U.S. patent application number 12/229160 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for hanger apparatus for hip blocking.
Invention is credited to Scott Staley.
Application Number | 20100043341 12/229160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41695032 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Staley; Scott |
February 25, 2010 |
Hanger apparatus for hip blocking
Abstract
An apparatus for connecting a squared hip blocking member to a
vertical face of a top chord of a hip truss or girder truss in both
a skewed and sloped orientation relative to the face of the top
chord, the apparatus comprising: 1) a mounting plate, 2) a
substantially U-shaped bucket having a floor depending from the
mounting plate at a preselected slope and skew relative to normal,
and 3) a stop plate mounted normal to the floor and within the
U-shaped bucket against which an end of the elongated wood member
is abutted when properly seated in the apparatus. Four general
embodiments of the apparatus are disclosed, each differing in the
direction from which the bucket depends from the mounting plate.
The degree of slope and skew may vary depending on the pitch of the
roof being constructed.
Inventors: |
Staley; Scott; (Williston,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. SMITH
2321 GRANGE HALL ROAD
DAYTON
OH
45431
US
|
Family ID: |
41695032 |
Appl. No.: |
12/229160 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/702 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/063 20130101;
E04B 1/2612 20130101; E04C 3/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/702 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A hip blocking hanger apparatus for connecting a hip blocking
member having a squared end to a supporting hip truss or girder
truss, the apparatus comprising: a) a mounting plate; b) a
substantially U-shaped bucket having a floor depending from said
mounting plate at a preselected sloped and skewed angle relative to
normal; and c) a stop plate mounted normal to said floor and within
said U-shaped bucket against which the squared end of the hip
blocking member is abutted.
2. A sloped and skewed hip blocking hanger connection, comprising:
a) a generally planar supporting hip truss having a horizontal top
chord in communication with a diagonally disposed rafter; said top
chord and said rafter each having a generally planar front face
joined at a junction, b) an elongated hip blocking member having a
squared end portion; and c) a hip blocking hanger apparatus
comprising: 1) a mounting plate mounted to said front face of said
top chord and said rafter across said junction; 2) a substantially
U-shaped bucket having a floor depending from said mounting plate
at a preselected sloped and skewed angle relative to normal, said
U-shaped bucket being formed and dimensioned to receive said
squared end portion of said hip blocking member; and 3) a stop
plate mounted normal to said floor and within said U-shaped bucket
against which said end portion of said hip blocking member is
abutted.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject invention relates generally to apparatus for
connecting hip blocking between adjoining hip trusses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hip roofs (or "hipped roofs" as they are sometimes referred)
have achieved considerable popularity among builders of residential
homes and commercial buildings particularly in areas like Northern
Australia and the Gulf Coast of the Southeastern United States
where such structures are exposed to high wind loadings. Because of
their unique design characteristics, hipped roofs are capable of
reducing or eliminating the airfoil effect of extreme high winds
that blow over the roof often causing it to peel off the structure.
Such a benefit makes them ideal for hurricane prone regions. The
hip roof also exhibits increased survivability in tornadic
winds.
[0003] In general, a hip roof is a type of roof where all sides
slope downwards to the walls, usually with a fairly gentle slope.
Thus it is a house or building with no gables or other vertical
sides to the roof. A square hip roof is shaped like a pyramid. Hip
roofs on rectangular houses will have two triangular sides and two
trapezoidal ones.
[0004] Hip roofs are more difficult to construct, requiring
somewhat more complex systems of trusses as described herein.
Although the primary components of such systems are most often
preassembled at a remote location, other secondary components must
be cut-to-suit on the job site. One such secondary component is
"hip blocking" which is essentially a bracing element mounted
between adjacent trusses in both a sloped and skewed fashion to
form the "hip" of the hip roof structure. Hip blocking is required
to, among other things, enhance stability of the overall hip roof
structure, provide a nailing surface for sheathing surface for
sheathing and roofing materials along the roof hip, to keep the
trusses plumb, and to assure correct truss spacing.
