Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie – Depending cantilevered seat portion; e.g. – joist anchor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-05-15
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie
Depending cantilevered seat portion; e.g., joist anchor
C052S712000, C052S655100, C052S715000, C403S237000, C403S232100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230467
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a unitary joist hanger, particularly for hanging metal joists of C-shaped cross-section from headers. In the preferred embodiment, the hanger has a top flange that rests on the top surface of the header, a first back flange, a central flange that is fastened to the web of the supported C-shaped metal joist, and a second back flange. A pair of tabs is bent forward out of the first back flange, one of which positions and supports the C-shaped metal joist, depending on the orientation of the C-shaped metal joist to the left or to the right of the central flange. The upper flange of the C-shaped metal joist rests on the tab.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are a number of unitary joist hangers particularly adapted for supporting metal joists of C-shaped cross-section from headers. However, many of these interface with the lower flange of the C-shaped metal joist so they can only support one size of C-shaped metal joist flush with the top of the header. U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,741, granted to Alan C. Wendt on Mar. 23, 1976, describes such a hanger for mounting hollow metal joists. The back plate terminates at its bottom edge in a saddle for the joist to rest upon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,131, granted to Ernest S. Viola et al on Nov. 17, 1998, also describes a one-piece joist hanger with a lower tab member that the joist rests upon. C-shaped metal joists come in a variety of sizes, varying in both height and width.
Among hangers not limited to a certain size joist, some only permit either a left or right orientation of the C-shaped metal joist, but not both. Viola '
131
exemplifies the type of hanger that permits only a left or right orientation of the C-shaped metal joist.
Among unitary joist hangers, only a few can both hang C-shaped metal joists in a variety of sizes flush with the top of the header and permit both left and right orientations of the C-shaped metal joist. These however fail to achieve the economy of material of the present invention and have neither the versatility or ease of installation of the present invention, due to structural limitations. U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,445, granted to Alan C. Wendt on Sep. 23, 1975, is an example of this type of hanger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hanger for supporting a metal joist of C-shaped cross-section from headers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanger that allows C-shaped metal joists to be supported with the channel opening of the C-shape open to either the left or to the right.
It is another object of the present invention to allow a variety of sizes of C-shaped metal joists to be supported by the same hanger.
It is another object of the present invention to allow C-shaped metal joists to be correctly positioned by the hanger prior to attachment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanger made from a single piece of sheet metal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for mounting C-shaped metal joists from a pair of hangers already mounted on headers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanger that can be attached first either to the supporting header or the supported joist.
The objects of the present invention are achieved in a hanger with a central flange joined to a back flange with a pair of tabs, one on either side of the central flange, so that the back plate may be attached to a supporting member, particularly a header, and the central flange may be attached to the side of a supported member, particularly the web of a C-shaped metal joist. The supported member can be oriented to either left or right and positioned by interface with either the tab on one side of the central flange or with the tab on the other side of the central flange. The upper flange of a C-shaped metal joist can be supported by the respective tab.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a second back flange to the hanger, which allows the hanger to support a heavier supported member.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a top flange to the hanger, which adds further bearing strength and positions the hanger for attachment to the supporting member. It also allows the supported member to be temporarily hung at both ends before attachment means are employed.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by equidistant location of the tabs on the hanger. This symmetry makes the hanger easier to use when the orientation of the supported member to left or right is not predetermined.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a wing to each of the tabs on the hanger, which provides a greater bearing surface when the upper flange of a C-shaped metal joist is supported thereon.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of one or more fastener openings to one or more of the top, first back and second back flanges, allowing fastener means such as nails, screws or bolts to be passed through these flanges and into the supporting and supported members with greater ease. Fastener openings also provide for precise location and numbers of such fasteners. When no fastener openings are provided, such fasteners can be driven through the hanger flanges. Furthermore, if fastener means such as chemical adhesives or welding are used to attach the hanger to either the supporting or the supported member, no fastener openings are required at that interfaces.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved in a connection of a supporting member, such as a header, with top, bottom, proximal and distal surfaces, a hanger with a central flange joined to a back plate with a pair of tabs, one on either side of the central flange, a supported member such as a C-shaped metal joist, with an upper flange and a web, and fastener means for attaching the back flange to the proximal surface of the supporting member and for attaching the central flange to the web of the supported member. The supported member can be oriented to either left or right and positioned by interface with either the tab on one side of the central flange or with the tab on the other side of the central flange. The upper flange of the supported member rests on the respective tab.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a second back flange to the hanger of the connection, which allows the hanger to support a heavier supported member.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a top flange to the hanger of the connection, which adds further bearing strength and positions the hanger for attachment to the supporting member. It also allows the supported member to be temporarily hung at both ends before attachment means are employed.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by equidistant location of the tabs on the hanger of the connection. This symmetry makes the hanger easier to use when the orientation of the supported member to left or right is not predetermined.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by the addition of a wing to each of the tabs on the hanger of the connection, which provides a greater bearing surface when the upper flange of the supported member is supported thereon.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved in a method of hanging a supported member between two substantially parallel supporting members, the supporting members each having attached a hanger with a central flange joined to a back flange with a pair of tabs, one on either side of the central flange, and rotating the supported member such as a C-shaped metal joist, with an upper flange and a web, along its long axis so that the upper flange passes between the central flange and first tab of one hanger and between the central flange and second tab of the other hanger, until the web of the supported member lies adjacent to t
Cypher Charles R.
Cypher James R.
Dorsey Dennis L.
Friedman Carl D.
Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc.
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