Abstract:
A bridging member for attachment between two structural members is described. The bridging member addresses the need to provide lateral bracing between wooden structural members such as joists, studs and rafters for which the depth of the members relative to the thicknesses requires bracing to avoid twisting or buckling. The bridging member includes a web and a pair of side flanges. Disposed on each end of the bridging member is an end flange that is disposed at an angle with respect to the web, and a connecting or end tab. The end flanges are adapted to be fastened or connected to opposing sides of the structural members while the end tabs are adapted to be secured to a top or bottom portion of the structural members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device and methods for effecting bridging between generally parallel structural members used in building construction. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In building construction, generally parallel structural members such as joists in floors and ceilings, studs in walls, and rafters in roofs carry and transmit loads by spanning between support structures. These structural members are sometimes required to be laterally braced against each other by a stiffening and stabilizing member. Indeed, most local building codes require that in wood construction such structural members having depth-to-thickness ratios of 6:1 or greater must have lateral bracing installed at specified minimum intervals along the span of the structural members. 
     A typical method of bracing such structural members employs so-called “X-bridging.” Here, structural members, for example floor joists, are placed in position and anchored to the underlying structure. Laterally-applied wooden slats are nailed to the opposing surfaces of the structural members and angled such that a slat will connect between the top edge of one structural member of a pair and the bottom edge of the succeeding one and an immediately adjacent slat will connect between the bottom edge of the first structural member and the top edge of the succeeding member thereby creating an “X” structure between them. “X-bridging” made of metal is also used. Installing either wooden or metal “X-bridging” typically requires applying fasteners by workers from above, in the case of joists for example, and from below the floor. This procedure normally requires installing the “X-bridging in one stage and completing the installing in a second stage which is often inadvertently overlooked. The spaces between the slats in the “X” configuration permit passing utilities such as plumbing and wiring between the structural members. 
     Another common method of bracing employs cutting and laterally placing a block or member between a pair of structural members. This method is sometimes referred to as “blocking”. This method likewise typically requires fastening actions by workers located above and below, in the case of floors for example. Moreover, openings must subsequently be made in the blocking to permit passage of utilities such as plumbing and wiring where required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a metal member or unit configured to form a bridging member to be used in combination with wooden or similar structural members in building construction and to methods for using the bridging member in construction. The bridging member includes a web and side flanges for structural integrity, end flanges and tabs with cleats to anchor to structural members. 
     In one embodiment the bridging member includes a web and a pair of side flanges. Disposed on opposite ends of the bridging member is an end flange that is disposed at an angle with respect to the web. Further disposed on each end of the bridging member is an end tab. In use, the bridging member extends between two structural members and the end flanges are secured or fastened to opposing faces of the structural members while the end tabs are secured to top or bottom portions of the structure members. 
     In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the end flanges are disposed at a generally 90° angle to the web and the end tabs are extensions of the end flanges and are disposed at an angle generally 90° with respect to the end flanges. 
     The present invention also entails a method of bridging two spaced apart structural members. This method of bridging includes extending the bridging member between the two structural members and fastening or securing the two opposing end flanges to opposing side surfaces of the structural members. 
     The method described above can also include securing the end tabs to upper or lower portions of the two structural members. Thus, in the case of this embodiment, the method entails fastening the end flanges and the end tabs to two different surfaces of the structural members that are disposed at an angle of generally 90°. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the bridging member engaged with and fastened between two structural members. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of one end of a bridging member prior to being connected with a one structural member. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of one end of a bridging member fastened to one structural member. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment for the bridging member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a view illustrating the cleat structure of the bridging member. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bridging member. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view showing the bridging member of  FIG. 5  interconnecting a series of studs. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a device and a process for improving the reinforcing of certain structural members in wood construction. As mentioned above, structural members such as joists, rafters, and studs for which the height-to-thickness ratio for the cross section exceeds a certain value are required to be stabilized by interconnecting adjacent structural members with stiffening or bracing members. The present invention includes a metal bridging member and a method for installing the bridging member between adjacent structural members. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  describe one particular embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  shows in pictorial view a metallic bridging member and a frame structure, generally denoted by the numeral  10 , in which a bridging member  20  is disposed adjacent to a structural member  80  which is typically made of wood, but could be made of other materials. Bridging member  20  includes two side flanges,  25 , disposed along opposite sides of a web  30  and formed integrally with the web. Also formed within the web are one or more openings  32 . Side flanges  25  are disposed generally perpendicularly to the web and opposite each other. The side flanges  25  give rise to stiffness in the bridging member to resist bending. 
     Bridging member  20  further includes two end flanges,  40 , disposed generally perpendicularly to the web  30  and to the side flanges  25 . Addressing more particularly one of the end flanges  40 , included continuously therewith is an end tab  50  which generally lies perpendicular to the end flange  40  and to the web  30 . Moreover, end tab  50  is a part or extension of an enlarged end portion  42  of the end flange  40 . End tab  50  includes a hole  52  around the periphery of which are disposed a number of spikes  54  each generally perpendicular to the end tab and pointing in a direction such that the spikes engage the top  82  of the structural member  80 . It is appreciated that the spikes  54  are formed integrally with the end tab  50 . 
     Further considering one end flange,  40 , included therein are a number of cleats  44  formed from the end flange. Each cleat  44  comprises a main body  45  which is angled generally towards the opposite end flange. Further, each cleat  44  includes a spike  46  formed into the end of the main body and angled back generally towards the end flange  40  from which the cleat  44  is formed. 