[0005] In conventional practice, once the roof trusses are set in
place and plumbed, hip blocking is applied to prevent movement of
the trusses generally, and the top chords thereof in particular
which are highly susceptible to lateral buckling. In order for each
end of a blocking element to lay flush against the vertical surface
of the top chord and/or rafters to which it is attached, and to
depend from such structures in both sloped and skewed relationship,
each end must be properly shaped through the performance of a
compound cut. More specifically, a miter cut allows for the hip
blocking member to be skewed left or right (typically between about
45.degree. and 671/2.degree.) and a bevel cut allows for the member
to be sloped upward or downward to the desired roof pitch
(typically around 25.5.degree. which corresponds to an 8/12 roof
pitch). Such a practice is time consuming particularly when one
considers that the saw must be set to the desired angles, the cuts
must be made to both ends of the work piece, the work piece must
then be transferred from the cutter on the ground to the installer
on the roof, and then passed back and forth again if corrections
are required. Moreover, the practice of cutting hip blocking
results in waste of material (especially if the work piece must be
discarded due to an overly short cut) and wear and tear on saw
blades. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, hip blocking must
be installed through the practice of toe-nailing through sections
of the work piece that are usually very narrow due to the angled
cuts causing splits which are often left "as is" to save time and
creating relatively weak points of attachment. Despite these
significant shortcomings, there currently exists no apparatus
suitable for attaching hip blocking between adjacent hip roof truss
components or for obviating the need for performing compound cuts
on the ends of of blocking members.
[0006] In view of the shortcomings and limitations of the above
described prior art, it is clear that a need exists for an
alternative means of mounting hip blocking between adjacent trusses
and in particular for an apparatus that is specifically suited for
facilitating connection of a hip blocking member to a vertical
surface of the top chord component of a truss in both a skewed and
sloped fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The subject invention in one respect provides an apparatus
for connecting a squared hip blocking member to a vertical face of
a top chord of a hip truss or girder truss in both a skewed and
sloped orientation relative to the face of the top chord, the
apparatus comprising: 1) a mounting plate, 2) a substantially
U-shaped bucket having a floor depending from the mounting plate at
a preselected slope and skew relative to normal, and 3) a stop
plate mounted normal to the floor and within the U-shaped bucket
against which an end of the hip blocking member is abutted when
properly seated in the apparatus. Four general embodiments of the
apparatus are disclosed, each differing in the direction from which
the bucket depends from the mounting plate, to wit: the first is
sloped and skewed down and to the left, the second up and to the
right, the third down and to the right, and the fourth up and to
the left. The degree of slope and skew may vary depending on the
pitch of the roof being constructed.
[0008] Accordingly, the subject invention in another respect is
characterized as a sloped and skewed hip blocking hanger
connection, comprising: a) a generally planar supporting hip truss
having a horizontal top chord in communication with a diagonally
disposed rafter; the top chord and the rafter each having a
generally planar front face joined at a junction, b) an elongated
hip blocking member having a squared end portion; and c) a hip
blocking hanger apparatus comprising: 1) a mounting plate mounted
to the front face of the top chord and the rafter and across the
junction, 2) a substantially U-shaped bucket having a floor
depending from the mounting plate at a preselected slope and skew
relative to normal, the U-shaped bucket being formed and
dimensioned to receive the end portion of the hip blocking member,
and 3) a stop plate mounted normal to the floor and within the
U-shaped bucket against which the end portion of the hip blocking
member is abutted when properly seated in the apparatus.
[0009] It is intended that the first and second embodiments of the
subject invention be used in combination or as a "working pair" to
mount a hip blocking member between adjacent trusses and at one end
of the top chords thereof as more fully described herein. The third
and fourth embodiments are also used in combination to mount a hip
blocking member between adjacent trusses at the opposite end of the
top chords thereof. Each pair in combination with a hip blocking
member mounted therebetween, therefore, constitutes a bridge
adapted for mounting between horizontal top chord members of
neighboring hip trusses at a preselected slope, skew and
distance.
[0010] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect,
before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out
the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0011] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
[0012] It is, therefore, a primary object of the subject invention
to provide an apparatus for facilitating the mounting of a hip
blocking member to the top chord component of a truss in both
sloped and skewed orientation relative to the truss surface to
which the apparatus is attached.
[0013] It is also a primary object of the subject invention to
provide a sloped and skewed hip blocking hanger connection,
comprising a supporting hip truss having a mounting face, a hip
blocking hanger fixedly mounted to the mounting face, and a hip
blocking member seated within the hip blocking hanger in a sloped
and skewed direction relative to the hip truss face.
