Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie – Sheet or wire tie
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-10
2002-12-10
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie
Sheet or wire tie
C052S712000, C052S092200, C052S093200, C403S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06490840
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to metal connectors for tying together wood members in existing wood structures, and in particular, holding down roof structures against high winds including hurricanes.
In warm climates that are prone to hurricanes, existing single-family houses are typically constructed of light-framed timber. Newer houses have timber stud walls (double wall construction) and timber roof framing with plywood or wood slats. Most of the roof rafters or trusses are not attached to the exterior walls with metal hurricane fasteners. Older houses are usually of single-wall construction with timber-roof framing and non-structural corrugated metal roofing. (See Structural Engineers Association, 1993, p. III-22).
Studies of the damage that the 1992 Hurricane Iniki caused in Kauai, Hawaii, showed that there was extensive loss of roof covering (wood and asphalt shingles, sheet metal, and clay tiles), and sheathing (plywood, tongue-and-groove decking, and metal decking) due to high wind and inadequate attachment. The failed attachments were at the nailing of the roof covering to the sheathing; the stapling of the plywood sheathing; the nailing of metal decking to the battens and the battens to the purlins (trusses); and the nailing and splicing of tongue-and-groove decking. This caused dangerous wind-blown debris and resulted in extensive water damage to the buildings' contents. Many of the failed connections were “toe-nailed” together, (See Structural Engineers Association, 1993, p. III-22).
Engineers have recommended that all houses being built in Hawaii be in compliance of the current (Building) Code and the continuous load transfer path from roof to foundation should be integrated into all stages of building. Use of (prior art) hurricane clips does not, in and of itself, ensure successful building performance. (See FEMA publication FIA-23 p. 80).
BACKGROUND—Description of Prior Art
Prior to this invention, the outside wall sheathing had never been used before to form a continuous load transfer path from the roof to foundation. When building houses in a tropical climate, house foundations are very shallow or lacking completely. This invention uses the outside wall sheathing to tie the rafter, top plate, and outside wall together in order to resist uplift forces.
Recent unpublished research on wooden building performance during earthquakes shows that the outside wall sheathing is the most important structural member. If the sheathing comes loose from the wall when a building is shaken during earth tremors, the building can collapse. This invention helps hold the sheathing to the outside wall. None of the prior art holds the outside sheathing to the wall.
A number of connectors have been developed to tie together the roof rafter and the top plate, but these previous connectors were made to be used during construction of the structure. These connectors cannot be retro-fitted to existing structures without extensive dismantling or damage to inside wall board or outside trim. Prior tie connectors are also limited to the number of roofing and structural members that can be tied together.
The roof lock in U.S. Pat. No. 1,452,599 to Hames, March 1922, and the dock bracket in U.S. Pat. No. D.290,223 to Westerheim, June 1987 did not tie the rafter to the top plate and outside sheathing. The hurricane tie in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,372, December 1987, and snugging connector in U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,985, January 1990, both to Commins, can tie the rafter to the top plate in the skeleton structural framework of new construction. They can not be used as a retrofit on existing houses; they did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; they did not go around the frieze board; they did not tie into a stud or top plate directly underneath a rafter; and they did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The bearing connector in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,646, May 1992, to Colonias et al. is used to carry roof loads, but can tie together a rafter, top plate, and two 2×4's of the top plate together in the skeleton structural framework of new construction. This connector can not be used as a retrofit on existing houses; it did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; it did not go around the frieze board; and it did not tie into a stud or top plate directly underneath a rafter.
The building construction ties in U.S. Pat. No. 2,300,113, to Faber, October 1942, can tie the rafter to the joist and wall stud in the skeleton structural framework of new construction. They can not be used as retrofit on existing houses; they did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; they did not tie the rafter and top plate together; they did not go around the frieze board; and they did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The free gusset metal ledger hanger in U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,664, to Gilb, October 1982, is used to provide ledger support around the inside perimeter of buildings or at internal concrete or masonry walls. This connector can not be used as a retrofit on the outside of existing houses; it did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; it did not tie together a rafter and top plate; it did not go around the frieze board; it did not tie into a stud or top plate directly underneath a rafter; and it did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The wall tie in United Kingdom patent 2,096,664, to Durrant, October 1982, is used to strengthen mortar joints in brick walls. This connector can not be used as a retrofit on the outside of existing wood houses; it did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; it did not tie together a rafter and top plate; it did not go around the frieze board; it did not tie into a stud or top plate directly underneath a rafter; and it did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The connecting plate for wood members in Germany patent 238,822, to Sauer, March 1986, is used to connect planks, boards, or strips, using bending slots and nail holes. This connector, by its large bending slots, is a weak connector. Bending this connector weakens the metal, especially since most carpenters would hammer the connection to make it fit on planks and boards. This connector is useful for attaching together boards that intersect at odd angles, that is, not equal to 90 or 45 degrees. This connector may be used as a retrofit on existing houses, but was intended for attaching beams and blanks in the skeleton structural framework of new construction. It did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; it did not go around the frieze board; it did not tie into a stud or top plate directly underneath a rafter; and it did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The metal connectors in Switzerland patent 214,358, April 1941 is used to connect wood and metal members together. The connectors can tie I-beams, angle iron, and wood boards to metal frames in skeleton structural framework of new construction. They can not be used as retrofit on existing houses; they did not tie the sheathing to the top plate and rafter; they did not tie the rafter and top plate together; they did not go around the frieze board; and they did not tie together two 2×4's of the top plate.
The apparatus and method for securing a building during high winds in U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,986 to Winger, June 1994, is used to secure several of the roof rafters to the ground by cables and anchors. This system is employed only when high winds are expected, as the cables must be extended and attached to the ground anchor manually. In a post-and-beam constructed house where the inside rafters are exposed, the cables and attaching hardware are exposed to view. Cables can kink, stretch, rust in place, and break. This system did not tie down the roof sheathing or roof shingles. This system will not work if the homeowner is not home to secure the anchoring cables. It cannot work in areas where tornadoes can occur without warning, especially if the home owner is sleeping or is s
Friedman Carl D.
Horton Yvonne M.
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