BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is an international need for a building system that uses common construction materials (light-gauge steel and Portland Cement) which are readily available all over the world, can be erected quickly with a reduced labor force, is cost-effective, and is capable of withstanding extreme climates and the effects of Mother Nature. The building system must also be environmentally friendly, look familiar to traditional buildings and structures and use natural resources conservatively.

There are serious housing shortages in many countries throughout the world. In recent years architects, engineers, builders and developers have had difficulty keeping up with the market demand for housing that is capable of withstanding fire, tornados, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and insect infestation. With the increased cost of labor rates as a result of a overall shortage in the labor force local, state and government building officials are scrambling to improve the standards of construction while balancing the consistency of durable housing with careful consideration to the additional expenses required to build them cost-effectively.

The demand for habitable structures and buildings, in many third-world countries, has reached epidemic proportions. With the current building technologies and methods too slow, outdated, and laborious there is no way to produce the quantities required to keep up with the rapid population growth in these areas.

Stone, block and concrete construction materials are time tested and have proven their effectiveness in many communities and areas. However, a change in building technology must occur in order to keep up with global growth because these materials are slow to build with and do not produce the desired effects to withstand harsh environments. Portland cement, a common natural resource, has been used throughout the world to produce concrete, mortar, plaster and stucco for over two thousands years. Steel has been used and relied upon since the early 1800's. Both materials as mentioned before are cost effective and readily available from worldwide producers Therefore, a light-gauge steel frame that can be covered with a cement exterior/interior coating that would closely resemble buildings built traditionally out of block, concrete and stucco would be a beneficial building system to the world.

There are building systems that use light-gauge laths, meshes, expanded metal, or similar materials to build various types of stucco and plaster covered structures. All of these systems use fasteners to attach the lath to the frame and must be used over a solid substrate like plywood to provide adequate strength and a material to which the expanded metal lath can be attached. Once the lath is fastened the stucco or plaster coating is applied in a series of layers over the substrate. The lath, once embedded in the cementitious coating, increases the performance of the coating giving the coating more strength and increased flexibility.

The first type of lath is a diamond mesh lath. It is manufactured out of thin sheets of metal that are slit with knives and then stretched apart. Its pattern resembles small diamond shapes in a consistent woven pattern. The diamond mesh lath is unlike the present invention because it must be fastened to its substrate with nails or screws, is limited to be used over a solid surface and as a structural element because of the inherent flimsiness of the product. The close diamond shaped patterns allows it to be used for contours, ornamental work and plaster finishes.

There are also self-furring laths available, like dimpled diamond lath and high-ribbed lath, that protrude the lath away from the surface. These self-furring laths enable the stucco or plaster to encapsulate the lath in the middle of the cementitious coating, giving the stucco or plaster greater strength. Self-furring laths are unlike the present invention because they need to be attached over a solid substrate, such as plywood or water resistant gypsum board, using screws or nails to ensure sound connection.

Also available are laths that have alternating diamond patterns and continuous flat-ribs of steel, which give added strength and support because of its unique shaped. This type of lath can be used over an open frame and without the use of a solid substrate, but is limited on spans no greater than 16"and is not self-furring. The 3/16"flat-ribs are spaced on 2"centers and run the continuous length of the lath. Ribbed laths are unlike the present invention because it must be mechanically fastened to be sound.

Finally, there is a 3/8"flat-ribbed lath that has a combination of a diamond shaped lath in a reversed herringbone pattern, 3/16"ribs and 3/8"V-shaped ribs that run the length of the sheet. The V-shaped ribs are spaced at 4-1/2"intervals and provide structural support on open-framed cavities that have framing members spaced less than 16"apart. This type of lath is unlike the present invention because it must be mechanically fastened to be sound.

The diamond mesh lath, self-furring lath, ribbed lath and the 3/8"ribbed lath are unlike the present invention because they each require fasteners to be attached to the framing members or building structure. Typical lath application require between 36 and 45 fasteners per 2'. 8'sheet, while the present invention does not require any, thereby saving the cost of the fastener, and the time it takes to mechanically fasten the panel.

Light gauge framing components have been made from coils of thin metals of various thickness and widths for more than forty years. These metals are rolled through machines that form the metal into standardized shapes. Framing components consists of two main parts : the flange and the web. Both parts can vary in manufacturing to achieve different strengths and shapes. There are no products that have receptors pockets in the flanges of their members.

European Patent no. 159,764 issued to Illinois Tool Works on October 30, 1985 shows a Fastener for installing a sheet such as a lath spaced from a support. Illinois Tool Work's invention is unlike the present invention because it does not provide a self-setting lath, and is instead a fastening means.

Japanese Patent No. 03,290, 555 issued to Adachi, et al. on December 20,1991 shows a fixing method for inner wall. Adachi's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a means of attaching a wood beam for a ceiling or floor beam in a steel fitting means, and it does not provide a steel lath fitting means.

Japanese Patent No. 03,286, 029 issued to Misaka, on December 17,1991 shows a steel underground wall and its construction. Misaka's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a seismic reinforcement using a steel grid composed of beams, and does not include a lath means.

European Patent no. 434, 869 issued to International Building Systems, Inc. on December 15,1993 shows a Steel Stud and Precast Panel. International Building Systems'invention is unlike the present invention because it is not self-setting, and requires fastening means before placement of concrtete.

Japanese Patent no. 06, 158, 858 issued to Harino, et al. , on June 7,1994 shows a Form for concrete foundation. Harino's invention is unlike the present invention as it does not have a self setting lath, and is a means of pouring concrete into a panel.

Japanese Patent no. 08, 270,142 issued to Miyata on October 15,1996 shows a Steel stud for partition wall. Miyata's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a coupling system for holding fireproof boards, and it does not have a lath setting means.

Japanese Patent no. 09,279, 806 issued to Hosoda on October 28,1997 shows a Fixing method for rib lath. Hosoda's invention is unlike the present invention because it is a means for fastening a lath including screw attachments to pierce through a lath at recess points, and does not provide a self-setting lath means.

Japanese Patent No. 10,169, 189 issued to Hosoda on June 23,1998 shows a Ribbed lath for form. Hosoda's invention is unlike the present invention because it does not provide a self- setting lath system, and does not provide an additional stud system.

Japanese Patent no. 10,237, 994 issued to Shiozu, et al. on September 8,1998 shows a Concrete panel. Shiozu's invention is unlike the present invention because it requires a heat means to attach the lath to the steel studs, and it does not have reinforcement beams as part of the lath.

Therefore a need has been established for a lath that can be applied to a light open cavity steel frame-building, which requires no fasteners for permanent connection and requires no solid substrate to be sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is comprised of two parts: a %"ribbed channel, self-setting, expanded metal lath and light gauge steel framing system with integrated receptor pockets. It is intended for use in construction of buildings, homes, and structures of various types. A unique shape that is present in the lath, conventionally the male end, and on the flange of the framing component, conventionally the female end, when inserted reciprocally holds the two inventions together. When the lath is pressed into the frame, the lath becomes permanently attached to the frame without the use of self-tapping screws or mechanical fasteners typically placed approximately 4-6"apart. The flanges of light gauge steel and the W ribbed channels support the lath over an open cavity, where building components are spaced 16", 24", 30", 36", or other standard or custom measurements apart.

The %"ribbed channel lath is installed into light gauge steel framing components with receptor pockets by placing the 1/2"ribbed channels over the receptor pockets in the light gauge steel frame and pressing the lath into it with a plastic mallet or pressurized rolling machine. The longitudinal ribbed chmnel lath inserts into the light gauge steel member with receptor pockets permanently because of a unique one-way fitting design. As a result no fasteners are required to attach these two inventions together. Pressing the lath into the frame is a more cost effective method than attaching the lath to the steel frame because there are no fasteners to install and installation is faster, thereby eliminating additional labor costs.

The present invention is designed to fabricate together without the use of fasteners to attach the lath to the frame and to span from one steel support to another in a sound manner without the use of a solid substrate. The lath provides a continuous surface for cementitious stucco to be applied while the longitudinal channels along the lath also create continuous, smaller cavities. Additionally, the ribbed-channels, when integrated into the receptor pockets of the light-gauge steel framing system in the present invention, increase the structural integrity by keeping the components from side to side and rotational movement. Structural stucco can be inserted into these cavities to increase the integrity of the building system. Once these cavities are filled with stucco they act like reinforcement bars similar to steel reinforcement bars used in concrete.

