WO1998015697A1

WO1998015697A1 - Channel section stud wall and clip

Info

Publication number: WO1998015697A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000672
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Gilbert Poynter; Andrew William Close
Original assignee: Boral Australian Gypsum Limited
Priority date: 1996-10-08
Filing date: 1997-10-08
Publication date: 1998-04-16
Also published as: TW388783B

Abstract

The stud wall (10) comprises two arrays of studs (12 and 16) each spanned by a respective wall lining (14 and 18) supported by the array. Each stud (12 and 16) has a channel section defined by a base (24) and two spaced webs (26) extending from the base, each of the spaced webs having a distal flange (28) extending therealong. Each wall lining (14, 18) abuts all of the distal flanges (28) in the respective array of studs (12, 16) and is secured to both of the distal flanges (28) of at least some of the studs (12, 16) in the array by means of fasteners (32) to define a box section with each of those studs. The wall (10) may be a staggered stud wall, a twin stud wall or one of the arrays of studs may be omitted, in which case the wall may be a veneer wall or the second wall lining may be secured to the bases (24) of the remaining array of studs. A clip (50) is provided to locate the studs in a staggered stud wall.

Description

CHANNEL SECTION STUD WALL AND CLIP

The present invention relates to a stud wall and is particularly, but not essentially, concerned with staggered and twin channel section-stud wall systems.

Stud walls using studs having a channel section, usually formed of steel, are well known. The studs typically have a C-section. In a common arrangement, opposed wall linings are affixed to respective arms of the C-section so as to define the wall. To improve acoustic qualities of the wall, sound insulating material is commonly disposed in the wall between adjacent studs. However, it is found that the sound waves and vibrations can travel from one wall lining to the opposed wall lining through the studs.

In order to further improve the acoustic properties of stud walls using channel section studs, it is known to provide each wall lining with a respective array of studs, usually with increased spacing between the opposed wall linings. This means that there is no direct acoustic path through the studs from one wall lining to the other and, if there is an increased spacing between the opposed wall linings, that an increased volume of sound insulating material may be provided in the wall.

In a staggered stud wall, the arrays of studs associated with the respective wall linings overlap each other depthwise, so that the studs in the two arrays are offset from each other, usually with one stud associated with one wall lining disposed between adjacent studs associated with the opposite wall lining. In a twin stud wall, the arrays of studs associated with the respective wall linings do not overlap each other so that, for the same size studs, there is increased spacing between the wall linings. In this arrangement, the studs associated with each wall lining may be disposed as desired, but usually the studs associated with one wall lining are disposed opposite the studs associated with the opposite wall lining.

Typically, staggered and twin stud walls have been formed using the known C-section studs. However, this means that only one of the arms of the C-section has had a wall lining affixed to it, and it has been found that the C-section tends to distort under load or under compression due to expansion, for example in a fire. Distortion of the C-section studs greatly reduces their strength and therefore the strength of the wall. This has meant that such staggered and twin stud walls have been limited to 3 or 4m in height. However, for example, many cinema walls which require the acoustic properties able to be provided by staggered and twin stud wall systems are of greater height than this. A similar problem exists with veneered walls, in which the wall has a wall lining material supported by the studs on only one side.

It is known to alleviate this distortion problem by securing strapping to the other arms of the C-section studs associated with the or each wall lining. A problem with this in the case of staggered stud walls is that the strapping must pass through the studs associated with the opposite wall lining. This problem has been alleviated by instead providing bridging between the base portions of adjacent C-section studs associated with the or each wall lining. However, both of these solutions are very labour intensive and hinder the location of sound insulating material within the wall and could cause the sound insulating characteristics of the wall to deteriorate.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a stud wall comprising an array of studs spanned by a wall lining supported by the array, wherein each stud has a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of said spaced webs having a distal flange extending therealong, and wherein the wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the array of studs and is secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the array to define a box section with each of said at least some of the studs.

By the present invention, both distal flanges of any stud in the array may be secured to the wall lining, thereby closing the channel section to form a box section which greatly increases the strength of the stud. The present invention may readily enable the desired wall heights of 5m or more, for example 9m, to be achieved without the need for the aforementioned strapping or bridging between the studs.

