Alternative I-Stud

Abstract

An i-stud having a web and flanges comprising oriented strand board (OSB) and a method of assembling a wall utilizing the same, wherein the flanges are unitary and non-laminated. The method of assembling a wall may utilize a wall system comprising upper and lower frame members or may utilize existing structural members.

1 . An i-stud comprising:
 two unitary and non-laminated flanges each having a longitudinal groove roughly centrally located about one side;   a web extending between said flanges, wherein opposite ends of said web are seated and frictionally engaged in said grooves;   wherein said web and said flanges each comprise oriented strand board; and   a bonding agent disposed between said opposite ends of said web and said grooves.   
     
     
         2 . The i-stud of  claim 1  wherein said web and said flanges are of substantially the same thickness. 
     
     
         3 . The i-stud of  claim 1  wherein said bonding agent is selected from the group consisting of phenolic resin and urea formaldehyde. 
     
     
         4 . The i-stud of  claim 1  wherein said web comprises an aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The i-stud of  claim 4  wherein said web comprises a plurality of apertures spaced apart approximately every 16 inches, on center, along the length of said web. 
     
     
         6 . The i-stud of  claim 4  wherein said aperture is approximately 2¼ inches wide and approximately 4 inches long. 
     
     
         7 . The i-stud of  claim 1  wherein said grooves and said opposite ends of said web are complementary and roughly trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         8 . An i-stud comprising:
 two unitary and non-laminated flanges each having a longitudinal groove roughly centrally located about one side;   a plurality of spaced-apart web members extending between said flanges, wherein opposite ends of each said web member are seated and frictionally engaged in said grooves;   wherein said web members and said flanges each comprise oriented strand board and are of substantially the same thickness; and   a bonding agent disposed between said opposite ends of said web members and said grooves.   
     
     
         9 . The i-stud of  claim 8  wherein the sum of the lengths of said web members is less than the length of said flanges. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a wall, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one frame member, and at least one stud, wherein said stud comprises two unitary and non-laminated flanges each having a longitudinal groove roughly centrally located about one side; a web extending between said flanges, wherein opposite ends of said web are seated and frictionally engaged in said grooves; wherein said web and said flanges comprise oriented strand board and are of substantially the same thickness; and a bonding agent disposed between said opposite ends of said web and said grooves; and   securing said at least one stud to at least one of said frame members.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said at least one stud is secured to at least one of said frame members using a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of:
 providing a bracket having a plurality of clips;   securing said clips about said flanges of one of said studs; and   securing said bracket to one of said frame members.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of securing said bracket to at least one of said flanges of said stud using a fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of providing at least one frame member comprises providing an upper frame member and a lower frame member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said upper frame member and said lower frame member are elongate, horizontal and substantially in parallel.