Length adjustable composite stud

Abstract

A length adjustable composite stud combining the advantages associated with metal studs with the advantages associated with conventional wood studs. The composite stud also allows for customized adjustments of its length using a set of simple and ergonomic steps. The composite stud includes a generally elongated frame member defining a generally open base channel. The composite stud also includes a core component configured and sized for allowing insertion thereof in the base channel. A transversal movement limiting component prevents relative movement between the core component and the frame member in a direction other then that of the frame longitudinal axis. A longitudinal movement limiting structure releasably retains the core component within the base channel in a core first position wherein a core longitudinal end is generally in register with a frame longitudinal end. The longitudinal movement limiting structure selectively allows longitudinal movement of the core component.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A length adjustable composite stud comprising: 
 a generally elongated frame member, said frame member defining a frame longitudinal axis, a frame first longitudinal end and a generally opposed frame second longitudinal end; said frame member defining a generally open base channel, said base channel having a longitudinal channel opening;    a core component, said core component defining a core longitudinal axis, a core first longitudinal end and an opposed core second longitudinal end; said core component being configured and sized for allowing said core component to be at least partially inserted in said base channel with said core longitudinal axis in a generally parallel relationship relative to said frame longitudinal axis;    transversal movement limiting means positioned between said frame member and said core component for preventing relative movement between said core component and said frame member in a direction other then said frame longitudinal axis;    longitudinal movement limiting means positioned between said frame member and said core component for releasably retaining said core component within said base channel in a core first position wherein said core first longitudinal end is generally in register with said frame first longitudinal end, said longitudinal movement limiting means selectively allowing longitudinal movement of said core component in a core first direction towards a core second position upon a moving force being applied on said core component, wherein when said core component is in said core second position, said core first longitudinal end protrudes from said frame first longitudinal end.    
     
     
         2 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means only allows longitudinal movement of said core component in said core first direction upon said moving force reaching a predetermined value.  
     
     
         3 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said core component is in said core first position and wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means includes a retaining strip, said retaining strip being secured to both said core component and said frame member for releasably preventing longitudinal movement therebetween.  
     
     
         4 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 3  wherein said retaining strip is releasably secured to said core component and said frame member for selectively allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.  
     
     
         5 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 3  wherein said retaining strip is made out of a tearable material, said tearable material being tearable upon said moving force reaching a predetermined value.  
     
     
         6 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 3  wherein said retaining strip is provided with indicia marked thereon.  
     
     
         7 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 6  wherein indicia includes instructions relating to a method for using said length adjustable composite stud.  
     
     
         8 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 3  wherein said core component defines a core component core first cross-sectional area and a core second cross-sectional area, said core first cross-sectional area being insertable into said base channel and said core second cross-sectional area protruding through said channel opening when said core first cross-sectional area is inserted into said base channel; said retaining strip being adhesively secured to said core second cross-sectional area and to said base member.  
     
     
         9 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 8  wherein: 
 said frame member has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a frame base wall and a pair of frame side walls; said frame base wall defining a base wall inner surface, a base wall outer surface and a pair of opposed base wall main peripheral edges; each of said frame side walls defining a corresponding side wall inner surface, a side wall outer surface, a side wall first main edge and a generally opposed side wall second main edge; each of said side wall first main edges being attached to a corresponding one of said base wall main peripheral edges; said frame side walls extending from said frame base wall so that said side wall inner surfaces are in a generally facing relationship relative to each other, said frame base wall and said frame side walls together forming said base channel; each of said frame side walls including a retaining flange extending inwardly from said side wall inner surface adjacent said side wall second main edge;  
 said core component having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defining a core first main wall, a core second main wall, a core first auxiliary wall and a core second auxiliary wall; said core component being configured and sized so as to be insertable into said base channel with said core first main wall positioned generally adjacent said base wall inner surface and said core first and second auxiliary walls positioned generally adjacent a corresponding one of said side wall inner surface; said core first auxiliary wall being provided with a first retaining slot extending longitudinally at least partially therealong, said first retaining slot being configured and sized for receiving at least a section of one of said retaining flanges when said core component is inserted into said base channel; said core second auxiliary wall being provided with a second retaining slot extending longitudinally at least partially therealong, said second retaining slot being configured and sized for receiving at least a section of the other one of said retaining flanges when said core component is inserted into said base channel;  
 said first and second retaining slots extending generally transversally towards each other in a generally transversal slot plane, said slot plane extending generally between said core first cross-sectional area and said core second cross-sectional area, said retaining strip being adhesively secured to said core second cross-sectional area and to at least one of said frame side walls.  
 
