Construction member
A construction member is described and which includes a first portion mounted on a first structural component; and a second portion mounted on a second structural component, and which matingly engages the first portion, and wherein the first and second portions facilitate the movement of the first and second structural components one relative to the other.
The present invention relates to a construction member, and more particularly to a construction member which facilitates the substantially coplanar movement of a pair of structural components one relative to the other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the construction of various industrial and other commercial buildings, local building codes often require the use of metal structural components in the assembly of walls, ceilings, floors and the like. Further, in some earthquake prone regions, local building codes require that certain load bearing surfaces such as floor trusses and roof trusses be able to move relative to an adjoining structural component in order to prevent undue damage to the building if it experiences a severe seismic event. Additionally, in the construction of certain floors, so called floating trusses are often employed to span significant distances. These same trusses are designed, when loaded from above to deflect downwardly and thereby spread the load along the entire length of the truss. The structural integrity of the wall is therefore dependant upon the free movement of the truss under the influence of a load applied to same.
In buildings having multiple floors, it is therefore necessary, either by code to enhance the safety of the building when exposed to an earthquake, or further due to the use of building components, such as floating trusses, to provide a means whereby two adjacent structural components can be joined together but which further can move, one relative to the other, in order to satisfy building codes, or other architectural engineering requirements.
In addition to the foregoing, most jurisdictions in the United States have fire codes which require that a barrier be provided, and which would impede the spread of a fire between and along a structural component such as a wall, floor or the like. Typically, in residential construction, so called “fire block” is installed in the walls a predetermined distance up from the floor to impede the spread of a fire inside the wall. Moreover, most load bearing walls would typically have a double top plate upon which an adjoining roof truss would be secured.
Several prior art practices and assemblies have emerged to address the several issues which have been discussed briefly above. While each of the practices and devices have worked with some degree of success, they have shortcomings which distracted from their usefulness. Among the chief difficulties associated with the prior art devices, and practices, has been the cost and difficulties of installation of such devices.
A construction member which is easy to employ and install, and which further allows for the relative movement of adjoining structural components is the subject matter of the present application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member which includes a first portion mounted on a first structural component; and a second portion mounted on a second structural component and which matingly engages the first portion, and wherein the first and second portions permit the first and second structural components to move, one relative to the other.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member which includes a first portion defining a first channel which matingly receives a first structural component, and which is oriented in a first direction, and a second channel which is oriented in an opposite, second direction; and a second portion mounted on a second structural component, and which is movingly and matingly received in the second channel, and wherein the first and second portions permit substantially coplanar movement of the first structural components relative to the second structural component.
Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a construction member for facilitating movement of structural components along a given reference plane, and which includes a first portion having a main body with opposite first and second ends and which further has opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the main body has a first course, a second course joined to the first course and which is substantially perpendicular to the first course, a third course which is joined to the second course and which is substantially perpendicular to the second course, and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the first course, a fourth course joined to the third course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the third course and which further is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the second course, a fifth course, joined to the fourth course, and which is substantially perpendicular to the fourth course and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the third course, a sixth course joined to the fifth course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the fifth course, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the fourth course, add further is in substantially coplanar relation relative to the third course, and a seventh course joined to the sixth course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the sixth course, and which is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first, third, and fifth courses, and wherein a first channel is defined, at least in part, between the first and seventh courses, and which extends between the first and second ends, and wherein the first channel has a first width dimension, and wherein the first channel matingly receives a first structural component therein and which is fastened to at least one of the first or seventh courses, and wherein the third, fourth and fifth courses define a second channel which extends substantially between the first and second ends and which further has a second width dimension which is less than about 80% of the first width dimension; and a second portion mounted on a second, structural component and which has a first course, a second course mounted to the first course and which is substantially perpendicular to the first course, and wherein the second course is juxtaposed relative to the second structural component, and a third course mounted to the second course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the second course, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first course, and wherein the second portion has a width dimension as measured between the first and third courses thereof, and which is less than the width dimension of the second channel, and wherein the second portion is moveably received, at least in part, in the second channel and facilitates substantially coplanar movement of the first and second structural components, one relative to the other.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
Referring now to
Referring now to
The construction member 20 of the present invention for facilitating the, movement of the structural components 21 and 22 along a given reference plane, which is typically coplanar, includes, a first portion generally indicated by the numeral 30 and which has a main body 31. The main body has opposite first and second ends 32 and 33 and opposite first and second surfaces 34 and 35, respectively.
Referring still to
The construction member 20 of the present invention includes a second portion 70 which is mounted on the second structural component 22, and which matingly engages the first portion 30. As seen in
The second portion 70 has a main body 71 with opposite first and second ends 72 and 73, respectively, and opposite surfaces 74 and 75, respectively (
The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
The construction member 20 of the present invention is generally understood by a study of
Another aspect of the invention relates to a construction member 20 which includes a first portion 30, defining a first channel 50, and which matingly receives a first structural component 21 therein. The first portion 30 is oriented in a first direction, and a second channel 60 is defined by the first portion and is oriented in an opposite, second direction. The construction member 20 of the present invention further includes a second portion 70 which is mounted on a second structural component 22, and which is matingly received in the second channel 60. The first and second portions 30 and 70, respectively permit substantially coplanar movement of the first and second structural components 21 and 22 one relative to the other. In the arrangement as shown, the second channel 60 has a width dimension which is at least about 20% to about 80% of the width dimension of the first channel 50.
