U.S. patent application number 11/260359 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for hold-down connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dietrich Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Larry Randall Daudet.
Application Number | 20070107338 11/260359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039301 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070107338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daudet; Larry Randall |
May 17, 2007 |
Hold-down connector
Abstract
A hold-down connector for attaching metal studs forming wall
assembly to a support structure. One embodiment of the hold-down
connector has a base plate, a back plate and at least one gusset
plate. The gusset plate(s) extend between the base plate and the
back plate and may be integrally formed with the back plate or the
gusset plate(s) may be welded or otherwise attached to the back
plate. The base plate has a fastener opening therethrough for
receiving a fastener for attaching the base plate to the support
structure. One or more slots are provided through the back plate to
facilitate welding of the back plate to the web of a corresponding
metal stud. One or more of the slots may have opposing side
portions that are not parallel to each other.
Inventors: |
Daudet; Larry Randall;
(Chesterton, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART PRESTON GATES ELLIS LLP
535 SMITHFIELD STREET
PITTSBURGH
PA
15222
US
|
Assignee: |
Dietrich Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38039301 |
Appl. No.: |
11/260359 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/293.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/2463 20130101;
E04B 1/2403 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/293.3 |
International
Class: |
E02D 27/00 20060101
E02D027/00 |
Claims
1. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least
one base plate fastener opening therethrough; an elongated back
plate attached to said base plate and extending vertically
therefrom, said elongated back plate having a length and a width;
at least one side gusset plate attached to said base plate and said
back plate and extending therebetween; at least one close-ended
welding slot through said back plate, said welding slot having a
slot width and a slot length that is greater than said slot width
and is at least fifty percent of said back plate length, but is not
equal to said back plate length.
2. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said base plate
fastener opening comprises an elongated base plate slot.
3. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said base plate is
welded to at least one of said back plate and said at least one
side gusset plate.
4. The hold-down connector of claim 3 wherein said at least one
gusset plate comprises: a first gusset plate extending from a first
side of said base plate to a first lateral side of said back plate;
and a second gusset plate extending from a second side of said base
plate to a second lateral side of said back plate.
5. The hold-down connector of claim 4 wherein a portion of said
first gusset plate protrudes below a bottom surface of said base
plate to facilitate welding thereto and wherein another portion of
said second gusset plate protrudes below said bottom surface of
said base plate to facilitate welding thereto.
6. The hold-down connector of claim 1 wherein said back plate and
said at least one gusset plate comprise an integral component.
7. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least
one base plate fastener opening therethrough; a back plate attached
to said base plate and extending vertically therefrom, said back
plate having a length and a width; at least one side gusset plate
attached to said base plate and said back plate and extending
therebetween; a first welding slot through said back plate, said
first welding slot having a first slot width and a first slot
length that is greater than said first slot width; a second welding
slot through said back plate, said second welding slot having a
second slot width and a second slot length that is greater than the
second slot width.
8. The hold-down connector of claim 7 wherein said first and second
welding slots are substantially parallel to each other.
9. The hold-down connector of claim 7 wherein said first and second
welding slots are substantially axially aligned with each
other.
10. A hold-down connector comprising: a base plate having at least
one base plate fastener opening therethrough; a back plate attached
to said base plate and extending vertically therefrom, said back
plate having a length and a width; at least one side gusset plate
attached to said base plate and said back plate and extending
therebetween; at least two elongated welding slots through said
back plate; and at least one other elongated welding slot through
another portion of said back plate and axially aligned with at
least one of said elongated welding slots.
11. The hold-down connector of claim 10 wherein said at least two
welding slots have substantially the same length and shape and are
substantially laterally aligned with each other.
12. The hold-down connector of claim 10 wherein said other
elongated welding slots correspond in number to a number of said
welding slots.
13. The hold-down connector of claim 12 wherein at least two of
said welding slots are parallel to each other wherein at least one
of said other welding slots corresponds to at least one of said
parallel welding slots and is substantially axially aligned
therewith.
