U.S. patent application number 17/112582 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-05 for floor to wall connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to MERCER MASS TIMBER LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is MERCER MASS TIMBER LLC. Invention is credited to Olav Felgendreher, Johannes Schneider.
Application Number | 20220136232 17/112582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005323241 |
Filed Date | 2022-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220136232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; Johannes ; et
al. |
May 5, 2022 |
FLOOR TO WALL CONNECTOR
Abstract
A floor to wall connector is provided. The floor to wall
connector comprises a wall bracket and a floor bracket. The wall
bracket includes a floor receiver. The wall bracket is configured
to connect to a wall panel. The floor bracket includes an opening.
The floor bracket is configured to connect to a floor panel. The
floor receiver of the wall bracket is configured to insert into the
opening of the floor bracket thereby connecting the wall panel to
the floor panel. A floor and wall system including the floor to
wall connector and a method of connecting a wall panel to a floor
panel via the floor to wall connector is also provided.
Inventors: |
Schneider; Johannes;
(Vancouver, CA) ; Felgendreher; Olav; (Lake
Country, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MERCER MASS TIMBER LLC |
VANCOUVER |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
MERCER MASS TIMBER LLC
VANCOUVER
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005323241 |
Appl. No.: |
17/112582 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63110192 |
Nov 5, 2020 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/646 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/405 20130101;
E04B 1/40 20130101; E04B 1/2403 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/41 20060101
E04B001/41; E04B 1/24 20060101 E04B001/24 |
Claims
1. A floor to wall connector comprising: a wall bracket including a
floor receiver, the wall bracket configured to connect to a wall
panel; and a floor bracket including an opening, the floor bracket
configured to connect to a floor panel; wherein the floor receiver
is configured to insert into the opening.
2. The floor to wall connector of claim 1, wherein the wall bracket
is a first L bracket.
3. The floor to wall connector of claim 1, wherein the floor
receiver is a second L bracket.
4. The floor to wall connector of claim 1, wherein the wall bracket
includes a bracket stiffener.
5. The floor to wall connector of claim 1, wherein the floor
bracket is a third L bracket.
6. The floor to wall connector claim 1, wherein the floor bracket
includes at least one slotted opening configured to receive at
least one fastener configured to connect the floor bracket Lo the
floor panel.
7. The floor to wall connector of claim 1, wherein the wall bracket
includes a removable lifting hook.
8. The floor to will connector of claim 1, wherein the floor to
wall connector is made of metal.
9. A floor and wall system comprising; a wall panel; a wall bracket
attached to the wall panel, the wall bracket including a floor
receiver; a floor panel; and a floor bracket attached to the floor
panel, the floor bracket including, an opening; wherein the floor
receiver is configured to insert into the opening.
10. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the wall bracket
is a first L bracket.
11. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the floor
receiver is a second L bracket.
12. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the wall bracket
includes a bracket stiffener.
13. The floor and all system of claim 9, wherein the floor bracket
is a third L bracket.
14. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the wall bracket
includes a removable lifting hook.
15. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the floor to wall
connector is made of metal.
16. The floor to wall system of claim 9, wherein the floor panel is
a cross-laminated timber panel.
17. The floor and wall system of claim 9, wherein the wall panel is
a cross-laminated timber panel.
18. The floor and wall system of claim 9, further comprising a
second wall bracket attached to the wall panel, the second wall
bracket including a second floor receiver.
19. The floor and wall system of claim 18, further comprising a
second floor bracket attached to the floor panel, the second floor
bracket including a second opening, wherein the second floor
receiver is configured to insert into the second opening.
20. A method of connecting a wall panel to a floor panel, the
method comprising receiving the wall panel, the wall panel
including a wall bracket, the wall bracket including a floor
receiver; receiving the floor panel, the floor panel including a
floor bracket, the floor bracket including and opening; and
connecting the wall bracket to the floor bracket by inserting the
floor receiver into the opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 63/110,192 for SPLINE, CONNECTOR AND HOIST filed on
Nov. 5, 2020, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the art of wall
installation, and more specifically to a floor to wall connector
and method of installation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Exterior wall panels of buildings are installed by
connecting the wall panels to the exterior facing end of floor
panels. Brackets to connect the wall panel to the floor panel are
installed on-site while the wall panel is lifted and held in
position. The installation is time and labor intensive because the
connection requires numerous fasteners. A crane must hold the wall
panel in place while the numerous fasteners are installed, taking a
great deal of time. The connectors and method of installing the
wall panels to the floor panels are costly and time consuming.
