Metal stud wall packaging system

Abstract

A stud wall framing system having a number of studs, and a floor and a ceiling track that are marked at spaced intervals to indicate the location of the studs when erected.

1 . A method of distributing framing materials for a wall section of predetermined dimensions, the method including the steps of: 
 (a) providing a plurality of elongate framing studs each having a length that is at least sufficient for a height of the wall section;    (b) providing a plurality of elongate ceiling and floor tracks, each track defining a channel for receiving and securing ends of the framing studs to form the wall section;    (c) selecting, from the plurality of framing studs, at least a number of elongate framing studs required for framing the wall section using a predetermined stud spacing;    (d) selecting, from the plurality of ceiling and floor tracks, at least an amount of ceiling and floor track required for the wall section; and    (e) securing the selected framing studs and floor and ceiling tracks together unassembled in a transportable bundle.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including, prior to step (e), providing a plurality of visible markings at spaced intervals along a length of at least one of the ceiling and floor tracks for indicating desired locations for the framing studs.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the visible markings are selected from the group consisting of adhesive stickers, permanent dye, paint, and embossed dimples.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  including providing and using a marking table for applying the visible markings to the track, that table having means for securing the track in a stationary location, and marking means movable relative to the track for applying the visible markings at the spaced intervals.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a plurality of stiffening channels for stiffening the wall section, and selecting from the plurality of stiffening channels at least an amount of stiffening channel required for the wall section, and step (e) includes securing the selected amount of stiffening channel together with the framing studs and floor and ceiling tracks in the transportable bundle.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a plurality of framing stud fasteners for securing the framing studs to the ceiling and floor tracks, and selecting from the plurality of framing stud fasteners at least a number of framing stud fasteners required to complete the wall section, and step (e) includes securing the selected number of framing stud fasteners in the transportable bundle.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  including providing a plurality of wall board fasteners for securing wall board to the wall section, and selecting from the plurality of wall board fasteners at least a number of wall board fasteners required to complete the wall section according to predetermined criteria, and step (e) includes securing the selected number of wall board fasteners in the transportable bundle.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  including providing a plurality of track fasteners for securing the floor and ceiling tracks to support surfaces, and selecting from the plurality of track fasteners at least a number of track fasteners required to complete the wall section according to predetermined criteria, and step (e) includes securing the selected number of track fasteners in the transportable bundle.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a plurality of instruction sheets providing instructions for assembly of the wall section and step (e) includes securing one of the instruction sheets to the transportable bundle.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  including, after step (e): 
 (f) providing the bundle to a commercial outlet for sale to an end user.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein steps (a) and (b) include acquiring the framing studs and ceiling and floor tracks from a third party supplier, and including, after step (e): 
 (f) providing the bundle to the third party supplier.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , including after step (f): 
 (g) providing the bundle to a commercial outlet for sale to an end user.    
   
   
       13 . A stud wall framing kit of unassembled components for framing a predetermined wall section, including: 
 a predetermined number of elongate framing studs, the predetermined number being at least the number of framing studs required for framing the predetermined wall section using a predetermined stud spacing; and    an elongate ceiling track and an elongate floor track each having channels for receiving ends of the framing studs, at least one of the ceiling track and floor track having a plurality of visible markings along a length thereof at spaced intervals for indicating desired locations for the framing studs.    
   
   
       14 . The framing kit of  claim 13  wherein the framing studs and ceiling and floor tracks are arranged substantially parallel to each other and secured together in a bundle.  
   
   
       15 . The framing kit of  claim 14  wherein the framing kit includes an instruction sheet providing instructions for assembly of the predetermined wall section.  
   
   
       16 . The framing kit of  claim 14  wherein the instruction sheet is provided on a wrapper that surrounds a portion of the bundle.  
   
   
       17 . The framing kit of  claim 14  wherein the visible markings are provided on both the ceiling and floor tracks.  
   
   
       18 . The framing kit of  claim 14  wherein a container containing a predetermined number of framing fasteners for securing the framing studs to the ceiling and floor tracks is secured to the bundle, the predetermined number of framing fasteners being at least the number required for completing the predetermined wall section.  
   
   
       19 . The framing kit of  claim 18  wherein a predetermined number of wall board fasteners are included with the bundle, the predetermined number of wall board fasteners being at least the number required for securing wall board to the predetermined wall section according to predetermined criteria.  
   
   
       20 . The framing kit of  claim 13  wherein the tracks and studs are steel.