U.S. patent application number 11/711393 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for floor joist hanger.
Invention is credited to Daniel D. McCollough.
Application Number | 20080202059 11/711393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39714336 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080202059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCollough; Daniel D. |
August 28, 2008 |
Floor joist hanger
Abstract
A floor joist hanger for use with poured concrete walls that
allows floor joists to be easily suspended from wall to wall to
thereby support a floor, ceiling, or roof of a structure. The floor
joist hanger has two parallel and opposing side members that are
inserted into vertical slits that have been cut into an insulated
form. The floor joist hanger is provided with at least one
elongated slit for receiving a strap for securing a floor joist to
the floor joist hanger. The floor joist hanger is further provided
with a cross-support member extending between the side members. The
cross-support member has an upper surface for engaging a bottom
surface of a floor joist. The floor joist hanger is anchored to the
wall by concrete poured into the insulated form and allowed to
cure.
Inventors: |
McCollough; Daniel D.; (West
Jordan, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel D McCullough
4722 West Copper Dale Pl.
West Jordan
UT
84088
US
|
Family ID: |
39714336 |
Appl. No.: |
11/711393 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/702 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/2612 20130101;
E04B 2/86 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/702 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for hanging floor joists from a concrete wall
constructed using an insulated concrete form, said apparatus
comprising: two side members, each of the side members having a
rear portion that is configured and dimensioned to be inserted into
the insulated concrete form; a cross-support member extending
between the side members, the cross-support member having a top
surface for engaging a bottom surface of a floor joist; and an
elongated slit formed in each of the side members; wherein said
elongated slit is configured and adapted to receive a strap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a strap adapted to
be received into said elongated slits on each of the side
members.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strap comprises apertures
for receiving fasteners.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rebar engagement
member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the side members has a
substantially rectangular shape.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rear
portions of the side members includes at least one aperture for
allowing concrete to flow between the side members.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rear
portions of the side members includes at least two apertures for
allowing concrete to flow between the side members.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apertures a circular.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an aperture for
securing a strap to each of the side members with a bolt and
nut.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side
members comprises a holder for accepting a support for the poured
wall.
10. An apparatus for hanging floor joists from a poured wall, said
apparatus comprising: two side members, each of the side members
having a substantially rectangular shape and being substantially
planar; a cross-support member extending between the side members,
the cross-support member having a top surface for engaging a floor
joist; an elongated slit formed in each of the side members; a
joist-holding strap adapted to be received into said elongated
slits on each of the side members; and at least two apertures for
securing the side members in the poured wall; wherein at least one
of the side members comprises a rebar engagement member.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one
aperture formed in a side wall, said aperture being configured and
dimensioned for receiving a fastener for secured a strap to one of
the sidewalls.
12. A method of securing a floor joist to a poured concrete wall
constructed with an insulated concrete form, said method comprising
the steps of: inserting a floor joist hanger into the insulated
concrete form, said floor joist hanger having two sidewalls and a
cross-support member extending between the two sidewalls; inserting
a floor joist between the two sidewalls and onto the cross-support
member; and using a strap to secure the floor joist to the floor
joist hanger.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of
attaching the strap to the floor joist hanger by inserting the
strap into a slit in the floor joist hanger.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of
attaching to the strap to the floor joist hanger using a
fastener.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fastener comprises a
bolt.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of drilling
a hole in the floor joist.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. The Field of the Invention.
[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to devices for
hanging floor joists from walls and beams and more particularly,
but not necessarily entirely, to floor joist hangers for use with
concrete walls constructed using single and double insulated
concrete forms.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Various types of insulated concrete forms ("ICFs") have been
used for over 30 years to build concrete walls for structures. One
type of ICF comprises a plurality of stacked foam blocks. Each of
the foam blocks includes a pair of spaced apart foam walls
separated by spacers made of plastic or other materials. The foam
blocks are then stacked to form a wall. Once stacked, concrete is
then poured into the space between the foam walls. When the
concrete cures, the foam walls are left in place on either side of
a concrete core.
[0007] ICFs have several advantages over traditional frame built
structures. Structures built using ICFs are far less drafty than
frame built structures. In addition, structures built using ICFs
have far fewer cold spots, and maintain a noticeably more even
temperature. Another advantage to structures built using ICFs is
that they are quieter than frame built structures. Further,
structures built using ICFs flex less than frame built structures
and dampen vibrations. The biggest benefit to structures built
using ICFs is the energy savings. Structures built using ICFs cut
an estimated 30-40% off the energy used to heat and cool when
compared to similarly sized frame built structures due to the high
R-value of ICFs.
[0008] One drawback to the use of ICFs has been their use in
multilevel structures. In particular, multilevel structures may
require the use of floor joist hangers attached to ledger boards to
hang floor joists for upper levels and ceilings. (A floor joist
hanger is a device that allows a floor joist to be suspended
between two walls.) Floor joists are parallel framing members
installed horizontally to support a floor and/or ceiling loads.