SUMMARY
[0004] A floor to wall connector is provided that can be installed
to a floor panel and wall panel prior to lifting the wall panel
into place. The connector provides a lifting point of the wall
panel and provides an easy and simple mechanism to connect a floor
panel and wall panel thereby reducing labor and equipment time and
costs. The floor to wall connector comprises a wall bracket and a
floor bracket. The wall bracket includes a floor receiver. The wall
bracket is configured to connect to a wall panel. The floor bracket
includes an opening. The floor bracket is configured to connect to
a floor panel. The floor receiver of the wall bracket is configured
to insert into the opening of the floor bracket thereby connecting
the wall panel to the floor panel.
[0005] A floor and wall system is also provided. The floor and wall
system includes a wall panel, a wall bracket, a floor panel, and a
floor bracket. The wall bracket is attached to the wall panel. The
wall bracket includes a floor receiver. The floor bracket is
attached to the floor panel. The floor bracket includes an opening.
The floor receiver of the wall bracket is configured to insert into
the opening of the floor bracket to connect the wall panel to the
floor panel. A method of connecting the wall panel to the floor
panel via the floor to wall connector is also provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description will be better understood when read in conjunction with
the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is
shown in the drawings different embodiments. It should be
understood, however, that the teachings are not limited to the
precise floor to wall connector, floor and wall system, and method
of connecting a wall panel to a floor panel shown.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a floor to wall connector.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a floor to wall
connector.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the floor to wall connector in FIG.
2.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the floor to wall connector in
FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a back view of the floor to wall connector in FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the floor to wall connector
in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the floor to wall connector in
FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of floor brackets
connected to a floor panel and a plurality of wall brackets
connected to a wall panel.
[0015] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a wall panel connected to a
floor panel.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a wall
panel to a floor panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A floor to wall connector is provided that simplifies the
mechanism to connect a wall panel to a floor panel and simplifies
the method of connecting a wall panel to a floor panel. The
connector can be installed off-site or on-site prior to lifting the
wall panel thereby saving time and costs.
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a floor to wall connector 100.
The floor to wall connector 100 is configured to connect a wall
panel to a floor panel. The floor to wall connector may be made of
metal. More specifically, the floor to wall connector may be made
of forged or welded steel. The floor to wall connector 100 includes
a wall bracket 200 and a floor bracket 300.
[0019] The wall bracket 200 is configured to attach to a wall
panel. The wall bracket 200 may be comprised of an L bracket with a
first leg 210 and a second leg 220 attached at an approximately 90
degree angle. The first leg 210 is configured to abut the interior
side of a wall panel. The first leg 210 may include a plurality of
openings 212. The openings 212 receive fasteners, such as screws,
to attach the wall bracket 200 to a wall panel. The second leg 220
is configured to extend into the wall panel. The second leg 220
transfers load from the wall bracket 200 and fasteners to the wall
panel. The wall bracket 200 includes a floor receiver 230. The
floor receiver 230 may be comprised of an L bracket attached to the
first leg 210. The wall bracket 200 may also include a bracket
stiffener 232. The bracket stiffener 232 is positioned to support
the floor receiver 230 and strengthen the joint between the floor
receiver 230 and the first leg 210. The floor receiver 230 and the
bracket stiffener 232 may be welded to the first leg 210. The floor
receiver 230 may include a threaded hole 234 to receive a lifting
hook 240. The lifting hook 240 may be an eye bolt. The lifting hook
240 is configured to receive a hoist which allows a crane to lift,
place, and hold the wall bracket 200 attached to a wall panel. The
lifting hook 240 may screw into the threaded hole 234. The threads
allow the lifting hook 240 to be removed after the wall panel
attached to the wall bracket 200 is installed and connected to a
floor panel. The floor receiver 230 may also include threaded holes
236 to receive height adjustment screws 242. The height adjustment
screws 242 may be screwed into and unscrewed in the threaded holes
236 to adjust the wall bracket 200 vertically. The adjustment
screws 242 may include lock nuts 244 to lock the adjustment screws
242.
[0020] The floor to wall connector 100 also includes a floor
bracket 300 configured to connect to a floor panel. The floor
bracket 300 may be comprised of an L bracket with a first leg 310
and a second leg 320 attached at an approximately 90 degree angle.
