High-performance beam hanger

Abstract

The connector joins the beam to the header, and the connector has two members with engaging portions. The engaging members are provided with protrusions and slots that engage with each other and transmit the gravity load between the members. The connecting portion also resists tensile and compressive loads. The connector is generally hidden from view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hidden hanger for making connections between a header and a beam, or between other structural members.

Background Art

[0002] Headers and beams generally meet at right angles, although other orientations are possible, especially when constructing a pitched roof and attaching a stair stringer to a header. Connectors for making this connection are often called hangers. There are many different connectors for attaching a beam to a header. Some, like the present invention, are designed to be generally hidden from view. Others may be exposed on the surface of the member or have exposed portions. Typically, an exposed hanger wraps under the beam or supported member.

[0003] There are numerous patented and unpatented hidden hangers. U.S. Patent No. 2,793,407, invented by J. W. Johnston and issued in 1957, teaches a hidden connector made of sheet metal. The connector consists of a pair of flanged members that engage with each other and are each attached to one of the structural members to be connected. A dovetail member slides into a slot in a dado member. Johnston teaches providing an opening or aperture in the flange of the mating dado member to receive a ridge or knob on the outer surface of the flange of the dovetail member. In Johnston, the dovetail member is made of a somewhat flexible material so that the ridge can slide through and engage the aperture of the dado member. According to Johnston, by engaging in this way, the dovetail member is securely locked within the dado member.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0154257, invented by Ove K. Guttormsen and published in 2007, teaches a hidden connector made of sheet metal. The connector consists of a pair of flanged engaging members having wedge-shaped or dovetail-shaped sections that engage with each other. Guttormsen teaches providing each member of the connector with a generally horizontally disposed ledge or shoulder portion that abuts against a corresponding ledge or shoulder portion of the other member. According to Guttormsen, the abutment of these shoulder portions in this way avoids the male component from penetrating too deeply into the female component and deforming and weakening the female component.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,004,436, invented by Friedrich Knapp and granted in 2006, teaches a hidden connector made of sheet metal. The connector consists of a pair of members that engage with each other and are each attached to one of the structural members to be connected. Each member is formed in a shape having a U-shaped folded flange that receives and engages with the end of the other connector, and the folded flange of each member also receives a fastener that is received within a slot at the end of the other member.

[0006] European Patent No. 1856417, invented by Friedrich Knapp and granted in 2013, teaches a hidden connector made of sheet metal. The connector is made of a pair of members that engage with each other. At least one of the members has a shaft or pin with a head, and the head is received within a flare notch or slot formed in the other member so that the member with the head supports the member with the recess.

[0007] The European Patent Application 3456892A1, invented by Friedrich Knapp and published in 2019, teaches a hidden connector made of sheet metal. The connector is made of a pair of engaging members each having a shoulder that engages with the end of the other member, each of which has a shaft or pin with a head that engages with a slot or notch in the other member. The corresponding US Patent No. 10,968,621 was issued in 2021.

[0008] The present invention provides a hidden hanger that creates a strong connection between members that is easy to install, economical to manufacture, and has little movement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection between a first structural member and a second structural member that is between a header and a beam. It is a further object to provide a connection that resists tensile and compressive loads as well as gravitational loads. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connection that is easily adaptable to current construction practices and in which the connector is generally hidden from view.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] According to the present invention, the connector is made of two members that engage with each other in a meshing manner and are each attached to one of the structural members to be connected. The connector is preferably made of metal. The connector has a longitudinal axis that extends from the upper part to the lower part of the connector along the connector. The connector is designed to resist bending.

[0012] The present invention can be a connection part between an adjacent first structural member and a second structural member, such as between a header and a beam. The connection is performed by a connector composed of two parts and a first fastening part and a second fastening part. Preferably, the first member is attached to a beam or a joist by one or more fasteners, and the second member is attached to a header by one or more fasteners. A main body for receiving the fasteners is formed on each member. Each member of the connector has a protrusion that engages with a slot formed in the main body of the other member. Each protrusion has dimensions that match the engaging slot.

