U.S. patent number RE46,844 [Application Number 15/088,672] was granted by the patent office on 2018-05-15 for connector assembly for connecting building members.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Steel Network, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is The Steel Network, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward R. diGirolamo, James E. Herrmann, John C. Herrmann, Michael A. Shultz.
United States Patent |
RE46,844 |
diGirolamo , et al. |
May 15, 2018 |
Connector assembly for connecting building members
Abstract
A building assembly utilized in connecting building members
together while permitting limited relative movement between the
members. The assembly includes a structure such as a track or plate
that includes one or more longitudinal slots. Integrally formed in
the longitudinal slot is a breakaway washer that receives a
fastener that extends into an adjacent structure. When a certain
force is applied to the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer
breaks away from the slot and this permits the slot to move about
the breakaway washer and fastener which results in there being
relative movement between two connected structures.
Inventors: |
diGirolamo; Edward R. (Raleigh,
NC), Herrmann; John C. (Raleigh, NC), Herrmann; James
E. (Raleigh, NC), Shultz; Michael A. (Apex, NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Steel Network, Inc. |
Durham |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Steel Network, Inc.
(Durham, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
1000003009846 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/088,672 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
13542854 |
Jul 6, 2012 |
8683770 |
Apr 1, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
1/38 (20130101); E04B 1/2403 (20130101); E04B
2/768 (20130101); F16B 43/00 (20130101); F16B
7/18 (20130101); F16B 7/18 (20130101); F16B
43/00 (20130101); Y10S 248/909 (20130101); E04B
2001/2439 (20130101); E04B 2001/2415 (20130101); Y10T
403/11 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/38 (20060101); E04B 2/76 (20060101); E04B
1/24 (20060101); F16B 7/18 (20060101); F16B
43/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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WO 2017/027794 |
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Feb 2017 |
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WO |
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Other References
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due corresponding to U.S. Appl. No.
13/542,854 (11 pages) dated Jul. 6, 2012. cited by applicant .
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due corresponding to U.S. Appl. No.
12/629,979 (9 pages) dated Jan. 30, 2012. cited by applicant .
Notification Concerning Availability of the Publication of the
International Application corresponding to International Patent
Application No. PCT/US2016/046744 dated Feb. 16, 2017. cited by
applicant .
Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and
the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or
the Declaration for International Application No. PCT/US2016/046744
dated Oct. 28, 2016. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Engle; Patricia
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt,
P.A.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A building assembly, comprising: a first building member having
one or more elongated slots .[.with each slot having a length and a
width.]. .Iadd.formed therein.Iaddend.; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. .[.a
second building member;.]. a connector assembly .Iadd.configured
.Iaddend.for connecting the first .[.and second.]. building
.[.members together such that the building members may move
relative to each other while still being connected;.]. .Iadd.member
to a second building member, .Iaddend.the connector assembly
including.Iadd.: .Iaddend. one or more breakaway washers.Iadd.,
.Iaddend.with each breakaway washer .[.integrally formed.].
.Iadd.connected to the first building member .Iaddend.in one slot
of the first building member.Iadd., and each breakaway washer
having a face.Iaddend.; .[.each breakaway washer having a fastener
centering opening and one or more tabs projecting into edges of the
slots;.]. a fastener .[.extending through the centering opening
of.]. .Iadd.configured to engage .Iaddend.the breakaway washer and
.[.connected.]. .Iadd.connect .Iaddend.to the second building
member so as to connect the first and second building members.[.;
the breakaway washer having a face having a surface area;.]..Iadd.,
.Iaddend.the fastener including a flange .[.that faces the face of
the breakaway washer.].; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. one or more raised
dimples .[.formed on.]. .Iadd.extending away from .Iaddend.the face
of the breakaway washer .[.and projecting towards the flange of the
fastener for causing the breakaway washer to be fastened to the
second building member when the fastener is tightened.].; wherein
the flange of the fastener .[.engages.]. .Iadd.is configured to
engage .Iaddend.the one or more dimples .[.and.]..Iadd., wherein
.Iaddend.the one or more dimples function as an interface between
the flange and .[.the surface area of.]. the face of the breakaway
washer and prevents the .Iadd.flange of the .Iaddend.fastener
.[.flange.]. from .Iadd.directly .Iaddend.engaging the .[.surface
area.]. .Iadd.face .Iaddend.of the breakaway washer
.[.face.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend. wherein the dimples .Iadd.are
.Iaddend.further .Iadd.configured to .Iaddend.maintain a spacing
between the flange of the fastener and .[.the flange of.]. the
first building member; and wherein the breakaway washer is
configured such that when a certain force is applied to the
breakaway washer, the breakaway washer will break away from the
slot and permit the slot to move relative to the fastener,
breakaway washer, and second building member thereby permitting
relative movement between the first and second building
members.
2. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated slot
includes opposed edges and wherein the breakaway washer includes a
main body spaced inwardly from the opposed edges of the slot and a
pair of offset tabs projecting from opposed edges of the main body
to the edges of the slot such that the offset tabs connect the main
body of the breakaway washer to the slot in the first building
member.
3. The building assembly of claim 2 wherein the main body of the
breakaway washer is generally rectangular shaped and wherein the
pair of offset tabs project from opposed and offset corners of the
rectangular shaped breakaway washer.
4. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the breakaway washer is
generally rectangular shaped and includes upper and lower edges
that are substantially straight and two side edges.
5. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes a
shaft and there is a direct transition from the shaft to the flange
without an intervening shoulder.
6. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the breakaway washer
includes a main body having four corners and wherein there is
provided at least two tabs projecting from the main body to edges
of the slot and wherein the two tabs are offset and project from
diagonally opposed corners of the main body of the breakaway
washer.
7. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the one or more dimples
are raised approximately 0.005 inches above the face of the
breakaway washer.
8. The building assembly of claim 1 wherein the face of the
breakaway washer is flat and wherein the one or more dimples are
elevated relative to the face of the breakaway washer.
9. A building assembly, comprising: a first building member having
one or more elongated slots .[.with each slot having a length and a
width.]. .Iadd.formed therein.Iaddend.; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. .[.a
second building member;.]. a connector assembly .Iadd.configured
.Iaddend.for connecting the first .[.and second.]. building
.[.members together such that the building members may move
relative to each other while still being connected;.]. .Iadd.member
to a second building member, .Iaddend.the connector assembly
including.Iadd.; .Iaddend. one or more breakaway washers.Iadd.,
.Iaddend.with each breakaway washer .[.integrally formed.].
.Iadd.connected to the first building member .Iaddend.in one slot
of the first building member.[.;.]..Iadd., and .Iaddend.each
breakaway washer having .Iadd.a face and .Iaddend.a fastener
centering opening; a fastener .[.extending through the centering
opening of.]. .Iadd.configured to engage .Iaddend.the breakaway
washer and .[.connected.]. .Iadd.connect .Iaddend.to the second
building member so as to connect the first and second building
members.[.; the breakaway washer having a face having a surface
area;.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.the fastener including a flange .[.that
faces the face of the breakaway washer.].; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. a
raised burr .[.formed on.]. .Iadd.projecting outwardly from
.Iaddend.the face of the breakaway washer adjacent the centering
opening of the breakaway washer.[., the burr projecting outwardly
from the face of the breakaway washer towards the flange of the
fastener such that the burr causes the breakaway washer to be
affixed to the second building member when the fastener is
tightened.].; wherein the flange of the fastener .[.engages.].
.Iadd.is configured to engage .Iaddend.the burr .[.and.]..Iadd.,
wherein .Iaddend.the burr functions as an interface between the
flange and the face of the breakaway washer and prevents the flange
of the fastener from .Iadd.directly .Iaddend.engaging the face of
the breakaway washer; wherein the burr .[.maintains.]. .Iadd.is
configured to maintain .Iaddend.a spacing between the flange of the
fastener and the first building member; and wherein the breakaway
washer is configured such that when a certain force is applied to
the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer will break away from the
slot and permit the slot to move relative to the fastener,
breakaway washer, and second building member such that the first
and second members can move relative to each other.
10. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the burr extends
around the centering opening of the breakaway washer.
11. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the face of the
breakaway washer is generally flat and wherein the burr includes a
height of approximately 0.010 inches relative to the face of the
breakaway washer.
12. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises
a shoulderless fastener.
13. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the first member is a
track including a web and a pair of flanges and wherein the one or
more slots include at least two slots formed in the flanges of the
track; and wherein the second member comprises a stud that is
connected to the track via at least two fasteners.
14. The building assembly of claim 9 wherein the slot includes two
opposed edges and the breakaway washer comprises a main body and a
pair of tabs, and wherein the tabs project from the main body and
join the edges of the slot.
15. A building structure for connecting to studs and for connecting
to another building member, the building structure comprising: a
track having a web and a pair of flanges .[.and configured to move
both vertically and horizontally while being connected to the studs
and to the other building member.].; a series of flange slots
formed in each flange with each slot having opposed edges and
extending vertically and generally normal with respect to the web;
.[.a.]. .Iadd.one or more first .Iaddend.breakaway washer
.[.integrally.]. connected .Iadd.to each flange .Iaddend.in the
flange slots formed in each flange, .[.each breakaway washer
including a centering opening and a main body and one or more tabs
projecting from the main body and joining at least one edge of the
flange slot;.]. the .Iadd.first .Iaddend.breakaway washers
.[.integrally connected in the flange slots.]. configured such that
when a certain force is applied to the .Iadd.first
.Iaddend.breakaway washers, the .Iadd.first .Iaddend.breakaway
washers will break away from the associated .Iadd.flange
.Iaddend.slot and the .Iadd.flange .Iaddend.slot will move relative
to the .Iadd.first .Iaddend.breakaway washer; one or more elongated
web slots formed in the web with each web slot including opposed
edges and extending parallel relative to the flanges and generally
normal relative to the flange slots; .[.a.]. .Iadd.one or more
second .Iaddend.breakaway washer .[.integrally.]. connected
.Iadd.to the web .Iaddend.in each web slot .[.and including a
centering opening, a main body, and one or more tabs projecting
from the main body and joining at least one edge of the web
slot;.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.each .Iadd.second .Iaddend.breakaway
washer .[.integrally connected in a web slot.]. configured such
that when a certain force is applied to the .Iadd.second
.Iaddend.breakaway washer .[.integrally connected in the web
slot.]., the .Iadd.second .Iaddend.breakaway washer will break away
and wherein the web slot can move horizontally about the
.Iadd.second .Iaddend.breakaway washer; wherein when the
.Iadd.first .Iaddend.breakaway washers within the flange slot break
away, the track is moveable vertically; wherein when the
.Iadd.second .Iaddend.breakaway washer in the web slot breaks away,
the track is moveable horizontally; and wherein when the
.Iadd.first and second .Iaddend.breakaway washers in the flange
slots and the web slots break away, .Iadd.respectively,
.Iaddend.the track is moveable both vertically and
horizontally.
16. The building structure of claim 15 further including a powder
actuated fastener for extending through the centering opening of
the breakaway washer in the web of the track.
17. The building structure of claim 16 wherein the powder actuated
fastener includes a shoulder and wherein the breakaway washer in
the web slot includes a main body that includes a planar face
configured to engage the shoulder of the powder actuated
fastener.
18. The building structure of claim 15 wherein the breakaway washer
in each flange slot includes a planar face.
