Strengthened roof-wall bracket

Abstract

A strengthened, inexpensive roof-to-wall bracket that includes two perpendicularly aligned wall flange members, integrally formed on a wall transverse member, and two perpendicularly aligned rafter flange members integrally formed on the wall transverse member. Disposed under the corners between the two wall flange members and the wall transverse member is and L-shaped secondary angle member. In the preferred embodiment, the L-shaped angle member formed by cutting a square or rectangular cutout in the adjoining wall flange member and then bending the waste material upward to form the angle member. The angle member is disposed along the corners and along the adjoining inside surfaces of the wall flange member and the wall transverse member. Optional welds may be used to physically connect the angle member to the inside surfaces of the wall flange and wall transverse member. Optional gussets may be formed on the corners between the wall flange surface and the wall transverse member for added strength.

Description

This utility patent application is based on the provisional patent application (Ser. No. 60/536,687) filed on Jan. 15, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of building brackets, and more particularly to brackets that connect a building's roof structural members to its wall structures.

2. Description of the Related Art

The roof on a house is made of a plurality of trusses suspended between vertical walls. On a pitch roof, each truss is typically made of two diagonally aligned rafters attached together at their upper ends. The lower distal ends of the rafters are attached to the top sill plates on the vertical walls. A ceiling joist may extend horizontally between the two vertical walls and interconnect the distal ends of the rafter located on opposite sides of the building.

Heretofore, brackets have been used to connect the distal ends of the rafters to the top sill plates on the vertical walls. Unfortunately, such brackets commonly fail during high wind conditions thereby destroying the entire roof along with many items located inside the building.

What is needed is an improved roof-to-wall bracket designed to withstand high wind conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roof-to-wall bracket designed to withstand high wind conditions that is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention are met by the roof-to-wall bracket disclosed herein that includes two perpendicularly aligned, wall flange members integrally formed on opposite ends of a wall transverse member, and two perpendicularly aligned rafter flange members integrally formed on the opposite sides of the wall transverse member. Disposed under or over the corners between the two wall flange members and the wall transverse member are two reinforcing, L-shaped secondary angle members. In the preferred embodiment, each L-shaped secondary angle member is formed from the waste material created by cutting a square or rectangular cutout in the adjoining wall flange member and then bending the waste material upward to form an angle support member that fits under or over the corner between the wall flange member and the wall transverse member. Optional welds may be used to physically connect the secondary angle member to the surfaces of the wall flange member and wall transverse member.

Optional gussets may be formed on the outside surfaces of the corners between the wall flange member and the wall transverse member for additional strength.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the roof-to-wall bracket disclosed herein being used to securely attach a root truss to the sill plate on a wall.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a section of the bracket showing the optional gussets and welds formed on the corners between a wall flange member and a wall transverse member and before the secondary angle member and the wall transverse member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

As shown in the accompanying Figs. is a roof-to-wall bracket 10 designed to provide additional strength and support between the roof rafter 5 and the top sill plate 7 on the studded wall of a building. The bracket 10 includes two downward, extending, perpendicularly aligned wall flange members 20, 30 integrally formed on the opposite ends of a wall transverse member 40. Extending upward and perpendicularly aligned with the transverse member 40 and the two wall flange members 20, 30 are two parallel rafter flange members 50, 60. The rafter flange members 50, 60 are integrally formed on the opposite sides of the wall transverse member 40 and spaced apart to receive a single 2×4 or double 2×4 rafter. Disposed adjacent to the inside surfaces 21, 31 of the two wall flange members 20, 30 and the inside surface 41 of the wall transverse member 40 are two L-shaped secondary angle members 70, 75. The secondary angle members 70, 75 are longitudinally aligned with the wall transverse member 40.

During installation, the two wall flange members 20, 30 are designed to be aligned and then nailed or bolted to the opposite outside and inside surfaces 21, 31 of the top sill plate 7. Formed on each wall flange member 20, 30 is a substantially square central opening 22, 32, respectively. The central openings 22, 32 are formed by cutting along three edges and then bending it inward thereby forming a square integrally attached waste material. The waste material is then bent into an L-shaped angle member 70, 75. In the preferred embodiment, the angle members 70, 75 are forced inward and folded in half thereby forming a folded corner 71, 76 respectively that is aligned with the adjoining corner 26,28 and to fit under the inside surface 21, 31, of the wall flange member 20, 30, respectively, and the inside surfaces 41 of the wall transverse member 40. It should be understood that the angles 70, 75 may be separate structures welded or attached on the outer surfaces of the wall flange members 20, 30 and the wall transverse member 40.

The wall transverse member 40 is designed to extend transversely over the top sill plate on a 2×4, 2×6, 2×8 studded or non-studded wall. The two rafter flange members 50, 60 are perpendicularly aligned and extend upward from the wall transverse member 40. As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, each rafter flange member 50, 60 includes a lower rectangular-shaped body 52 and an upward extending neck section 54. Formed on each lower rectangular-shaped body 52 are two vertically aligned rows of three nail holes 56. An optional fourth nail hole 57 is formed on the upward extending neck section 54 aligned with the lower row of nail holes 56 on the lower rectangular-shaped body 52.

The wall flange member 20, 30, is perpendicularly aligned and extends downward from the wall transverse member 40. In the preferred embodiment, the wall flange members 20, 30 are square with a plurality of nail holes formed therein.

As discussed above, the L-shaped angle member 70, 75 are formed by cutting a square or rectangular cutout in the adjoining wall flange member 20, 30 and then bending the waste material upward into an L-shaped configuration. The angle member 70, 75 are then bent so that the apex of the corner 71, 76, respectively, is aligned and registered with the apex of the corner 26, 28 between the adjacent wall flange member 20, 30 and the wall transverse member 40, respectively. Optional welds 79 may be used to physically connect the angle members 70, 75 to the inside surfaces 41 of the wall transverse member 40.

To increase the tensile strength of the bracket 10, one or more optional gussets 80, 80′ may be provided on the two corners 26, 28 between the wall flange members 20, 30 and the wall transverse member 40.

In the preferred embodiment, the bracket 10 is designed to be used on 6 inch wide top sill plates and 1½ inch thick rafters. The brackets 10 are made of 16 gauge galvanized steel plate material.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A roof-to-wall bracket comprising:

a. a wall transverse member capable of extending over the top surface of a wall;

b. two parallel wall flange members integrally formed on opposite sides of said wall transverse member;

c. two parallel rafter flange members integrally formed on the wall transverse member, said rafter flange members being perpendicularly aligned with said wall transverse members and said wall flange members;

d. at least one L-shaped secondary angle member disposed under the inside surfaces of one said wall flange member and the adjacent inside surface of said wall transverse member; and,

e. at least one gusset formed on the corner between said wall transverse member and said wall flange member

2. The roof-to-wall bracket, as recited in claim 1 wherein said secondary angle member is integrally attached to the adjacent said wall flange member.

3. The roof-to-wall bracket, as recited in claim 1, wherein said secondary angle member is formed by cutting waste material from the adjacent wall flange member and the bending said waste material to form said L-shaped structure.

4. The roof-to-wall bracket, as recited in claim 1, wherein said secondary angle member is welded to said inside surface of said wall transverse wall.