Metal stud wall track

Abstract

A metal track used in a stud wall includes a first panel with a ninety degree bend forming a flange thereon, and a second panel with a ninety degree bend forming a flange thereon. The flanges of the first panel and the second panel are positioned on a common plane. An elongated coupling element couples the first panel to the second panel in a parallel spaced apart relationship. The elongated coupling element of the metal track is bent periodically at an angle, so as to alternately contact the first panel and the second panel at regular intervals. An attachment element is provided for attaching the metal track to a surface.

1 . A metal track for a stud wall comprising:
 a first panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange;   a second panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange;   an elongated coupling element coupling the first panel to the second panel in a parallel spaced apart relationship with the outer surfaces of each directed outwardly away from each other and the inner surface of each directed toward each other, the flanges of the first panel and the second panel being on a common plane; and   an attachment element for attaching the metal track to a surface.   
     
     
         2 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elongated coupling element is bent periodically at an angle, so as to alternately contact the inner surface the first panel and the second panel at regular intervals. 
     
     
         3 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the elongated coupling element is affixed to the inner surface of the first panel and the inner surface of the second panel at contact points. 
     
     
         4 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the elongated coupling element is affixed by spot welding. 
     
     
         5 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the elongated coupling element is bent periodically at an angle generally between 30° and 90°. 
     
     
         6 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the attachment element for attaching the metal track to a surface includes fasteners passing through apertures formed in the flanges of the first panel and the second panel for receipt into the surface. 
     
     
         7 . A metal track for a stud wall as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the attachment element for attaching the metal track to a surface includes at least one bracket having ends with apertures therethrough, positioned over the elongated coupling element with fasteners passing through the apertures for receipt into the surface. 
     
     
         8 . A stud wall comprising:
 a lower metal track secured horizontally to a floor member, the lower metal track includes:
 a first panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange; 
 a second panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange; and 
 a elongated coupling element coupling the first panel to the second panel in a parallel spaced apart relationship with the outer surfaces of each directed outwardly away from each other and the inner surface of each directed toward each other, the flanges of the first panel and the second panel on a common plane; 
   an upper metal track secured horizontally to an upper floor\ceiling member, the upper metal track includes:
 a first panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange; 
 a second panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and opposed edges, one of the opposed edges being angled inwardly at a substantially ninety degree bend forming a flange; and 
 an elongated coupling element coupling the first panel to the second panel in a parallel spaced apart relationship with the outer surfaces of each directed outwardly away from each other and the inner surface of each directed toward each other, the flanges of the first panel and the second panel on a common plane; and 
   a plurality of vertical studs received by the lower metal track and the upper metal track and extending therebetween.   
     
     
         9 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the elongated coupling element of the upper metal track and the lower metal track is bent periodically at an angle, so as to alternately contact the inner surface the first panel and the second panel of each at regular intervals. 
     
     
         10 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the elongated coupling element of the upper metal track and the lower metal track is affixed to the inner surface of the first panel and the inner surface of the second panel at contact points. 
     
     
         11 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each elongated coupling element is affixed by spot welding. 
     
     
         12 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 9  wherein each elongated coupling element is bent periodically at an angle generally between 30° and 90°. 
     
     
         13 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the lower metal track is secured horizontally to the floor member and the upper metal track is secured horizontally to the upper floor\ceiling member by fasteners passing through apertures formed in the flanges of the first panel and the second panel of each of the lower metal track and the upper metal track and engaging the floor member and the ceiling member, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . A stud wall as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lower metal track is secured horizontally to the floor member and the upper metal track is secured horizontally to the upper floor\ceiling member each by at least one bracket having ends with apertures therethrough, positioned over the elongated coupling element of each with fasteners passing through the apertures and engaging the floor member and the ceiling member, respectively.