Construction framing system including a layout track

Abstract

A construction framing system includes first and second studs, a first layout track, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The first layout track includes a web, a first flange, a second flange, and a first array of preformed apertures. The preformed apertures in the first array of preformed apertures extend completely through the first flange. The first array of preformed apertures includes a first off module aperture, a first on module aperture, and a second on module aperture. The first off module aperture has a first shape. The first on module aperture has a second shape that is different from the first shape. The second on module aperture has the second shape or a third shape that is different than the first or second shapes. The first fastener is inserted through the first on module aperture and into the first stud. The second fastener is inserted through the second on module aperture and into the second stud.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A construction framing system comprising:
 (a) first and second studs;   (b) a first layout track, wherein a first end of the first stud is received within the first layout track and a first end of the second stud is received within the first layout track comprising:
 (i) a web, 
 (ii) a first flange extending perpendicular to the web, and 
 (iii) a second flange extending perpendicular to the web, wherein the second flange is separated from the first flange by the web, and 
 (iv) a first array of preformed apertures, wherein each aperture of the first array of preformed apertures extends completely through the first flange, wherein the first array of preformed apertures is arranged along a first longitudinal axis, the first array of preformed apertures comprising:
 (A) a first off module aperture having a first shape, 
 (B) a first on module aperture having a second shape that is different from the first shape, 
 (C) a second on module aperture having a shape that is selected from the group consisting of the second shape and a third shape that is different than the first shape and the second shape, wherein the first off module aperture is positioned between the first on module aperture and the second on module aperture, wherein the first on module aperture and second on module aperture are separated by a predetermined distance, 
 (c) a first fastener inserted through the first on module aperture and into the first stud; and 
 (d) a second fastener inserted through the second on module aperture and into the second stud. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance is selected from the group consisting of 12 inches on center, 16 inches on center, and 24 inches on center. 
     
     
         3 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent preformed apertures of the first array of preformed apertures are spaced apart an off module length of one inch on center. 
     
     
         4 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is a circle and the second shape is a diamond. 
     
     
         5 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second off module aperture having the firstshape, wherein the first off module aperture and the second off module aperture are separated by the predetermined distance. 
     
     
         6 . The construction framing system of  claim 5 , further comprising a third off module aperture and a fourth off module aperture positioned between the first on module aperture and the second on module aperture, wherein the third off module aperture and the fourth off module aperture each have the first shape. 
     
     
         7 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second on module aperture has the second shape. 
     
     
         8 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is selected from the group consisting of a circle, diamond, square, star, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, and clover. 
     
     
         9 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener has a generally circular cross-sectional area that is different than the first shape. 
     
     
         10 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second shape is selected from the group consisting of a circle, diamond, square, star, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, and clover. 
     
     
         11 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         12 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second array of preformed apertures, wherein each aperture of the second array of preformed apertures extends completely through the second flange, wherein the second array of preformed apertures is arranged along a second longitudinal axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The construction framing system of  claim 12 , the second array of preformed apertures comprising:
 (a) a third off module aperture having the first shape,   (b) a third on module aperture having the second shape,   (c) a fourth on module aperture having a shape that is selected from the group consisting of the second shape and the third shape, wherein the third off module aperture of the second array of preformed apertures is positioned between the third on module aperture and the fourth on module aperture of the second array of preformed apertures, wherein the third on module aperture and the fourth on module aperture of the second array of preformed apertures are separated by the predetermined distance, and   (d) a fourth off module aperture having the first shape.   
     
     
         14 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener includes a threaded portion having a maximum cross-sectional area, wherein the maximum cross-sectional area of the threaded portion is greater than a maximum cross-sectional area defined by the first on module aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The construction framing system of  claim 1 , wherein the layout track comprises a first terminal end and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end and the first array of preformed apertures further comprises a first terminal end aperture located between the first terminal end and the first on module aperture, wherein the distance between the first terminal end and the first terminal end aperture is equal to the distance between the first terminal end aperture and a preformed aperture in the first array of preformed apertures that is adjacent to the first terminal end aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The construction framing system of  claim 15 , wherein the first array of preformed apertures further comprises a second terminal end aperture located between the second on module aperture and the second terminal end, wherein the distance between the second terminal end aperture and the second terminal end is equal to the distance between the second terminal end aperture and a preformed aperture in the first array of preformed apertures that is adjacent to the second terminal end aperture. 
     
     
         17 . A layout track comprising:
 (a) a web;   (b) a first flange extending perpendicular to the web;   (c) a second flange extending perpendicular to the web and separated from the first flange by the web; and   (d) a first array of preformed apertures, wherein each aperture of the first array of preformed apertures extends completely through the first flange, wherein the first array of preformed apertures comprises a plurality of apertures that define a repeating longitudinal pattern, the repeating longitudinal pattern comprising:
 (i) a first off module aperture having a first shape, 
 (ii) a second off module aperture having the first shape, 
 (iii) a third off module aperture having the first shape, and 
 (iv) a first on module aperture having a second shape that is different from the first shape 
 wherein the first off module aperture is adjacent to the second off module aperture, 
 wherein the second off module aperture is adjacent to both the first off module aperture and the third off module aperture, 
 wherein the third off module aperture is adjacent to both the second off module aperture and the first on module aperture, and 
 wherein the first on module aperture is adjacent to the third off module aperture. 
   
     
     
         18 . The layout track of  claim 17 , wherein adjacent preformed apertures of the first array of preformed apertures are spaced apart from each other a distance of one inch on center. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a layout track for construction framing, the method comprising:
 punch forming a first off module aperture and a second off module aperture through the layout track, wherein the first off module aperture and the second off module aperture each have a first shape;   punch forming a first on module aperture and a second on module aperture through the layout track, wherein the first on module aperture and the second on module aperture each have a second shape that is different than the first shape; and   bending the layout track to form a first flange, a second flange, and a web, wherein the first off module aperture and the first on module aperture are positioned on the first flange and the second off module aperture and the second on module aperture are positioned on the second flange, wherein the first and second flanges are separated by the web.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of punch forming a third on module aperture and a fourth on module aperture through the layout track, wherein the third on module aperture and the fourth on module aperture each have a shape that is selected from the group consisting of the second shape and a third shape that is different from the first shape and the second shape, wherein the third on module aperture is positioned on the first flange and the fourth on module aperture is positioned on the second flange.