GIRT AND PURLIN RETAINER
A retainer assembly for securing one of a girt and a purlin is provided. In one embodiment, the retainer assembly includes at least one retainer and is configured to be attached to a connecting member. The retainer is further configured to receive and retain a cross-beam, such as a girt or a purlin. The connecting member is configured to be attached to a support member.
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The present application relates to a girt or purlin retainer. More particularly, the application relates to a compressible girt or purlin retainer.
BACKGROUNDBuilding frames having girt clips and/or purlin clips are known in the art. Generally, a building frame consists of horizontally spaced-apart metal, wood, or polymer frame members. Purlins span between primary framing and a supporting roof material and are “Z” or “C”-shaped members formed from sheet metal, a polymeric sheet material, or wood. Girts span between the frame members to support wall material and are typically “Z” or “C”-shaped members formed from sheet metal, a polymeric sheet material, or wood. Each of the frame members normally has a plurality of vertically-spaced clips secured thereto which extend substantially horizontally to support the girts. Inasmuch as the length of the girts are typically less than the length of the building, the girts are often overlapped and secured together.
The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.
In one embodiment, the support member S is substantially perpendicular to the ground. Further, the girt or purlin retaining assembly 100 is aligned with the support member S such that each of the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 is substantially perpendicular to the support member S and is substantially parallel to the ground. Further, the girt or purlin retaining assembly 100 aligns the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 such that the first cross-beam C1 is co-linear with the second cross-beam C2. In this embodiment, the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 are girts and may be used to support wall material (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the support member S is a roof rafter and first and second cross-beams C1, C2 are purlins that may be used to support roof decking material (not shown). It should be understood that the support member S may be oriented at any angle, and the girt or purlin retaining assembly 100 may be attached to the support member S at any desired angle.
In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member 120 may be attached to the support member S by nails, rivets, staples, or other such fasteners. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the connecting member 120 has a pair of apertures for receiving a pair of fasteners and the support member S has a pair of corresponding apertures. In one such embodiment, one or more of the apertures may be threaded and configured to receive a screw, bolt, threaded rod, or other such threaded fastener. In another such embodiment, one or more of the apertures may be smooth and configured to receive pins, ties, or other such smooth fasteners.
In one embodiment, the first retainer 110a is a compressible clip configured to be squeezed onto the connecting member 120 and onto a cross-beam (not shown). In one embodiment, the first retainer 110a is configured to be squeezed by hand onto the connecting member or the cross-beam. In an alternative embodiment, the first retainer 110a is configured to be squeezed with a vice, a hand tool such as pliers, pincers, vice grips, or other known tools. In another alternative embodiment, the first retainer 110a may be hammered onto the connecting member or cross-beam.
Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, the second retainer 110b 110a has a U-shaped profile and includes a first leg 210b, a second leg 220b, and a connecting portion 230b joining the first leg 210b and the second leg 220b. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second legs 210b, 220b is flat and the connecting portion 230b is curved. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the first and second legs 210b, 220b may be curved or angled to match the shape of a desired cross-beam or connecting member. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the connecting portion is straight. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the connecting portion is hinged.
In one embodiment, the second retainer 110b is a compressible clip that is configured to be squeezed onto the connecting member 120 and onto a cross-beam (not shown). In one embodiment, the second retainer 110b is configured to be squeezed by hand onto the connecting member or the cross-beam. In an alternative embodiment, the second retainer 110b is configured to be squeezed with a vice, a hand tool such as pliers, pincers, vice grips, or other known tools. In another alternative embodiment, the second retainer 110b may be hammered onto the connecting member or cross-beam.
In this embodiment, when the retainer 110 is squeezed onto the connecting member or cross-beam, the teeth 310 engage and retain the connecting member or cross-beam. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 110 has six teeth on the first leg 210 and six teeth on the second leg 220. It should be understood that more or fewer teeth may be employed as desired.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first retainer 110a includes a taper 430a between the first beam engaging portion 410a and the first block engaging portion 420a. The tapered shape reduces the amount of material used in the first retainer 110a and provides clearance to ease installation of the crossbeam on a support member (not shown).
With continued reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the second retainer 110b includes a taper 430b between the second beam engaging portion 410b and the second block engaging portion 420b. The tapered shape reduces the amount of material used in the second retainer 110b and provides clearance to ease installation of the crossbeam on a support member (not shown).