14. A wall system, comprising: a support structure; a wall frame
supported on said support structure, said wall frame comprising at
least one vertically extending metal stud having a stud web and two
stud flanges protruding from said stud web in spaced-apart relation
to each other; a hold-down connector comprising: a base plate
attached to said support structure; and a vertically extending back
plate attached to said base plate, said vertically extending back
plate extending between said stud flanges and being welded to said
stud web along at least one slot in said back plate.
15. The wall system of claim 14 further comprising at least one web
opening through said stud web of said at least one vertically
extending stud adjacent an end thereof that is adjacent to said
support structure and wherein said vertically extending back plate
has at least two welding slots therethrough such that when said
vertically extending back plate is positioned adjacent said stud
web for welding thereto, said web opening is located between at
least portions of said two welding slots.
16. The wall system of claim 14 wherein said least one vertically
extending metal stud has a first inwardly protruding return formed
on an end of one of said stud flanges and a second inwardly
protruding return on another end of the another one of said flanges
and wherein said back plate is sized to extend between inwardly
protruding ends of said first and second returns.
17. The wall system of claim 14 wherein said at least one slot in
said back plate has at least two longitudinal edges and wherein
said back plate is welded to said stud web by providing a first
bead of weld along one longitudinal edge and a second bead of weld
along the other longitudinal edge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to building construction components
and, more particularly, to connectors for anchoring wall studs to
foundations or underlying support structures.
[0003] 2. Description of the Invention Background
[0004] Regardless of whether the frame of a building is constructed
from wood and/or steel, such frame structures are commonly
subjected to a variety of forces. Among the most significant of
such forces are gravity, wind, and seismic forces. Gravity is a
vertically acting force, while wind and seismic forces are
primarily laterally acting.
[0005] The walls of a structure fabricated from wood components are
commonly formed from a collection of wall studs that are connected
to top and bottom members or "plates" at desired spacing schemes
(i.e., 16 inches from center to center). The studs and plates
usually comprise 2.times.4 and or 2.times.6 boards. In metal frame
arrangements, the studs and plates commonly comprise C-shaped
members that are interconnected, for example, by screws or other
fastening techniques.
[0006] To provide the frame with resistance to the types of lateral
forces mentioned above, shear wall panels are often attached to
portions of the frame formed by the vertically extending studs and
top and bottom plates or tracks such that they extend therebetween.
Common forms of shear wall panels include one or more types of
sheathing such as plywood, fiberboard, particleboard, and/or
drywall to the inside or both sides of the wall frame. In
multistory applications or applications wherein high shear forces
are contemplated, shear wall panels comprising a sheet of steel
with gypsum or other material affixed thereto are commonly
employed. These shear wall panels transmit the lateral forces
acting on the frame of the building to the walls of subsequent
floors below it and ultimately to the foundation upon which the
walls are supported.
[0007] In non-shear applications, common fastener such as nails,
screws or bolts are employed to affix the wall structure to the
underlying support structure. However, in applications wherein high
shear and other forces are contemplated, conventional fastener
arrangements employed in non-shear applications are often
inadequate. Thus, over the years, various types of connection
devices have been developed for connecting the wall studs of a
shear wall to the underlying structure or foundation. Such
connectors are commonly referred to in the industry as
"hold-downs". Examples of such hold-down connectors are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,672 to Commins et al., U.S. Pat. No.
4,744,192 to Commins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,621 to Jensen, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,092,097 to Young, U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,404 to Leek et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,495 to Gregg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,188 to
Shahnazarian and U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,290 to Leek.
[0008] Prior hold-down connectors, however, are commonly screwed to
metal studs. In applications wherein relatively high shear and
deflection forces are anticipated, upwards of 10 and even up to 48
or more fasteners have been be used to fasten a hold-down to a
corresponding stud and attain the required attachment strength.
