Patent Application
20230235549
This disclosure relates generally to the field of building construction hangers, more particularly to a hanger for supporting an elongate beam, such as a joist, relative to a building support member (i.e., ledger), and more particularly a joist that provides an upward bias on the beam to allow vertical adjustment.
In construction and building fields, hangers are common for assisting in the connection of one building member to another, such as an elongate beam to a rear support member, such as a ledger. Hangers are often formed of a strong metal like steel and include numerous sides and surfaces used for attaching to a support member and beam, and holding and supporting the beam.
One common type of beam contemplated for use with the disclosed hanger is a deck or floor joist used as a substructure to support an overlying deck or floor structure. Deck joists can attach to an end support member, usually a ledger on a side of a building, and extend substantially perpendicular therefrom at a desired height, with all of the joists substantially parallel and at the same height as the other joists. A hanger is used as an intermediate member to attach the joists to the support member.
A common problem associated with decking materials is that lumber is not always sized completely accurately and consistent. The height of joists can thus vary from one another by as much as 0.5 inches simply due to common production deviations or shrinkage of the wooden materials due to drying. This phenomenon can cause inconsistencies and integrity issues with building structures.
Thus, it would be useful to provide a hanger with capabilities to adjust the height of a beam (joist) that it supports and attaches to a building support member.
Among the benefits and improvements disclosed herein, other objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures. Detailed embodiments of height adjustable hanger with compression member for use in securing beams to building support members are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in some embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. The phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”.
Further, the terms “substantial,” “substantially,” “similar,” “similarly,” “analogous,” “analogously,” “approximate,” “approximately,” and any combination thereof mean that differences between compared features or characteristics is less than 25% of the respective values/magnitudes in which the compared features or characteristics are measured and/or defined.
Additionally, the embodiments described herein are done so with primary reference to a preferred embodiment that is a hanger for attaching a joist to a rear ledger. However, it is understood that the embodiments are not limited as such, and the inventive concepts present in the disclosed embodiments apply to a wide variety of hangers or brackets for use in attaching elongate building support members or beams to another support member. Herein, the term “joist” is synonymous with and shall encompass a beam or elongate building member. Likewise, the term “ledger” is synonymous with and shall encompass any building support member or structure to which a beam may be attached.
In one embodiment, a hanger for supporting an elongate building member, comprises a first side extending from a top to a bottom and a second side extending from a top to a bottom and spaced laterally from the first side. A web extends between and is connected to the first side and the second side proximate the respective bottoms the web comprises a compression member configured for providing a bias force in a direction toward the tops.
In another embodiment, a building support connection comprises a building support member, an elongate beam member and a hanger. The member extends substantially perpendicular to the building support member. The hanger comprises a first side extending from a top to a bottom and a second side spaced laterally from the first side and extending from a top to a bottom. A web with an integral compression member extends between the first side and second side proximate the respective bottoms. The hanger is fixed to the building support with the web extending outward and the elongate beam member is received between the first side and second side while supported by the web. When the beam is received between the first side and second side, the compression member biases the beam member toward the top ends.
A hanger for supporting an elongate building member comprises a substantially flat first side panel extending from a top to a bottom and a substantially flat second side panel extending from a top to a bottom substantially parallel to the first side panel and spaced laterally therefrom. A web with a bottom panel extends between and substantially perpendicular to the first side panel and the second side panel at the respective bottoms. An upwardly extending compression member extends from the bottom panel into a spacing between the first side panel and second side panel and provides an upward bias force on a beam positioned between the first side panel and second side panel with a lower edge supported by the web.
The embodiments provide a robust hanger for connecting a beam to a ledger that allows an installer to vertically adjust the top edge of the beam to ensure alignment of the beams and installation of a level surface.
Among the benefits and improvements disclosed herein, other objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures. Detailed embodiments of a height adjustable hanger are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in some embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. The phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”.
Further, the terms “substantial,” “substantially,” “similar,” “similarly,” “analogous,” “analogously,” “approximate,” “approximately,” and any combination thereof mean that differences between compared features or characteristics is less than 25% of the respective values/magnitudes in which the compared features or characteristics are measured and/or defined.
Additionally, the embodiments described herein are done so with primary reference to a preferred embodiment that is a joist hanger for attaching a joist beam to a rear ledger. However, it is understood that the embodiments are not limited as such, and the inventive concepts embodied in the disclosed embodiments apply to a wide variety of hangers or brackets for use in attaching elongate building support members or beams to another support member. Herein, the term “joist” is synonymous with and shall encompass a beam or elongate building member. Likewise, the term “ledger” is synonymous with and shall encompass any building support member or structure to which a beam may be attached.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, an adjustable hanger 10 is shown and described. As shown, the hanger 10 includes a flat first side panel 12 and flat second side panel 14 that are parallel to one another and define the lateral extent of a joist receiving cavity 13. A web 16 extends laterally between the first side 12 and second side 14. The web 16 includes a flat bottom panel 17 and a compression member 18 that provides an upward bias on a joist retained within the cavity 13. The bottom panel is preferably substantially perpendicular to the sides 12 and 14 and to the rear flanges 20 and 22 (described below). In a preferred embodiment, the compression member 18 takes the form of a leaf spring formed via an oblique bend at the front edge of the bottom panel. The web 16 defines an intermediate slot 34 through the bottom panel 17 and compression member 18, which can be used to further assist adjustment of the vertical position of the joist during installation, as will be described in greater detail below. In other embodiments, the compression member 18 has the same form, but will not “spring” upward once compressed; rather it will permanently deform in a compressed state, as will be discussed in detail below. Additionally, several other embodiments exist having a compression member of a different configuration.
A rear flange, 20 and 22, extends inwardly from each side at the respective rear edge. The flanges define a plurality of primary holes 24 and one or more secondary holes 26 that are larger than the primary holes. Additionally, each side, 12 and 14, defines one or more side holes 28 and one or more toenail holes 30. In the depicted embodiments, each of the toenail holes 30 is formed as a cutout in the respective side with an outward bend yielding a toenail flange 32. Notably, each toenail hole 30 is aligned vertically with a secondary hole 26 in one of the rear flanges such that a fastener driven obliquely through the toenail hole can pass through the aligned secondary hole 26. Preferably, holes of the same type (primary 24, secondary 26, side 28 and toenail 30) are staggered vertically relative to other holes of the same type, which assists a robust connection between all elements and structural integrity when installed.
With reference to
In the depicted preferred embodiment, vertical adjustment may be performed with additional assistance of a screw or bolt 36 from underneath the joist J and hanger 10. In this case, the shank of the screw 36 is inserted through the web 16 via the intermediate slot 34 and penetrates the wooden joist J. Once the screw 36 is driven enough that the head of the screw 36 abuts the flat bottom panel 17, further rotation in the screw driving direction acts to pull the wooden joist J downward against the bias of the compression member 18. In this manner, the flat bottom panel 17 provides a leveraging surface for the head of the fastener. On the other hand, in some embodiments, if the joist J needs to be adjusted upward, reverse rotation of the screw 36 unscrews from the wood, thereby releasing tension in the compression member 18 and allowing the joist J to move upward with the force of the compression member. In other embodiments, the compression member 18 permanently deforms in a compressed state and will not “spring” back to allow later upward adjustment.
A typical installation is finally reinforced via forming a strong “toenail” connection with additional fasteners driven obliquely through the toenail holes 30, through a rear portion of the joist J, through the secondary holes 26 in the rear flanges and into the support member S. When the fasteners are installed to form the toenail connection, each fastener head is supported by a toenail flange 32, forming a rigid and robust connection.
The hanger 10 is preferably formed of metal, such as a steel sheet. The properties (i.e., thickness, dimensions) of the steel can be adjusted as desired to affect a desired spring constant in the compression member and resulting upward bias force and force required to pull the beam downward against the compression member. Additionally, other reasonable alterations to the specific elements and relationships may be made, such as changes in element sizes, shapes, position of flanges, number of different holes, etc. For example,
In some embodiments, the side holes 28 include an offset raised surface 40 circumscribing the hole. The offset raised surface 40 is configured to assist alignment of a driving tool by providing an abutment surface for the nose of the tool. Additionally, the offset raised surfaces 40 act to retain integrity of the side panels, 12 and 14, after driving of a fastener. The single sheet panels can otherwise occasionally deform under the pressure of the fastener head.
Another embodiment of the disclosed hanger 100 is depicted in
The hanger 100 operates much the same as the hanger 10. An installer typically first attaches the hanger 100 to the building support at a preferred approximate height via fasteners driven through holes in the rear flanges, 120 and 122. The beam (joist), like that depicted generally as reference letter J in
Yet another exemplary embodiment of the hanger 200 is depicted in
The hanger 200 is installed and used just like the hanger 10. First, the hanger 200 is attached to a support member S with fasteners driven through primary holes 224. An elongate beam, like a joist J, is installed between the side panels, 212 and 214, resting on the compression member 218. The height of the joist can be finely adjusted via a threaded fastener inserted upward through the web slot 234, and threading the fastener into the wooden beam to pull the beam downward against the bias of the compression member.
Alternatively, the compression member 218 extends inward from a rear panel instead of from the bottom panel 217.
Further, in some embodiments, the bottom panel is replaced by a support member that is not completely flat or does not take a rectangular shape, such as a different shape of bent metal to form an abutment surface for the head of a screw as the screw is driven into the beam to pull the beam downward against the compression member. Each of the disclosed embodiments provides a hanger for a beam (or joist) that allows fine adjustment of the height of the supported beam by providing a leveraging surface against a screw/fastener head whereby continued screwing into the beam pulls the beam downward against an upward bias.
While preferred embodiments of the foregoing have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority to 63/033868 for “Height Adjustable Joist Hanger with Compression Member”, filed Jun. 3, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/035606 | 6/3/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63033868 | Jun 2020 | US |
