Connector and web stiffener

A connector for the interconnection in generally perpendicular array of generally C-shaped elongate structural members having a pair of flanges integrally and perpendicularly connected with the web portion thereof in which said flanges each include a flange return edge which extends inwardly of the generally C-shaped channel, which connector, upon the assembly of said interconnection, provides strengthening of the webs of each said C-shaped structural member, and a floor assembly comprising said connector and said generally C-shaped elongate structural members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a connector for the interconnection in 
perpendicular array of generally C-shaped elongate structural members 
having a pair of flanges integrally and perpendicularly connected with the 
web portion thereof in which said flanges each include a flange return 
edge which extends inwardly of the generally C-shaped channel, which 
connector, upon the assembly of such interconnection, provides 
strengthening of the webs of each said C-shaped structural member. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Lightweight metal structural framing members, such as steel joists, provide 
efficient and economical means for the construction of intermediate size 
buildings. The basic components of lightweight metal structural framing 
systems are studs, stud tracks or runners and joists, and each component 
is currently manufactured in a wide assortment of widths, lengths and 
thicknesses or gauges to meet a broad range of load and functional 
requirements. To speed enclosure of such intermediate size buildings, the 
cutting and assembly of components for wall sections can be performed 
off-site and under sheltered conditions, and complete sections may be then 
prefabricated for shipment to the job site. However, prefabrication of 
floor, ceiling and roofing sections off-site for shipment to the field or 
to the job site is generally neither economically nor logistically 
possible when those sections are extraordinarily large or heavy, given the 
size and weight of such pre-assembled sections, which make necessary heavy 
equipment for the placement of such sections in the field and preclude 
lifting such pre-assembled sections into place by hand. Assembly in the 
field thus being necessary for large or heavy floor, ceiling and roof 
systems comprising light metal framing, ease of assembly in the field 
becomes critical for human safety, logistic and economic reasons. Up to 
the present time, joists and other generally horizontal framing members 
have been joined one to another in mutually perpendicular array, as for 
example a floor joist to a rim joist, through the use of various "L"-, 
"C"- or "U"-shaped closures, clips or brackets. One of the difficulties 
attendant the use of such known closures, clips or brackets is the 
necessity of supporting the joist or other generally horizontal framing 
member being moved into place for perpendicular attachment to a fixed or 
permanent like said joist by hand or by mechanical means until secure 
screw or other fastener attachment between the fixed or permanently placed 
joist and the joist being moved into perpendicular array thereto can be 
obtained. 
Another disadvantage or, more properly, lack of advantage in the closures, 
clips and brackets in current use for the attachment of generally C-shaped 
lightweight metal framing members one to another in mutually perpendicular 
array is that none of the prior art articles provide protection against 
joist web crippling by functioning as web stiffeners. Structural framing 
systems comprising lightweight metallic framing members are not suitable 
for the carrying of concentrated loads or reactions, or the vectoral 
components thereof, when such loads or reactions act perpendicular to the 
longitudinal axis or elongate dimension of the framing member, and also 
act in the plane of the web of the framing member and further when such 
loads or reactions force the rotation of the web out of its plane along 
the bearing length, for such loads or reactions cause respectively, 
compressive stresses and shear stresses in that web to the point of 
ultimate structural failure of the web, that is, web crippling. As 
provided by the American Iron and Steel Institute of Washington, D.C., in 
its publication Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel 
Structural Members of Sept. 3, 1980 in Section 3.5 and particularly in 
sub-Section 3.5.1, it has been determined that neither concentrated loads 
nor reactions acting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or elongate 
dimension of such a structural member and acting in the plane of the web 
thereof may exceed certain values when the unreinforced flat webs of said 
structural flexural members have a flat width ratio, h/t, numerically 
greater than 200, where h is the clear distance between the flanges 
measured along the plane of the web of that structural member and is given 
in inches, and where t is the base steel thickness of any element or 
section, again being given in inches, unless adequate means be provided 
for the transmission of such concentrated loads or reactions directly from 
the bearing flange of said generally C-shaped structural member into the 
web portion of the structural member. Many such means for the transmission 
of concentrated loads or reactions directly into the web portion of the 
lightweight metallic structural member are known in the art, and are 
commonly known as "web stiffeners" for attachment to the web, and provide 
for the transmission of said loads or reactions from the upper or bearing 
flange to the lower or non-bearing flange and thus into the web. Such web 
stiffeners, when properly installed either at the ends of the structural 
member, or intermediate along the longitudinal axis of that structural 
member, maximize load bearing capacity in providing reinforcement of the 
structural under concentrated loads or reactions. 
