Continuous metal building framing member

Abstract

A continuous metal building framing member may be cut and bent to form at least one wall member and at least one roofing member. The continuous metal building framing member may eliminate or reduce the use of web connector clips, rafter ties, and stud-to-rafter or top plate-to-rafter clip connections while expediting wall and roof assembly in light gauge cold formed steel framed building structures. The framing members may be specific pre-notched steel framing members, notched at predetermined bend locations, with remaining web and flange material to be structurally significant after bending, while simultaneously dictating points and extend of bending. The framing members may be 1) pre-notched framing members to be folded at notched locations to pre-determined angles which provide roof pitch angles and elevation; 2) entire wall and rafter sections formed from one continuous framing member; and 3) rapidly screwed or welded together with the remaining overlapping web material to permanently fix the desired angles.

1 . A building framing member comprising:
 at least one stud member and at least one rafter member continuously formed from a single piece of a metal framing member;   a notch and a slot cut into a portion of the building framing member, the notch and the slot adapted to create a bend line, the bend line adapted to permit the building framing member to bend therealong to align the stud member and the rafter member at a predetermined angle.   
     
     
         2 . The building framing member of  claim 1 , wherein the building framing member is a C-shape cold formed steel framing member. 
     
     
         3 . The building framing member of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment mechanism adapted to connecting overlapping material at a junction of the stud member and the rafter member. 
     
     
         4 . The building framing member of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment member is selected from bolts, rivets, a clinch, and a weld. 
     
     
         5 . The building framing member of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first rafter member adapted to slope upward from a first stud member, the first rafter member formed continuously with the stud member; and   a second rafter member adapted to slop downward from the first rafter member, the second rafter member formed continuously with the first rafter member.   
     
     
         6 . The building framing member of  claim 5 , further comprising a rafter notch and a rafter slot formed in the building framing member, the rafter notch and the rafter slot adapted to form a bend line where the first rafter member and the second rafter member are adapted to bend to a predetermined angle thereabout. 
     
     
         7 . The building framing member of  claim 6 , further comprising a second stud member formed continuously with the second rafter member. 
     
     
         8 . The building framing member of  claim 7 , further comprising a second notch and a second slot cut into a portion of the building framing member, the second notch and the second slot adapted to create a second bend line, the second bend line adapted to permit the building framing member to bend therealong to align the second stud member and the second rafter member at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         9 . A continuous metal framing member comprising:
 a first stud member;   a first rafter member formed continuously with the first stud member, the first rafter member spanning from the first stud member to a roof ridge of a building assembled with the continuous metal framing member;   a second rafter member formed continuously with the first rafter member, the second rafter member spanning from the roof ridge to a second stud member, wherein   the second stud member is formed continuously with the second rafter member.   
     
     
         10 . The continuous metal framing member of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a first bend line is formed at a junction of the first stud member and the first rafter member by forming a first notch and a first slot in a portion of the continuous metal framing member, the first bend line adapted to bend the continuous framing member at a predetermined angle to provide a predetermined roof pitch from the first rafter member;   a second bend line is formed at a junction of the first rafter member and the second rafter member by forming a second notch and a second slot in a portion of the continuous metal framing member, the second bend line adapted to bend the continuous framing member at a predetermined angle to provide a predetermined roof pitch from the second rafter member; and   a third bend line is formed at a junction of the second rafter member and the second stud member by forming a third notch and a third slot in a portion of the continuous metal framing member, the third bend line adapted to bend the continuous framing member.