[0014] It is also a primary object of the subject invention to
provide a hanger apparatus for hip blocking which does not
necessitate beveling or mitering of the supported member.
[0015] Another primary object of the subject hanger apparatus for
hip blocking is to come into positive engagement with four out of
five surfaces of the blocking member.
[0016] Another primary object of the subject invention is to
provide a hanger apparatus for hip blocking that will not interfere
with sheathing or roofing materials applied to the truss
system.
[0017] Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a
hanger apparatus for hip blocking that is simple in design,
comprised of a limited number of components and therefore capable
of rapid construction and installation at relatively low costs.
[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its advantages and the specific
objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the
accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is
illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will be better understood and objects other
than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a framed hip end;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a typical hip truss;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking designed to support a
carried blocking member down and to the left;
[0023] FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of a second embodiment
of the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking designed to
support a carried blocking member up and to the right;
[0024] FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of
the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking designed to support a
carried blocking member down and to the right;
[0025] FIG. 3D is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment
of the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking designed to
support a carried blocking member up and to the left;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the invention shown in FIG. 3A;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention shown in FIG. 3A;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 3A and 3B
arranged to receive a blocking member between adjoining hip
trusses;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the
carried member installed, thus forming the interfacing apparatus of
the subject invention; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the interfacing apparatus of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] In order that the construction and benefits of the subject
invention may be fully appreciated it is first necessary to
understand the environment within which it is installed, namely a
framed hip roof system. Reference first being made to FIG. 1, a
typical hip roof end is built up of flat topped, generally planar
hip trusses 100 arranged in a stepped up sequence beginning with a
hip girder 102 and terminating in a common truss 104 the apex 106
of which serves as the peak of the hip. The truncated girder truss
102 is there to give extra strength to the hip areas. They are
usually double the thickness of the ordinary trusses (two trusses
of the same thickness nailed together). A plurality of hip jack
trusses 108 are attached to hip girder 102 while others are
attached to diagonal hip rafters 110 as shown. The "hip" of the
roof is comprised of the diagonal hip rafter 110 together with a
plurality of "hip blocks" 111, mounted in sloped and skewed fashion
and in series between incrementally spaced girder truss 102, hip
trusses 100 and first common truss 104.
[0032] A typical hip truss 100 (FIG. 2) is comprised of a
horizontal top chord member 112 disposed between two diagonal
rafters 114 each of which is attached at its opposite end to a
common horizontal beam 116. Webbing members 118 add additional
support to the structure. Hip blocks 111 bridge the gap between top
chord members 112 of neighboring trusses. More specifically, each
end of a hip blocking member 111 is traditionally attached to the
vertical surface of alternately a first end 112a or second end 112b
of top chords 112 immediately adjacent the top chord-rafter
junction 120 between top chord 112 and diagonal rafter 114 in the
vicinity of area 122 which is shaded for identification purposes
(see inset).
[0033] In order to facilitate the attachment of hip blocking
members 111 to neighboring hip trusses 100, and to obviate the need
for compound cutting and toe-nailing of the blocking members as
heretofore described, the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking
may be employed. While the subject apparatus will be described as a
means for connecting a pair of neighboring hip trusses, it should
be appreciated that it may also be employed as a means for
connecting a hip truss to a neighboring girder truss as well.
[0034] Reference now being made to FIG. 3A in which a preferred
embodiment of the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking,
denoted generally by reference numeral 10A, is illustrated in its
working environment, namely serving as a means for connecting hip
blocking member 111 to a vertical face 122 of first end 112a of top
chord 112 in a sloped and skewed orientation relative to the
mounting surface; specifically down and to the left from
normal.
[0035] Hanger apparatus 10A is comprised of three primary
components, namely: 1) a mounting plate 12, 2) hip block retention
means in the form of a substantially U-shaped bucket 14 depending
from mounting plate 12 in both sloped and skewed orientation
relative to mounting plate 12, and 3) a stop plate 16 mounted
within bucket 14 as further described herein.
