초록 ▼

A structural connector for connecting first and second structural members has a substantially planar first flange and an embossment in the first flange, and the embossment in the first flange is formed with first and second sections, the first section generally extending uniformly to a first level a

A structural connector for connecting first and second structural members has a substantially planar first flange and an embossment in the first flange, and the embossment in the first flange is formed with first and second sections, the first section generally extending uniformly to a first level above the top surface of the substantially planar first flange, that is different from a level to which the second section generally uniformly extends, the first and second sections being joined to each other at a distinct transition portion where the embossment sharply descends from the level of the first section to the level of the second section. The structural connector can be made with a bend that forms a first member adjacent the first flange and the embossment can extend through the bend into the first member.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A structural connector for connecting first and second structural members, the structural connector comprising: a. a first structural member; b. a second structural member; c. a first flange, having a top surface with a substantially planar portion, the first flange in operative connec

We claim: 1. A structural connector for connecting first and second structural members, the structural connector comprising: a. a first structural member; b. a second structural member; c. a first flange, having a top surface with a substantially planar portion, the first flange in operative connection with the first structural member such that forces imposed on the first flange can be transmitted to the first structural member, the first flange also being in operative connection with the second structural member such that forces imposed on the first flange can be transmitted to the second structural member; and d. an embossment in the substantially planar portion of the top surface of the first flange, wherein the embossment in the first flange is formed with first and second sections, the first section generally extending uniformly to a first level above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the first flange, that is different from a level to which the second section generally uniformly extends above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the first flange, the first and second sections being joined to each other at a distinct transition portion where the embossment descends from the level of the first section to the level of the second section. 2. The structural connector of claim 1, comprising: a. a first member in operative connection with the second structural member and the first flange such that forces imposed on the second structural member are transmitted to the first member, and through the first member and then to the first flange, and through the first flange to the first structural member, the first flange being integrally connected to and differentiated from the first member at a first bend between the first flange and the first member; and b. the embossment in the first flange extends through the first bend into the first member. 3. The structural connector of claim 2, wherein: a. the structural connector is a hanger; b. the first flange of the structural connector is a first top flange that rests on a top surface of the first structural member; c. the first member of the structural connector is a first back member that is at least partially disposed against a front surface of the first structural member. 4. The structural connector of claim 3, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a first side member in operative connection with the first back member, the first side member being connected to the second structural member. 5. The structural connector of claim 4, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first back member, by means of the first side member, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 6. The structural connector of claim 5, further comprising: separate fasteners for attaching the structural connector to the first structural member and the second structural member. 7. The structural connector of claim 6, wherein: a. the first structural member is a joist support that is part of a structural frame of a building, and b. the second structural member is a joist that is a part of the structural frame of the building. 8. The structural connector of claim 3, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first back member, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 9. The structural connector of claim 2, wherein: the level of the first section of the embossment is higher than the level of the second section of the embossment, and the first section of the embossment is closer to the first bend between the first flange and the first member than the second section. 10. The structural connector of claim 2, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the first flange extends a substantial portion of the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange. 11. The structural connector of claim 2, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the first flange extends the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange. 12. The structural connector of claim 2, further comprising: a. a second flange, having a top surface with a substantially planar portion, the second flange in operative connection with the first structural member such that forces imposed on the second flange can be transmitted to the first structural member; b. a second member in operative connection with the second structural member and the second flange such that forces imposed on the second structural member are transmitted to the second member, and through the second member and then to the second flange, and through the second flange to the first structural member, the second flange being integrally connected to and differentiated from the second member at a second bend between the second flange and the second member; and c. an embossment in the substantially planar portion of the top surface of the second flange that extends through the second bend into the second member, wherein the embossment in the second flange is formed with first and second sections, the first section generally extending uniformly to a first level above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the second flange, that is different from a level to which the second section generally uniformly extends above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the first flange, the first and second sections being joined to each other at a distinct transition portion where the embossment descends from the level of the first section to the level of the second section. 13. The structural connector of claim 12, wherein: a. the structural connector is a hanger; b. the first and second flanges of the structural connector are first and second top flanges that rest on a top surface of the first structural member; c. the first and second members of the structural connector are first and second back members that are at least partially disposed against a front surface of the first structural member. 14. The structural connector of claim 13, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a. a first side member in operative connection with the first back member, the first side member being connected to the second structural member; and b. a second side member in operative connection with the second back member, the second side member being connected to the second structural member. 15. The structural connector of claim 14, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first and second back members, by means of the first and second side members, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 16. The structural connector of claim 15, further comprising: fasteners for attaching the structural connector to the first structural member and the second structural member. 17. The structural connector of claim 16, wherein: a. the first structural member is a joist support that is part of a structural frame of a building, and b. the second structural member is a joist that is a part of the structural frame of the building. 18. The structural connector of claim 13, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first and second back members, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 19. The structural connector of claim 12, wherein: the level of the first sections of the embossments in the first and second flanges is higher than the level of the second sections of the embossments, and the first sections of the embossments in the first and second flange are closer to the first and second bends than the second sections of the embossments. 20. The structural connector of claim 12, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge and the second flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the second flange extends a substantial portion of the distance between the second bend and the rear edge of the second flange, and the embossment of the first flange extends a substantial portion of the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange. 21. The structural connector of claim 12, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge and the second flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the second flange extends the distance between the second bend and the rear edge of the second flange, and the embossment of the first flange extends the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange. 22. An apparatus, comprising: a. a first structural member; b. a second structural member; c. a structural connector having, 1. a first flange, having a top surface with a substantially planar portion, the first flange in operative connection with the first structural member such that forces imposed on the first flange can be transmitted to the first structural member; 2. a first member in operative connection with the second structural member and the first flange such that forces imposed on the second structural member are transmitted to the first member, and through the first member and then to the first flange, and through the first flange to the first structural member, the first flange being integrally connected to and differentiated from the first member at a first bend between the first flange and the first member; and 3. an embossment in the substantially planar portion of the top surface of the first flange that extends through the first bend into the first member, wherein the embossment in the first flange is formed with first and second sections, the first section generally extending uniformly to a first level above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the first flange, that is different from a level to which the second section generally uniformly extends above the top surface of the substantially planar portion of the first flange, the first and second sections being joined to each other at a distinct transition portion where the embossment descends from the level of the first section to the level of the second section. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: a. the structural connector is a hanger; b. the first flange of the structural connector is a first top flange that rests on a top surface of the first structural member; c. the first member of the structural connector is a first back member that is at least partially disposed against a front surface of the first structural member. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a first side member in operative connection with the first back member, the first side member being connected to the second structural member. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first back member, by means of the first side member, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: separate fasteners for attaching the structural connector to the first structural member and the second structural member. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: a. the first structural member is a joist support that is part of a structural frame of a building, and b. the second structural member is a joist that is a part of the structural frame of the building. 28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: the level of the first section of the embossment is higher than the level of the second section of the embossment, and the first section of the embossment is closer to the first bend between the first flange and the first member than the second section. 29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the structural connector further comprises: a seat member in operative connection with the first back member, the seat member providing a bearing surface for the second structural member. 30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the first flange extends a substantial portion of the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange. 31. The structural connector of claim 22, wherein: a. the first flange is made with a rear edge; and b. the embossment of the first flange extends the distance between the first bend and the rear edge of the first flange.