Abstract:
A framing fastener for connecting framing construction members providing multi-planar attachment surfaces which is made from a single piece of stock. The framing fastener is perfect for attaching a brace to a post or a beam. It is economically made from one piece of sheet metal stock and produces added strength because it is a single member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the construction of frame structures of a building including a frame fastener by which a relatively unskilled workman can erect such frame structures in minimal time and with increased accuracy and superior strength. The framing fastener of the present invention can be used for connecting a brace to a post or beam. It can be made from a single piece of sheet metal stock comprising a stiff sheet having at least one flap and at least one opposing side surface extending from a central flat portion. To support a brace to a post or beam, the flap can be bent to a predetermined angle and attached to a portion of the post, the central flat portion can be attached to a portion of the brace, and each of the at least one opposing side surface can be bent and attached to a side portion of the post, brace and/or beam.  
           [0002]    Alternative technology is available in the form of a variety of construction brackets. U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,898 issued to Tracy et al. in 1969 for a roof framing system comprising a variety of adjustable brackets. U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,780 issued on Aug. 15, 2000 to Kreidt for a building construction device and process comprising a tie down bracket for securing a joist. Others exist but none provide multi-planar attachment for braces, beams and post from a singular initially flat piece of stock. The framing fastener of the instant invention is economical to manufacture and easy to use.  
           [0003]    The citation of the foregoing publications is not an admission that any particular publication constitutes prior art, or that any publication alone or in conjunction with others, renders unpatentable any pending claim of the present application. None of the cited publications is believed to detract from the patentability of the claimed invention.  
         ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION  
         [0004]    Unlike the foregoing devices which teach structures that require the engagement of multiple pieces of material to form the bracketing device, the framing fastener of the instant invention may be made from a singular initially flat piece of stock which can be folded as needed to create a multi-planar fastening device for connecting together two framing elements, such as a beam, a post and a brace.  
           [0005]    The framing fastener of the present invention can be easily made from a single piece of flat stock sheet medal which can be stamped or otherwise fabricated to create a desired shape with inwardly directed cuts. Fold lines can be incorporated by simply markings or by reducing the sheet thickness to facilitate bending. Bending the framing fastener from its original flat configuration may be done during manufacture or in the construction field. Added strength is achieved through the use of a single stock member.  
           [0006]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
           [0007]    Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The invention relates to a framing fastener for connecting a brace to a post or beam comprising a stiff sheet having a peripheral edge with the sheet having a primary area and a flap. The primary area includes a central flat portion extending from an edge of the a flap and at least one opposing side surface. The at least one opposing side surface extends from and is bendable to a first angle relative to the central flat portion. The flap is formed by a pair of spaced cuts extending inwardly from the peripheral edge, and the flap is bendable to a second angle relative to the central flat portion. The flap can be bent to the second angle relative to the central flat portion and attached to a portion of the at least one flat exterior surface of the first construction support member, the central flat portion can be attached to a portion of the at least one flat outer surface of the second construction support member, and each of the at least one opposing side surface can be bent to the first angle relative to the central flat portion and attached to a portion of one of the pair of outer side surfaces to fasten the first construction support member to the second construction support member.  
           [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a framing fastener of the present invention showing a fastener with one flap;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a framing fastener of the present invention showing a fastener with a flap and a wedge welded between each of the edges of the flap cuts;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of two framing fasteners installed on a post and each supporting a brace;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of two framing fasteners installed on a post and beam with each framing fastener supporting an end of a brace;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the first preferred embodiment of the framing fastener connecting a brace to a post with nails shown as the means for attachment;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the framing fastener showing opposing side surfaces in the shape of triangles;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the framing fastener of FIG. 6 before angular bending of the opposing side surfaces and the flap relative to the central flat portion showing the inwardly extending cuts with blunt termini forming the flap;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the framing fastener connecting a brace to a post (both shown in phantom) with rectangular opposing side surfaces; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the third preferred embodiment of the framing fastener of FIG. 8 before angular bending of the opposing side surfaces and the flap relative to the central flat portion showing a lateral dimension of the central flat portion greater than a transverse dimension between the spaced cuts defining the width of the flap. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    The invention relates to an apparatus for fastening framing members during construction. Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed herein and without limiting the scope of the invention, the discussion that follows, will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawing.  