The first leg 310 is configured to abut the end of the floor panel
that abuts the wall panel. The second leg 320 is configured to abut
the top side of a floor panel. The second leg 320 may include a
plurality of openings 322. The openings 322 receive fasteners, such
as screws, to attach the floor bracket 300 to a floor panel. The
second leg 320 may also include slotted holes 324 that receive
fasteners, such as screws, to attach the floor bracket 300 to a
floor panel. The slotted holes 324 allow the floor bracket 300 to
be loosely attached to the floor panel while being adjusted along
the length of the slotted holes 324. The second leg also includes
an opening 326 configured to receive the floor receiver 230. The
opening 326 has a corresponding size and shape to the floor
receiver 230, but the opening 326 may be slightly larger than the
floor receiver 230 to allow the wall bracket 200 to be adjusted
while the floor receiver 230 is inserted in the opening 326 in the
floor bracket 300. After the floor receiver 230 is inserted into
the opening 326 and the wall panel is set in place, the wall
bracket 200 may be locked in place via locking screws 334. The
locking screws 334 screw into threaded sleeves 330 attached to the
second leg 320 of the floor bracket 300. The threaded sleeves 330
may be attached to the second leg 320 via a spacer 332. The spacer
332 may be welded to the second leg 320 and the threaded sleeve
330. The spacer 332 puts distance between the second leg 320 and
the threaded sleeves 330 so that the locking screws 334 can be
screwed into the threaded sleeves 330. After the locking screws 334
are screwed into the threaded sleeves 330, set screws 336 may be
screwed into threaded holes 338 in the top of the threaded sleeves
330.
[0021] FIGS. 2-7 show a floor to wall connector 100 wherein the
wall bracket 200 and the floor bracket 300 are connected. The floor
receiver 230 of the wall bracket 200 inserts through the opening
326 in the second leg 320 of the floor bracket 300 to connect the
wall bracket 200 to the floor bracket 300. Once inserted through
the opening 326, the floor receiver 230 may be adjusted
horizontally or left and right within the slightly oversized
opening 326. The height adjustment screws 242 are screwed through
threaded holes 236 in the floor receiver 230 until the end of the
height adjustment screws 242 rest on the top of the second leg 320
of the floor bracket 300. The wall bracket 200 may be adjusted
vertically by screwing the height adjustment screws 242 in and out
of the threaded holes 236 to change the distance between the second
leg 320 of the floor bracket 300 and the floor receiver 230 of the
wall bracket 200. Once the floor receiver 230 is positioned in the
opening 326 so that the wall panel attached to the wall bracket 200
is properly placed, the locking screws 334 lock the wall bracket
200 in its position by screwing through the threaded sleeves 330
until the ends of the locking screws 334 are tight against the
floor receiver 230. The locking screws 334 lock the wall bracket
200 in place by clamping the floor receiver 230 against the side of
the opening 326 in the second leg 320 of the floor bracket 300. The
set screws 336 are then threaded in the holes 338 in the threaded
sleeves 330 to further lock the locking screws 334 in place.
[0022] The floor to wall connector 100 can be attached to wall
panels and floor panels prior to lifting and placing the wall
panel. The floor to wall connector 100 also provides a holding
point for lifting the wall panel with a crane thereby eliminating
the need for an additional lifting mechanism. The connector 100
also includes features which provide options for adjusting the
floor bracket 300 in and out and adjusting the wall bracket 200
left and right and up and down relative to the building. These
options for adjustment account for site tolerances. The connector
100 also has a slim profile which reduces the effort required to
cover the connector 100. The connector also provides fire
protection, withstands seismic events, and uses a minimum number of
mechanical fasteners.
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a plurality of floor brackets 300 connected to
a floor panel 400 and a plurality of wall brackets 200 connected to
a wall panel 500. FIG. 8 shows a floor panel 400. The floor panel
400 may be comprised of cross-laminated timber, cold formed steel,
or a light wood frame. The floor panel 400 includes at least one
floor bracket 300 mounted to the floor panel 400 with fasteners
410, such as screws, that extend through the openings 322 and
slotted holes 324 in the second leg 320 of the floor bracket 300
shown in FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIG. 8, the second leg 320 of the
floor bracket 300 abuts the top of the floor panel 400. The first
leg 310 of the floor bracket 300, not visible in FIG. 8, abuts the
edge of the floor panel 400 that abuts the wall panel 500. The
floor panel 400 includes a notch or opening at the location of the
opening 236 in the floor bracket 200 so that when a floor receiver
230 is inserted into the opening 236 of the floor bracket 200, the
floor receiver 230 extends into the notch or opening of the floor
panel 400.
