Patent Abstract:
An attachment is provided for connecting two building members together such as a header and an adjoining support member. The attachment includes a plate having an engaging surface for extending across and in engagement with the two building members. At least one L-shaped bracket projects from the plate. The L-shaped bracket includes first and second tabs that form an angle of approximately 90° and which are offset with respect to the plate. The first and second tabs as well as the plate are adapted to be secured to the two building members.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to attachments and clips for securing building components together, and more particularly to a metal attachment that can be used, for example, to secure a header to a vertical member in a wall system. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Connecting building components in a building structure, whether they are metal or wood, present many challenges. For example, consider the concerns presented for efficiently and adequately connecting a header that extends across a window, door or throughway opening. Obviously any type of connector utilized must be able to safely carry the loads transferred to the header, which are often very substantial especially in cases where the header span is long. While it is important to provide sturdy and strong connections, it is also important that such be done in a way that generally minimizes the number of connectors or attachments used. From a cost and construction efficiency point of view, it is desirable that the connectors be relatively small and of a design that enables them to be easily installed even by individuals that are not highly skilled. 
   Therefore, there has been and continues to be a need for attachments that connect building components together which are structurally efficient, and which can be easily installed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention entails a metal attachment for connecting two building members together. The attachment comprises a plate for extending across a portion of the two members. At least one generally L-shaped bracket projects from the plate and includes first and second tabs or legs that are disposed at an angle with respect to each other, and which are offset with respect to the plate. The attachment can be utilized to connect various types of building members together. For example, where two members meet to form a corner, the plate portion of the attachment may extend across the aligned surfaces of the two members while the two tabs can be connected to the corner areas formed. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the attachment is provided with first and second generally L-shaped brackets. Each of the L-shaped brackets includes first and second tabs or legs that project from the plate and form an angle with respect to each other. Further, both sets of tabs are offset with respect to the plate. 
   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 fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a wall showing the attachment of the present invention securing two structural members together. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the attachment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the attachment. 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the attachment. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the attachment. 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a wall structure having the attachment incorporated therein. 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a wall structure showing an alternative embodiment for the attachment. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the attachment. 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the alternative design for the attachment. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With further reference to the drawings, particularly  FIGS. 2-5 , the attachment of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . As will be appreciated from subsequent portions of the disclosure, attachment  10  is designed to connect two structural members together. In  FIG. 1  for example, attachment  10  connects a header  58  with a jamb  60 . 
   Turning to a detailed discussion of the attachment  10 , the same includes a plate indicated generally by the numeral  12 . Plate  12  is of a rectangular or square design and includes a front face  14  and a back  16 . Back  16 , in the case of the design shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , will fit flush against the building members that the attachment  10  connects. Formed in the plate  12  is a pair of reinforcing ribs  11 . Plate  12  includes a series of edges that surround the same. More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the edges include edge  18 A, edge  18 B, edge  18 C, and edge  18 D. 
   Projecting from the plate  12  is a bracket  22 . Although the bracket may assume various configurations, in the case of the present embodiments bracket  22  assumes a generally L-shape. L-shaped bracket  22  includes a first tab or leg  24  and a second tab or leg  26 . A transition line or juncture  28  extends between the tabs  24  and  26 . The angle formed by tabs  24  and  26  can vary. In this embodiment, tabs  24  and  26  form a generally right angle. 
   Formed in the attachment  10  in both the plate and the tabs  24  and  26  are a series of fastener openings  30 . Fastener openings  30  receive screws that effectively connect attachment  10  to adjacent building members. 
   Attachment  10  can be constructed in various ways utilizing various processes. In one embodiment it is contemplated that attachment  10  would be made from a single piece of material that is stamped and/or cut and formed into the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . One way of forming the attachment  10  would be to cut a single piece of material along the line generally designated by the edge  18 D. Note that the cut would only extend partially across the material. Thereafter tab  26  can be bent to an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the adjacent tab  24 . Tab  24  could be bent towards the back  16  of the plate to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this position the plane of tab  24  would extend generally perpendicular to the plane of the plate  12 . The plane of tab  26  would extend generally perpendicular to the plane of tab  24  and also generally perpendicular to the plane of the plate  12 . It is noted that a juncture or transition line  32 , as viewed in  FIG. 2 , would be formed between the plate  12  and the tab  24 . Note that the juncture or transition line  32  would generally be aligned with edge  18 D as shown again in  FIG. 2 . 
   Attachment  10  described above is designed to be utilized in wall systems such as a metal wall system or a wood wall system. Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7  is an exemplary metal wall system. This metal wall system includes a lower track  50  and an upper track  52 . A plurality of studs  54  extend between the lower track  50  and the upper track  52 . Formed in the wall is an opening indicated generally by the numeral  56 . A header  58  extends transversely across an upper portion of the opening. A jamb or vertical member  60  also forms a part of the opening and generally extends vertically along a portion of the opening. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the header  58  abuts against the jamb  60  so as to form a corner area underneath the header  58  and adjacent the jamb  60 , and above the header  58  and adjacent the jamb  60 . 
   To secure the header  58  to the jamb  60  the attachment  10  is utilized. Plate  12  is extended across a side portion of the header  58  and a flange portion  60 A of the jamb  60 . A series of fasteners  62 , such as screws, are inserted through the fastener openings  30  in the plate and on through the header  58  and jamb  60 . These fasteners  62  secure the plate  12  to both the header  58  and the jamb  60 . 
   Once the plate  12  is positioned adjacent the header  58  and jamb  60 , the L-shaped bracket  22  will fit in the corner area defined between the bottom of the header  58  and the web of the jamb  60 . Again, fasteners  62  such as screws, are screwed through the fastener openings  30  in both the tabs  24  and  26 . Thus, the tabs are secured to both the header  58  and the jamb  60 . 
   Turning to  FIGS. 7-9 , a second or alternative embodiment is shown for the attachment  10 . The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment described above with the exception that a second bracket is added to the plate  12 . More particularly, as viewed in  FIG. 7 , a second bracket projects from the plate  12  and is indicated generally by the numeral  80 . Second bracket  80  assumes a generally L-shape. While the particular angle formed by the bracket can vary, just as in the case with the first embodiment, in the design illustrated herein the angle formed by the bracket  80  is generally a right angle, or an angle of approximately 90°. Similar to the bracket described above, the second bracket  80  includes a first tab or leg  82  and a second tab or leg  84 . Both tabs include fastener openings  30 . Second tab  84  is bent or otherwise disposed at an angle to the first tab  82  such that a transition line or juncture  86  is formed therebetween. See  FIG. 9 . In addition, there is a juncture or transition line  88  formed between the first tab  82  and the plate  12 . 
   Although not required, the attachment  10  shown in  FIGS. 7-9  is provided with a series of reinforcing plates  90 . In this case, a reinforcing plate is positioned on the plate  12  in a corner area adjacent one of the brackets  22  or  80 . This is particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 7 , the attachment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is shown therein connected between the header  58  and jamb  60  that forms a part of a wall structure. Note again that plate  12  extends across a portion of header  58  and a portion of the flange  60 A of the jamb  60 . Screws  62  are inserted through the fastener openings in the plate  12  and into the respective structural members. This connects or ties the header  58  to the jamb  60 . In addition, both brackets  22  and  80  are fastened to corner areas formed by the header  58  abutting into the jamb  60 . In this case the second bracket  80  is secured atop the header and abuts with both the top surface of the header  58  and the face or web of the jamb  60 . Again, fasteners  62  such as screws are screwed through the tabs  82  and  84  and into the adjacent or underlying structure. 
   From the foregoing specification and discussion, it is seen that the attachment  10  of the present invention forms a simple attachment or clip that can easily be utilized to connect two building framing members together. Because of the design and simplicity, the attachment  10  is easy to install and provides a rigid and strong connection for connecting two structural members, such as a header  58  and a jamb  60 . 
   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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8