Restrained joint apparatus and method for making the same
View Patent ↗A restrained joint apparatus, applications of the apparatus, and methods for making the apparatus are described. The apparatus is a wood-frame coupling that establishes the restrained joint with movement resistance and moment resistance of a wood member coupled with a frame. The frame includes a body with a wall. The frame can be a unitary structure wherein the wall of the body is arranged to replace an outer perimeter of the end of the wood member so that the wood member and the frame form the wood-frame coupling. In another embodiment, the frame is formed of a plurality of frame plates joined together about the perimeter of the wood member. The invention includes various applications for the wood-frame coupling where a restrained joint is useful. The invention includes a method of making the wood-frame coupling wherein the first described is forced onto and into the end of the wood member.
1 . A coupling system to establish a joint that provides movement resistance and moment resistance to a structural member, the system comprising:
a wood-frame coupling comprising a frame having a body including a wall extending continuously therearound and defining an outer wall and an inner wall that establishes an enclosed inner perimeter; and
a wood member having an end defining an outer perimeter,
wherein the wall of the frame defines an inner space within the inner wall configured to receive a portion of the end of the wood member therein,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the inner perimeter of the frame is smaller in magnitude than a cross-sectional area of the outer perimeter of the wood member,
wherein the wall of the body of the frame is configured to replace the outer perimeter of the end of the wood member such that there is substantially no gap between the wood member and the frame forming the wood-frame coupling, and
wherein the frame is coupled to the end of the wood member by exerting static constrained compression onto the end of the wood member, wherein the compression is established through exertion of an external mechanical force to the end of the wood member by the frame.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a flange joined to an end of the body.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more flanges joined to one or more sides of the body.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more preformed holes located in an end of the body, one or more sides of the body, or a combination thereof for inserting fasteners, screws, or bolts therein, to augment the wood-frame coupling.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle or multiple receptacles joined in any configuration to the body and arranged to attach and restrain a separate frame with established wood-frame coupling or multiple separate frames with established wood-frame couplings to the body.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising attachments including hooks, rods, or plates joined in any configuration to the body and arranged to attach and restrain a separate frame with established wood-frame coupling or multiple separate frames with established wood-frame couplings or other wood members to the body.