[0036] Mounting plate 12 is planar in configuration having front
and rear sides 13a,b, respectively. Front side 13a is the surface
from which the balance of the apparatus depends, while rear side
13b is the surface intended to come into engagement with the hip
truss when apparatus 10A is mounted thereto. Mounting plate 12 is
further comprised of a center portion 12a from which bucket 14
depends, and first and second side portions 12b and 12c,
respectively, each of which include a plurality of plate apertures
(obscured from view) through which corresponding nails 124 may be
driven for mounting of the apparatus to top chord 112 and diagonal
rafter 114 across junction 120. Because rafter 114 depends from top
chord 112 at an angle, it is important that the top edge 18 of side
portions 12b, 12c 12b,12c not protrude above the top of rafter 114
and interfere with the application of sheathing or other roofing
materials. Note therefore that top edge 18 has been notched or
tapered to eliminate corners that might otherwise protrude above
rafter 114 when apparatus 10A is mounted thereto.
[0037] With continued reference to FIG. 3A and additional reference
being made to FIG. 4 (plan) and FIG. 5 (side), bucket 14 is
comprised of first side wall 20, second side wall 22 and floor 24
connected there between. First and second side walls 20 and 22,
respectively, are preferably, but not essentially trapezoidal in
shape and arranged in parallel orientation. Floor 24, which is also
preferably trapezoidal, depends from center portion 12a of mounting
plate 12 along floor-plate junction 26 at a sloped angle 28 (FIG.
5) which corresponds with the desired roof pitch (typically around
25.5.degree. from normal which corresponds to an 8/12 roof pitch).
First and second side walls 20,22 include sides 20a and 22a,
respectively, which are connected to mounting plate 12 at a skewed
angle 30 (typically ranging from about 45.degree. and 671/2 from
normal). Angles associated with 3/12 to 10/12 roof pitches are
contemplated. As may be appreciated, floor 24 is a component
responsible for supporting the load of carried blocking member 111
although some of this load is transferred to other components of
the assembly as will become apparent below. No such load-bearing
surface exists when the conventional practice of toe-nailing is
employed. It is preferred that floor 24 have a length sufficient to
provide for at least about 3'' of engaging contact with blocking
member 111 and a width substantially equal to that of the blocking
member it will carry (in most cases 11/2'' for a standard
2''.times.4''). In other words, the distance between first and
second side walls 20 and 22, respectively, should be slightly
greater than the width of blocking member 111 so as to permit the
latter's slidable engagement within engagement within bucket 14. To
that end it should be noted that first and second side walls 20 and
22 are positioned normal to the plane of floor 24 and are
preferably but not essentially of equal height. A height equal to
or not substantially less than the height of blocking member 111 is
preferred (in most cases 31/2'' for a standard 2''.times.4'').
Thusly, oriented, side walls 20,22 engage the sides of blocking
member 111 to provide a means for supporting blocking member 111
and a means for preventing both lateral and rotational movement
thereof. A plurality of side wall apertures 32 through which
corresponding nails 124 may be driven are provided for securing an
end portion of blocking member 111 within bucket 14.
[0038] An important feature of the subject hanger apparatus 10A is
stop plate 16 mounted within bucket 14. Stop plate 16 includes
first edge 16a connected to floor 24 in perpendicular fashion along
floor-stop plate junction 34, second edge 16b preferably but not
essentially connected to first side wall 20 in perpendicular
fashion, third edge 16c preferably but not essentially connected to
second side wall 22 in perpendicular fashion and fourth edge 16d
which is not connected to any other structure. Stop plate 16
provides a surface against which an end of blocking member 111 may
come into abutting relationship thereby serving as a means for
preventing axial movement of blocking member 111 in the direction
of stop plate 16. As may be readily appreciated, without stop plate
16, a blocking member having its end cut at a right angle would
have no surface with which its end could interface. Another
important feature of the subject apparatus is that its mounting
plate 12 will not come into contact with or otherwise interfere
with roof decking mounted on top of hip trusses when mounting plate
12 is secured to the mounting surface thereof.
[0039] Accordingly, the subject invention in one respect provides
an apparatus for connecting a squared hip blocking member 111 to a
vertical face 122 of a top chord 112 and rafter 114 of a hip truss
100 or girder truss 102 in both a skewed and sloped orientation
relative to the face of the top chord 112, the apparatus
comprising: 1) a mounting plate 12, 2) a substantially U-shaped
bucket 14 having a floor 24 depending from the mounting plate 12 at
a preselected slope and skew relative to normal, and 3) a stop
plate 16 mounted normal to the floor 24 and within the U-shaped
bucket 14 against which an end portion 111a a of the hip blocking
member 111 is abutted when properly seated in the apparatus.
