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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sheet metal connectors used in the construction
of wood frame buildings. Specifically, the invention is a hanger intended
to provide for any known intersection requirement to any amount of skew
and any amount of slope.
The sheet metal connector industry is a multi-million dollar business with
hundreds of designers furnishing connectors for almost every conceivable
intersection requirement. While the use of sheet metal connectors grew
from modest beginnings prior to World War II, almost every building
constructed today contains anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of
connectors.
In spite of the employment of a great many people over many years in this
field not a single production sheet metal universal skewed and sloped
hanger is known to Applicant. Applicant has been in the construction
industry for many years and has known of the need for such a hanger.
Despite his efforts to find a solution, the key eluded him to the present
time even though he holds several patents on sheet metal connectors and
has designed many non-patented connectors in this field.
Because there is no universal skewed and sloped hanger available,
architects and builders are forced to design and build as few skewed and
sloped intersections into their buildings as possible in order to keep the
costs to a minimum. This lack of an inexpensive universal hanger has
resulted in many compromises in design and the poor utilization of
building lots which would be much more efficiently used if the entire
building or portions thereof could be designed with intersections other
than ninety degrees (90.degree.).
Tracy, U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,941 is a connector capable of being custom
formed on the construction site for fixed skew and slope angles. Once the
connector is bent, however, it is impractical to use the connector at
another angle. Hand bending of the connector would be slow and costly.
Applicant has filed an application, Gilb, Restricted Slot Nail Openings for
Sheet Metal Framing Connectors U.S. Ser. No. 084,722 filed Oct. 15, 1979
for a device commonly referred to as a skewed hanger, but the subject
hanger is formed at the factory at a fixed angle and cannot be used for
intersections of different angles.
Lancelot, U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,962 granted Nov. 14, 1978 disclosed a joist
hanger with an adjustable height seat. FIG. 10 of this patent discloses a
device which permits the seat to be pivoted about a threaded bolt which is
held by two cast lugs 45 and 46. Lancelot, supra holds the seat at a
distance from the face of the supporting member in a way that the device
must be capable of withstanding huge moment forces rather than holding the
load in shear. Because the device must withstand moment forces rather than
shear stress, Lancelot, supra must be constructed of heavy materials and
is intolerably expensive for general usage in wood frame buildings.
The present state of the art requires that custom made skewed and/or sloped
hangers be constructed where intersections are other than ninety degrees
(90.degree.). These custom made connectors require that the carpenter make
a compound cut in the wood to receive the compound skew and slope angles.
The high cost of the custom made connector as well as the additional labor
required by skilled high cost labor combine to insure minimal use of such
connectors.
It was obvious that a potential solution had to involve two separate parts,
and that the support element had to rotate in respect to the supporting
element in order to solve the basic requirement of the device. The analogy
of the hinge or a hinge like solution proved to be an insidiously
deceiving simile which masked the ultimate solution for nearly two decades
even after dozens of concerted attempts to find the answer. Even though
early feasibility studies indicated that a door hinge principle would lead
nowhere since a door hinge capable of holding 1000 to 4,000 lbs. would
have to be massive and require an expensive casting, still it seemed
impossible to improve on this ancient and time honored device. Yet, only
after the hinge principle was entirely cast aside was the solution
discovered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Careful observors of the sheet metal connector industry know that only
devices capable of transferring loads by shear stresses are able to
compete successfully in the market. The present device meets this
criteria. Further, this device utilizes the simplest principles known to
the engineer; namely the triangle. In its simplest embodiment, the
triangle in the building industry is sometimes referred to as a gusset.
While gussets do not normally rotate, and the use of a gusset principle
appears to be historically contradictory, yet, the present device is in
fact a moveable gusset-like device.
The present device provides an essentially rigid transfer to forces between
the supporting and supported elements by the use of shear stresses at any
horizontal angle that the axis of the supported member may describe in
relationship to the face of the supporting member.
