Abstract:
A connection between a wall stud, channel-shaped bridging member and connector that resists torsional forces, the connector being suited to interlock with the interior of the bridging member channel and to be fastened to the bridging member outside the channel, depending on the orientation of the bridging member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to steel stud building wall systems and especially to apparatuses for stabilizing steed studs to prevent lateral movement and torsion in such systems. 
     Many industrial, and a growing number of residential, buildings are constructed with steel stud wall framing for a variety of reasons. Steel framing is fireproof, does not warp, cannot be infested, and does not rot. When a wall is built with any kind of stud, wood or steel, it is generally desirable to fix sequential studs relative to each other and each against lateral movement and torsion. In wood-stud walls, a short piece of wood blocking is typically nailed to adjacent stud pairs to stabilize them. In steel-stud walls, an elongated steel bridging member is typically inserted horizontally through pre-punched openings in a series of vertical studs to keep them aligned. Steel studs have excellent columnar strength when they are straight, but a significant portion of that strength is lost if the studs are twisted. Because steel studs are particularly vulnerable to torsion, the bridging member, which is typically channel-shaped, having a horizontal web and two vertical side flanges, is made to closely fit the openings in the vertical studs in order to maximize torque resistance. In additional to mechanical torque, metal studs can twist or bend in response to the heat of a fire when the drywall sheathing, which acts as a firebreak, is destroyed. When metal studs twist or bend, they lose their weight-bearing capacity, multiplying the damage caused directly by fire. 
     While channel-shaped bridging members closely received in the openings can help restrain the studs from twisting, some twisting can still occur and the studs can still shift or bend parallel to the wall. A variety of sheet metal brackets, beginning with a simple right angle, have been designed to prevent this shifting or bending. The prior art brackets are all relatively labor intensive to install and their connections are all relatively weak. Fore example, with the simple right angle bracket, the installer places the horizontal leg of the bracket on the bridging member and the vertical leg of the bracket against the web of the wall stud. Screws are inserted through both legs to attach the bracket to the bridging member and the stud. The bracket relies on the screw connections to function, and the installer must ensure that the bracket is placed correctly. Later prior art brackets have improved on this basic connection. 
     The prior art also includes short bridging members that, like the wood blocking members mentioned above, span only adjacent studs and have ends tailored for fastening the wall studs, but these bridging members are relatively expensive because they use additional material to form the ends, they require a large number of fasteners, and they are necessarily of fixed length, which makes them useless if the spacing between any two studs has to be varied from the norm. 
     The prior art also includes elongated bridging members with a series of slots that are designed for mating with the opening in the wall stud webs, but these make relatively weak connections and also have the disadvantage that they cannot accommodate any variation in the spacing between studs. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket that uses less material than prior art brackets, installs faster and more easily using fewer fasteners, and forms a connection that is stronger, resisting both lateral and torsional loads better than the prior art. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a bracket that can be installed both outside and within the channel shape of the typical bridging member. The ability to install within the channel shape is especially advantageous because bridging members are frequently installed upside down, as a u-channel instead of the more correct n-channel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a connector for firmly connecting and stabilizing a building wall steel stud in concert with a bridging member. The bridging member passes through an opening in each of several studs in a section of a wall. The bridging member is designed to keep the studs in alignment along the length of the wall when it is installed through the studs. 
     The present invention provides a connector with edges that interlock with the web of a wall stud to provide exceptional torsional rigidity. The edges are braced by the body parts of the connector, allowing them to resist substantially higher loads than flanges adjacent to the web of the wall stud. 
     The present invention provides a connector with edges or similarly narrow lines that interface with the sides of the bridging members that connect wall studs, also providing exceptional torsional rigidity. These narrow interfaces are braced by flanges that intersect with the sides of the bridging members instead of being positioned alongside and parallel to the sides of the bridging members. 
     The interfaces with the sides of the bridging members are further reinforced by bracing the opposite ends of the flanges against the web of the wall stud, so that the diagonal flanges are trapped between the sides of the bridging members and the web of the wall stud. 
     The exceptional strength of the interlocking connections between the bridging connector, the bridging member and the wall stud allow the bridging connector to be firmly connected with a single fastener that attaches the body of the bridging connector to the bridging member. 
     For added strength, additional fasteners can be used to attach the bridging connector to the wall stud. 
     The present connector is shaped to conform to the inner surfaces of the bridging member, but can be attached either within or outside the channel shape of the bridging member. 
     The present connector is mechanically interlocked with the boundary flanges of the bridging member and is restrained between the boundary flanges of the bridging member and the web of the stud. 
     The present connector can interface with the planar boundary flanges of the typically bridging member, providing an improved interlock between the two. 
     The present connector can interface with all three internal surfaces of the typical bridging member, providing a further improved interlock between the two. 
     The present connector provides a central portion with a channel shape similar to that of the typical bridging member, providing a further improved interlock between the two. 
     The present connector provides a central portion with a right-angled channel shape, providing a further improved interlock between the two. 
     The present connector can extend laterally beyond the bridging member to provide improved connection between the bridging member and the web of the stud. 
     The present connector provides side flanges that brace the boundary flanges of the bridging member against the web of the stud. 
     The present connector provides a fastener embossment that stiffens the connector around the fastener opening and can provide contact with the bridging member when the connector is installed outside the bridging member channel. 
     The present connector can fastened with a single fastener, easing and speeding installation. 
     The present connector provides slots that with edges that face and can interface with the web of the stud on either side of the stud web opening. 
     The present connector provides a connection that reinforces the stud against torsional rotation on a vertical axis. The same connection reinforces the bridging member against rotation on a horizontal axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an upper front right perspective view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and a bridging connector formed according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention before it is inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud above a typical cold-formed steel bridging member. 
         FIG. 3  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention as it is being inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud above a typical cold-formed steel bridging member. 
         FIG. 4  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention interfacing with the sides of the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud and resting on a typical cold-formed steel bridging member before being attached to the bridging member with a separate fastener. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention, showing the portion of the bridging member below the bridging connector, the inner surfaces of the boundary flanges of the bridging connector, and the inner surfaces of the side flanges of the bridging connector in phantom line. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, a typical cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an upper front right perspective view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, an inverted cold-formed steel stud, and a inverted bridging connector formed according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention before it is inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud above an inverted cold-formed steel bridging member. 
         FIG. 9  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention as it is being inserted in the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud above an inverted cold-formed steel bridging member. 
         FIG. 10  is an upper front right perspective view of a bridging connector formed according to the present invention interfacing with the sides of the elongated opening in the web of a typical cold-formed steel stud and resting on an inverted cold-formed steel bridging member before being attached to the bridging member with a separate fastener. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, an inverted cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention, showing the portion of the bridging member below the bridging connector, the inner surfaces of the boundary flanges of the bridging connector, and the inner surfaces of the side flanges of the bridging connector in phantom line. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of connection made between a typical cold-formed steel wall stud, an inverted cold-formed steel bridging member, and the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an upper rear left perspective view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a lower rear left perspective view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a rear elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a front elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a left side elevation view of the preferred form of the bridging connector of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 4-7 and 10-12 , the present invention is a building connector  1  that comprises a substantially vertical wall stud  2 , a substantially horizontal bridging member  11 , and a bridging connector  19 . The structural members are typically made from cold-formed sheet steel, and the bridging connector  19  is preferably made from cold-formed steel, but any or all can be made from other sufficiently strong materials, formed by any appropriate method of manufacture. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 , the substantially vertical wall stud  2  preferably has a central web  3  with an opening  8 , a first side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 , and a second side flange  9  integrally attached to the central web  3 . The central web  3  is typically bounded by four sides  4 , and the central web  3  has an inner surface  6  and an outer surface  7 . The opening  8  in the central web is typically elongated vertically, with an edge  65  that has two elongated vertical portions  66  to either side and two concave portions  68  joining the vertical portions  66 . The side flanges  9  have inner surfaces  53  and outer surfaces  54 . In addition, the wall stud  2  typically has first and second stiffening flanges  57  attached to the first and second side flanges  9 , respectively. The stiffening flanges  57  have inner edges  59  that face each other, inner surfaces  61  and outer surfaces  62 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 and 7-10 , preferably the substantially horizontal bridging member  11  has an at least partially planar middle web  12 , an at least partially planar first boundary flange  17 , and an at least partially planar second boundary flange  17 . The at least partially planar middle web  12  preferably has a first boundary  13  and a second boundary  13 , an internal surface  15  and an external surface  16 . Preferably, the at least partially planar first boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the first boundary  13 . The first boundary flange  17  preferably has an internal surface  71  and an external surface  72 . Preferably, the at least partially planar second boundary flange  17  is angularly joined to and extends from the middle web  12  at the second boundary  13 . The second boundary flange  17  preferably has an internal surface  71  facing toward the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and an external surface  72  facing away from the external surface  72  of the first boundary flange  17 . Preferably, the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11  have first and second outer edges  75 , respectively, that are mutually parallel. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , the bridging connector  19  preferably contacts the central web  3  of the wall stud  2  and is fastened to the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the bridging connector  19  has a first body part  20 , a first interior surface  21  and a first exterior surface  22 . The first body part  20  preferably has a first inner edge  23  and a first outer edge  101 . Preferably, a rigid central portion  11  of the first body part  20  is dimensioned to conform to substantially planar portions of the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and the internal surface  71  of the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . Thus, the first body part  20  preferably makes at least two points of contact with the internal surface  71  of one of the first and second boundary flanges  17  and at least one point contact with the internal surface  71  of the other of the first and second boundary flanges  17 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , preferably the first exterior surface  22  is opposite the first interior surface  21 . One of the first interior surface  21  and the first exterior surface  22  preferably faces the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the first body part  20  has a first side boundary  33  and a second side boundary  33 . The central portion  111  of the bridging connector  19  is preferably bounded by a first straight borderline  130  and a second straight borderline  130 . Preferably, the first and second outer edges  75  of the first and second boundary flanges  17 , respectively, of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  is preferably dimensioned so that the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  can interface with the internal surfaces  71  of the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11  such that the bridging connector  19  is restrained from rotational movement on a vertical axis  131  relative the bridging member  11  by the mechanical interlock between central portion  111  of the bridging connector  19  and the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , preferably a first substantially planar part  117  of the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  is dimensioned to conform to a substantially planar portion of the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . A second substantially planar part  117  of the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  is preferably dimensioned to conform to a substantially planar portion of the internal surface  71  of the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  is preferably dimensioned to conform to adjacent portions of the internal surfaces  15  of the middle web  12 , the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and the internal surface  71  of the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , preferably the central portion  111  of the first body part  20  has a central web portion  112 , a first border extension  117 , and a second border extension  117 . The central web portion  112  preferably has a first border  113  and a second border  113 , an inside surface  115  and an outside surface  116 . Preferably, the first border extension  117  is joined to the first border  113 . The first border extension  117  preferably has an inside surface  118  and an outside surface  119 . The second border extension  117  is preferably joined to the second border  113 . Preferably, the second border extension  120  has an inside surface  118  and an outside surface  119 . The central web portion  112  of the first body part  20  preferably is angularly related to the first border extension  117  and the second border extension  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , preferably the angle between the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  and the inside surface  118  of the first border extension  117  is orthogonal. The angle between the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  and the inside surface  118  of the second border extension  120  preferably is orthogonal as well. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , preferably the first border extension  117  extends from the first border  113  to a first juncture  123 . The second border extension  117  preferably extends from the second border  113  to a second juncture  123 . Preferably, the first body part  20  includes a first lateral extension  124  that is joined to the first juncture  123  and extends past the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  to the first side boundary  33  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19 . The first body part  20  preferably includes a second lateral extension  124  that is joined to the second juncture  124  and extends past the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  to the second side boundary  33  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19 . Preferably, the first border extension  117  is angularly related to the first lateral extension  124 . The second border extension  117  preferably is angularly related to the second lateral extension  124 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , preferably the first lateral extension  124  has a first interior surface  125  and a first exterior surface  126 . The second lateral extension  126  preferably has a second interior surface  125  and a second exterior surface  126 . Preferably, the angle between the outside surface  119  of the first border extension  117  and the exterior surface  126  of the first lateral extension  124  is orthogonal. The angle between the outside surface  119  of the second border extension  117  and the exterior surface  126  of the second lateral extension  124  also is preferably orthogonal. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , preferably, a first side flange  35  is attached to the first side boundary  33  and a second side flange  35  is attached to the second side boundary  33 . The first side flange  35  preferably has an inner surface  37  and an outer surface  38  opposite the inner surface  37 . Preferably, the second side flange  35  has an inner surface  37  and an outer surface  38  opposite the inner surface  37 . The first side flange  35  of the bridging connector  2  preferably interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the second side flange  35  of the bridging connector  2  interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The first side flange  35  of the bridging connector  2  and the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  preferably are at least partially nonparallel. Preferably, the second side flange  35  of the bridging connector  2  and the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. The sides flanges  35  preferably have outer end edges  91 , lower edges  95 , and inner end edges  103 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , the outside surface  116  of the central web portion  112  preferably is adjacent the internal surface  15  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the outside surface  119  of the first border extension  117  is adjacent the internal surface  171  of the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The outside surface  119  of the second border extension  120  preferably is adjacent the internal surface  181  of the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , preferably the central web portion  112  of the bridging connector  19  includes a first fastening embossment  127  centered on a first fastener opening  82 . The first fastener embossment  127  preferably does not contact the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . The fastener embossment  127  is preferably the same height as the boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11 , and it is preferably round, but its height and circumference can take other dimensions and forms. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , preferably, only a single fastener  81  fastens the bridging connector  19  to the bridging member  11 , and the single fastener  81  is inserted through the fastener opening  82  in the first fastening embossment  127 . Additional fasteners  81  can be used if additional strength is needed. There can also be additional fastener embossments  127 . When the bridging connector  19  is installed outside the bridging member  11  channel, there is a force couple between the fastener  81  and the geometric features of the bridging connector  19  that abut the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The same force couple exists when the bridging connector  19  is installed in the bridging member  11  channel, but the preferred form of the bridging connector  19  has a geometry that itself resists rotation around a vertical axis  131  so that the fastener  81  prevents the bridging connector  19  from escaping the bridging member  11  channel. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener  81  is a sheet metal screw  81 , other fasteners  81  can be used. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  preferably faces the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the first juncture  123  between the first border extension  117  and the first lateral extension  124  of the bridging connector  19  is adjacent the first boundary  13  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . The second juncture  123  between the second border extension  117  and the second lateral extension  124  of the bridging connector  19  preferably is adjacent the second boundary  13  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , preferably the central web portion  112  of the bridging connector  19  includes a first fastening embossment  127  that contacts the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , only a single fastener  81  preferably fastens the bridging connector  19  to the bridging member  11 , and the single fastener  81  is inserted through the fastener opening  82  in the first fastening embossment  127 , where the fastening embossment  127  of the bridging connector  19  contacts the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5-7, 11 and 12 , preferably the first inner edge  23  has a first web interface portion  24  and a second web interface portion  24  The bridging connector  19  preferably has a second body part  20  and a neck  32  joining the first body part  20  to the second body part  20 . Preferably, the second body part  20  has a second interior surface  21 , a second exterior surface  22  opposite the second interior surface  11 , a second inner edge  29  with a third web interface portion  24  and a fourth web interface portion  24 . One of the second interior surface  21  and the second exterior surface  22  preferably faces the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the neck  32  joins the first body part  20  to the second body part  20  between the first web interface portion  24  and the second web interface portion  24  of the first inner edge  23  and between the third web interface portion  24  and the fourth web interface portion  24  of the second inner edge  29 . The neck  32  preferably passes through the opening  8  in the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . Preferably the first web interface portion  24  and a second web interface portion  24  of the first inner edge  23  interface with the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . The third web interface portion  24  and the fourth web interface portion  24  of the second inner edge  29  preferably interface with the central web  3  of the wall stud  2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , preferably a rigid central portion  111  of the second body part  20  is dimensioned to conform to adjacent portions of at least two of the internal surfaces  15 ,  71  of the middle web  12 , the first boundary flange  17  and the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . The second body part  20  preferably makes at least two point of contact with the internal surface  71  of one of the first and second boundary flanges  17  and at least one point of contact with the internal surface  71  of the other of the first and second boundary flanges  17 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , referably the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  is dimensioned so that the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  can interface with the internal surfaces  71  of the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11  such that the bridging connector  19  is restrained from rotational movement on a vertical axis relative the bridging member  11  by the mechanical interlock between central portion  111  of the bridging connector  19  and the first and second boundary flanges  17  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , a first substantially planar part  117  of the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  is preferably dimensioned to conform to a substantially planar portion of the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . Preferably, a second substantially planar part  117  of the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  is dimensioned to conform to a substantially planar portion of the internal surface  71  of the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  is preferably dimensioned to conform to adjacent portions of the internal surfaces  15  of the middle web  12 , the internal surface  71  of the first boundary flange  17  and the internal surface  71  of the second boundary flange  17  of the horizontal bridging member  11 . 
