Building construction components

Abstract

A stud that may be used as a header, as a sill, as a jamb stud, in a support post assembly and as a floor girder. In one embodiment, the stud has a substantially planar web, a first flange and a second flange that each protrude from the web. A first leg protrudes from the first flange such that the first leg is substantially parallel to the substantially planar header web. Likewise, a second leg protrudes from the second flange such that it is substantially parallel to the substantially planar header web. A first return protrudes from the first leg and a second return protrudes from the second leg. Stiffener ribs may be provided in at least one of the web, the first and second flanges and/or the first and second legs.

1 . A header assembly comprising: 
 a first vertically extending jamb stud;    a second vertically extending jamb stud supported in spaced apart relationship with respect to said first vertically extending jamb stud;    a first C-shaped connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said first C-shaped connector having a pair of spaced first flanges defining a first header-receiving area therebetween;    a second C-shaped connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a pair of spaced second flanges defining a second header-receiving area therebetween; and    a single-piece, integral header having a first end received in said first header-receiving area of said first C-shaped connector and a second end received in said second header-receiving area of said second C-shaped connector and spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs to define an upper boundary of an opening therebetween, said header comprising: 
 a substantially planar header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web and being spaced from said first header flange;  
 a first header leg protruding from said first header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg to define support surfaces spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs;  
 a first header return on an end of said first header leg; and  
 a second header return on an end of said second header leg.  
   
   
   
       2 . The header assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a header track supported on said first and second header legs.  
   
   
       3 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein said header is formed from cold formed metal.  
   
   
       4 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first and second jamb studs comprises: 
 a substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web and being spaced from said first jam stud flange;    a first jamb stud leg protruding from said first jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud leg protruding from said second jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud return on an end of said first jamb stud leg; and    a second jamb stud return on an end of said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       5 . The header assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar header web, said first header flange, said second header flange, said first header leg and said second header leg.  
   
   
       6 . The header assembly of  claim 5  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       7 . The header assembly of  claim 5  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       8 . The header assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one opening through said substantially planar header web.  
   
   
       9 . The header assembly of  claim 8  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       10 . The header assembly of  claim 5  further comprising at least one opening through said header web.  
   
   
       11 . The header assembly of  claim 10  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       12 . A wall structure comprising: 
 a bottom track;    a top track;    a plurality of vertically extending studs extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto;    a first jamb stud extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto;    a second jamb stud extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto, said second jamb stud spaced from said first jamb stud;    a first connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said first connector having a pair of spaced first flanges defining a first header-receiving area therebetween;    a second connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a pair of spaced second flanges defining a second header-receiving area therebetween;    a single-piece, integral header having a first end received in said first header-receiving area of said first connector and a second end received in said second header-receiving area of said second connector and spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs to define an upper boundary of an opening therebetween, said header comprising: 
 a substantially planar header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web and being spaced from said first header flange;  
 a first header leg protruding from said first header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg to define support surfaces spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs;  
 a first header return on an end of said first header leg; and  
 a second header return on an end of said second header leg.  
   
   
   
       13 . The wall structure of  claim 12  further comprising a header track supported on said first and second header legs.  
   
   
       14 . The wall structure of  claim 12  further comprising at least one stud extending between said header track and said top track and being attached thereto.  
   
   
       15 . The wall structure of  claim 12  wherein at least one of said first and second jamb studs comprises: 
 a substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web and being spaced from said first jam stud flange;    a first jamb stud leg protruding from said first jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud leg protruding from said second jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud return on an end of said first jamb stud leg; and    a second jamb stud return on an end of said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       16 . The wall structure of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a third connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said third connector having a pair of spaced third flanges defining a third header-receiving area therebetween;    a fourth connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a pair of spaced fourth flanges defining a fourth header-receiving area therebetween;    a single-piece, integral sill having a first end received in said third header-receiving area of said third connector and a second end received in said fourth header-receiving area of said fourth connector and spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs to define a lower boundary of the opening therebetween, said sill comprising: 
 a substantially planar sill web;  
 a first sill flange protruding from said substantially planar sill web;  
 a second sill flange protruding from said substantially planar sill web and being spaced from said first sill flange;  
 a first sill leg protruding from said first sill flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar sill web;  
 a second sill leg protruding from said second sill flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar sill web and substantially coplanar with said first sill leg to define support surfaces spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs;  
 a first sill return on an end of said first sill leg; and  
 a second sill return on an end of said second sill leg.  
   
   
   
       17 . The wall structure of  claim 12  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar header web, said first header flange, said second header flange, said first header leg and said second header leg.  
   
