IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,484,927

Granted Patent B2

US 8,484,927 · App. 11/217,957 · Granted Jul 16, 2013

Right-angle girder tie

Inventor: Hien Nguyen (San Jose, CA)

Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 8,484,927
App. No.: 11/217,957
Granted: Jul 16, 2013
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

A connector for joining a supported member to a supporting member is formed with a series of angularly-joined flanges. The flanges are substantially planar and are substantially vertically oriented, when joining the supported member to the supporting member. The connector allows the end of a supported truss to be connected to a vertical member in the open web of a supporting truss.

Claims (108)

1. A connection ( 15 ) comprising:

(a) a connector ( 1 ) comprising:

(b) a first flange ( 2 ) having:

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 5 ); and

ii. a first edge ( 6 ); and

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 7 ); wherein

A. said second flange ( 3 ) is angularly joined to said first flange ( 2 ) at a first juncture ( 8 ) that is at least partially opposite said first edge ( 6 ) of said first flange ( 2 ) across said first flange ( 2 );

(d) a third flange ( 4 ) having:

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 9 );

ii. a second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) integrally joined to said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) in substantially the same plane as said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ), the joining of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) and said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) occurring in the same plane as said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) and said first substantially planar portion ( 9 );

iii. a first edge ( 11 ) on said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ); and

iv. a second edge ( 18 ) on said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ); wherein:

A. said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) is angularly joined to said second flange ( 3 ) at a second juncture ( 12 ) that is at least partially opposite said first edge ( 11 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) across said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 );

B. said second juncture ( 12 ) is at least partially opposite said first juncture ( 8 ) across said second flange ( 3 );

C. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) extends past said second juncture ( 12 );

D. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) extends away from said first edge ( 11 ) of said third flange ( 4 );

E. at least part of said second edge ( 18 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) is oriented in the same direction as said first edge ( 6 ) of said first flange ( 2 ), and at least part of said second edge ( 18 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) is oriented in substantially the opposite direction from said first edge ( 11 ) of said third flange ( 4 ); wherein a supporting structural member ( 16 ) is fastened to said second flange ( 3 ) and said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ); and a supported structural member ( 17 ) is fastened to said first flange ( 2 ) and said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ); said supporting structural member ( 16 ) has a top chord ( 19 ), a bottom chord ( 20 ), and at least one web member ( 21 ) extending between said top chord ( 19 ) and said bottom chord ( 20 ); said connector ( 1 ) interfaces with said web member ( 21 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 ); said supported structural member ( 17 ) has a top chord ( 22 ), a bottom chord ( 23 ) and an end member ( 24 ) extending between said top chord ( 22 ) and said bottom chord ( 23 ); and said connector ( 1 ) interfaces with said end member ( 24 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 ); wherein

F. said web member ( 21 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 ) is part of a web ( 27 ) between said top chord ( 19 ) and said bottom chord ( 20 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 );

G. said web member ( 21 ) has first and second substantially planar adjacent sides ( 26 );

H. said first side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) is within said web ( 27 ) and said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) faces out of said web ( 27 );

I. said second flange ( 3 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) with a plurality of fasteners;

J. said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with and is attached to said first side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) with a plurality of fasteners;

K. said end member ( 24 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 ) is part of a web ( 28 ) between said top chord ( 22 ) and said bottom chord ( 23 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 );

L. said end member ( 24 ) has first and second substantially planar sides ( 29 ) and said end member ( 24 ) substantially interfaces with said second flange ( 3 );

M. said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) faces out of said web ( 28 ) and said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) faces out of said web ( 28 ) in the opposite direction from said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 );

N. said first flange ( 2 ) interfaces with and is attached to said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) with a plurality of fasteners;

O. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) with a plurality of fasteners; and

P. said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) has four sides ( 32 );

Q. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) has four sides ( 33 );

R. one of said sides ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 );

S. said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) that is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) is shorter than said side ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) to which it is joined;

T. said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) that is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) has two ends ( 34 );

U. said side ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ), to which said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) is integrally joined, extends beyond both of said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

V. at least two of the plurality of fasteners in said second flange ( 3 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

W. at least two of the plurality of fasteners in said first flange ( 2 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

X. at least two of the plurality of fasteners in said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ); and

Y. wherein no flange coplanar with said first flange ( 2 ) extends past said first juncture ( 8 ).

2. The connection ( 15 ) of claim 1 , wherein:

(a) said supporting structural member ( 16 ) and said supported structural member ( 17 ) are made primarily of metal.

3. The connection ( 15 ) of claim 2 , wherein:

(a) said supporting structural member ( 16 ) and said structural member ( 17 ) are made primarily of hollow steel.

4. The connection ( 15 ) of claim 3 , wherein:

(a) said supporting structural member ( 16 ) and said supported structural member ( 17 ) are fastened to said connector ( 1 ) with separate fasteners ( 25 ).

5. The connection ( 15 ) of claim 4 , wherein:

(a) said separate fasteners ( 25 ) are screws ( 25 ) and said second flange ( 3 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said planar portion ( 7 ) of said second flange ( 3 );

(b) said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with and is attached to said first side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said first planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 );

(c) said first flange ( 2 ) interfaces with and is attached to said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said planar portion ( 5 ) of said first flange ( 2 );

(d) said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said second planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ).

