U.S. patent application number 11/784367 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for hurricane and seismic clip.
Invention is credited to Harvel K. Crumley.
Application Number | 20080244993 11/784367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39825724 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080244993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crumley; Harvel K. |
October 9, 2008 |
Hurricane and seismic clip
Abstract
A metal connector for securing a rafter, a top plate and a wall
stud includes a generally central member in the form of a flat
plate having an upper and lower portion; a pair of right angle
bends on the upper portion of the central member form a pair of
rafter webs. Each rafter web has an upper rafter tab and a plate
tab portion that attaches to the upper side of the top plate. A
pair of second generally right angle bends on the upper portion
forming spaced rafter flanges for a rafter therebetween. Each upper
plate tab includes a bend to define a plate tab. The lower portion
of the central member includes extensions each having a bend that
defines second plate tabs. A stud flange ties rafter, top plate and
stud together.
Inventors: |
Crumley; Harvel K.;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTHUR G. YEAGER, P.A.
245-1 EAST ADAMS STREET
JACKSONVILLE
FL
32202-3336
US
|
Family ID: |
39825724 |
Appl. No.: |
11/784367 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/92.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/92.2 |
International
Class: |
E04B 7/04 20060101
E04B007/04 |
Claims
1. A metal connector for securing a rafter and top plate of a
building wall: comprising: a generally flat central planar member
having an upper and lower portion; a plurality of spaced openings
in said lower portion of said central member for passage of
fasteners therethrough to affix said central member to a top plate;
a pair of spaced first generally right angle bends on said upper
portion of said central member forming a pair of spaced elongate
rafter webs; each said rafter web having an upper and lower bend
defining a upper rafter tab and an upper plate tab, each said tab
including at least one opening therethrough for passage of a
fastener to affix respective said tab to a respective rafter and a
top side of a top plate; and a pair of spaced and parallel second
generally right angle bends on said upper portion of said central
member extending in a direction generally opposite to the direction
of said rafter webs forming a pair of spaced rafter flanges, each
said rafter flange having a plurality of openings therethrough for
fasteners to affix respective said rafter flange to a rafter.
2. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein each said upper
plate tab of each rafter web includes a generally right angle bend
extending substantially in the same plane as said central planar
member for defining a downwardly disposed lower plate tab, each
said lower plate tab including at least one opening therethrough
for a fastener to affix respective said lower plate tab to a side
of a top plate.
3. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower portion
of said central member includes a generally planar extension
portion having a generally horizontally disposed right angle bend
for defining a second lower plate tab, said second lower plate tab
including at least one opening therethrough for a fastener to affix
said second lower plate tab to a bottom side of a top plate.
4. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower portion
of said central member includes a pair of spaced generally planar
extension portions each having a generally horizontally disposed
right angle bend for defining a pair of second lower plate tabs
each including spaced openings for fasteners to affix each said
second lower plate tab to a bottom side of a top plate.
5. The connector as defined in claim 3 wherein said extension
portion includes a stud flange subtending therefrom, said stud
flange including at least one opening for a fastener to affix said
stud flange to a stud of a building wall.
6. The connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said extension
portion includes a medially located stud flange between said second
lower plate tabs having a plurality of spaced openings for
fasteners for affixing said stud flange to a stud attached to a top
plate of a building wall.
7. The connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said central planar
portion and said second lower plate tabs and said stud flange are
substantially coplanar.
8. The connector as defined in claim 2 wherein said lower portion
of said main member includes a pair of spaced generally planar
plate portions, each said plate portion having a generally
horizontally disposed right angle bend for defining a pair of
second lower plate tabs each including spaced openings for
fasteners to affix each said second lower plate tab to a top
plate.
9. The connector as defined in claim 8 wherein said lower plate
tabs and said second lower plate tabs are substantially parallel
and spaced apart by a height of a top plate of a building wall.
10. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said first pair of
right angle bends is respectively disposed along respective side
portions of said central planar member and being angularly disposed
by imaginary acute angle at their intersection with a medially
located vertically disposed axis of said central member.
11. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one
opening in each said upper rafter tab is elongate in shape to
accommodate the passage of a fastener therethrough at a selectable
angle for affixing said tab to a rafter.
12. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one
opening in each said rafter flange is elongate in shape to
accommodate the passage of a fastener therethrough at a selectable
angle for affixing each said rafter flange to a rafter.
13. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said rafter flanges
are oppositely disposed to be affixed to respective opposite sides
of a rafter disposed in a space defined between said rafter
flanges.
14. A metal connector for securing a rafter having opposite sides,
a top plate of a building wall having top and bottom sides and side
surfaces and wall stud comprising: a generally central planar
member in the form of a flat plate having opposite sides and an
upper and lower portion; a plurality of spaced openings in said
lower portion of said central member for the passage of fasteners
therethrough to affix said central member to one side of a top
plate; a pair of spaced generally right angle bends on said upper
portion of said central member forming a pair of spaced elongate
rafter webs each extending from said bend outwardly to respective
opposite side of said central member; each said rafter web having
an upper and lower bend defining an upper rafter tab and an upper
plate tab portion; each said tab including two elongate openings
therethrough for passage of a fastener at a selectable angle to
affix perspective said tab to a respective rafter and the top side
of a top plate; and a pair of spaced and parallel second generally
right angle bends on said upper portion of said central member
extending in a direction generally opposite to the direction of
said rafter webs forming a pair of oppositely disposed rafter
flanges defining a space for a rafter therebetween, each said
rafter flange having a plurality of vertically aligned elongate
openings therethrough for fasteners to affix respective said rafter
flange to one side of a rafter.
15. The connector as defined in claim 14 wherein each said upper
plate tab portion of each first rafter web includes a right angle
bend extending substantially in the same plane as said central
member for defining a downwardly disposed lower plate tab coplanar
with each said lower plate tab including an opening therethrough
for a fastener to affix respective said lower plate tab to one side
of the top plate.
16. The connector as defined in claim 14 wherein said lower portion
of said central member includes a pair of spaced generally planar
extension portions, each said extension portion having a generally
horizontally disposed right angle bend for defining a pair of
second lower plate tabs each including a pair of spaced openings
for fastener to affix each said second lower plate tab to the
bottom side of a top plate.
17. The connector as defined in claim 16 further including a stud
flange coplanar with and subtending from said lower portion of said
central member and located medially between said second lower plate
tabs of said central member, said stud flange including at least
one opening for a fastener to affix said stud flange to a stud.
18. The connector as defined in claim 14 wherein said lower portion
of said central member includes a pair of spaced generally planar
lower extension portions and a medially located stud flange
therebetween having a plurality of openings for fasteners for
affixing said stud flange to a stud, each said lower extension
portion having a generally horizontally disposed right angle bend
for defining a pair of second lower plate tabs each including a
pair of spaced openings for fastener to affix each said second
lower plate tab to the bottom side of a top plate.
19. The connectors as defined in claim 14 wherein said at least one
opening in each said upper rafter plate tab is elongate in shape to
accommodate the passage of a fastener therethrough at a selectable
angle for affixing said tab to a rafter.
20. The connector as defined in claim 14 wherein said first pair of
right angle bends are respectively disposed along respective side
portions of said central planar member and being angularly disposed
by imaginary acute angle at their intersection with a medially
located vertically disposed axis of said central member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to connectors for wood frame
building structures and particularly to steel hurricane and seismic
clips for rafter and/or truss connection for uplift, shear and
overturning loads.
[0006] 2. Relevant Art
[0007] Wood structures predominate in residential and light
commercial construction. In the case of wood, steel, and concrete
framing, the structure must be protected from upward, shear, and
overturning loads developed by either wind or seismic activity. In
the United States the amount of wind and seismic activity differs
with geographical location and is enforced by building codes for
these areas. In the case of upward loads the building is generally
tied to the foundation using a variety of steel connectors that tie
the bottom plate to the foundation, studs-to-plates,
floors-to-walls (in the case of two or more floors), and
roof-to-walls, or just simply, roofs to walls in the case of
concrete or masonry. Typically, for roof-to-walls, connectors are
attached to every truss or rafter that is spaced at some on center
spacing (typically 12'', 16'', or 24'' on center), to the wall top
plate. Shear and overturning loads are resisted by a combination of
additional connectors and wood blocking nailed between each truss
or rafter to transfer forces from the roof diaphragm to the walls.
