Patent Grant
7891144
The roof members of building structures, particularly those located in high wind areas, are often tied down to the supporting wall system to resist the uplift forces caused by winds blowing into, over, and around the structure. Conventionally, these members are tied down to the walls with simple light gauge steel brackets and/or straps which attach to the sides and tops of the roof members and the wall system. The connectors are fastened to the roof and wood wall members with nails or wood screws. The connectors are fastened to concrete or masonry walls with masonry screws, epoxied rods, or are simply embedded into the substrate during construction of the walls. Often the roof is configured such that multiple roof members are supported on one end by the wall and on the other end by a single roof member, commonly referred to as a girder. Each of the roof members which are supported by the girder carry both uplift and download forces which are transferred into the girder through mechanical connections. Often the accumulated forces transferred into the girder can be significant, so much that conventional light gauge connectors do not adequately resist the high uplift forces in the member and as such heavy duty connectors are required to be attached to these girders. Attachment of these heavy duty connectors can be challenging in areas of the country which use concrete or masonry walls because many products are installed to the top of the wall system. This poses problems particularly when products are installed after the framing is complete, which is a common occurrence. Finally, it is standard engineering practice that these high uplift forces are resisted through connector attachment to the top chord of a truss member by either fastening directly to the member or wrapping over the top of the member. Top chord pitches vary widely from job to job and can even vary on the same job in different areas of the roof. The present invention provides a significant improvement on these prior art connectors by offering a connector which can be field adjusted to meet the variable roof pitches and can attach to the face of the wall by means of masonry anchors driven into the constructed wall. The invention can be attached to the top chord through high capacity screws or the traditional method of wrapping over the truss. The present invention also provides an adjustable connector that does not have to be embedded in concrete or masonry and that has unusually strong pin connections that make it adjustable.
An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable connector for connecting an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and an elongate generally horizontal supported structural member. This object is achieved by providing a connector with a side attachment member that attaches to an elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member and a cap that attaches to the elongate generally horizontal supported structural member, with a pin connection that enables rotation between the cap and the side attachment member.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pin connection that prevents inadvertent separation of the cap and the side attachment member. This object is achieved by providing a pin connection with a pin opening in either the cap or the first side attachment member, or both, and a pin that passes through the pin opening or openings, the pin having one or more restraint extensions that extend beyond the circumference of the pin opening or openings, preventing the pin from withdrawing from the pin opening or openings. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the restraint extensions with one or more lobes that extend beyond the body of the pin and the pin opening.
The pin is able to rotate within the pin opening or openings. If the pin is fixed to either the cap or side attachment member, the pin opening is in the other of the cap or side attachment member. The pin opening is not sealed. By contrast, a preferred method of attaching the pin is to insert its first end in a D-shaped aperture in either the cap or side attachment member. The first end of the pin is formed with a D-shaped circumference and it is welded in place in the D-shaped aperture so that it cannot rotate within the D-shaped aperture or withdraw from it, and the D-shaped aperture is sealed so that there is no visible opening.
An object of the present invention is to provide a strong pin connection. In some embodiments, this is achieved by fixedly attaching the pin to either the cap or the side attachment member. In some embodiments, this is further achieved by welding the first end of the pin to the cap. In other possible embodiments, the pin can be fixedly attached to the side attachment member. In some embodiments, the pin is not fixed to either the cap or the side attachment member, but instead passes through pin openings in both and has restraint extensions at both ends. In some embodiments, these are formed as circumferential flanges. In some embodiments, this is simply achieved by using a rivet as the pin.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pin connection that allows the cap and side attachment member to be separated. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the pin opening with open lobes that match the lobes on the pin, like a keyhole and key combination.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that resists uplift. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the cap with a substantially planar top attachment portion that interfaces with the supported structural member.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that attaches to both sides of the supported structural member. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the cap with a second substantially planar side attachment portion.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that attaches to both side of the supporting structural member. In some embodiments, this is achieved by having a second side attachment member and a second pin connection. If the cap has no substantially planar top attachment portion, a connector that has a second side attachment member and a cap with a second substantially planar side attachment portion, is the same as two connectors that each have only a first side attachment member and a cap with only a first substantially planar side attachment portion.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that provides rotation on an axis parallel to the supporting structural member. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the side attachment member with a connection portion that is attached to the edge of the substantially planar attachment portion. In some embodiments, this is further achieved by welding the connection portion to the substantially planar attachment portion.
