Abstract:
A connector with two flanges for making a variety of connections between structural members, in particular cold formed steel structural members, with the added utility of a accommodating a heavy bolted connection to one of the structural members with an extended tab on one flange that matches a recess on the other for optimal material consumption and minimal waste in manufacturing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cold formed steel framing systems, and particularly to anchoring steel studs with anchor bolts embedded in masonry, including poured concrete as well as masonry units. 
     Many industrial, and a growing number of residential, buildings are constructed with steel stud wall framing for a variety of reasons. Steel framing is fireproof, does not warp, cannot be infested, and does not rot. The majority of connections between structural members are made a right angles, including the connections between vertical framing members, such as wall studs, and the underlying floors and foundations. 
     Light steel framing is ideal for floors, roofs, support structures for finishes, non-load bearing walls, and even load-bearing walls up to approximately nine stories. With wall systems, whether they are load-bearing or non load-bearing, it is customary to use connectors or clips to secure individual metal studs to overlying and/or underlying support structures. Various connector or clip designs are known. For example, it is known to use simple L-shaped connector designs to interconnect metal studs with an underlying or overlying floor structure, for example. However, typical L-shaped connectors may not necessarily handle the variety of loads and forces that are sometimes experienced where studs are joined or secured to a floor or other support structure. More particularly, conventional connector designs may not always efficiently and effectively resist uplift, horizontal and rotational loads that are experienced about connecting points between such studs and an adjacent support structure. 
     Therefore, there has been and continues to be a need for a more heavy duty and durable connector for connecting metal studs to floors and other adjacent support structures that will effectively resist uplift, horizontal and rotational loads. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an upper left front perspective view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a lower right rear perspective view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an upper left front perspective view of a stud-to-foundation anchor connection formed with the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an upper front perspective view of two anchor connections formed with the multipurpose connectors of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an upper right front perspective view of a bridging member-to-stud connection formed with the multipurpose connector of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a connector with two flanges for making a variety of connections between structural members, in particular cold formed steel structural members, with the added utility of a accommodating a heavy bolted connection to one of the structural members with an extended tab on one flange that matches a recess on the other for optimal material consumption and minimal waste in manufacturing. 
     The present invention provides a multipurpose connector with a tab extension on one flange that has an outer contour that is exactly equal to the contour of a concave recess on the other flange so that there is no material loss when the connectors are formed from a long coil or strip of material on progressive die stamping machinery. 
     The present invention provides a connector suitable for making a large number of connections with a tab on one flange that accommodates a bolt hole with the minimum of material surrounding the bolt hole. 
     The present invention provides a connector with flanges of unequal length in order to make the largest possible number of connections while conserving material. 
     The present invention provides a connector that can, in addition to forming a number of connections between metal structural members, act as a holdown, anchoring a structural member to an underlying masonry (including poured concrete and masonry units) floor or foundation in cooperation with a bolt embedded in the masonry, either before or after the connector is positioned. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , the present invention is a building connection  1  between a first structural member  2  and a second structural member  3 . The first structural member  2  and the second structural member  3  are connected by a multipurpose connector  4  in conjunction with a plurality of fasteners  18 . 
     Preferably, the building connection comprises the first structural member  2 , the second structural member  3 , the plurality of fasteners  18 , and the multipurpose connector  4 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the multipurpose connector  4  preferably comprises a first flange  5  and a second flange  7 . Preferably, at least a portion of the first flange  5  is substantially planar, with a first plurality of fastener openings  6 . Preferably, at least a portion of the second flange  7  is substantially planar, with a second plurality of fastener openings  6 . The second flange  7  preferably is angularly joined to the first flange  5  at a first angular juncture  8  that a first juncture length  80 . The multipurpose connector  4  is preferably formed from sheet steel by progressive die stamping, in which case the first angular juncture  8  is a bend line. The first and second flanges  5  and  7  preferably are completely planar except for a pair of small gussets  20  embossed in the first angular juncture  8  to reinforce it. 