The discovered principle works with a minimum of one outstanding tab from
one member and a gusset-like enclosure in the other member; secured by a
pin which is not critical to the load carrying ability of the device but
simply a practical element to connect the two primary elements of the
device.
The universal skewed and sloped hanger of the present invention meets the
following objectives:
1. Provides a hanger-like connection between a supporting member (beam) and
a supported member (joist) so that the joist, in respect to the beam
describes an angle of up to about sixty degrees (60.degree.) in either
direction from the perpendicular to the beam.
2. Provides a device for holding the joist in respect to the beam at an
angle above and below a horizontal line by variable means utilizing either
a seat principle or a nailed flange principle.
3. Provides a device which can be attached to a sloping beam.
4. Accomplishes the preceeding objectives at a cost less than equivalent
custom made connectors for a particular size and application.
5. The device is testible at the maximum points of adjustment to provide
uniform building code (ICBO) approval for rated loads with the standard 3X
safety factor.
6. The device can be readily installed by the trades (usually carpentry).
7. The device can be made by existing production line methods using
standard tooling such as progressive dies and utilizing standard gauge
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another form of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in combination with
a supporting structure and a supported structure.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 with the
supported structure omitted.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the invention set forth in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the form of the invention set forth in FIG. 2 in
combination with a supporting structure and a supported structure.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the invention set forth in FIGS. 2 and
6 with the supported structure omitted.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the form of the invention set forth in FIGS.
2, 6 and 7.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a supported member prior to bending to the form
shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a supporting member illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4
and 5 prior to bending to the form shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of a supporting member prior to bending to the form
shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a U-shaped seat member prior to bending to the
form shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another form of supported member.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the supported member illustrated in FIG. 13 prior
to bending.
FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of still another form of the presented
invention attached to a supporting structure.
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 15
holding a supported structure.
FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the form of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 16.
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of still another form of the invention attached
to a supporting structure and holding a supported structure.
FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of still another form of supporting
member which may be used with the supported members illustrated in either
FIGS. 15-17 or FIG. 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION .sup.1
The infinite skewed hanger of the present invention consists of a
supporting member 2 adapted for connection to a supporting structure 3 and
has a face element 4 positioned generally in a vertical plane. A first tab
element 6 is formed from a portion 5 of the face element and extends
therefrom in a generally horizontal plane and has an upper surface 7 and a
lower surface 8. A supported gusset-like member 9 includes a first
gusset-like projection 11 positioned above the tab element and extends
toward the face element in close proximity thereto and has an edge 12 in
close fitting sliding registration with the upper surface of the first tab
element. A second gusset-like projection 13 is positioned below the tab
element and extends toward the face element in close proximity thereto and
has an edge 14 in close fitting sliding registration with the lower
surface 8 of the first tab element. Connection means 16 is connected to
the supported gusset-like member 9 and is adapted for connection to a
supported structure 17. A pivot means 18 is pivotally connected to the
supporting member 2 and the supported gusset-like member 9.
.sup.1 In the description of the invention, the first modified form of the
invention is indicated by the identical number, followed by a prime mark
('). The second modified form is identified by a double prime mark (").
The third modified form of the invention is indicated by a triple prime
mark ("'). The fourth modified form is indicated by four prime marks ("").
In the claims no prime marks are used since all modified elements are
patent equivalents.
Where structural design loads require it, a second tab element 20 is formed
from another portion 21 of the face element and is located below the first
tab element 6 and extends in a generally horizontal plane and has an upper
surface 22, a lower surface 23, and an opening 24 therethrough. A third
gusset-like projection 25 is formed in the supported gusset-like member 9
and is located below the second gusset-like projection 13 and extends
toward the face element 4 in close proximity thereto and has an edge 26 in
close fitting sliding registration with the upper surface 22 of the second
tab element 20.
