Skewed girder tie

1. A connection ( 1 ) comprising:

a. a supporting structural member ( 2 );

b. a generally horizontal, supported structural member ( 3 ), having a substantially vertical first end ( 4 ); wherein

i. said supported structural member ( 3 ) is not parallel to said supporting structural member ( 2 );

ii. said supported structural member ( 3 ) is not orthogonal to said supporting structural member ( 2 );

iii. said first end ( 4 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is connected to said supporting structural member ( 2 ) with a connector ( 5 ); and

iv. said supported structural member ( 3 ) is supported by said supporting structural member ( 2 );

c. said connector ( 5 ), connecting said first end ( 4 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) to said supporting structural member ( 2 ); said connector ( 5 ) having:

i. a first flange ( 6 ), having an interface side ( 10 ) interfacing with said supported structural member ( 3 ) and an open side ( 11 );

ii. a second flange ( 7 ), having an interface side ( 10 ) interfacing with said supported structural structural member ( 3 ) and an open side ( 11 ), said second flange ( 7 ) being integrally attached to said first flange ( 6 ) at a first bend ( 12 );

iii. a third flange ( 8 ), having an interface side ( 10 ) interfacing with said supporting structural member ( 2 ) and an open side ( 11 ), said third flange ( 8 ) being integrally attached to said second flange ( 7 ) at a second bend ( 13 );

iv. a fourth flange ( 9 ), having an interface side ( 10 ) interfacing with said supporting structural member ( 2 ) and an open side ( 11 ), said fourth flange ( 9 ) being integrally attached to said third flange ( 8 ) at a third bend ( 14 ), wherein:

(a) said connector ( 5 ) has a first angle ( 15 ) between said interface side ( 10 ) of said first flange ( 6 ) and said interface side ( 10 ) of said second flange ( 7 ), and said first angle ( 15 ) is less than 180 degrees;

(b)said connector ( 5 ) has a second angle ( 16 ) between said open side ( 11 ) of said second flange ( 7 ) and said open side ( 11 ) of said third flange ( 8 ), said second angle ( 16 ) is less than 180 degrees; and

(c) said connector ( 5 ) has a third angle ( 17 ) between said interface side ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 8 ) and said interface side ( 10 ) of said fourth flange ( 9 ), and said third angle ( 17 ) is less than 180 degrees; wherein:

d. said supporting structural member ( 2 ) has first and second adjacent sides ( 18 ) joined at an edge ( 19 ), said first of said adjacent sides ( 18 ) interfacing with said interface side ( 10 ) of said fourth flange ( 9 ), said second of said adjacent sides ( 18 ) interfacing with said interface side ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 8 ); and

e. said supported structural member ( 3 ) has first and second adjacent sides ( 20 ) joined at an edge ( 21 ), said first of said adjacent sides ( 20 ) interfacing with said interface side ( 10 ) of said second flange ( 7 ), said second of said adjacent sides ( 20 ) interfacing with said interface side ( 10 ) of said first flange ( 6 ), wherein:

i. said first of said adjacent sides ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 10 ) of said fourth flange ( 9 );

ii. said second of said adjacent sides ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 10 ) of said third flange ( 8 );

iii. said first of said adjacent sides ( 20 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 10 ) of said second flange ( 7 ); and

iv. said second of said adjacent sides ( 20 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 10 ) of said first flange ( 6 ).

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

a. said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is a supporting truss ( 2 ); and

b. said supported structural member ( 3 ) is a supported truss ( 3 ).

3. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 2 wherein:

a. said supporting truss ( 2 ) is a girder truss ( 2 ); and

b. said supported truss ( 3 ) is a hip truss ( 3 ).

4. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 2 wherein:

a. said supporting truss ( 2 ) is a hip truss ( 2 ); and

b. said supported truss ( 3 ) is a jack truss ( 3 ).

5. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 1 wherein:

a. said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is a vertical chord ( 27 ) in a supporting truss; and

b. said supported structural member ( 3 ) is a vertical chord ( 27 ) in a supported truss.

6. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 2 wherein:

a. said first side ( 18 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is a side face ( 18 ) of said supported truss ( 3 );

b. said second side ( 18 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is an end face ( 18 ) of said supported truss ( 3 ),

c. said first side ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is a side face ( 18 ) of said supporting truss ( 2 ); and

d. said second side ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is an interior face ( 18 ) of said supporting truss ( 2 ).

7. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 6 wherein:

a. said supporting truss ( 2 ) has metal chords ( 27 ).

8. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 7 wherein:

a. said supported truss ( 3 ) has metal chords ( 27 ).

9. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 1 wherein:

i. said first side ( 18 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 18 ) of said first flange ( 6 ) with first mechanical fasteners ( 23 );

ii. said second side ( 18 ) of said supported structural member ( 3 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 18 ) of said second flange ( 7 ) with second mechanical fasteners ( 23 );

iii. said first side ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 18 ) of said third flange ( 8 ) with third mechanical fasteners ( 23 ); and

iv. said second side ( 18 ) of said supporting structural member ( 2 ) is fastened to said interface side ( 18 ) of said fourth flange ( 9 ) with fourth mechanical fasteners ( 23 ).

10. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 9 wherein:

a. said first, second, third and fourth mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) are screws ( 23 ).

11. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 10 wherein:

a. said third and fourth mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) are self-drilling screws ( 23 ).

12. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 10 wherein:

a. said third and fourth mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) are self-drilling metal screws ( 23 ).

13. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 10 wherein:

a. said first and second mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) are set screws ( 23 ).

14. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 13 wherein:

a. said first and second mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) have elongate shanks ( 28 );

b. said shanks ( 28 ) of said first mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) are substantially perpendicular to said shanks ( 28 ) of said second mechanical fasteners ( 23 );

c. said shanks ( 28 ) of said first mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) cross over said shanks ( 28 ) of said second mechanical fasteners ( 23 ) within said supporting structural member ( 2 ).

15. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 14 wherein:

a. said first and second fasteners ( 23 ) pass through said supported structural member ( 3 ).

16. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 1 wherein:

a. said connector ( 5 ) includes a first embossment ( 25 ) that crosses said second bend ( 13 ) from said second flange ( 7 ) to said third flange ( 8 ).

17. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 16 wherein:

a. said connector ( 5 ) includes a second embossment ( 25 ) that crosses said second bend ( 13 ) from said second flange ( 7 ) to said third flange ( 8 ).

18. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 16 wherein:

a. said first embossment ( 25 ) extends across said first bend ( 12 ) to said first flange ( 6 ) and across said third bend ( 14 ) to said fourth flange ( 9 ).

19. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 17 wherein:

a. said second embossment ( 25 ) extends across said first bend ( 12 ) to said first flange ( 6 ) and across said third bend ( 14 ) to said fourth flange ( 9 ).

20. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 1 wherein:

a. said connector ( 5 ) includes a first gusset ( 26 ) that extends from said first bend ( 12 ) across said second flange ( 7 ), said second bend ( 13 ) and said third flange ( 8 ) to said third bend ( 14 ).

21. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 20 wherein:

a. said connector ( 5 ) includes a second gusset ( 26 ) that extends from said first bend ( 12 ) across said second flange ( 7 ), said second bend ( 13 ) and said third flange ( 8 ) to said third bend ( 14 ).

22. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 1 wherein:

a. said first flange ( 6 ) has an open edge ( 22 ) opposite said first bend ( 12 ), and said open edge ( 22 ) is formed with a series of indentations ( 29 ) and extensions ( 30 ); and

b. said fourth flange ( 9 ) has an open edge ( 22 ) opposite said third bend ( 14 ), and said open edge ( 22 ) is formed with a series of indentations ( 29 ) and extensions ( 30 ).

23. The connection ( 1 ) of claim 22 wherein:

a. said extensions ( 30 ) are formed with fastener openings ( 24 ).