Non-metallic joist hanger

1. A non-metallic joist hanger including

a) a substantially U-shaped receiving channel defined by a pair of spaced apart side wall flanges and a base wall to receive a portion of a joist,

b) at least one attachment flange extending transversely from the spaced apart side wall flanges to attach to a transverse beam, each of the side wall flanges and attachment flange having a number of openings there through to receive elongate fasteners,

c) at least one arcuate bracing structure extending between each side wall flange and the at least one attachment flange; and

d) at least one secondary bracing structure extending substantially coplanar with the base wall of the channel between the side wall flange of the channel and the adjacent at least one attachment flange.

2. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of arcuate bracing structures is provided, one on either side of the channel, each bracing structure being substantially triangular shaped with one portion abutting one of the side wall flanges and a second portion abutting one of the attachment flanges.

3. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 2 wherein each bracing structure is located between the side wall flange of the channel and the attachment flange immediately adjacent the side wall flange of the channel.

4. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein an arcuate bracing structure is provided at an internal, upper corner between the side wall flange of the channel and the attachment flange immediately adjacent the side wall flange of the channel, and finishes substantially flush with an upper edge of the joist hanger and terminates between approximately one third to one half down a height of the hanger from the upper edge.

5. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein each bracing structure is partially spherical in shape, arcuate in at least 2 directions or planes.

6. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of spaced apart coplanar attachment flanges is provided.

7. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein a number of openings are formed into each of the side wall flanges and the at least one attachment flange through which fasteners are received to attach the non-metallic joist hanger to the joist and transverse beam.

8. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least some of the openings provided have reinforced surrounds.

9. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 8 wherein, the reinforced surrounds of the openings provided on the side wall flanges have enlarged, button surrounds, substantially annular shape with the opening through the button surround.

10. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 9 wherein the button surround is a thickened portion of material.

11. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one secondary bracing structure is planar.

12. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more spacer ridges are provided on the base wall connecting the flanges configured to space the joist above the base wall.

13. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 12 wherein a pair of spacer ridges are provided parallel to one another, spaced apart and extend across the width of the base wall.

14. A non-metallic joist hanger including

a) a substantially U-shaped receiving channel defined by a pair of spaced apart side wall flanges and a base wall to receive a portion of a joist,

b) at least one attachment flange extending transversely from the spaced apart side wall flanges to attach to a transverse beam, each of the side wall flanges and attachment flange having a number of openings there through to receive elongate fasteners, and

c) at least one arcuate bracing structure extending between each side wall flange and the at least one attachment flange,

wherein a number of openings are formed into each of the side wall flanges and the at least one attachment flange through which fasteners are received to attach the non-metallic joist hanger to the joist and transverse beam,

wherein at least some of the openings provided have reinforced surrounds, and

wherein, the reinforced surrounds of the openings provided on the at least one attachment flange have raised bar surround, each bar surround being elongate extending from the side wall flange laterally over the at least one attachment flange with an arcuate end portion having the opening therethrough.

15. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 14 wherein, the reinforced bar surrounds provided on the attachment flanges are of different lengths relative to the side wall flange in order to offset the openings through each attachment flange from each other opening in the attachment flange.

16. A non-metallic joist hanger as claimed in claim 14 wherein the raised bar surrounds are each a hollow, raised portion extending above the level of the attachment flange relative to which the bar surround is provided.