19. A connector assembly for connecting to at least one structural
member, comprising: a connecting member; at least one elongated
slot formed in the connecting member, the elongated slot including
opposed edges; a breakaway washer connected to the slot and
including a main body having .[.a fastener center opening and.]. at
least one tab projecting from the main body and connected to one
edge of the slot such that the main body is suspended in the slot
by the at least one tab.[.;.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.the main body of the
breakaway washer including a face; .Iadd.and .Iaddend. a fastener
having a flange and a shaft .[.extending through the centering
opening, the flange of the fastener facing the face of the
breakaway washer.]. .Iadd.configured to engage the breakaway
washer.Iaddend.; one or more dimples or a burr formed on the face
of the breakaway washer and elevated with respect to the face of
the breakaway washer .Iadd.and configured .Iaddend.for engaging the
flange of the fastener such that there exists a space between the
flange of the fastener and the connecting member; and wherein the
breakaway washer is configured such that when a force is applied to
the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer will break away
.Iadd.from the slot .Iaddend.and permit relative movement between
the slot and the combination of the breakaway washer.[.,.].
.Iadd.and .Iaddend.fastener.[., and connecting member.]..
20. The connector assembly of claim 19 including the burr and
wherein the burr extends around .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.fastener
centering opening .Iadd.in the main body of the breakaway washer
.Iaddend.and is at least slightly elevated with respect to the face
of the breakaway washer.
21. The connector assembly of claim 19 wherein there is provided a
series of raised dimples formed on the face of the breakaway washer
and wherein the raised dimples are disposed outwardly of the face
of the breakaway washer.
22. The connector assembly of claim 21 wherein there is a
depression formed underneath each dimple and wherein the depression
causes the material of the breakaway washer to extend outwardly
towards the edges of the slot and effectively limits the
side-to-side movement of the breakaway washer.
Description
.[.The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat.
No. 8,181,419, issued May 22, 2012, entitled "Connector for
Connecting Building Members"..]. The contents of .[.this patent.].
.Iadd.U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,419 .Iaddend.are expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lightweight metal building
components and more particularly to connecting assemblies for
connecting metal building components together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Movable or slideable construction member connections can be
utilized in building design to prevent or limit damage due to
varying or dynamic loads. Varying loads can arise from movement of
equipment and personnel in the building as well as from
environmental factors such as high winds and seismic activity.
Flexing of construction members under varying load is expected and
acceptable within code-specified limits. However, such flexing
often means that some connections between members can cause damage
if some relative movement between the connected members is not
allowed. The building industry has recognized this problem.
Movement between connected members has been accommodated by having
sliding connections between the members to permit limited relative
movement between the members while keeping the members otherwise
securely connected together.
An approach commonly used is that of a slotted connection. In a
typical configuration, a connector in the form of a plate or
bracket is rigidly secured to or part of one of the members and
slideably connected to the other member by means of one or more
slots and fasteners. Typically the plate has slots, and shouldered
or bushed screws, are projected through slots and into the other
member. The screws are tightened to secure the members together but
yet permit the members some range of relative sliding movement. The
head of the fastener is prevented by the shoulder or bushing from
clamping against the connector plate so that the plate can move
along the length of the slot. For a more complete and detailed
description of such connection devices, reference is made to U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,906,080; 6,612,087; 5,467,566; 7,503,150; and,
8,181,419; the disclosures of these patents are expressly included
herein by reference.
The degree to which such devices function as intended is dependent
upon proper installation. For example, should a shouldered screw be
inserted and tightened off center in the slot, the shoulder would
overlap and clamp the plate to the member. This clamping would
render the connection more or less rigid and not slideable.
Avoiding this kind of improper installation requires time and
installer dexterity to properly align the screw in the slot.
A need exists for a connection assembly that will provide for easy
and accurate screw placement to prevent inadvertent clamping
together of the building members being connected and to thus
facilitate slideable connection between the members
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a metal building component that
includes an elongated slot having a breakaway washer integrally
formed therein. The breakaway washer in one embodiment includes a
series of raised dimples that extend outwardly from the face of the
washer. A fastener having a flange is inserted through a centering
opening in the washer. The fastener extends through the breakaway
washer and connects to another building structure or component. The
raised dimples provide an interface between the breakaway washer
and a flange that forms a part of the fastener. More particularly,
the raised maintain a clearance between the fastener head and the
building component so that slideability may be achieved.
