Construction method

Abstract

A plurality of studs ( 14 ) are spaced apart relative to each other. Upper end portions ( 32 ) of the studs fit into an upper channel space ( 22 ) and lower end portions ( 34 ) fit into a lower channel space ( 30 ). The lower channel space ( 30 ) is defined in part by a pair of spaced apart sidewalls ( 24, 26 ). Screw fasteners ( 52 ) extend through the sidewalls ( 24, 26 ) and connect them to the lower end portion ( 34 ) of the stud ( 14 ). The studs ( 14 ) have upper ends that are spaced from a web ( 20 ) forming the upper boundary of the upper channel space ( 22 ). Vertical elongated slots ( 48, 50 ) are provided in the sidewalls ( 38, 40 ) of the studs ( 14 ). Screw fasteners extend through the sidewalls ( 16, 18 ) of the upper channel member ( 10 ) and then extend into and through the slots ( 48, 50 ). The heads of the screw fasteners ( 52 ) bear against the sidewalls ( 16, 18 ) when the screw fasteners ( 52 ) are tightened. This firmly connects the screw fasteners ( 52 ) to the sidewalls ( 16, 18 ), but there is no connection of the screw fasteners ( 52 ) to the upper end portions of the studs ( 14 ). When the screw fasteners ( 52 ) are tightened, there is no clamping action between the heads ( 54 ) of the screw fasteners ( 52 ) and the upper end portions ( 32 ) of the studs ( 14 ). As a result, the studs ( 14 ) are completely free to move up and down relative to the upper channel member ( 10 ), within limits established by the lengths of the slots ( 48, 50 ).

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a structural wall, comprising: 
 providing an elongated, downwardly-opening, sheet-metal, upper channel member having spaced-apart sidewalls defining an upper channel space between them;    supporting said upper channel member in an overhead position with the upper channel space directed downwardly;    providing an elongated, upwardly opening, sheet-metal lower channel member having spaced apart sidewalls defining a lower channel space between them;    securing the lower channel member in a position below and spaced from the upper channel member, with the lower channel space confronting the upper channel space;    providing a plurality of elongated, sheet-metal studs, each having an upper end portion and a lower end portion;    spacing said studs apart in parallelism with each other, and placing the lower end portions of the studs within the lower channel space and the upper end portions of the studs within the upper channel space;    providing the upper end portion of each stud with spaced apart sidewalls that are contiguous the sidewalls of the lower channel member when the lower end portions of the studs are within the lower channel space; 
 using screw fasteners to firmly connect the sidewalls of the lower channel members to the sidewalls of the lower end portions of the studs;  
   providing at least one sidewall of the upper end portion of each stud with a longitudinal slot;    providing screw fasteners, one for each said slot;    inserting the screw fasteners inwardly through openings in the sidewall of the upper channel member, and providing each screw with a shank portion that extends through and is received in a related one of the slots in the upper end portions of the studs;    rotating the screw fasteners to firmly connect them to the sidewall of the upper channel member, each with its shank portion in a related slot;    wherein the screw fasteners are free of connection with the studs and the studs can move up and down relative to the screw fasteners and the upper channel member.    
   
   
       12 . The method of claim I  1 , comprising positioning the studs in the upper and lower channel spaces, with each slot positioned inwardly of a sidewall of the upper channel member; 
 forming a screw-receiving opening in the sidewall of the upper channel member in alignment with each slot; and    inserting a screw fastener inwardly through said opening and rotating it to firmly connect it to the opening, with at the same time allowing the inner portion of the screw fastener to extend into and through the slot so that there is no connection between the screw fastener and the sidewall of the upper channel member, and    wherein the screw fasteners are fixed to the sidewall of the upper channel member and the studs can move up and down relative to the screw fasteners and the upper channel member.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , including providing each screw fastener with a head that when the screw is tightened, bears against and outer surface portion of the sidewall of the upper channel member.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising providing sheeting for at least one side of the wall that is positioned outwardly of the stud; and 
 connecting the sheeting to the sidewall of the stud; and    maintaining the sheeting free of connection with the upper channel member.