         [0021]    The preferred embodiments of the apparatus depicted in the drawing comprise a framing fastener  1  for connecting a first construction support member  10  having at least one flat exterior surface  11  to a second construction support member  12  having at least one flat outer surface  13  and a pair of outer side surfaces  14  extending away from said at least one flat outer surface comprises a stiff sheet  2  having a peripheral edge  3 . The sheet has a primary area and a flap  5 . The flap is anything flat and broad that hangs loose and is attached at one end. The primary area includes a central flat portion  6  extending from an edge  32  of the flap and at least one opposing side surface  7 . The at least one opposing side surface extends from and is bendable to a first angle  36  relative to the central flat portion  6 .  
         [0022]    The flap  5  is formed by a pair of spaced cuts  8  extending inwardly from the peripheral edge and is bendable to a second angle  34 , preferably acute, relative to the central flat portion. The flap is adapted to overlie a portion of the at least one flat exterior surface  11  of the first construction support member  10 . Moreover, the central flat portion is adapted to overlie a portion of the at least one flat outer surface  13  of the second construction support member  12 , and each of the opposing side surfaces  7  is adapted to respectively overlie a portion of each of the pair of outer side surfaces  14 .  
         [0023]    Another framing fastener  1  of this important invention for connecting a first construction support member  10  having at least one flat exterior surface  11  to a second construction support member  12  having at least one flat outer surface  13  and a pair of outer side surfaces  14  extending away from the at least one flat outer surface comprises a stiff sheet  2  having a peripheral edge  3 , with the sheet having a primary area and a flap  5 . The primary area includes a central flat portion  6  extending from an edge  32  of the flap  5  and at least one opposing side surface  7 . The at least one opposing side surface extends from and is bendable to a first angle  36  relative to the central flat portion  7 .  
         [0024]    Furthermore, the flap  5  is formed by a pair of spaced cuts  8  extending inwardly from the peripheral edge  3 , and the flap is bendable to a second angle  34  relative to the central flat portion. Preferably, the second angle  34  is a fabricated predetermined angle.  
         [0025]    In this way, the flap  5  can be bent to the second angle  34  relative to the central flat portion  6  and attached to a portion of the at least one flat exterior surface  11  of the first construction support member  10 , the central flat portion  6  can be attached to a portion of the at least one flat outer surface  13  of the second construction support member  12 , and each of the at least one opposing side surface  7  can be bent to the first angle  36  relative to the central flat portion  6  and attached to a portion of one of the pair of outer side surfaces  14  to fasten the first construction support member  10  to the second construction support member  12 .  
         [0026]    A preferred embodiment of the framing fastener  1  for connecting a first construction support member having at least one flat exterior surface to a second construction support member having at least one flat outer surface and a pair of outer side surfaces extending away from the at least one flat outer surface comprises a stiff sheet  2  having a peripheral edge  3 . The sheet has a primary area and a flap  5 . The primary area includes a central flat portion  6  extending from an edge  32  of the flap  5  and has opposing side surfaces  7 . The opposing side surfaces extend from and each is bendable along a first fold line  20  to a first angle  36  relative to the central flat portion  6 .  
         [0027]    The flap  5  is formed by a pair of spaced cuts  8  extending inwardly from the peripheral edge  3 . Moreover, the flap  5  is bendable along a second fold line  21  to a second angle  34  relative to the central flat portion  6 . In this way, the flap  5  can be bent to the second angle  34  relative to the central flat portion  6  and attached to a portion of the at least one flat exterior surface  11  of the first construction support member  10 , the central flat portion  6  can be attached to a portion of the at least one flat outer surface  13  of the second construction support member  12 , and each of the opposing side surfaces  7  can be bent to the first angle  36  relative to the central flat portion  6  and respectively attached to a portion of one of the pair of outer side surfaces  14  to fasten the first construction support member  10  to the second construction support member  12 .  