In no device known in the prior art, however, are the capabilities and 
functions of interconnection of generally C-shaped structural members in 
mutually perpendicular array and the provision of means for the 
transmission of concentrated loads or reactions to the web, i.e., web 
stiffening simultaneously provided. 
A further deficiency of the closures, clips and brackets found in the prior 
art for the attachment of generally C-shaped lightweight metal framing 
members one to another in perpendicular array is that most such devices 
require that the fixed or permanently placed joist or other generally 
horizontal framing member be configured in mutually perpendicular array 
with other such framing members such that the generally C-shaped 
configuration face the exterior of that array, making necessary the 
attachment to that C-shaped configuration a closure to enable that surface 
to receive collateral finishing materials such as sheathing, stucco, wood 
or concrete panels, wood or aluminum siding, or composite facing 
materials. 
3. Objects of the Invention 
It is accordingly a first object of this invention to provide economic 
means for the safe and facile interconnection of large or heavy generally 
C-shaped structural members in mutually perpendicular array, that 
interconnection to be performed in the field or on the job site without 
the use of heavy equipment for the placement of said structural members in 
said array. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide web stiffening means to 
said generally C-shaped structual members in conformity with the standards 
known in the art as promulgated by the American Iron and Steel Institute 
for meeting concentrated loads or reactions upon the web of said 
structural members. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a joist connector and 
web stiffener which, when used in the construction of horizontal 
load-bearing systems such as floors or ceilings comprising floor or 
ceiling joists and rim joists, allows the web of the rim joist to face the 
exterior, thereby greatly facilitating the attachment of sheathing, facing 
materials or other collateral materials. 
It is therefore a concomitant object of this invention to provide an 
integral joist connector and web stiffener which can be inserted into the 
end of a first generally C-shaped structural member, that partial assembly 
then being inserted between the flanges and adjacent the web of a second 
like said member, wherein final assembly is effected by rotatably urging 
the first sub-assembly into register with the flanges and flange return 
edges of the second said member, thereby providing mutual perpendicularity 
between each of said generally C-shaped structural members. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The objects of this invention are attained with the disclosure herein of a 
novel connector and web stiffener for generally C-shaped structural 
members. The connector comprises, in cross-section, a generally G-shaped 
device of a height, or inter-flanges dimension of said structural member, 
which provides snug insertable engagement between the flanges and adjacent 
the webs of generally C-shaped structural framing members disposed 
generally at right angles one to another. Upon insertion of one portion of 
the connector into the end of one said structural member perpendicular the 
elongate axis thereof, and upon further insertion of the second portion of 
said connector perpendicular the elongate axis of a second said structural 
member, there is provided a generally perpendicular juncture between the 
two structural framing members. Each of the portions of the joist 
connector disclosed herein also functions as a web stiffener in 
transmitting concentrated loads or reaction forces impinging upon the 
upper flange of the structural member to the lower flange thereof, thereby 
allowing flexure of the structural member and preventing shear stresses 
and compressive failure or crippling of the web. That portion of the 
connector disclosed herein which is insertable at any point along the 
length of a C-shaped structural member, perpendicular to and interjacent 
the flanges thereof and perpendicular the elongate dimension of said 
structural member and adjacent the web thereof, is generally a hollow or 
tubular rectangular section having chamfers at the intersections of the 
surface thereof which upon insertion between the flanges of said 
structural member is next adjacent the web of that structural member, and 
the imaginary rectangular surfaces or planes defined by the edges or ends 
of that portion which plane is perpendicular the longitudinal axis of the 
hollow or tubular rectangular portion and is therefore, upon insertion 
between the flanges of said structural member, parallel to the flanges 
thereof and perpendicular to the web thereof. This hollow or tubular 
rectangular portion is provided with notches in each of the surfaces 
perpendicular the web of said structural member at the upper and lower 
edges or ends thereof for the receiving accommodation or register of the 
flange return edge of said structural member. 
