Patent ID: 7178296
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: E04B,E04H

Abstract:
1. A structural joint connection comprising: a column capable of providing permanent, columnar support of a structure such as a building, tower and similarly heavy structure; two beams disposed on opposite sides of said column with respect to each other and wherein said beams extend in generally opposite directions away from said column; wherein said two beams are each attached with respect to said column, in a gravity load-carrying connection, by which said column provides support for said beams and the gravity loads on said beams; wherein each said beam is also connected to said column in a moment-resisting connection, which resists vertical moments substantially equal to the ultimate vertical moment capacity of each of said beams; wherein said gravity load-carrying connection and said moment-resisting connection comprise a beam-to-column joint connection having sufficient strength to develop axial tension substantially equal to the tensile capacity of said beam; two gusset plates disposed face-to-face with respect to each other, on opposite sides of said beams and said column, at the location said two beams are attached with respect to said column; wherein said gusset plates extend along opposite sides of both of said beams; wherein each said gusset plate is fixedly attached, with respect to each said beam, by an axial tension and moment-resisting connection to each of said beams, resulting in an axial tension and moment-resisting connection between said beams, through said gusset plates, which axial tension and moment-resisting connection between said beams resists axial tension substantially equal to the ultimate tensile capacity of the beams, upon loss of support from said column, and, simultaneously, resists vertical moments about the major axis of each said beam substantially equal to the vertical moment capacity of each said beam upon loss of support from said column, and wherein said gusset plates are not welded directly to said column, by vertical welds along said column, to provide a moment-resisting, beam-to-column joint connection, nor attached directly to said column by angle irons nor bolts or rivets, to provide a moment-resisting or shear type beam-to-column joint connection.