The size and number of these steel connectors vary depending on the
severity of the wind and/or seismic conditions in the locality of
the building, and the geometry of the building.
[0008] In the United States these connectors and blocking are
installed during the framing stages of construction. Connectors and
blocking are generally installed by laborers hired by the framing
contractor. Correct size, location, and number of fasteners (nails)
are critical to the required load. Commonly, these laborers are
inexperienced which results in improper or inadequate installation.
In all structures, locations of connectors mandate their
installation during the framing stages of construction which in
turn increases labor costs. Also, existing structures without these
connectors in place are at risk of destruction should a hurricane
or earthquake occur.
[0009] There is a need for a structural truss or rafter connector
that provides for uplift, shear, and overturning loads that is cost
efficient, installable after the framing stages of the building is
complete, and is independent from additional blocking as an
integral part of the system.
[0010] The present clip provides a building structure with a wood
framed roof, located in a wind and/or seismic zone, adequate
resistance to uplift, shear, and overturning forces developed by
the roof and transferring the same forces into the walls using a
single connector at each truss or rafter, while at the same time
providing a connector that can be installed after the structure has
been framed. The present clip provides a less complicated
structural connector for wind and seismic wood frame construction,
simultaneously delivering a connector that is less susceptible to
improper installation and at lower cost.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
metal connector for securing a rafter and top plate of a building
wall includes a generally flat central planar member having an
upper and lower portion; a plurality of spaced openings in the
lower portion of the central member for passage of fasteners
therethrough to affix the central member to a top plate; a pair of
spaced first generally right angle bends on the upper portion of
the central member forming a pair of spaced elongate rafter webs;
each rafter web having an upper and lower bend defining a upper
rafter tab and an upper plate tab, each tab including at least one
opening therethrough for passage of a fastener to affix respective
tab to a respective rafter and a top side of a top plate; and a
pair of spaced and parallel second generally right angle bends on
the upper portion of the central member extending in a direction
generally opposite to the direction of the rafter webs forming a
pair of spaced rafter flanges, each rafter flange having a
plurality of openings therethrough for fasteners to affix
respective rafter flange to a rafter. Each upper plate tab of each
rafter web includes a generally right angle bend extending
substantially in the same plane as the central planar member for
defining a downwardly disposed lower plate tab, each lower plate
tab including at least one opening therethrough for a fastener to
affix respective lower plate tab to a side of a top plate. The
lower portion of central member includes a generally planar
extension portion having a generally horizontally disposed right
angle bend for defining a second lower plate tab, the second lower
plate tab including at least one opening therethrough for a
fastener to affix the second lower plate tab to a bottom side of a
top plate.
[0012] Other aspects of the invention include the lower portion of
the central member including a pair of spaced generally planar
extension portions each having a generally horizontally disposed
right angle bend for defining a pair of second lower plate tabs
each including spaced openings for fasteners to affix each said
second lower plate tab to a bottom side of a top plate. The
extension portion includes a stud flange subtending therefrom, the
stud flange including at least one opening for a fastener to affix
the stud flange to a stud of a building wall. In addition, the
extension portion includes a medially located stud flange between
the second lower plate tabs having a plurality of spaced openings
for fasteners for affixing the stud flange to a stud attached to a
top plate of a building wall.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention the central
planar portion and the second lower plate tabs and the stud flange
are substantially coplanar. The lower portion of the main member
includes a pair of spaced generally planar plate portions, each
plate portion having a generally horizontally disposed right angle
bend for defining a pair of second lower plate tabs each including
spaced openings for fasteners to affix each second lower plate tab
to a top plate. The lower plate tabs and the second lower plate
tabs are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a height of a
top plate of a building wall. The first pair of right angle bends
is respectively disposed along respective side portions of the
central planar member and being angularly disposed by imaginary
acute angle at their intersection with a medially located
vertically disposed axis of the central member. The at least one
opening in each upper rafter tab and rafter flange is elongate in
shape to accommodate the passage of a fastener therethrough at a
selectable angle for affixing the tab to a rafter. The rafter
flanges are oppositely disposed to be affixed to respective
opposite sides of a rafter disposed in a space defined between the
rafter flanges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this
invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and
method of operation, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the hurricane and seismic clip in
accord with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1 after
bending to provide the form for use; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 1 and 2
shown attached to a rafter, top plate and stud.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] With respect to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates the
hurricane and seismic clip connector at 10. The metal connector 10
is formed from of single metal plate cut, punched and bent, as
shown in FIG. 2 to provide the desired features. The connector 10
has central planar portion 11 with upper portion 23 and lower
portion 28. In accord with this invention there are two spaced
rafter webs 12 bounded and defined by bends 13, 15, 15A and 22 that
define a pair of respective rafter tabs 14 with spaced elongate
openings 17; and upper plate tabs 18 with spaced elongate openings
19. The lower portions of a rafter webs 12 include plate tabs 20
respectively depending from tabs 18 and nail holes 21 therein.
