Stabilizer for a metal structure and metal structures incorporating the stabilizer

Abstract

A metal structure stabilizer is creases along a longitudinal axis with longitudinal stripes along the axis of the crease. Each longitudinal stripe has slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal structure stud and a tab positioned adjacent to the slots for connection with a metal stud.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brace for structurally connecting metal studs, the brace comprising:
 a length of metal that folded along a longitudinal axis to define longitudinal stripes that are angled with the longitudinal axis;   each of the longitudinal stripes has a plurality slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud and at least one tab that is positioned to abut a metal stud and receive a fastener that connects the at least one tab to a metal stud.   
     
     
         2 . A stabilizer for a metal structure, the stabilizer comprising:
 a length of metal that is creased along a longitudinal axis and folded to define longitudinal stripes in intersecting planes;   each of the longitudinal stripes has at least one slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal structure and at least one tab that is positioned to abut a portion of metal structure.   
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tab is positioned to receive a fastener that joins the at least one tab to the metal structure. 
     
     
         4 . A metal structure comprising:
 least one beam disposed in a first direction;   a plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction relative to the at least one beam and connected to the at least one beam;   each of the plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction has at least one aperture;   at least one metal structural stabilizer that is creased along a longitudinal axis and folded to define longitudinal stripes; and,   at least one of the longitudinal stripes has a slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction and at least one tab that is positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction.   
     
     
         5 . A structure comprising:
 at least one beam disposed in a first direction;   a plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction relative to the at least one beam and connected to the beam to define at least two end metal studs;   each of the plurality of metal studs that are disposed in a second direction has at least one aperture;   at least one brace folded to define longitudinal stripes; and,   at least one of the longitudinal stripes has at least one slot that is dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction, at least one tab on the brace is positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction, and an end tab on the brace is positioned to be connected with an end metal stud disposed in the second direction;   whereby end metal studs of the at least two metal structures are positioned back-to-back and a fastener connects the least one brace in each of the at least two metal structures together.   
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one longitudinal stripe has a plurality of slots that are dimensioned to receive a portion of a metal stud disposed in the second direction, a plurality of tabs that are positioned to be connected with a metal stud disposed in the second direction, and a plurality of end tabs that are positioned to be connected with an end metal stud disposed in the second direction. metal studs defining an end of the structures are connected with at least one fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein the metal end studs are connected back-to-back and a plurality of fastener pass through the plurality of end tabs to secure the end studs together. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein each end metal stud is dimensioned to receive a fastener head and the at least two metal structures are positioned back-to-back without interference from the head of a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 5 , where in the brace is formed from a metal stripe.