In the embodiment illustrated in
In one embodiment, the first and second retainers 110a,b and the support member S are constructed of steel, other metal, or another high thermal conductivity material. In this embodiment, the connecting member 120 and the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 are constructed of wood, a polymer, or other material having a low thermal conductivity. In other words, the connecting member 120 and the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 are low thermal conductivity members. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member 120 and the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 extend beyond the first and second retainers 110a,b, thereby preventing the first and second retainers 110a,b from contacting a wall. Instead, the connecting member 120 acts as a thermal break between a wall and the first and second retainers 110a,b, thereby, reducing the flow of heat between a building interior and exterior.
In an alternative embodiment, the connecting member 120 and the first and second cross-beams C1, C2 are constructed steel, other metal, or another high thermal conductivity material and the connecting member 120 does not act as a thermal break.
With continued reference to
As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment, the girt retaining assembly 500 is aligned with the corner support member Sc such that the first cross-beam C1 is substantially perpendicular to the corner support member Sc and is substantially parallel to the ground. Further, second cross-beam C2 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the corner support member Sc and is also aligned substantially perpendicularly to the cross-beam C1. In alternative embodiments, the girt retaining assembly 500 may be attached to the corner support member Sc at any desired angle.
It should be understood that a retainer may include any combination of teeth, such as those illustrated in
To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or components.
While the present application illustrates various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the claimed invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's claimed invention.
Claims
1. A retainer assembly for securing a cross-beam to a support member, the retainer assembly comprising:
- a low-thermal conductor member for attachment to the support member;
- means for receiving the low-thermal conductor member;
- means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member;
- means for receiving the cross-beam; and
- means for retaining the cross-beam.
2. The retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member are means for retaining the low-thermal conductor member without the use of tools.
3. The retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for retaining the cross-beam are means for retaining the cross-beam without the use of tools.
4. The retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the low thermal conductor member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, a polymeric material, steel and other metal.
5. The retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam is a girt.
6. The retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross-beam is a purlin.
7. A compressible clip for securing a cross-beam to a support member, the compressible clip comprising:
- a first leg having a first block engaging portion and a first cross-beam engaging portion;
- a second leg, opposite the first leg, having a second block engaging portion and second cross-beam engaging portion; and
- a connecting portion having a first end adjacent the first leg and a second end adjacent the second leg.
8. The compressible clip of claim 7, wherein the cross-beam is one of a girt and a purlin.
9. The compressible clip of claim 7, wherein the first leg and the second leg are each substantially L-shaped.
10. The compressible clip of claim 9, wherein the first leg and the second leg each further include a tapered portion.
11. The compressible clip of claim 7, wherein the first leg and second leg each include a plurality of teeth.
12. The compressible clip of claim 7, wherein the first leg and second leg each include a plurality of apertures.
13. A kit for connecting a cross-beam to a support member, the kit comprising:
- a connecting member having a first surface and a second surface and configured to be attached to a support member;
- at least one retainer having: a first member with a first portion configured to be attached to the first surface of the connecting member and a second portion configured to be attached to a first surface of the cross-beam, and a second member with a first portion configured to be attached to the second surface of the connecting member and a second portion configured to be attached to a second surface of the cross-beam.
14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the at least one retainer is a unitary member having a bent portion with a first end adjacent to the first member and a second end adjacent to the second member.
15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the at least one retainer includes a plurality of teeth.
16. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a second retainer.
17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the at least one retainer is configured to be squeezed onto the connecting member.
18. The kit of claim 13, wherein the retainer is configured to be squeezed onto the cross-beam.
19. The kit of claim 13, wherein the connecting member is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, steel, a polymeric material, and other metal.
20. A cross-beam retaining assembly comprising:
- a block-shaped member having a low thermal conductivity;
- a first retainer having a U-shaped profile including a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting member disposed between the first leg and second leg, wherein the first leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, the second leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, and the connecting member is curved; and
- a second retainer having a U-shaped profile including a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting member disposed between the first leg and second leg, wherein the first leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, the second leg is L-shaped and has a major portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage a cross-beam and a minor portion with a plurality of teeth configured to engage the block-shaped member, and the connecting member is curved.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2008
Applicant: C. Green & Sons, Inc. (St. Louisville, OH)
Inventors: Wayne Green (Newark, OH), Walter Green (Fredricktown, OH), Clarence Green (Newark, OH), David Derwacter (Zanesville, OH), Chester Prinkey (Utica, OH), Darren Skeese (Nashport, OH), Daniel West (Newark, OH)
Application Number: 11/627,942
International Classification: E04B 7/04 (20060101);