Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: JOIST BRACING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for bracing a pair of
parallel joists or beams.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Use of bracing between joists in floor construction is well
known. One objective of bracing is to prevent joists from moving out of a
square alignment with the floorboards they are supporting. Without
bracing, joists may rotate about a horizontal axis resulting in floors that
"squeak" due to a gap developing between the bottom of the floorboard
and the non-horizontal surface of the joist. Bracing also strengthens the
overall joist structure by distributing the load between joists.
A wide variety of bracing systems have been utilized, the
traditional and most common being a pair of wooden members arranged
in an X-pattern between a pair of joists. Such a brace system does not
produce a consistently strong product, as the quality of wood for each brace
may vary considerably. Wood braces have a tendency to warp as they dry,
thus moving from their optimal support position. Further, the nailing of
wood braces to joists can result in splitting of the brace where it is nailed
to
the joist, thus reducing structural strength.
Although various building regulations exist to specify the
distance between floor joists, these regulations are not always adhered to.
To reduce costs in a building that does not require standard spaced floor
joists, fewer joists are installed resulting in a greater distance between
joists. In addition, errors in construction can result in joists not being
consistently spaced. Braces of fixed length will not support joists that are
separated by variant lengths.
U.S. Patent 457,664 discloses steel crossbraces designed to fit
over the tops and bottoms of joists and to be adjustably connected by a nut
and bolt. Such a brace requires that the bracing be installed before the floor
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is laid and will raise the floor above the joists in the area where the floor
contacts the brace. In order to provide a level, squeak resistant floor, the
installer must add material to the joists between the braces or recess the
floor where it contacts the braces.
U.S. Patents 3,077,009 and 3,102,306 disclose an adjustable
brace and a method for manufacturing the brace. Such braces lack a secure
connection to the joists and will detach from the joist if the joists warp so
that the compression they provide upon the brace no longer exists.
U.S. Patent 4,246,736 discloses a one piece bracing system of
fixed length. Since the brace attaches only to the topmost section of each
joist, it is less able to brace against joist twisting.
U.S. Patent 4,794,746 discloses a bracing system of fixed length.
The problem with fixed length braces is that if the joists are not spaced
apart a distance equal to the length of the brace, the brace ~n~ill either be
too
long to fit between the joists or be too short to adequately support the
joists.
U.S. Patent 5,301,486 discloses a cross brace that uses wooden
components, each of which requires precise cuts to be made in order for
the components to fit. Constructing such a brace would be costly and time
consuming. As mentioned earlier, wood braces have a number of
problems that make them less than optimal as bracing members.
Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive, strong, adjustable
and easily installable joist bracing apparatus. There is also a need for a
bracing apparatus that reduces bounce and vibration in floor systems such
as I-joist supported floors. The present invention meets these criteria.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention is directed to an apparatus for
bracing a pair of adjacent joists comprising: a pair of load distribution
members; fastening means for fastening the load distribution members
in opposing positions to the pair of adjacent joists; a spanning member for
rigidly connecting the load distribution members together to brace said
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adjacent joists; and connecting means for connecting the spanning
member to the load distribution members at one of a plurality of
adjustable positions, to accommodate different spans between the pair of
adjacent joists.
Further embodiments of the invention include a connector
arm portion for extending at an angle from the load distribution member
to receive the spanning member. Also, the connecting means comprises a
plurality of apertures defined in the connector arm portion and a plurality
of tabs protruding from the spanning member, the tabs being sized to
removably fit into the apertures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following drawings:
Figure 1 is a side view of a joist bracing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention, installed between two joists;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a load distribution member
for the joist bracing apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the load distribution member of
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the load distribution member
of figure 2, taken along line 4-4;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of a spanning
member for the joist bracing apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of one end of an alternative
embodiment of the spanning member;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of one end of an alternative
embodiment of the spanning member;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of one end of an alternative
embodiment of the spanning member;
Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the spanning member;
Figure 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative
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embodiment of the spanning member;
Figure 11 is a side view of the joist bracing apparatus installed
between a series of floor joists;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the spanning member;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the load distribution member;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the intersection of two load
distribution member flanges;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of one end of the spanning
member of Figure 12; and
Figure 16 is a cross-section of the spanning member of Figure
12 and the load distribution member of Figure 13 in a mated position
viewed along line A-A of Figure 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to Figure 1, a joist bracing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention is shown generally as 10. The joist
bracing apparatus 10 includes a pair of load distribution members 12 and a
spanning member 14. Joist bracing apparatus 10 is shown partially
installed between two I-beam floor joists 16 in Figure 1.
