U.S. patent application number 12/658982 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for light gauge metal zee clip.
Invention is credited to Kenneth Alan Knoop, Paula Kim Knoop.
Application Number | 20110197541 12/658982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368646 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110197541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knoop; Kenneth Alan ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
Light gauge metal zee clip
Abstract
This invention is a piece of sheet metal bent into a Z shape. It
has integral U shaped tabs at each end of the Z shaped clip. The
tabs are created by having the bottom portion of the Z extend 6 to
8 inches longer than the middle and top portions. This longer flat
portion is then double bent away from the middle portion to form U
shaped tabs. The tabs wrap around the two opposing flanges of a
steel bar joist, I-beam or H-column and hold the Z shaped clip onto
the bar joist, I-beam or column. The Z clip can be installed prior
to spray applied fireproofing used in structural steel buildings.
It subsequently provides a connection point for metal stud walls
and other materials or equipment that need to be supported by the
steel structure at a specific distance away from the bar joist,
I-beam or column.
Inventors: |
Knoop; Kenneth Alan;
(Pinellas Park, FL) ; Knoop; Paula Kim; (Pinellas
Park, FL) |
Family ID: |
44368646 |
Appl. No.: |
12/658982 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/712 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/82 20130101; E04B
2001/2481 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/712 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/38 20060101
E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A ZEE clip comprising: Light or heavy gauge sheet metal in a
rectangular shape with two opposing bends along the length of the
rectangle, forming a Z shape or back to back L with the short legs
at the top and bottom, facing opposite directions, when viewed from
the end.
2. The ZEE clip in claim 1 further comprising: Tabs which are
created by cutting the diagonal/vertical section, or a portion
thereof, and the top horizontal section on each end of the ZEE
shape shorter than the bottom horizontal section, leaving the
bottom horizontal section as long flat extended tabs on each
end.
3. The ZEE clip in claim 2 further comprising: The flat extended
tabs on each end of the ZEE clip are double bent at approximately
95 degrees to form a partially closed U, with the first bend
starting at a 40 to 50 degree angle to the length of the ZEE
clip.
4. The ZEE clip in claim 3 further comprising: A slight bend on the
leading corner of the U tab, in the direction away from the main
body of the ZEE clip.
Description
[0001] The applicant claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 61/54,302 filed on Feb. 20, 2009 for a "Light gauge
metal Zee clip".
DESCRIPTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a light to heavy gauge
metal Zee clip. The clip consists of the following components:
[0003] Light to heavy gauge sheet metal bent into a Z shape. [0004]
The clip has two horizontal legs which can vary in length from one
half inch to four inches; the vertical/diagonal leg will vary from
one half inch to four and one half inches. The depth of the
vertical/diagonal leg will depend on the thickness of fireproofing
required for that particular bar joist, I-beam or H-column. The
horizontal legs are not necessarily equal lengths or widths. [0005]
The overall length of the ZEE clip and depth of the U shaped clips
will vary and will coincide with the width and thickness of the
flange of the steel I-beams, bar joist and columns to which the ZEE
clip is attached. This invention is a piece of sheet metal bent
into a Z shape. Looking at the clip from the end (so you see the
shape of a Z), the bottom horizontal section will be longer than
the vertical/diagonal and top sections of the Z. The additional
length on the bottom horizontal section, starting as a straight
flat piece, will be double or multiple bent or radius bent to
create the U shaped clips under the Z and will not necessarily be
equal lengths on each end of the Z. The overall length of the
vertical/diagonal and top sections will vary from 2 to 24 inches
depending on the width of the bar joist, I-beam or column it will
be attached to. Each end of the bottom section will have two
successive bends, multiple bends or a radius bend with the first
bend or radius being in the direction away from the
vertical/diagonal section. The first bend or radius on each end of
the Z clip will start at a 40 to 50 degree angle to the length of
the ZEE clip, and parallel with each other. By starting the bend
for the tabs at an angle it sets up so that the radius bend or
second bend creates U shaped tabs/ears on each end of the clip that
face opposite directions. The two bends, multiple bends or radius
bend will in turn make a U shaped tab at each end, on the bottom of
the ZEE clip. The distance between the two parallel surfaces of the
U will vary from 1/8 of an inch to 2 and 1/2 inches or greater, and
will coincide with the thickness of the steel bar joist, beam or
column flanges. The two surfaces of the U are not necessarily
parallel to each other and could be made so the U is actually in a
slightly closed U shape. The direction of the tabs will be in such
a manner that the Z clip will be turned in a clockwise motion to
lock the tabs onto a bar joist, I-beam or column. This tab/ear at
each end will make up the attachment which will hold the clip onto
the beam or column flanges with a friction fit. The tabs/ears will
have a slight upward bend diagonally on the corner of the leading
edge to ease the installation of the clip onto a bar joist, I-beam
or column.