   
       18 . The wall structure assembly of  claim 17  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       19 . The wall structure of  claim 17  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       20 . The wall structure of  claim 15  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar jamb stud web, said first jamb stud flange, said second jamb stud flange, said first jamb stud leg and said second jamb stud leg.  
   
   
       21 . The wall structure assembly of  claim 20  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said jamb stud.  
   
   
       22 . The wall structure of  claim 20  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said jamb stud.  
   
   
       23 . The wall structure of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 at least one stiffener web in one of said planar header web, said first header flange, said second header flange, said first header leg and said second header leg; and    at least one other stiffener web in one of said planar jamb stud web, said first jamb stud flange, said second jamb stud flange, said first jamb stud leg and said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       24 . The wall structure of  claim 16  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said sill web, said first sill flange, said second sill flange, said first ill leg and said second sill leg.  
   
   
       25 . The wall structure assembly of  claim 24  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said sill.  
   
   
       26 . The wall structure of  claim 24  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said sill.  
   
   
       27 . The wall structure of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 at least one first stiffener web in one of said planar header web, said first header flange, said second header flange, said first header leg and said second header leg;    at least one second stiffener web in one of said planar jamb stud web, said first jamb stud flange, said second jamb stud flange, said first jamb stud leg and said second jamb stud leg; and    at least one third stiffener web in one of said sill web, said first sill flange, said second sill flange, said first sill leg and said second sill leg.    
   
   
       28 . A header assembly comprising: 
 a first vertically extending jamb stud;    a second vertically extending jamb stud supported in spaced apart relationship with respect to said first vertically extending jamb stud;    a first connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said first connector having a raised first central portion with first return-receiving grooves therein;    a second connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a raised second central portion with second return-receiving grooves therein; and    a single-piece, integral header comprising: 
 a substantially planar header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web and being spaced from said first header flange;  
 a first header leg protruding from said first header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg to define support surfaces spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs, said first header web and said first and second header flanges and legs defining a hollow area within said header;  
 a first header return on an end of said first header leg; and  
 a second header return on an end of said second header leg and wherein said header being supported between said first and second jamb studs such that said first raised central portion of said first connector is received in said hollow area within one end of said header such that said first and second header returns are received in said first return-receiving grooves in said first raised central portion and wherein said second raised central portion of said second connector is received in said hollow area adjacent another end of said header such that said first and second returns are received in said second return-receiving grooves in said second raised central portion.  
   
   
   
       29 . The header assembly of  claim 28  further comprising an upper track supported on said first and second header legs.  
   
   
       30 . The header assembly of  claim 28  wherein said header is formed from cold formed metal.  
   
   
       31 . The header assembly of  claim 28  wherein at least one of said first and second jamb studs comprises: 
 a substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web and being spaced from said first jam stud flange;    a first jamb stud leg protruding from said first jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud leg protruding from said second jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud return on an end of said first jamb stud leg; and    a second jamb stud return on an end of said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       32 . A wall structure comprising: 
 a bottom track;    a top track;    a plurality of vertically extending studs extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto;    a first jamb stud extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto;    a second jamb stud extending between said top and bottom tracks and attached thereto, said second jamb stud spaced from said first jamb stud;    a first connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said first connector having a raised first central portion with first return-receiving grooves therein;    a second connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a raised second central portion with second return-receiving grooves therein; and    a single-piece, integral header comprising: 
 a substantially planar header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web and being spaced from said first header flange;  
 a first header leg protruding from said first header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg to define support surfaces spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs, said first header web and said first and second header flanges and legs defining a hollow area within said header;  
 a first header return on an end of said first header leg; and  
 a second header return on an end of said second header leg and wherein said header being supported between said first and second jamb studs such that said first raised central portion of said first connector is received in said hollow area within one end of said header such that said first and second header returns are received in said first return-receiving grooves in said first raised central portion and wherein said second raised central portion of said second connector is received in said hollow area adjacent another end of said header such that said first and second returns are received in said second return-receiving grooves in said second raised central portion.  
   
   
   
       33 . The wall structure of  claim 32  further comprising a header track supported on said first and second header legs.  
   
   
       34 . The wall structure of  claim 32  further comprising at least one stud extending between said header track and said top track and being attached thereto.  
   
