U.S. patent application number 12/051132 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for fittings for metal framing.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Charles O. Nehls.
Application Number | 20080229699 12/051132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39386575 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080229699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nehls; Charles O. |
September 25, 2008 |
FITTINGS FOR METAL FRAMING
Abstract
A metal framing fitting has protrusions along its length and an
attaching mechanism to secure the protrusion within a channel
member of a strut.
Inventors: |
Nehls; Charles O.; (Allen
Park, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TYCO INTERNATIONAL
9 ROSZEL ROAD
PRINCETON
NJ
08540
US
|
Assignee: |
UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL
CORPORATION
Wayne
MI
|
Family ID: |
39386575 |
Appl. No.: |
12/051132 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60896223 |
Mar 21, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/653.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/187 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/653.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/24 20060101
E04B001/24 |
Claims
1. A metal framing fitting, comprising: a metal strip having a
linear dimension; one or more protrusions along the linear
dimension of the metal strip; and, an attaching mechanism effective
for fixing the at least two protrusions within a channel member of
a strut.
2. The metal framing fitting of claim 1, further comprising holes
formed within the metal strip adjacent to the at least two
protrusions.
3. The metal framing fitting of claim 1, wherein at least two
protrusions are formed within the metal strip.
4. A metal framing structure, comprising: a first strut member
having a channel therein; a second strut member having a channel
therein, the second strut member aligned relative to the first
strut member; a metal framing fitting having at least two
protrusion along the linear dimension; and, an attaching mechanism
fixing the at least two protrusions within the channels of the
first and second strut members.
5. The metal framing structure of claim 4, wherein the attaching
mechanism comprises a bolt.
6. The metal framing structure of claim 5, wherein the bolt
comprises a nut having an indentation effective to receive the end
portions of the channel of the strut member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a metal framing
fitting for fixing strut framing members together into a unified
structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention includes a metal framing fitting
having a metal strip having a linear dimension, one or more
protrusions along the linear dimension of the metal strip and an
attaching mechanism effective for fixing the at least two
protrusions within a channel member of a strut.
[0003] The present invention also includes a metal framing
structure having a first strut member having a channel therein, a
second strut member having a channel therein, the second strut
member aligned relative to the first strut member, a metal framing
fitting having at least two protrusion along the linear dimension
and an attaching mechanism fixing the at least two protrusions
within the channels of the first and second strut members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIGS. 1A-1D are illustrations of the flat metal fittings of
the present invention shown supporting various strut
configurations;
[0005] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate protrusions that are formed into the
metal framing fittings of the present invention;
[0006] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the orientation of the metal framing
fittings, and the protrusions therein, aligned with strut members;
and,
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates the insertion of a screw holding member
to lock the metal framing fitting against a strut member to secure
it thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008] The present includes a flat metal fitting for connecting
units of metal framing together. These flat metal fittings are used
to join strut framing components into a combined structure. The
fittings generally connect the strut components at 90 degree
attitudes or join lengths of strut end-to-end. During the assembly
process, maintaining the 90 degree or linear alignment
relationships between the strut members requires the assembling
tradesmen to employ various hand tools such as squares or other
devices.
[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, four representations of the flat metal
framing fittings 10 are shown. As seen in FIG. 1, the metal framing
fittings 10 include a metal strip having a longitudinal dimension.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a ninety degree (90.degree.) angle of metal
framing is held together with a single piece of flat metal framing
fitting 10. The flat metal framing conforms to the final
configuration of the combined pieces of strut 20. Additionally, as
seen in FIG. 1B, two straight pieces of strut 20 are combined
together to form a singular structure. The flat metal framing in
FIG. 1B forms a linear singular solid piece that extends between
the two pieces of strut 20. In FIG. 1C, flat metal framing aligns
within the connection of multiple sections of strut 20 forming a
cross configuration. As seen in FIG. 1C, the flat metal fitting
bridges between one or more horizontal and one or more vertical
strut 20 pieces to support a combination of the strut 20 components
into a singular structure. FIG. 1D shows the flat metal fitting
supporting the combination of two strut 20 members in a T-shape
with the strut 20 members unified and locked together in a unitary
structure.
[0010] The flat metal framing fittings 10 designs are used to
connect strut 20 framing components to form a singular structural
assembly. In addition to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A-1D,
the flat metal framing fittings 10 may include additional
configuration and/or lengths of extensions to marry up and secure
lengths of strut 20.
[0011] The metal framing fitting may be used in residential or
commercial construction. Representative uses in commercial
construction may include ceiling grids. When used to secure ceiling
grids, multiple strut 20 members are assembled into a grid system
to support HVAC equipment, lighting, power distribution, water
distribution, fire protection, etc. The metal framing fittings 10
are used to fix the strut 20 members together in a solid structure
that is structurally sufficient to align the strut 20 members into
a coherent support structure while imparting sufficient strength
into the structure to support objects of significant weight. As
such the grids are assembled square and true to properly support
and align the equipment and distribution systems. Proper assembly
of the struts using the metal framing fittings 10 into an
appropriate structure for support of commercial equipment within
specific designs of the framed strut 20 members, is determinable by
those skilled in the art of strut framing.
