VALLEY TRUSS TIE
A valley truss tie for connecting a valley truss to an underlying support truss of a roof has a front plate and a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another. The valley truss tie also has a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the valley truss tie into the underlying support truss. The fastener guidance system has a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates.
The present invention generally relates to improvements in building construction and more particularly to connectors used to connect a valley truss to a support truss underneath the valley truss.
BACKGROUNDA valley truss is a truss used in the construction of rooves having different sections that meet at an angle, such as the case when a section of a roof extends perpendicularly from a main section of the roof. Two examples of typical usage of valley trusses in roof framing are illustrated in
When a valley truss is set upon a support truss of the main roof, there is typically a downward sliding force due to the slope angle of the main roof (see
One aspect of the invention is a valley truss tie for connecting a valley truss to an underlying support truss of a roof. The valley truss tie has a front plate and a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another. The valley truss tie also has a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the valley truss tie into the underlying support truss. The fastener guidance system has a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates.
Another aspect of the invention is a building component connector for connection to one or more structural components of a building using nails received through the building component connector. The building component connector has a front plate and a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another. The building component connector also has a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the building component connector tie into the underlying structural component. The fastener guidance system has a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSReferring now to the drawings, first to
Referring to
The front plate 111 also includes a plurality of stiffeners 131 that increase the resistance of the front plate 111, and therefore the entire valley truss tie 101, to bending. Referring to
The front plate 111 of the valley truss tie 101 suitably includes various features that facilitate positioning of the valley truss tie in a suitable position on the valley truss 103. Referring to
The valley truss tie 101 also has a pitch guide 135 on the front plate 111. The pitch guide 135 suitably includes a series of markings 137 (e.g., horizontal lines) along a side of the front plate 111 and a series of numbers 139 corresponding to the markings. As the slope of the underlying truss 105 increases, the valley truss tie 101 needs to be positioned lower on the down-slope side of valley truss 103 so that the valley truss tie can span the gap between the bottom chord 107 of the valley truss and the underlying support truss 105. The numbers 139 indicate a pitch angle of the underlying support truss 105 that results in the valley truss tie 101 being positioned correctly for extending from the valley truss 103 to the underlying support truss 105 when the marking 137 labelled with the pitch angle of the support truss is aligned with the lower edge of the bottom chord 107 of the valley truss 103.
In the illustrated embodiment, there are two substantially identical pitch guides 135 on opposite sides of the front plate 111. However, it is understood there could be a single pitch guide 135 extending along only one side of the valley truss tie. Also, the pitch guide can be omitted if desired. The pitch guides 135 facilitate pre-positioning the valley truss tie 101 on the valley truss 103 in the proper position for use with a particular slope before the valley truss is lifted into position on the roof at the job site. For example, the valley truss tie 101 can be secured to the valley truss 103 on the ground at the jobsite or it can be secured to the valley truss before it even arrives at the jobsite.
Referring to
The fastener guidance system 151 illustrated in
The front plate 111 has a convex (e.g., dome-shaped) formation 157 extending from the side of the front plate 111 opposite the back plate 113 for each opening 155 of the guidance system 151. Likewise, the back plate 113 has a similar convex (e.g., dome-shaped) formation 159 extending from the side of the back plate 113 opposite the front plate 111 for each opening 155 of the guidance system 151. The openings 155 and convex formations 159 on the back plate 113 are suitably positioned low on the back plate so they can be positioned beneath the lower edge of the bottom chord 107 of the valley truss 103 while the fasteners 127 secure the valley truss tie 101 to the valley truss.
The convex formations 157 on the front plate 111 are substantially aligned with corresponding convex formations 159 on the back plate at each opening 155 of the guidance system 151. The convex formations 157 on the front plate 111 extend in the opposite direction compared to the convex formations 159 on the back plate 113. Thus, there is a void space 171 (
The openings 155 in the front plate 111 for each fastener 153 are slightly offset from the corresponding openings 155 in the back plate 113. Consequently, the openings 155 of the guidance system 151 hold the fasteners 153 at predetermined angles relative to the front and back plates 111, 113. In the drawings, arrows 181, 183, 185 are used to show the predetermined angles for each set of openings 155 of the guidance system 151. Referring to
Referring to
Still referring to
To use the valley truss tie 101 the back plate 113 is placed adjacent the down-slope facing side of the bottom chord 107 of the valley truss, as indicated in
Initially, the guidance system 151 helps position the fasteners 153 at multiple different predetermined angles relative to the front and back plates 111, 113. As the fasteners 153 are driven into the support truss 105, the guidance system 151 continues to guide the fasteners in the prescribed directions. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the guidance system 151 holds and helps guide the fasteners 153 so they are driven into the truss at a downward angle. Moreover, the guidance system 151 holds and helps guide the fasteners 153 so they converge toward one another as they are driven into the support truss. The guidance system 151 holds and guides the fasteners 153 at the multiple different angles 181, 183, 185 especially well because of the fact the valley truss tie 101 can interact with each fastener at two different locations (i.e., the edges of the openings 155) spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the void space 171. This can improve the ability of the guidance system 151 to resistance bending moments that may be applied to the fasteners 153 as they are driven into the support truss 105. It can also help ensure the fasteners 153 are driven relatively straight into the support truss 105 at the intended angles 181, 183, 185, respectively.