In another embodiment, the breakaway washer design is similar but
in this case instead of employing the raised dimples, the breakaway
washer is provided with a raised burr. The raised burr serves as an
interface between the breakaway washer and the flange of the
fastener, maintaining a clearance between the fastener head and the
building component so that slideability may be achieved.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
track that includes one or more breakaway washers in both the
flanges and the web of the track. This enables the track to move
vertically and horizontally once the breakaway washers break away
from the slots.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and
the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal building track having the
breakaway washer incorporated therein.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the face of the breakaway
washer.
FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken through the line 2A-2A of FIG.
2.
FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken through the line 2B-2B of FIG.
2.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing the backside of the
breakaway washer connected in a slot.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a building
structure showing the use of the breakaway washer to connect a
series of studs to a track.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fastener employed with the
breakaway washer.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the fastener
extending through the breakaway washer.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the line 7-7 of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view showing an alternate design for
the breakaway washer.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through the line 9-9 of FIG.
8.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the fastener extending through
the breakaway washer shown in FIG. 8 and into an engagement with an
adjacent said.
FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of the breakaway washer incorporated
into a plate or clip structure.
FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the plate or clip structure
of FIG. 11 interconnecting a stud with a track.
FIG. 12 is another alternate embodiment showing a track having the
breakaway washer design of the present invention incorporated into
both the flanges and web of the track.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
With further reference to the drawings, a building structure or
connector assembly is shown therein. With reference to FIG. 1 there
is shown a metal track indicated generally by the numeral 2. Metal
track 2 includes a pair of flanges 2B and a web 2A. Each flange
includes a series of spaced apart slots 14. As seen in FIG. 1, each
slot 14 is elongated and extends generally vertically. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the track 2 is configured
to connect to one or more studs via the flanges 2B. In addition,
the web 2A of the track is typically connected to another building
component or structure such as a floor or ceiling structure.
Incorporated into the slots 14 of the building member 2 is a
breakaway metal washer 20. The breakaway washer 20 shown in FIGS.
1-3 is designed to break away from its respective slot in response
to a certain force or load being applied to the breakaway washer.
The term "breakaway washer" means a member having a fastener
opening and disposed in an elongated slot and initially fixed
relative to the slot but designed to break away from the slot in
response to a certain force being applied to it and to allow
relative motion between the slot and the breakaway washer after it
has broken away from the slot. The term "breakaway washer" does not
imply a meaning normally associated with a conventional washer.
Viewing the breakaway washer 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same
includes a main body. Projecting from the main body is a pair of
offset tabs 20B. As seen in the drawings, the offset tabs 20B join
opposed edges of one slot 14. One advantage of the present design
for the breakaway washer 20 is that the width of the tabs 20B can
be more closely controlled. This provides the ability to adjust the
actual force required to break the washer 20 loose. The main body
of the breakaway washer 20 includes a fastener-centering opening 22
for receiving the shaft of a fastener 16 to be described
subsequently herein. The main body further includes a face 20A. The
face 20A of the main body faces outwardly and the face is generally
flat and includes a surface area.
Formed in the main body of the breakaway washer 20 is a series of
dimples 20C. The dimples 20C project outwardly from the face 20A of
the breakaway washer 20. More particularly, the series of dimples
20C project slightly out of the planar face of the main body of the
breakaway washer 20. The height of the dimples can vary but in one
embodiment, the dimple height is approximately 0.005 inches above
the planar surface of the face 20A. As will be discussed later, the
purpose of the dimples 20C is to provide clearance between the
screw head and the main body of the flange 2B. In one embodiment,
the slot 14 should be able to move relative to the breakaway washer
20 when the washer actually breaks away. If the fastener binds the
breakaway washer to the flange 2B, then it is possible that the
breakaway washer will not freely move within the slot 14. Thus the
dimples 20C effectively provide clearance between the face 16C of
the fastener 16 and the main body of the flange 2B, and that makes
it more likely that when the breakaway washer actually breaks away
in the slot 14 that the slot can freely move relative to the
breakaway washer.
