Structural member support and positioning system and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A system ( 200 ) for securing and positioning structural members ( 20, 30 ) to supporting walls ( 10 ) of a building includes at least one mounting member ( 205 ) secured to a surface portion of a supporting structure ( 10 ). The mounting member ( 205 ) has a plurality of structural member receiving spaces 218 formed thereon for receiving the structural member ( 20, 30 ) therein. The mounting member ( 205 ) includes a longitudinally extended base plate ( 210 ) having a plurality of spaced through openings ( 212, 214, 215, 219, 234 ) formed therein. The base plate ( 210 ) has a plurality of folded portions ( 222 ) formed therein. Each folded portion ( 222 ) defines a double walled protuberance ( 220 ) extending from a surface of the base plate ( 210 ). At least a portion of the double walled protuberances ( 220 ) are arranged in pairs disposed in opposing spaced parallel relationship to define a corresponding number of the receiving spaces ( 218 ) between each respective pair of double walled protuberances ( 220 ).

1 . A system for supporting and positioning structural members comprising at least one mounting member secured to a surface portion of a supporting structure, said mounting member having a plurality of structural member receiving spaces formed thereon, said mounting member including a longitudinally extended base plate having a plurality of spaced through openings formed therein, said base plate having a plurality of folded portions formed therein, each folded portion defining a double walled protuberance extending from a first surface of said base plate, at least a portion of said double walled protuberances being arranged in pairs disposed in opposing spaced parallel relationship to define a corresponding number of said receiving spaces therebetween.  
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of through openings includes a plurality of first slotted openings respectively formed through said base plate in each said receiving space, each of said first slotted openings extending in said longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of through openings further includes at least one second slotted opening formed through each of said double walled protuberances, said second slotted opening extending in a direction transverse said longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said double walled protuberance includes at least one stiffening rib formed in at least one wall thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 4  where said at least one stiffening rib extends substantially parallel to a side of said at least one wall.  
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said double walled protuberance includes at least one angularly directed flange formed on a side thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each said double walled protuberance includes a pair of angularly directed flange formed on opposing sides thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base plate includes a joining tab portion extending from at least one end thereof, said joining tab portion extending longitudinally a distance substantially equal to a longitudinal distance of one of said receiving spaces.  
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said joining tab portion has a slotted opening formed therethrough and extending in said longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base plate includes at least one end tab portion extending from at least one end thereof, said end tab being bendable to define a receiving space between said bent end tab and an adjacent one of said double walled protuberances.  
   
   
       11 . A method of forming a mounting member for use in supporting and positioning structural members, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a longitudinally extended base plate;    b. forming a plurality of through openings therein; and,    c. bending said base plate to form a plurality of longitudinally spaced double walled protrusions therein, a space between respective pairs of said double walled protrusions defining a receiving space for receiving a structural member therein.    
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of forming a plurality of through openings includes the step of forming a plurality of longitudinally extended slots in portions of said base plate defining said receiving spaces.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of forming a plurality of through openings includes the step of forming a plurality of transversely directed slots in portions of said base plate defining respective walls of said double walled protrusions.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of bending said base plate includes the step of folding selected adjacent portions of said base plate to place said adjacent portions in juxtaposition one with respect to the other.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of forming a plurality of through openings includes the step of forming a plurality of longitudinally directed reinforcing ribs in said base plate.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of forming a plurality of through openings is followed by the step of forming a plurality of longitudinally directed reinforcing ribs in said base plate.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 11  where the step of bending said base plate is followed by the step of forming at least one transversely directed opening in each of said double walled protrusions, each said transversely directed opening extending from at least one side edge of a respective double walled protrusion.  
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  where the step of forming at least one transversely directed opening is followed by the step of angularly bending at least one side portion of each of said double walled protrusions in a direction away from a corresponding receiving space, said side portion extending from a respective transversely directed opening to a distal end of said double walled protrusion.