Patent ID: 8701359

Claim:
A cast structural connector connectable to a structural frame being connected to at least one gusset plate at a junction in the structural frame where a corner is formed in the structural frame and a brace assembly including a brace member comprising: (a) a first and configured to receive the brace member, said first end being formed of a single solid piece that is devoid of holes, and said first end having a single continuous gradual sloping bevel with a distal end having dimensions equal to or smaller than the dimensions of the brace member formed therein, said bevel extending directly from an outer surface of the first end, the bevel fitting partially within the brace member so that at least a portion of the bevel provides weld volume between the brace member and the bevel of the first end, and said bevel being of an angle that is selected to provide sufficient weld volume for a complete joint penetration welding connection between the first end and the brace member to develop the axial strength of the brace member to withstand loading conditions, said bevel being formed to be connectable with brace members of varying thicknesses and to facilitate alignment and centering with the brace member; (b) a second end incorporating two plates separated by a gap, said second end being fixable to the gusset plate when said gusset plate is disposed between the two plates of the second end and such fixation is by means of one or more bolt connectors fitted into and through a plurality of corresponding holes in each of the two plates of the second end and in the gusset plate, said bolt connectors connecting the two plates of the second end and the gusset plate in a manner that forms a gap between at least one of two plates of the second end and the gusset plate such that a flexural plastic hinge occurs in the at least one gusset plate during compressive buckling; and (c) an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and second end that provides for a transmission of forces, said intermediate portion forming a gradual slope from the first end to the second and being of a greater circumference where the intermediate portion is in contact with the first end than where the intermediate portion is in contact with the second end, and the first end, second end and the intermediate portion being disposed within an axis defined by the brace member; whereby the connector is operable in applications that include seismic-resistant bracing applications so that the brace member absorbs energy and the connector remains elastic during tensile yielding and compressive buckling of the brace member.