US3414300A - Structural connection - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1968 v. SPANE 3,414,300

STRUCTURAL CONNECTION Filed July 25, 1966 INVENTOR. I/MTOZ ,6 SPAM.

A rive/v6) United States Patent 3,414,300 STRUCTURAL CONNECTION Victor L. Spane, Rte. 2, Box 79a, Stanwood, Wash. 98292 Filed July 25, 1966, Ser. No. 567,652 Claims. (Cl. 287-2032) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The mitered abutting ends of an angularly disposed pair of timbers have a metal plate therebetween. Common side faces and inner and outer edges of the timbers adjacent the angle are embraced by a U-shaped angular metallic channel to which the metal plate is integrally attached. The U-shaped channel is secured to the timbers, and the timbers are secured together into a rigid structure by plural fasteners passing from external of the channel into the timber structure.

Backgrmo-und This invention pertains to that portion of the art of building construction in which craftsmen employing standard timbers obtainable in the lumber trade and join them to provide structural members for a building. Metallic connector elements are employed which, when with the timbers are assembled and securely fastened together, will provide in a building truss an eave elbow or the crown joint in a roof structure. The primary problem involved in the prior art is the difficulty of obtaining accuracy that can result from hand work. Also lack of rigidity may result from normal mortising operations including the use of conventional nails, bolts or similar fastening. No specific prior art appropriate in this instance is known.

Description The primary object of this invention is the provision of a structural connection which can be readily prefabricated in parts to meet specific requirements and used and erected by carpenters of ordinary skill with speed and accuracy to establish angles and angular connections of great strength and rigidity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the course of the following description of a structure embodying the principles of the invention. The exact details are shown by way of illustration and it is not intended to thereby limit the invention, the scope of the invention being properly comprehended from the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a building arch employing structural connections according to this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a structural connection;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the components of FIGURE 2 in assembled relation;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate form of connection channel, a portion being broken away for convenience of illustration; and

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section view similar to that of FIGURE 4 but displaying a connection made employing the channel of FIGURE 5.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a footing 10 resting upon a suitable base supports an upright post or column 12 to which is connected a rafter 14, the latter in turn being similarly connected to a second opposite rafter 16. The connection 18 between the post 12 and rafter 14 joins these elements and the connection 20 joins rafters 14 and 16.

3,414,300 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 "ice It is to be understood that connections 18 and 20 may be identical in principle even though they may vary in detail. As shown the principal difference is in the included angle. It is to be borne in mind that these are but two embodiments of the invention and that other similar although specifically ditferent circumstances may likewise be accomplished.

Referring to FIGURE 2 the rafters 14 and 16 are brought together and disposed in a common plane in a substantially end-to-end manner as shown. Their longitudinal axes are angularly disposed relative each other. The adjacent ends of the timbers are mitered at 15 and 17 to match each other and at such angles as will bisect the included angle A. Each mitered end is provided with an acute angle corner 19.

In the final assembly a metal plate 22 is disposed between the mitered ends of the timbers. As shown in FIG- URE 2 plate 22 is rigidly secured in an angular channel member 24 which comprises webs 26 and 28 each having upper flanges 30 and lower flanges or inner flanges 32. The plate 22 bisects the angle defined by 24 and its juncture with the upper flanges 30 plate 22 forms a pair of acute angles 23 into which rafter ends 19 closely seat. A plurality of holes 34 in the webs 26 and 28 and holes 36 in flanges 30' and 32 are used for the entry of fastening means into the timbers from exterior of the metal components.

A similar matching but opposite connector 25 is also shown in FIGURE 2. The timbers 14 and 16 and metal components 24 and 25 are shown in final assembled condition in FIGURE 3.

Fasteners 35 may be driven through any of the holes 34 or 36in any pattern chosen by the contractor or the engineer thus to rigidify the structure. In some instances it may be desirable to drive a fastener in every such opening. In other instances this may not be required. Where the fasteners may enter opposite each other and of such length as to come into conflict with each other, they may be omitted or angled.

The connector 40 of FIGURE 5 is quite similar to connector 24 in that it employs the webs 41, 42 having outer flanges 43 and inner flanges 44. A principal variation is that plate 46 which is rigidly secured in the U-shaped channel member is broad enough that it extends outward from said channel a material distance as shown. Preferably the dimensions of plate 46 will'be substantially coextensive with the area of the mitered joints between the ends 15 and 17. This construction is particularly useful as shown in FIGURE 6.

An important advantage of this construction is that the transfer of a load as, for example, on a roof of a building to structural members such as posts in the sidewall is accomplished without imparting substantial strain on the elements at the cave line of the building. By means of this structural connection the applied forces are distributed over wide areas and not as in former practices localized. Another advantage particularly to be noted in this struc tural connection is that the acute angle 19 of the wooden members at the mitered joints is in each instance nested in a socket or pocket of very closely matching angularity and of substantial depth. By this arrangement a load being transmitted along a rafter, for example, toward a knee joint as connection 18 of FIGURE 1 is firmly transmitted into the metal parts of the connection and by them in the assembly distributed and dissipated within the structure in such a way as to not weaken or strain or permit racking of the joint. This function exists with respect to connector 20 as well as connector 18.

What is claimed is:

1. A structural connection, comprising: a pair of wooden timbers disposed substantially end-toend in a common plane with their longitudinal axes angularly disposed relative each other, the adjacent ends of said timbers being mitered to bisect said angle;

a metal plate disposed in the angle between said mitered timber ends;

a metallic U-shaped channel member of uniform crosssection throughout its length and shaped to incorporate said angle, said channel member being disposed with coplanar web portions juxtaposed to and extending along coplanar side faces of said timbers with flanges closely engaging and at least partially embracing transversely the inner and outer surfaces of said timbers;

said metal plate being rigidly secured to the web portions and flanges of said channel member in bisecting relation to the angle defined thereby; and

fastening means securing said channel member and said timbers together.

2. A structure connection according to claim 1 in which UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,840,014 6/ 1958 Wadsworth et a1. 3,188,1696 6/1965 Earhart 28720.94 3,333,875 8/1967 Tracy 287-2034 CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

WAYNE L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner.

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