Regardless of whether the installer employs power tools to install
the fasteners, the process of installing large numbers of fasteners
results in an undesirably slow installation process. In addition,
the hold-downs must be made with vertically extending portions that
are large enough to accommodate the required number of
fasteners.
[0009] Other attempts at fastening hold-down connectors utilizing
welding proved to be difficult, time consuming and cumbersome
because the welds were made at the outside back edges of the
hold-down itself which provided little space for welding and also
made it very difficult to inspect the quality of the welds.
[0010] Thus, as can be appreciated from the forgoing discussion,
there is a need for a simple hold-down connector that can be
quickly and easily coupled to metal studs without the use of large
numbers of fasteners.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a base plate
that has at least one base plate fastener opening therethrough. A
back plate is attached to the base plate and at least one side
gusset plate is attached to the base plate and the back plate such
that it extends therebetween. At least one close-ended welding slot
is provided through the back plate. The welding slot has a slot
width and a slot length that is greater than the slot width and is
less than the length of the back plate.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the subject
invention, there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a
base plate that has at least one base plate fastener opening
therethrough. A back plate is attached to the base plate and at
least one side gusset plate is attached to the base plate and the
back plate such that it extends therebetween. A first welding slot
is provided through the back plate. The first welding slot has a
first slot width and a first slot length that is greater than the
first slot width. A second welding slot is provided through the
back plate. The second welding slot has a second slot width and a
second slot length that is greater than the second slot width.
[0013] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the subject
invention, there is provided a wall system that includes a support
structure and a wall frame supported on the support structure. The
wall frame comprises at least one vertically extending metal stud
that has a stud web and two stud flanges that protrude from the
stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other. The wall system
further comprises a hold-down connector that includes a base plate
that is attached to the support structure. A vertically extending
back plate is attached to the base plate. The vertically extending
back plate extends between the stud flanges and is welded to the
stud web along at least one slot in the back plate.
[0014] In accordance with another embodiment of the subject
invention there is provided a hold-down connector that comprises a
base plate that has at least one base plate fastener opening
therethrough and a back plate that is attached to the base plate.
The back plate extends vertically therefrom from the base plate and
has a length and a width. At least one side gusset plate is
attached to the base plate and the back plate and extends
therebetween. At least two elongated welding slots are provided
through the back plate and at least one other elongated welding
slot is provided through another portion of the back plate. At
least one of the other elongated welding slots is axially aligned
with at least one of the elongated welding slots.
[0015] Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention provide
solutions to the shortcomings of other hold-down connectors and
methods of attaching the hold-down connectors to studs in various
applications. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and
advantages will become further apparent as the following detailed
description proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the accompanying Figures, there are shown present
embodiments of the invention wherein like reference numerals are
employed to designate like parts and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a wall
structure employing a plurality of hold-down connectors forming one
embodiment of the present invention to attach the studs of the wall
structure to a portion of a support structure;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a pair of studs
of the wall structure of FIG. 1 attached to the support structure
with one hold-down embodiment of the subject invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of one base plate embodiment of the
subject invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a hold-down embodiment
of the subject invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG.
4 with the base plate shown in cross-section for clarity and the
knockout of a conventional stud shown in phantom lines to
illustrate the positioning of the weld slots of the hold-down in
relation to the knockout;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a top view of a hold-down embodiment in relation
to a single metal stud;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a
hold-down connector of the subject invention attached to the web of
a stud by two sections of weld;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a top view of the hold-down and stud of FIG.
7;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a front elevation al view of another hold-down
embodiment of the subject invention with the base plate thereof
shown in cross-section for clarity;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG.
9 welded to the web of a stud that does not have a knockout
adjacent to the hold-down;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG.
9 welded to the web of a stud that has a knockout therethrough;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of another hold-down
embodiment of the subject invention;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG.
12 welded to the web of a stud;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of another hold-down
embodiment of the subject invention; and
[0031] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the hold-down of FIG.
14 welded to the web of a stud.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring now to the drawings for the purposes of
illustrating the present embodiments of the invention only and not
for the purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates a shear
wall structure 10 wherein at least two hold-down connectors 100 of
one embodiment of the subject invention are employed to attach the
shear wall structure 10 to a support structure 12. The support
structure 12 may comprise, for example, a concrete foundation or
another wall assembly, etc. The wall structure 10 in this
arrangement includes a conventional bottom track 14 that has a web
16 and two upstanding flanges 18. The bottom track 14 is supported
on the support structure 12 and may be attached to the support
structure 12 utilizing appropriate conventional fasteners.
[0033] The shear wall structure 10 further includes a top track 20
that also has a web 22 and a pair of flanges 24. The top track 20
may be attached to joists, girders, beams, tracks, etc. depending
upon the structure that it is designed to support. A plurality of
conventional metal studs 32 extend between the top and bottom
tracks and are attached thereto. In the wall structure depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the metal studs 32 are arranged in "back-to-back" or
"web-to web" pairs 30 that are spaced at desired intervals of, for
example, 16,18, 24, etc. inches "on center". The reader will
appreciate, however, that, depending upon the wall structure's
particular design requirements, single metal studs 32 may be
arranged at desired spacing intervals in place of the pairs 30 of
back-to-back studs 32.
[0034] The metal studs 32 may be of conventional design and each
have a web 34 and a pair of flanges 36. See FIG. 2. A return 38 is
formed on the end of each of the flanges 34 as shown. The pairs 30
of studs 32 may be attached together with their webs 34 in abutting
relationship by fastener screws, welds, etc. The pairs 30 of studs
32 may be attached to the top track and the bottom track by
fastener screws 44. See FIG. 1.
[0035] FIGS. 2-8 illustrate one hold-down connector embodiment 100
of the present invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5-8,
hold-down connector 100 includes a base plate 110, a back plate 120
and a pair of ("first and second") side gusset plates 130. One
embodiment of the base plate 110 that is particularly well suited
for use with a conventional 3.625 inch metal stud is depicted in
FIG. 3 and may be fabricated from 3/8 inch metal plate.
[0036] In this embodiment, the base plate 110 may be provided with
an opening 112 for receiving a conventional fastener therethrough.
In one embodiment, the opening comprises an elongated base plate
hole or slot. One embodiment of the base plate 110 depicted in FIG.
3 may be fabricated from 3/8 inch steel plate and have the
following dimensions: dimension "A" is approximately 3 inches;
dimension "B" is approximately 2 5/16 inches; dimension "C" is
approximately 13/8 inches; dimension "D" is approximately 11/8
inches. To facilitate easy assembly and welding of the base plate
110 to the back plate 120 and the gusset plates 130, the rear
corners 114, 116 of the base plate 110 may be clipped as shown. For
example, dimensions "E" may be approximately 3/16 inch and
dimension "F: may be approximately 1 15/16 inches. The skilled
artisan will appreciate, however, that the composition and the
various dimensions and shape of the base plate 110 and fastener
opening 112 may be altered depending upon the sizes of the
components (studs, track, fasteners, etc.) without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0037] As indicated above, this embodiment of the hold-down
connector 100 of the present invention also includes a back plate
120 and a pair of gusset plates 130. See FIGS. 4-6. The back plate
120 and the gusset plates 130 may comprise an integral component
and be fabricated from single piece of steel or the gusset plates
130 may extend from the lateral sides 121,123 of the back plate 120
and be welded thereto in the configuration depicted in the
above-mentioned Figures. In one embodiment, for example, the back
plate 120 and the side gusset plates 130 are fabricated from 10
gage 50 ksi steel. However, other types and thicknesses of metal
material could conceivably be used.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates the shape of the side gusset plates 130
of one hold-down connector embodiment of the subject invention. In
this embodiment, for example, dimension "G" may be approximately
31/2 inches; dimension "H" may be approximately 1 foot-61/2 inches;
and dimension "I" may be approximately 3/4 inch.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the
hold-down connector 100 of the present invention. As can be seen in
that Figure, the base plate 110 may be offset a distance "J" from
the bottom ends of the back plate 120 and the side gusset plates
130 to facilitate welding (represented by weld 119) of the base
plate 110 to at least the gusset plates 130 and preferably to the
gusset plates 130 and the back plate 120. The back plate 120 has a
width "K" that will enable the back plate 120 to extend between the
stud returns 38 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0040] Also in this embodiment, the back plate 120 is provided with
a pair of elongated (welding) slots 122 that have "closed ends". As
used herein, the term "closed end" means that the slot does not
extend longitudinally through either end of the backing plate. In
this embodiment, the slots 122 are oriented such that they extend
past the lateral sides of a "knockout" opening 40 that is commonly
provided through the web 34 of the metal stud 32. See FIGS. 5 and
7. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the knockout opening 40 is typically
approximately 4 inches long (dimension "L") and its bottom edge is
commonly approximately 10 inches (dimension "M") from the bottom of
the stud 32. The knockout 40 is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5
for illustration only. In this embodiment, the knockout 40 does not
form any part of the back plate 120.
