Today metal walls are used in a wide variety of buildings including both the residential and commercial buildings. Basically, a metal wall section includes a series of spaced apart metal studs that extend between an upper and lower tracks that ordinarily are secured to an underlying floor and an overhead support structure. In some cases, the upper track may be free floating. Typically secured to the sides of the studs is a wall covering such as gypsum board. Most metal walls are straight. However, in recent years it is noted that many architects and interior designers have started to use curved walls in particular locations in buildings. In some cases these curved walls may be used purely for aesthetic or design appeal. In other cases, they may serve utilitarian functions.
In straight metal walls, the upper and lower tracks typically comprise an elongated U-shaped metal channel. Such channels are, of course, not suited for curved wall constructions. Yet, in order to fabricate a curve wall, it is necessary to provide a support or a retaining structure that runs along the upper and lower ends of the studs that comprise the wall.
In the past, there have been attempts at providing flexible track designs. For example, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,181 and the prior art discussed in this patent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,181 is expressly incorporated herein by reference. This patent discloses a multi-section track wherein the respective tracks are pivotally connected with respect to each other. However, this flexible or deformable track design includes an adjustable strap that is threaded through the upstanding stud tabs formed on each section. These straps make the flexible track complicated and expensive to manufacture. This complexity also can have an adverse affect on the ease of use of this flexible track.
Therefore, there has been and continues to be a need for a flexible or deformable track for a curved metal wall that is relatively simple in construction and which is easy to use.