Extendible interconnected C-studs

Claim 2

A sheet metal C-stud, adapted for interconnecting with a like C-stud to form an extendible stud, said C-stud comprising an elongate web, an elongate first flange extending from one elongate edge of said web, a spaced, parallel elongate second flange extending from an opposite elongate edge of said web in the same direction from said web as said first flange, an elongate lip extending toward said second flange from an outer edge of said first flange, said lip forming a channel with said first flange and said web, and an elongate central area of said web, said central area being disposed within a plane parallel to a second plane which extends through said two elongate edges of said web, said two planes being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to half of the width of said first flange, and said first flange being wider than said second flange by approximately twice the sheet metal thickness.

Claim 3

A sheet metal C-stud as defined in claim 1, wherein said web central area is a flat, elongate area in a plane perpendicular to said flanges.

Claim 4

A sheet metal C-stud as defined in claim 1, wherein said web further comprises an upper angled portion and a lower angled portion, said angled portions extending from said central area toward said two elongate edges of said web.

Claim 5

A sheet metal C-stud as defined in claim 3, wherein said web further includes a connecting portion, perpendicular to said flanges, between said angled portions and said elongate edges of said web.

Claim 6

A sheet metal C-stud as defined in claim 1, wherein said first flange is about 11/2 inches wide, said second flange is about 11/4 inches wide and said flanges are spaced apart about 21/2 inches.

Claim 7

A sheet metal C-stud as defined in claim 1, wherein said C-stud is formed of galvanized sheet metal of about 0.02-inch thickness.

Claim 8

An extendible stud comprising two sheet metal C-studs adapted for interconnecting to form an extendible stud, each of said C-studs comprising an elongate web, an elongate first flange extending from one elongate edge of said web, a spaced, parallel elongate second flange extending from an opposite elongate edge of said web in the same direction from said web as said first flange, an elongate lip extending toward said second flange from an outer edge of said first flange, said lip forming a channel with said first flange and said web, and an elongate central area of said web, said central area being disposed within a plane parallel to a second plane which extends through said two elongate edges of said web, said two planes being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to half of the width of said first flange, and said first flange being wider than said second flange by approximately twice the sheet metal thickness, said C-studs being interconnected with said second flange of each C-stud being disposed in said channel formed by said first flange, said web and said lip of the other of said two C-studs, said first flange of each of said studs overlying said second flange of the other of said studs.

Claim 9

An extendible stud comprising two sheet metal C-studs adapted for interconnecting to form an extendible stud, each of said C-studs comprising an elongate web, an elongate first flange extending from one elongate edge of said web, a spaced, parallel elongate second flange extending from an opposite elongate edge of said web in the same direction from said web as said first flange, an elongate lip extending toward said second flange from an outer edge of said first flange, said lip forming a channel with said first flange and said web, and an elongate central area of said web, said central area being disposed within a plane parallel to a second plane which extends through said two elongate edges of said web, said two planes being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to half of the width of said first flange, and said first flange being wider than said second flange by approximately twice the sheet metal thickness, said C-studs being interconnected with said second flange of each C-stud being disposed in said channel formed by said first flange, said web and said lip of the other of said two C-studs, said first flange of each of said studs overlying said second flange of the other of said studs.

Claim 10

An extendible stud as defined in claim 7, wherein said central area of each said web is a flat area in a plane perpendicular to said flanges and said two central flat areas are abutting one another.

Claim 11

An extendible stud as defined in claim 7, wherein said two C-studs are of equal length.

Claim 12

An extendible stud as defined in claim 7, wherein said two C-studs are mechanically affixed together at said elongate central areas.

Claim 13

An extendible stud as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said C-studs is interconnected with another of said C-studs throughout substantially the full length of each said C-stud.

Claim 14

A hollow partition comprising a floor track, a plurality of sheet metal extendible studs, each of said extendible studs comprising two C-studs adapted for interconnecting to form an extendible stud, each of said C-studs comprising an elongate web, an elongate first flange extending from one elongate edge of said web, a spaced, parallel elongate second flange extending from an opposite elongate edge of said web in the same direction from said web as said first flange, an elongate lip extending toward said second flange from an outer edge of said first flange, said lip forming a channel with said first flange and said web, and an elongate central area of said web, said central area being disposed within a plane parallel to a second plane which extends through said two elongate edges of said web, said two planes being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to half of the width of said first flange, and said first flange being wider than said second flange by approximately twice the sheet metal thickness, said C-studs being interconnected with said second flange of each C-stud being disposed in said channel formed by said first flange, said web and said lip of the other of said two C-studs, said first flange of each of said studs overlying said second flange of the other of said studs, and a plurality of wallboards affixed to said flanges of said extendible studs, said extendible studs having one of said two C-studs extending vertically downward and engaging said floor track and another of said two C-studs extending vertically upward, and further comprising engaging means for holding said extendible studs in a vertical position.

Claim 15

A hollow partition comprising a floor track, a plurality of sheet metal extendible studs, each of said extendible studs comprising two C-studs adapted for interconnecting to form an extendible stud, each of said C-studs comprising an elongate web, an elongate first flange extending from one elongate edge of said web, a spaced, parallel elongate second flange extending from an opposite elongate edge of said web in the same direction from said web as said first flange, an elongate lip extending toward said second flange from an outer edge of said first flange, said lip forming a channel with said first flange and said web, and an elongate central area of said web, said central area being disposed within a plane parallel to a second plane which extends through said two elongate edges of said web, said two planes being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to half of the width of said first flange, and said first flange being wider than said second flange by approximately twice the sheet metal thickness, said C-studs being interconnected with said second flange of each C-stud being disposed in said channel formed by said first flange, said web and said lip of the other of said two C-studs, said first flange of each of said studs overlying said second flange of the other of said studs, and a plurality of wallboards affixed to said flanges of said extendible studs, said extendible studs having one of said two C-studs extending vertically downward and engaging said floor track and another of said two C-studs extending vertically upward, and further comprising engaging means for holding said extendible studs in a vertical position.

Claim 16

A hollow partition as defined in claim 12, wherein said wallboards are affixed to said flanges by screws and wherein at least one of said screws, at each extendible stud, is screwed through an overlapping portion of the two C-studs of each extendible stud.