Height adjustable hanger with compression member

A hanger for attaching a structural beam to a building substructure has a first panel spaced from a second panel with a web extending therebetween. The web includes a bias member or compression member for biasing a beam upward. The web may include an opening through the bias member for receipt of a fastener driven from underneath the web into a beam received by the web, whereby driving of the fastener into the beam pulls the beam downward against the bias of the compression member. Additional versions exist with different leveraging surfaces to assist the fastener in pulling the beam downward. The hanger may also include one or more openings in the side panels, each opening associating with an opening in a rear panel to receive a fastener driven obliquely through a side panel opening into a beam and a building support member to attach the beam.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to the field of building construction hangers, more particularly to a hanger for supporting an elongate beam, such as a joist, relative to a building support member (i.e., ledger), and more particularly a joist that provides an upward bias on the beam to allow vertical adjustment.

In construction and building fields, hangers are common for assisting in the connection of one building member to another, such as an elongate beam to a rear support member, such as a ledger. Hangers are often formed of a strong metal like steel and include numerous sides and surfaces used for attaching to a support member and beam, and holding and supporting the beam.

One common type of beam contemplated for use with the disclosed hanger is a deck or floor joist used as a substructure to support an overlying deck or floor structure. Deck joists can attach to an end support member, usually a ledger on a side of a building, and extend substantially perpendicular therefrom at a desired height, with all of the joists substantially parallel and at the same height as the other joists. A hanger is used as an intermediate member to attach the joists to the support member.

A common problem associated with decking materials is that lumber is not always sized completely accurately and consistent. The height of joists can thus vary from one another by as much as 0.5 inches simply due to common production deviations or shrinkage of the wooden materials due to drying. This phenomenon can cause inconsistencies and integrity issues with building structures.

Thus, it would be useful to provide a hanger with capabilities to adjust the height of a beam (joist) that it supports and attaches to a building support member.

SUMMARY

Among the benefits and improvements disclosed herein, other objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures. Detailed embodiments of height adjustable hanger with compression member for use in securing beams to building support members are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in some embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. The phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Further, the terms “substantial,” “substantially,” “similar,” “similarly,” “analogous,” “analogously,” “approximate,” “approximately,” and any combination thereof mean that differences between compared features or characteristics is less than 25% of the respective values/magnitudes in which the compared features or characteristics are measured and/or defined.

Additionally, the embodiments described herein are done so with primary reference to a preferred embodiment that is a hanger for attaching a joist to a rear ledger. However, it is understood that the embodiments are not limited as such, and the inventive concepts present in the disclosed embodiments apply to a wide variety of hangers or brackets for use in attaching elongate building support members or beams to another support member. Herein, the term “joist” is synonymous with and shall encompass a beam or elongate building member. Likewise, the term “ledger” is synonymous with and shall encompass any building support member or structure to which a beam may be attached.

In one embodiment, a hanger for supporting an elongate building member, comprises a first side extending from a top to a bottom and a second side extending from a top to a bottom and spaced laterally from the first side. A web extends between and is connected to the first side and the second side proximate the respective bottoms the web comprises a compression member configured for providing a bias force in a direction toward the tops.

In another embodiment, a building support connection comprises a building support member, an elongate beam member and a hanger. The member extends substantially perpendicular to the building support member. The hanger comprises a first side extending from a top to a bottom and a second side spaced laterally from the first side and extending from a top to a bottom. A web with an integral compression member extends between the first side and second side proximate the respective bottoms. The hanger is fixed to the building support with the web extending outward and the elongate beam member is received between the first side and second side while supported by the web. When the beam is received between the first side and second side, the compression member biases the beam member toward the top ends.

A hanger for supporting an elongate building member comprises a substantially flat first side panel extending from a top to a bottom and a substantially flat second side panel extending from a top to a bottom substantially parallel to the first side panel and spaced laterally therefrom. A web with a bottom panel extends between and substantially perpendicular to the first side panel and the second side panel at the respective bottoms. An upwardly extending compression member extends from the bottom panel into a spacing between the first side panel and second side panel and provides an upward bias force on a beam positioned between the first side panel and second side panel with a lower edge supported by the web.

