Wire Hanger For Building Structures

Abstract

A hanger for attaching a building members to one another includes a wire and a plurality of brackets. The brackets are rotatably attached to the wire and configured to receive an elongate fastener for attaching to a building member. A wire may define a right side and a left side with a central segment between them. Each of the right side and left side may include a plurality of wire segments in a quasi-zig zag formation. A linear segment may be positioned between adjacent opposite angled wire segments. The wire is optionally bendable to accommodate different installations. A web may also be rotatably attached to the wire to support a building member.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to the field of building construction connectors, more particularly to a hanger for supporting and attaching a first structural building member, such as a beam or joist, relative to a building support member. Even more particularly, the disclosure relates to a hanger formed from a wire and complimentary hardware that allows adjustability for use in numerous applications and sizes of building materials, and which reduces the amount of metal material consumed compared to existing sheet metal hangers.

In construction and building fields, hangers are common for assisting in the connection of one building member to another, such as an elongate joist to a rear support member. Hangers are often formed of metal, such as steel and include numerous sides and surfaces used for attaching to a support member and joist, and holding and supporting the joist.

One common type of joist 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 on a side of a building, and extend substantially perpendicular therefrom at a height substantially parallel to the other joists. A joist hanger is used as an intermediate member to attach the joists to the support member. Joist hangers are usually formed of a single piece of steel with opposite sides and a bottom web for holding and supporting a joist from underneath, and rear and/or top flange elements for attaching to a support member.

Common drawbacks associated with hangers include being cumbersome and time consuming to install, require many meticulous measurements and a single style of hanger cannot be used for multiple different purposes, thus requiring many different varieties. Thus, it would be useful to provide a hanger with capabilities to improve upon these common issues.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a hanger for attaching a structural building member to a building support member includes a structural wire member and a plurality of brackets. The wire member is bent to form a right side and an opposite left side connected to one another by a middle wire segment. The brackets are attached to the wire member and configured for receipt of a fastener.

In another embodiment, a structural building assembly includes a building support member, a beam and a hanger secured to the support member and beam. The beam is rigidly attached to an extends from the support member. The hanger comprises a structural wire member, a plurality of brackets and a web bracket. The wire member is bent into a left side on one side of the beam and a right side on the other side of the beam. The web bracket is engaged with the wire between the left side and right side and extends along a bottom edge of the beam. A plurality of brackets are engaged with the wire on the right side and a plurality of brackets engaged with the wire on the left side. One or more of the plurality of brackets on the right side and one or more of the plurality of brackets on the left side are attached to the support member. One or more of the plurality of brackets on the right side are attached to a right side of the beam and one or more of the plurality of brackets on the left side are attached to a left side of the beam.

In another embodiment, a hanger for attaching a structural building member to a building support member comprises a structural wire member, a plurality of attachment brackets, and a web bracket. The structural wire member is bent in alternating angled segments to form a right side and bent in alternating angled segments to form an opposite left side with a central wire segment extending therebetween. The plurality of attachment brackets are attached to the wire member with an attachment bracket positioned between adjacent alternating angled segments of the right side and an attachment bracket positioned between adjacent alternating angled segments of the left side. The web bracket is attached to the wire member positioned between the right side and the left side. The attachment brackets, web bracket or both are rotatable relative to the wire. The attachment brackets are configured to receive a fastener to secure the hanger to the structural building member and the building support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the disclosed wire hanger from the rear;

FIG. 2 is an additional view of the wire hanger from the rear;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary installations of beams attached to a rear support member using the wire hanger;

FIG. 5 shows an end beam of an installation installed to the rear support member;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are depictions of another embodiment with a side member of the wire hanger removed and installed in a different assembly for protection against seismic movement;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front elevation views of an installation using the disclosed hanger;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side elevation views of the installation;

FIG. 10A is a side view of an installation using another embodiment of the disclosed hanger;