The second portion of the joist connector disclosed herein for the 
insertion into the end of a C-shaped structural member similar to the 
first said structural member is generally channel-shaped, and is integral 
with and parallel to the first said portion, being joined thereto through 
the web of that channel portion which is integral with and an extension of 
one side of the generally rectangular first hollow or tubular section. 
During the assembly of one generally C-shaped structural element to another 
such structural element in mutually perpendicular array, the order of 
attachment of the joist connector disclosed herein to said structural 
members is completely arbitrary. Generally, placing the joist connector 
into the square-cut end of a first structural member, inserting this 
partial assembly at an angle between the flanges of a second said 
structural member and rotatably urging the partial assembly into a 
position in which the flanges of each structural member lie in the same 
plane will provide the receiving accommodation or register of the flange 
return edge of said second structural member with the slots provided in 
the hollow or tubular rectangular section. Of course, when the generally 
C-shaped structural members are not of the same web width, the flanges of 
those structural members will not lie in the same plane, but will, 
however, be parallel one to the other. In the construction of a flooring 
assembly wherein said generally C-shaped elongate structural members are 
arrayed generally mutually parallel for the support of subflooring or 
flooring, those structural members in that assembly which do not define 
the periphery thereof are usually referred to as floor joists; those 
structural members which define the periphery thereof are usually referred 
to as rim joists. In the use of the connector and web stiffener disclosed 
herein in such a flooring assembly, the rim joists would generally receive 
the hollow or tubular rectangular section of that connector, usually 
spaced apart in final assembly a defined distance "on-center". It follows, 
then, that the rim joists in that assembly would usually receive the 
channel portion of the connector in the end or terminal portion of the 
joist. 
It is also possible, of course, to first insert the rectangular portion of 
the connector and web stiffener clip into the rim joist, followed by 
insertion of the end or terminal portion of a floor joist upon the channel 
portion of said connector. However, because of the mechanical advantage to 
be had from using the width of a floor joist web as a lever arm in 
rotatably urging the rectangular portion of the connector and web 
stiffener into position between the flanges of a rim joist into registry 
with the flange return edges of that joist, the prior installation of the 
connector into the floor joist, followed by rotatable insertion and urging 
into position perpendicular the flanges of a rim joist is to be preferred. 
Upon installation between the flanges of each a rim joist and a floor 
joist, and upon attachment of the connector to the web of each said joist 
at the surfaces of the connector in proximate juxtaposition to each said 
web, the connector disclosed herein provides the adequate means of 
transmitting concentrated loads or reaction forces, or the components 
thereof, to the web of each said joist, adequately distributing those 
forces acting perpendicular to the elongate axis of the structural member 
and in the plane of the web thereof, precluding shear and compressive and 
crippling failure of the web.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a structural joint formed of two generally 
C-shaped structural elements in substantial perpendicularity one to the 
other using the connector and web stiffener in one of the embodiments of 
this invention. Generally C-shaped metallic structural elements 10 and 11 
are interconnected at essentially a right angle one to the other through 
the snug insertable engagement between the flanges of metallic structural 
element 10 of a generally rectangular tubular and hollow first portion 14 
of connector 12 and a slideably insertable second portion 15 of clip 12 
into metallic structural element 11 to form joint 13 interconnecting 
metallic structural elements 10 and 11. In this embodiment of the 
invention, each of the generally C-shaped metallic structural elements 10 
and 11 are provided with web portions 16 integrally connected with and 
generally perpendicular to flange portions 17 which in turn are integral 
with and generally perpendicular to flange edge return portions 18. The 
web portion 16 of said metallic structural elements 10 and 11 is therefore 
generally parallel the flange edge return portion 18 of each of said 
structural elements in the elongate dimension thereof. In the embodiment 
of the structural joint shown in FIG. 1, each of the metallic structural 
elements is provided with one or more continuous longitudinal ribs 19 
extending the entire length of the structural members 10 and 11 along the 
elongate dimension thereof, said ribs 19 extending from the plane of the 
web into the channel portion of structural members 10 and 11, that is 
extending from the plane of the web in the same direction as the flanges 
extending therefrom. Said continuous longitudinal ribs 19 may or may not 
be located symmetrically between the flanges extending from said web and, 
indeed, need not be present at all should the anticipated concentrated 
loads and reaction forces, and the components thereof, not indicate to one 
skilled in the art that such web reinforcement is necessary to the task at 
hand. 