[0041] Each of the slots 122 has a slot length "N" and a slot width
"O". In one embodiment, the slot length "N" is greater than the
slot width "O" and is less than the length "H" of the back plate
120 such that the slot 122 is not open ended. In one embodiment,
for example, the slot length "N" is at least fifty percent of the
length "H" of the back plate 120, but is not greater than or equal
to the length "H". That is, in at least one embodiment, the slots
122 do not extend through the upper or lower ends of the back plate
120, but stop short of those ends of the back plate 120. See FIG.
5. For example, in one embodiment, the slot length "N" is
approximately 10 inches, the slot width "O" is approximately 1/4
inch and the length "H" of the back plate 120 is approximately 1
foot-61/2 inches. The top edges of the slots 122 may be
approximately 1 inch from the upper end of the hold-down 100
(dimension "P" in FIG. 5). Each slot 122 has an inside edge 127 and
an outside edge 129. The inside edges 127 of each slot 122 may be
approximately 3/4 inch from the centerline ("CL") of the hold-down
100 (dimensions "Q" in FIG. 5). The back plate 120 may then be
welded (welds 160,160') to the web 34 of the stud 32 through the
slots 122 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 such that one weld 160 is
applied to one of the outside edge 129 of one of the slots 122 and
another weld 160' is applied to the outside side 129 of the other
slot 122.
[0042] The hold-down connector 100 may be attached to the support
structure 12 by a suitable fastener arrangement 170. In the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-8, a conventional anchor bolt 172,
nut 174, and washer 176 are employed. Other suitable fasteners may
be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
subject invention.
[0043] FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another hold-down connector embodiment
200 of the present invention. Hold-down connector 200 may be
substantially similar to the hold-down connector 100 as described
above, except that hold-down connector 200 has a single slot 222.
As can be seen in those Figures, the hold-down connector 200 has a
base plate 210 that may be of the same construction and
configuration as base plate 110 described above. Base plate 210 has
a fastener opening 212 therethrough that may have the same
characteristics as fastener opening 112 described above. Hold-down
connector 200 also has a back plate 220 and a pair of gusset plates
230. The gusset plates 230 may be integrally formed with the back
plate 220 or they may comprise separate pieces that are welded to
the back plate 220. Gusset plates 230 may be of similar
construction and size as the gusset plates 130 described above.
[0044] In this embodiment, a single slot 222 may be provided
through the back plate 220. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 9
and 10, slot 220 is axially aligned with the center axis CL of the
back plate 220. However, the slot 220 may be situated on either
side of the axis CL if desired. The slot 222 has a slot length N'
and a slot width O'. In one embodiment, for a back plate 220 that
has a length H' of approximately 1 foot-61/2 inches and a width K'
of approximately 23/4 inches, the slot length N' may be
approximately 1 foot-2 inches and the slot width O' may be
approximately 34 inches. Slot 222 has two side edges 223, 225.
