Building construction components

Abstract

A header and jamb stud arrangement that employs connectors for affixing the header assemblies to the jamb studs. The connector may comprise a connection plate that may be provided with a locator tab for locating the plate relative to the header assembly and the jamb stud. The connection plate may be provided with a collection of differently shaped holes which each correspond to a fastener. By installing fasteners through all of one shape of hole, a first load capacity can be achieved. By installing fasteners through other shapes of fastener holes, other load capacities may be achieved. Different embodiments of header assemblies are also disclosed.

1 . A header assembly comprising: 
 a first header stud comprising: 
 a substantially planar first header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar first header web; 
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar first 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 first header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar first header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg;  
 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;  
 another header stud comprising: 
 another substantially planar header web;  
 another first header flange protruding from said another substantially planar header web;  
 another second header flange protruding from said another substantially planar header web and being spaced from said another first header flange;  
 another first header leg protruding from said another first header flange and being substantially parallel to said another substantially planar header web;  
 another second header leg protruding from said another second header flange and being substantially parallel to said another substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said another first header leg,  
 another first header return on another end of said another first header leg; and  
 another second header return on another end of said another second header leg, said another header stud retained in abutting contact with said first header stud to form a header assembly.  
 
   
   
   
       2 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first header leg abuts said another first header leg and wherein said second header leg abuts said another second header leg.  
   
   
       3 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first header web abuts said another header web.  
   
   
       4 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first and second header legs abut said another header web.  
   
   
       5 . The header assembly of  claim 2  wherein said first header stud is welded to said another header stud.  
   
   
       6 . The header assembly of  claim 3  wherein said first header stud is welded to said second header stud.  
   
   
       7 . The header assembly of  claim 4  wherein said first header stud is welded to said second header stud.  
   
   
       8 . The header assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first header stud and said another header stud has at least one stiffener rib formed therein.  
   
   
       9 . The header assembly of  claim 8  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends for an entire length of at least one of said first header stud or said another header stud.  
   
   
       10 . The header assembly of  claim 8  wherein at least one said stiffener rib extends intermittently along an entire length of at least one of said first header stud of said another header stud.  
   
   
       11 . The header assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one opening through at least one of said first header stud and said another header stud.  
   
   
       12 . The header assembly of  claim 11  wherein at least one said opening has a perimeter and further comprising a flange formed around said perimeter.  
   
   
       13 . A connector for coupling an end of a header assembly to a jamb stud oriented adjacent thereto, the connector comprising: 
 a substantially planar connection plate sized to span between the end of the header assembly and the jamb stud;    a plurality of first fastener holes through said connection plate wherein said first fastener holes each have a first shape;    a plurality of second fastener holes through said connection plate, wherein each of said second fastener holes has a second shape that differs from said first shape; and    a locator tab protruding from said substantially planar connection plate such that when the locator tab is brought into abutting contact with the jamb stud, a portion of the end of the header assembly is coextensive with a first portion of the connection plate and a portion of the jamb stud is coextensive with a second portion of the connection plate such that at least one first fastener hole and at least one second fastener hole are each adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and at least one other first fastener hole and at least one other second fastener hole are adjacent to the coextensive portion of the jamb stud.    
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein said locator tab protrudes from a parametric edge of the connection plate.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 13  further comprising at least one other plurality of fastener holes through said connection plate, each said another plurality of fastener holes having another shape that differs from said first and second shapes.  
   
   
       16 . The connector of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of third fastener holes having a third shape that differs from said first and second shapes.  
   
   
       17 . The connector of  claim 16  wherein said first holes are substantially square-shaped and wherein said second holes are substantially triangular-shaped and wherein said third holes are substantially round.  
   
   
       18 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein said first holes are linearly aligned in at least one first row and wherein said second holes are linearly aligned in at least one second row.  
   
   
       19 . The connector of  claim 16  wherein said first holes are linearly aligned in at least one first row and wherein said second holes are linearly aligned in at least one second row and wherein said third holes are linearly aligned in at least one third row.  
   
   
       20 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein said first holes are associated with a first fastener such that when corresponding first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a first load capacity.  
   
   
       21 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein said second holes are associated with a second fastener such that when corresponding second fasteners are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other second holes are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a second load capacity.  
   
   
       22 . The connector of  claim 21  wherein, when corresponding first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud and when corresponding second fasteners are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other second holes are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a third load capacity.  
   
   
       23 . The connector of  claim 16  wherein each of said first fastener holes has a first fastener associated therewith and wherein each of said second fastener holes has a second fastener associated therewith and wherein each of said third fastener holes has a third fastener associated therewith and wherein when corresponding first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud and when corresponding second fasteners are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other second holes are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a third load capacity.  
   
   
       24 . The connector of  claim 23  wherein, when corresponding first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other first fasteners are installed through all of said first holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud and when corresponding third fasteners are installed through all of said third holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other third holes are installed through all of said third holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a fourth load capacity.  
   
   
       25 . The connector of  claim 24  wherein, when corresponding second fasteners are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other second fasteners are installed through all of said second holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud and when corresponding third fasteners are installed through all of said third holes adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and other third holes are installed through all of said third holes adjacent to the portion of the jamb stud, the connector has a fifth load capacity.  
   
   
       26 . The connector of  claim 19  wherein said first, second and third holes are also arranged to form a plurality of columns of holes through said connection plate such that at least one said first hole, at least one said second hole and at least one said third hole are in at least one common said column of holes.  
   
   
       27 . The connector of  claim 17  wherein said connector plate comprises: 
 at least two first rows of said first holes through said connection plate;    at least two second rows of said second holes through said connection plate; and    at least two third rows of said third holes through said connection plate.    
   
   
       28 . A header and jamb stud arrangement, comprising: 
 a pair of jamb studs spaced from each other;    a header assembly extending between said pair of spaced jamb studs to define an opening between the jamb studs, said header assembly comprising:    a first header stud comprising: 
 a substantially planar first header web;  
 a first header flange protruding from said substantially planar first header web;  
 a second header flange protruding from said substantially planar first 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 first header web;  
 a second header leg protruding from said second header flange and being substantially parallel to said substantially planar first header web and substantially coplanar with said first header leg;  
 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;  
 another header stud comprising:  
 another substantially planar header web;  
 another first header flange protruding from said another substantially planar header web;  
 another second header flange protruding from said another substantially planar header web and being spaced from said another first header flange;  
 another first header leg protruding from said another first header flange and being substantially parallel to said another substantially planar header web;  
 another second header leg protruding from said another second header flange and being substantially parallel to said another substantially planar header web and substantially coplanar with said another first header leg, another first header return on another end of said another first header leg; and  
 another second header return on another end of said another second header leg, said another header stud in abutting contact with said first header stud to form a header assembly;  
 a first connector arrangement for connecting one end of said header assembly to one of said jamb studs; and  
 a second connector arrangement for connecting another end of said header assembly to the other one of said jamb studs.  
   
   
   
       29 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein said first header stud and said second header stud are fastened together independently of said first and second connector arrangements.  
   
   
       30 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein said first connector arrangement comprises: 
 a pair of first connectors wherein at least one said first connector comprises: 
 a substantially planar first connection plate sized to span between the end of the header assembly and the jamb stud;  
 a plurality of first fastener holes through said first connection plate wherein said first fastener holes each have a first shape;  
 a plurality of second fastener holes through said first connection plate, wherein each of said second fastener holes has a second shape that differs from said first shape; and  
 a first locator tab protruding from said substantially planar first connection plate such that when the locator tab is brought into abutting contact with the jamb stud, a portion of the end of the header assembly is coextensive with a first portion of the first connection plate and a portion of the jamb stud is coextensive with a second portion of the first connection plate such that it least one first fastener hole and at least one second fastener hole are each adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and at least one other first fastener hole and at least one other second fastener hole are adjacent to the coextensive portion of the jamb stud.  
   
   
   
       31 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 30  wherein at least one of said first connection plates has at least one other plurality of fastener holes through said connection plate, each said another plurality of fastener holes having another shape that differs from said first and second shapes.  
   
   
       32 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 30  wherein said second connector arrangement comprises: 
 a pair of second connectors wherein at least one said second connector comprises: 
 a substantially planar second connection plate sized to span between another end of the header assembly and the other jamb stud;  
 a plurality of primary fastener holes through said second connection plate wherein said primary fastener holes each have a primary shape;  
 a plurality of secondary fastener holes through said second connection plate, wherein each of said secondary fastener holes has a secondary shape that differs from said primary shape; and  
 a second locator tab protruding from said substantially planar second connection plate such that when the second locator tab is brought into abutting contact with the other jamb stud, a portion of the other end of the header assembly is coextensive with a primary portion of the second connection plate and a portion of the other jamb stud is coextensive with a secondary portion of the second connection plate such that at least one primary fastener hole and at least one secondary fastener hole are each adjacent to the coextensive other end of the header assembly and at least one other primary fastener hole and at least one other secondary fastener hole are adjacent to the coextensive portion of the other jamb stud.  
   