It has been proposed previously to provide a stud or upright having a channel section as defined in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and to abut a wall lining against the distal flanges of the stud or upright. However in none of these proposals is it suggested that the wall lining should be secured to both of the distal flanges of the stud or upright.

In Australian Patent Application AU-A-46878/89 a demountable wall is described in which a wall lining abuts both distal flanges of the wall frame upright but is held against the flanges by clips on the back of the wall lining which hook over frame members which slidingly engage the uprights. The wall lining cannot help to strengthen the upright and is not required to because the wall is demountable.

United States Patent 4843784 discloses preattached and folded stud elements bonded to the back face of wall boards adjacent respective edges of the boards. However, the stud elements cannot vertically support the boards since they do not extend to opposed ends of the boards. Instead, the boards are secured by fasteners to top and bottom wall tracks. Optional clips are provided between adjacent stud elements of adjacent wall boards.

United States Patent 4870794 describes a stud of similar cross-section to that in AU 46878/89 and explains that the distal flanges of the studs do not provide sufficient surface area for screw fastener attachment of wall board thereto. Instead, a clip is proposed having a head attached to the main body part by a neck. The neck is received between the distal flanges and the head behind them so that the wall board can be secured to the main body part. In one embodiment fasteners securing the wall board to the clip deliberately project through the main body part between the distal flanges. In another embodiment tangs project from the main body portion and engage the side edges of adjacent wall boards. The clip is able to slide relative to the stud under high stress conditions, greatly weakening the strength of the connection to the stud and overlooking the major advantages obtainable by securing the wall lining directly to the distal flanges.

In United States Patent 5287675 it is proposed to clamp adjacent spaced wall panels between respective pairs of opposed distal flanges of a stud assembly. The wall panels are not secured to the stud assembly and no box section is formed.

In United States Patent 5475961 a hollow shaft wall is disclosed with a wall lining secured by fasteners to horizontal Z-profile studs held between corner parts. The walls are proposed to be extended longitudinally by a vertical post having a channel section as defined above. Wall board abuts the distal flanges of the vertical post, but there is no proposal to secure the wall board to the vertical post and this is not necessary in the described wall as the wall board is secured to the horizontal studs.

Thus, in none of the described prior proposals are the major advantages of forming a box section between the stud and the wall lining recognised. Instead of the at least some of the studs and wall lining sharing shear and other stresses to which the wall may be subjected, the studs or uprights and wall lining in the prior proposals must bear the stresses separately with increased likelihood of failure.

Advantageously in the first aspect of the invention, the wall lining is secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the array.

The stud wall of the invention may form part of a veneered wall, in which case only a single array of studs will be provided with a single wall lining. Alternatively, with some embodiments of the studs and where the enhanced acoustic properties of a staggered or twin stud wall are not necessary, a second wall lining may be secured to the bases of the studs.

However, the stud wall may advantageously comprise a second array of studs spanned by a wall lining supported by the second array, with each stud in the second array having a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of said spaced webs of the second array of studs having a distal flange extending therealong, said channel section of each stud in the second array opening in the opposite direction to the channel section of each stud in the first-mentioned array with the distal flanges of the first-mentioned and second array of studs extending in parallel spaced- apart planes, wherein the second wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the second array of studs and is secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the second array to define a box section with each of said at least some of the studs of the second array.

Preferably, the second wall lining is secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the second array.

In one embodiment, the second array of studs is aligned with the first-mentioned array of studs with the first-mentioned wall lining abutting the bases of the studs in the second array and the second wall lining abutting the bases of the studs in the first-mentioned array. The first-mentioned wall lining may be secured, in some embodiments, to at least some of the studs in the second array and the second wall lining may be secured to at least some of the studs in the first-mentioned array.

In said one embodiment, the studs in the first-mentioned and second arrays may alternate.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the aforementioned second array of the studs is disposed to provide a staggered or twin stud wall frame, so that the bases of the studs in each array are spaced from the plane of the distal flanges of the other array. In a twin stud wall frame, the studs in each array may be opposed to each other.

Preferably in a staggered stud wall, the studs in the first-mentioned and second arrays alternate.

