US3420019A - Building joint with flexible connecting strap - Google Patents

Description

v BUILDING JOINT WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTING STRAP Filed Sept. 20, 1965 R. J. PADILLA Jan. 7, 1969 Sheet I of 2 FIG] FIGZ

' ROBERT J. PADlLLA 4 'BY aZduMI/x I ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1969 R. J. PADILLA 3,4 9

BUILDING JOINT WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTING STRAP Filed Sept. 20, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR ROBERT J. PADILLA ATTORNEY;

United States Patent 3,420,019 BUILDING JOINT WITSH FLEXIBLE CONNECTING TRAP Robert J. Padilla, Albuquerque, N. Mex., assignor to Flexstrap Inc., Albuquerque, N. Mex., a corporation of New Mexico Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 479,499, Aug. 13, 1965. This application Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,627 US. Cl. 52-238 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for flexibly connecting two mutally crossing construction parts comprises an elongated strap-like element formed at its central portion to enable attachment to a first building construction part and formed at its opposite ends to enable the ends to be attached to a second building construction part. Flexible portions of the strap-like element intervening between the central attachment and the respective end attachments have no direct attachment to the construction parts, and are thus free to flex and permit limited relative movement between the two crossing construction parts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 479,499, filed Aug. 13, 1965, for Connected Building Construction Parts, and Method and Means for Connecting Such Parts, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to building constructions and more particularly to connected building construction parts and methods and means for connecting such parts. More particularly, the invention relates to the connection of mutually crossing building construction parts in a manner to permit slight relative vertical movement between the parts without permitting substantial relative horizontal movement between the parts.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to the connection of building partitions or walls to parts of roof structures or roof supporting structures such as lower horizontal truss members, or joists. Building roofs move somewhat with wind, snow load and temperature changes. Hence, if a roof is attached or connected rigidly to an underlying vertical wall such as a partition, the latter may have to move vertically to follow the roof movement with possible damage to the wall as for example the cracking of plaster, dry wall, etc. From this standpoint, it is undesirable to connect a roof support member rigidly to an underlying wall or partition. However, a partition or wall should be connected to a superimposed load supporting member such as a roof jo-ist in a manner to prevent undue horizontal movement of the wall or partition. If walls or partitions are not tied to roof supporting members in a manner to prevent relative horizontal movement, the walls will not stand solidly in fixed vertical position. A truss or free spanning joist cannot rest on a non-bearing partition unless the partition is designed for bearing; and, in the case of a truss, the partition is designed for interior bearing.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple yet improved building construction in which two mutually crossing parts or members, such as load supporting roof joist or truss lower member and the upper part of a Wall, are connected in a manner to permit slight relative vertical movement between the crossing parts without however permitting substantial relative horizontal movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of this kind which permits the wall and ceiling coverings, such as dry wall etc. material, to remain stable as the roof moves.

3,420,019 Patented Jan. 7, 1969 Another object of the invention is to provide a connecting device especially adapted for use in connecting such crossing parts or members in the manner set forth above.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of attaching or connecting mutually crossing part to provide an assembly as outlined above.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of a connecting device which provides a connection between two mutually crossing building construction parts in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through a nonload bearing partition wall immediately underlying a load supporting part, for example a roof joist or the lower member of a roof truss, the partition and the lower building part shown relatively slightly separated;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing the parts relatively non-separated;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing a preferred embodiment of the connecting device in accordance with the invention;

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIG- URES 2 and 3, respectively, but including the preferred embodiment of the connecting device shown in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified construction for the outer end portions of the preferred connecting device.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 to 3, a load bearing structure part, for example a roof joist or lower member of a roof truss, is shown at 1 in a horizontal position crossing immediately above and adjacent to the horizontal upper edge part 2 of a non-load bearing partition wall structure, generally designated 3. A ceiling 4 is shown immediately under the load supporting part 1, and wall coverings 5 are shown at opposite sides of the partition 3. The ceiling 4 and wall coverings 5 are shown for indicating the environment of the structure, and for illustrating how constructions embodying the invention enable the ceiling covering, such as dry wall etc., to float and remain stable where the ceiling and wall meet,