[0013] According to the present invention, preferably, each of the members of the connector is attached to one of the structural members forming the connection part by one or more fasteners that enter the structural member at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. Thereby, when the structural member is made of wood, the fasteners penetrate through many of its layers, and since the fasteners are at an inclined angle with respect to the pulling force, the connection state of the member to the structural member is improved.

[0014] According to the present invention, the members of the connector are formed in a shape having shoulder portions or flanges that are arranged in a surface-contact relationship with each other along a columnar axis that is substantially orthogonal to the main body of the member and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. In some examples, this columnar axis is substantially aligned with some of the fastening portions that connect the connector members to the first structural member and the second structural member.

[0015] According to the present invention, the connector member is made in a form having terminal edges facing each other at the upper and lower parts of the connector along the longitudinal axis, the protrusion is formed near one of the terminal edges, preferably starting from the terminal edge, and the slot is formed in the opposing terminal edge. The protrusion and the slot extend from the terminal edge towards the center of the connector. Preferably, the connector is considerably longer along the longitudinal axis than the total length along the longitudinal axis of the protrusion and the slot. The connector members of the connector are preferably identical and will engage with each other in a meshing manner when oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis.

[0016] According to the present invention, when the connector member is oriented such that the protrusion of the connector member is installed above the slot of the same connector member along the longitudinal axis, the fastener installed at an acute angle with respect to the generally flat body of the connector member with which it engages has its tip directed downward in a straight line with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the tip of the fastener is below the head of the fastener. According to the present invention, most of the fasteners received by the connector member are arranged at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector member. Preferably, each connector member is attached to the structural member in such a way that most of the fasteners are placed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. According to a preferred form of the present invention, one of the fasteners passes through the protrusion at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis in such a way that the tip of the fastener is guided towards the center of the connector member when the tip of the fastener is driven through the protrusion. According to the present invention, one of the fastening parts passes through the protrusion at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. According to the present invention, most of the fasteners received by the connector member at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis are arranged near either the protrusion or the slot, and the fastening part installed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis is arranged near the central part of the connector member.

[0017] According to the present invention, the protrusion is formed in a shape that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and has opposing side edges, and the side edges extend to the terminal edge of the connector member. According to the present invention, each connector member has an engagement surface that, when connected, is adjacent to or abuts against the engagement surface of the other connector. Preferably, the engagement surface is substantially flat and the protrusion projects from the engagement surface. The connector member is preferably formed in a shape that also has mounting surfaces facing in opposite directions that are in surface contact or substantially abut against the mounting surface of the structural member. Preferably, the protrusion extends away from the structural member to which the connector member is attached and away from the engagement surface of the connector member of which it forms a part. The protrusion member enters the structural member to which the connector member is attached.

[0018] Preferably, the opposing side surfaces of the slots of the connector member flare outwardly as an entry path to the edge of the connector member to facilitate the formation of the connection portion, and the slots begin at the terminal edge of the connector member. Preferably, the end of the protrusion closer to the center of the connector member is semi-circular and engages with the end of the slot closer to the center of the connector member, which is semi-circular.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention is a connecting portion between a first structural member 1 such as a joist or a beam and a second structural member 2 such as a header or a column. The connecting portion is designed to resist gravity loads and tension and compression loads between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2. Preferably, the first structural member 1 has an attachment surface 3 and the second structural member 2 has an attachment surface 4. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment surfaces 3 and 4 are generally flat members that are substantially parallel to each other and adjacent when the connecting portion is formed. The first structural member and the second structural member are securely joined by a substantially rigid connector 5 of the present invention.

[0021] The first structural member 1 is usually made of wood, but can also be any building material used to build the building's structural frame. The first structural member 1 can also be made of steel. The second structural member 2 is also usually made of wood, but can be made of steel, or can be a cementitious member or a brick wall.

