Patents by Inventor Alfred D. Commins

Alfred D. Commins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5979130
    Abstract: A connector having a concave seat member for connecting a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a concave seat member, formed with an opening for receiving an anchor member therethrough to attach the connector to a second building structural member such as a foundation, a first side member connected to the concave seat member, a second side member connected to the concave seat member, and a back member connected to the first and second side members. The back member attaches with fasteners to a first building structural member such as stud in a framed shear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Gregg, William F. Leek, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5813182
    Abstract: A connector for securing a structural member to a concrete foundation. The connector is embedded in a concrete foundation and fasteners attach the connector to the structural member to be anchored. A connector constructed in accordance with the present invention consists of a foot section having a proximal portion, a distal portion, substantially planar lateral side portions and curled lateral side edges, the curled side edges being curled away from the planar lateral side portions along a substantial portion of the length of the foot section to aid the flow of uncured concrete around the foot section of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5666774
    Abstract: An adjustable support system for joining structural members which includes a sheet metal base member formed with a drawn and threaded opening for threadably receiving an elongated support member threaded at one end for threadably engaging the threaded opening in the sheet metal base member. In one form of the invention both support members have openings for the receipt of the elongated support member. In another form of the invention, only one of the support members has an opening and adjustment is accomplished by providing another threaded portion on the support member which then threadably engages an adjustment nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5603580
    Abstract: A positive fastener-angling device for positioning an elongated fastener with respect to the face of a sheet metal connector and a wood member only at a preselected angle which is substantially less than 90.degree. by forming a slit-cut in the sheet metal connector by means of a die which progressively at the same station, forms a fastener guideway in the shape of a half cone. The fastener opening and the guideway are dimensioned so that the fastener can only penetrate the sheet metal connector at a preselected angle set at the factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5595031
    Abstract: A holdown strap connection including a sheet metal holdown strap connector for joining a generally vertical frame member such as a post or stud to a concrete foundation made from one piece of sheet metal that installs easily to otherwise identical left and right corner vertical frame members with the same load values for resistance to uplift forces. The one-piece, in-line sheet metal holdown strap connector includes a foot section embedded in the concrete, a transition section connected to the foot section and an elongated strap section integrally connected to the transition section that extends in registration with the side face of a vertical frame member and attaches thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5555694
    Abstract: A structural hanger connection including a supporting structure having a top surface and a front face; a supported structure disposed at an angle to the front face of the supporting structure and a structural hanger including a top flange element adapted for resting on the top surface of the supporting structure and formed with two pairs of slots formed therein, and a stirrup element formed with ends respectively woven through the slots and forming a connection with the top flange element and including a seat member and a pair of laterally spaced side members connected to the seat member and engaging the supported structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5341619
    Abstract: A truss girder hanger connection including a metal truss girder hanger joining a supporting wood truss girder to a carried wood truss girder.The metal truss girder hanger is structurally connected only to a supporting wood vertical member of the supporting wood truss girder and not to the supporting wood bottom chord.The truss girder hanger connection is primarily used where the carried wood truss girder is to be supported in a sloped and/or skewed relationship to the supporting wood truss girder.The metal truss girder hanger is constructed from a single piece of metal and a single weld connects the edge of an extension member to an elongated back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Dunagan, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5297890
    Abstract: A wood-to-pipe connection in which a single sheet metal connector and a single threaded straight bolt are used to connect a wood frame member to an elongated pipe member. The elongated pipe member could be a metal conduit, standard pipe member or even a solid circular wood pole member. The wood-to-pipe connection is especially useful in attaching wood fencing to metal pipe used for fence posts. The sheet metal connector may be field bent by hand so that the same sheet metal connector may be used in connecting fence rails at mid-rail connections, butt joints, outside corners, inside corners and sloping fences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5274981
    Abstract: A rim tie connection for building structures including a wood post member, first and second wood rim members and a sheet metal connector. One specialized use of the rim tie connection is in constructing the floor support framing in gazebo structures. In such structures the wood post member is generally in a vertical position and the wood rim members are in a generally horizontal position. The sheet metal connector ties the ends of the wood rim members together and to the wood post member. The sheet metal connector includes a seat member, for holding the wood rim members and a back member for attachment to the front face of the wood post member. Floor boards attached to and supported by the wood rim members need not be notched to fit around the post member as in prior practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5249404
    Abstract: A holdown connection including a single element holdown connector formed from a single metal sheet member requiring no welding for connecting a wood stud member to an anchoring means such as a concrete foundation or another structural member. Three sides of the connector are joined at 90.degree. to each other along a rigid corner bend line. A holding seat member overlaps with a held seat member so that a held edge of the held seat member is in close engagement with a substantial portion of the length of the rigid bend line of the holding seat member. Bending slots formed in the back and side members are limited in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 5150553
