Structural wall framework

Abstract

A building framework is disclosed which comprises studs coupled together by separate bracing elements. The studs and bracing elements form a bracing unit. The bracing unit is provided between a top plate and bottom plate of the framework. The bracing elements extend substantially all of the way from the top plate to the bottom plate.

1 . A structural wall framework comprising: 
 a top plate;    a bottom plate;    a plurality of studs extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, the studs having a first face and a second opposite face which are parallel to the plane of the wall framework, and side faces joining the first and second faces; and    at least one bracing unit connected to the top plate and bottom plate, and comprised of at least two of said studs and separate bracing elements interconnecting the studs, each of the separate elements being connected to the first or second faces of the at least two studs, and the bracing elements extending substantially all of the way from the top plate to the bottom plate.    
   
   
       2 . The framework of  claim 1  wherein the bracing unit comprises two studs and the said bracing elements.  
   
   
       3 . The framework of  claim 1  wherein the bracing unit comprises three studs.  
   
   
       4 . The framework of  claim 3  wherein two sets of separate bracing elements are connected to the studs, a first of the two sets of bracing elements extending between a first outer stud of the three studs and an intermediate stud of the three studs, and the second set of separate bracing elements extending between the said intermediate stud and a second outer stud of the three studs.  
   
   
       5 . The framework of  claim 3  wherein the bracing elements have punched teeth for connecting the bracing elements to the respective studs.  
   
   
       6 . The framework of  claim 1  wherein the bracing unit also includes at least one nogging extending between adjacent studs.  
   
   
       7 . The framework of  claim 1  wherein each stud has a first end and a second end, the first end contacting the top plate and the second end contacting the bottom plate.  
   
   
       8 . The framework of  claim 1  wherein the bracing unit is a prefabricated bracing unit comprised of at least two studs and the said separate bracing elements.  
   
   
       9 . A bracing unit for a structural wall framework, the bracing unit comprising: 
 at least two spaced apart studs, each having a first face and a second face which are parallel, side faces joining the first and second faces, and the studs having a first end and a second end; and    a plurality of separate bracing elements connected to the first face or second face of the studs and extending substantially all the way from the first end to the second end of the studs.    
   
   
       10 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the unit comprises two studs and the said bracing elements.  
   
   
       11 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the bracing unit comprises three studs comprised of a first outer stud, an intermediate stud, and a second outer stud, and a first set of said separate bracing elements connected to the first stud and the intermediate stud, and a second set of said separate bracing elements connected to the intermediate stud and the second stud.  
   
   
       12 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the bracing unit includes at least one nogging located between adjacent said studs of the bracing unit.  
   
   
       13 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the bracing elements have punched teeth for connecting the bracing elements to the respective studs.  
   
   
       14 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the separate bracing elements are all connected to the first face of the studs.  
   
   
       15 . The bracing unit of  claim 9  wherein the separate bracing elements are spaced apart from one another so that a predetermined number of the bracing elements extend between the first end and second opposite end of the studs.  
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a structural wall framework, comprising: 
 providing a top plate and a bottom plate;    locating at least one prefabricated bracing unit between the top plate and the bottom plate, the bracing unit comprising at least two studs each having ends, the studs having a first face and a second face which are parallel to a plane of the wall framework, and side faces joining the inner and outer faces, and a plurality of separate bracing elements extending substantially all of the way from one end of the bracing unit to the other end of the bracing unit; and    connecting the bracing unit to the top plate and bottom plate.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the prefabricated bracing unit comprises two said studs and the said bracing elements.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the prefabricated bracing unit comprises three studs and two sets of separate bracing elements, a first of the two sets of bracing elements extending between a first outer stud of the three studs and an intermediate stud of the three studs, and the second set of bracing elements extending between the said intermediate stud and a second outer stud of the three studs.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bracing elements have a plurality of punched teeth for connecting the bracing elements to the studs.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the prefabricated bracing unit also includes at least one nogging extending between adjacent studs.