The embodiments provide a robust hanger for connecting a beam to a ledger that allows an installer to vertically adjust the top edge of the beam to ensure alignment of the beams and installation of a level surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Among the benefits and improvements disclosed herein, other objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures. Detailed embodiments of a height adjustable hanger are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in some embodiments” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. The phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Further, the terms “substantial,” “substantially,” “similar,” “similarly,” “analogous,” “analogously,” “approximate,” “approximately,” and any combination thereof mean that differences between compared features or characteristics is less than 25% of the respective values/magnitudes in which the compared features or characteristics are measured and/or defined.

Additionally, the embodiments described herein are done so with primary reference to a preferred embodiment that is a joist hanger for attaching a joist beam to a rear ledger. However, it is understood that the embodiments are not limited as such, and the inventive concepts embodied in the disclosed embodiments apply to a wide variety of hangers or brackets for use in attaching elongate building support members or beams to another support member. Herein, the term “joist” is synonymous with and shall encompass a beam or elongate building member. Likewise, the term “ledger” is synonymous with and shall encompass any building support member or structure to which a beam may be attached.

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, an adjustable hanger10is shown and described. As shown, the hanger10includes a flat first side panel12and flat second side panel14that are parallel to one another and define the lateral extent of a joist receiving cavity13. A web16extends laterally between the first side12and second side14. The web16includes a flat bottom panel17and a compression member18that provides an upward bias on a joist retained within the cavity13. The bottom panel is preferably substantially perpendicular to the sides12and14and to the rear flanges20and22(described below). In a preferred embodiment, the compression member18takes the form of a leaf spring formed via an oblique bend at the front edge of the bottom panel. The web16defines an intermediate slot34through the bottom panel17and compression member18, which can be used to further assist adjustment of the vertical position of the joist during installation, as will be described in greater detail below. In other embodiments, the compression member18has the same form, but will not “spring” upward once compressed; rather it will permanently deform in a compressed state, as will be discussed in detail below. Additionally, several other embodiments exist having a compression member of a different configuration.

A rear flange,20and22, extends inwardly from each side at the respective rear edge. The flanges define a plurality of primary holes24and one or more secondary holes26that are larger than the primary holes. Additionally, each side,12and14, defines one or more side holes28and one or more toenail holes30. In the depicted embodiments, each of the toenail holes30is formed as a cutout in the respective side with an outward bend yielding a toenail flange32. Notably, each toenail hole30is aligned vertically with a secondary hole26in one of the rear flanges such that a fastener driven obliquely through the toenail hole can pass through the aligned secondary hole26. Preferably, holes of the same type (primary24, secondary26, side28and toenail30) are staggered vertically relative to other holes of the same type, which assists a robust connection between all elements and structural integrity when installed.

With reference toFIG.6, in a typical installation, the hanger10is first attached to a building support member S, such as a ledger, via fasteners38driven through the primary holes24in the back flanges,20and22, at a predetermined preferred height. A beam, such as a joist, J is then placed within the cavity13with its rear edge against the flanges,20and22, and resting on the compression member18. An installer can then finely adjust the exact height of the top edge of the joist J, usually downward against the upward bias from the compression member18, but in some cases upward with assistance of the biasing force of the compression member18.

In the depicted preferred embodiment, vertical adjustment may be performed with additional assistance of a screw or bolt36from underneath the joist J and hanger10. In this case, the shank of the screw36is inserted through the web16via the intermediate slot34and penetrates the wooden joist J. Once the screw36is driven enough that the head of the screw36abuts the flat bottom panel17, further rotation in the screw driving direction acts to pull the wooden joist J downward against the bias of the compression member18. In this manner, the flat bottom panel17provides a leveraging surface for the head of the fastener. On the other hand, in some embodiments, if the joist J needs to be adjusted upward, reverse rotation of the screw36unscrews from the wood, thereby releasing tension in the compression member18and allowing the joist J to move upward with the force of the compression member. In other embodiments, the compression member18permanently deforms in a compressed state and will not “spring” back to allow later upward adjustment.FIG.6shows a representation of this optional screw-assisted height adjustment. Once the top edge of the joist J is set to the preferred height via the described fine adjustment process and mechanism, the joist J can be fixed at the height via driving nails or other fasteners laterally through side holes28into the joist.

A typical installation is finally reinforced via forming a strong “toenail” connection with additional fasteners driven obliquely through the toenail holes30, through a rear portion of the joist J, through the secondary holes26in the rear flanges and into the support member S. When the fasteners are installed to form the toenail connection, each fastener head is supported by a toenail flange32, forming a rigid and robust connection.