     Preferably, the second flange  7  has a second body portion  9  bounded at least in part by a second outer boundary  10  at least partially opposite the first angular juncture  8 . As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second outer boundary  10  preferably has a second outer boundary length  100 . In the preferred embodiments, the second outer boundary  10  is straight and parallel to the first angular juncture  8 . Preferably, the second flange  7  has a first tab  11  that extends from the second outer boundary  10  away from the angular juncture  8 . The first tab  11  preferably joins the second body portion  9  of the second flange  7  at an inner tab boundary  12  that is partially coincident with the second outer boundary  10 . As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , preferably the inner tab boundary  12  has a inner tab boundary length  120  that is less than the second outer boundary length  100 , such that the second body portion  9  is wider than the first tab  11  and extends to either side of the first tab  11 . The second flange  7  preferably has a first bolt opening  13  that is at least partially within the first tab  11  and is larger than at least one of the second plurality of fastener openings  6 . In the preferred embodiments, the first bolt opening  13  is large enough to accommodate a ⅜-inch diameter drill bit, while the other fastener openings  6  accommodate #14 (nominal 0.242-inch diameter) self-drilling screws for cold-formed steel framing. The second flange  7  preferably also has first and second sides  22  that connect the second outer boundary  10  of the second flange  7  to the first angular juncture  8 . The second flange  7  preferably has a second inner surface  25  and a second outer surface  26 . The second outer surface  26  interfaces with the second structural member  3 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, the first and second sides  22  of the second flange  7  are 4.25 inches apart, substantially straight, and substantially parallel to each other. The fastener openings  6  in the second body portion  9  are centered 0.75 inches from the first angular juncture  8 . The two outermost (closest to the first and second sides  22 ) of those fastener openings  6  are centered 0.5 inches from the first and second sides  22 , respectively, of the second flange  7 . The two innermost (furthest from the first and second sides  22 ) of those fastener openings are centered 1.5 inches from the first and second sides  22 , respectively, of the second flange  7 . The first tab  11  extends a maximum of 2.1875 inches from the first angular juncture  8 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , preferably the first flange  5  has a first body portion  15  bounded at least in part by a first outer boundary  16  at least partially opposite the first angular juncture  8 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first outer boundary  16  preferably has a first outer boundary length  160 . Preferably, the first flange  5  has a first recess edge  17  that indents from the first outer boundary  16  toward the angular juncture  8 . The first recess edge  17  preferably constricts the first body portion  15  of the first flange  5  along the first outer boundary  16 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , preferably the first recess edge  17  has a first recess edge length  170  that is less than the first outer boundary length  160 . In the preferred embodiments, the first outer boundary  16  is parallel to the first angular juncture  8  in either side of the first recess edge  17 . The first flange  5  preferably also has first and second sides  14  that connect the first outer boundary  16  of the first flange  5  to the first angular juncture  8 . The first flange  5  preferably has a first inner surface  23  and a first outer surface  24 . The first outer surface  24  interfaces with the first structural member  2 . The first angular juncture  8  preferably is 90 degrees between the first inner surface  23  of the first flange  5  and the second inner surface  25  of the second flange  7 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, the first and second sides  14  of the first flange  5  are 4.25 inches apart, substantially straight, 4 inches long, and substantially parallel to each other. The four outermost (closest to the first and second sides  14 ) of the fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  are centered 0.375 inches from the first and second sides  14 , respectively, of the first flange  5 . The four fastener openings  6  in the first flange nearest those are centered 0.875 inches from the first and second sides  14 , respectively, of the first flange  5 . The fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  that are furthest from the first angular juncture  8  are centered 0.375 inches from the first outer boundary  16 . The fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  that are the next closest to the first outer boundary  16  are centered 1.375 inches from the first outer boundary  16 . And the fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  that are closest to the first angular juncture  8  are centered 2.375 inches from the first outer boundary  16 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , at least one of the plurality of fasteners  18  preferably passes through one of the first plurality of fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  and into the first structural member  2 . If, as is preferred, the first structural member  2  is made of cold-formed steel, the fasteners  18  pass through both the first flange  5  and the material of the first structural member  2 . Preferably, at least one of the plurality of fasteners  18  passes through at least one of the first bolt opening  13  and the second plurality of fastener openings  6  in the second flange  7  into the second structural member  3 . 