Conventional floor joist hangers are designed to be secured with
fasteners to a wood wall. This is not generally possible with ICFs,
since ICFs are made from foam and filled with concrete and do not
readily accept fasteners capable of supporting the load of floor
joists. Thus, conventional floor joist hangers typically cannot be
secured to concrete walls constructed using ICFs. The most common
method of attaching conventional floor joist hangers was to install
a ledger board to the wall and then attach the hangers to the
ledger board.
[0009] Some attempts have been made to develop floor joist hangers
for use with ICFs. One such attempt is found in U.S. Pat. No.
7,024,833.
[0010] The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of
the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and
advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means
of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The features and advantages of the disclosure will become
apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed
description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary floor joist
hanger according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is top view of the exemplary floor joist hanger
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
exemplary floor joist hanger illustrated in FIG. 1 shown mounted in
an ICF;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an unexploded side view of the illustration of
FIG. 3; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is another unexploded side view of the illustration
of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be
made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific
language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is
thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the
inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional
applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated
herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant
art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered
within the scope of the disclosure claimed.
[0018] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In
describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following
terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out
below. As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including,"
"containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents
thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude
additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
[0019] Applicant has discovered a floor joist hanger for use in
walls constructed using ICFs. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is
shown a perspective view of a floor joist hanger 10 pursuant to the
present invention. The hanger 10 comprises two opposing sidewalls
12 and 14. The sidewalls 12 and 14 are substantially parallel and
define a space between them for receiving a floor joist. Each of
the sidewalls 12 and 14 is substantially planar and has a
relatively thin construction. The sidewall 12 comprises a top edge
16, a rear edge 18, a bottom edge 20, and a front edge 22.
Likewise, the sidewall 14 comprises a top edge 24, a rear edge 26,
a bottom edge 28, and a front edge 30.
[0020] Extending between the bottom edge 20 of sidewall 12 and the
bottom edge 28 of sidewall 14 is a cross-support member 32. A front
edge 34 of the cross-support member 32 is co-planar with the front
edges 22 and 30 of the sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively. The
cross-support member 32 comprises a top surface 36 for engaging a
bottom surface of a floor joist.
[0021] Each of the sidewalls 12 and 14 comprises a set of small
apertures 38 for receiving a fastener, such as nail. The apertures
38 are vertically staggered along the front edges 22 and 30 of the
sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively. Each of the sidewalls 12 and 14
comprises a single larger aperture 40. The apertures 40 are
configured to receive a larger fastener such as a bolt. The
apertures 40 are located near the front edges 22 and 30 of the
sidewalls 12 and 14, respectively.
[0022] Each of the sidewalls 12 and 14 comprises an elongated slit
42 (only one visible in FIG. 1). The elongated slits 42 are
vertically oriented. The slits 42 are positioned the same distance
from the front edges 22 and 30 as a rear edge 50 of the
cross-support member 32. The elongated slits 42 are configured and
dimensioned for receiving a strap, such as a nailing strap. The
elongated slits 42 are disposed in a front portion of the sidewalls
12 and 14.
[0023] Located in a rear portion of each of the sidewalls 12 and 14
are apertures 44. The apertures 44 allow a poured material, such as
concrete, to evenly flow between the sidewalls 12 and 14. Further,
when the poured material, e.g., concrete, cures, the apertures 44
secure the hanger 10 in the poured material.
[0024] The top edges 16 and 24 of the sidewalls 12 and 14 each
comprises recesses 46. The recesses 46 are disposed in the rear
portion of the top edges 16 and 24. The recesses 46 are each
configured and dimensioned for engaging a support structure, such
as rebar.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, where the same reference numerals
indicate the same components, there is shown a top view of the
floor joist hanger 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be noted that
other than the cross-support member 32, there is no connection
between the sidewalls 12 and 14. The sidewalls 12 and 14 are
separated by a distance indicated by the double arrows marked with
the reference numeral 48. The distance 48 is just wide enough to
accommodate the width of a floor joist. The distance 48 can thus be
varied to allow the floor joist hanger 10 to receive different
sizes of floor joists as needed.
[0026] The cross-support member 32 comprises a rear edge 50 and an
aperture 52 for receiving a fastener. The distance of the rear edge
50 from the front edge 34 of the cross-support member 32 may be
approximately one to four inches, or alternatively about one third
the overall length of the hanger 10. It will be appreciated,
however, that there is no restriction on this distance.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a partially
exploded view of the floor joist hanger 10, an ICF 54, and a floor
joist 56. The ICF 54 comprises a front wall 58 and a rear wall 60.
The front wall 58 and the rear wall 60 are formed from an
insulating material, such as foam. The front wall 58 and the rear
wall 60 define a space between each other. The framework 68 holds
the front wall 58 and the rear wall 60 in place with respect to
each other. A support 66, such as rebar, may be placed in the space
between the front wall 58 and the rear wall 60 to strengthen the
poured material when it cures. The support 66 may be placed in the
recesses 46 to hold the support 66 in place. A poured material,
such as concrete, is poured into this space at the appropriate
time.