     A second embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4  wherein the foregoing description applies except as related to the end tabs  50 . In this embodiment, the end tabs  50  are continuous with one side flange  25 . It is appreciated that end tabs  50  are thus generally perpendicular to the web  30  and the end flange  40 . Each end tab includes a hole  52  and spikes  54  as described in the first embodiment. 
     Turning now to the method of using the bridging member in construction and referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the bridging member  20  is placed between adjacent structural members  80  such that the spikes  54  engage surface  82  of the structural member which lies generally perpendicular to opposing surfaces  84  of the structural member. Anchoring the bridging member  20  is accomplished by first driving the spikes  54  into surface  82  of the structural member. Anchoring the bridging member is completed by then driving each of the spikes  46  of the cleats  44  into the opposing surfaces  84  of the structural members. It is appreciated that anchorage can be further augmented by placing fasteners such a nails, bolts, or screws through the holes in the end tabs  50  and end flange  40 . 
     After bridging members  20  are installed in a structure, certain utilities such as wiring or plumbing may be threaded through openings  32  in the webs  30  of the bridging members, allowing the utilities to be installed as needed. 
     When secured between the two structural members  80 , the bridging member  20  forms a strong and rigid bridging structure that reinforces the frame structure that the two structural members  80  form a part of. Note that the end flanges  40  fit flush adjacent the opposing sides  84  of the two structural members  80  that are bridged. Furthermore, the end tabs  50  fit flush against the top or bottom edges  82  of the structural members  80 . Extending between the end flanges  40  and end tabs  50  is the web  30  and the two side flanges  25 . The structural rigidity offered by the web  30  and the two side flanges  25  form a strong interconnecting structure between the end flanges  40  and end tabs  50  and between the two structural members  80 . 
     The present invention represents clear advantages over existing methods of reinforcing structural members by providing in one piece a complete bridging system which requires no cutting as with onsite prepared wooden “X” bridging and blocking, and no staged nailing as is required with cross bridging systems. As a result, likelihood of compliance with building codes by providing adequate bridging is improved while the process of accomplishing the required bridging is simplified. 
     By providing the cleats  44  and the spikes  54 , the bridging member can be installed without utilizing mechanical fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, etc. However, a fastener can be provided through the opening in the end tab  50  and openings can be provided in the end flanges  40  for receiving a mechanical fastener. 
     A second embodiment for the bridging member is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The bridging member of this embodiment is indicated generally by the numeral  100 . With particular reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bridging member  100  comprises an elongated member that includes a main section  102  and a pair of opposed end portions  104 . Main section  102  is generally straight and extends between the end portions  104 . End portions  104  are angled generally perpendicular to the main section  102 . 
     An opening  108  is formed in each end portion  104 . A series of spikes  108  project inwardly from the opening  106  and are utilized to anchor the bridging member  100  to studs or structural members interconnected by the bridging member  100 . 
     Extending from one edge or side of the main section  102  is a flange  110 . Flange  110 , in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , assumes a generally L-shape. As seen in  FIG. 5 , the flange  110  and the main section  102  together form a channel-like configuration. Note that flange  110  does not extend the full length of the elongated member. More particularly, the ends of the flange, referred to by  110 A and  110 B, are indented or terminate inwardly from the end portions  104 . 
     The arrangement of the flange  110  along with end portions  104  and main section  102  forms a pair of seats, indicated generally by the numeral  112 , on opposite ends of the bridging member  100 . Seats  112  are sometimes referred to as stud seats inasmuch as the seats are configured to receive a stud or structural member. In particular, the seat  112  shown on the left-hand side of the bridging member  100 , as viewed in  FIG. 5 , is formed by the end portion  104 , the end  110 A of the flange  110  along with a portion of the main section  102  that extends between the end portion  104  and the flange end  110 A. 
     Bridging member  110  can accommodate two spaced apart studs or structural members with the seats  112 . Other stud or structural member seats can be formed in the bridging member  100 . In this regard, a cutout  114  is formed in flange  110 . This is particularly illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The cutout  114  forms another seat indicated generally by the numeral  116 . As an option, the structural material cut from the flange  110  can be formed or disposed into a tab  118 . Essentially in this embodiment, the material that forms the flange  110  in the area of the cutout is left to form the tab  118 . In this case, the tab  118  will project from the flange  110  and generally lie in the same plane as the main section  110 . It follows that when a stud or other structural member is seated within the seat  116  that the tab  118  will lie flush against or at least adjacent to a portion of the stud or structural member seated within seat  116 . This is particularly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a series of studs  120  are interconnected by the bridging member  100 . Note that the two studs  120  disposed on extreme ends of the bridging member  110  are seated within seats  112 , as viewed in  FIG. 5 . The spikes  108  that extend inwardly from the end portions  104  are driven into the sides of the studs  120 . The intermediate stud or studs  120  are seated within the seats  116  that are formed in the flange  110 . In the drawings illustrated in  FIG. 5 , only one intermediate seat  116  is shown. However, it should be noted that a plurality of intermediate seats  116  could be formed between the outer seats  112 . Such other intermediate seats  116  could be formed in the same manner, that is, by forming a cutout in the flange  110 . During the course of this disclosure, seats  112  and  116  have been described as being adapted or configured to receive studs. The term “studs” as used herein is meant to mean and encompass spaced apart structural members used in a building frame structure such as studs, floor joists, ceiling joists, rafters, etc. 
     Bridging member  100  can be utilized to interconnect a series of studs. It is contemplated that a series of bridging members  100  would be connected across a series of spaced apart studs. These bridging members  100  would be slightly offset such that the bridging members  100  would slightly overlap. That is, two bridging members would slightly overlap inasmuch as each would connect to one common stud. 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.