FIG. 1 additionally shows, in the finished construction of the essentially 
perpendicular juncture of structural elements 10 and 11 to form joint 13, 
that connector and web stiffener 12 is essentially perpendicular the 
flanges 17 of each said structural member and that connector and web 
stiffener 12 is further essentially perpendicular the elongate or 
longitudinal axis of each of structural members 10 and 11. The use of 
connector and web stiffener 12 provides, especially when the surfaces of 
said connector 12 next adjacent the web portions 16 of structural members 
10 and 11 are screw attached or otherwise attached one to another, a 
monolithic construction notwithstanding the ease of assembly of juncture 
13. The ease of assembly or construction of juncture 13, whether in the 
field or at the job site or under sheltered conditions allowing 
pre-assembly of an array of structural members 10 and 11, provides one of 
the unexpected and advantageous characteristics of the invention here 
disclosed. The assembly or construction of the essentially mutually 
perpendicular juncture 13 of structural members 10 and 11 may be 
undertaken in several ways or methods. In one such method, the 
channel-shaped portion 15 of connector and web stiffener 12 is first 
inserted between the flanges 17 of the end of square-cut structural member 
11 such that channel portion 15 is generally perpendicular said flanges 17 
and perpendicular the elongate dimension of structural member 11; the 
subassembly of connector 12 in snug insertable engagement at the end of 
structural member 11 is then inserted between the flanges of structural 
element 10 such that rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 is roughly or 
generally parallel the web 16 and flanges 17 of structural member 10. All 
that is now required to obtain snug insertable engagement of rectangular 
portion 14 of connector 12 between the flanges 17 of structural member 10 
and the receiving engagement of flange return edges 18 into slot portions 
20 is the rotatable urging of the subassembly comprising structural member 
11 having inserted therein the channel portion 15 of connector 12 into 
position in which rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 is essentially 
perpendicular the flanges 17 of structural member 10 and is also 
perpendicular to the longitudinal length of structural member 10. This 
first method of assembly of juncture 13 contemplates the simultaneous 
placement of a structural member 11 into perpendicular array with two 
structural members such as 10 mutually parallel one to another. Another 
method for the assembly or construction of juncture 13 between structural 
members 10 and 11 is the first insertion of connector 12 between the 
flanges of structural member 10, the generally rectangular hollow portion 
14 of rotatably urging rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 into 
position perpendicular the flanges 17 of structural member 10 and 
therefore perpendicular the elongate dimension of structural member 10 
thereby providing for the receiving engagement of flange return edges 18 
into slot portions 20; the end portion of structural member 11 is then 
caused to be inserted upon channel portion 15 of connector and web 
stiffener 12 to effect an essentially perpendicular array between 
structural members 10 and 11 in which the web portions 16 of each said 
member are in essential perpendicularity and the flange portions 17 of 
each said member 10 and 11 are essentially co-planar. 
While not shown to advantage in FIG. 1, but completely disclosed in other 
figures which are a part of this specification, particularly FIGS. 2, 4, 
6, 8 and 9, it is apparent that rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 
must be provided with means for the receiving engagement of flange return 
edges 18 of structural member 10. 