FIG. 10B shows a front elevation view and side elevation view of the hanger of FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show an installation using an embodiment of the disclosed hanger;

FIGS. 12A and 12B show views of another embodiment of the disclosed hanger;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show views of another embodiment of the disclosed hanger with brackets in a first configuration;

FIGS. 14A and 14B show views of the bracket of FIGS. 13A and 13B with brackets in a different configuration;

FIGS. 15A and 15B show views of another embodiment of the disclosed hanger with offset brackets and brackets in a first configuration;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show views of the bracket of FIGS. 15A and 15B with brackets in a different configuration;

FIGS. 17A and 17B show views of a building assembly using the brackets of FIGS. 13A-14B; and

FIGS. 18A and 18B show views of a building assembly using the brackets of FIGS. 15A-16B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 figures. Detailed embodiments of a hanger for a building member, in particular an elongate beam, 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 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), although 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 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.

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, embodiments of a hanger 10, 10′, and 100 are shown. FIGS. 1, 2, 8B and 9B show a first embodiment of the hanger 10 in isolation. The hanger 10 most generally includes a wire 12 bent to form a right side R and left side L. as shown, the wire 12 may be bent to form alternating angled segments 26 on each of the right and left sides. A plurality of brackets 14 and 15 are positioned along connecting upright peak/plateau segments 28 of the wire extending between adjacent opposite angled segments 26.

As shown, the brackets 14 and 15 include a flat main section 20, 21 and an eyehole section 22, 23 through which a portion of the wire 12 passes. The flat section 20, 21 of each bracket defines a hole 18, 19 for receipt of a fastener during installation. Understandably, the brackets can be formed from sheet metal, such as steel, bent into the operative shape. The hanger 10 formed from wire 12 and brackets 14, 15 defines a right R and left L side with a central lateral segment 29 carrying a web bracket 16 therebetween on one longitudinal end of the hanger (the bottom when installed). The wire 12 is bent accordingly to form the connecting segments 28 that accommodate the side brackets 14, 15 and the web bracket 16.

Notably, the herein depicted embodiments of the hanger all feature a quasi-zig zag configuration on each side with an upright segment 28 between adjacent opposite angled segments 26. However, while this configuration is preferred for use within the building assemblies shown, this is not a limiting feature of the invention. Indeed, embodiments of the hanger exist that utilize a different patterns of wire segments. Further, since the wire is bendable, it is adjustable for use in virtually an infinite number of different settings or installations.

A bottom section 29 of the wire 12 extends through the eyehole section 24 of the web bracket 16 substantially laterally (from the right side R to the left side L, or vice versa) in a position proximate the front end of the web bracket 16. This positioning of the central lateral section 29 within the web bracket 16 is preferable for forming a supportive and robust installation when used to install beams B on support members S (for example, joists to ledgers). As depicted, the web 16 may include one or more holes for driving fasteners 30 and which may assist in aiding alignment during installation.

Each of the angled intermediate segments 26 in the wire that form the side sections L and R is angled converging in a direction toward its adjacent opposite angled intermediate segments 26 with a relatively straight upright connecting segment 28 extending between and connecting the angled segments such that the wire forms a quasi-zig zag configuration on the sides L and R. An upright connecting segment 28 may also be referred to as a “plateau” or a “peak segment” herein and simply references a section of wire between the alternating intermediate angled segments 26. In this embodiment, each connecting segment 28 extends through and is maintained within the eyehole 22 of a bracket 14, 15 with the bracket preferably rotatable relative thereto. Similarly, the web bracket 16 is preferably rotatable about the lateral segment 29. Rotatability of the respective brackets in this manner provides substantial adjustability of positioning of each bracket and the hanger itself within a given connection, thus allowing a single type of hanger to be used in countless different building installations. for example, the same hanger 10 can be used to attach and support an angled beam in a truss or another building structure via the pivotable web 16.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a preferred installation uses the hanger 10 as a joist or beam hanger for attaching a beam B extending from a support member S. As can be seen, the hanger 10 takes the place of a common joist hanger made from bent sheet metal with various flanges. In one installation process, the hanger 10 may first be attached at the rear end of the beam B via fasteners 30 driven through holes in front brackets 14 (each side, L and R) into the sides of the beam B and through the web bracket 16 extending across the bottom end of the beam B. The web 16 is secured in place via one or more fasteners driven upward into the bottom edge of the beam B. The beam B can then be positioned on the support member S in a preferred height and lateral location. The beam is secured in place with rear brackets 15 of a side (L or R) attached to the support member S in a preferred position via fasteners 30 driven through the holes 19 and the flat section 21 against the surface of the support member S.