FIG. 3 shows the backside of the breakaway washer. Opposite the
dimples 20C is a series of slight depressions 20D. When the
depressions 20D are formed, this tends to disperse metal in the
breakaway washer 20 and causes the formation of the arcuate bulges
20G. See FIGS. 2 and 3. The arcuate bulges 20G occupy space and
tend to partially close the gap between the main body of the washer
20 and the edges of the slot 14. This has the advantage of limiting
the side-to-side movement of the main body once the washer has
broken away from the slot 14. The arcuate bulges 20G are optional.
In other embodiments, there would be no arcuate bulges 20G. Instead
the opposed sides of the breakaway washer 20 would be straight. In
addition the main body includes upper and lower edges 20E and side
edges 20F.
Forming a part of the connector assembly or the building assembly
of the present invention is a fastener indicated generally by the
numeral 16. Fastener 16 includes an enlarged head or flange 16B.
Flange 16B includes a face 16C and the fastener 16 further includes
a shaft 16D. The design of the assembly disclosed herein is aimed
at making the fastener 16 a conventional fastener. Typically
fastener 16 is a so called "modified truss-head" screw also known
as a "lath" screw. See FIG. 5. Note the enlarged flange 16B of the
fastener 16. The flange 16B is wider than the width of the slot 14.
In the embodiments illustrated herein, there is no shoulder
provided between the flange 16B and the shaft 16D. Again the
fastener 16 is a conventional fastener. This has the advantage of
making it easier for contractors to obtain rather than having to
order special screws, especially screws having a certain size
shoulder.
A typical application of the track 2 is shown in FIG. 4. Here track
2 is connected to a series of studs 3 and to a floor or ceiling
structure 1. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,
the connection that exists between the studs 3 and the track 2
enable relative movement between the track and the studs.
At each connection point between the track 2 and the stud 3, the
fastener 16 projects through the fastener center opening 22 and the
breakaway washer 20 and into the flange 3B of the stud 3. Note that
the dimples 20C face the face 16C of the fastener 16. As the
fastener 16 is screwed into the flange 3B of the stud 3, the face
16C of the fastener will only contact the raised dimples 20C. That
is the dimples 20C serve as a separator between the main body of
the flange 2B and the face 16C of the fastener. In other words, the
dimples 20C tightly clamp the breakaway washer 20 against the
flange 3B of the stud but allow movement of the slot relative to
the breakaway washer. As discussed above, this assures that once
the breakaway washer is broken loose from the slot the slot can
move freely about the washer and enable relative movement between
the track 2 and the studs 3.
Note FIGS. 2A and 2B which show the dimples 20C raised above the
planar surface of the main body of the breakaway washer 20. Also in
FIGS. 2A and 2B it can be seen that by forming the dimples 20C that
the underlying depressions of 20D cause portions of the metal to
bulge out to one side to form the arcuate bulges 20G that tend to
limit the side-to-side movement of the breakaway washer 20 when it
breaks loose from the slot 14. Note that FIG. 6 shows the fastener
flange 16B is sufficiently wide that it bridges the slot 14. Note
in FIG. 7 where the dimples 20C are only slightly elevated over the
face 20A of the breakaway washer 20 but that the dimples prevent
the flange 16B from directly engaging the track flange 2B. More
particularly, the washer 20 is only engaged to the stud flange 3B
by the flange 16B via the dimples 20C.