In the preferred embodiment, each load distribution member
12 is constructed from a single piece of stamped sheet metal. Load
distribution member 12 may be manufactured in a number of different
lengths to accommodate the various depths of floor joists, shown as length
A in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 each load distribution
member 12 has a planar portion 18. Planar portion 18 has, on its longest
edges, longitudinal support ribs 20. Support ribs 20 are arcuate in shape
and provide longitudinal strength to load distribution member 12. This
longitudinal strength allows each load distribution member 12 to
distribute the vertical load on a joist over the surface of the joist and the
surfaces of the adjoining joists, thus helping to dampen movement in the
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floor. One end of planar portion 18 has a speed prong 22. Speed prong 22 is
designed to temporarily fasten load distribution member 12 to the surface
of a floor joist 16 when the speed prong 22 is hit with a hammer and thus
driven into the surface of a floor joist 16. The other end of planar portion
18 has a pair of squaring tabs 26. Squaring tabs 26 extend from the rear face
of load distribution member 12. Squaring tabs 26 when placed upon the
interior horizontal face 27 of I-beam floor joist 16 serve as a squaring or
levelling indicator to ensure that load distribution member 12 is
substantially vertical prior to fastening to floor joist 16. In the case of
floor
joists that are not of I-beam type construction, squaring tabs 26 are either
driven into the face of the floor joist or bent back to be parallel with
planar
portion 18. Planar portion 18 contains a plurality of apertures 28 to allow
for more permanent attachment of load distribution member 12 to floor
joist 16 through the use of fasteners 30 such as nails, screws or the like.
Planar portion 18 has integrally hingeably attached to it a
connector arm 32. Connector arm 32 is integrally formed during
manufacture by making cuts on three sides of a rectangle in planar portion
18 and stamping the central portion of the rectangle to form a U-shaped
channel, thus defining connector arm 32. The edge of connector arm 32
remaining attached to planar portion 18 is reinforced by a pair of hinge
support ribs 34. Hinge support ribs 34 protrude above the surface of the
planar portion 18. Connector arm 32 has a plurality of adjustment
apertures 36 sized to accept adjustment tabs 38, discussed further below, of
spanning member 14.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of load distribution member 12
taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2. Connector arm 32 is formed with a central
U-shaped channel to provide a larger surface area and thus a stronger
support than that which would be provided by a flat surface. Adjacent to
each side of the central U-shaped channel of connector arm 32 are
connector arm flanges 37. Adjustment apertures 36 extend through
connector arm flanges 37.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of spanning
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member 14. The ends of spanning member 14 are identical. Spanning
member 14 is sized to adjustably connect to load distribution members 12
between a pair of floor joists. In the preferred embodiment spanning
member 14 is manufactured in lengths of: twelve inches, sixteen inches,
nineteen inches and twenty-four inches to accommodate a wide variety of
installation requirements. As shown in Figure 1, lengths A, B, C and D
may all vary, depending upon the dimensions of the joist selected and the
installation distance between joists. The variety of possible lengths for
spanning member 14 allow the correct spanning member 14 to be selected
over a wide range of possible joist configurations. Spanning member 14
has a plurality of adjustment tabs 38 that are sized to lockably fit
adjustment apertures 36 of connector arm 32. Adjustment tabs 38 are
finger-like in structure and integral to spanning member 14. Adjustment
tabs 38 are created during the manufacture of spanning member 14 by
cutting a finger-like shape into the surface of spanning member 14 leaving
the base of adjustment tabs 38 connected to spanning member 14.
