Wall Framing System

Abstract

A wall framing system for supporting an interior wall in spaced proximity to an exterior wall includes one or more stud members extending between upper and lower frame channel members, which are configured to self-locate in relation to the exterior wall in a manner which establishes a moisture and air barrier between the exterior wall and the interior wall supported by the wall framing system. The interior wall supported by the wall framing system is resistant to moisture degradation, and maintains desired R-value insulation properties throughout the wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall framing system for supporting an interior wall in spaced proximity to an exterior wall, wherein a gap is maintained between an insulation member of said interior wall and said exterior wall, said wall framing system comprising:
 upper and lower frame channel members each having a base portion extending between an inner brace portion and an outer brace portion, wherein said inner and outer brace portions extend substantially perpendicularly from said base portion in a common direction to define a channel therebetween, and a stand off portion extending from said outer brace portion by a first dimension for abutment against the exterior wall to space said outer brace portion from the exterior wall by said first dimension; and   a stud member receivable in said channels of said upper and lower frame channel members, said stud member having substantially parallel outer and inner flanges connected by a web portion, and a major divider portion extending substantially in parallel to said outer and inner flanges from a central region of said web portion between said outer and inner flanges to define a plurality of distinct major receptacles between said outer and inner flanges, wherein a first major receptacle has a first width defined between said outer flange and said major divider portion and a second major receptacle has a second width defined between said inner flange and said major divider portion, said first and second widths being different, selected ones of said major receptacles being capable of supporting the insulation member in an upright orientation between said upper and lower frame channel members and spaced from the exterior wall, said stud member being engagable with said upper and lower frame channel members through respective interaction between said outer and inner flanges and said outer and inner brace portions.   
     
     
         2 . A wall framing system as in  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower frame channel members  1  and said stud member are molded plastic. 
     
     
         3 . A wall framing system as in  claim 1 , including a shoulder portion extending from said inner brace portion by a second dimension for supporting a wall board above a ground surface, said shoulder portion alternatively being positional for abutment against the exterior wall to space said inner brace portion from the exterior wall by said second dimension. 
     
     
         4 . A wall framing system as in  claim 1 , including a pair of stud members supporting the insulation member therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . A wall framing system as in  claim 1 , including a minor divider portion extending substantially in parallel to said major divider portion from said central region of said web portion to define a plurality of distinct minor receptacles between said outer and inner flanges. 
     
     
         6 . A wall framing system for supporting an interior wall in spaced proximity to an exterior wall, wherein a gap is established between an insulation member of the interior wall and the exterior wall, said wall framing system comprising:
 a frame channel member for supporting a plurality of upright and spaced apart stud members defining an upright support for the interior wall, said frame channel member having a base portion extending between an inner base portion and an outer brace portion and along a length, wherein said inner and outer brace portions extend substantially perpendicularly from said base portion in a common direction to define an elongated channel therebetween that is configured to receive said stud members, and a first stand off portion extending outwardly from said outer brace portion by a first dimension for abutment against the exterior wall to space said outer brace portion from the exterior wall by said first dimension, said first stand off portion including a projecting portion extending from said outer brace portion to an outer end, and a support portion extending from said outer end substantially in parallel to said outer brace portion to define an outer channel between said outer brace portion, said projecting portion, and said support portion.   
     
     
         7 . A wall framing system as in  claim 6  wherein said outer channel extends continuously along said length. 
     
     
         8 . A wall framing system as in  claim 6 , including a second stand off portion extending inwardly from said inner brace portion by a second dimension, and having an extension portion extending from said inner brace portion in a direction generally opposite from said projecting portion to an interior end, and a cover portion extending from said interior end substantially in parallel to said inner brace portion to define an inner channel between said inner brace portion, said extension portion, and said cover portion. 
     
     
         9 . A wall framing system as in  claim 8  wherein said inner channel extends continuously along said length in parallel to said outer channel. 
     
     
         10 . A wall framing system as in  claim 6  wherein said elongated channel has a width dimension defined perpendicularly between said inner and outer brace portions, said width dimension being about 10 cm. 
     
     
         11 . A wall framing system, comprising:
 upper and lower frame channel members each having a base portion extending between an inner brace portion and an outer brace portion and along a length of said frame channel member, wherein said inner and outer brace portions extend substantially perpendicularly from said brace portion in a common direction to define a channel therebetween, and a stand off portion extending outwardly from said outer brace portion by a first dimension;   a plurality of stud members configured to be receivable in said channels of said upper and lower frame channel members, said stud members each having substantially parallel outer and inner flanges connected by a web portion, and a major divider portion extending substantially in parallel to said outer and inner flanges from a central region of said web portion to define a plurality of distinct major receptacles between said outer and inner flanges, said stud members being engagable with said upper and lower frame channel members through respective interaction between said outer and inner flanges and said outer and inner brace portions; and   an insulation member being retainably receivable in respective major receptacles of adjacently arrayed stud members between said upper and lower frame channel members.   
     
     
         12 . A wall framing system as in  claim 11  wherein said insulation member forms a substantially planar and rigid thermal barrier of a wall, and is frictionally captured by said adjacently arrayed stud members in an upright orientation. 
     
     
         13 . A wall framing system as in  claim 11 , including a number of stud members sufficient to comply with a construction industry standard spacing between respective adjacent stud members arrayed along said length. 
     
     
         14 . A wall framing system as in  claim 11  being packaged as a kit for constructing a wall of predetermined length. 
     
     
         15 . A wall framing system as in  claim 14  wherein said predetermined length is eight feet. 
     
     
         16 . A method for constructing an interior wall in spaced proximity to an exterior wall, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a wall framing system having:
 (i) upper and lower frame channel members each having a base portion extending between an inner brace portion and an outer brace portion and along a length of said frame channel member, wherein said inner and outer brace portions extend substantially perpendicularly from said base portion in a common direction to define a channel therebetween, and a stand off portion extending outwardly from said outer brace portion by a first dimension; 
 (ii) a plurality of stud members each having first and second ends, substantially parallel outer and inner flanges connected by a web portion, and a major divider portion extending substantially in parallel to said outer and inner flanges from a central region of said web portion to define a plurality of distinct major receptacles between said outer and inner flanges; and 
 (iii) a rigid insulation member; 
   (b) arranging said upper and lower frame channel members in a spaced apart relationship with respective said channels facing one another, the spacing of said upper and lower frame channel members defining a wall height;   (c) positioning said stand off portions of said upper and lower frame channel members against the exterior wall to space said respective outer brace portions inwardly from the exterior wall by said first dimension;   (d) installing said first and second ends of said stud members into said channels of respective said upper and lower frame channel members, with said outer and inner brace portions of said upper and lower frame channel members interacting with respective said outer and inner flanges of said stud members to secure said stud members to said upper and lower frame channel members in spaced apart relationship along said length; and   (e) securing said insulation member between adjacent spaced apart stud members by frictionally engaging said insulation member into respective major receptacles of said stud members.   
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , including frictionally securing said outer and inner flanges of said stud members to respective outer and inner brace portions of said upper and lower frame channel members. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 16 , including a shoulder portion extending inwardly from said inner brace portion of said lower frame channel member by a second dimension, and having an extension portion extending from said inner brace portion to an interior end, and a cover portion extending from said interior end substantially in parallel to said inner brace portion to define an inner channel between said inner brace portion, said extension portion, and said cover portion. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18 , including mounting a wall board upon said extension portion of said shoulder portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein a gap is established between said insulation member and the exterior wall.