A fourth gusset-like projection 27 may be formed in the supported
gusset-like member 9 and is located below the third gusset-like projection
25 and extends toward the face element 4 in close proximity thereto and
has an edge 28 in close fitting sliding registration with the lower suface
23 of the second tab element 20.
The pivot means 18 may consist of an elongated cylindrical pin. To
accommodate the pin, the first tab element 6 is formed with an opening 31
therethrough which is dimensioned to receive the cylindrical pin in close
fitting sliding engagement. The supported gusset-like member 9 includes a
cylindrical pin engaging portion 32 which extends from at least one of the
gusset-like projections for pivotally engaging the cylindrical pin.
The infinite skewed hanger of the present invention may also have a fifth
gusset-like projection 34 formed in the supported gusset-like member which
is connected to the first gusset-like projection 11 and is positioned at
an angle thereto and has an edge 35 in close fitting sliding registration
with the upper surface of the first tab element 6. A sixth gusset-like
projection 36 may also be formed in the supported gusset-like member 9 and
be connected to the second gusset-like projection 13 and be positioned at
an angle thereto and have an edge 37 in close fitting sliding registration
with the lower surface of the first tab element 6.
The infinite skewed hanger of the present invention may also have a seventh
gusset-like projection 39 formed in the supported gusset-like member 9 and
be connected to the third gusset-like projection 25 and be positioned at
an angle thereto. The seventh gusset-like projection 39 may have an edge
40 in close fitting sliding registration with the upper surface 22 of the
second tab element 20. An eighth gusset-like projection 41 may be formed
in the supported gusset-like member 9 and be connected to the fourth
gusset-like projection 27 and be positioned at an angle thereto. The eight
gusset-like projection 41 has an edge 42 in close fitting sliding
registration with the lower surface 23 of the second tab element 20.
In the preferred form of the invention, as previously stated, the pivot
means is an elongated cylindrical pin 18. The first and fifth gusset-like
projections 11 and 34 are connected together and engage the pin so that
the supported gusset-like member 9 cannot be separated from the supporting
member 2. The second and sixth gusset-like projections 13 and 36 are
connected together at a pin engaging portion 43 and also engage the
cylindrical pin 18. The third and seventh gusset-like projections 25 and
39 may also be connected together at a pin engaging portion 44 and engage
the cylindrical pin. Finally, the fourth and eighth gusset-like
projections 27 and 41 may be connected together at a pin engaging portion
45 and engage the cylindrical pin 18.
As illustrated in the drawings, the connection means includes a first
hanger side member 47 which is formed with fastener openings 48. The first
hanger side member 47 is connected to the first, second, third and fourth
gusset-like projections 11, 13, 25, and 27. The connection means may also
include a second hanger side 49 formed with fastener openings 50. The
second hanger side member is connected to the fifth, sixth, seventh and
eighth gusset-like projections 34, 36, 39, and 41.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10, the supporting member 2 may
be formed with a top tab member 52 connected to the face element 4 which
extends horizontally therefrom toward the supported gusset-like member 9
and is formed with an opening 53 in alignment with the openings in the
first and second tab members 6 and 20. The pin 18 may also be formed with
a head member 54 for resting on the top member 52 to prevent separation of
the pin from the supporting member 2. Fastener openings 55 are formed in
face element 4 for attachment to supporting structure 2.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 another form of the invention is
illustrated in which the supporting member 2' is formed with a top flange
member 57 connected to the face element 4' and is formed with fastener
openings 58 adapted for attachment to the supporting structure 3.
Still another form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. A
U-shaped seat member 61 having a seat element 62 and upstanding leg
elements 63 and 64 integrally connected to the seat element and formed
with openings 65 and 66 is connected to first and second hanger side
members 47' and 49' at openings 68 and 69 in the hanger side member. Seat
pins 71 and 72 dimensioned for registration with the U-shaped seat member
openings and the first and second hanger side openings provide a pivotal
connection.
