Crimped end load bearing member and assemble thereof

Claim 2

In a support frame for planoform panels, the combination of an elongate channel-shaped runner track having a base and two side flanges projecting from the same face of the base in opposed, parallel, and spaced-apart relationship to one another, a panel-supporting stud comprising a web, two side flanges projecting from opposing elongate side edges of said web so as to provide oppositely directed support planes for planoform wall panels, one end portion of said stud being disposed between the side flanges of said runner track and being of lesser width than the portion of said stud adjacent to said end portion to avoid increasing the spacing of said track side flanges, said web having an integral first rib formed by deformation of a portion of said web, said rib extending substantially only the length of said end portion with a width and depth sufficient to form said lesser width of said web at said end portion, the length of the cross section centerline of the material forming the web in the end portion, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stud being approximately equal to the length of the cross section centerline taken perpendicularly to said axis at a point adjacent to said end portion.

Claim 3

The combination in a support frame for planoform panels according to claim 1, including planoform panels secured to said side flanges of said member and said side flanges of said runner track at spaced intervals therealong.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said rib comprises an elongate ridge of arcuate cross section.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 3, wherein the width of said ridge decreases from the end of said member toward the middle.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 1, and further including an additional rib formed integrally with said web of said end portion of said member, parallel to said first rib.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 5, wherein said ribs are collectively disposed closer to one side of said member than the other, whereby the end of said member having lesser width is tapered on one side more than on the other.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 1, wherein the web in said end portion of said member includes an aperture at a point spaced from the end of said member.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 7, wherein said rib extends from said end of said member to said aperture.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 7, wherein said rib is generally aligned with said aperture on the axis of said member, and said web includes additional branch ribs connecting with said rib and subtending said aperture so as to increase the axial compressive strength of said member to about the level existing in the absence of the aperture.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 9, wherein said branch ribs subtend said aperture for an angle of about 150*.

Claim 12

A stud for use with an elongate channel-shaped runner track in forming a support frame for planoform wall panels by insertion of an end of said stud within said channel-shaped runner track, the runner track having a base and two side flanges projecting from said base in opposed, parallel, and spaced-apart relationship to one another, said stud comprising, as elements thereof, an elongate web, and two elongate stud side flanges projecting from elongate opposing side edges of said web, which flanges provide oppositely directed support planes for planoform wall panels, one end portion of said stud which is to be disposed between the side flanges of said runner track being of lesser width than the portion of said stud adjacent to said end portion, said web having an integral first rib formed by deformation of a portion of said web, said rib extending substantially only the length of said end portion with a width and depth sufficient to form said lesser width of said web at said end portion, the length of the cross section centerline of the material forming the web in the end portion, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stud, being approximately equal to the length of the cross section centerline taken perpendicularly to said axis at a point adjacent to said end portion.

Claim 13

A stud for use with an elongate channel-shaped runner track in forming a support frame for planoform wall panels by insertion of an end of said stud within said channel-shaped runner track, the runner track having a base and two side flanges projecting from said base in opposed, parallel, and spaced-apart relationship to one another, said stud comprising, as elements thereof, an elongate web, and two elongate stud side flanges projecting from elongate opposing side edges of said web, which flanges provide oppositely directed support planes for planoform wall panels, one end portion of said stud which is to be disposed between the side flanges of said runner track being of lesser width than the portion of said stud adjacent to said end portion, said web having an integral first rib formed by deformation of a portion of said web, said rib extending substantially only the length of said end portion with a width and depth sufficient to form said lesser width of said web at said end portion, the length of the cross section centerline of the material forming the web in the end portion, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stud, being approximately equal to the length of the cross section centerline taken perpendicularly to said axis at a point adjacent to said end portion.

Claim 14

The stud according to claim 11, wherein said rib comprises an elongate ridge of arcuate cross section.

Claim 15

The stud according to claim 12, wherein the width of said ridge decreases from the end of said stud toward the middle.

Claim 16

The stud according to claim 11, and further including an additional rib formed integrally with said web of said end portion of said stud, parallel to said first rib.

Claim 17

The stud according to claim 14, wherein said ribs are collectively disposed closer to one side of said stud than the other, whereby the end of said stud having lesser width is tapered on one side more than on the other.

Claim 18

The stud according to claim 11, wherein the web in said end portion of said stud includes an aperture at a point spaced from the end of said stud.

Claim 19

The stud according to claim 16, wherein said rib extends from said end of said stud to said aperture.

Claim 20

The stud according to claim 16, wherein said rib is generally aligned with said aperture on the axis of said stud, and said web includes additional branch ribs connecting with said rib and subtending said aperture so as to increase the axial compressive strength of said stud to about the level existiNg in the absence of the aperture.

Claim 21

The stud according to claim 18, wherein said branch ribs subtend said aperture for an angle of about 150*.