Abstract:
This invention is a piece of sheet metal bent into a Z shape. It has integral U shaped tabs at each end of the Z shaped clip. The tabs are created by having the bottom portion of the Z extend 6 to 8 inches longer than the middle and top portions. This longer flat portion is then double bent away from the middle portion to form U shaped tabs. The tabs wrap around the two opposing flanges of a steel bar joist, I-beam or H-column and hold the Z shaped clip onto the bar joist, I-beam or column. The Z clip can be installed prior to spray applied fireproofing used in structural steel buildings. It subsequently provides a connection point for metal stud walls and other materials or equipment that need to be supported by the steel structure at a specific distance away from the bar joist, I-beam or column.

Description:
[0001]    The applicant claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/54,302 filed on Feb. 20, 2009 for a “Light gauge metal Zee clip”. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a light to heavy gauge metal Zee clip. The clip consists of the following components:
       Light to heavy gauge sheet metal bent into a Z shape.   The clip has two horizontal legs which can vary in length from one half inch to four inches; the vertical/diagonal leg will vary from one half inch to four and one half inches. The depth of the vertical/diagonal leg will depend on the thickness of fireproofing required for that particular bar joist, I-beam or H-column. The horizontal legs are not necessarily equal lengths or widths.   The overall length of the ZEE clip and depth of the U shaped clips will vary and will coincide with the width and thickness of the flange of the steel I-beams, bar joist and columns to which the ZEE clip is attached.
 
This invention is a piece of sheet metal bent into a Z shape. Looking at the clip from the end (so you see the shape of a Z), the bottom horizontal section will be longer than the vertical/diagonal and top sections of the Z. The additional length on the bottom horizontal section, starting as a straight flat piece, will be double or multiple bent or radius bent to create the U shaped clips under the Z and will not necessarily be equal lengths on each end of the Z. The overall length of the vertical/diagonal and top sections will vary from 2 to 24 inches depending on the width of the bar joist, I-beam or column it will be attached to. Each end of the bottom section will have two successive bends, multiple bends or a radius bend with the first bend or radius being in the direction away from the vertical/diagonal section. The first bend or radius on each end of the Z clip will start at a 40 to 50 degree angle to the length of the ZEE clip, and parallel with each other. By starting the bend for the tabs at an angle it sets up so that the radius bend or second bend creates U shaped tabs/ears on each end of the clip that face opposite directions. The two bends, multiple bends or radius bend will in turn make a U shaped tab at each end, on the bottom of the ZEE clip. The distance between the two parallel surfaces of the U will vary from ⅛ of an inch to 2 and ½ inches or greater, and will coincide with the thickness of the steel bar joist, beam or column flanges. The two surfaces of the U are not necessarily parallel to each other and could be made so the U is actually in a slightly closed U shape. The direction of the tabs will be in such a manner that the Z clip will be turned in a clockwise motion to lock the tabs onto a bar joist, I-beam or column. This tab/ear at each end will make up the attachment which will hold the clip onto the beam or column flanges with a friction fit. The tabs/ears will have a slight upward bend diagonally on the corner of the leading edge to ease the installation of the clip onto a bar joist, I-beam or column.
       