     Preferably, the central portion  111  of the second body part  20  has a central web portion  112 , a first border extension  117 , and a second border extension  117  joined to the second border  113 . The central web portion  112  preferably has a first border  113  and a second border  113 , an inside surface  115  and an outside surface  116 . Preferably, the first border extension  117  is joined to the first border  113 , the first border extension  117  having an inside surface  118  and an outside surface  119 . The second border extension  117  is preferably joined to the second border  113 , the second border extension  120  having an inside surface  118  and an outside surface  119 . Preferably, the central web portion  112  of the second body part  20  is angularly related to the first border extension  117  and the second border extension  120 . 
     The angle between the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  of the second body part  20  and the inside surface  118  of the first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  is preferably orthogonal. Preferably, the angle between the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  of the second body part  20  and the inside surface  118  of the second border extension  120  of the second body part  20  is also orthogonal. 
     The first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  preferably extends from the first border  113  to a first juncture  123 . Preferably, the second border extension  117  of the second body part  20  extends from the second border  113  to a second juncture  123 . The second body part  20  preferably includes a first lateral extension  124  that is joined to the first juncture  123  and extends past the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  to the first side boundary  33  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19 . Preferably, the second body part  20  includes a second lateral extension  124  that is joined to the second juncture  124  and extends past the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  to the second side boundary  33  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19 . The first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  preferably is angularly related to the first lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20 . Preferably, the second border extension  117  of the second body part  20  is angularly related to the second lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20 . 
     The first lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20  preferably has a first interior surface  125  and a first exterior surface  126 . Preferably, the second lateral extension  126  of the second body part  20  has a second interior surface  125  and a second exterior surface  126 . The angle between the outside surface  119  of the first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  and the exterior surface  126  of the first lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20  is preferably orthogonal. Preferably, the angle between the outside surface  119  of the second border extension  117  of the second body part  20  and the exterior surface  126  of the second lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20  is also orthogonal. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a first side flange  35  is preferably attached to the first side boundary  33  of the second body part  20  and a second side flange  35  is attached to the second side boundary  33  of the second body part  20 . Preferably, the first side flange  35  of the second body part  20  has an inner surface  37  and an outer surface  38  opposite the inner surface  37 . The second side flange  35  of the second body part  20  preferably has an inner surface  37  and an outer surface  38  opposite the inner surface  37 . Preferably, the first side flange  35  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  2  interfaces with the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . The second side flange  35  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  2  preferably interfaces with the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the first side flange  35  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  2  and the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  are at least partially nonparallel. The second side flange  35  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  2  and the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11  preferably are at least partially nonparallel as well. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , preferably the outside surface  116  of the central web portion  112  of the second body part  20  is adjacent the internal surface  15  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . The outside surface  119  of the first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  preferably is adjacent the internal surface  171  of the first boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the outside surface  119  of the second border extension  120  of the second body part  20  is adjacent the internal surface  181  of the second boundary flange  17  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , the central web portion  112  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  preferably includes a first fastening embossment  127  centered on a first fastener opening  82 . Preferably, the first fastener opening  82  does not contact the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , only a single fastener  81  preferably fastens the bridging connector  19  to the bridging member  11 , and the single fastener  81  is inserted through the fastener opening  82  in the first fastening embossment  127 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , preferably the inside surface  115  of the central web portion  112  of the second body part  20  faces the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . The first juncture  123  between the first border extension  117  of the second body part  20  and the first lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  preferably is adjacent the first boundary  13  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . Preferably, the second juncture  123  between the second border extension  117  of the second body part  20  and the second lateral extension  124  of the second body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  is adjacent the second boundary  13  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , the central web portion  112  of the first body part  20  of the bridging connector  19  preferably includes a first fastening embossment  127  that contacts the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , preferably only a single fastener  81  fastens the bridging connector  19  to the bridging member  11 , and the single fastener  81  is inserted through the fastener opening  82  in the first fastening embossment  127 . The fastening embossment  127  of the bridging connector  19  preferably contacts the external surface  16  of the middle web  12  of the bridging member.