Adjustment tabs 38 are then bent along the base attached to spanning
member 14 to an angle of approximately ninety degrees below the top
surface of spanning member 14. The finger tip ends of adjustment tabs 38
are preferably arcuate in shape to permit rapid connection with
adjustment apertures 36. Any reasonable number of adjustment tabs 38
may be stamped into spanning member 14. Spanning member 14 may be
constructed in a variety of cross-sectional forms as will be discussed further
below. The preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 5 has a planer
top surface from which the adjustment tabs 38 project downward. On each
side of the top surface are shoulders shown generally as 42, each shoulder
42 having a vertical wall 43 connected to a spanning member flange 45.
The shoulders 42 serve to protect the adjustment tabs 38 from becoming
bent prior to installation, for instance by someone accidentally stepping on
the spanning member 14. The shoulders 42 further serve to support the
adjustment tabs 38 and prevent the adjustment tabs 38 from bending in
use.
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Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment for spanning
member 14, having no shoulders. Adjustment tabs 38 are formed by
cutting slits into the vertical side walls of spanning member 14.
Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment for spanning
member 14, having no shoulders and a peaked top surface. Adjustment
tabs 38 are formed by cutting slits into the vertical side walls of spanning
member 14.
Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment for spanning
member 14. The spanning member 14 has spanning member flanges 45
with upturned end walls 46. Adjustment tabs 38 are created during the
manufacture of spanning member 14 by cutting finger-like shapes into the
surface of spanning member flanges 45 leaving the base of adjustment tabs
38 connected to spanning member 14. Adjustment tabs 38 are then bent to
an angle of approximately ninety degrees below the surface of spanning
member flanges 45. The finger tip ends of adjustment tabs 38 are
preferably arcuate in shape to permit rapid connection with adjustment
apertures 36.
Figure 9 shows an alternative cross-sectional shape for
spanning member 14 having an outwardly extending rib 40.
Figure 10 shows an alternative cross-sectional shape for
spanning member 14 having an inwardly extending rib 42.
Although the preferred embodiment utilizes a spanning
member 14 of the configuration as illustrated in Figure 5, any number of
configurations may be selected that are cost effectively produced and
provide sufficient load bearing strength. For example, the adjustment tabs
38, shelves 45 and walls 46 of Figure 8 could be combined with the cross-
sectional configuration of Figures 7, 9 or 10.
Figure 11 shows joist bracing apparatus 10 installed between a
series of conventional wooden joists 48. The joist bracing apparatus 10 are
shown installed in a zig-zag pattern for optimal load distribution.
Figure 12 shows another preferred embodiment of the
spanning member 14. Spanning member 14 has a spanning member body
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50 and two pairs of spanning member side walls 52. Each pair of side walls
52 are generally parallel to each other and extend at 90° degrees from
spanning member body 50. As shown, one pair of sidewalk 52 extend
above spanning member body 50 and, the other pair of spanning member
side walls 52 descend below spanning member body 50. Spanning member
side wall 52 intersects an arcuate trailing edge 54 located toward the central
portion of spanning member 14. Each spanning member side wall 52 has
a locking prong 56 located centrally in the spanning member side wall 52
beneath the plurality of adjustment tabs 38. The locking prong 56 serves to
lock the connector arm 32 to the spanning member 14 once they are
engaged.
Spanning member body 50 also includes a pair of ribs 58a and
58b. In the preferred embodiment one of ribs 58a or 58b is recessed into
spanning member body 50 and the other rib extends above the surface of
spanning member body 50. The ribs 58a and 58b serve to provide
longitudinal rigidity to the centre portion of the spanning member body
50.
Figure 13 shows the preferred embodiment of distribution
member 12 designed to be connected with the spanning member 14 of
Figure 12. In this embodiment of distribution member 12, connector arm
32 has a pair of opposed connector arm side walls 68. Each side wall 68 is
angled at slightly greater than 90° from planar portion 18. This allows
the
side walls 68 to bend to form a friction fit with sidewalls 52 of spanning
member 14. The end 69 of each connector side wall 68 has a tapered edge
69, to eliminate a sharp edge at the terminus of connector side wall 68.