The rotatable engagement of the brackets 14, 15 and wire 12 allow adjustment of the lateral positioning of the rear brackets to create the tightest connection possible. Of course, the beam B can be installed in reverse order, i.e., first attaching rear brackets 15 to the support S in a preferred position, then inserting the rear of the beam B, and then attaching the front brackets 14 and web bracket 16 to the beam B. Still further, one side of the hanger can be attached to the support S, followed by attachment of that side of the beam B to the respective front brackets, followed by positioning and attachment of the other side. Essentially, the specifically described order of installation steps is non-limiting, as the system is entirely adjustable and adaptable to different configurations.

As shown, the wire 12 may be configured with an elongated upper section or segment 32 that extends past the top bracket 14. The upper wire segments 32 can remain in position upright along the respective sides of the beam, as in the view of FIG. 3, or alternatively, where possible, can be bent over the support member S for added strength and stability, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5.

The disclosed hanger 10 is further adjustable via pivoting the rear brackets 18 to the inside, concealed behind the beam B, as also shown in FIG. 5. This adjustability allows a single type of hanger 10 to be used in many different installation settings (concealed and not concealed), rather than needing separate hangers with outward side flanges or inner side flanges for concealed and not concealed installations.

The disclosed hanger 10 is also adjustable to accommodate beams or joists having different sizes simply by compressing the wire sides downward or pulling them upward. This inherent adjustability property reduces or eliminates the need to procure different sized hangers for different beams and uses.

Further, in some embodiments, hangers 10 are attached to beams B prior to shipping to a job site. The brackets 14 may be rotated to lie flush on the sides of the beams, thereby permitting efficient and effective stacking of the beams for shipping and delivery without causing an obstruction or otherwise interfering like known sheet metal hangers with flanges are known to do.

FIGS. 6-7 depict another embodiment and use of a hanger 10′ to form a different connection between building members. The embodiment of the hanger 10′ depicted in FIG. 6 can be a separate standalone product, or actually an adaptation of the hanger 10 cut to yield the hanger 10′. As shown, the hanger 10′ is essentially one side of the hanger 10 with wire segments 26′ and upright segments 28′ with rotatable brackets 14′ attached thereto in isolation with the bottom wire segment 29, web 16 and opposite side of the hanger 10 removed. This embodiment of the hanger 10′ can be used as shown in FIG. 6 to robustly secure a trim board T or similar building member to protect against seismic shift.

The hanger 10 formed from wire 12 provides numerous advantages over known hangers, most notably hangers formed from bent panels of sheet metal, including without limitation:

• • Uses far less material than known hangers, and is thus less costly to manufacture.
  • In some embodiments, screws 30 are pre-set in the holes 18 within the brackets 14.
  • Brackets are pivotable for ease of stacking for storage and shipment, and also enabling pre-attachment to building members.
  • Web bracket 16 is pivotally adjustable to attach beams at virtually any angle relative to a support member, thus reducing or even eliminating the need for different types of hangers for various installations.
  • Wire can be cut in different locations and/or bent for various uses and further adjustability.