An object of the present invention is to provide a secure connection between the connector and the supporting structural member. This is achieved by forming the side attachment member with fastener openings and passing fasteners through the openings and into the supporting structural member.
An object of the present invention is to provide a secure connection between the connector and the supporting structural members. This is achieved by forming the side attachment member with fastener opening and passing fasteners through the openings and into the supporting structural member. If the supporting structural member is made of masonry or concrete, the preferred fasteners connecting the side attachment member with are masonry anchors.
An object of the present invention is to provide a secure connection between the connector and the supported structural members. This is achieved by forming the cap with fastener opening and passing fasteners through the openings and into the supported structural member. If the cap is formed with a with a substantially planar top attachment portion and a second substantially planar side attachment portion, the preferred fasteners connecting the cap to the supported structural member are nails. If the cap is formed without a substantially planar top attachment portion, the preferred fasteners connecting the cap to the supported structural member are self-drilling wood screws.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that is corrosion resistant. This is achieved by forming the connector from galvanized steel and, when the connector includes welding, painting the connector.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that has reinforced pin openings. In some embodiments, this is achieved by creating circumferential embossments around the pin openings. A further object of the present invention is to provide pin openings that share the transfer of loads between the cap and the side attachment members with the pin. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the cap and side attachment members with matching embossments that fit together with matched bearing surfaces.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that has side attachment members that are reinforced against bending. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the substantially planar attachment portions with reinforcing flanges. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the connection portions with reinforcing flanges.
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that has side attachment members that are simple, strong and lightweight. In some embodiments, this is achieved by forming the side attachment member by bending a V-shaped length of steel in half to form a two-ply substantially planar attachment portion and a connection portion that joins the plies at the point where the two legs of the V join.
There are two basic preferred types of the present invention. The first is formed from heavier gauge steel, includes welding, and is painted, which is a matter of course when the connector includes welded parts, since welding destroys the corrosion protection offered by galvanized steel. Preferably, the heavier gauge steel type of the present invention uses a pin that is welded to one component of the connector. The second basic type of the present invention is formed from lighter gauge steel, is not welded, and is therefore not painted either. The lighter gauge steel type preferably uses a pin component that is separate from the components that connect to the supporting structural member and the supported structural member. The light gauge steel type preferably includes features, such as additional flanges and embossments, that stiffen it and thereby provide strength similar to that of the heavier gauge steel.
Both basic preferred types of the present invention have a cap that connects to or holds the supported structural member, and two side attachment members, or straps, that are connected to the cap by pin connections and which, in turn, connect to the supporting structural member.
In the first basic preferred form of the present invention, the pin is a post that is connected to, or part of, either the cap or side attachment member. There is a matching pin opening in the opposed cap or side attachment member, through which the post passes, forming a hinge. The preferred form of this pin connection permits the cap and side members to be separated from each other.
In the second basic preferred form of the present invention, the pin is separate from the cap and side attachment members, both of which have pin openings, so that the pin passes through both the cap and the side attachment member. The ends of the pin are widened and the cap and side attachment members can not be separated.
Basic Connection
As shown in
The elongate substantially vertical supporting structural member 2 is preferably a building wall 2, typically an exterior wall 2, possibly framed in wood, as shown in
The elongate generally horizontal supported structural member 3 is preferably a roof member, such as a beam, girder, truss, girder truss or rafter 3. The particular connection that is shown in shown in
The connector 4 of the present invention improves on the prior art by providing an exceptionally strong connection 1 between trusses 3 and walls 2 that need not be cast in concrete, is suitable for both original and retrofit installations, and is adjustable to accommodate trusses 3 of various pitches. At its most basic, the connector 4 comprises a cap 5, connected to said supported structural member 3, a first side attachment member 8 and a pin connection 11 between the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8. The cap 5 comprises a first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. The first side attachment member 8 comprises a substantially planar attachment portion 9 lying in the first plane and a connection portion 10 comprising a plate attached to the planer attachment portion 9, lying in a second plane, wherein the second plane is not in the same plane as the first plane, the attachment portion 9 interfaces with and is fastened to the supporting structural member 2, and connection portion 10 is positioned alongside the first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 of the cap 5. The first pin connection 11 enables rotation between the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8, and that connects said cap to said first attachment member 8, and that connects said cap to said first attachment member 8, so that the cap 5 can be attached to 20 supported structural members 8 of various pitches.