Once the structural stuccos set inside the ribbed channels, the lath is permanently attached to the frame because of the unique one-way installation fitting design of the channel and the build-up of the cementitious material inside the cavity. The present invention can be used on frames with member spacing over 24"on center thus reducing the amount of components required when making building panels. Without the use of a solid substrate, such as plywood, there are fewer materials used in the building process reducing the costs and the chance of failure from rot, insect infestation and fire.

These two inventions can be fabricated into wall, floor, ceiling and roof panels and can be used in a variety of applications such as exterior walls, interior walls, exterior roofs, interior ceilings, perimeter walls, decking, fencing, boundary walls, verandas, foundation walls, basement walls, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of a section of the 1/2-inch ribbed channel lath.

Figure 2 is a side view of the 1/2-inch ribbed channel lath.

Figure 3 is a side view of the stud with the light gauge steel framing member attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S) The present invention is a light gauge lath and framing system for roofs, floors, ceilings, foundations, basement walls, verandahs, decks, fences, and interior and exterior walls in building construction. The present invention can be assembled together without the use fasteners and able to span between members without the use of a solid substrate.

The 17/2-inch ribbed channel, expanded metal, self-setting lath (10) is formed from flat sheets of various gauged metals and can be cut to the standard lengths. These sheets are then attached to the pre-fabricated panel by pressing the lath (10) into the frame (15). The 82-inch ribbed channel, expanded metal, self-setting lath (10) is placed onto a light gauge steel frame (15) with receptor pockets (25) and then pressed into the prefabricated panel.

Receptor pockets (25) are created into the flanges of the light gauge steel components, such as studs, joists, rafters, purlins, etc. , in conjunction with the spacing of the longitudinal self setting ribs (20) in the lath (10). These framing components are then fabricated into panels and readied for the lath (10) application.

In lieu of the structural coatings being placed into the cavities to increase the strength between spans, a 3/16"or 1/4"diameter reinforcement bar (not shown) can be inserted. The use of a reinforcement bar (not shown) inside a cavity will increase the span between framing members (15), increase the strength, reduce the side-to-side and rotational movement, and provide a permanent connection of the lath into the receptor pocket because of the unique one- way fitting design in the panel. This application would be typical in a floor application where the live and dead building loads are considerably higher than walls, ceiling and roofs.

Structural stucco and plaster can be applied to the present invention by two methods: by hand trowel or by machine spraying. In cases where the coatings are sprayed on it is necessary to install a type of netting or mesh (not shown) behind the lath (Figure 1, 10) to catch the cementitious spray that goes through the openings of the self-setting lath. This netting or mesh is placed over the panelized frame (Figure 3,15) before the self-setting lath (Figure 1,10) is installed. When the lath (Figure 1,10) is pressed into the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25) of flanges the netting or mesh (not shown) is permanently adhered between the frame and the lath and at the same time drawn taut forming another medium for the cementitious material to stick to.

In areas that are prone to seismic activity and extreme weather conditions an additional layer of structural mesh (not shown) applied to the exterior cementitious basecoat will reduce the chance of cracking and increase its strength. The mesh (not shown) is adhered, fabricated or attached to each sheet of self-setting lath in a 2"offset pattern. The 2"offset pattern allows for the mesh (not shown) to overlap other sheets of laths by 2"creating a uniform covering.

The person applying the plaster lifts the mesh (not shown) up while the basecoat is being applied. Once the area has been coated the mesh (not shown) is then released and lightly pressed into the cementitious coating (not shown). The mesh (not shown) is pressed halfway below the surface. The texture of the mesh (not shown) will increase the bond for the second coating, increase the strength of the coating and reduce the chance of cracking, surface spalling or peeling.

In areas of dramatic changes in temperature a material that provides a thermal break can be applied to the flanges of the framing components (Figure 3,15) before the lath (Figure 1,10) is attached. The gasket like membrane (not shown) will separate the two metal framing components (Figure 3,15) from each other, thus breaking the thermal connection between the two materials. The gasket (not shown) can be applied in liquid form or stuck on with adhesive-backed solids.

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of a section of the %-inch ribbed channel lath (Figure 1,10). In the upper portion of the section shown in figure 1, we have a clear view of the longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20). The longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20) provides support for the self-supporting lath (10) when a section of the self-supporting lath (Figure 1,10) is inserted into a wall cavity. By use of a plastic mallet, or a rolling machine, the self-supporting lath (Figure 1,10) is pushed into the light gauge steel member (Figure 3,15) - w4th-Feeeptor-p06kets- (Figure-3,-)-by-use-of-the4ongitudinal-self-setti The longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20) fits into the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25) from the force exerted by the plastic mallet or the pressurized rolling machine. Below the longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20) is the longitudinal fastening rib (Figure 1,30) to hold the self-tapping screws and to steady the present invention in the light steel gauge frame during shipping only. Optional self-tapping screws can be applied in the four corners of the rectangular panel to improve the strength of the frame when shipping and handling. The optional self-tapping screws are not required for attaching the lath (Figure 1,10) to the light gauge steel frame.

The rib pattern (Figure 1,40, 50) on the present invention is set to be alternated raised and grained in one direction and then lowered and grained in a separate direction. The rib pattern (Figure 1,40, 50) is applied to the self-supporting lath (Figure 1,10) in an even fashion to create a taut connection to the light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15). As is shown in figure 1, the raised pattern (Figure 1,40) is separated by a small divot (Figure 1, 45) from the decreased or lowered section (Figure 1,50) The rib pattern (Figure 1,40, 50) and the longitudinal self-supporting rib (Figure 1,20) are punctured with holes to release pressure when the coatings or cements are applied. The self-supporting lath (Figure 1, 10) is 1/2"thick and is intended to span from one steel support to another without use of a solid substrate. The use of the light gauge steel frame (Figure 3,15) and the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25) in communication with the longitudinal self-supporting ribs (Figure 1,20) allow the lath to be used safely without a solid substrate. The longitudinal self-setting ribs (Figure 1,20) create a smooth continuous surface for the cements (not shown) to be applied in conventional manner.

The self-setting ribs (Figure 1,20) can additionally be reinforced with reinforcement bars to provide further structural integrity. Optionally, a user can add reinforcement bars to span from one side of the light gauge steel frame to the other to provide additional structural support. Additionally a user may use structural stucco or plaster to reinforce the lath and permanently secure the lath in place. Once the base coat of cement (not shown) has been spread the lath (Figure 1,10) would be permanently adhered by the cement to the light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15). The longitudinal self-setting ribs (Figure 1,20), the small divot (Figure 1,45), and the longitudinal fastening rib (Figure 1,30) also increase structural integrity of the self-supporting lath (Figure 1,10) by providing continual horizontal support.

Figure 2 shows a clear side view of the self-supporting lath (Figure 1, 10), the components of which are described in detail above.

Turning to Figure 3, we see the light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15) with receptor pockets (Figure 3,25) is an expansion on the ideal of steel structural framing. The longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20) fastens securely and easily in the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25) of the light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15), allowing the user to apply the cement or plaster (not shown), without having to fasten the present invention (Figure 1,10) to the steel beams of the structure. The light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15) is produced from coils of flat steel in a cold forming method.

Figure 3 gives a clear side view of the light steel gauge frame member (Figure 3,15) and the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25). The longitudinal self-setting rib (Figure 1,20) fits in a secure manner into the receptor pockets (Figure 3,25). The light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15) is securely attached to a conventional building stud (Figure 3,100).

Additionally, a user may add a fiberglass mesh (not shown) to reinforce the lath (10) in sections where extra reinforcement may be need for earthquake conditions. The mesh (not shown) is located behind the self-supporting lath (Figure 1,10) and helps to catch coatings that may be sprayed onto the lath. Also, the user may have netting behind the lath, to provide further porous texture for holding coatings or cements. A gasket (not shown) can be added to the light gauge to separate one part of the metal frame from the next to allow for temperature change, and hot or cold air, and metal expansion or retraction.

The lath (Figure 1,10) and the light gauge steel frame member (Figure 3,15) are shipped manufactured to the uses in pre-engineered factory made panels. For example, if a builder wishes to use the present invention in a home, panel drawings would be created to match the design of the structure and then sent to the factory to be fabricated. The building structure would be broken down into a number of panels that once finished could be assembled on site to produce the desired plan. Building panels made with the present invention would have window and door openings in them. The building system would require no additional cutting at the building site in order to assemble the structure.

Panels can be fasten to the slab with traditional anchoring systems or encapsulated into the foundation footing or slab for a more permanent connection when it is being placed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.