Patent ID: 7836657

Claim:
A bridging member configured to interconnect first and second spaced apart structural members and also configured to connect to first and second like bridging members, the bridging member comprising: a. a main member; b. the main member having a first end and a second end; c. a projection receiver disposed on the main member adjacent the first end of the main member; d. a projection extending from the main member and projecting outwardly past the second end of the main member; e. the projection configured to project into and interconnect and lock with the projection receiver of the first like bridging member; f. the projection receiver configured to receive and interconnect and lock with a projection of the second like bridging member; g. a first set of spaced apart tabs disposed on the first end of the bridging member for connecting to one of the structural members, the first set of tabs being disposed at an angle with respect to the bridging member and configured to lie adjacent the first structural member such that the tabs can be connected to the first structural member; h. a second set of spaced apart tabs disposed on the second end of the bridging member for connecting to the second structural member, the second set of tabs being disposed at an angle with respect to the main member and configured to lie adjacent the second structural member such that the tabs can be connected to the second structural member; i. the projection extending outwardly past the second set of tabs; j. wherein the bridging member further includes: i. a concave recess formed in the main member adjacent the first end of the main member; ii. the recess extending inwardly from the first set of tabs; iii. wherein the recess forms in the main member a pair of spaced apart portions that at least partially bound the recess; iv. wherein the first set of tabs extend at an angle from the spaced apart portions that at least partially bound the recess; v. wherein the projection receiver is spaced adjacent the recess but inwardly of the first set of tabs; vi. wherein the spaced apart portions formed by the recess extend at least slightly outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the main member; and vii. wherein each of the tabs is turned at an angle with respect to the main member and wherein each tab extends in a transverse vertical plane with respect to the main member.