Construction framing member with integrated thermal break and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

A construction framing member comprising a framing member and an insulative material disposed in a channel within the framing member. Thermal bridging properties of finished walls constructed with the product are altered positively, by incorporation of the thermal break in the finished wall created by the insulative material within the framing members. A method of manufacturing the construction framing member is disclosed—a channel is created in an integral framing member using a saw, router or the like, for the placement of the insulative material.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A construction framing member with improved thermal insulation properties, comprising:
 a. a framing member having a length, a width and a depth, capable of use in a traditional construction framing function;   b. a channel formed in the framing member, the channel having a length, a width and a depth and being sized such that:
 i. the length of the channel runs substantially the length of the framing member; 
 ii. the depth of the channel is less than the depth of the framing member; and 
 iii. the width of the channel is less than the width of the framing member; and 
   c. insulating material adhered within the channel, said insulating material effective to reduce thermal transfer across the width of the framing member.   
     
     
         2 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the depth of the channel is at least 50% of the depth of the framing member. 
     
     
         3 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the depth of the channel is at least 80% of the depth of the framing member. 
     
     
         4 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the width of the channel is less than 50% of the width of the framing member. 
     
     
         5 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of fiberglass, mineral wool, cotton, a foam, a solid insulating material, or an injectable self-solidifying liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The framing produce of  claim 5  wherein the insulating material comprises a polymeric foam. 
     
     
         7 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the framing member is sized to have dimensions substantially the same as a standard lumber size of a lumber framing member. 
     
     
         8 . The construction framing member of  claim 1  wherein the channel is positioned such that the framing member is divided into a first section, a second section, and a connecting section, wherein the channel is positioned between the first section and second section and overlays the connecting section. 
     
     
         9 . The construction framing member of  claim 8  wherein the first section and sections have different widths. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a construction framing member with improved thermal insulation properties, comprising:
 a. providing a framing member, the framing member having a length, a width and a depth;   b. forming a channel in the framing member which is configured to receive an insulating material, the channel having a length a width and a depth, wherein the channel is sized such that:
 i. the length of the channel runs substantially the length of the framing member; 
 ii. the depth of the channel is less than the depth of the framing member; 
 iii. the width of the channel is less that the width of the framing member; and 
   c. placing and adhering an insulating material in the channel such that the channel is substantially filled with the insulating material.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the operation of forming the channel is performed by sawing or routing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the framing member is wood. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the depth of the channel is least 50% of the depth of the framing member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the depth of the channel is at least 80% of the depth of the framing member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the width of the channel is less than 50% of the width of the framing member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the insulating material comprises at least one of fiberglass, mineral wool, cotton, a foam, a solid insulating material, or an injectable self-solidifying liquid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the insulating material is adhered in the channel using glue. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the insulating material is self-adhering in the channel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the insulating material comprises a polymeric foam. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the foam expands once placed in the channel to fill and adhere within the channel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the framing member is sized to have dimensions substantially the same as a standard lumber size of a lumber framing member. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the channel is formed such that the framing member is divided into a first section, a second section, and a connecting section, where the channel is between the first section and second section, and overlays the connecting section. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the first section and the second section have different widths.