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of connector and web stiffener 12 in an 
orientation identical to that shown in FIG. 1 in the construction of 
juncture 13 between structural members 10 and 11. This view of connector 
and web stiffener 12 shows to complete advantage the elements and features 
thereof. In particular, slot portions 20 of generally tubular and hollow 
rectangular portion 14 are completely illustrated; slot portions 20 are 
provided in the terminal or end edge of each wall of generally rectangular 
portion 14 distal that wall of rectangular portion 14 which, in final 
construction of juncture 13, is proximal the web 16 of structural member 
10, and are positioned next adjacent the ends of the surface 23 of 
connector 12 which forms a common surface between rectangular portion 14 
thereof and generally channel portion 15 thereof. It may readily be seen 
that, upon the insertion of generally rectangular portion 14 between the 
flanges 17 of structural member 10 at an angle to flanges 17, and upon 
bringing connector 12 into alignment perpendicular flanges 17 and 
perpendicular the elongate dimension of structural member 10 will cause 
the receiving engagement of flange return edges 18 of structural member 10 
with slot portions 20, and each of them, of rectangular portion 14 of 
connector 12. Generally, the dimensions "H" of both rectangular portion 14 
and channel portion 15 of connector 12 are identical, and are readily 
chosen to provide for the snug insertable engagement of rectangular 
portion 14 between flanges 17 of structural member 10, and the like snug 
insertable engagement of channel portion 15 into the end of structural 
member 11 and between parallel flanges 17 thereof. Dimension "N" is chosen 
so as to provide for the snug receiving engagement of flange return edges 
18 therein upon rotatably urging rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 
into alignment perpendicular flanges 17 of structural member 10 and 
perpendicular the elongate dimension thereof. To ease and make more facile 
the rotatable urging and snapping into position perpendicular the flanges 
and the elongate dimension of structural member 10, rectangular portion 14 
is provided with a chamfer 21 between the surface thereof next adjacent 
the web 16 of structural member 10 and the end edge of each wall of the 
hollow rectangular section 14. Likewise, a chamfer 22 is provided in 
surfaces 23 and 24 the latter of which forms the leading surface of 
channel portion 15 for insertion into the end of structural member 11. A 
concomitant feature typifying the invention herein is that the rotatable 
urging providing a snap locking or snug insertable engagement of 
rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 with a first structural member 10, 
and the receiving engagement of flange return edges 18 of structural 
member 10 with slot portions 20 at the terminal or end edges of said 
rectangular portion 14, and the snug insertion of channel portion 15 of 
connector 12 into the end of a like structural member 11 is readily 
reversible, prior to screw or other fixed attachment through performance 
of the steps of assembly or construction of joint 13 in the reverse order. 
With regard to the first method of assembly or construction, the 
subassembly comprising structural member 11 and connector 12 may be 
rotatably urged along an axis parallel the web 16 of structural member 11 
and perpendicular the elongate dimension of structural member 12 to 
rotatably snap disengage generally rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 
from its snug insertable engagement between flanges 17 of structural 
member 10 and the receiving engagement of flange return edges 18 in slot 
portions 20 therein. With regard to the second method of assembly or 
construction, structural member 11 may be demounted from the subassembly 
comprising structural member 10 and connector 12 by exerting force 
sufficient in a direction parallel the elongate dimension of structural 
member 11 to effect disengagement of channel portion 15 of connector 12 
from structural member 11. Connector and web stiffener 12 may then be 
removed from between the flanges 17 of structural member 10 by urging 
connector and web stiffener 12 toward either end of structural member 10 
or by rotatably urging connector 12 from its position of snug insertable 
engagement between flanges 17 through the use of sharp blows, as from a 
hammer, impinging upon connector 12 at either end thereof. 
A unique feature of the connector of this invention is that the initial 
rotatable urging and snapping into place of the rectangular portion 14 of 
connector 12 need not result in final placement or positioning of 
rectangular portion 14 "on-center"; the snug insertable engagement of 
channel portion 14 between the flanges 17 and adjacent the web 16 of 
structural member 10, as a result of the flexure of flanges 17 in a 
direction perpendicular web 16 in a direction also perpendicular the 
elongate dimension of structural member 10, provides sufficient give or 
play in that snug insertable but yielding engagement such that, even after 
engagement of rectangular portion 14 of connector 12 between flanges 17 of 
structural member 10, rectangular portion 14 may be urged with smart blows 
along the elongate axis of structural member 10 while remaining 
perpendicular thereto, and that urging may be accomplished whether or not 
structural member 11 is attached to channel portion 15 of connector 12. 
