud has a second extension; and  
 said second extension is inserted in said slot-like structure of said third stud, said third stud forming a second non-vertical member of said panel.  
 
     
     
         23 . The panel of  claim 22  wherein: 
 said extensions of said vertical stud are at respective longitudinal ends of said vertical stud;  
 said second stud forms a substantially horizontal upper track; and  
 said third stud forms a substantially horizontal lower track.  
 
     
     
         24 . The panel of  claim 21  wherein said second stud forms a substantially horizontal track.  
     
     
         25 . The panel of  claim 21  wherein said slot-like structure comprises a narrow enclosure having an opening, and said extension has a thickness and is substantially flat.  
     
     
         26 . The panel of  claim 21  wherein said slot-like structure comprises two spaced-apart substantially parallel sides, each said side having a ledge extending substantially perpendicularly from the top of said side towards the other said ledge, said sides and said ledges running substantially parallel to said first and second sides of said second stud; wherein the dimensions of an area formed between said sides and said ledges substantially equals the corresponding dimensions of said extension of said vertical stud.