[0022] To better define the present invention, the connector 5 is described as having a longitudinal axis 6. A first preferred embodiment of the connecting part of the present invention used to join the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 also includes an elongated connector 5 and one or more fasteners 7 received by the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2. When the first structural member is made of wood, the preferred fastener 7 is preferably a screw.

[0023] The elements of the connecting part are preferably arranged as follows. The connecting part is formed in such a way that the mounting surface 3 of the first structural member 1 and the mounting surface 4 of the second structural member 2 are arranged in close proximity to each other. The connector 5 has a first connector member 8 attached to the mounting surface 3 of the first structural member 1 and a second connector member 9 attached to the mounting surface 4 of the second structural member 2. The first connector member 8 and the second connector member 9 of the connector are integrally joined when the connection is made. As shown in FIG. 4, the end 3 of the first structural member 1 has a notch 13 or a recess or a cutout so that the first connector member 8 can fit into the notch and the mounting surface 3 of the beam 1 can be in surface contact with the mounting surface 4 of the second structural member 2. Alternatively, the header 2 can be provided with a notch and the second connector member 9 can be arranged in the notch.

[0024] The first connector member 8 has a main body 10 and one or more protrusions 11 extending from the main body 10. The first connector member 8 may also be formed with one or more slots 12 in the main body 10. Similarly, the second connector member 9 has the main body 10, one or more protrusions 11 extending from the main body 10, and one or more slots 12 formed in the main body 10. The first connector member 8 is joined to the second connector member 9 by an operation of engaging the protrusion 11 with the slot 12.

[0025] The connection is made by a hanger or connector 5 consisting of two parts and the first fastening part and the second fastening part. The first connector member 8 is preferably attached to the first structural member 1 by one or more fasteners 7 to constitute the first fastening part. The second member 9 is attached to the second structural member 2 by one or more fasteners 7 to constitute the second fastening part. Each of the members 8, 9 is formed in a shape having a main body 10 for receiving the fastener 7. The main body 10 is preferably formed in a shape having a fastener opening 14 for receiving the fastener 7.

[0026] According to the present invention, the connector 5 is preferably formed with inclined openings 15 for several fasteners 7 for adjusting the angle of the fasteners 7 with respect to the connector members 8, 9.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, protruding flanges 16 or shoulders are preferably formed at the edges of the slots 12 and at the edges of the protrusions 11 for engaging with each other. According to the present invention, each of the connector members 8, 9 of the connector 5 is formed in a shape having a portion with a shoulder or flange 16 disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 6, and this shoulder or flange 16 will abut or be closely adjacent to the shoulder or flange 16 on the surface of the other member of the connector 5.

[0028] According to the present invention, the connector members 8, 9 of the connector 5 are formed in such a shape that they have overlapping portions 16 arranged in a face-to-face contact or closely adjacent relationship along a columnar axis 17 disposed substantially orthogonally to the main bodies 10 of the members 8, 9. In some examples, this columnar axis 17 is arranged substantially in alignment with some of the fasteners 7 that connect the members 8, 9 to the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2.