6. The connection of claim 1 , wherein:

(a) said first flange ( 2 ) has at least one reinforcing embossment ( 13 ).

7. The connection of claim 6 , wherein:

(a) said third flange ( 4 ) has at least one reinforcing embossment ( 13 ).

8. The connection of claim 7 , wherein:

(a) said at least one reinforcing embossment ( 13 ) in said first flange ( 2 ) is elongated and oriented substantially perpendicular to said first juncture ( 8 ).

9. The connection of claim 8 , wherein:

(a) said at least one reinforcing embossment ( 13 ) in said third flange ( 4 ) is elongated, oriented substantially perpendicular to said second juncture ( 12 ), and spans from said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) to said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ).

10. The connection of claim 9 , wherein:

(a) said second flange ( 3 ) is orthogonal to said first flange ( 2 ) and to said third flange ( 4 ); and

(b)said first flange ( 2 ) and said third flange ( 4 ) occupy substantially parallel planes.

11. A method of forming a connection ( 15 ), comprising:

(a) providing a connector ( 1 ), said connector comprising:

(b) a first flange ( 2 ) having :

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 5 ); and

ii. a first edge ( 6 ); and

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 7 ); wherein

(d) a third flange ( 4 ) having:

i. a first substantially planar portion ( 9 );

iii. a first edge ( 11 ) on said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ); and

iv. a second edge ( 18 ) on said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ); wherein:

B. said second juncture ( 12 ) is at least partially opposite said first juncture ( 8 ) across said second flange ( 3 );

C. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) extends past said second juncture ( 12 );

D. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) extends away from said first edge ( 11 ) of said third flange ( 4 );

(e) providing a supporting structural member ( 16 ) and a supported structural member ( 17 ); said supporting structural member ( 16 ) has a top chord ( 19 ), a bottom chord ( 20 ), and at least one web member ( 21 ) extending between said top chord ( 19 ) and said bottom chord ( 20 ); said connector ( 1 ) interfaces with said web member ( 21 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 ); said supported structural member ( 17 ) has a top chord ( 22 ), a bottom chord ( 23 ) and an end member ( 24 ) extending between said top chord ( 22 ) and said bottom chord ( 23 ); and said connector ( 1 ) interfaces with said end member ( 24 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 ); wherein

i. said web member ( 21 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 ) is part of a web ( 27 ) between said top chord ( 19 ) and said bottom chord ( 20 ) of said supporting structural member ( 16 );

ii. said web member ( 21 ) has first and second substantially planar adjacent sides ( 26 );

iii. said first side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) is within said web ( 27 ) and said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) faces out of said web ( 27 );

iv. said second flange ( 3 ) interfaces with said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 );

v. said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with said first side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 );

vi. said end member ( 24 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 ) is part of a web ( 28 ) between said top chord ( 22 ) and said bottom chord ( 23 ) of said supported structural member ( 17 );

vii. said end member ( 24 ) has first and second substantially planar sides ( 29 ) and said end member ( 24 ) substantially interfaces with said second flange ( 3 );

viii. said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) faces out of said web ( 28 ) and said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) faces out of said web ( 28 ) in the opposite direction from said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 );

ix. said first flange ( 2 ) interfaces with said first side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 );

x. said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ),

(f) driving a plurality of screws ( 25 ) through said second flange ( 3 ) into said supporting structural member ( 16 );

(g)driving a plurality of screws ( 25 ) through said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) into said supporting structural member ( 16 );

(h)driving a plurality of screws ( 25 ) through said first flange ( 2 ) into said supported structural member ( 17 ); and

(i) driving a plurality of screws ( 25 ) through said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) into said supported structural member ( 17 ); and wherein

(j) said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) has four sides ( 32 );

(k)said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) has four sides ( 33 );

(l) one of said sides ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 );

(m) said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) that is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) is shorter than said side ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) to which it is joined;

(n) said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) that is integrally joined to one of said sides ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) has two ends ( 34 );

(o) said side ( 32 ) of said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ), to which said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) is integrally joined, extends beyond both of said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

(p) at least two of the plurality of screws ( 25 ) in said second flange ( 3 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

(q) at least two of the plurality of screws ( 25 ) in said first flange ( 2 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 );

(r) at least two of the plurality of screws ( 25 ) in said first substantially planar portion ( 9 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) are separated by a distance greater than the distance between said ends ( 34 ) of said side ( 33 ) of said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ); and

(s) wherein no flange coplanar with said first flange ( 2 ) extends past said first juncture ( 8 ).

12. The connection of claim 11 , wherein:

(a) said supporting structural member ( 16 ) and said supported structural member ( 17 ) are made primarily of hollow steel and said second flange ( 3 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 26 ) of said web member ( 21 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said planar portion ( 7 ) of said second flange ( 3 );

(d)said second substantially planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ) interfaces with and is attached to said second side ( 29 ) of said end member ( 24 ) with said plurality of screws ( 25 ) driven orthogonally to said second planar portion ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 4 ).

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2005

From: NGUYEN, HIEN

To: SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC.

Reel/Frame 016812/0670 →

Continuity (1)

Related Publication 20070044421A1 · Mar 1, 2007