Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Washer structure – Having leveling means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-04-17
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Washer structure
Having leveling means
C411S368000, C411S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217270
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bracing for building frames, and, more particularly, to a washer assembly that is especially useful to secure braces to metal building frames.
Typically, the frames of metal buildings are stabilized with bracing—most often with rod or cable braces.
FIG. 1
is a graphic representation of a typical metal building frame
1
, with diagonal rod or cable braces
2
between the wall columns
4
and roof purlins
3
of frame
1
. Braces
2
stiffen frame
1
(a) to enhance the ability of frame
1
to resist both lateral forces exerted against frame
1
by, for example, wind and earthquakes and the effects of the loads placed on frame
1
by cranes and other heavy equipment operating in frame
1
, (b) to minimize building vibrations, and (c) to facilitate construction of frame
1
. Concentrated loads on braces
2
are transferred by “hillside washers” directly to the webs of purlins and columns
3
and
4
.
FIG. 2
shows typical prior art rod and cable bracing used in the industry, which employ “hillside washers.”
FIG. 2A
shows the details of a rod brace assembly
5
mounted to the web
6
of a vertical column
4
of frame
1
. Rod brace assembly
5
includes a rod brace
7
the threaded end
9
of which is mounted to web
6
using a “hillside washer”
8
, a flat washer
10
, and a hex nut
11
. The remaining end (not shown) of brace
7
is typically bolted diagonally to another wall column
4
or roof purlin
3
of frame
1
. End
9
of brace
7
is inserted through a hole formed in web
6
to an extent that leaves a length of threaded end
9
exposed that is sufficient to permit threading of hillside washer
8
, flat washer
10
and hex nut
11
onto end
9
to mount brace
7
to web
6
. Hillside washer
8
allows for the transfer of the load from brace
2
to web
6
through washer
10
and nut
11
.
FIG. 2B
shows the details of a prior art assembly
16
that is identical to assembly
5
with the exception that assembly
16
includes an eye bolt
18
, which is mounted to hillside washer
8
, flat washer
10
and hex nut
11
, and cable
19
instead of a brace
7
. One end of cable
19
is secured through the eye of eye bolt
18
.
FIG. 3
shows the standard, prior art hillside washer. Washer
8
defines a tab
13
that extends through a correspondingly shaped slot formed in web
6
when washer
8
is mounted in place to stabilize the radial position of washer
8
. Semicircular members
14
provide a bearing surface for washer
10
that permits mounting rod
7
at a variety of angles to web
6
. Oversized opening
15
permits the mounting of rod
7
to hillside washer
8
at a variety of angles to hillside washer
8
. The shape of hillside washer
8
permits it to be oriented so that flat surface
12
of hillside washer
8
bears against web
6
.
Unfortunately, these assemblies often fail under load conditions. In some instances, the webs of the columns fail at the point at which the bracing is mounted to the web due to the load transferred to the web by the bracing. Also, the bearing surface between the flat washer and the hillside washer causes problems. In particular, a very small area of the hillside washer is in contact with the surface of the flat washer. Consequently, the load from the bracing is concentrated on a very small surface area of the hillside washer, which often causes the hillside washer to fracture and allow the rod to be pulled through the washer. Also, the flat washer can slip on the surface of the curved semicircular members
14
, allowing unwanted movement of the bracing and building frame members. In some instances, the hillside washer itself is pulled through the web. This problem has been addressed through the use of a flat bearing plate that is positioned between the base of the hillside washer and the web, in an effort to distribute the load over a larger area of the column.
There exists, therefore, a need for a washer assembly for building frame bracing that is less prone to fracturing and that provides greater stability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a two piece washer assembly that can be used to mount metal building frame reinforcements to the frame. The two piece design allows the load to which the frame is subjected to be distributed over a larger area, thus reducing the chance of web or washer assembly failure. The assembly accommodates various positions of the reinforcement with respect to the frame, and locks the reinforcement in position to minimize slippage caused by vibration or frame expansion and contraction. The assembly will accommodate bracing rods or cables of a variety of diameters.
The present invention provides a washer assembly for mounting a reinforcement to a building frame that includes a load distributing washer defining a base adapted to be seated against a surface and a curved bearing surface, and a clamping washer defining a bearing surface with a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the seat of the load distributing washer. Accordingly, the bearing surfaces can be brought into contact with and seated against each other, providing a larger area over which the building load is distributed. Preferably, the bearing surface of the load distributing washer and the bearing surface of the clamping washer define a series of teeth. Preferably, each of the load distributing washer and the clamping washer defines an opening through which the reinforcement can project, and the opening defined by the load distributing washer is elongated.
The present invention also provides a load distributing washer including a base adapted to be seated against a surface, a curved bearing surface and an opening through which a building frame reinforcement can project. Preferably, the bearing surface defines teeth, the base is flat, and the washer includes a web that strengthens the bearing surface.
The present invention also provides a clamping washer for use with a washer assembly for mounting a reinforcement to a building frame. The clamping washer defines a bearing surface with a curvature. Preferably, the bearing surface of the clamping washer define a series of teeth, and defines an opening through which the reinforcement can project.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 268094 (1983-03-01), Radmaker
patent: 1937818 (1933-12-01), French
patent: 2358606 (1944-09-01), Summers
patent: 2770161 (1956-11-01), Schutte
patent: 3059589 (1962-10-01), Schreyer
patent: 3438300 (1969-04-01), Blom et al.
patent: 4012883 (1977-03-01), Muller
Pp. 35 through 42, Metal Building Systems Design and Specifications, by Alexander Newman, published by McGraw-Hill more than one year prior to the filing of this application.
Section 6-p. 20-General Erection Guide published by American Buildings Company more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.
Cornelius Andrew J.
Triangle Fastener Corporation
Wilson Neill
LandOfFree
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