The hanger10is preferably formed of metal, such as a steel sheet. The properties (i.e., thickness, dimensions) of the steel can be adjusted as desired to affect a desired spring constant in the compression member and resulting upward bias force and force required to pull the beam downward against the compression member. Additionally, other reasonable alterations to the specific elements and relationships may be made, such as changes in element sizes, shapes, position of flanges, number of different holes, etc. For example,FIG.5shows an alternate embodiment of the joist hanger10′ with outwardly bent rear flanges20′ and22′ in place of the inward (hidden) flanges20and22of the hanger10. Additionally, in some embodiments, the slot34through the web16is replaced with aligned holes through the bottom panel17and compression member18.

In some embodiments, the side holes28include an offset raised surface40circumscribing the hole. The offset raised surface40is configured to assist alignment of a driving tool by providing an abutment surface for the nose of the tool. Additionally, the offset raised surfaces40act to retain integrity of the side panels,12and14, after driving of a fastener. The single sheet panels can otherwise occasionally deform under the pressure of the fastener head.

Another embodiment of the disclosed hanger100is depicted inFIGS.7-8. This embodiment has many commonalities with the earlier embodiment of the hanger10, including, for example a pair of side panels,112and114, laterally spaced from one another and a lower support web116. In this embodiment, the web116comprises a flat bottom panel117extending integrally from a bottom edge in a rear panel123, and a compression member is formed from two opposing portions,118aand118b. As can be seen with reference toFIGS.7and8, the first compression member portion118aextends integrally from a bend at the bottom edge of the first side panel112and the second compression member portion118bextends integrally from a bend at the bottom edge of the second side panel114. The flat bottom panel defines a screw hole133that is laterally aligned with the slot134defined between the compression member portions,118aand118b. Like the earlier embodiment of the hanger10, the depicted hanger100includes rear flanges,120and122, and a plurality of primary holes124, secondary holes126, side holes128and toenail holes130with toenail flanges132, to assist in attaching the hanger100to a building support member S.

The hanger100operates much the same as the hanger10. An installer typically first attaches the hanger100to the building support at a preferred approximate height via fasteners driven through holes in the rear flanges,120and122. The beam (joist), like that depicted generally as reference letter J inFIG.6is thereafter placed within the cavity defined between the side panels,112and114, and web116, and is supported by the compression member portions,118aand118b. The installer may then finely adjust the height of the beam by inserting a screw through the hole133in the web and the slot134and rotatably drive it into the wooden beam. Driving of the fastener acts to pull the beam J downward against the upward bias force of the compression member portions as the compression member portions bend or compress downward.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the hanger200is depicted inFIGS.9and10. Like the earlier embodiments, the hanger200comprises a first side panel212spaced laterally from a second side panel214and a web216generally formed by a bottom panel217and compression member218. Like the hanger10, in this embodiment, the bottom panel217extends integrally between the first panel and second panel,212and214, and can be said to establish a spacing therebetween. The compression member218extends obliquely upward as a bend219from the bottom panel217. The compression member218also includes a slot234or a hole aligned with a slot or hole233in the bottom panel217through which a screw can extend. Here, as in the earlier embodiment, one integral slot extends through both the compression member218and flat bottom panel217. Also like the earlier embodiments of the hanger, the depicted hanger200includes rear flanges,220and222, and a plurality of primary holes224, secondary holes226, side holes228and toenail holes230with toenail flanges232.

The hanger200is installed and used just like the hanger10. First, the hanger200is attached to a support member S with fasteners driven through primary holes224. An elongate beam, like a joist J, is installed between the side panels,212and214, resting on the compression member218. The height of the joist can be finely adjusted via a threaded fastener inserted upward through the web slot234, and threading the fastener into the wooden beam to pull the beam downward against the bias of the compression member.

Alternatively, the compression member218extends inward from a rear panel instead of from the bottom panel217.

Further, in some embodiments, the bottom panel is replaced by a support member that is not completely flat or does not take a rectangular shape, such as a different shape of bent metal to form an abutment surface for the head of a screw as the screw is driven into the beam to pull the beam downward against the compression member. Each of the disclosed embodiments provides a hanger for a beam (or joist) that allows fine adjustment of the height of the supported beam by providing a leveraging surface against a screw/fastener head whereby continued screwing into the beam pulls the beam downward against an upward bias.

While preferred embodiments of the foregoing have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.