BUILDING STRUCTURAL CONNECTOR
A structural connector is provided that limits transmissions of vibrations between connected structural elements in a building or structure. The structural connector is formed from two opposing sheets with a vibration damping material connecting the two.
1 . A structural connector comprising:
a first sheet;
a second sheet opposing the first sheet;
a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet, such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet; and
a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material.
2 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the vibration damping material is a visco-elastic material.
3 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the first sheet further comprises an extended portion extending away from the vibration damping material.
4 . The structural connector of claim 3 wherein the second sheet comprises a flat portion, and two side portions extending perpendicularly from the flat portion towards the first sheet, the two side portions bounding at least a part of the vibration damping material, the first sheet extending portion being parallel to the flat portion and perpendicular to the two side portions.
5 . The structural connector of claim 3 wherein the extending portion of the first sheet defines a plurality of apertures.
6 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing structure is a protrusion along a length of the first sheet extending toward the second sheet, the protrusion having a T shaped cross section.
7 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing structure extends toward the second sheet and is formed as a reinforcing ladder, the reinforcing ladder comprising an elongate element, and a plurality of rungs attaching the elongate element to the first sheet.
8 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing structure extends toward the second sheet and further comprising a second reinforcing structure extending from the second sheet towards the first sheet and into the vibration damping material.
9 . The structural connector of claim 1 wherein a spacing between the first sheet and the second sheet is sized to receive a fastener through the first sheet and into the vibration damping material without the fastener contacting the second sheet.
10 . A structure comprising the structural connector of claim 1 and further comprising a building joist connected to the first sheet.
11 . A structure comprising the structural connector of claim 1 and further comprising a plate of a wall assembly connected to the first sheet.
12 . The structure of claim 10 further comprising a plate of a wall assembly connected to the second sheet.
13 . The structural connector of claim 10 further comprising a rafter connected to the second sheet.
14 . A structure comprising:
a structural connector comprising:
a first sheet;
a second sheet opposing the first sheet;
a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet, such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet; and
a first building structural element and a second building structural element joined together by a connection of the first structural element to the first sheet and a connection of the second structural element to the second sheet.
15 . The structure of claim 14 further comprising a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material.
16 . The structure of claim 15 further comprising a second reinforcing structure extending from the second sheet toward the first sheet and into the vibration damping material.
17 . The structure of claim 14 wherein the first sheet further comprises an extended portion extending away from the vibration damping material.
18 . The structure of claim 14 wherein the reinforcing structure is a protrusion along a length of the first sheet.
19 . A method of soundproofing a room during construction of the room comprising the steps of:
connecting a plurality of studs to a top plate and a bottom plate;
fastening the top plate to a ceiling assembly using a plurality of structural connectors, one of the plurality of structural connectors used at each of a first plurality of connection points, each of the plurality of structural connectors comprising:
a first sheet;
a second sheet opposing the first sheet; and
a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet;
a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material;
fastening the bottom plate to a floor assembly using the plurality of structural connectors, one of the plurality of structural connectors used at each of a second plurality of connection points.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of attaching a sheetrock panel to a wall using a second plurality of the structural connectors, the attaching comprising:
fastening one of the second plurality of structural connectors to the wall;
fastening a furring strip to each of the second plurality of structural connectors; and
fastening the sheetrock panel to the furring strip attached to each of the second plurality of structural connectors.