Adjacent to rafter webs 12 are two spaced portions 23A included in
upper portion 23 which include bends 13 on one side and bends 27 on
the other side. Rafter flanges 25 are also defined by bends 27 and
have a plurality of elongate vertically aligned slotted openings 26
for attachment of the flanges 25 to a respective side of a rafter
38 (FIG. 3) located in the space 40 (FIG. 2) between flanges 25
which may be wide enough to accommodate a multi-layer rafter or
truss that is being used as understood in the art.
[0019] The lower portion 28 of central planar portion 11 of
connector 10 includes a pair of spaced extension members 30 and
includes a plurality of spaced openings 29. Spaced bends 35 are
bent along cutouts 43 to define spaced lower plate tabs 33 having a
pair of spaced openings 34 therein. A medially located stud flange
36 extends downwardly a greater distance than unbent tabs 33 and
includes a plurality of spaced openings 37 therethrough for
affixing it to a stud 39 (FIG. 3).
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the formed connector 10 which is
preferably formed by the manufacturer as shown and sold to home
builders in the fully cut and bent condition shown in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the use of connector 10 being attached to
a truss and/or rafter 38, stud 39 and a top plate 31 which is
formed of upper and lower plate members 32. Openings 17, 19 and 26
are elongate or slotted to accommodate the use of fasteners such as
nails at selectable angles, as usually well known to builders. Ribs
16 and 24 are formed in the metal plate of connector 10 to provide
additional strength thereto.
[0022] With respect again to FIG. 1, bends 13 are each disposed at
an acute angle 42 with respect to a medially-located vertically
oriented axis 41 through central planar member 11. As shown in FIG.
2, the bends 27 are formed in a manner to be bent in one direction
to dispose rafter flanges 25 directed toward the inside of a
building with flanges 25 being parallel. Bends 13 are bent in a
direction opposite to the angle of bends 27 and are directed
outwardly of a building opposite to the direction of flanges
25.
[0023] When connector 10 is completely formed, depending plate tabs
20 are coplanar with central member 11 and stud flange 36.
[0024] In addition, extension portions 30 could be formed as a
single member in the event stud flange 36 is not to be provided or
used. In such event lower plate tabs 33 would also be a single
member rather than being bifurcated.
[0025] Upper plate tabs 18 and second lower plate tabs 33 are
substantially parallel and spaced apart by the height of a top
plate 31 of the building wall.
[0026] Each connector 10 is sized to fit the specific size of the
trusses, rafters, top walls and studs used in a specific
application, it being understood that when the connector is used
for larger width rafters or trusses, the entire width of clip 20 is
made wider and the spacing between flanges 25 is wider to
accommodate same between flanges 25.
[0027] When installed, the clip 10 provides greatly improved
resistance to uplift, shear and overturning forces all by a single
metal connector which ties together rafter or truss with the top
plate and the stud particularly after framing of the building is
complete. This is accomplished at each truss or rafter and properly
installed by trained and skilled carpenters to make sure that the
correct size, location, direction, and number of fasteners, usually
nails, are provided to meet the necessary loads for uplift, shear
and overturning forces. The rafter webs 12 and tabs 14, 18 and 20
greatly increase the resistance to sliding of the rafters along the
top plate and are aided by the lower tab or tabs 33 as would be
understood in the art.
[0028] While the invention has been described with respect to
certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended
therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *