Stud with lengthwise indented ribs and method

Abstract

A steel stud member for use in supporting structures and having reduced thickness as compared with conventional studs, and having a web having side edges, flanges on the side edges, formed at angles to the web, the web and the flanges enclosing inside surfaces, and having outside surfaces for mounting structure, and plurality of narrow indented longitudinal ribs formed in the flanges, and in the web, indented inwardly from the outside to the inside of the flanges, providing greater load bearing capacity for a given gauge of steel. Also disclosed is a method of making such a steel member.

1 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud ( 10 ) for use in construction and having a web ( 12 ) defining side edges and an axis, a first flange ( 14 ) along one side edge, and a second flange ( 16 ) along the other side edge, said web and said flanges defining inside surfaces and mounting surfaces opposite one another, and being characterized by;
 longitudinal indented ribs ( 20 ) formed along at least one of said first and second flanges, parallel to said web axis and,   and wherein said indented ribs in said flanges are formed as depressions from said mounting surface extending into said inside surface, to avoid obstruction of said mounting surfaces of said flanges.   
   
   
       2 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , being further characterized by two said flanges ( 14 ,  16 ) bent at right angles to said web ( 12 ) and longitudinal indented ribs ( 20 ) in both said flanges. 
   
   
       3 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 1  being further characterized by depressions ( 28 ) formed in said web ( 12 ) at spaced intervals, and openings ( 30 ) formed in said depressions. 
   
   
       4 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 1  being further characterized by having an embedment edge ( 16 A,  34 ) which is formed along one said flange, for embedment in concrete. 
   
   
       5 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 1  being further characterized by openings ( 24 ) through said web at spaced intervals therealong, of predetermined size and profile, at least a side portion ( 25 ) of said web displaced from said opening remaining attached integrally to said web, a first bend formed in said side portion, a second bend formed in said side portion spaced from said first bend, said first and second bends being formed along axes parallel to said web axis to define reinforcing channels. 
   
   
       6 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 5  being further characterized by a cross brace member ( 70 ) having fastenings ( 72 ,  74 ) with a snap-in engagement for insertion into said web openings. 
   
   
       7 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 5  being further characterized by depressions ( 28 ) formed in said web at spaced intervals and, openings ( 40 ) formed in said depressions to reduce heat transfer. 
   
   
       8 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 5  being further characterized by openings ( 24 ) which are shaped with opposed linear side edges, side portions ( 46 ) of said web integral with said linear side edges being formed into said channel shapes. 
   
   
       9 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 1  being further characterized by an embedment edge ( 16 A,  34 ) on a said flange being angled at an angle to said web and a locking strip ( 36 ) formed along said embedment edge ( 16 A,  34 ) for embedment in a concrete panel. 
   
   
       10 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 9  being further characterized by openings ( 24 ) through said web at spaced intervals therealong, of predetermined size and profile, at least a side portion ( 25 ) of said web displaced from said opening remaining attached integrally to said web, a first bend formed in said side portion, a second bend formed in said side portion spaced from said first bend, said first and second bends being formed along axes parallel to said web axis to define reinforcing channels. 
   
   
       11 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 1  being further characterized by being formed of sheet metal having a gauge between 0.149 inch and 0.1196 inch, and a web width of between 3.625 and 14.00 inch, and flange width of between 1.25 and 3.0 inch, and wherein the indented ribs have a depth of between 0.125 and 0.50 inch and a rib width of between 0.0625 and 0.50 inch. 
   
   
       12 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 9  being further characterized by having a spacing between said indented ribs in said web of between 0.50 and 0.25 inch. 
   
   
       13 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 12  being further characterized by having a spacing between said indented ribs in said flanges of between 0.50 and 0.25 inch. 
   
   
       14 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 9  being further characterized by being formed of sheet metal having a gauge between 0.149 inch and 0.1196 inch, and a web width of between 3.625 and 14.00 inch, and flange width of between 1.25 and 3.0 inch, and wherein the indented ribs have a depth of between 0.125 and 0.50 inch and a rib width of between 0.0625 and 0.50 inch. 
   
   
       15 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 9  being further characterized by having a spacing between said indented ribs in said web of between 0.50 and 0.25 inch. 
   
   
       16 . A reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 12  being further characterized by having a spacing between said indented ribs in said flanges of between 0.50 and 0.25 inch. 
   
   
       17 . A method of making a reinforced indented sheet metal stud characterized by the steps of;
 forming a sheet metal strip having a web ( 12 ) with side edges, and flanges ( 14 ,  16 ) along each said side edge,   forming longitudinal indented ribs ( 20 ) in said web   forming longitudinal indented ribs ( 18 ) in said flanges,   bending said flanges relative to said web whereby to define a mounting surface and an inside surface of said stud, said ribs being formed as depressions indented from said mounting surface into said inside surface, and, bending lips on said flanges.   
   
   
       18 . A method of making a reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 17  and further characterized by the steps of;
 forming main web openings in said sheet metal strip at spaced intervals prior to forming said indented ribs, and subsequently forming edge flanges around said openings.   
   
   
       19 . A method of making a reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 18  and further characterized by the steps of;
 bending said edge flanges to form a reinforcement channel on at least one side of each said opening.   
   
   
       20 . A method of making a reinforced indented sheet metal stud as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said main web openings define ribs in said web between said main web openings, and further characterized by the steps of;
 forming further openings in said web in said ribs, and forming indented edge flanges around said further openings.