 
         [0006]    One of the key benefits of using this new invention is to improve employee safety. Installing the clip with a specifically designed tool reduces fall hazards by working from the floor level versus having to climb a ladder or scaffolding. Another key benefit of the Z clip is that the only items needed are the Z clip and the installation tool. This saves time and money by allowing simple mobilization during the early phases of construction in buildings which contain structural steel. The Z clip can be used on buildings with or without fireproofing requirements. Installing extra Z clips where you “might” need them can be done at minimal cost and would reduce fireproofing patchwork costs by reducing the number of missed clips. 
         [0007]    The ZEE clip could be mechanically fastened to the bar joist, I-beam or column using a power driven fastener such as a steel pin driven through the ZEE clip leg (which is flat against the steel bar joist, I-beam or column) and into the structural steel bar joist, I-beam or column. It could also be tack welded using an electrode welding rod or wire fed welding unit to permanently connect the ZEE clip to the bar joist, I-beam or column. Either one of these options of connecting the ZEE clip to the structure could be used to prevent the clip from being removed or accidentally knocked off of the bar joist, I-beam or column. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The drawings are an illustration of one of the many uses for the light gauge metal Zee clip. The drawings include the Zee clip, a structural steel I beam and metal stud partition components attached to the Zee clip. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view of the Zee clip ( 10 ) that clearly shows the position of the tabs ( 15 ), which wrap around the I beam flange ( 20 ), and the angle at which the tabs are bent. The angle and direction of the bends to create the tabs allows for the installation of the Zee clip onto the flange of an I beam ( 20 ). 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view of two Zee clips ( 10 ) attached to the flanges of an I beam ( 20 ). 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of how the Zee clip ( 10 ) attaches and specifically how the tab ( 15 ) wraps around the I beam flange ( 20 ) for a tight friction fit.  FIG. 3  also shows the flared corner ( 25 ) on the leading edge of the tab ( 15 ) which allows the tab ( 15 ) to easily slip over the flange of the I beam ( 20 ). 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of two Zee clips ( 10 ) attached to the underside of an I beam ( 20 ) and steel stud partition track attached to the Zee clips ( 10 ). 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of the steel stud partition track ( 30 ) attached to the Zee clip with sheet metal screws ( 40 ). 
       
    
    
       [0014]    The clip could be constructed to resemble a (square) C shape rather than a Z shape with all or some of the attributes of the Z shaped clip. The ZEE clip could be constructed in such a manner that only one tab is used to clip onto one flange of a steel bar joist, I-beam or column instead of being clipped to both flanges. This can be achieved by cutting the length down by 50% or more and eliminating the tab/ear on one end. It could also be manufactured where the tabs are bent in the direction that would require turning the ZEE clip counterclockwise to install the ZEE clip onto the bar joist, I-beam or column. The ZEE clip could also be constructed with the tabs bent in a manner in which the ends of the tabs are facing each other and in line with the length of the clip. Another way the ZEE clip could be constructed is to make the top part of the clip, which the wall track attaches to, extend beyond the beam or column flanges so walls could be built offset from the beam or column. This will allow the wall framing and/or finishes to by-pass the beams or columns. The ZEE clip could be constructed in a manner in which the vertical/diagonal leg would be closer to horizontal and would allow some minor vertical movement of the structure and help reduce sound transmission from the structure to the wall. The clip could also be constructed in two pieces (resembling two 90 degree L angles) with slotted holes on one vertical leg and tabs or screws loosely attached through the slotted holes to the other vertical leg. This would allow greater vertical movement than a one piece Z clip. The ZEE clip could have small punched slots near the ends of the first horizontal section. These slots would only be punched through on three sides pushing the small piece of sheet metal down slightly. This would create a small friction tab (about ¼ inch wide and about ¾ inch long) to help hold the ZEE clip on the beam or column. The ZEE clip could be made by cutting or stamping a T shape out of a flat sheet of metal in such a way that the angle of the tabs is built into the ZEE clip as the sheet metal is in a flat state. The stamped shape would resemble a T shape with the body of the T being considerably wider than the top of the T. The top of the T would be fairly long and narrow and the last 30 to 40% on each end of the T would be angled at approximately 40 to 50 degrees. The angled ends of the top of the T will be facing opposite directions, one up and one down. The body of the T shape would then be bent into a ZEE or Cee shape at the locations and distances required to fit its intended use. The angled ends at the top of the T would be bent to create the U tabs for connection to steel I beams. Looking from a top view, the first bend or radius will be made on the angled ends of the T. The bends will be made on each end of the Z clip and the initial bends or radius will be parallel to each other to produce tabs facing opposite directions. The ZEE clip could be used for attachment of overhead plumbing or mechanical piping, ductwork or electrical piping by using multiple ZEE clips and installing straps or hanger rods with support material, such as angle iron or steel channel, spanning between the straps or rods. The straps or rods can be of any length to fit the need. This will create a cradle or rack at a desired elevation above the finished floor and the clearance from the structure above to carry ductwork, single or multiple electrical, mechanical or plumbing pipes. The ZEE clip could also be used on columns to connect electrical, plumbing or mechanical piping, electrical boxes, mechanical or plumbing valves or other materials that need to be supported at certain elevations or intervals. 
         [0015]    While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.