     
     
         10 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 9  wherein said retaining strip extends between said frame side walls over said core second cross-sectional area, said retaining strip being adhesively secured to said core second cross-sectional area and to the side wall outer surface of both said frame side walls.  
     
     
         11 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said transversal movement limiting means includes at least one retaining flange extending from said frame member, said retaining flange being configured and sized for abutting against a section of said core component when the latter is inserted in said base channel.  
     
     
         12 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means includes an abutment tab extending inwardly into said base channel, said abutment tab being configured, sized and positioned so as to abuttingly contact said core second longitudinal end when said core component is in said core first position.  
     
     
         13 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 12  wherein: 
 said frame member has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defining a frame base wall and a pair of frame side walls; said frame base wall defining a base wall inner surface, a base wall outer surface and a pair of opposed base wall main peripheral edges; each of said frame side walls defining a corresponding side wall inner surface, a side wall outer surface, a side wall first main edge and a generally opposed side wall second main edge; each of said side wall first main edges being attached to a corresponding one of said base wall main peripheral edges; said frame side walls extending from said frame base wall so that said side wall inner surfaces are in a generally facing relationship relative to each other, said frame base wall and said frame side walls together forming said base channel; each of said frame side walls including a retaining flange extending inwardly from said side wall inner surface adjacent said side wall second main edge;  
 said core component has a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration defining a core first main wall, a core second main wall, a core first auxiliary wall and a core second auxiliary wall; said core component being configured and sized so as to be insertable into said base channel with said core first main wall positioned generally adjacent said base wall inner surface and said core first and second auxiliary walls positioned generally adjacent a corresponding one of said side wall inner surface; said core first auxiliary wall being provided with a first retaining slot extending longitudinally at least partially therealong, said first retaining slot being configured and sized for receiving at least a section of one of said retaining flanges when said core component is inserted into said base channel; said core second auxiliary wall being provided with a second retaining slot extending longitudinally at least partially therealong, said second retaining slot being configured and sized for receiving at least a section of the other one of said retaining flanges when said core component is inserted into said base channel;  
 said first and second retaining slots extending generally transversally towards each other in a generally transversal slot plane, said slot plane generally between said core first cross-sectional area and said core second cross-sectional area;  
 said abutment tab extending inwardly from said frame base wall.  
 
     
     
         14 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means includes a retaining aperture extending through said frame member and a retaining component, said retaining aperture being configured, sized and positioned so that said retaining component is insertable into both said retaining aperture and said core component when said core component is in said core first position.  
     
     
         15 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 14  wherein said retaining component has a generally elongated and pointed configuration.  
     
     
         16 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means only allows longitudinal movement of said core component in said core first direction, said longitudinal movement limiting means preventing said core component from moving in a core second direction oriented opposite said core first direction.  
     
     
         17 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 16  wherein said longitudinal movement limiting means includes a gripping tab extending from said frame member into said base channel, said gripping tab being configured and sized so as to allow movement of said core component in said core first direction while preventing movement of said core component in said core second direction by gripping into said core component.  
     
     
         18 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 17  wherein said gripping tab defines a tab contacting segment for contacting said core component and a tab spacing segment extending between said frame member and said tab contacting segment for inwardly spacing said tab contacting segment from said frame member, said tab contacting segment defining a tab gripping end for gripping into said core component when said core component is moved in said core second direction.  
     
     
         19 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 18  wherein said gripping tab is movable between a tab first position wherein said tab gripping end is spaced by a first tab-to-frame distance from said frame member and a tab second position wherein said tab gripping end is spaced by a second tab-to-frame distance from said frame member, said first tab-to-frame distance being greater then said second tab-to-frame distance.  
     
     
         20 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 19  wherein said composite stud also includes a tab biasing means positioned between said frame member and said gripping tab for biasing said gripping tab towards said tab first position.  
     
     
         21 . A length adjustable composite stud as recited in  claim 20  wherein said tab biasing means includes said tab being made out of a resiliently deformable material.