   
       35 . The wall structure of  claim 32  wherein at least one of said first and second jamb studs comprises: 
 a substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web and being spaced from said first jam stud flange;    a first jamb stud leg protruding from said first jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud leg protruding from said second jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud return on an end of said first jamb stud leg; and    a second jamb stud return on an end of said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       36 . A truss assembly, comprising: 
 a chord comprising: 
 a chord stud comprising: 
 a chord web;  
 a first chord flange protruding from said chord web;  
 a second chord flange protruding from said chord web and being spaced from said first chord flange;  
 a first chord leg protruding from said first chord flange and being substantially parallel to said chord web;  
 a second chord leg protruding from said second chord flange and being substantially parallel to said chord web and substantially coplanar with said first chord leg;  
 a first chord return on an end of said first chord leg; and  
 a second chord return on an end of said second chord leg; and  
 
   a plurality of truss webs attached to said chord stud.    
   
   
       37 . The truss assembly of  claim 36  wherein said plurality of truss webs comprise C-shaped studs.  
   
   
       38 . The truss assembly of  claim 36  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said chord web, said first chord flange, said second chord flange, said first chord leg and said second chord leg.  
   
   
       39 . The truss assembly of  claim 38  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said chord.  
   
   
       40 . The truss assembly of  claim 38  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said chord.  
   
   
       41 . The truss assembly of  claim 36  further comprising at least one opening through said chord web.  
   
   
       42 . The truss assembly of  claim 41  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       43 . A truss assembly, comprising: 
 a first truss stud comprising: 
 a first truss stud web;  
 a first truss stud flange protruding from said first truss stud web;  
 a second truss stud flange protruding from said first truss stud web and being spaced from said first truss stud flange;  
 a first truss stud leg protruding from said first truss stud flange and being substantially parallel to said truss stud web;  
 a second truss stud leg protruding from said second truss stud flange and being substantially parallel to said truss stud web and substantially coplanar with said first truss stud leg;  
 a first chord return on an end of said first truss stud leg; and  
 a second chord return on an end of said second truss stud leg; a second truss stud comprising:  
 a second truss stud web;  
 a primary truss stud flange protruding from said second truss stud web;  
 a secondary truss stud flange protruding from said second truss stud web and being spaced from said primary truss stud flange;  
 a primary truss stud leg protruding from said primary truss stud flange and being substantially parallel to said second truss stud web;  
 a secondary truss stud leg protruding from said secondary truss stud flange and being substantially parallel to said second truss stud web and substantially coplanar with said primary truss stud leg;  
 a primary chord return on an end of said primary truss stud leg; and  
 a secondary chord return on an end of said secondary truss stud leg, said primary and secondary truss stud legs attached to said first truss stud.  
   
   
   
       44 . The truss assembly of  claim 43  wherein said primary and secondary truss stud legs are attached to said first truss stud by at least one gusset plate.  
   
   
       45 . The truss assembly of  claim 43  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said first truss stud web, said first truss stud flange, said second truss stud flange, said first truss stud leg and said second truss stud leg leg.  
   
   
       46 . The truss assembly of  claim 45  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       47 . The truss assembly of  claim 45  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       48 . The truss assembly of  claim 43  further comprising at least one opening through said first truss stud web.  
   
   
       49 . The truss assembly of  claim 48  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       50 . A support post, comprising: 
 a post stud comprising: 
 a substantially planar post web;  
 a first post flange protruding from said substantially planar post web;  
 an upwardly extending second post flange protruding from said substantially planar post web and being spaced from said first post flange;  
 a first post leg protruding from said first post flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar post web;  
 a second post leg protruding from said second post flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar post web and substantially coplanar with said first post leg;  
 a first post return on an end of said first post leg; and  
 a second post return on an end of said second post leg; and  
   at least one stud fastened to said post stud.    
   
   
       51 . The support post of  claim 50  wherein a first and second stud are attached to said post stud.  
   
   
       52 . The support post of  claim 50  wherein said first stud has a first stud web and wherein said first stud is attached to said post stud such that said first stud web is adjacent to said post web and substantially coextensive therewith and wherein said second stud has a second stud web and wherein said second stud is attached to said post stud such that said second stud web is adjacent to said first and second post legs and is substantially coextensive therewith.  
   
   
       53 . The support post of  claim 50  wherein said first and second studs are welded to said post stud.  
   
   
       54 . The support post of  claim 50  wherein said first and second studs are attached to said post stud by threaded fasteners.  
   
   
       55 . The support post assembly of  claim 50  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar post web, said first post flange, said second post flange, said first post leg and said second post leg.  
   
   
       56 . The support post assembly of  claim 55  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said support post.  
   
   
       57 . The support post assembly of  claim 55  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said support post.  
   
   
       58 . A floor system comprising: 
 a floor girder comprising: 
 a substantially planar girder web;  
 a first girder flange protruding from said substantially planar girder web;  
 a second girder flange protruding from said substantially planar girder web and being spaced from said first girder flange;  
 a first girder leg protruding from said first girder flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar girder web;  
 a second girder leg protruding from said second girder flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar girder web and substantially coplanar with said first girder leg;  
 a first girder return on an end of said first girder leg; and  
 a second girder return on an end of said second girder leg; and  
   at least one first floor joist and at least one second floor joist fastened to said floor girder.    
   