[0029] Each connector member 8, 9 of the connector 5 has an inclined opening 15 that can receive a fastener 7 arranged at an angle inclined with respect to each of the members 8, 9 of the connector. These inclined fasteners 7 enter the substantially flat mounting surface 4 of the second structural member 2 at an angle that is not orthogonal to the flat mounting surface 4. The fastener 7 orthogonal to the substantially flat main body 10 of the member 9 passes through the connector member 9, and the tip 18 of the fastener 7 passes through the main body 10 and enters the second structural member 2. As shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 13, the orthogonal fastener 7 is formed in such a shape that it has a head 19 with an inclined lower surface that can engage an opening 14 in the main body 10 having a similar inclined surface, so that the head of the fastener 7 can ride on the upper surface of the flat main body 10 to form the same plane. The inclined opening 15 for the inclined fastener can be similarly shaped such that the inclined surface engages the lower surface of the head 19 of the fastener 7 having an inclined lower surface.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, according to the present invention, when the connector member 8 is oriented along the longitudinal axis 6 such that the protrusion 11 of the connector member 8 is installed above the slot 12 of the same connector member 8, the fastener 7 placed at an acute angle with respect to the substantially flat main body 10 of the connector member 8 that it engages is oriented linearly downward along the longitudinal axis 6 such that the tip 18 of the fastener 7 is below the head 19 of the fastener 7. As shown in FIG. 6, when the connector member 9 has an opposite orientation, the fastener 7 also has an opposite orientation such that the tip 18 of the fastener 7 is driven at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 and is arranged above the head 19 of the fastener 7.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, according to the present invention, most of the fastener 7 received by the connector members 8, 9 is arranged at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 of the connector members 8, 9. Preferably, each of the connector members 8, 9 is attached to the structural members 1, 2 in such a manner that most of the fastener 7 is installed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 6.

[0032] As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, according to a preferred form of the present invention, one of the fasteners 7 passes through the protrusion 11 at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 in such a manner that the tip 18 of the fastener is guided to the central portion 20 of the connector members 8, 9 when it enters the connector members 8, 9. According to the present invention, one of the fasteners 7 passes through the protrusion at a right angle to the longitudinal axis 6 and parallel to the columnar axis 17.

[0033] According to the present invention, the fastener 7 received at a right angle to the longitudinal axis 6 by the connector members 8, 9 is arranged near the protrusion 11 and the slot 12, and the fastener 7 installed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 is arranged near the central portion 20 of the connector members 8, 9.

[0034] According to the present invention, the connector members 8, 9 are made in such a form as to have terminal edge portions 22 facing each other along the longitudinal axis 6. The protrusion 11 is near one of the terminal edge portions 22, preferably formed starting from the terminal edge portion 22, and the slot 12 is formed in the opposing terminal edge portion 22. The protrusion 11 and the slot 12 extend from the terminal edge portion 22 towards the center or the central portion 20 of the connector members 8, 9. Preferably, the connector members 8, 9 are considerably longer along the longitudinal axis 6 than the total length of the protrusion 11 and the slot 12 along the longitudinal axis 6. The connector members 8, 9 of the connector 5 are preferably the same and, as shown in FIG. 1, will engage with each other in a meshing manner when oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis 6.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, according to the present invention, the protrusion 11 is formed in a shape having side edge portions 21 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 6 and face each other, and the side edge portions 21 extend to the terminal edge portions 22 of the connector member 8 or 9. According to the present invention, each connector member 8 or 9 has an engagement surface 23 that is arranged adjacent to or in contact with the engagement surface 23 of the other connector member 8 or 9 when connected. Preferably, the engagement surface 23 is substantially flat, and the protrusion 11 projects from the engagement surface. The connector member 8 or 9 is preferably formed in a shape having mounting surfaces 24 facing in opposite directions that are in surface contact or substantially in contact with the mounting surfaces 3, 4 of the structural members 1, 2. Preferably, the protrusion 11 extends away from the structural member 1 or 2 to which the connector member 8 or 9 is attached and away from the engagement surface 23 of the connector member that forms a part of itself. The protrusion 11 enters the structural member 1 or 2 to which the connector member 8 or 9 is attached.