In a staggered or twin stud wall, the first-mentioned and second arrays of the studs may conveniently be received in a common oversized top track comprising a web and opposed depending flanges along respective sides of the web with each of the arrays of studs being disposed adjacent a respective one of the flanges of the top track. The excess width of the track is conveniently taken up by a respective bracket at the upper end of at least one of the studs in each array which advantageously comprises a clip portion which is slidingly engaged with the base of the stud and frictionally retained thereon and an abutment portion which projects outwardly from the clip portion to abut the flange of the top track that is spaced from the stud.

The or each wall lining preferably comprises lining board, for example plasterboard, and may be secured to the studs by any one or more of, for example, bonding agent, clips and fasteners so that the wall lining is directly secured to the distal flanges. Preferably threaded fasteners are used. Commonly, the or each wall lining will comprise two or more sheets abutting each other edge to edge.

The or each wall lining may comprise more than one layer of lining board or sheet, in which case at least some of the layers may be bonded to each other.

Advantageously, insulating material may be provided between the first-mentioned and second wall linings or between the wall lining and the veneer. The insulating material, which may provide thermal insulation and/or sound insulation may take any appropriate form, including batts, particles, fibres and mats.

The channel section of the studs may take any suitable form. For example, the channel section may be essentially V-shaped with the base of minimum cross-section. Preferably however the base is defined by a distinct wall, in which case the webs may diverge from each other generally in a V-section or may extend substantially parallel to each other, generally in a U-section. Preferably, the distal flange associated with each web of said at least some of the studs projects outwardly away from the other web to give such studs increased torsional rigidity. A typical channel section which may be used in the present invention is known as a top hat section commonly used, for example, as a ceiling or roof batten. Many other appropriate channel sections are known and available from a variety of suppliers, including BHP Building Products.

A problem in adopting known ceiling and roof batten sections for use as wall studs in accordance with the invention may be their relatively light gauge and relatively small depth, which may not be sufficient to provide the desired strength or stiffness for the very highest proposed walls. Clearly, this disadvantage can be alleviated by providing essentially the same profiles in greater gauge and/or depth, but the problem may be alleviated in the meantime by nesting and securing together two Z-profiles elongate members to define the required channel section. Z-sections are currently used for purlins and girts, and extend up to greater gauges and depths than the existing roof and ceiling battens. A Z- section has a central web with spaced opposite flanges along opposed edges of the web, each flange usually being stiffened by a distal lip. Existing Z-sections, for example Zed sections supplied by BHP Building Products, are available with the opposed flanges having different widths to facilitate nesting of two or more of the sections. As proposed, the nested flanges form the base of the channel section and the respective webs of the Z-sections form the spaced webs of the channel section extending from the base. The nested flanges may be secured together by any of welding, bonding, bolting, rivetting and, for example, threaded fasteners. Preferably, threaded fasteners are used.

The aforementioned stud clip for use with oversized top tracks may be used independently of the first aspect of the present invention, and there is accordingly provided in accordance with a second aspect of the invention a stud wall frame comprising two parallel arrays of channel- section studs capped by a common oversized top track comprising a web and opposed depending flanges along each side of the web, each of the arrays of studs being disposed adjacent a respective one of the flanges of the top track and wherein the excess width of the top track is taken up by a respective bracket at the upper end of at least one of the studs in each array, said bracket comprising a clip portion which is slidingly engaged with a wall portion of the stud and frictionally retained thereon and an abutment portion which projects outwardly from the clip portion, and is preferably resiliently deformable, to abut the flange of the top track that is spaced from the stud.

Preferably, each of the channel-section studs in the stud wall frame of the second aspect of the invention has a respective one of the brackets at the upper end thereof. In one embodiment, the stud wall frame is a staggered stud wall frame and alternating studs have respective brackets slidingly engaged therewith which abut opposite respective flanges of the top track.

Advantageously, the two parallel arrays of channel-section studs are each received in an oversized bottom track comprising a web and opposed upstanding flanges along each side of the web, each of the arrays of studs being disposed adjacent a respective one of the flanges of the bottom track, and the excess width of the bottom track may be taken up by another respective one of the brackets at the lower end of at least one of the studs in each array, preferably at the lower end of each of the studs in the wall frame.

The or each bracket may take any of a variety of forms. Preferably, the clip portion has two laterally spaced stud-engaging elements which are connected so as to have a degree of resilience. The two elements may be folded relative to each other or moulded, or, for example, one element may be cut from the other to define a tongue, such as by stamping.

The abutment portion is shaped to take up the slack between the stud and the spaced flange of the track, and preferably has a degree of resilience. Preferably, the abutment portion comprises an arm having a free end portion. The free end portion may abut the flange of the track, but advantageously the arm is shaped so that the free end portion lies adjacent the plane of the clip portion and an intermediate portion abuts the flange of the track. Thus, in use, the free end portion of the arm may abut the clip portion or the stud to help absorb any forces tending to move the stud towards the opposite flange.

The bracket may be moulded or cast in any suitable material, including plastics and metallic materials, but preferably the bracket is folded from sheet metal material such as spring steel or mild steel, particularly galvanised mild steel of the type used for forming channel-section studs.

Two embodiments of a stud wall in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a horizontal part-section of a first embodiment of the stud wall with staggered studs;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the stud wall of Figure 1, partly broken away for clarity; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a clip for attachment to a stud of the wall of Figures

1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a second embodiment of stud wall with twin studs; and

Figure 5 is an end view of a modified stud for use with exceptionally tall stud walls.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a staggered stud wall 10 is shown with only three studs. Two studs 12 of a first array of the studs are shown supporting a first wall lining 14 comprising a single sheet of plasterboard, while a single stud 16 of a second array, disposed between the two studs 12 of the first array, is shown supporting an opposed second wall lining 18 comprising a single sheet of plasterboard. It will be appreciated that at least two studs 16 will be required in the second array supporting the wall lining 18, and that more than two studs 12 may be provided to support the wall lining 14. Only the three studs have been shown for convenience. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each wall lining 14 and 18 may comprise two or more sheets of plasterboard abutted edge to edge and/or overlying each other. As shown, the studs 12 of the first array will alternate with the studs 16 of the second array, and the studs of each array will be spaced from the wall lining supported by the other array of studs to improve the acoustic properties of the wall. The two arrays of studs extend parallel to each other. Sound insulation, shown schematically, may be provided at 20 between adjacent studs of the two arrays and at 22 between each stud and the opposed wall lining. The insulation is preferably in the form of fibre batts. As the wall linings 14 and 18 are not connected to each other, they may be spaced as far as apart as desired to provide the required properties of the wall.

Each stud 12 or 16 has a known top hat channel section as used for ceiling and roof battens. The top hat section comprises a base 24, two spaced and diverging webs 26 extending from opposed edges of the base 24, an outwardly projecting distal flange 28 on each web and a reinforcing lip 30 along the distal edge of each flange 28.

The distal flanges 28 of the studs 12 extend in a first common plane and the distal flanges 28 of the studs 16 extend in a second common plane parallel to the first plane.

The wall linings 14 and 18 are connected by means of screw threaded fasteners 32 at, for example, 300mm centres to each flange 28 of the respective studs 12 and 16 to define a box section with each stud by which vertical shear stresses applied to the wall may be shared by the studs and wall lining, and which resists distortion of the studs by twisting about the longitudinal axes or opening up of the webs 26 under load or in fire conditions. Torsional rigidity of the studs in use is increased by having the distal flanges 28 project outwardly away from each other and secured to the wall lining.

The studs in each array may be spaced at the usual 600 mm centres, so that the alternating studs are spaced at 300mm centres, but advantageously they may be spaced by considerably more than this, for example up to 1200-1400 mm, because of the increased strength of the box section. Ultimately, the acceptable maximum spacing of the studs is a function of the stiffness of the wall lining, due, for example, to the thickness of the or each layer and the number of layers, and the ability of the studs to carry the necessary wall lining.

Each stud 12 and 16 is seated in a common bottom track 34, and a common top track 36 bridges the upper ends of the studs, as shown in Figure 2. Also shown in Figure 2 is an optional sealant 37 at the top of each wall lining 14 and 18 adjacent the top track 36. The bottom track 34 comprises a base 38 with opposed upstanding side flanges 40 and 42, and the base 38 is secured to a floor (not shown). The top track 36 is identical to the bottom track 34 but is inverted so that opposed side flanges 44 and 46 depend from a base 48. The top track 36 is secured to a ceiling or soffit (not shown).

Each of the tracks 34 and 36 is oversized compared to the depth of each stud in order to accommodate both arrays of studs 12 and 16. The distal flanges 28 of the studs 12 abut the flanges 40 and 44 of the top and bottom tracks, respectively, while the bases 24 of the studs 12 are spaced from the flanges 42 and 46 of the top and bottom tracks respectively. Likewise, the distal flanges 28 of the studs 16 in the second array abut the flanges 42 and 46 of the top and bottom tracks, respectively, while the base 24 of each stud 16 is spaced from the flanges 40 and 44 of the top and bottom tracks, respectively.

With top and bottom tracks having a width of the same depth as the studs, the flanges of the tracks, particularly the top track, may be used to support the studs temporarily during construction. However, this facility is not available when the tracks are oversize, and brackets 50 (one only shown; see also Figure 3) are attached to the upper ends of the stud bases 24 to take up the space between the respective base and the opposed depending flange of the top track 36. A second bracket 50 may be provided on each stud at the bottom end to take up the space from the opposed upstanding flange of the bottom track 34, but this is not usually necessary.

Each bracket 50 is folded from an elongate strip of thin galvanised mild steel of the type used for forming channel-section studs, although thinner gauge material may be used.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the bracket 50 comprises a clip portion 52 and an abutment portion 54 which projects laterally from the top of the clip portion. The clip portion 52 has first and second clip elements 56 and 58 between which the base 24 of, for example, the stud 12 is slidingly received to frictionally retain the bracket on the stud. Each clip element 56 and 58 has a respective ridge portion 60 and 62 to enhance the frictional engagement of the clip portion with the stud. The clip element 58 extends from the abutment portion 54 and is stamped from the clip element 56 to form a tongue, leaving an opening 63 in the clip element 56. The frictional engagement of the clip portion with the stud is provided by the inherent resilience of the material of the bracket, with the clip elements 56 and 58 being biased apart by the stud base 24 which is slidingly received therebetween.

The abutment portion 54 comprises an arm 64 which is folded to define a curved free end portion 66 which lies substantially in the plane of the clip portion 52 and therefore, in use, in the plane of the stud base 24. An elbow 68 between the clip portion 52 and the free end portion 66 of the arm 64 is adapted to abut the opposed flange 46 of the top track 36 in which the stud is received to help hold the stud in place during erection. Thus, the elbow 68 is spaced from the clip portion 52 by substantially the spacing of the stud from the flange.

Because of the inherent resilience of the material of the bracket 50, and particularly because of the free end portion 66 of the abutment portion 54, the same bracket may be used to take up different spacings between the stud and the spaced flange. For example, a bracket having a spacing of about 30mm between the clip portion and the abutment portion elbow 68 which engages the flange may be adjustable by bending the bracket to take up a spacing between the stud and the spaced flange of from about 25 to about 35mm.

Referring now to Figure 4, this is similar to Figure 2 but shows a twin stud wall 70 in which the arrays of studs 12 and 16 of the staggered stud wall 10 of Figure 2 are laterally spaced from each other. Apart from this difference, the stud walls 10 and 70 are very similar to each other and, for convenience, the stud wall 70 will only be described insofar as it differs from the stud wall 10. Furthermore, the same reference numerals as in Figure 2 will be used to identify the same or similar parts.

The studs 12 and 16 in Figure 4 are shown alternating with each other as in the staggered stud wall 10. However, the studs 12 and 16 may be opposed to each other in pairs in the twin stud wall 70. Because the arrays of studs 12 and 16 are laterally spaced from each other, each array is received in respective top and bottom tracks 72 and 74 respectively. The tracks 72 and 74 are sized to closely receive the respective arrays of studs, so the bracket 50 of the stud wall 10 is not required. Apart from their width, the tracks 72 and 74, and their use, are identical to the tracks 36 and 34.