There are several primary variations on the basic form of the connector 4 of the present invention. The connector 4 can be either one-sided or two-sided, having either only a first side attachment member 8 when it is one-sided or a first side attachment member 8 and a second side attachment member 26 when it is two-sided. The cap 5 can take several different basic forms. The pin connections 11 can either have pin 13 that is fixed to either the cap 5 or the one of the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26, or a pin 13 that is separate from the cap 5 and the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26. If the pin 13 is fixed, it passes through one pin opening 12 in the cap 5 or the one of the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26. If the pin 13 is separate, it passes through two matching pin openings 12 in the cap 5 and one of the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26. If the connector 4 is one-sided, it will preferably have one side attachment member 8 positioned to one side of the supported structural member 3. If the connector 4 is two-sided it will preferably have two side attachment members 8 and 26, one on each side of the supported structural member 3. The cap 5 can take three basic forms. First, an inverted U-shaped, with two substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 that interface with the sides 53 of the supported structural member 3 and a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that connects the two substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22. Second, an inverted L-shape (if the connection is one-sided) or a pair of inverted L-shapes (if the connection is two-sided), the L-shape having a substantially planar side attachment portion 6 or 22 and a substantially planar top attachment portion 21. Third, one (if the connection is one-sided) or two (if the connection is two-sided) substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22. All three basic forms of the cap 5 can be fastened to the supported structural member 3 using fasteners 55 such as nails, screws or bolts. The cap 5 could also be bonded to the supported structural member 3 using adhesives or welds, depending on the materials used to compose the cap 5 and the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the connector 4 will be made from steel and the supported structural member 3 will be made primarily of wood, but the connector 4 might also be made of other metals, plastics or composites, and the same is true of the supported structural member 3. When fasteners 55 are used to fasten the cap 5 to the supported structural member 3, the fasteners 55 can pass through the substantially planar side attachment portion or portions 6 and the substantially planar top attachment portion or portions 21. Because the connector 4 is designed primarily to resist uplift forces, fasteners 55 or other bonding is only critical when the cap 5 has no substantially planar top attachment portion 21. In the preferred embodiment of this form, fasteners 55 pass through the substantially planar side attachment portion or portions 6 into the side or sides 53 of the supported structural member 3.
As shown in
In the first preferred embodiment, the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the other of the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 that does not have a first pin opening 12. Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. Preferably, the first pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. Preferably, the fixedly attached first pin 13 is inserted through the first pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 are then rotated on the first pin connection 11 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 from being separated at the first pin connection 11. The open lobes 20 permit the first side attachment member 8 and the cap 5 to be separated and reconnected. The open lobes 20 are preferably oriented so that they will be 90 degrees off of the lobes 18 when the supported structural member 3 is perfectly horizontal and the supporting structural member 2 is perfectly vertical, so that an interlock is formed in every orientation except if the supported structural member 3 is perfectly vertical, which is essentially impossible when the supported structural member 3 is a truss or other similar roofing member. Preferably, the pins 13 are machined from 1¾″ diameter hot rolled bar stock with CNC (computer numerical control) lathes and machining centers. Preferably, the pins 13 each have two opposed lobes 18 that are ⅞″ wide and extend to the 1¾″ diameter of the bar stock. Preferably, the thickness of the lobes 18 is approximately one third the length of the pins 13. The middle third of the pin 13 is preferably 1.312″ in diameter while the remaining third is preferably 1.245″ in diameter with a flat portion of the circumference making it roughly D-shaped. As shown in
Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. As shown in
Preferably, the cap 5 can additionally comprise a second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. In a single-sided variant of the connector 4 of the present invention, a second side attachment portion 22 is not strictly necessary. When the cap 5 has only a first side attachment portion 6, a plurality of fasteners 58 are necessary to resist uplift, but when the cap 5 has a top attachment portion 21, the top attachment portion 21 can resist uplift and the fasteners 58 are less important.
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, the fasteners 57 that pass through the fasteners openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 are masonry screw anchors 57, and the fasteners 58 that pass through the fasteners openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self- drilling wood screws 58. Most preferably, the fasteners 57 are Simpson Strong-Tie Titen HD masony screw anchors. Most preferably, the fasteners 58 are Simpson Strong-Tie SDS Strong Drive screws.
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
In the second preferred embodiment, the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the first side attachment member 8 and the first pin opening 12 is in the cap 5. This particular arrangement, according to which the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the first side attachment member 8, is similar to fixedly attaching the first pin 13 to the cap 5 and is, therefore, not shown in the drawings. This is less preferred than attaching the first pin 13 to the cap member 5, but it would be a functional alternative. As in the first preferred embodiment, and the first restraint extension 18 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12, and the first pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. The fixedly attached first pin 13 is inserted through the first pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 are then rotated on the first pin connection 11 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 from being separated at the first pin connection 11. The cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3, and the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprise an edge 37 and the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is attached to the edge 37.
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises fastener openings 55, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 are masonry screw anchors 57, and the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
Preferably, the first end 16 of the first pin 13 is welded to the first side attachment member 8, the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is welded to the edge 37, and the connector 4 is painted.
The third preferred embodiment is essentially the same as the first preferred embodiment, except that it is double-sided. It is always preferable that the connection of the present invention be double-sided because a single-sided connection is weaker than its double-sided counterpart. It is shown
The cap 5 further comprises a second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3 opposite the first substantially planar side attachment portion 6. The second pin connection 29 further comprises a second pin opening 12 in one of the cap 5 and the second attachment member 26, and a second pin 13 that passes through the second pin opening 12, the second pin 13 comprises a body 14 having a circumference 15, a first end 16, and a second end 17 with a first restraint extension 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14. The second pin opening 12 has a circumference 19, and the first restraint extension 18 extends beyond the circumference of the second pin opening 12, preventing the second pin 13 from withdrawing from the second pin opening 12. The second pin 13 is fixedly attached to the other of the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26 that does not have a second pin opening 12. Preferably, the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are essentially the same, either identical or mirror images of each other, except in an end wall attachment as shown in
Preferably, the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the cap 5 and the first pin opening 12 is in the first side attachment member 8, and the second pin 13 is fixedly attached to the cap 5 and the second pin opening 12 is in the second side attachment member 26. Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 of the first pin 13 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12, and the first restraint extension 18 of the second pin 13 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the second pin opening 12. Preferably, the first pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. The fixedly attached first pin 13 is preferably inserted through the first pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 are then rotated on the first pin connection 11 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 from being separated at the first pin connection 11. Preferably, the second pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the second pin opening 12. The fixedly attached second pin 13 is preferably inserted through the second pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the second pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the second pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26 are then rotated on the second pin connection 29 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the second pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the second pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26 from being separated at the first pin connection 29.
Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. The second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 of the cap 5 is attached to the substantially planar top attachment portion 21. Preferably, the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises an edge 37 on said substantially planar attachment portion 9 and the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is attached to the edge 37. Preferably, the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprises an edge 37 and the connection portion 10 of the second side attachment member 26 is attached to the edge 37.
As best shown in
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprise fastener openings 55. Preferably, the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 are masonry screw anchors 57, and the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
Preferably, the first end 16 of the first pin 13 is welded to the cap 5, and the first end 16 of the second pin 13 is welded to the cap 5 with a circumferential fillet weld 39. Preferably, the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is welded to the edge 37, and the connection portion 10 of the second side attachment member 26 is welded to the edge 37 with a pair of fillet welds 39. As shown in
Preferably, the substantially planar attachment portions 9 of the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are 24 3/16″ from the centerlines of the pins 13 to the short edge 37 furthest away from the connection portion 10. Preferably, as shown in
In the fourth preferred embodiment, the first pins 13 are fixedly attached to the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 and the first pin openings 12 are in the cap 5. As with the second preferred embodiment, this particular arrangement, according to which the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the first side attachment member 8, is similar to fixedly attaching the first pin 13 to the cap 5 and is, therefore, not shown in the drawings. This is less preferred than attaching the first pins 13 to the cap member 5, but it would be a functional alternative. Preferably, the first pin 13 is fixedly attached to the first side attachment member 8 and the first pin opening 12 is in the cap 5, and the second pin 13 is fixedly attached to the second side attachment member 26 and the second pin opening 12 is in the cap 5. Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 on the first pin 13 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 on the second pin 13 is one or more lobes 18 that extend beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the second pin opening 12. Preferably, the first pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. Preferably, the fixedly attached first pin 13 is inserted through the first pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 are then rotated on the first pin connection 11 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the first pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the first pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8 from being separated at the first pin connection 11. Preferably, the second pin opening 12 has one or more open lobes 20 that extend beyond the circumference 19 of the second pin opening 12. The fixedly attached second pin 13 is preferably inserted through the second pin opening 12 in an orientation that permits the one or more lobes 18 on the second pin 13 to pass through the one or more open lobes 20 of the second pin opening 12, and the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26 are then rotated on the second pin connection 29 so that the one or more lobes 18 on the second pin 13 no longer match the one or more open lobes 20 of the second pin opening 12, thereby restraining the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26 from being separated at the first pin connection 29.
Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 of the cap 5 is attached to the substantially planar top attachment portion 21. Preferably, the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises an edge 37 on said substantially planar attachment portion 9 and the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is attached to the edge 37. Preferably, the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprise an edge 37 and the connection portion 10 of the second side attachment member 26 is attached to the edge 37.
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprise fastener openings 55. Preferably, the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, Preferably, the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 are masonry screw anchors 57. Preferably, the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
Preferably, the first end 16 of the first pin 13 is welded to the first side attachment member 8, and the first end 16 of the second pin 13 is welded to the second side attachment member 26. The connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 is preferably welded to the edge 37, and the connection portion 10 of the second side attachment member 26 is preferably welded to the edge 37. Preferably, the connector 4 is painted.
As shown in
Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the first pin opening 12. The second restraint extension 18 is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14 and the circumference 19 of the second pin opening 12. In this form, the cap member 5 and the first side attachment member 8 cannot be separated without disassembling the pin 13 itself, which is not possible in the preferred form of the pin 13, which is a rivet.
Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3.
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, the substantially planar attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises a reinforcing flange 23. Preferably, the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises a reinforcing flange 24. The reinforcing flanges 23 and 24 are shown in
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
As shown in
Preferably, the first restraint extension 18 of the first pin 13 is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14. The second restraint extension 18 of the first pin 13 preferably is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14, and the first restraint extension 18 of the first pin 13 is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14. Preferably, the second restraint extension 18 of the first pin 13 is a circumferential flange 18 that extends beyond the circumference 15 of the body 14.
As previously described, preferably the cap 5 additionally comprises a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the cap 5 additionally comprises a second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 that interfaces with the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the connection portion 10 of the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises a reinforcing embossment 25 around the second pin opening 12 in the first side attachment member 8. Preferably, the connection portion 10 of the second side attachment member 9 additionally comprises a reinforcing embossment 25 around the fourth pin opening 12 in the second side attachment member 9. Preferably, the first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 of the cap 5 additionally comprises a reinforcing embossment 25 around the first pin opening 12 that matches the reinforcing embossment 25 around the second pin opening 12 in the first side attachment member 8 so that the reinforcing embossment 25 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 and the reinforcing embossment 25 fit together and transmit bearing forces between the cap 5 and the first side attachment member 8. Preferably, the second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprises a reinforcing embossment 25 around the third pin opening 12 that matches the reinforcing embossment 25 around the fourth pin opening 12 in the second side attachment member 26 so that the reinforcing embossment 25 in the second substantially planar side attachment portion 22 and the reinforcing embossment 25 in the second side attachment member 26 fit together and transmit bearing forces between the cap 5 and the second side attachment member 26.
Preferably, the first pin 13 is a rivet, and the second pin 13 is a rivet.
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprise fastener openings 55. Preferably, the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 are masonry screw anchors 57. Preferably, the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
As described above, the sixth preferred embodiment of the invention can be used with a variety of side members 8 and 26. The following is a description of the use of the side members 8 and 26 shown in
Preferably, the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are 25″ long and 4″ wide. Preferably, they are each attached to the supporting structural member 2 with 5 fasteners 57, preferably masonry screw anchors 57, most preferably ⅝″ diameter×6″ long Simpson Strong-Tie TITEN HD anchors. As shown in
The seventh preferred embodiment is shown in
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 additionally comprises fastener openings 55, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 are masonry screw anchors 57, and the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
The eighth preferred embodiment is essentially the same as the seventh preferred embodiment, except that it is double-sided. In it, the first side attachment member 8 is formed by bending a V-shaped length of steel in half to form a two-ply substantially planar attachment portion 9 and a connection portion 10 that joins the plies. The second side attachment member 26 is also formed by bending a V-shaped length of steel in half to form a two-ply substantially planar attachment portion 9 and a connection portion 10 that joins the plies.
Preferably, the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 additionally comprise fastener openings 55. Preferably, the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 57 that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 and into the supporting structural member 2. Preferably, the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 additionally comprise fastener openings 56, and the connection 1 additionally comprises fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 and into the supported structural member 3. Preferably, the fasteners 57 that that pass through the fastener openings 55 in the first substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the first side attachment member 8 and the substantially planar side attachment portion 9 of the second side attachment member 26 are masonry screw anchors 57. Preferably, the fasteners 58 that pass through the fastener openings 56 in the first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 of the cap 5 are self-drilling wood screws 58.
Preferably, the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are 22⅛″ long and 2″ wide. Preferably, they are each attached to the supporting structural member 2 with 5 fasteners 57, preferably masonry screw anchors 57, most preferably ½″ diameter×6″ long Simpson Strong-Tie TITEN HD anchors. Preferably, the connection portion 10 is 3¾″ in diameter. Preferably, the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 and the cap 5 are all formed from 10 gauge (0.135″ thick) galvanized sheet steel. Preferably, the connection portions 10 are canted 10 degrees out of line from the substantially planar attachment portions 9 of the first and second side attachment member 8 and 26, so that the substantially planar side attachment portions 9 angle outward from the supported structural member 3, as shown in
In retrofit or new construction application using caps 5 that have no substantially planar top attachment portion 21 and only a first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 or only first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22, the first side attachment member 8 or the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26, if there are two, are first connected to the cap 5, if they have detachable pins 13. Second, the substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 are aligned so that they are flush with the top 54 of the truss 3 and the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are vertical and in contact with the side 51 of the wall 2. Third, the substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 are attached to the truss 3 with fasteners 58 and the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are attached to the wall with fasteners 57.
In new construction application using caps 5 that have a substantially planar top attachment portion 21, the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26, are first connected to the cap 5, if they have detachable pins 13. Second, the substantially planar top attachment portion 21 of the cap 5 is placed on the top 54 of the truss 3, which aligns the substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 so that they are flush with the top 54 of the truss 3 and the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are vertical and in contact with the side 51 of the wall 2. Third, the substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 are attached to the truss 3 with fasteners 58 and the first and second side attachment members 8 and 26 are attached to the wall with fasteners 57.
Generally, only caps 5 without substantially planar top attachment portions 21 will be used in retrofit applications because substantially planar top attachment portions 21 would interfere with roof sheathing on top of the trusses 3. If there is enough space between any roof sheathing and the tops 54 of the trusses 3, L-shaped caps 5 with only a first substantially planar side attachment portion 6 and a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 could be used by sliding the substantially planar top attachment portion 21 between the top 54 of the truss 3 and the roof sheathing. If there is no roof sheathing, as in new construction, caps 5 with first and second substantially planar side attachment portions 6 and 22 and a substantially planar top attachment portion 21 can be used and are preferable because they require fewer fasteners 58 to attach them to the truss 3 since the substantially planar top attachment portion 21 primarily holds down the truss 3.
There are three most preferred embodiments. The first is shown in
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