[0036] Preferably, the slot 12 is formed in a shape having opposing side edge portions 25 that have parallel portions extending along the longitudinal axis 6 and can be in close surface contact with the opposing side edge portions 21 of the protrusion 11. Near the terminal edge portions 22 of the connector members 8, 9, the side edge portions 25 of the slot 12 flare outward as an access path to the terminal edge portions 22 to facilitate the formation of the connection portion. Preferably, the slot 12 starts from the terminal edge portions 22 of the connector members 8, 9. Preferably, the end of the protrusion 11 closer to the center of the connector member is semi-circular and engages with the end of the slot 12 that is closer to the center of the connector member and is semi-circular.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows the engaged and contacting connector members 8, 9 where the shoulder or flange 16 of the protrusion 11 engages with the shoulder or flange of the slot 12. The fastener 7 is not shown as being received within the fastener opening 14.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a connector member 8 that is to be attached to a first structural member 1 with the protrusion 11 oriented above the slot 12. This particular connector member 8 is shown in a form having 17 inclined fastener openings 14 and 7 fastener openings 15 that are arranged in alignment with or parallel to the columnar shaft 17 and are to receive fasteners 7. Within the protrusion 11, the inclined fastener openings 15 are arranged closer to the central portion 20 of the connector member than the fastener openings 15 for fasteners that are to be arranged parallel to the columnar shaft 17.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a connector member 9 that is to be attached to a second structural member 2 with the slot 12 oriented above the protrusion 11 (not shown). In this orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, this connector member 9 can engage so as to mesh with the connector member 8 shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a recess 13 within an end portion 26 of the first structural member 1 where the connector member 8 is inserted into the recess 13 and is ready to be attached to the first structural member 1 by fasteners 7. Figure 5 shows the connector member 8 attached to the first structural member 1.

[0041] Figure 6 shows the connector member 9 placed in contact with the mounting surface 4 of the second structural member 2 and ready to be attached to the second structural member 2 by fasteners 7. Figure 7 shows the connector member 9 attached to the second structural member 2. Figure 8 shows the first structural member 1 (dotted line) that is to be slid into position by the connector 5 and is ready to be attached to the second structural member 2. Figure 9 shows a connection portion where the fastener 7 is attaching the connector member 8 to the first structural member 1 in dotted line.

[0042] The connection is made by attaching the connector member 8 to the structural member 1 with fasteners 7 and attaching the connector member 9 to the structural member 2 with fasteners 7. Then, the connectors 8 and 9 are joined together such that the slots within each connector member 8 or 9 receive the protrusions of the other connector member 8 or 9. The connector members 8, 9 are preferably machined metal parts such as made of aluminum.

Claims

1. A connecting portion between a first structural member and a second structural member, formed by a connector, a. The first structural member having a mounting surface, b. The second structural member is positioned in close proximity to the mounting surface of the first structural member and has a mounting surface that is parallel to the mounting surface of the first structural member, c. A connector having a first connector member attached to a first structural member and a second connector member attached to a second structural member, wherein the first connector member and the second connector member have longitudinal axes extending from the upper part of the first connector member and the second connector member to the lower part of the first connector member and the second connector member, the first connector member having one or more protrusions, and the second connector member having one or more protrusions. Equipped with, d. The first connector member has one or more elongated slots for receiving the one or more protrusions of the second connector member, and the second connector member has one or more elongated slots for receiving the one or more protrusions of the first connector member.

2. a. The connector is formed having a columnar axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the mounting surfaces of the first structural member and the second structural member that are parallel to each other. b. The first connector member and the second connector member of the connector are formed having shoulder-shaped portions or flanges that are in surface contact with the columnar axis which is arranged at a right angle to the connector. The connecting portion according to claim 1.

3. a. The first connector member and the second connector member are attached to the first structural member and the second structural member by elongated fasteners. b. The columnar shafts are arranged to match some of the elongated fasteners that connect the connector members to the first structural member and the second structural member. The connecting portion according to claim 1.

4. a. The first connector member is formed having a body, the body having one or more openings for receiving one or more inclined fasteners supported by the first structural member, b. The second connector member is formed having a body, the body having one or more openings for receiving one or more inclined fasteners supported by the second structural member, The connecting portion according to claim 1.

