Modular i-joist notch reinforcer
View Patent ↗An i-joist web plate 14 has a notch 18 at the top 24 , and an i-joist notch flange 16 formed from a C-shape in which the ends are bent three times forming walls 26, 28, 30 , and 32 . The first wall 26 bridging the notch in which each of the ends of the C-shape has three walls 28, 30 , and 32 , and a plurality of openings 22 disposed in the web plate 14 with openings 22 along the top 24 thereof that correspond to the plurality of openings 22 in the fourth walls 32 of the notch flange 16.
1 . An i-Joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) for reinforcing a web and flange (F) of an i-Joist (J), comprising:
an i-joist web plate ( 14 ) and an i-joist notch flange ( 16 );
the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) having a notch ( 18 ) disposed in the middle of the top ( 24 ) thereof;
the i-joist notch flange ( 16 ) formed from a C-shaped cut of sheet material in which the ends of the C-shape are bent three times forming walls, a first wall ( 26 ), a second wall ( 28 ), a third wall ( 30 ), and a fourth wall ( 32 ), in which each wall ( 26 ), ( 28 ), ( 30 ), or ( 32 ), has a length and a width, the first wall ( 26 ) bridging the notch ( 18 ) between the two ends of the C-shape;
each of the ends of the C-shape having three of the walls, the second wall ( 28 ), the third wall ( 30 ), and the fourth wall ( 32 ), the second wall ( 28 ) and the fourth wall ( 32 ) have a plurality of openings along the lengths thereof,
a corresponding plurality of openings ( 22 ) are disposed in the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) with openings ( 22 ) disposed along the top ( 24 ) thereof that correspond to the plurality of openings in the fourth wall ( 32 ) of each of the ends of the C-shape of the notch flange ( 16 ).
2 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
some of the plurality of openings in the web plate ( 14 ) opposite the notch ( 18 ) and the top ( 24 ) have a pattern.
3 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
the third wall ( 30 ) has a width corresponding to a width of the flange (F) of the i-joist (J).
4 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 2 , further comprising:
a plurality of openings ( 22 ) in the first wall ( 26 ) of the notch flange.
5 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 2 , wherein:
the pattern in the plurality of openings ( 22 ) are mirror reflections of each other, as defined by a vertical plane centered through a weak region of the flange (F) of the i-joist (J).
6 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
the second wall ( 28 ) of the notch flange ( 16 ) has the plurality of openings ( 22 ) disposed along the length thereof in a staggered pattern.
7 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
the third wall ( 30 ) being blank with no openings ( 22 ) therethrough.
8 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of fasteners ( 20 ) that fit the plurality of openings ( 22 ).
9 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
the third wall ( 30 ) of the notch flange ( 16 ) correspond to around about 1.5″, about 2.5″, and about 3.5″ i-joist flange (F) widths.
10 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , wherein:
the third wall ( 30 ) of the notch flange ( 16 ) is blank with no openings ( 22 ).
11 . A method for reinforcing an i-joist (J) flange (F) comprising:
providing an i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) with an i-joist web plate ( 14 ) and an i-joist notch flange ( 16 ),
the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) having a notch ( 18 ) disposed in the middle of the top ( 24 ) thereof, the i-joist notch flange ( 16 ) formed from a C-shaped cut of sheet material in which the ends of the C-shape are bent three times forming walls, a first wall ( 26 ), a second wall ( 28 ), a third wall ( 30 ), and a fourth wall ( 32 ), in which each wall ( 26 ), ( 28 ), ( 30 ), or ( 32 ), has a length and a width, the first wall ( 26 ) bridging the notch ( 18 ) between the two ends of the C-shape,
each of the ends of the C-shape having three of the walls, the second wall ( 28 ), the third wall ( 30 ), and the fourth wall ( 32 ), the second wall ( 28 ) and the fourth wall ( 32 ) have a plurality of openings along the lengths thereof, a plurality of corresponding openings ( 22 ) are disposed in the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) with openings ( 22 ) disposed along the top ( 24 ) thereof that correspond to the plurality of openings in the fourth wall ( 32 ) of each of the ends of the C-shape of the notch flange ( 16 );
positioning the notch flange ( 16 ) on the i-joist (J) Flange (F) centered on a weak region of the i-joist;
installing one fastener ( 20 ) on each end of the notch flange ( 16 ) leaving fasteners loose enough to allow a small amount of play;
placing web plate ( 14 ) against the i-joist web (J) and slide it behind the fourth wall ( 32 ) of the notch flange ( 16 ) using one fastener ( 20 ) at each end of the web plate ( 14 ) and attach it through the notch flange ( 16 );
install a fastener ( 20 ) at each outside lower corner of the web plate ( 14 ) leaving the fasteners ( 20 ) loose enough to allow a small amount of play;
tightening loose fasteners ( 20 ), and installing and tightening all fasteners ( 20 ).
12 . The method for reinforcing an i-joist (J) of claim 11 , further comprising:
construction adhesive disposed between web plate ( 14 ) or notch flange ( 16 ) and the i-joist (J).
13 . The method for reinforcing an i-joist (J) of claim 11 , wherein:
the notch ( 18 ) is oriented either up or down at a top or bottom flange (F) of an i-joist (J).
14 . The method for reinforcing an i-joist (J) of claim 11 , further comprising:
fasteners ( 20 ) for the first wall ( 26 ) to a floor above.
15 . The method for reinforcing an i-joist (J) of claim 11 , further comprising:
predrilling holes through the openings ( 22 ) into the i-joist and installing the remaining fasteners ( 20 ) and tightening all fasteners ( 20 ).
16 . An i-Joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ), comprising:
an i-joist web plate ( 14 ) and an i-joist notch flange ( 16 );
the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) having a notch ( 18 ) disposed in the middle of the top ( 24 ) thereof;
the i-joist notch flange ( 16 ) formed from a C-shaped cut of sheet material in which the ends of the C-shape are bent three times forming walls, a first wall ( 26 ), a second wall ( 28 ), a third wall ( 30 ), and a fourth wall ( 32 ) in which each wall ( 26 ), ( 28 ), ( 30 ), or ( 32 ), has a length and a width, the first wall ( 26 ) bridging the notch ( 18 ) between the two ends of the C-shape;
each of the ends of the C-shape having three of the walls the second wall ( 28 ), the third wall ( 30 ), and the fourth wall ( 32 ), the second wall ( 28 ) and the fourth wall ( 32 ) have a plurality of openings ( 22 ) along the length thereof,
a plurality of openings ( 22 ) are disposed in the i-joist web plate ( 14 ) with openings ( 22 ) disposed along the top ( 24 ) thereof that correspond to the plurality of openings in the fourth wall ( 32 ) of each of the ends of the C-shape of the notch flange ( 16 );
wherein the third wall ( 30 ) has a width corresponding to a standard width of a flange (F) of an i-joist (J).
17 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 16 , wherein:
some of the plurality of openings in the web plate ( 14 ) opposite the notch ( 18 ) and tops ( 24 ) has a pattern.
18 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 17 , wherein:
the pattern in the plurality of openings ( 22 ) are mirror reflections of each other, as defined by a vertical plane centered through a weak region of the i-joist.
19 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 16 , wherein:
the second wall ( 28 ) of the notch flange ( 16 ) has the plurality of openings ( 22 ) disposed along the length thereof in a staggered pattern; or
a plurality of openings ( 22 ) in the first wall ( 26 ) of notch flange; or
the third wall ( 30 ) being blank with no openings ( 22 ) therethrough; or
combinations thereof.
20 . The i-joist notch reinforcer ( 12 ) of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of fasteners ( 20 ) that fit the plurality of openings ( 22 ).