Abstract: A method of constructing curved building structures employ flexible support members formed from metal strip, having flexible elongate spines with substantially perpendicular flanges or tabs fixable to the building members, so that the building structures can be assembled flat and then curved on erection to the desired curved configuration.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal brace consisting of a strip of sheet metal the side portions of which are doubled over or bent through about 180 degrees, so that the strip, or at least a nailing flange of the strip, is of double thickness sheet metal. In this way the raw edges of the strip are safely displaced from the sides of the brace. Moreover, it has been found that it is much easier to drive a nail through two superimposed thicknesses of sheet metal than to drive it through a single piece of sheet metal of double the thickness. Therefore the bracing strip according to the invention made of light gauge sheet metal may have high strength in compression, but be easier to nail, without preformed nail holes, than a conventional bracing strip. An alternative embodiment may have formed in it a plurality of access locations to use as nail holes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal brace consisting of a strip of sheet metal the side portions of which are doubled over or bent through about 180 degrees, so that the strip, or at least a nailing flange of the strip, is of double thickness sheet metal. In this way the raw edges of the strip are safely displaced from the sides of the brace. Moreover, it has been found that it is much easier to drive a nail through two superimposed thicknesses of sheet metal than to drive it through a single piece of sheet metal of double the thickness. Therefore the bracing strip according to the invention made of light gauge sheet metal may have high strength in compression, but be easier to nail, without preformed nail holes, than a conventional bracing strip. An alternative embodiment may have formed in it a plurality of access locations to use as nail holes.

Abstract: A method and resulting wood frame that can be used to construct a wall. To create a curved wall, lines are scribed onto the floor to define the wall radius. The wood frame is constructed by first arranging a plurality of studs in a spaced apart arrangement. The studs have first and second surfaces along the longitudinal axis, which terminate at first and second ends that have bottom and top surfaces respectively. A flexible flat member is then attached to the first end of the studs. The flexible member has a base portion which is nailed to the first surface of the studs and a plurality of spaced apart tabs. Some of the tabs are immediately adjacent the bottom of the studs, while other tabs are located between the spaced apart studs. The attached studs are then lifted into place and the flexible member is bent until the curved member follows the scribed outline. The frame is then nailed to the floor through the tabs that are located between the studs.

Abstract: A length of galvanized steel structural utility strap, normally 18- to 20-gauge thickness, is shaped in a continuous coil and placed inside a dispensing carton. A length of the utility strap is dispensed from an end wall of the container, from the outer portion of the coil, after which the dispensed strap can be cut off to a desired length. The dispensing carton can contain large centrally located holes on opposite front and rear faces of the carton for use in carrying the carton and the heavy coiled utility strapping material contained within. A measuring gauge located on one or more end walls of the carton is used in measuring preselected lengths of strapping material, which are dispensed and then cut to a preselected length.

Abstract: A metal construction blocking for wood frame wall stud construction comprising an elongated metal piece having a pair of parallel marginally folded edges having sufficient strength to prevent the blocking from bending, and a longitudinally corrugated body sufficiently thick to allow metal self-tapping screws to pass through the body so that when the blocking is put in place on the wall studs, the blocking holds a fixture with the screws fastening to unsupported portions of the blocking between adjacent wall studs.

Abstract: A joist hanger is provided which includes a pair of side brackets having oppositely directed flanges for fixture to an interposed joint. A platform member is provided that is engageable between the side brackets and is used to vary the spacing between parallel flanges of the side brackets by slidable movement of one side bracket relative to the platform member.

Abstract: A sheet metal connector is provided for use with timber building components of the type that has nails to be driven through the sheet metal into the timber. The connector has substantially U-shaped cuts in the sheet metal to define nailing tongues. The nailing tongues have a deformation for use in providing a nail entry point so that a nail driven therethrough will serve to drive the nailing tongue into the timber.

Abstract: A bracing element comprises a pair of metal members 1A' and 1A" which have respective cross-sectional shapes which approximate one another and which enable one member 1A' to be retained and accommodated in a slidable nested relationship with the other member 1A" so that relative movement of the members 1A' and 1A" can telescope the members so as to extend the overall length of the bracing element. In another embodiment the inner of the two members has part of its cross-sectional shape compressed so that the compressed portion can be slidably accommodated within the uncompressed cross-sectional shape of the outer of the two members.

Abstract: A precambered roll formed metal structural beam and method of making same. The precambered beam may be used in wood frame constructions to replace large and increasingly expensive wooden header beams, or it may be used in steel beam structures and framework where the precambering permits use of lighter beams without resulting in undesirable visible sagging. The beams maybe fabricated in various cross sections and with an amount of precamber tailored to a specific job.