Patent Abstract:
A seat and anchor assembly for mounting and securing a wood joist or roof truss to a tie beam of a building including a central web portion and an upwardly extending wall portion disposed along a longitudinal edge thereof wherein a lower portion of the roof truss or joist fits within what may be considered a seat defined by the web and the upstanding wall portion. An elongated anchor strap is adjustably attached to the wall portion and is adapted to be secured by nails or like connectors to the top portion of the roof truss and further wherein the anchor strap includes a lower length disposed and adapted to be embedded in wet concrete initially defining the tie beam of the building on which the seat and truss rests.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Truss seats and anchor assemblies are well known in the art for anchoring trusses to concrete walls. Many such truss seats have a web upon which the truss sits that serves as a barrier to keep the wood of the truss or joist out of contact with the upper surface of the concrete protecting it from moisture. 
         [0002]    Anchors often come in the form of elongated straps that may work in conjunction with the seat or alone. In use, a lower end of the anchor strap is embedded in the concrete of the tie beam when wet and an upper end is bent over the roof truss or wood joist so that headed nails can be passed through the anchor strap on opposite sides of the roof truss or wood joist. 
         [0003]    One feature of securing the anchor straps to the truss seats or channels is that it maintains the assembly conveniently together until installed. In such an instance the straps can be secured to the channel by means of a rivet. 
         [0004]    In a hurricane, it has been found that there is often a failure of the connection of the roof truss to the concrete wall, primarily due to the generally upwardly directed forces causing the roof to fly upwardly away from the tie beam or wall. 
         [0005]    Some anchor and seat assemblies use two anchor straps riveted or otherwise adjustably connected in spaced longitudinal relation to one another with respect to the central web of the seat. Some anchor and seat assemblies are made with a channel-shaped seat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention improves on the prior art moisture barrier truss seats be improving the interface with the underlying concrete. This is accomplished by forming an improved embedment leg that has a pair of angularly-related portions that increase the surface area embedded in the concrete and provide flat faces to resist movement in four directions. 
         [0007]    This invention is of a truss seat and anchor assembly comprising a channel length with a central web portion and upstanding spaced and substantially parallel side walls to cradle a truss and wherein two anchor straps are provided which are adjustably connected to the wall portion in longitudinally spaced relation to one another. One anchor strap is connected to one of the wall portions of the channel length and the other anchor strap is spaced longitudinally from the first anchor strap and is connected to the other of the wall portions. 
         [0008]    The assembly can easily be transported to a job site for use in anchoring the trusses in spanning relation to walls each having an upper peripheral tie beam. At a job site, since there are often numerous workmen at a given time, if there are not enough anchor straps or alternatively, not enough channel lengths, the job is shut down and a run must be made to secure an additional supply of channel lengths or anchor straps. This invention is of an assembly wherein the two anchor straps are pre-attached to the channel by rivets or other adjustable means at spaced predetermined positions along the length of the web portion of the channel. Such attachments are provided so that delays and job shut downs are avoided as set forth above. Also, such attachments of the anchor straps to the wall portion provide predetermined spacing of the anchor straps to assure additional resistance to upward forces without fear of fracture of the wood material of the truss when nails are applied thereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the anchor strap assembly of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the anchor strap assembly of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the anchor strap assembly of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the anchor strap of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the anchor strap of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the anchor strap of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the channel length of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the channel length of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an end elevation view of the channel length of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the anchor strap assembly connection of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the sheet metal blank of the channel length of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The present invention is an improved truss seat and anchor strap assembly  1 . In its simplest form, the improved truss seat and anchor strap assembly comprises an angle length  2 , a first elongate anchor strap  11 , and a first connection means  16 . 
         [0021]    The angle length  2  has a first end  3  and a second end  4 , and an underlayment portion  5 . The underlayment portion  5  has a first longitudinally extending edge  6  with a first wall portion  7  secured to it. The first wall portion  7  has an outer surface  8  facing away from the underlayment portion  5 . The first wall portion  7  extends longitudinally along the first edge  6  and extends upwardly from the underlayment portion  5  to define a truss support  9  therebetween. The truss support  9  is adapted to receive a truss  10  on the underlayment portion  5  and beside the first wall portion  7 . 
         [0022]    The first elongate anchor strap  11  has an upper length  13  for fastening to the truss  10  and a lower length  15  adapted to be embedded in concrete. The first connection means  16  for connecting the first anchor strap  11  to the angle length  2  extends outwardly from the anchor strap  11  in generally perpendicular relation to the first wall portion  7  and extends through the first wall portion  7 . The first anchor strap  11  is attached to the first wall portion  7  of the angle length  2 . The upper length  13  of the first anchor strap  11  extends above the angle length  2  and the lower length  15  of the first anchor strap  11  extends below the angle length  2 , when the first anchor strap  11  is in an operative position. 
         [0023]    The angle length  2  has a first aperture  18  in the underlayment portion  5  and the first wall portion  7 . The first aperture  18  traverses the first longitudinally extending edge  6  and has an edge  19  with an upper portion  20  in the first wall portion  7 . The angle length  2  has a first embedment leg  21  that is adapted to be embedded in concrete and has a first extended portion  22  and a second extended portion  23 . The first embedment leg  20  is formed from at least portion of the angle length  2  material removed to create the first aperture  18 . The first extended portion  22  has an outer face  24  that extends from the outer surface  8  of the first wall portion  7 . The first extended portion  22  projects from, is integrally joined to, and is at least partially co-planar with the first wall portion  7 . The second extended portion  23  is angularly related, and integrally joined, to the first extended portion  22  along a first angular juncture  25 . The second extended portion  23  has an outer edge  26  at least partially opposite the first angular juncture  25 . The outer edge  26  and the first angular juncture  25  converges toward the upper portion  20  of the edge  19  of the first aperture  18  in the first wall portion  7 . The outer edge  26  of the second extended portion  23  twists to join the upper portion  20  of the edge  19  of the first aperture  18  in the first wall portion  7 , forming a continuous edge. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the angle length  2  is a channel length  2  and the underlayment portion  5  is a central web portion  5 . Preferably, the central web portion  5  has a second longitudinally extending edge  6  parallel to the first longitudinally extending edge  6 . Preferably, a second wall portion  7  with an outer surface  8  is secured to the second longitudinally extending edge  6  in generally parallel relation to the first wall portion  7  to define a truss cradle  9  therebetween. Preferably, the truss cradle  9  is adapted to receive a truss  10  on the central web portion  5  and between the wall portions  7  and  8 . 