Dimension "D" is chosen as provided in the publication Specification for 
the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members of the American Iron 
and Steel Institute of Washington, D.C. as promulgated on Sept. 3, 1980 in 
conformity with Section 3.5 and particularly with sub-Section 3.5.1 and 
Table 3.5.1-2 therein to provide adequate web stiffening at points 
intermediate the length of a structural member such as 10 or at the end of 
structural members such as 11 in withstanding concentrated loads or 
reactions or torsion forces, or the vector components thereof, acting 
either in the plane of the web of a structural member such as 11 or 
inducing distortion about the elongate axis thereof, and causing, 
respectively compressive or shear stresses therein. 
Turning now to FIG. 3, connector and web stiffener 12 is shown in top view 
illustrating the integral structure thereof and showing to advantage the 
location of slot portions 20 for the receiving engagement of flange return 
edges 18. 
FIG. 4 is a frontal elevation of the connector and web stiffener of this 
invention taken in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and illustrates 
more clearly slot portion 20 at the terminal or end edge of each wall of 
rectangular portion 14 which, in final assembly or construction of 
juncture 13, is perpendicular that wall of rectangular portion 14 which is 
parallel and proximal the web and is perpendicular the elongate dimension 
of the generally C-shaped structural member 10 into which rectangular 
section 14 is inserted. 
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the connector and web stiffener of this 
invention taken in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 4 and illustrates 
the chamfers on the leading surface 24 of channel portion 15 of connector 
12 for insertion into the square-cut end portion of a generally C-shaped 
structural member 11. 
FIG. 6 is a rear elevation of the connector and web stiffener of this 
invention taken in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 5, and illustrates 
the web portion of the channel portion 15 and that wall of rectangular 
portion 14 integral therewith, and further illustrates slot portions 20 
and the chamfers 21 in generally rectangular portion 14. 
FIG. 7 is an additional side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 
of FIG. 6 and illustrates that wall of the generally rectangular portion 
14 of the connector and web stiffener of this invention which upon final 
assembly or construction is next adjacent the web 16 of the structural 
member 10 into which the rectangular portion is inserted and rotatably 
engaged between flanges 17 thereof; FIG. 7 further illustrates the chamfer 
between that surface and the imaginary plane formed by the terminal or end 
edges of the walls of rectangular portion 14. 
FIG. 8 illustrates, in exploded perspective view, the use of the connector 
and web stiffener of this invention in the assembly or construction of a 
juncture of two generally identical C-shaped structural members in 
essentially mutually perpendicular array. Dimensions "H" represent the 
nominal width between flanges of web portion 16 of generally C-shaped 
structural members 10 and 11 which are substantially identical, and the 
nominal height of both the generally rectangular hollow tubular section 
and the channel-shaped section of the connector and web stiffener of this 
invention, and dimensions "W" represent the nominal width of flanges 17 of 
the generally C-shaped structural members joined in mutually perpendicular 
array in assembly or construction with the connector and web stiffener of 
this invention, that is, "W" represents the nominal distance between web 
16 and flange return edge 18 of said C-shaped structural members and also 
represents the nominal rectangular cross-sectional dimensions of portion 
14 and the width of surfaces 23 and 24 of channel portion 15 of the 
connector and web stiffener 12 of this invention. Dimension "D", 
representing the depth of the connector and web stiffener of this 
invention along the integral portion thereof comprising the web portion of 
the channel section 15 and the wall of the rectangular section 14 
perpendicular the web of said structural member may be determined by one 
skilled in this art according to the empirically derived specifications of 
the American Iron and Steel Institute of Washington, D.C. in its 
publication Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural 
Members, promulgated on Sept. 3, 1980, in particular reference to Section 
3.5, and particularly sub-Section 3.5.1 and Table 3.5.1-2 therein. 
Likewise, the gauge or thickness of each the structural member and the 
connector and web stiffener of this invention may be chosen by one skilled 
in the art without the exercise of inventive skill after application of 
the aforesaid criteria governing design standards in the industry and as 
further elaborated upon in the publication Commentary on the 1968 Edition 
of the Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural 
Members in Section C. thereof entitled "Local Buckling of Thin Elements", 
and particularly sub-Section 7. therein entitled "Webs of Beams", which 
subsection provides in pertinent part: 
"A theoretical analysis of this phenomenon is extremely complex since it 
involves a combination of non-uniform stress distribution (the stress is 
radiating out from the loaded length into the adjacent portions of the 
web), elastic and plastic instability due to stress so distributed, and 
local yielding in the immediate region of load application. The complexity 
is aggravated by the bending produced by eccentric application of the load 
caused by the curved transition from web to bearing flange. In view of 
this analytical complexity, reliance has to be placed almost exclusively 
upon experimental evidence." 
Generally, the connector and web stiffener of this invention would be 
fabricated from and comprised of sheet metal of heavier gauge or greater 
thickness than the C-shaped structural members which it is intended to 
interconnect in generally perpendicular array. 
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the juncture of a first generally 
C-shaped structural member 10 into which is rotatably urged and 
snap-inserted the rectangular portion 14 of the connector and web 
stiffener of this invention, and a second structural member 11' prime 
comprising two said C-shaped structural members in mutual nested 
engagement, each said structural member in nested engagement having a web 
integrally connecting flanges and forming a generally C-shaped channel, 
that web, however, including a shoulder portion adjacent a shorter said 
flange, said shoulder portion being displaced from the plane of the web 
inward toward the channel shape to provide for the nesting engagement on 
the exterior of said shoulder portion of the flange return edge pendent 
the longer flange of a like said member. Dimensions "H" and "H' prime" 
represent, respectively, the nominal width between flanges of web portion 
16 of generally C-shaped structural member 10 and the nominal dimension 
between nested flanges of the generally C-shaped structural members 
comprising structural member 11' prime; depending upon the interflange 
width of the structural members comprising structural member 11' prime, 
"H" and "H' prime" of course need not be identical. Similarly, dimensions 
"W" and "W' prime" represent, respectively, the nominal distance between 
web 16 and flange return edge of generally C-shaped structural member 10 
and the distance between web 16 and the flange return edge 18 and the 
shoulder portion adjacent a shorter flange of each of the generally 
C-shaped structural members comprising the nested engagement of structural 
member 11' prime. Of course, "W" and "W' prime" need not be identical. 
Dimension "D" is selected in accord with the provisions provided therefore 
as taught above with regard to FIG. 8. 
It will be readily apparent to one skilled in this art that many variations 
and combinations in the joinder of generally C-shaped elongate structural 
members at generally right angles one to another are possible using the 
connector and web stiffener disclosed herein. Also readily apparent to one 
skilled in this art would be the use of the connector herein in other than 
the joinder of generally C-shaped elongate structural members in a 
flooring grid; for example, the connector herein could be used to 
cantilever structural members exterior of a closed grid; likewise, the 
connector herein could be used in the interconnection of bridging elements 
between mutually parallel elongate structural members. Finally, it is 
apparent that there is no limitation to the use of the connector herein in 
the assembly and construction of horizontal arrays of such structural 
members; the connector herein could readily be used in the construction of 
vertical arrays of such generally C-shaped elongate structural members 
where required, or in the construction of arrays of such structural 
members at any angle intermediate the vertical and the horizontal. 
It is equally clear that one skilled in this relevant art, given the 
web-stiffening and load-transmitting function subserved by the connector 
taught herein, could, as do the inventors herein, chose to define each of 
the rectangular portion and the channel portion of said connector as a 
stanchion, that is, an upright prop, brace or support for the bearing of a 
load in the generally vertical dimension. 
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific 
embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications 
and variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in 
light of the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is 
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations 
which fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.