Adjustable wall stud

Abstract

A wall stud which includes opposed mounting surfaces for receiving wall panels, a web is disposed between the opposed mounting surfaces, and the stud has first and second ends. The first end is provided on a first stud member and the second end is provided on a second stud member. The first and second stud members are moveable with respect to one another to provide for adjustment of the effective length of the wall stud.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A wall stud comprising:
 opposed mounting surfaces for receiving wall panels;   a web is disposed between the opposed mounting surfaces;   first and second ends;   the first end being provided on a first stud member and the second end being provided on a second stud member;   the first and second stud members being movable with respect to one another to provide for adjustment of an effective length of the wall stud; and   the wall stud further including fixing means for fixing the first and second stud members in position;   wherein the fixing means includes a ratchet and pawl arrangement which permits lengthening of the stud, but resists shortening of the stud;   the pawl is provided in the form of a flap that is integrally formed with the web of one of the stud members; and   the ratchet and pawl arrangement includes a ratchet formation in the form of a series of slots provided in the web of one of the stud members.   
     
     
         14 . The wall stud according to  claim 13 , wherein the second stud member has a sliding fit within the first stud member. 
     
     
         15 . The wall stud according to  claim 14 , wherein the second end of the second stud member is arranged to have the same effective external dimensions as the first end of the first stud member. 
     
     
         16 . The wall stud according to  claim 15 , wherein the second end of the second stud member includes projections which provide the same effective external dimensions as the first end of the first stud member. 
     
     
         17 . The wall stud according to  claim 13 , wherein the ratchet and pawl arrangement includes a pair of pawls. 
     
     
         18 . The wall stud according to  claim 13 , wherein the ratchet formation includes two series of slots which are provided side by side. 
     
     
         19 . A method of constructing a wall including the steps of:
 installing upper and lower wall tracks, with each of the upper and lower tracks including a trough for receiving the ends of wall studs;   providing a series of wall studs; each of the wall studs comprising opposed mounting surfaces for receiving a wall panel; a web is disposed between the opposed mounting surfaces; first and second ends; the first end is provided on a first stud member and the second end is provided on a second stud member; and   the first and second stud members are movable with respect to one another to provide for adjustment of an effective length of the wall stud;   adjusting the effective lengths of the wall studs to fit between the upper and lower tracks; and   installing the wall studs in the tracks.   
     
     
         20 . The method of constructing a wall including the steps of:
 removing wall studs from a wall constructed in accordance with  claim 19 ; and   readjusting the effective length of the wall studs.