When the process is complete, as illustrated in
The valley truss tie 101 helps resist downward sliding forces or uplift wind forces that may be exerted on the valley truss in a number of ways. For example, the fact that the fasteners 153 are each driven into the support truss 105 at a different angle helps resist movement of the valley truss because there is no single direction that the truss can move that will withdraw all of the fasteners 153 back out of the support truss 105 in the same direction they were driven into the support truss. Because the guidance system 151 helps avoid instances in which the fasteners 153 are not driven straight into the support truss 105 in the intended directions 181, 183, 185, the valley truss tie 101 more reliably achieves the result of having the fasteners 153 actually maintain their different directions as they are driven into the support truss. Further, the potential engagement between the fasteners 153 and the valley truss tie 101 at two locations (i.e., the edges of the openings 155) that are spaced from one another by the void space 171 can help distribute shear forces that may be exerted on the fasteners 153, making it less likely that unexpected loads (e.g., due to high wind, storms, etc.) will result in shearing off of the fasteners 153.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A valley truss tie for connecting a valley truss to an underlying support truss of a roof, the valley truss tie comprising:
- a front plate;
- a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another;
- a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at one or more prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the valley truss tie into the underlying support truss, the fastener guidance system comprising:
- a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates;
- at least one of the convex projections of the first set and at least one of the convex projections of the second set being arranged to simultaneously receive one of the fasteners through the openings in said one convex projection of the first set and said one convex projection of the second set.
2. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein the openings in the front plate are offset from corresponding openings in the back plate to hold the fasteners at one or more prescribed angles relative to the front and back plates as the fasteners are driven through the openings into the underlying support truss.
3. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 2 wherein the openings in the front plate are offset vertically above the openings in the back plate.
4. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 2 wherein the openings in the front plate are spaced laterally from one another and the openings in the back plate are spaced laterally from one another by an amount that is different from the lateral spacing of the openings in the front plate.
5. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 4 wherein the openings in the front plate are spaced farther apart laterally from one another than the openings in the back plate are spaced apart laterally from one another.
6. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fastener guidance system is configured to guide the fasteners so the fasteners converge toward one another as they are driven into the support truss through the openings.
7. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 having void spaces between the convex projections on front and back plates, the openings having edges that are spaced apart from one another by the void spaces.
8. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 7 wherein the openings in the front plate are offset from corresponding openings in the back plate to hold the fasteners at said one or more prescribed angles relative to the front and back plates as the fasteners are driven through the openings into the underlying support truss.
9. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 8 wherein the fastener guidance system is configured to guide each of the fasteners in a different direction.
10. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 9 wherein the guidance system is configured to guide the fasteners so the fasteners converge toward one another as they are driven into the support truss through the openings.
11. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 in combination with [a] the valley truss and the underlying support truss, wherein:
- the underlying support truss has a downwardly sloping side;
- the valley truss is above and supported by the downwardly sloping side of the support truss, the valley truss having a bottom chord;
- the valley truss tie is secured to bottom chord of the valley truss so the back plate is adjacent the bottom chord and extends below a lower edge of the bottom chord; and
- the valley truss tie is secured to the support truss by the fasteners extending through the openings in the front and back plates.
12. The valley truss tie, valley truss, and underlying support truss as set forth in claim 11, wherein the openings in the front plate are offset from corresponding openings in the back plate to hold the fasteners at said one or more prescribed angles relative to the front and back plates.
13. The valley truss tie, valley truss, and underlying support truss as set forth in claim 12, wherein as the fasteners are oriented so the fasteners converge toward one another as they extend into the support truss.
14. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front plate has prong teeth extending from a lower edge of the front plate.
15. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pitch guide on the front plate.
16. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 further comprising stiffening elements on the front plate.
17. A building component connector for connection to one or more structural components of a building using fasteners received through the building component connector, the building component connector comprising:
- a front plate;
- a back plate connected to the front plate so the front and back plate are adjacent one another;
- a fastener guidance system for holding fasteners at prescribed angles relative to the front and back plate as the fasteners are driven through the building component connector tie into the underlying structural component, the fastener guidance system comprising:
- a first set of convex projections extending from a side of the front plate opposite the back plate, a second set of convex projections extending from a side of the back plate opposite the front plate, and openings in the convex projections for guiding the fasteners through the front and back plates;
- at least one of the convex projections of the first set and at least one of the convex projections of the second set being arranged to simultaneously receive one of the fasteners through the openings in said one convex projection of the first set and said one convex projection of the second set.
18. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein the convex projections of the front plate are substantially aligned with the corresponding convex projections on the back plate.
19. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one convex projection of the first set and said one convex projection of the second set project in opposite directions from each other to define a void space between the front plate and the back plate.
20. The valley truss tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one convex projection of the first set at least partially overlies said one convex projection of the second set.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 9, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2018
Inventor: Steven Brekke (Lakeville, MN)
Application Number: 15/261,440