Abstract: A bracket having a long leg and a base having three layers. A preferred bracket has support sides connecting the long leg and the base. Any bracket may be used to attach any portion of a structure which would tend to be separated from the remainder of the structure by a pulling or pushing force by laterally attaching the long leg to the main portion of the structure and laterally attaching the base to the portion of the structure which would tend to separate. A preferred use is a method of operatively connecting guard rail posts to deck joists or other structural elements.

Abstract: “L”-shaped brackets for connecting floor joists of houses to a structural band board and deck ledger board so that the deck ledger board will be supported by the weight-bearing floor joists of the houses. The brackets are “L”-shaped, having one short leg, one long leg, and at least one triangular brace connecting the legs. Each leg contains a plurality of holes for the passage of through bolts. The short legs abut the band board and the through bolts pass through the short legs of the brackets, the band board, and the ledger board. The long legs abut the weight-bearing joists and the through bolts pass through the long leg of one of the backet, one of the weight-bearing joists, and the long leg of one of the brackets on the opposing side of the weight-bearing joist.