Stiffener for Construction Elements

Abstract

A stiffener 50 for construction elements for providing resistance against deflection and cracking is disclosed comprising a U-shaped cross-section with a web 10 and two flanges 20a, 20b extending transversely from the web 10 and having ribs 30 rising parallel, perpendicular or diagonal from the flanges 20a, 20b. The stiffener 50 is configured to be fixed within the construction element. A drywall stud and a ceiling section provided with a plurality of stiffeners 50 of the present disclosure spaced at desired locations along their length is also disclosed. Such drywall studs and ceiling sections comprising stiffeners 50 of the present disclosure reduce deflection of drywall partition and suspended ceiling system, respectively by up to 50%.

1 . A stiffener for a construction element for providing resistance against deflection and cracking, said stiffener comprising a U-shaped cross-section with a web and a first flange and a second flange extending transversely from the web at an angle X more than or equal to 90 degrees and one or more ribs rising from each of the first and the second flanges and extending towards each other, wherein the stiffener is configured to be fixed within the construction element. 
     
     
         2 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a height H of at least one rib is equal to or less than a height H′ of the first flange or second flange. 
     
     
         3 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a length L of at least one rib is equal to or less than a length L′ of the web. 
     
     
         4 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a length L of at least one rib is greater than a length L′ of the web. 
     
     
         5 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a length L of at least one rib equals a distance D between the first and second flanges. 
     
     
         6 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs on the first flange correspond or alternative with the ribs on the second flange. 
     
     
         7 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges protrude inward to form ribs. 
     
     
         8 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1  optionally comprises one or more ribs rising from the web. 
     
     
         9 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more ribs are arranged perpendicular or parallel or diagonal to the first and second flanges or web, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ribs  30 , are arranged in form of a cluster. 
     
     
         11 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1  is made of a material selected from aluminum and mild steel coated with galvanized iron (GI). 
     
     
         12 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1  has a thickness ranging between 0.4 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The stiffener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the construction element is selected from a drywall stud and a ceiling section. 
     
     
         14 . A drywall partition providing structural integrity to resist destructive forces comprising:
 a plurality of vertical drywall studs retained between a floor channel and a ceiling channel, wherein each vertical drywall stud comprises a plurality of stiffeners as claimed in  claim 1  spaced at desired intervals, wherein the web and the first and second flanges of the stiffener abuts a web and flanges of the drywall studs, respectively.   
     
     
         15 . The suspended drywall ceiling as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the drywall stud has a base metal thickness reduced between 10% and 40% compared to a conventional drywall stud. 
     
     
         16 . A suspended drywall ceiling providing structural integrity to resist destructive forces comprising:
 a grid suspended from a structural ceiling having intermediate beams interlocked with ceiling sections comprising a plurality of stiffeners as claimed in  claim 1  spaced at desired intervals, wherein the web and the first and second flanges of the stiffener abuts a web and flanges of the ceiling sections, respectively.   
     
     
         17 . The suspended drywall ceiling as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ceiling section has a base metal thickness reduced between 10% and 40% compared to a conventional ceiling section. 
     
     
         18 . The suspended drywall ceiling as claimed in  claim 16 , exhibiting up to 50% less deflection compared to a conventional ceiling system.