   
       59 . The floor system of  claim 58  wherein each said first floor joist is fastened to said first and second girder legs and wherein each said second floor joist is fastened to said girder web.  
   
   
       60 . The floor system of  claim 59  wherein each said first floor joist is fastened to said first and second girder legs by a corresponding first L-shaped clip and wherein each said second floor joist is fastened to said girder web by a corresponding second L-shaped clip.  
   
   
       61 . The floor system of  claim 60  wherein at least one each said first floor joist comprises: 
 a first joist web;    a first joist flange protruding from said first joist web;    a second joist flange protruding from said first joist web;    a first joist lip on said first joist flange; and    a second joist lip on said second joist flange and wherein at least one said second floor joist comprises:    a second joist web;    a primary joist flange protruding from said second joist web;    a secondary joist flange protruding from said second joist web;    a primary joist lip on said primary joist flange; and    a secondary joist lip on said secondary joist flange.    
   
   
       62 . The floor system of  claim 58  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar girder web, said first girder flange, said second girder flange, said first girder leg and said second girder leg.  
   
   
       63 . The floor system of  claim 62  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       64 . The floor system of  claim 62  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said header.  
   
   
       65 . The floor system of  claim 58  further comprising at least one opening through said substantially planar header web.  
   
   
       66 . The floor system assembly of  claim 65  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       67 . The floor system of  claim 62  further comprising at least one opening through said header web.  
   
   
       68 . The floor system of  claim 67  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       69 . A single-piece, integral header stud comprising: 
 a substantially planar header web;    a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web;    a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar header web and being spaced from said first header flange;    a first header leg protruding from said first header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web;    a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg;    a first header return on an end of said first header leg;    a second header return on an end of said second header leg; and    at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar header web, said first header flange, said second header flange, said first header leg and said second header leg.    
   
   
       70 . A sill assembly comprising: 
 a first vertically extending jamb stud;    a second vertically extending jamb stud supported in spaced apart relationship with respect to said first vertically extending jamb stud;    a first C-shaped connector attached to said first vertically extending jamb stud, said first C-shaped connector having a pair of spaced first flanges defining a first sill-receiving area therebetween;    a second C-shaped connector attached to said second vertically extending jamb stud and having a pair of spaced second flanges defining a second sill-receiving area therebetween; and    a single-piece, integral sill stud having a first end received in said first sill-receiving area of said first C-shaped connector and a second end received in said second sill-receiving area of said second C-shaped connector and spanning between said first and second vertically extending jamb studs, said sill stud comprising: 
 a substantially planar sill stud web;  
 a first sill stud flange protruding from said substantially planar sill stud web;  
 a second sill stud flange protruding from said substantially planar sill stud web and being spaced from said first sill stud flange;  
 a first sill stud leg protruding from said first sill stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar sill stud web;  
 a second sill stud leg protruding from said second sill stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar sill stud web and substantially coplanar with said first sill stud leg;  
 a first sill stud return on an end of said first sill stud leg; and  
 a second sill stud return on an end of said second sill stud leg.  
   
   
   
       71 . The sill assembly of  claim 70  further comprising a sill track attached to said first and second sill stud legs.  
   
   
       72 . The sill assembly of  claim 70  wherein said sill stud is formed from cold formed metal.  
   
   
       73 . The sill assembly of  claim 70  wherein at least one of said first and second jamb studs comprises: 
 a substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud flange protruding from said substantially planar jamb stud web and being spaced from said first jam stud flange;    a first jamb stud leg protruding from said first jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a second jamb stud leg protruding from said second jamb stud flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar jamb stud web;    a first jamb stud return on an end of said first jamb stud leg; and    a second jamb stud return on an end of said second jamb stud leg.    
   
   
       74 . The sill assembly of  claim 70  further comprising at least one stiffener rib in at least one of said planar sill stud web, said first sill stud flange, said second sill stud flange, said first sill stud leg and said second sill stud leg.  
   
   
       75 . The sill assembly of  claim 74  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of said sill stud.  
   
   
       76 . The sill assembly of  claim 74  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of said sill stud.  
   
   
       77 . The sill assembly of  claim 70  further comprising at least one opening through said substantially planar sill stud web.  
   
   
       78 . The sill assembly of  claim 77  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       79 . The sill assembly of  claim 74  further comprising at least one opening through said header web.  
   
   
       80 . The sill assembly of  claim 79  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.