Distribution member 12 has at one end a distribution member flange 70
extending at approximately 90 degrees from planar portion 18. Planar
portion 18 and distribution member flange 70 contain a plurality of
apertures 28 through which nails, screws, or the like may be inserted to
secure distribution member 12 to a joist.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the intersection of two distribution
member flanges 70. Each distribution member flange 70 has a plurality of
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teeth 72 and recesses 74 that are configured to permit the distribution
member flanges 70 of a pair of distribution members 12 mounted on
opposing sides of a narrow floor joist to intersect, thus avoiding any
potential overlap of distribution member flanges 70. Each tooth 72 of
distribution member flange 70 contains an aperture 28 through which a
nail, screw, or the like may be inserted to attach distribution member
flange 70 to a joist.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of one end of the preferred
embodiment of spanning member 14 as shown in Figure 12. Locking
prong 56 is shown in a disengaged position within spanning member side
wall 52. Locking prong 56 is created by cutting an elongate locking prong
aperture 76 into spanning member side wall 52 and leaving the material
cut from locking prong aperture 76 attached at one end to spanning
member side wall 52. This attached material is then bent outwardly from
spanning member side wall 52 during manufacture to form locking prong
56. In use, once connector arm 32 has been inserted into the channel of
spanning member 14 locking prong 56 is driven inwardly by using a
hammer or the like. This serves to lock connector arm 32 within the
channel of spanning member 14. Locking prong 56 preferably includes a
tapered top edge 79 so that its height at engaging end 78 is less than the
height of the end remaining attached to spanning member side wall 52.
Further, engaging end 78 is preferably arcuate. Both of these features act as
a wedge to ease the locking engagement of locking prong 56 with the edge
of connector arm side wall 68.
Figure 16 is a cross-section of the spanning member 14 of
Figure 12 and the distribution member 12 of Figure 13 in the engaged
position viewed along line A-A of Figure 15. In the engaged position the
adjustment tabs 38 of spanning member 14 extend through the adjustment
apertures of connector arm 32. Locking prongs 56 firmly engage the edge
of connector arm side walls 68. In the preferred embodiment adjustment
tabs 38 are tapered so that they are widest at the base. The width of the base
being such as to provide a snug fit of adjustment tabs 38 within
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adjustment apertures 36.
In use, the user first bends connector arm 32 outwardly from
the planar portion 18 of the load distribution member 12. The load
distribution members 12 are preferably shipped with the connector arm 32
non-extended to reduce the volume of packaging required. Once the
connector arm 32 has been bent to a desired angle of approximately 45
degrees, the load distribution member 12 is positioned against the floor
joist 16 with load distribution member 70 abutting the top most or bottom
most exterior surface of a floor joist. The load distribution member 12 is
then secured to the floor joist 16 by driving fasteners 30 through apertures
28 into the floor joist 16. During installation, a first load distribution
member 12 is attached to a floor joist 16 with the connector arm 32
extending upwardly and a second load distribution member 12 is installed
to an opposing floor joist with the connector arm 32 extending
downwardly. The connector arms 32 of the first and second load
distribution members 12 are then connected by linking the connector arms
32 with the spanning member 14. Locking prongs 56 are then struck with a
hammer causing them to lock connecting arms 32 within spanning
members 14. For optimal support on a floor, the bracing members should
form a zig-zag pattern between the floor joists 16 as shown in Figure 11.
In an alternative method of use, the joist bracing apparatus 10
may be assembled to a fixed length prior to installation. As each floor joist
16 is installed, a number of assembled joist bracing apparatus 10 are
attached to the face of floor joist. The assembled joist bracing apparatus 10
may then be used as spacers to determine where to install the adjacent
floor joist.
One particular advantage provided in the above described
invention is the reduction in bounce and vibration for I-joist floor
systems.
Although referring to floor joists throughout, this invention
is not meant to be restricted to only floor supporting joists. Ceiling joists
or other load bearing joists would also benefit from the use of this
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invention to distribute loads and prevent twisting of the joists.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various
modifications and adaptations of the apparatus as described above are
possible without departing from the present invention, the scope of which
is defined in the appended claims.