It will be further seen by a study of
Therefore it will be seen that the present construction member provides many advantages over the prior art as seen in
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
1. A construction member comprising:
- a first portion mounted on a first structural component; and
- a second portion mounted on a second structural component, and which matingly engages the first portion, and wherein the first and second portions facilitate the movement of the first and second structural components, one relative to the other.
2. A construction member as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the first and second structural components move along paths of travel which are substantially coplanar.
3. A construction member as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the first portion has a main body with opposite sides, and wherein the main body defines opposite first and second channels which are defined by the respective opposite sides.
4. A construction member as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the main body of the first portion has opposite first and second ends, and wherein the first and second channels extend substantially from the first to the second ends thereof.
5. A construction member as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the first channel has a first width dimension, and the second channel has a second width dimension which is less than the first width dimension.
6. A construction member as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the second width dimension is at least about 20% to about 80% of the first width dimension.
7. A construction member as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the main body of the first portion defines a pair of depending legs which are positioned in substantially parallel spaced relation, one relative to the other, and wherein the first channel is defined in part, by the pair of depending legs, and wherein at least one of the depending legs of the main body is fastened to the first structural component.
8. A construction member as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the first structural component is received in the first channel, and wherein the main body defines a seat which limits the movement of the first structural component into the first channel.
9. A construction member as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the second portion has a main body with opposite sidewalls, and wherein the main body has a width dimension as measured between the opposite sidewalls, and wherein the width dimension of the second portion is less than the width dimension of the second channel of the first portion.
10. A construction member as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the seat constrains the movement of the second portion into the second channel.
11. A construction member comprising:
- a first portion defining a first channel which matingly receives a first structural component, and which is oriented in a first direction, and a second channel which is oriented in an opposite, second direction; and
- a second portion mounted on a second structural component, and which is matingly received in the second channel, and wherein the first and second portions permit substantially coplanar movement of the first and second structural components, one relative to the other.
12. A construction member as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the first and second portions facilitate substantially coplanar lateral movement of the first and second structural members, one relative to the other.
13. A construction member as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the first and second portions facilitate a partial, substantially coplanar, rotational movement of the first and second structural components one relative to the other.
14. A construction member as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the first portion has a main body having opposite first and second sides, and first and second ends, and wherein the first side of the main body defines the first channel, and the opposite, second side, defines the second channel, and wherein the respective first and second channels extend substantially between the first and second ends thereof.
15. A construction member as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the main body of the first portion defines a seat, and wherein the first structural component is received in the first channel and constrained against further movement by the seat, and wherein the first structural component is fastened to the main body of the first portion.
16. A construction member as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the first channel, defined by the first portion, has a first width dimension, and wherein the second channel has a width dimension which is equal to or less than about 80% of the width dimension of the first channel.
17. A construction member as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the second portion is fastened to the second structural component, and further has opposite sidewalls which defines a width dimension for the second portion, and wherein the width dimension of the second portion is less than the width dimension of the second channel.
18. A construction member as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the first portion is of unitary construction.
19. A construction member for facilitating movement of structural components along a given reference plane, comprising:
- a first portion having a main body which has opposite first and second ends, and further has opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the main body has a first course, a second course joined to the first course, and which is substantially perpendicular to the first course, a third course, which is joined to the second course, and which is substantially perpendicular to the second course, and which is disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the first course, a fourth course, joined to the third course, and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the third course and which further is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the second course, a fifth course, joined to the fourth course and which is substantially perpendicular to the fourth course, and which further is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the third course, a sixth course joined to the fifth course and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the fifth course, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the fourth course, and which further is disposed in a substantially coplanar orientation relative to the third course, and a seventh course, joined to the sixth course, and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the sixth course, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation relative to the first, third, and fifth courses, and wherein a first channel is defined, at least in part, between the first and seventh courses, and which extends between the first and second ends of the main body, and wherein the first channel has a first width dimension, and wherein the first channel matingly receives a first structural component therein, and which is fastened to at least one of the first or seventh courses, and wherein the third, fourth and fifth courses define a second channel which extends substantially between the first and second ends of the main body and which further has a second width dimension which is less than about 80% of the first width dimension; and
- a second portion mounted on a second structural component and which has a first course, a second course joined to the first course, and which is substantially perpendicular to the first course, and wherein the second course is juxtaposed relative to the second structural component, and a third course joined to the second course, and which is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation relative to the second course, and which is further disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the first course, and wherein the second portion has a width dimension as measured between the first and third courses thereof, and which is less than about the width dimension of the second channel, and wherein the second portion is moveably received, at least in part, in the second channel and facilitates substantially coplanar movement of the first and second structural components, one relative to the other.
20. A construction member as claimed in claim 19, and wherein the first and seventh courses of the first portion have a substantially similar width dimension, and wherein the third and fifth courses of the first portion have a substantially similar width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the third and fifth courses is less than the width dimension of the first and seventh courses.
21. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the first and third courses of the second component have a width dimension which is less than the width dimension of the third and fifth courses of the first portion.
22. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the first and third courses of the second portion have a width dimension which is greater than the width dimension of the third and fifth courses of the first portion.
23. A construction member as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the coplanar movement of the first and second structural components includes partial rotational and/or linear movements of the respective first and second structural components.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 16, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 16, 2006
Inventor: Neal Peterson (Philomath, OR)
Application Number: 10/919,675
International Classification: E04C 3/30 (20060101);