[0028] The front wall 58 comprises a front surface 62 having a pair
of vertical slits 64 extending completely through the front wall
58. The vertical slits 64 are adapted to receive the rear portion
of the sidewalls 12 and 14 of the floor joist hanger 10. The
vertical slits 64 may be cut into the front wall 58 by hand or an
electric tool. The hanger 10 is inserted by hand or other means
into the slits 64 until the rear edge 50 of the cross-support
member 32 abuts against the front surface 62 of the front wall
58.
[0029] A nailing strap 70 is insertable into the elongated slits 42
in the sidewalls 12 and 14. The nailing strap 70 may include
apertures 72. The apertures 72 receive fasteners, such as nails,
that are driven into the floor joist 56 as will be described in
more detail hereinafter.
[0030] A fastener, such a bolt 74 and a nut 76, may be used to
attach a strap 78 to the hanger 10. The bolt 74 is inserted into
the apertures 40 on the sidewalls 12 and 14. The strap 78 may
include apertures 80 and 82. Apertures 80 are large enough to
receive bolt 74, while apertures 82 may be used to received
fasteners, such as nails.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a side view of
the hanger 10 inserted into the ICF 54. Once the concrete has been
poured and cured, the floor joist 56 is inserted into the hanger 10
between the sidewalls 12 and 14. The ends of the strap 70 are
positioned to lie against the floor joist 56. Fasteners, not shown,
such as nails, are inserted into apertures 72 in the strap 70 and
are driven into the floor joist 56 either by handheld tool or using
an electric tool.
[0032] In addition, fasteners may be inserted into apertures 38 and
driven into the floor joist 56. It will be noted that the floor
joist 56 abuts against the front wall 58 of the ICF 54. It will
further be noted that the floor joist 56 is generally not inserted
into the hanger 10, until after concrete as been poured into the
space between the front wall 58 and the rear wall 60 of the ICF 54.
It should also be noted that if the floor joist is of an engineered
wood I-beam type, such as BCI or TJI, then along with the
installation of the floor joist, a filler board may need to be
installed on either side of the web as a web stiffener to provide
the proper density for the fastener to be installed in the straps
70 and 78. The stiffener is not required if standard lumber is used
for the floor joists, such as a 2.times.10.
[0033] The rebar support 66 is placed into the recess 46 on the
hanger 10. The recess 46 holds the support 66 in place while the
concrete is being poured into the ICF 54. The embodiment in FIG. 4
may accommodate up to two rebar supports 66 using recesses 46. It
will be appreciated that the present invention may accommodate
several more supports 66.
[0034] It will be further appreciated that the apertures 44 allow
concrete poured into the ICF 54 to flow freely around the joist
hanger 10. Further, when the concrete cures, the apertures 44
further secure the hanger in the ICF 54.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, where the same reference numerals
indicate the same components, there is illustrated a side view of
the hanger 10 inserted into the ICF 54. The floor joist 56 is
inserted into the hanger 10. In lieu of the strap 70, the strap 78
is used to hold the floor joist 56 in place. In particular, the
bolt 74 is inserted into one of the apertures 80 in the strap 78.
The bolt 74 is then inserted through both apertures 40 in the
sidewalls 12 and 14. This may require that a hole of adequate size
be drilled into the floor joist 56 at the appropriate location. The
nut 76 is then used to secure the bolt 74 in place. Fasteners, such
as nails, may then be inserted into apertures 38 and 82 and driven
into the floor joist 56 to thereby further secure the floor joist
56 to the hanger 10.
[0036] One method for installing floor joist hangers according to
the present disclosure comprises the steps of (a) establishing a
level line at which the floor joist hangers will be installed; (b)
installing a temporary 2.times.4 ledger board onto the ICFs such
that the top surface of the 2.times.4 is even with the level line;
(c) cutting vertical slits from the top surface of the 2.times.4 to
the height of the floor joist hangers; (d) installing the floor
joist hangers into the slits in the ICFs such that the bottom of
the floor joist hanger sits on the top surface of the 2.times.4
ledger board; (e) installing screws through apertures, such as
aperture 52, in the cross-support members of the floor joist
hangers 52 and into the 2.times.4 ledger board; (f) pouring
concrete into the ICFs and allowing it to cure; (g) removing the
ledger board; and (h) installing the floor joists into the floor
joist hangers. In the above described manner the floor joist
hangers will maintain proper alignment while the concrete is being
poured into the ICFs and while any concrete vibrator is being used
to settle the concrete.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus
disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for hanging a
floor joist from a concrete wall, and it should be appreciated that
any structure, apparatus or system for hanging a floor joist from a
concrete wall which performs functions the same as, or equivalent
to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of
a means for hanging a floor joist from a concrete wall, including
those structures, apparatus or systems for hanging a floor joist
from a concrete wall which are presently known, or which may become
available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or
equivalently to, a means for hanging a floor joist from a concrete
wall falls within the scope of this element.
[0038] Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will
appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present
disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure
to provide a floor joist hanger improving the securement of a floor
joist to a concrete wall structure.
[0039] In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of
the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment
for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single
foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are
hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the
Disclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own
as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements
are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative
arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and
the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and
arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in
the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles
and concepts set forth herein.
* * * * *