Other slot sizes and shapes may be employed.
[0045] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the stud 32 does not
have a knockout 40 located in the vicinity of the slot 222 when the
hold-down connector 200 is positioned as shown. Thus, continuous
beads of weld 260, 260' may be applied to the edges 223, 225,
respectively as shown in FIG. 10 to connect the hold-down connector
200 to the web 34 of the stud 32. For those applications wherein
the stud 32 does have a knockout 40 therethrough, depending upon
the design loads of the hold-down connection 200, the installer may
be able to simply apply the welds 260, 260' to the portions of the
edges 223, 225 of the slot 222 oriented above and below the knock
out 40 as shown in FIG. 11.
[0046] Somewhat similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, a
hold-down connector 300 may be provided with at least two axially
aligned slots 322 that each have edges 323, 325. See FIG. 12. The
hold-down connector 300 may otherwise be substantially identical to
the hold-down connector 200 described above. In particular, the
hold-down connector 300 has a base plate 310, a back plate 320 and
two gusset plates 330. The base plate 310 has a fastener opening
312 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the hold-down
connector 300 is attached to the web 34 of the stud 32 by two beads
or sections of welds 360, 360' applied to the slot edges 323, 325,
respectively. In alternative embodiments, the slot 322 that is
situated above the knockout 40 in the stud 32 may not be axially
aligned along the central axis CL with the welding slot 322 that is
situated below the knock out 40. In addition, one or more of the
slots may have opposing side edges or portions that are not
parallel to each other.
[0047] Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
FIGS. 14 and 15. As can be seen in those Figures, the hold-down
connector 400 of this embodiment has three "upper" slots 422, 432,
442 located in a portion of the back plate 420 that would be above
the hole 40 in a corresponding stud 32 when installed and three
"lower" slots 426, 436, 446 in the portion of the back plate 420
located below the hole 40 in the corresponding stud 32. In the
embodiment depicted, the slots 422, 432, 442 are the same size and
shape and are substantially laterally aligned with each other.
However, in other embodiments, the upper slots 422, 432, 442 may
have different sizes and shapes and/or may not be laterally aligned
with each other. In addition, in the embodiment depicted in FIGS.
14 and 15, the upper slots 426, 436, 446 are substantially the same
size and shape and are laterally aligned with each other. In other
embodiments, however, the lower slots 426, 436, 446 may have
different sizes and shapes and/or may not be laterally aligned with
each other. Also, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, upper slot 422 is
axially aligned with the lower slot 426. The second upper slot 432
is axially aligned with the second lower slot 436 and the third
upper slot 442 is axially aligned with the third lower slot 446. In
other embodiments, one or more of the upper slots may not be
aligned with corresponding lower slots. It will also be appreciated
that other numbers of upper and lower slots may be employed. For
example, in another embodiment, only two upper slots and two lower
slots are provided. In other embodiments two upper slots and three
lower slots are provided and in yet another alternative three upper
lost and two upper slots are provided. Thus, the number, size,
shape and arrangement of upper and lower slots may vary depending
upon the expected loading conditions.
[0048] The hold-down connector 400 may otherwise be substantially
identical to the hold-down connector 200 described above. In
particular, the hold-down connector 400 has a base plate 410, a
back plate 420 and two gusset plates 430. The base plate 410 has a
fastener opening 412 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the
hold-down connector 400 is attached to the web 34 of the stud 32 by
beads or sections of welds 460 applied through each of the slots
422, 432, 442, 426, 436, 446.
[0049] The various embodiments of the subject invention represent
vast improvements over prior hold-down arrangements. Various
embodiments may be attached to the web of a stud by welding, thus
eliminating the need to install several fastener screws.
[0050] The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be
construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The
embodiments are therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather
than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents,
variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of
the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced
thereby.
* * * * *