As previously stated, it is desirable to connect the load supporting member or part 1 to the non-load supporting member or part 2 in a manner to permit slight relative vertical movement between the parts without, however, permitting undue relative horizontal movement. To this end, there is interposed between the load supporting part 1 and the non-load supporting part 2 an elongated substantially flat, strap-like connecting element, generally designated 6, which is formed, for example of sheet metal with a central portion 6a and two outwardly projecting flexible strap-like portions 6b terminating in ends provided with attaching ears 60. In applying the element 6 to the building construction parts 1 and 2 for connecting the latter together, the element 6 is secured to the part 2 by nails or other fasteners 7 in such position that the element 6 extends transversely to the part 2 and parallel to the part 1, immediately underlying the latter and projecting beyond both sides of the part 2. The ears 6c embrace and are secured to the part 1 by nails or other fastening means 8. It is important that the flexible portions 6b intervening between the central portion 6a and the ear formed ends 60 of the element 6 be free from connection or fastening to either of the parts 1 and 2. In order best to provide for flexing of the strap-like portions 6b, the length L1 (see FIGURE 2) of each portion 6b between the part 2 and the ears 6c at opposite ends of the element 6 should preferably be at least as great as the length L2 of the portion of the element 6 which is fastened to the part 2. In the illustrated construction, the length L1 is somewhat greater than the length L2.

When the parts have been connected in the manner described above, slight movement of the load supporting part 1, as may be incident to wind, snow load and temperature changes affecting a roof, may take place while the partition wall 3 and the wall covering, such as dry wall etc., where the wall covering meets the ceiling, remain stationary, both vertically and horizontally as is desired. Consequently, the partition wall 3 and its coverings are not subject to strain such as would crack plaster or cause other damage.

The above described connecting element 6 provides the desired interconnection of parts 1 and 2 in an entirely satisfactory manner. However, because of the ears 6c and the widened central portion 6a, this particular form of connecting element must be fashioned from a relatively quite wide rectangular piece of metal. The outline of element 6 is of course cut out from the flat, wide rectangular metal piece and the cars 60 are then bent upward into a plane perpendicular to the general plane of the element 6 Unavoidably a considerable percentage of the metal material will be Wasted in fabricating the connecting device 6.

FIGURES 4 to 6 of the appended drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the connecting device of the invention, one which is so devised as to avoid wasting material. The preferred connecting element 26 shown in FIGURES 4 to 6 is formed from a rectangular piece of metal of greatly reduced width, in comparison to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 3. Moreover, none of the material within the simple rectangular outline of connecting element 26 becomes waste, so that important savings of metal are realized.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 4 to 6, the load supporting part 1, the non-load bearing partition wall 3 with its upper edge part 2, the ceiling 4 and wall coverings 5 are shown in the same manner as before. Once again it is desired to connect the parts 1 and 2 in a manner to permit slight relative vertical movement between these parts without permitting undue relative horizontal movement. In accordance with the invention, there is interposed between the load supporting part 1 and the non-load supporting part 2 and elongated sub stantially flat, strap-like connecting element, generally designated 26. This connecting element is formed, for example, from sheet metal which is initially a flat piece of simple rectangular shape and of relatively narrow width. Connecting element 26 has a central portion 26a disposed between two attaching ears 26d and two outwardly projecting flexible strap-like portions 26b, each terminating in an end provided with a pair of attaching ears 260.

The flat piece of sheet metal stock from which element 26 is formed has slits or cuts stamped into the sheet metal along lines defining three sides of each of the ears 26c, 26d and a score line or a depression formed along the fourth side of each of these cars. The score lines defining the bases of the ears 260 are spaced inwardly from and are parallel to the longer edges of the connecting element 26, and the slits or cut-out lines for each pair of ears 26c follow the shape of the letter H. The score lines for cars 26d are perpendicular to the longer dimension of element 26 and are separated by a distance equal to the width of the upper edge part 2 of the partition wall structure. The slits for each of the ears 26d form the letter U. The stamped and scored sheet metal strap 26 is left flat for easy handling and compact packing during all the necessary storage, handling, and transportation operations prior to its actual use in a building construction.

When ready for use, the flat sheet metal piece is converted into the connecting element 26 by simply bending the cut-out attaching ears 26c, 26d into place. The ears are readily bent along their score lines, the four ears 26c being bent in one direction and the two ears 26d in the opposite direction into planes perpendicular to that of element 26.

In applying the element 26 to the building construction parts 1 and 2 for connecting the latter together, the element 26 is placed in such position that the element 26 extends transversely to the part 2 and parallel to the part 1, immediately underlying the latter and projecting beyond both sides of the part 2. The ears 26d embrace and are secured to the part 2 along its vertical edges by nails or other fasteners 27. Similarly the ears 26c embrace and are secured to the part 1 by nails or other fasteners 28. For further strength where required, additional nails or other fasteners 29 may be driven through holes in portions 26b adjacent the pairs of ears 26c and into the part 1.

Again it is important that the flexible portions 26b intervening between the central portion 26a and the ear formed ends 260 of the element 26 be free from connection or fastening to either of the parts 1 and 2. Also, for optimum flexing of the strap-like portions 26b, the length of each portion 26b between the part 2 and the ears 260 at opposite ends of the element 26 should preferably be at least as great as the length of its central portion 26a between the ears 26d.