A layer of insulation 76 is shown disposed between the arrays of studs 12 and 16. As in the stud wall 10, insulation may also be provided between the studs in each array.

Referring now to Figure 5, an alternative stud 80 to the studs 12 and 16, particularly for use in taller walls where greater strength is required. The stud 80 is shown formed of two known Z-sections 82 and 84 nested to define the required channel section, but the stud could readily be formed from a single section if available.

Each Z-section 82 and 84 comprises an elongate web 86 and opposite flanges 88 and 90 extending from the opposed longitudinal edges of the web 86. Each flange 88 and 90 has a reinforcing lip 92 extending along a distal edge thereof. The known Z-sections have flanges 88 and 90 of different widths to facilitate nesting of adjacent Z-sections in known uses. This facility is adopted in the stud 80 by nesting the smaller flange 88 of the Z-section 82 against the larger flange 90 of the Z-section 84 between the web 86 and distal lip 92 thereof. The nested flanges 88 and 90 are secured together by welding or other bonding or by a series of fasteners (not shown).

The stud 80 is used in exactly the same way as the studs 12 and 16 to define a very strong box section by securing a layer of plasterboard 94 to the stud with a series of screw threaded fasteners 32 extending through the distal flanges 88 and 90 of the stud. Since the use of the stud 80 is identical to the uses of the studs 12 and 16 in the stud walls 10 and 70, this will not be described further. However, Figure 5 does illustrate schematically how the stud may support additional layers 96, 98 and 100 of plasterboard (shown in dotted lines) for increased strength of the box section, increased acoustic isolation and increased fire resistance of the wall. The additional layers of plasterboard may be secured by any convenient means to the layer 94, but as illustrated the second layer 96 is bonded to the layer 94, the third layer 98 is secured to the second layer 96 by screw threaded fasteners 102 which may also extend into the first layer 94 or distal flanges 88 and 90, and the fourth layer 100 is bonded to the third layer 98.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A stud wall comprising an array of studs spanned by a wall lining supported by the array, wherein each stud has a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of said spaced webs having a distal flange extending therealong, and wherein the wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the array of studs and is secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the array to define a box section with each of said at least some of the studs.

2. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining is secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the array.

3. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining is secured to the at least some of the studs by fasteners engaged with the distal flanges.

4. A stud wall according to claim 3 wherein the fasteners are screw- threaded.

5. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining comprises plasterboard.

6. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining comprises more than one layer of lining board.

7. A stud wall according to claim 6 wherein at least some of the layers of lining board are bonded to each other.

8. A stud wall according to claim 1 which is a veneer wall.

9. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein a second wall lining is secured to the bases of the studs.

10. A stud wall according to claim 1 comprising a second array of studs spanned by a second wall lining supported by the second array, wherein each stud in the second array has a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of said spaced webs of the second array of studs having a distal flange extending therealong, said

5 channel section of each stud in the second array opening in the opposite direction to the channel section of each stud in the first-mentioned array with the distal flanges of the first- mentioned and second array of studs extending in parallel spaced-apart planes, wherein the second wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the second array of studs and is secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the second array to define a box 10 section with each of said at least some of the studs of the second array.

11. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining is secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the second array.

15 12. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining is secured to the at least some of the studs in the second array by fasteners engaged with the distal flanges.

13. A stud wall according to claim 12 wherein the fasteners are screw-threaded.

20 14. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining comprises plasterboard.

15. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining comprises more than one layer of lining board.

25

16. A stud wall according to claim 15 wherein at least some of the layers of lining board in the second wall lining are bonded to each other.

17. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second array of studs is aligned with 30 the first-mentioned array of studs with the first-mentioned wall lining abutting the bases of the studs in the second array and the second wall lining abutting the bases of the studs in the first-mentioned array.

18. A stud wall according to claim 17 wherein the first-mentioned wall lining is secured 5 to at least some of the studs in the second array and the second wall lining is secured to at least some of the studs in the first-mentioned array.

19. A stud wall according to claim 17 wherein the studs in the first-mentioned and second arrays alternate.

10

20. A stud wall according to claim 10 which is a twin stud wall.

21. A stud wall according to claim 10 which is a staggered stud wall.

15 22. A stud wall according to claim 21 wherein the studs in the first-mentioned and second arrays alternate.

