Multi-story building connector system and method

Abstract

A construction connector designed to fit column framework members to rapidly construct multi-story buildings is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the connector has an elongated main body with two holes at each end. A leveling plate attaches transversely to the body. An angle support member having two ten-gauge steel arms is welded to the bottom portion of the connector. A process for building the multi-story framework is also disclosed. The resulting structure has greatly improved resistance to uplift forces and seismic effects.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a construction connector for multi-story buildings that is designed to fit framework members which results in rapid, precise, and low-cost building assembly. The present invention also relates to a multi-story construction connector with a greatly improved resistance to uplift forces and seismic effects, and a method of constructing improved multi-story buildings with the same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are a number of prior art steel buildings containing features designed to facilitate assembly, as evidenced by the patents referenced below.[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,177 illustrates a steel frame building in which the roof beams are connected to the columns by means of a plate using bolts. However, this attachment does not allow for height adjustment. The columns are C-shaped and cannot be easily slipped over a foundation assembly.[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,353 illustrates a steel frame building in which the comp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]A construction connector designed to fit column framework members to rapidly construct multi-story buildings is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the connector has an elongated main body with two holes at each end. A leveling plate attaches transversely to the body. An angle support member having two ten-gauge steel arms is welded to the bottom portion of the connector. A process for building the multi-story framework is also disclosed. When used in conjunction with precisely located lower story column structural members, the resulting structure has greatly improved resistance to uplift forces and seismic effects. Such precisely located lower story column structural members are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 411,648, incorporated by reference herein.

Problems solved by technology

However, this attachment does not allow for height adjustment.

The columns are C-shaped and cannot be easily slipped over a foundation assembly.

However, there is no provision for height adjustment at the column attachment.

There is no provision to allow the trusses to be conveniently broken in two for transport and there is no provision to allow the columns to slip over the foundation members.

The position of the bolts is usually determined by a steel tape measure, which usually results in location errors in the order of ¼ to ½ inch.

These errors require the framing members to be cut and fitted on the site, a slow and costly process.

The reason for these errors are many and include the use of a tape measure, the use of aggregate in the concrete which makes it difficult to precisely set a bolt in place and the fact that the bolt is let stand while the concrete sets up.

However, at this time, with the column suspended in the air, it is difficult to correct for the horizontal plane location errors of the bolts, while at the same time connect the column to the bolts and erect the column in a perfectly vertical position.

This prior art assembly procedure does not lend itself to precisely locating the column and results in building members not fitting together and requiring time consuming and costly redrilling and cutting on the job. site to complete the assembly of the building.

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