[0024] The wall panel 500 includes at least one wall bracket 200 to
connect the wall panel 500 to the floor panel 400. The wall panel
500 may be an exterior wall panel of a building. The wall panel 500
may be comprised of cross-laminated timber, cold formed steel, or a
light wood frame. The wall brackets 200 are attached to the wall
panel 500 with fasteners 510, such as screws, that extend through
the openings 212 in the first leg 210 of the wall bracket 200 shown
in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the wall bracket 200
is mounted towards the top, interior end of the wall panel 500 so
that the lifting hook 240 extends up past the top of the wall panel
500. The first leg 210 of the wall bracket 200 abuts the interior
side of the wall panel 500. The second leg 220 of the wall bracket
200, not visible in FIG. 8, extends into the wall panel 500. The
wall panel 500 may include a notch at the location of the second
leg 220 of the wall bracket 200 to allow the second leg 220 to
extend into the wall panel 500. The second leg 220 inserted in the
wall panel 500 aligns the wall bracket 200 and also transfers or
spreads the load applied to the wall bracket 200 when the wall
bracket 200 is lifted and when connected to the floor panel 400.
The second leg 220 provides a mechanism to transfer load through
bearing of the wall panel 500 on the second leg 220 rather than the
fasteners 510.
[0025] The floor brackets 300 and the wall brackets 200 are mounted
at corresponding locations so that the wall panel 500 is at its
engineered or designed location when the wall bracket 200 is
connected to the floor bracket 300. The wall panels 500, including
the wall bracket 200, may be prefabricated. The floor panels 400,
including the floor bracket 300, may be prefabricated. Installation
of the wall panel 500 and its connection to the floor panel 400 is
simple, quick, and easy because the wall bracket 200 and the floor
bracket 300 can be installed prior to lifting, holding, and
positioning the wall panel 500. The wall panel 500 connects to the
floor panel 400 by inserting the floor receivers 230 of the wall
brackets 200 into the corresponding openings 326 of the floor
brackets 300.
[0026] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a wall panel 500 connected to
a floor panel 400. FIG. 9 shows a section of a wall panel 500
connected to a section of a floor panel 400 via a wall bracket 200
and a floor bracket 300. As shown in FIG. 9, the top of the floor
panel 400 may include a notch 420 to accommodate the floor bracket
300. The notch 420 allows the floor bracket 300 to sit flush or
below the top of the floor panel 400 when the floor bracket 300 is
attached. The wall panel 500 is connected to the floor panel 400 by
inserting the floor receiver 230, not visible in FIG. 9, into the
opening 326, not visible in FIG. 9, of the floor bracket 300 and
into the floor panel 400. A hoist 600 connected to the lifting hook
240 allows a crane to lift and position the wall panel 500. Once in
position, the height adjustment screws 242 are set and the locking
screws 334 are tightened. After the wall panel 500 is connect to
the floor panel 400 via the wall bracket 200 and the floor bracket
300, the lifting hook 240 can be removed by unscrewing the lifting
hook 240.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a wall
panel to a floor panel 1000. The method 1000 includes the step 1010
of receiving a wall panel including a wall bracket and a floor
panel including a floor bracket. The wall panel, wall bracket,
floor panel, and floor bracket include the same details and
embodiments previously described.
[0028] The method 1000 may also include the step 1020 of lifting
the wall panel to its engineered or designed location on a
building. The wall panel is lifted and held where the wall panel
should be connected to the floor panel. The wall panel may be
lifted with a crane and a hoist connected to the lifting hook of
the wall bracket attached to the wall panel.
[0029] The method 1000 includes the step 1030 of connecting the
wall panel to the floor panel by connecting each wall bracket
attached to the wall panel with a corresponding floor bracket
attached to the floor panel. The wall panel is connected to the
floor panel by inserting the floor receiver of the wall bracket
into the floor receiver opening in the floor bracket.
[0030] The method 1000 may include the step 1040 of vertically
setting the height of the wall panel via the wall bracket by
screwing or unscrewing the height adjustment screws.
[0031] The method 1000 may include the step 1050 of locking the
wall panel in place via the wall bracket by screwing in the locking
screws until the locking screws are tight against the wall
bracket.
[0032] The method 1000 may include the step 1060 of removing the
lifting hook from the wall bracket. The lifting hook may be removed
from the wall bracket after the wall panel is connected to the
floor panel. The lifting hook may be removed by unscrewing it from
the threaded opening in the floor receiver.
[0033] Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of
embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical
changes could be made to the floor to wall connector, wall and
floor system, and method of connecting a wall panel to a floor
panel without altering the inventive concepts and principles
embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore to be embraced therein.
* * * * *