Turning to FIGS. 8-10, another embodiment for the breakaway washer
20 is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-7. The main distinction is that the dimples 20C have been
replaced with a burr 40. Note in FIG. 8 where the burr 40 is formed
around the fastener centering opening 22 adjacent the face 20A of
the breakaway washer 20. This is particularly shown in FIG. 9. Note
that in this example that the burr 40 extends approximately 0.010
inches above the face 20A of the breakaway washer 20. Thus when the
fastener 16 is extended through the centering opening 22 the flange
16B will engage the burr 40 and not the face 20A of the breakaway
washer 20. Thus the burr 40 serves the same function as the raised
dimples 20C discussed above. Note in FIG. 10 where the slightly
upwardly extending burr 40 engages the face 16C of the flange 16B
and basically causes the flange 16B to be spaced from both the face
20A of the washer 20 and the flange 2B of the track 2. Again the
fastener 16 clamps the washer 20 tightly against the flange 3B of
the stud 3 but allows movement of the slot relative to the
breakaway washer.
The breakaway washer 20 can be employed in various building
components such as components that interconnect building members.
For example, the breakaway washer 20 can be employed in a
connecting plate or bracket such as that shown in FIG. 11 and
indicated generally by the numeral 12. That is, the breakaway
washer 20 having the raised dimples 20C or the burr 40 can be
incorporated into the slots 14 of the plate 12. Plate 12 is bent in
the form of a clip having a clip web 12A and a clip flange 12B
disposed at approximately a right angle to the clip web. A bend in
12C is formed between the flange 12B and web 12A. The breakaway
washer 20 having the raised dimples 20C is disposed within each
slot 14 and the tabs thereof, tabs 20B, are connected to the edges
of the slot. As noted above, the plate 12 can be utilized as part
of a connecting assembly for connecting two building members
together. For example the plate can be utilized to connect a stud
to a track structure. In such an example, the web 12A is placed
against the web 3A of the stud and fastener 16 is inserted through
the breakaway washers 20 into the web of the stud. The flange 12B
is in turn secured to the web of the track 2. Thus when the washers
20 break away from the slots 14 it follows that there can be
relative movement between the studs 3 and the track 2. This example
is illustrated in FIG. 11A.
Turning to FIG. 12, an alternative design for the track 2 is shown.
In this case, there is provided breakaway washers 20 in the web 2A.
Further there is provided a series of slots 14 in the web 2A. These
slots 14 are longitudinally aligned with the web 2A. That is, the
slots 14 in the web 2A extend generally normal with respect to the
slots 14 in the flanges 2B. The breakaway washers 20 formed in the
slots 14 in the web 2A are generally planar and do not include the
raised dimples 20C or the burr 40 in this particular embodiment. It
is appreciated that the breakaway washer 20 provided in the web 2A
could include a design utilizing the raised dimples 20C or the burr
40. It is conversely appreciated that the design using the planar
breakaway washers in the web 2A could be substituted for the
dimpled or burred breakaway washer design in the flange 2B, where a
shouldered screw would be used instead of a shouldered, powder
actuated fastener.
To attach the track 2 to an adjacent structure, the fastener
provided is what is commonly referred to as a powder actuated
fastener. In the FIG. 12 embodiment the powder actuated fastener is
indicated generally by the numeral 50. It includes a head 50A, a
shoulder 50B and a shaft 50C. The shoulder 50B is designed to
engage the breakaway washer 20. This is to prevent the fastener
head 50A from directly engaging the web 2A and clamping it tightly
against the adjacent building structure. The diameter of the
shoulder 50B is smaller than the width of the slot 14.
In the case of the FIG. 12 embodiment, the breakaway washers 20
incorporated into the side flanges 2B are similar to those shown in
FIGS. 1-3 with the raised dimples 20C. The advantage of the track 2
shown in FIG. 12 is that because of the breakaway washers 20 exist
in both the flanges 2B and the web 2A, the track can move both
horizontally and vertically. The breakaway washers 20 provided in
the web 2A enable horizontal movement or drift while the breakaway
washers 20 provided in the flanges 2B enable the track 2 to move
vertically.
The terms "underside", "downward", "upward", "top", "bottom",
"upper side", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical" and similar terms
or variation of the terms may be used throughout this disclosure.
The terms are used merely to illustrate various embodiments and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other
specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from
the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The
present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as
illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the
meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended
to be embraced therein.
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