[0012] The ease of construction of the support structure is
important. Ceiling heights, particularly within commercial
building, create assembly challenges for tradesmen. Working at high
elevations requires tradesmen to wear fall-protection devices that
limit movement that complicates the grid assembly process. The
necessity of verifying true assembly of fittings with separate hand
tools adds labor and cost to projects. Special tools such as laser
leveling devices may be employed and frequently fitting assemblies
are tightened, loosened and adjusted and retightened several times
to achieve perfect alignment of the grid. Generally, the most time
consuming process associated with the assembly of a ceiling grid is
the alignment and leveling of the grid system.
[0013] The unique design of the metal framing fittings 10 of the
present invention resolves the above-identified problems
encountered by tradesmen assembling commercial strut 20 support
structures. Referring to FIG. 2, during the manufacturing process,
a protrusion, such as 7/8'' square protrusion, is formed on one
side of the flat metal framing fitting 10, also referred to as a
plate fitting, within a given design of the metal framing fittings
10. Additionally, openings or holes 12 may be formed within the
metal framing fittings 10. As seen in the multiple examples of FIG.
2, two or more protrusions 14 may be formed into a single piece.
For example, the flat linear metal framing fitting 10, shown in
FIG. 2A, show a top view and bottom view of both four (4) and two
(2) protrusions 14 within individual metal framing fittings 10. The
top view shows a circular opening 12 for an attaching mechanism 30,
such as a bolt, and the bottom view show the protrusions 14
extending from the longitudinal plane of the metal framing fittings
10 in a square configuration. In FIG. 2B, a metal framing fitting
forming a ninety degree (90.degree.) angle is shown with three (3)
protrusions 14. Like the protrusions 14 shown in FIG. 2A, the
protrusions 14 in FIG. 2B show a top view of circular openings for
receiving a bolt, and a bottom view of the metal framing fitting
showing the protrusions 14 in a square configuration on the
opposite side of the metal framing fitting from the circular top
openings. As seen in all of FIG. 2, the openings preferably extend
through the metal framing fittings 10 within the protrusions 14. As
seen in FIG. 2C, four (4) protrusions 14 are formed within a metal
framing fitting forming a T-shape. FIG. 2D shows the flat metal
framing fittings 10 having four (4) protrusions 14 within a design
of a cross configuration. As further described below, these
protrusions 14 engage the continuous slot of the strut 20 member,
also shown in FIG. 3, and securely orients the metal framing
fitting in proper aligns, e.g., at a ninety degree attitude or in
linear alignment with the strut 20 members being joined. This
feature ensures that proper relationships are maintained, without
the need for special tools and secondary checks of the
assembly.
[0014] Representative dimensions of the protrusion 14 include a
7/8'' square protrusion 14 and other like dimensions appropriate
for a given size and shape of a strut 20 member. The material used
to form the 7/8'' square protrusion 14 extending from the back of
the fitting 10 may be displaced from a circular recess 18 stamped
on the face of the fitting 10. The diameter of this circle is sized
to accommodate the outside diameter of the socket typically used in
the assembly process. This recess acts as a guide to aid the
tradesman in aligning the tradesman's tools for the fast assembly
of a connection. In an alternative embodiment, a singular
protrusion 14 may extend along the length of the metal framing
fitting 10.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the orientation of the metal
framing fittings 10, and the protrusions 14 therein, are shown
aligned with perpendicular strut 20 members. These metal framing
fittings 10 are preferably used with one or the other strut 20
members crossing the top of the other strut 20 member. In the cut
away view of FIG. 3B, the protrusions 14 of the metal framing
fittings 10 are shown in relation to the channel within the strut
20 member.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the metal
framing fitting inserted into the channel of a strut 20 member.
With the metal framing fitting 10 fix across the outside of the
channel area, protrusions 14 formed within the metal framing
fitting 10 are located within the channel. The insertion of a bolt
30, or other fastening device, through the formed holes 12 is used
to lock the metal framing fitting 10 against a strut 20 member to
secure it thereto. Indentations 34 are preferably resident within
the nut component 32 of the bolt 30 to engage the end portions 16
of the channel member which further secures the bolt 30 in place.
When secured in place, the metal framing fitting 10 provide
built-in diagonal bracing, provided by the 7/8'' square protrusion
14. As assembly of the metal framing fittings 10 to the strut 20
member is completed, the protrusion 14 within the metal framing
fitting securely engages the continuous slot in the face of the
channel of the strut 20 member. The screw holding member 30 is used
to secure the metal framing fittings 10 against the strut 20
member. As the bolted connection draws the assembly tight, the
protrusion 14 provides a strong "key lock" connection, restricting
the metal framing fitting from twisting or other lateral movement.
An assembly connected with the metal framing fittings 10 of the
present invention generally resists diagonal forces without the
need for diagonal bracing. As such, the metal framing fittings 10
of the present invention are particularly beneficial for assemblies
and supports located in seismic zones, or for assemblies and
supports that may experience other sources of dynamic loading. In
cases of dynamic loading, a conventional flat plate fitting
connected to the strut 20 with a single bolt connection may tend to
loosen over time. This loosening is caused by the flat plate
twisting on the face of the strut 20. The "key lock" connection
provided by the metal framing fittings 10 of the present invention
resists these phenomena by not permitting the fitting to twist.
[0017] Additional uses of the metal framing fittings 10 of the
present invention, include for example without limitation, medical
support systems, racks and shelving, pipe supports, and other
support systems needing structural rigidity. The metal framing
fittings 10 provide for a square and true assembly, and resistance
to dynamic loads with built in diagonal bracing all without the
need for special squaring or alignment tools.
[0018] While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been
described herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within
the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *