Abstract:
An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a connection in which an elongated strap is provided flat and coiled and is bent by the action of drawing it out of its box. Such straps and connectors are used in a variety of building applications, typically in connections that resist tension forces parallel to the main axes of the straps or strap members. A number of connectors with elongated strap members are in common use with a variety of structural members. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a connection in which a strap bridges a plurality of substantially parallel structural members and can be secured by a strap holder, especially where an elongate utility strap is used, typically in pairs forming X bracing, to reinforce roof trusses against forces acting along the length of the roof. Single diagonal braces of this general type are also commonly used in walls in light wood frame construction, and might also be used to brace floor beams or other series of parallel structural members. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a secure connection between an elongated strap member and a structural member. The present invention improves on the prior art of providing either a flat, coiled strap that remains flat when uncoiled, or shorter connectors that are formed to remain straight. The present invention provides an elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by the strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over. 
         [0004]    Fasteners hold the strap to the underlying structural members, with at least one, and preferably two, passing through the strap into each structural member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bent split strap of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bent split strap connection of the present invention, in which the connected structural members are roof truss top chords. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a flattened end of the bent split strap of the present invention nailed off on the vertical side face of a roof truss top chord. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the elongated strap of the present invention before it is bent. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bent split strap connection of the present invention in which the connected structural members are floor joists. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bent split strap connection of the present invention in which the connected structural members are wall studs. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the strap of the present invention, showing it coiled flat in a box and bent as it is drawn through the aperture of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 , showing the formation of the bent split strap as it is drawn through the aperture of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the strap of the present invention, showing it coiled flat in a box and bent as it is drawn through the preferred embodiment of the aperture of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a back elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the aperture of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a method of making a bent split strap  2  that comprises providing a generally flat, coiled, elongated strap  2  in a box  18 , providing an aperture  13 , and drawing the elongated strap  2  through the aperture  13  to bend it lengthwise. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the generally flat, coiled, elongated strap  2  has a leading end  3  and a trailing end  4 , a first elongated side boundary  5  and a second elongated side boundary  6  generally parallel to the first elongated side boundary  5 , a body  7  bounded by the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6  that define a width  8 , and an elongated slit cut  9  generally parallel to the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 . The slit cut  9  divides the body  7  between the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 , creating a first body side  10  and a second body side  11 . The slit cut  9  is intermittently interrupted by unslit portions  12  that connect the first and second body sides  10 ,  11 . 
         [0017]    The aperture  13  preferably has a first end  14  and a second end  15  that define a width  16 . The width  16  of the aperture  13  is less than the width  8  of the elongated strap  2 . 
         [0018]    Preferably, the elongated strap  2  is drawn through the aperture  13  so that the first and second ends  14 ,  15  of the aperture  13  constrict the elongated strap  2  by bearing on the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 , thereby bending the elongated strap  2  along the slit cut  9  to create an elongated bend  17  in the elongated strap  2 . 
         [0019]    The elongated strap  2  is preferably provided in a box  18  that contains the majority of the elongated strap  2 . 
         [0020]    Preferably, the aperture  13  has a first straight leg  19  and a second straight leg  20 . The first and second straight legs  19 ,  20  meet at a first angular juncture  21 . The elongated strap  2  is drawn through the aperture  13  so that the slit cut  9  coincides with the first angular juncture  21 . The first body side  10  coincides with the first straight leg  19 , and the second body side  11  coincides with the second straight leg  20 , thereby bending the elongated strap  2  along the slit cut  9  to create the elongated bend  17  in the elongated strap  19 . 
         [0021]    The first body side  10  and the second body side  11  preferably are stamped with repeating patterns of dimples  22  that aid in positioning fasteners  23  by providing areas of higher friction than the undimpled portions of the first body side  10 . The repeating pattern of dimples  22  also strengthens the first and second body sides  10  and  11  to help minimize sagging of the elongated strap  2  when it is installed. 
         [0022]    The present invention is also a method of making a bent split strap connection  1 . The method comprises providing a generally flat, coiled, elongated strap  2 , providing an aperture  13 , drawing the elongated strap  2  through the aperture  13 , cutting a length of the bent split strap  2 , providing a plurality of parallel structural members  24 , and fastening the bent split strap  2  to the structural members  24 . 
         [0023]    Preferably, the generally flat, coiled, elongated strap  2  has a leading end  3  and a trailing end  4 , a first elongated side boundary  5  and a second elongated side boundary  6  generally parallel to the first elongated side boundary  5 , a body  7  bounded by the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6  that define a width  8 , and an elongated slit cut  9  generally parallel to the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 . The slit cut  9  divides the body  7  between the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 , creating a first body side  10  and a second body side  11 . The slit cut  9  is intermittently interrupted by unslit portions  12  that connect the first and second body sides  10 ,  11 . 
         [0024]    The aperture  13  preferably has a first end  14  and a second end  15  that define a width  16 . The width  16  of the aperture  13  is less than the width  8  of the elongated strap  2 . 
         [0025]    Preferably, the elongated strap  2  is drawn through the aperture  13  so that the first and second ends  14 ,  15  of the aperture  13  constrict the elongated strap  2  by bearing on the first and second elongated side boundaries  5 ,  6 , thereby bending the elongated strap  2  along the slit cut  9  to create an elongated bend  17  in the elongated strap  2 . 
         [0026]    A length of the bent split strap  2  preferably is cut. Preferably, a plurality of parallel structural members  24  is provided, the structural members  24  each having an interface surface  25 . The body  7  of the length of the bent split strap  2  preferably is fastened onto each of the interface surfaces  25  of the structural members  24 . 
         [0027]    Preferably, the bent split strap  2  is fastened onto the interface surface  25  of the structural members  25  with a plurality of fasteners  23 . Preferably, at least one of the fasteners  23  penetrates each of the structural members  24 . 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the structural members  24  are made of wood. In that embodiment, the fasteners  23  preferably are nails  23 . In another embodiment, the structural members  24  are made of metal. In that embodiment, the fasteners  23  preferably are screws  23 . 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the structural members  24  are wall studs  24 . In another preferred embodiment, the structural members  24  are floor beams  24 . In the most preferred embodiment, the structural members  24  are truss chords  24 . Specifically, the truss chords  24  preferably are the top chords  24  of roof trusses. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the bent split strap  2  is flattened where it is fastened to the structural members  24  and remains bent between the structural members  24  so that it does not sag. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the box  18  contains a 200 foot length of elongated strap  2 . Preferably, the width  8  of the strap in 1¼ inches. Preferably, the elongated strap  2  is made from 22 gauge G90 galvanized steel.