     The most preferred masonry bolt  18  is the Simpson Strong-Tie Titen HD® anchor  18 , a patented, high-strength screw anchor for concrete and masonry. It is designed for optimum performance in both cracked and uncracked concrete, a requirement that the 2009 International Building Code places on post-installed anchors. The high strength, easy to install Titen HD anchor  18  has been tested and shown to provide outstanding performance in cracked and uncracked concrete under both static and seismic loading conditions. The self-undercutting, non-expansion characteristics of the Titen HD anchor  18  make it ideal for structural applications, even at reduced edge distances and spacings. The Titen HD anchor  18  is recommended for permanent dry, interior non-corrosive environments or temporary outdoor applications. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-6 , the connector  4  is preferably formed with fastener openings  6  of different shapes in both the first flange  5  and the second flange  7 . Round fastener openings  6  can be specified for lower required loads, and triangular fastener openings  6  can additionally be specified for higher required loads. Square fastener openings  6  can be specified as optional or can be used alone, or in combination with round and triangular fastener openings  6  for alternate connections  1  and custom designs. 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , the connector  4  is particularly suited to making a connection  1  between a cold-formed steel vertical stud  2  and a concrete floor or foundation  3 .  FIG. 8  specifically shows a moment-resisting kneewall application in which the connector  4  is used in conjunction with a Simpson Strong-Tie BP1/2-3 bearing plate  21  which reinforces the connection made to the foundation  3  with a masonry bolt  18 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , the connector  4  is also particularly suited to making top-of-wall connections  1  between headers  2  or beams  2  resting on masonry walls  3 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the connector  4  can also be used to make a bridging member  2  to wall stud  3  connection  1 . As shown, the innermost fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  are sufficiently closely-spaced to be fastened to a standard u-channel bridging member  2 , while the outermost fastener openings  6  in the second flange  7  are sufficiently far apart to be fastened on either side of a cold-formed steel stud knockout opening  27 . 
     The connector  4  of the present invention is designed to be a versatile all-purpose connector  4  in addition to its specific suitabilities and it can be used in non-load-bearing and load-bearing wall, floor and roof framing. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , preferably the first tab  11  of the second flange  7  has an outer tab boundary  19  that is an open edge oriented away from the inner tab boundary  12  and the first angular juncture  8 . The outer tab boundary  19  preferably has an outer tab boundary length  190  that is substantially equal to the first recess edge length  170 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , preferably the first bolt opening  13  is entirely within the first tab  11  of the second flange  7 . The first tab  11  preferably is formed from the minimum amount of material needed to accommodate the first bolt opening  13 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 7 , preferably the first flange  5  extends further away from the first angular juncture  8  than the second flange  7  extends away from the first angular juncture  8 . This particularly useful when the connector  4  is used as a holdown connector  4 , which requires only a single bolt  18  in the second flange  7  but a plurality of fasteners in the first flange  5 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second structural member  3  can be a masonry structural member  3 , which can be poured concrete or masonry units such as concrete block, brick, or the like. Preferably, at least one of the plurality of fasteners  18  is a masonry bolt  18 , and the second flange  7  is fastened to the second structural member  3  with a masonry bolt  18 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outer tab boundary  19  preferably is a convex substantially semicircular arc  19 , which largely matches the contour of the first bolt opening  13  in the first tab  11 . Preferably, the first recess  17  is a concave substantially semicircular arc  17 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 3-6 , the fastener openings  6  in the first flange  5  and the second flange  7  preferably are formed with different shapes that act as indicia for forming a variety of connections  1 .