Moveable Top Flange Joist Hanger for Variable Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joist hangers require multiple types for face-fixing and top-fixing connections and lack adaptability for varying joist sizes and shapes, leading to increased costs and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional joist hanger with a support bracket, parallel side portions, and a moveable top flange portion that can adjust between face-fixing and top-fixing positions via an articulation axis, allowing for variable depth and position alignment with the support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of hangers (face-fixing and top-fixing) are used to provide for different fixing connections, then the adaptability to various joist sizes and shapes is improved, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger is designed with a moveable top flange portion that can be positioned in different locations along the side portions, enabling a single hanger type to function for both face-fixing and top-fixing connections while accommodating various joist sizes and shapes. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized hanger types.
Solution Approach 2:
The top flange portion is made moveable relative to the side portions, allowing it to be repositioned along the length of the side portions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same hanger to adapt to different joist configurations and fixing requirements, providing versatility without increasing the number of hanger types needed.
2Strength
If face-fixing hangers are used for higher load applications, then the load capacity is improved, but the installation time and cost increase due to using considerably more fixings
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable top flange portion allows the hanger to be configured for either face-fixing or top-fixing connections depending on the load requirements. When high load capacity is needed, the top flange can be positioned to enable face-fixing with adequate strength, while still allowing for efficient installation through proper positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If a pre-formed L-shape or U-shape top flange portion is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to variations in joist depth, position, and support joist width is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The top flange portion is designed to be moveable along the side portions rather than being fixed in a predetermined position. This allows the flange to be positioned at different locations to accommodate variations in joist depth, position, and support joist width, while still maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized component design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is divided into distinct components (side portions, top flange portion, back flange portion) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. The moveable connection between these segments allows for adjustment to various configurations while keeping each component's manufacturing relatively simple.
4Productivity
If top-fixing hangers are used with fewer fixings, then the installation speed is improved, but the load capacity is reduced for light/medium load applications only
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger design with the moveable top flange portion allows a single hanger type to serve both light/medium load applications (using top-fixing with fewer fixings for faster installation) and higher load applications (using face-fixing with more fixings for increased capacity). This eliminates the need to choose between installation speed and load capacity based on hanger type.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A joist hanger comprising: a support bracket, having a base portion and two substantially parallel side portions upstanding from opposing edges of said base portion; at least one back flange portion adjoining at least one of said two side portions at a longitudinal edge of respective at least one of said two side portions and adapted to abut a face-fixing surface; at least one top flange portion, adjoining said at least one back flange portion at an edge distal to said base portion and adapted to be moveable between a face-fixing position, wherein said top-flange portion is coplanar said at least one back flange portion, and a top-fixing position, wherein said top flange portion is non-coplanar to said at least one back flange portion, further comprising at least one longitudinally elongated fixing aperture and an articulation axis extending transversely of the hanger between the top flange portion and the back flange portion and being variable in location within the region defined by the length of said longitudinally elongated fixing aperture.