[0040] Three additional embodiments of the subject hip blocking
hanger apparatus are illustrated in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D. The
components of each of these embodiments are identical to those
described in relation to the first embodiment of FIG. 3A and have
therefore been like-numbered.
[0041] FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of a second embodiment
of the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking designated
generally by reference numeral 10B. In this embodiment, bucket 14
is sloped upward of normal and skewed to the right of normal; FIG.
3C is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the subject
hanger apparatus for hip blocking designated generally by reference
numeral 10C. In this embodiment, bucket 14 is sloped downward of
normal and skewed to the right of normal. Finally, FIG. 3D is a
front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the subject hanger
apparatus for hip blocking designated generally by reference
numeral 10B. In this embodiment, bucket 14 is sloped upward of
normal and skewed to the left of normal. Accordingly, at least four
embodiments of the subject hanger apparatus for hip blocking are
contemplated, differing only in the angles from which bucket 14
depends from mounting plate 12. For all embodiments, the degree of
slope and skew will vary depending on the pitch of the roof being
constructed.
[0042] Accordingly, the subject invention may be further
characterized as a sloped and skewed hip blocking hanger
connection, comprising: a) a generally planar supporting hip truss
100 having a horizontal top chord 112 in communication with a
diagonally disposed rafter 114; the top chord and the rafter each
having a generally planar front face 122 joined at a junction 120,
b) an elongated hip blocking member 111 having a squared end
portion 111a; and c) a hip blocking hanger apparatus 10A-D
comprising: 1) a mounting plate 12 mounted to the front face 122 of
the top chord 122 and the rafter 114 and across top chord-rafter
junction 120, 2) a substantially U-shaped bucket 14 having a floor
24 depending from the mounting plate 12 at a preselected slope and
skew relative to normal, the U-shaped bucket 14 being formed and
dimensioned to receive the end portion 111a of the hip blocking
member, and 3) a stop plate 16 mounted normal to the floor 24 and
within the U-shaped bucket 14 against which the end portion 111a of
the hip blocking member 111 is abutted when properly seated in the
hanger apparatus 10A-D.
[0043] Each embodiment of the present invention is preferably but
not essentially constructed of metal which may be cut, stamped,
punched, embossed and/or bent to form its component parts which may
then be welded together to form the apparatus described above.
Alternatively, the apparatus may be constructed of other materials
that may be cast, molded, welded or the like into the desired
shape. The metal or other material used should have a thickness and
strength sufficient to resist bending under intended use
conditions.
[0044] Reference being now made to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, it is intended
that hip blocking hanger apparatus 10A and 10B be used in
combination or as a "working pair" to mount hip blocking member 111
between ends of top chords 112 of neighboring hip trusses 100. Hip
blocking hanger apparatus 10A is first mounted to the face 122 of
top chord 112 and rafter 114 across top chord-rafter junction 120.
Hip blocking hanger apparatus 10B is then mounted to the opposing
surface of a second hip truss 100 in the same fashion. The second
hip truss is lower in height and wider than the first hip truss.
Thusly mounted, stop plates 16 of the now opposing hanger apparatus
10A and 10B are parallel to one another and floors 24 lie in the
same plane. Similarly, side wall 20 of hanger apparatus 10A lies in
the same plane as side wall 22 of hanger apparatus 10B, and
sidewall 22 of hanger apparatus 10A lies in the same plane as side
wall 20 of hanger apparatus 10B. As may be appreciated, the side
walls 20,22 and floor 24 of each opposing hanger apparatus 10A,10B
together form a sleeve within which hip blocking member 111 may be
inserted. Once mounted within the working pair of hanger apparatus
10A,10B, four out of five surfaces of the end portions 111aof hip
blocking member 111 will be positively supported by corresponding
side walls 20,22, floor 24 and stop plates 16 of each apparatus to
form a highly stable union superior to the hip blocking member-hip
truss connections of the prior art.
[0045] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the particular embodiments herein set forth, it is
understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of
example and that numerous changes in details of construction may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited
by the foregoing specifications, but rather only by the scope of
the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *