Modular rim board for floor and rafter systems

Abstract

An engineered perimeter rim board with machined or otherwise-formed modular recessed receptacles receives and secures I-joists and other manufactured joists at pre-designated spaces along the length of the rim board. The rim board provides pre-measured joist securement locations and structural enhancements by “locking” the joists into position. Receptacles machined / cut into the rim board may be of various shapes, such as a rectangular recess with a flat planar back wall, a profiled recess with curved top and bottom compartments, and / or an angled recess wherein two sidewalls converge to create a recess without a back wall for receiving joists at positions other than perpendicular to the rim board. The preferred 90-degree receptacle profile provides an I-joist web receiving slot for additional lateral support to help prevent joists from buckling, twisting or rolling over.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10 / 376,556, filed Feb. 27, 2003, issuing on Jun. 7, 2005 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,715, which claims priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 360,763, filed Feb. 27, 2003, entitled “Pre-Machined Rim Board for Use with Manufactured I-Joists,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] This invention relates to a pre-machined, engineered, perimeter rim board that incorporates joist recessed receptacles that may be manufactured to be universally compatible with all existing and preferably all future I-joists and other manufactured joist products. This invention may be one component in a series of products that comprise installation and structural enhancements for wood frame building construction projects. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] Numerous companies manufacture I-joists, dimensional lumber and other wood products which are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a pre-machined, engineered rim board system with modular recessed receptacles for joist / rafter members. The recesses are in the form of recesses cut into the body of the rim board and are designed to receive the end of the joist / rafter. The recesses may be generally rectangular, I-shaped, or other shapes that optimally fit various joists / rafters. The rim board design improves the overall performance and installation of joist systems, including I-joist and other floor and roof framing systems. The recesses reduce the shearing forces imparted upon nails used to secure the connection, which becomes a critical enhancement for I-joist framing systems with significant lateral loads due to seismic or high wind conditions. The rim board also allows for increased surface bearing area for the ends of joists on the plate below and provides superior nailing patterns for securing joists to the plate. The installation of joist systems is made more user-friendly with the uniform pre-designated locations of the modular recesses."

Problems solved by technology

This saves time, expense and reduces possibilities of installation errors.

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