         [0025]    Preferably, the anchor strap assembly  1  includes a second elongate anchor strap  12  with an upper length  13  for fastening to the truss  10  and a lower length  15  adapted to be embedded in concrete. 
         [0026]    The anchor strap assembly  1  preferably includes a second connection means  16  for connecting the second anchor strap  12  to the channel length  2 . The second connection means  16  extends outwardly in generally perpendicular relation to the second wall portion  7  from the anchor strap  12  and extends through the second wall portion  7 . 
         [0027]    Preferably, the second anchor strap  12  is attached to the second wall portion  7  of the channel length  2 . The upper length  13  of the second anchor strap  12  preferably extends above the channel length  2  and the lower length  14  of the second anchor strap  12  extends below the channel length  2  when the second anchor strap  12  is in an operative position. 
         [0028]    The first aperture  2  preferably extends into the second wall portion  7 . Preferably, the first aperture  2  traverses the second longitudinally extending edge  6 , the edge  19  of the first aperture  2  having an upper portion  20  in the second wall portion  7 . The angle length  2  preferably has a second embedment leg  21  that is adapted to be embedded in concrete and has a first extended portion  22  and a second extended portion  23 . Preferably, the second embedment leg  21  is formed from at least portion of the channel length  2  material removed to create the first aperture  18 . The first extended portion  22  preferably has an outer face  24  that extends from the outer surface  8  of the second wall portion  7 . Preferably, the first extended portion  22  projects from, is integrally joined to, and is at least partially co-planar with the second wall portion  7 . The second extended portion  23  preferably is angularly related, and integrally joined, to the first extended portion  22  along a first angular juncture  25 . Preferably, the second extended portion  23  has an outer edge  26  at least partially opposite the first angular juncture  25 . The outer edge  26  and the first angular juncture  25  preferably converge toward the upper portion  20  of the edge  19  of the first aperture  18  in the second wall portion  7 . Preferably, the outer edge  26  of the second extended portion  23  twists to join the upper portion  20  of the edge  19  of the first aperture  18  in the second wall portion  7 , forming a continuous edge. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the channel length  2  is cut from a flat sheet metal blank. Fastener openings  30  are drilled or punched through the first and second wall portions  7 , preferably three in each and preferably offset at opposite ends of the first and second wall portions  7 . When the first and second wall portions  7  are bent up along the first and longitudinally extending parallel edges  6  of the channel length  2 , the first and second embedment legs  21  are simulataneously bent down, forming the first aperture  18 . The preferred connection means  16  are strips or fingers  111  cut lengthwise from the first and second wall portions  7  by means of two slits  112 , each bent out so that an anchor strap  11  or  12  can be slipped between the connection means  16  and the outer surface  8  of a wall portion  7  in combination with a dimple  107  on the anchor strap  11  or  12  that interfaces with the longitudinal slot  106  preferably formed in the connection means  16  to hold the anchor strap  11  or  12  in place before it is fastened to the truss  10 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the purpose of the truss seat and anchor strap assembly  1  is to adequately position an secure a roof truss  10  in an anchored relation to a tie beam  99 . The tie beam  99  is preferably formed from concrete, but another form of masonry or, in fact, any other material in which the truss seat and anchor strap assembly can be embedded, is possible. The anchor straps  11  and  12  and the embedment legs  21  are embedded within the tie beam  99  while the concrete is still wet and penetrable. In the preferred embodiment, the anchor straps  11  ans  12  are formed with openings  14  that receive fasteners  110  that are driven into the roof truss  10 . 
         [0031]    Preferably, the first and second longitudinally extending edges  6  are reinforced by one or more gussets  27 . The central web portion  5  preferably has a fastener extension  108  at each of the first end  3  and the second end  4 . 
         [0032]    Preferably, the lower length  15  of each of the first and second anchor straps  11 ,  12  includes a terminal end zone or foot  105  and the terminal end zone or foot  105  of each of the first and second anchor straps  11 ,  12  is bent out of the plane of the upper length  13  of a respective anchor strap  11 ,  12  when the first and second anchor straps  11 ,  12  are in an operative position. 
         [0033]    The central web portion  5  preferably is disposed beneath and in supporting relation to a truss  10  and in supported engagement on a tie beam  99 . Preferably, the tie beam  99  is initially defined by the wet concrete in which the lower length  15  of each of the first and second anchor straps  11 ,  12  are embedded. 
         [0034]    Each of the first and second wall portions  7  preferably includes an elongate adjustment slot  106  formed therein at a juncture of each anchor strap  11 ,  12  and a respective wall portion  7  to which it is adjustably attached. Preferably, each of the first and second anchor straps  11 ,  12  has a dimple  107  that extends through respective wall portions  7  and through the elongate adjustment slots  106 . 
         [0035]    Preferably, the channel length  2  is cold formed from 18 gauge G185 galvanized steel.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4