Wall system

Abstract

A wall system includes a stud member, a bracket assembly mounted to the stud member, and at least one block member supported by the bracket assembly. An adhesive is applied at least between the stud member and the at least one block member. The stud member and the at least one block member establish a composite wall unit.

1 . A wall system, comprising:
 a stud member;   a bracket assembly mounted to said stud member;   at least one block member supported by said bracket assembly; and   an adhesive applied at least between said stud member and said at least one block member, wherein said stud member and said at least one block member establish a composite wall unit.   
   
   
       2 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly includes a plurality of bracket members attached to said stud member, and said plurality of bracket members extend horizontally across said stud member to establish a plurality of rows. 
   
   
       3 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly establishes a self-supporting wall frame. 
   
   
       4 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said stud member includes a face portion, a first flange, and a second flange, and said first flange and said second flange extend transversely from said face portion at opposite sides of said stud member. 
   
   
       5 . The wall system as recited in  claim 4 , comprising a plurality of openings formed in each of said first flange and said second flange. 
   
   
       6 . The wall system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of openings includes a flap that extends toward an interior of said stud member. 
   
   
       7 . The wall system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said adhesive is applied to each of said first flange, said second flange and said at least one block member. 
   
   
       8 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly includes a first bracket assembly and a second bracket assembly, and said first bracket assembly is mounted to a first side of said stud member and said second bracket assembly is mounted to a second side of said stud member. 
   
   
       9 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly comprises a first material and said at least one block member comprises a second material different from said first material. 
   
   
       10 . A method of constructing a wall system, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning stud members at a desired spacing;   (b) attaching bracket members to the stud members;   (c) supporting block members on the bracket members; and   (d) applying an adhesive to at least the stud members prior to supporting the block members on the bracket members.   
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the stud members include a first side and a second side, and said step (b) includes the step of:
 attaching the bracket members on both the first side and the second side of the stud members.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited  10 , wherein each of the stud members includes a face portion, and a first flange and a second flange that extend transversely from the face portion on opposite sides of the face portion, and said step (d) includes the step of:
 applying the adhesive to the first flange and the second flange of each of the stud members.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said step (b) includes the step of:
 establishing a self-supporting wall frame with the bracket members.   
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , comprising the step of:
 (e) curing the adhesive such that the stud members and the block members act as a single, composite wall unit.   
   
   
       15 . A stud member for a wall system, comprising:
 a face portion having a first side and an opposing second side;   a first flange extending transversely from said face portion at said first side; and   a second flange extending transversely from said face portion at said opposing second side, wherein each of said first flange and said second flange include a plurality of openings that each include a flap that extends from said first flange and said second flange toward the opposite of said first flange and said second flange.   
   
   
       16 . The stud member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said face portion, said first flange and said second flange form a generally U-shaped body. 
   
   
       17 . The stud member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said flap of each of said plurality of openings extends from a bottom portion of said plurality of openings. 
   
   
       18 . The stud member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said flap of each of said plurality of openings extends toward an interior of the stud member. 
   
   
       19 . The stud member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of openings are punctures.