         [0028]    Preferably, the framing fastener  1  can be used with a first construction support member  10  having a pair of exterior side surfaces  30  and each of the bent opposing side surfaces  7  can be respectively attached to a portion of one of the pair of exterior side surfaces  30  to further secure the first construction support member  10  to the second construction support member  12 .  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 9, the framing fastener  1  may also have a lateral dimension  22  of the central flat portion  6  measured by the distance between the opposing side surfaces  7  is at least as great as a width of one of the at least one flat exterior surface  11  of the first construction support member  10  and a transverse dimension  24  between the spaced cuts  8  is less than a breath of the one of the at least one flat exterior surface  11  of the first construction support member  12 . Alternatively, the framing fastener  1  may have a transverse dimension  24  between the spaced cuts  8  is equal to a lateral dimension  22  of the central flat portion measured by the distance between the opposing side surfaces and is at least as great as a width of the at least one flat outer surface of the second construction support member from which the pair of outer side surfaces extend, so that the opposing side surfaces of the framing fastener can be disposed proximate to the respective outer side surfaces of the pair of outer side surfaces of the second construction support member, as best seen in FIG. 7.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment of the framing fastener  1 , the pair of spaced cuts  8  extending inwardly from the peripheral edge  3  are parallel, as shown in various figures of the drawing. Moreover, the sheet may be rectangular, as shown in FIG. 9, and each of the pair of spaced cuts  8  can be perpendicular to one of the sides of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 9, or each of the pair of spaced cuts  8  can be obliquely angled relative to one of the sides of the sheet.  
         [0031]    Varying configurations of the opposing side surfaces  7  may be employed having the shape of a right triangle (shown in FIGS.  1 - 7 ), a rectangle (shown in FIGS.  8 - 9 ), a semi-circle or other configuration meeting the needs of the fastening environment. One advantage of these configurations is that they can be adapted for a particular use, for example, two fasteners with triangular opposing side surfaces can be placed in an abutting position to support two braces as shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0032]    Preferably, each of the pair of spaced cuts  8  of the framing fastener has a blunt terminus  26 , as shown in FIG. 7. Rounding or otherwise softening the end of the cuts will provide a blunt terminus  26  for a framing fastener  1  that is less likely to fail.  
         [0033]    The framing fastener  1  of the present invention may also be provided with a live hinge pivot means  28  for at least one of the first fold line  20  and the second fold line  21  to facilitate bending. The live hinge pivot means  28  may be easily and economically formed during the molding or stamping process by reducing the sheet thickness along the appropriate fold line.  
         [0034]    As shown in the drawing, portions of the sheet  2  may be formed with a plurality of spaced holes  9  for receiving at least one of a nail  38 , screw and staple for attaching the framing fastener to one of the first construction support member and the second construction support member. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the plurality of holes need not extend over that portion of the opposing side surfaces which abut the exterior side surfaces unless the surfaces are to be attached. Building code requirements in varying jurisdictions will dictate the manner in which the construction support members need to be nailed, screwed, stapled, or otherwise attached to the bracket of the instant invention and the framing fastener can be manufactured with varying hole configurations to accommodate such requirements.  
         [0035]    As shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 , and  8 , the first angle  36  to which the opposing side surfaces  7  can be bent relative to the central flat portion  6  is preferably 90 degrees and the second angle  34  to which the flap  5  can be bent relative to the central flat portion is preferably 45 degrees. In this way, a brace disposed at a 45 degree angle between a vertical post and a horizontal beam can be secured on each end to the post and beam respectively by the framing fastener.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 2, the framing fastener  1  of the present invention may further comprise a pair of triangular wedges  16 , each of said pair of triangular wedges having a first edge  17  and a second edge  19  and having a third angle there between. The third angle is equal to the second angle  34  between the flap  5  and the central flat portion  6  of the sheet  2 . Each of said pair of triangular wedges  16  is disposed between an edge of the flap and an edge of the central flat portion from which the edge of the flap was cut, with the first edge  17  of the wedge being attached to one of the edge of the flap and the edge of the central flat portion from which the edge of the flap was cut, and with the second edge  19  of the wedge being attached to the other of the edge of the flap and the edge of the central flat portion from which the edge of the flap was cut. Preferably, the respective edges of the wedge and the sheet are welded together, as shown by the weld bead  18  in FIG. 2.  
         [0037]    It is contemplated that the framing fastener of the present invention can be easily made from flat stock sheet medal which can be stamped or otherwise fabricated to create a desired shape with inwardly directed cuts and thickness reduced live hinge pivot means to facilitate bending which may be done during manufacture or in the construction field. It is also contemplated that a flexibly rigid plastic of suitable strength may be employed. Moreover, as flexible materials sheets continue to generate suitable strength characteristics they may be employed as well.  
         [0038]    While this invention has been described in connection with the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention, the preferred embodiments described and shown are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as constituting any limitations of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is base, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scop of the present invention.  
         [0039]    My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of some or all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of some or all of its structures for the functions specified.  
         [0040]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0041]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.