[0006] One of the key benefits of using this new invention is to
improve employee safety. Installing the clip with a specifically
designed tool reduces fall hazards by working from the floor level
versus having to climb a ladder or scaffolding. Another key benefit
of the Z clip is that the only items needed are the Z clip and the
installation tool. This saves time and money by allowing simple
mobilization during the early phases of construction in buildings
which contain structural steel. The Z clip can be used on buildings
with or without fireproofing requirements. Installing extra Z clips
where you "might" need them can be done at minimal cost and would
reduce fireproofing patchwork costs by reducing the number of
missed clips.
[0007] The ZEE clip could be mechanically fastened to the bar
joist, I-beam or column using a power driven fastener such as a
steel pin driven through the ZEE clip leg (which is flat against
the steel bar joist, I-beam or column) and into the structural
steel bar joist, I-beam or column. It could also be tack welded
using an electrode welding rod or wire fed welding unit to
permanently connect the ZEE clip to the bar joist, I-beam or
column. Either one of these options of connecting the ZEE clip to
the structure could be used to prevent the clip from being removed
or accidentally knocked off of the bar joist, I-beam or column.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings are an illustration of one of the many uses for
the light gauge metal Zee clip. The drawings include the Zee clip,
a structural steel I beam and metal stud partition components
attached to the Zee clip.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of the Zee clip (10) that clearly shows the
position of the tabs (15), which wrap around the I beam flange
(20), and the angle at which the tabs are bent. The angle and
direction of the bends to create the tabs allows for the
installation of the Zee clip onto the flange of an I beam (20).
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view of two Zee clips (10) attached to the
flanges of an I beam (20).
[0011] FIG. 3 is a close up view of how the Zee clip (10) attaches
and specifically how the tab (15) wraps around the I beam flange
(20) for a tight friction fit. FIG. 3 also shows the flared corner
(25) on the leading edge of the tab (15) which allows the tab (15)
to easily slip over the flange of the I beam (20).
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view of two Zee clips (10) attached to the
underside of an I beam (20) and steel stud partition track attached
to the Zee clips (10).
[0013] FIG. 5 is a close up view of the steel stud partition track
(30) attached to the Zee clip with sheet metal screws (40).
[0014] The clip could be constructed to resemble a (square) C shape
rather than a Z shape with all or some of the attributes of the Z
shaped clip. The ZEE clip could be constructed in such a manner
that only one tab is used to clip onto one flange of a steel bar
joist, I-beam or column instead of being clipped to both flanges.
This can be achieved by cutting the length down by 50% or more and
eliminating the tab/ear on one end. It could also be manufactured
where the tabs are bent in the direction that would require turning
the ZEE clip counterclockwise to install the ZEE clip onto the bar
joist, I-beam or column. The ZEE clip could also be constructed
with the tabs bent in a manner in which the ends of the tabs are
facing each other and in line with the length of the clip. Another
way the ZEE clip could be constructed is to make the top part of
the clip, which the wall track attaches to, extend beyond the beam
or column flanges so walls could be built offset from the beam or
column. This will allow the wall framing and/or finishes to by-pass
the beams or columns. The ZEE clip could be constructed in a manner
in which the vertical/diagonal leg would be closer to horizontal
and would allow some minor vertical movement of the structure and
help reduce sound transmission from the structure to the wall. The
clip could also be constructed in two pieces (resembling two 90
degree L angles) with slotted holes on one vertical leg and tabs or
screws loosely attached through the slotted holes to the other
vertical leg. This would allow greater vertical movement than a one
piece Z clip. The ZEE clip could have small punched slots near the
ends of the first horizontal section. These slots would only be
punched through on three sides pushing the small piece of sheet
metal down slightly. This would create a small friction tab (about
1/4 inch wide and about 3/4 inch long) to help hold the ZEE clip on
the beam or column. The ZEE clip could be made by cutting or
stamping a T shape out of a flat sheet of metal in such a way that
the angle of the tabs is built into the ZEE clip as the sheet metal
is in a flat state. The stamped shape would resemble a T shape with
the body of the T being considerably wider than the top of the T.
The top of the T would be fairly long and narrow and the last 30 to
40% on each end of the T would be angled at approximately 40 to 50
degrees. The angled ends of the top of the T will be facing
opposite directions, one up and one down. The body of the T shape
would then be bent into a ZEE or Cee shape at the locations and
distances required to fit its intended use. The angled ends at the
top of the T would be bent to create the U tabs for connection to
steel I beams. Looking from a top view, the first bend or radius
will be made on the angled ends of the T. The bends will be made on
each end of the Z clip and the initial bends or radius will be
parallel to each other to produce tabs facing opposite directions.
The ZEE clip could be used for attachment of overhead plumbing or
mechanical piping, ductwork or electrical piping by using multiple
ZEE clips and installing straps or hanger rods with support
material, such as angle iron or steel channel, spanning between the
straps or rods. The straps or rods can be of any length to fit the
need. This will create a cradle or rack at a desired elevation
above the finished floor and the clearance from the structure above
to carry ductwork, single or multiple electrical, mechanical or
plumbing pipes. The ZEE clip could also be used on columns to
connect electrical, plumbing or mechanical piping, electrical
boxes, mechanical or plumbing valves or other materials that need
to be supported at certain elevations or intervals.
[0015] While the present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that
this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey
the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this
invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by
both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.
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