The hardware that makes up the hanger 10 (wire 12 and backets 14 and 16) are typically formed of steel which may be treated in any known manner to improve strength, hardness and corrosion resistive properties (i.e., heat treating, coating, etc.). The hardware is not limited in dimension.

The disclosed embodiments of the hanger 10 formed from bent wire 12 have proven to provide robust and sturdy connections between building members in a variety of settings and to form a variety of different types of connections. The hanger transfers the structural load applied to one member to another member through a configuration of wire and fasteners. When a load is applied to the structural building member being carried (i,e., a joist like the depicted beam B), the force is transferred from that structural building member to the wire assembly both by resting on the wire segment 29 along the bottom edge of the beam and through a series of fastener connections around the sides and bottom. In this manner, the combination of the bent wire 12 and fasteners 30 act similar to a truss for the purpose of load transfer. The load is transferred from the hanger to fasteners that are connected to the beam. The configuration and combination of the bent wire, fasteners and the structural members creates a static connection between the beam and the support member to which it is attached.

In another embodiment of the hanger 100 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the wire and attachment brackets 114 with fastener holes 118 are formed as a single integrated piece. Preferably this embodiment of the hanger 100 is formed via pressing or stamping a flat section into the wire 112, however other embodiments exist wherein separate bracket members are attached to the wire in operative locations. FIG. 10B shows a version of the unitary hanger 100 with integrated wire sections 112 and brackets 114 from a front view and a side view. Notably, in these embodiments with integrated wire and bracket, the bracket and/or wire can be bent as necessary to accommodate a given installation, adding further adjustability to the system.

FIG. 10A further depicts the top section 132 of the wire being bent over the top edge of the support member S. This feature of bending upper sections 32 of the wire 12 is also shown in the views of the hanger 10 of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show another model of the unitary hanger 100 in an assembly attaching a beam B to a support member S.

FIGS. 13A-14B show another embodiment of the hanger 200. In this embodiment, the lateral segment 229 of the wire 212 forms the bottom “web” without a separate web bracket (like that depicted as reference numeral 16). The hanger 200 is otherwise substantially similar to the embodiment of the hanger 10, including a wire 212 bent into a right side and left side with alternating angled segments 226 and front attachment brackets 214 and rear attachment brackets 215 carried on upright segments 228 between adjacent alternating angled segments 226. As comparatively shown in FIGS. 13A-13B and FIGS. 14A-14B, the attachment brackets 214 and 215 are pivotable about the wire 212 to accommodate different installation settings. In the views of FIGS. 13A-13B, the rear brackets 215 are pivoted inward (yielding a concealed configuration when used), while the views of FIGS. 14A-14B show the rear brackets 215 pivoted outward (yielding an exposed configuration when used). As shown, the depiction of the hanger 200 also includes an upright top segment 232 on each side.

FIGS. 15A-16B show another embodiment of the hanger 300. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of the hanger 200 from FIGS. 13A-14B with attachment brackets that are offset in height between the right side and left side. Specifically, as can be seen, the left rear and front attachment brackets, 314a and 315a, are not positioned at the same height as the right rear and front attachment brackets, 314b and 315b. Similar to the hanger 200, the attachment brackets, 314a, 315a, 314b, 315b, are positioned on upright segments 328 between opposite angled segments 326, and are pivotable about the wire 312. The depicted embodiment also includes a bottom lateral segment 329 without a web bracket attached thereon.

In each of the brackets shown FIGS. 13A-16B, there is no bottom web. However, this is not a limiting characteristic, as embodiments exist that utilize a bottom web like element 16, which may also be pivotable about the lateral segment 229/329 to accommodate different building assemblies or structures.

