FITTINGS FOR METAL FRAMING
A metal framing fitting has protrusions along its length and an attaching mechanism to secure the protrusion within a channel member of a strut.
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The present disclosure relates generally to a metal framing fitting for fixing strut framing members together into a unified structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes a metal framing fitting having a metal strip having a linear dimension, one or more protrusions along the linear dimension of the metal strip and an attaching mechanism effective for fixing the at least two protrusions within a channel member of a strut.
The present invention also includes a metal framing structure having a first strut member having a channel therein, a second strut member having a channel therein, the second strut member aligned relative to the first strut member, a metal framing fitting having at least two protrusion along the linear dimension and an attaching mechanism fixing the at least two protrusions within the channels of the first and second strut members.
The present includes a flat metal fitting for connecting units of metal framing together. These flat metal fittings are used to join strut framing components into a combined structure. The fittings generally connect the strut components at 90 degree attitudes or join lengths of strut end-to-end. During the assembly process, maintaining the 90 degree or linear alignment relationships between the strut members requires the assembling tradesmen to employ various hand tools such as squares or other devices.
Referring to
The flat metal framing fittings 10 designs are used to connect strut 20 framing components to form a singular structural assembly. In addition to the configurations shown in
The metal framing fitting may be used in residential or commercial construction. Representative uses in commercial construction may include ceiling grids. When used to secure ceiling grids, multiple strut 20 members are assembled into a grid system to support HVAC equipment, lighting, power distribution, water distribution, fire protection, etc. The metal framing fittings 10 are used to fix the strut 20 members together in a solid structure that is structurally sufficient to align the strut 20 members into a coherent support structure while imparting sufficient strength into the structure to support objects of significant weight. As such the grids are assembled square and true to properly support and align the equipment and distribution systems. Proper assembly of the struts using the metal framing fittings 10 into an appropriate structure for support of commercial equipment within specific designs of the framed strut 20 members, is determinable by those skilled in the art of strut framing.
The ease of construction of the support structure is important. Ceiling heights, particularly within commercial building, create assembly challenges for tradesmen. Working at high elevations requires tradesmen to wear fall-protection devices that limit movement that complicates the grid assembly process. The necessity of verifying true assembly of fittings with separate hand tools adds labor and cost to projects. Special tools such as laser leveling devices may be employed and frequently fitting assemblies are tightened, loosened and adjusted and retightened several times to achieve perfect alignment of the grid. Generally, the most time consuming process associated with the assembly of a ceiling grid is the alignment and leveling of the grid system.
The unique design of the metal framing fittings 10 of the present invention resolves the above-identified problems encountered by tradesmen assembling commercial strut 20 support structures. Referring to
Representative dimensions of the protrusion 14 include a ⅞″ square protrusion 14 and other like dimensions appropriate for a given size and shape of a strut 20 member. The material used to form the ⅞″ square protrusion 14 extending from the back of the fitting 10 may be displaced from a circular recess 18 stamped on the face of the fitting 10. The diameter of this circle is sized to accommodate the outside diameter of the socket typically used in the assembly process. This recess acts as a guide to aid the tradesman in aligning the tradesman's tools for the fast assembly of a connection. In an alternative embodiment, a singular protrusion 14 may extend along the length of the metal framing fitting 10.
Referring to
Additional uses of the metal framing fittings 10 of the present invention, include for example without limitation, medical support systems, racks and shelving, pipe supports, and other support systems needing structural rigidity. The metal framing fittings 10 provide for a square and true assembly, and resistance to dynamic loads with built in diagonal bracing all without the need for special squaring or alignment tools.
While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A metal framing fitting, comprising:
- a metal strip having a linear dimension;
- one or more protrusions along the linear dimension of the metal strip; and,
- an attaching mechanism effective for fixing the at least two protrusions within a channel member of a strut.
2. The metal framing fitting of claim 1, further comprising holes formed within the metal strip adjacent to the at least two protrusions.
3. The metal framing fitting of claim 1, wherein at least two protrusions are formed within the metal strip.
4. A metal framing structure, comprising:
- a first strut member having a channel therein;
- a second strut member having a channel therein, the second strut member aligned relative to the first strut member;
- a metal framing fitting having at least two protrusion along the linear dimension; and,
- an attaching mechanism fixing the at least two protrusions within the channels of the first and second strut members.
5. The metal framing structure of claim 4, wherein the attaching mechanism comprises a bolt.
6. The metal framing structure of claim 5, wherein the bolt comprises a nut having an indentation effective to receive the end portions of the channel of the strut member.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 25, 2008
Applicant: UNISTRUT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (Wayne, MI)
Inventor: Charles O. Nehls (Allen Park, MI)
Application Number: 12/051,132