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate another form of the invention. Pin 18 is formed with
a head 54 having a shoulder 73. The first and fifth gusset-like
projections 11" and 34" are positioned adjacent to the pin and the
gusset-like projections are formed with a top edge 74 and 75 for receiving
the shoulder on the pin head to prevent separation of the pin from the
supporting member 2" and the supported gusset-like member 9".
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 18, the connection means 16 or 16"' are formed with
a right angular bend 76 or 76' providing a face portion element 77 or 77'
adapted for abuttment of the end 78 of the supported structure 17. For
more precise end abuttment, the connection means may be formed with a
second right angular bend 79 or 79' forming a second face portion element
80 or 80'.
FIG. 9 illustrates a form of the invention in which the supported
gusset-like member 9 and the connection means 16 are formed from a planar
sheet metal member having a chevron-like shape prior to bending. After
bending top edges 82 ad 83 and bottom edges 84 and 85, the connection
means assume a downward slope adapted for carrying the supported structure
17 on a downward slope.
FIG. 10 illustrates a form of the invention in which the supporting member
2 is formed from a planar sheet metal member having a chevron-like shape
so that the supporting member can be mounted on a sloping supporting
structure. Top edges 87 and 88 and bottom edges 89 and 90 are cut on a
slope at an angle which will conform to the slope of the supporting
structure.
FIG. 18 illustrates another form of the invention in which the supported
gusset-like member 9"' encapsulates the pivot means. The head 54 of the
pin rests on the top edges 74' and 75' of the gusset-like member 9. The
connection means 16"' encapsulates the end 78 of the supported structure
17.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate another form of the invention. The supported
gusset-like member 9' and the connection means 16' are formed from a
planar sheet metal member in a generally A-shape comprising an upper body
member 91 forming the gusset-like member and the lower legs 47' and 49'
from the hanger side members of the connection means. The supported
gusset-like member 9' and the connection means 16' are dimensioned and
formed so that the part may be formed on a continuous die cutting machine
from a continuous metal strip in which the upper body member 91 of one
piece forms the cut-out section 94 of the succeeding piece of the
continuous metal strip.
Fastener openings 48 and 50 in the supported gusset-like member and
fastener openings 55 in the supporting member may be circular as in all
standard connectors. Since, however, the supported gusset-like member may
be rotated into close association with either side of the supporting
member, it may be difficult or even impossible to drive a nail into the
opening when the supported structure is in place. It is therefore
preferable that some or all of the openings 48, 50 and 55 be formed in a
slotted shape as illustrated in the drawings and as fully described in my
co-pending U.S. patent application entitled RESTRICTED SLOT NAIL OPENINGS
FOR SHEET METAL FRAMING CONNECTORS, Ser. No. 084,722 Filed: Oct. 15, 1979
executed on Oct. 11, 1979 and mailed to the United States Patent and
Trademark Office on Oct. 12, 1979. As previously described in the above
set forth application, the restricted slot opening is formed with a width
slightly larger than the diameter of the nail fastener and has a length
greater than the diameter of the nail so that when the nail is inserted
through the opening at the selected angle, the diagonally opposed outer
edges of the sides of the opening tangentially register with the opposed
sides of the fastener and relative movement between the nail fastener and
the connector is prevented.
Use of the infinite skewed hangers is as follows. Reference is first made
to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3-5, 9 and 10.
Since supporting member 2, supported gusset-like member 9 and pin 18 are
separable parts, several construction alternatives are available. First,
the parts may be separated and supporting member 2 may be fastened to
supporting structure 3 by nail fasteners 96. Next, the pin and supported
gusset-like member 9 may be assembled and the supported structure 17 may
be placed within the connection means and fastened thereto or the
supported structure may be fastened to the supported gusset-like member 9
and then raised into place and the pin 18 inserted as the last step in
assembling the infinite skewed hanger.
Another alternate construction is to preassemble the infinite skewed
hanger, fasten supported structure 17 to the infinite skewed hanger and
then lift the entire assembly into place where it is connected to the
supporting structure 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the supported structure 17 may be fastened to the
connection means 16 at any sloped angle as shown by double arrows 97 and
98. This angle may commonly vary from the horizontal, either up or down by
an angle of 30.degree..
FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the supported gusset-like member 9
may be skewed either right or left as illustrated by double arrows 99 and
100. The amount of skew may commonly vary up to 60.degree. either right or
left and at any angle therebetween. Unlike a hinge whose structure and
function is to repeatedly rotate, the structure of the present invention
is not designed to rotate after load has been imposed. In fact, the
friction set up within the infinite skewed hanger is so great that after
load has been imposed, it is virtually impossible to rotate the separable
parts with respect to one another. As one can readily appreciate, edge 12
and edge 26 bear against first tab surface 27 and second tab surface 23
with incredibly high force and the friction therebetween prevents any
movement as long as load is imposed or unless an incredibly high
horizontal force is imposed.
Adjustment of horizontal angle is possible after the supported structure
has been attached but before load is imposed.
After the supported structure and skewed hanger has been attached to the
supporting structure, it is possible to remove pin 18 and lift the
supported structure away from the supporting member without unfastening
the supported member 2 from the supporting structure 3 or unfastening the
connecting means 16 from the supported structure 17.
The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6-8, 11 and 12 differs
from the first form of the invention in two ways. First, the supporting
member 2' is formed with a top flange member 57 which may be attached to
the top surface of a supporting structure 3, and secondly, a U-shaped seat
member may be attached to the connecting means 16. It is not essential
that the alternate supporting member and U-shaped seat be used in
conjunction. The two modifications are merely illustrated in this manner
to reduce redundancy in the drawings. The top flange member 57 gives
greater holding strength. Embossments 102 give added rigidity to the
supporting member 2' where load requirements require them.
The alternate form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 show a
modified connection means 16' which operates in the same manner previously
described but results in a reduction of weight and an economy in
production by using progressive dies as previously described. The
connection means 16' may be used with or without the U-shaped seat member
61.
The form of the invention set forth in FIGS. 15-17 operates in principle
the same as the previously described infinite skewed hangers. FIG. 16
indicates the angles at which the supported structure may be attached
above and below the horizontal by double arrows 97 and 98. FIG. 15
indicates the horizontal angle that the supported gusset-like member 9"
may be skewed either right or left as indicated by arrows 99 and 100.
FIG. 18 illustrates still another configuration that may be given to the
supported gusset-like member 9"'. As previously described, the right angle
bends 76 and 79 provide a right angular abuttment for end 78 of supported
structure 17. This feature eliminates the need for angled cuts of the end
of the supported structure as required by other custom made skewed
connectors.
FIG. 19 illustrates another form of supporting member 2"". As previously
described, the chevron shape permits the supporting member to be mounted
on supporting structures 3 which are sloped as indicated by the double
arrows 104 and 105. Top edges 107 and 108 may be cut so that the
construction workers can line up one of the top edges with the sloping top
edge of the supporting structure 3.
It may also be seen by comparing tabs 6"" and 20"" in FIG. 19 with tabs 6
and 20 as shown in FIG. 10 that the tabs may be bent upwardly or
downwardly. Either way, the loads imposed on the supporting members 2 and
2"" are imposed in shear rather than by bending of the tabs. This load
shear is carried to the face element 4, not through the pivot connecting
pin 18.
As one example of the above invention, load tests showed that the average
ultimate load which could be supported by a universal skewed hanger
similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 2 was 4040 pounds. These hangers
were capable of carrying 2.times.8, 2.times.10, 2.times.12, and 2.times.14
joist members. The face element had a size of 6".times.31/4" and a top
flange of 13/4".times.6". The material used was 16 ga. galvanized steel.
The connector pin was 1/2".times.4".
Other hangers built of heavier guage material have withstood a 10,000 lb.
test. The primary fact is that the universal skewed hanger of the present
invention is not limited to any particular size or carrying capacity.
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