The disclosed embodiments of the hanger, assembly and installation method provide a substantial advancement from known hanger or bracket products, given their virtually infinite adjustability, pivotable attachment brackets/holes and that they are formed from significantly less metal material than existing metal hangers.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show building assemblies that employ the hanger 200 of FIGS. 13A-14B to attach beams B to a rear support. Likewise, FIGS. 18A and 18B show building assemblies that employ the hanger 300 with offset attachment brackets to attach beams B to a rear support. Specifically, the depicted installations shown in FIGS. 17A-17B and FIGS. 18A-18B are joist beams attached to a rear ledger. As noted herein, the embodiments of the hangers with structural wire and brackets can be used in forming many different building structures and substructures due to the adaptability of the wire (via bending and/or cutting) and the brackets (via rotation).

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.

Claims

1. A hanger for attaching a structural building member to a building support member, comprising: a structural wire member bent to form a right side and an opposite left side connected to one another by a middle wire segment; anda plurality of brackets attached to the wire member, each bracket configured for receipt of a fastener.

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the structural wire member is bent in alternating angled segments to form the right side and the left side.

3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein one of the plurality of brackets is positioned between an adjacent pair of alternating angled segments.

4. The hanger of claim 3, wherein the brackets are attached rotatable relative to the wire.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the brackets are attached rotatable relative to the wire.

6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein each of the brackets comprises a flat section and an eyehole section through which an intermediate segment of the wire extends.

7. The hanger of claim 1, comprising a web bracket engaged with the middle wire segment and positioned between the right side and left side.

8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the web bracket is attached rotatable relative to the wire.

9. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the wire is bendable in one or more locations.

10. A structural building assembly, comprising: a building support member;a beam rigidly attached to and extending from the support member; anda hanger secured to the support member and beam, the hanger comprising: a structural wire member bent into a left side on one side of the beam and a right side on the other side of the beam; anda plurality of brackets engaged with the wire on the right side and a plurality of brackets engaged with the wire on the left side, whereinone or more of the plurality of brackets on the right side and one or more of the plurality of brackets on the left side are attached to the support member,one or more of the plurality of brackets on the right side are attached to a right side of the beam and one or more of the plurality of brackets on the left side are attached to a left side of the beam.

11. The structural building assembly of claim 10, wherein the wire is bent in a quasi-zig zag formation on the right side and bent in a quasi-zig zag formation on the left side.

12. The structural building assembly of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of brackets is engaged with the wire between a pair of adjacent alternating segments of the quasi-zig zag formation.

13. The structural building assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of brackets is engaged to the wire between a pair of adjacent alternating segments of the quasi-zig zag formation.

14. The structural building assembly of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of brackets engaged with the wire on the right side or left side is rotatable relative to the wire.

15. The structural building assembly of claim 10, wherein one or more of the plurality of brackets engaged with the wire on the right side and engaged with the wire on the left side are positioned on upright segments of the wire between opposite adjacent angled segments.

16. The structural building assembly of claim 10, wherein the hanger further comprises a top segment of wire on the left side and a top segment of wire on the right side, and one or both of the top segments is bent over a top edge of the building support member or bent over a top edge of the beam.

17. The structural building assembly of claim 10, wherein the hanger further comprises a web bracket engaged with the wire between the left side and right side and extending along a bottom edge of the beam.

18. A hanger for attaching a structural building member to a building support member, comprising: a structural wire member bent in alternating angled segments to form a right side and bent in alternating angled segments to form an opposite left side with a central wire segment extending therebetween;a plurality of attachment brackets attached to the wire member, with an attachment bracket positioned between adjacent alternating angled segments of the right side and an attachment bracket positioned between adjacent alternating angled segments of the left side; anda web bracket attached to the wire member positioned between the right side and the left side, whereinthe attachment brackets, web bracket or both are rotatable relative to the wire, andthe attachment brackets are configured to receive a fastener to secure the hanger to the structural building member and the building support member.

19. The hanger of claim 18, wherein the web bracket is rotatable about the central wire segment.

20. The hanger of claim 18, wherein the attachment brackets are secured to linear segments of the wire, wherein the linear segments are not alternating angled segments.