Patent ID: 6131359
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: E04B,E04C

Abstract:
A spacer clip for maintaining spacing between side-by-side wooden joists, each of the joists defining a predetermined height between joist tops and joist bottoms and a each of the side-by-side joists defining a predetermined spacing distance with respect to adjacent side-by-side joists, the spacer clip comprising:a bridging section having opposing bridging section ends that are spaced at the predetermined spacing distance, and including a flat top surface and side plates interconnected with the flat top surface and projecting transversely to a plane defined by the flat top surface, the side plates extending between the opposing bridging section ends for providing rigidity to the bridging section;a first leg and a second leg each respectively extending transversely to the flat top surface of the bridging section from each of the opposing bridging section ends to a respective lower end and the first leg and the second leg each respectively extending in a leg extension direction a distance between the opposing bridging section ends and the lower ends that is less than the predetermined height, each of the first leg and the second leg being flexibly movable away from each other at each lower end;a pivot slot in the first leg adjacent the lower end thereofa plurality of locking slots in the second leg adjacent the lower end thereof located at spaced-apart positions along the second leg in a direction taken in the leg extension directiona pair of base ends, each extending outwardly of each of the bridging section ends, respectively, and each of the base ends defining a flat top surface that is aligned with the plane defined by flat top surface of the bridging section; anda draw bar having a first projecting end projecting outwardly from a first draw bar end, the first projecting end pivotally engaging the pivot slot and a second projecting end projecting outwardly from a second draw bar ends opposite the first draw bar end, the second projecting end removably seating in and retained by, each of the plurality of locking slots so as to provide variable outward movement of the lower end of the first leg with respect to the lower end of the second leg, and wherein distance between the first draw bar end and the second draw bar end is greater than the predetermined spacing distance.