5. a. The one or more inclined fasteners received within the first structural member enter the flat mounting surface of the first structural member at an angle not perpendicular to the flat mounting surface. b. The one or more inclined fasteners received within the second structural member enter the flat mounting surface of the second structural member at an angle not perpendicular to the flat mounting surface. The connecting portion according to claim 4.

6. a. The first connector member may also be attached to the first structural member by one or more fasteners positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the first structural member. b. The second connector member is also attached to the second structural member by one or more fasteners positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the second structural member. The connecting portion according to claim 5.

7. a. The one or more openings in the body of the first connector member that receive the one or more inclined fasteners are inclined openings, b. The one or more openings in the body of the second connector member that receive the one or more inclined fasteners are inclined openings. The connecting portion according to claim 4.

8. The first connector member and the second connector member are made such that they have opposing terminal edges at the upper and lower parts of the connector along the longitudinal axis, the one or more protrusions are formed near one of the terminal edges, and the one or more slots are formed at the opposite terminal edge. The connecting portion according to claim 1.

9. The one or more protrusions and the one or more slots extend from the terminal edge to the center of the connector. The connecting portion according to claim 8.

10. a. The connector member has a length along the longitudinal axis that is longer than the sum of the lengths of the one or more protrusions and the one or more slots along the longitudinal axis. The connecting portion according to claim 9.

11. a. The multiple connector members of the connector are identical to each other. b. The multiple connector members are oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis so as to interlock with each other. The connecting portion according to claim 10.

12. a. One of the connector members is oriented such that, along the longitudinal axis, one or more of the protrusions of the connector member are positioned above one or more slots of the same connector member. b. The one or more inclined fasteners have a head opposite to the tip, and the one or more tips are the first portion of the one or more inclined fasteners that are driven into the first structural member or the second structural member. c. The one or more inclined fasteners, positioned at an acute angle to the flat body with which they engage, are aligned downwards in a straight line with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the tip of the one or more inclined fasteners is below the head of the one or more inclined fasteners. The connecting portion according to claim 4.

13. Most of the one or more inclined fasteners received by the first connector member and the second connector member are positioned at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector member. The connecting portion according to claim 12.

14. At least one of the one or more fasteners passes through each of the one or more protrusions of the first connector member and the second connector member at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The connecting portion according to claim 4.

15. a. The first connector member and the second connector member are formed in such a manner that they have a central portion located between the upper and lower parts of the first connector member and the second connector member, b. The one or more inclined fasteners have a head opposite to the tip, and the one or more tips are the first portion of the one or more inclined fasteners that are driven into the first structural member or the second structural member. c. The tip of at least one of the one or more fasteners passing through each of the one or more protrusions of the first connector member and the second connector member is guided toward the center of the connector member. The connecting portion according to claim 14.

16. a. The first connector member may also be attached to the first structural member by one or more fasteners positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the first structural member. b. The second connector member may also be attached to the second structural member by one or more fasteners positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the second structural member. c. At least one of the one or more fasteners attached to the first connector member and positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the first structural member passes through each of the one or more protrusions of the first connector member, d. At least one of the one or more fasteners positioned perpendicular to the flat mounting surface of the second structural member attached to the second connector member passes through each of the one or more protrusions of the second connector member. The connecting portion according to claim 15.

17. The first connector member and the second connector member each have an engagement surface that is adjacent to or in contact with the engagement surface of the other connector member. The connecting portion according to claim 1.

18. The meshing surface is flat, and the one or more protrusions extend from the meshing surface. The connecting portion according to claim 17.

19. a. The one or more protrusions of the first connector member extend away from the mounting surface of the first structural member and away from the meshing surface of the first connector member. b. The one or more protrusions of the second connector member extend away from the mounting surface of the second structural member and away from the meshing surface of the second connector member. The connecting portion according to claim 18.

20. The one or more of the aforementioned protrusions do not enter the first structural member or the second structural member. The connecting portion according to claim 19.

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