When parts 1 and 2 have been connected by means of the connecting device 26 as described above, slight movement of the load supporting part 1, due to wind, snow load and temperature changes affecting a roof, may take place While the partition wall 3 and the wall covering 5, where the latter meets the ceiling, remain stationary, both vertically and horizontally. As before, the partition wall 3 and its coverings 5 are not subject to strain such as would crack plaster or cause similar damage.

In FIGURE 7 there is shown a modified construction for the pairs of connecting ears at the ends of strap-like portions 26b of the element 26. The arrangement shown in FIGURE 7 is such that, with an element 26 of a given width, ears 26e are obtained which are of twice the length and half the width of ears 260 of the previous arrangement. The combination of score lines and slit or cut-out lines required for cars Zoe will be clear from inspection of FIGURE 7. The cars 26:; are offset or staggered in position with respect to one another rather than directly opposed as in the case of cars 260.

The constructions and procedures of connecting the load bearing and non-load bearing building construction parts shown and described are illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a building construction, a load bearing structure including a horizontal first part having a first longitudinal edge; a non-load bearing partition structure including a horizontal second part having a second longitudinal edge crossing said first part first longitudinal edge closely adjacent thereto; an element interposed between and connecting said parts and comprising a substantially flat horizontal flexible strap-like portion extending along and parallel to said first part first longitudinal edge, crossing said second part second longitudinal edge and having ends spaced from and on opposite sides of said second part second longitudinal edge and ears on the longitudinal sides of ends of said flexible strap-like portion embracing said first part on longitudinal sides thereof in positions spaced from and on opposite sides of said second part second longitudinal edge; first means fastening said element to said second part where said parts longitudinal edges cross one another; and second means fastening said ears to said first part, the flexible portions of said element between said second part second longitudinal and said ears being free from fastening to either of said parts, whereby said flexi ble portions mayflex to permit relative vertical movement between said parts.

2. A construction according to claim 1 in which said load bearing structure is a roof supporting structure and said non-load bearing partition structure is immediately underneath said roof supporting structure.

3. A construction according to claim 2 including a ceiling covering underlying said roof supporting structure and meeting said partition, said element maintaining said ceiling covering stable where said ceiling covering and said partition meet, said horizontal second part being positionable in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal first part where said horizontal parts cross, whereby said flexible portions may flex to permit relative vertical movement between said horizontal parts.

4. A construction according to claim 1 in which the length of each of said flexible portions of said element between said second part and the respective cars at opposite ends of said element is at least as great as the length of the portion of said element which is fastened to said second part.

5. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing building construction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-liket element of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with two opposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first building construction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of opposed end attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction part crossing said first building construction part, the distances between said central portion and the respective ends of said element being at least as great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to the longer dimension of said elongated element, and the portions of said element extending between said central attaching ears and said end attaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

6. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing building construction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-like element of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with two opposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first building construction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of opposed end attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction part crossing said first building construction part, each of said attaching ears comprising a cut-out portion of said elongated element bent at right angles thereto, the distances between said central portion and the respective ends of said elongated element being at least as great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to the longer dimension of said elongated element, and the portions of said element extending between said central attaching ears and said end attaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

7. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing building construtcion parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-like element of rectangular outline formed at its central portion with two opposed central attaching ears to enable attachment to a first building construction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of mutually offset end attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction part crossing said first building construction part, each of said attaching ears comprising a cut-out portion of said elongated element bent at right angles thereto, the distances between said central portion and the respective ends of said elongated element being at least as great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to the longer dimension of said elongated element, and the portions of said element extending between said central attaching ears and said end attaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

8. A device for flexibly connecting two mutually crossing building construction parts, said device comprising an elongated strap-like element formed at its central portion to enable attachment to a first building construction part and formed at its opposite ends with pairs of opposed attaching ears for attachment to a second building construction part crossing said first building construction part, the bases of said attaching ears joining them to said elongated element lying along lines defined by the longer edges of said elongated element, said attaching ears beingbent at right angles to said elongated element, the distances between said central portion and the respective ends of said elongated element being at least as great as the dimension of said central portion parallel to the longer dimension of said elongated element and the portions of said element extending between said central portion and said attaching ears, respectively, being flexible.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,562,784 11/1925 Olsen 52715 X 1,935,536 11/1933 Balduf 52346 1,975,470 10/1934 McInerney 52238 X 1,993,792 3/1935 Manske 524-346 2,039,382 5/1936 Balduf 52346 3,000,145 9/1961 Fine 28720.94 X 3,046,620 7/ 1962 Tvorik 287-20.92 3,225,394 12/1965 Tillisch 28720.92 3,256,030 6/1966 Banse 52665 X FOREIGN PATENTS 77,413 1/1962 France.

1,399,267 4/1965 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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