   
   
       33 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 32  wherein at least one of said second connection plates has at least one other plurality of fastener holes through said second connection plate, each said another plurality of fastener holes having another shape that differs from said primary and secondary shapes.  
   
   
       34 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein at least one of said jamb studs comprise: 
 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.    
   
   
       35 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein at least one of said jamb studs comprise: 
 a first stud having a first web and a pair of first flanges protruding therefrom;    a second piece of track having a second web and pair of flanges protruding therefrom, said first stud being oriented relative to said second piece of track such that said first flanges are received between said second flanges; and    a third stud having a third web and a pair of third flanges protruding therefrom;    said third web in abutting contact with said second web.    
   
   
       36 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein said first header leg abuts said another first header leg and wherein said second header leg abuts said another second header leg.  
   
   
       37 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein said first header web abuts said another first header web.  
   
   
       38 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 28  wherein said first and second header legs abut said another header web.  
   
   
       39 . A header and jamb stud arrangement comprising: 
 a pair of jamb studs spaced from each other;    a header assembly extending between said pair of spaced jamb studs to define an opening between the jamb studs;    a first connector arrangement for connecting one end of said header assembly to one of said jamb studs, said first connector arrangement comprises a pair of first connectors wherein at least one said first connector comprises: 
 a substantially planar first connection plate sized to span between the end of the header assembly and the jamb stud;  
 a plurality of first fastener holes through said first connection plate wherein said first fastener holes each have a first shape;  
 a plurality of second fastener holes through said first connection plate, wherein each of said second fastener holes has a second shape that differs from said first shape; and  
 a first locator tab protruding from said substantially planar first connection plate such that when the locator tab is brought into abutting contact with the jamb stud, a portion of the end of the header assembly is coextensive with a first portion of the first connection plate and a portion of the jamb stud is coextensive with a second portion of the first connection plate such that it least one first fastener hole and at least one second fastener hole are each adjacent to the coextensive end of the header assembly and at least one other first fastener hole and at least one other second fastener hole are adjacent to the coextensive portion of the jamb stud; and  
   a second connector arrangement for connecting another end of said header assembly to the other one of said jamb studs.    
   
   
       40 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 39  wherein at least one of said connection plates has at least one other plurality of fastener holes through said connection plate, each said another plurality of fastener holes having another shape that differs from said first and second shapes.  
   
   
       41 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 39  wherein said second connector arrangement comprises: 
 a pair of second connectors wherein at least one said second connector comprises: 
 a substantially planar second connection plate sized to span between another end of the header assembly and the other jamb stud;  
 a plurality of primary fastener holes through said second connection plate wherein said primary fastener holes each have a primary shape;  
 a plurality of secondary fastener holes through said second connection plate, wherein each of said secondary fastener holes has a secondary shape that differs from said primary shape; and  
 a second locator tab protruding from said substantially planar second connection plate such that when the second locator tab is brought into abutting contact with the other jamb stud, a portion of the other end of the header assembly is coextensive with a primary portion of the second connection plate and a portion of the other jamb stud is coextensive with a secondary portion of the second connection plate such that at least one primary fastener hole and at least one secondary fastener hole are each adjacent to the coextensive other end of the header assembly and at least one other primary fastener hole and at least one other secondary fastener hole are adjacent to the coextensive portion of the other jamb stud.  
   
   
   
       42 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 41  wherein at least one of said second connection plates has at least one other plurality of fastener holes through said second connection plate, each said another plurality of fastener holes having another shape that differs from said primary and secondary shapes.  
   
   
       43 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 39  wherein at least one of said jamb studs comprise: 
 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.    
   
   
       44 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 39  wherein at least one of said jamb studs comprise: 
 a first stud having a first web and a pair of first flanges protruding therefrom;    a second piece of track having a second web and pair of flanges protruding therefrom, said first stud being oriented relative to said second piece of track such that said first flanges are received between said second flanges; and    a third stud having a third web and a pair of third flanges protruding therefrom;    said third web in abutting contact with said second web.    
   
   
       45 . The header and jamb stud arrangement of  claim 39  wherein said header assembly comprises a pair of C-shaped studs retained in spaced apart relationship between upper and lower track members.