23. A stud wall according to claim 21 wherein the first-mentioned and second arrays of the studs are received in a common oversized top track comprising a web and opposed 0 depending flanges along respective sides of the web, each of the arrays of studs being disposed adjacent a respective one of the flanges of the top track, and wherein the excess width of the top track is taken up by a respective bracket at the upper end of at least one of the studs in each array, said bracket comprising a clip portion which is slidingly engaged with the base of the stud and frictionally retained thereon and an abutment portion which projects

25 outwardly from the clip portion to abut the flange of the top track that is spaced from the stud.

24. A stud wall according to claim 23 wherein the abutment portion is resiliently deformable.

30

25. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the distal flange associated with each web of said at least some of the studs projects outwardly away from the other web.

26. A stud wall according to claim 25 wherein each of said at least some of the studs has 5 a top hat section.

27. A stud wall according to claim 25 wherein each of the studs is formed of two Z- section elongate members nested and secured together at the base of the stud.

10 28. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the distal flange associated with each web of said at least some of the studs in each array projects outwardly away from the other web.

29. A stud wall according to claim 28 wherein each of said at least some of the studs has a top hat section.

15

30. A stud wall according to claim 28 wherein each of the studs is formed of two Z- section elongate members nested and secured together at the base of the stud.

31. A stud wall frame comprising two parallel arrays of channel-section studs capped by 0 a common oversized top track comprising a web and opposed depending flanges along each side of the web, each of the arrays of studs being disposed adjacent a respective one of the flanges of the top track and wherein the excess width of the top track is taken up by a respective bracket at the upper end of at least one of the studs in each array, said bracket comprising a clip portion which is slidingly engaged with a wall portion of the stud and 25 frictionally retained thereon and an abutment portion which projects outwardly from the clip portion to abut the flange of the top track that is spaced from the stud. AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 11 February 1998 (11.02.98) ; original claims 1-3 ,10-12 amended; remaining claims unchand( 2 pages) ]

1. A stud wall comprising an array of studs spanned by a wall lining supported by the array, wherein each stud has a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of said spaced webs having a distal flange extending therealong, and wherein the wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the array of studs and is fixedly secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the array to define a box section with each of said at least some of the studs.

2. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining is fixedly secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the array.

3. A stud wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall lining is fixedly secured to the at least some of the studs by fasteners engaged with the distal flanges.

4. A stud wall according to claim 3 wherein the fasteners are screw-threaded.

8. A stud wall according to claim 1 which is a veneer wall.

5 channel section of each stud in the second array opening in the opposite direction to the channel section of each stud in the first-mentioned array with the distal flanges of the first- mentioned and second array of studs extending in parallel spaced-apart planes, wherein the second wall lining abuts all of the distal flanges in the second array of studs and is fixedly secured to both of said distal flanges of at least some of the studs in the second array to define 10 a box section with each of said at least some of the studs of the second array.

11. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining is fixedly secured to both of said distal flanges of every stud in the second array.

15 12. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining is fixedly secured to the at least some of the studs in the second array by fasteners engaged with the distal flanges.

13. A stud wall according to claim 12 wherein the fasteners are screw-threaded. 20

14. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining comprises plasterboard.

15. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second wall lining comprises more than 25 one layer of lining board.

30 17. A stud wall according to claim 10 wherein the second array of studs is aligned with the first-mentioned array of studs with the first-mentioned wall lining abutting the bases of STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

Claim 1 is directed to a stud wall in which each stud has a channel section defined by a base and two spaced webs extending from the base, each of the spaced webs having a distal flange extending there along, and a wall lining secured to both of the distal flanges of at least some of the studs to define a box section with those studs. By the amendments, the box section in the claims has been clarified by specifying that the wall lining is fixedly secured to both distal flanges of at least some of the studs. It is believed this was implicit in the claims as filed and in the original description which calls for the wall lining to be directly secured to the distal flanges.

None of the citations discloses a wall lining fixedly secured to a channel section wall stud, and none of the citations discloses a box section of the type defined in claim 1.