    Abstract: A holdown strap connection including an elongated sheet metal holdown strap for joining a generally vertical wood frame member such as a post or stud to a concrete foundation without the use of threaded anchor bolts washers and threaded nuts. The elongated sheet metal holdown strap includes a foot section embedded in the concrete, a transition section connected to the foot section which extends above the foundation past the outside edge of the wood mudsill and along a portion of the edge of the wood frame member and an elongated strap section connected to the transition section and extends in registration with the side face of the vertical wood frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Commins, Ernest A. Romeo
  • Patent number: 5027573
    Abstract: An attachment system, method and connector connection for constructing a structure having supporting members and supported members as most commonly found in house and patio wood decks, board walks, stair systems, wood benches and trellis systems. The structures using the present disclosures are characterized by the apparent absence of nails or other fasteners. In fact, however, the structures are securely fastened by nails or screw fasteners in combination with a unique connector which uniquely is not directly connected to the supporting members.In some forms of the invention, locator prongs are provided on the connector for assisting the installer to attach the connector to the supporting board member. In its broadest form, however, no prongs are needed on the connector.In a preferred form of the connector, a projection is formed in the connector which bears against the underside of an adjacent structure even though the connector is not precisely installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Commins, Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Patent number: 4995206
    Abstract: A metal integral elevated post base for elevating the base of a wood post above a concrete base in which the post base is embedded. The post base includes a metal foot member embedded in the concrete base, a pair of metal post members integrally connected to the foot member partially embedded in and extending above the concrete base, and a pair of seat members integrally connected to the post members for supporting the wood post. Side members integrally connected to the seat members attach to the sides of the wood post. The post base is formed in two halves from a sheet metal blank and is configured as opposite halves and folded to form a single post and seat. Parts of the post base could be welded, but the preferred form is not welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen W. Colonias, Alfred D. Commins, Tyrell T. Gilb, Jin-Jie Lin, Richard D. Moore
  • Patent number: 4932173
    Abstract: A building frame connection including a metal connector for attaching plated wood trusses to wood top plates or mudsills in building structures consisting of a single member constructed from sheet metal including a base member for slidably receiving the bottom edge of the truss, a sail member formed with slotted nail openings and positioned in face to face registration with the side face of the truss, a pair of stabilizer members connected to the sail member, a pair of holding members connected by nails to the stabilizer members and affixed to the wood top plates or mudsills and nails inserted through the slots in the sail member and into the truss member enabling substantial horizontal relative movement of the truss with respect to the top plate but preventing uplift of the truss relative to the top plate. In a preferred form of the invention, projections protrude from the front face of the sail member preventing seating of the nail heads against the front face of the sail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4924648
    Abstract: A timber and concrete connection which includes a steel connector formed with stirrup members embedded in the concrete and which extend above the concrete for fastening to the timber member. The timber member rests on a standoff member which holds the base of the timber member a specified distance above the concrete; usually one inch. The standoff member is constructed from a single sheet of metal and in one form of the invention is releasably connected to the stirrup members. In another form of the invention, the standoff member is restrained from horizontal movement in all directions by the stirrup members, and in still another form of the invention the standoff member may simply be placed between the stirrup members and either welded to the stirrup members or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyrell T. Gilb, Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4896985
    Abstract: A snugging connection and method for moving a movable structural member into closer contact with a stationary structural member in which a connector for joining the two structural members is formed with a snugging member which is activated by driving a fastener through an elongated opening in the connector; snagging an end of the snugging member; causing the snugging member to pivotally rotate and move the connector in a direction generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening. The two structural members are thus brought closer to each other and may cause the connector to be in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4841690
    Abstract: A sheet metal connector for wood-to-wood, metal or concrete connections between holding and held members in a building structure in which all or substantially all of the nail openings in the connector are omitted and replaced by indicia inscribed, printed, or formed in the connector at or near the locations where the nail holes were formerly punched. Fasteners, such as nails may be driven through the indicia areas of the connector and into the held and holding members by automatic nailing guns or heavy hand held impact hammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4744192
    Abstract: A tension tie for holding a wood frame member subject to a design load in tension to a wood or concrete member. The tie is connected to the wood frame member by nail fasteners and to the concrete or wood member by an anchor bolt. The tension tie is constructed from sheet metal and includes an elongated strap member which is connected to a foot member by means of a rivet. The foot member is characterized by a single sheet continuous seat member connected to side members which in turn are connected to overlapped back members joined by the same rivet used to connect the foot member to the strap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4717279
    Abstract: A bucket hanger and method of making the hanger from a sheet metal blank. The hanger is characterized by an elongated strap back member for attachment to a vertical member in a wood truss. The hanger has a single member, non-welded seat and overlapped back members of non-continguous lengths. Fasteners used to attach the hanger to the supporting truss serve the further function of interlocking the back members of the hanger and transferring load from a carried wood member through the shorter back member by means of metal to metal shear to the enlongated strap back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Patent number: 4714372
    Abstract: A hurricane tie for connecting wood members in a building structure having a unitary sheet metal body member including a truncated generally right angled triangular base member and a generally right angled triangular web member arranged in reverse apex order with respect to one another. The base and web members lie in planes which are mutually angularly related to one another. The base and web members are formed with fastener openings for connecting the tie to the wood members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins