# US 11,078,665 B2 · Box head connector

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- Number: US 11,078,665 B2
- Document ID: US11078665B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/179,622
- Filed: 2018-11-02
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2017-11-03
- Assignees: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
- Applicants: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.
- Inventors: Larry Randall Daudet
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078665B2

## CPC

- E04B 2/766: {T-connections}
- E04B 1/2403: {Connection details of the elongated load-supporting parts}
- E04B 1/2608: {Connectors made from folded sheet metal (E04B1/2612 takes precedence)}
- E04B 2/62: the members being formed of two or more elements in side-by-side relationship
- E04B 2001/2415: {Brackets, gussets, joining plates}
- E04B 2001/2644: {Brackets, gussets or joining plates}
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})

## Abstract

A connector is provided that minimizes the surface profile of a connection between a header and a vertical member. The portion of the connector that engages the side surface of the vertical member and the horizontal member has a notched section such that the connector does not over-lie the flaring lower portion of the header.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
d. wherein the horizontal member comprises:
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member, and the one or more side surface faces of the horizontal member have a flaring lower portion where the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped member jut out more than the central webs of the upstanding c-shaped side members, and
e. wherein the side flange extension is attached to the side flange so that the side flange extension of the connector does not over-lie the flaring lower portion of the header.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connection of claim 1, wherein:
the side flange extension is formed with two columns of openings arranged vertically for receiving the one or more fasteners.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connection of claim 1, wherein:
one or more gusset darts are provided at the bend between the first and second plates.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The connection of claim 3, wherein:
the one or more gusset darts have central ribs that extend from the first plate to the second plate and flaring side walls.

### Claim 5

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners, wherein;
d. there is a free space in the connector between the side flange extension and the first plate.

### Claim 6

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
d. wherein the horizontal member comprises:
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member, wherein
e. the side flange extension of the connector does not overlie the side flange of the c-shaped bottom track of the horizontal member.

### Claim 7

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners, and the side flange is formed with three columns of openings arranged vertically, a column of openings closest to the side flange extension, a column of openings farthest from the side flange extension and a middle column of openings, the column of openings closest to the side flange extension and the middle column of openings are arranged closer to each other than are the middle column of openings and the farthest column of openings from the side flange extension wherein
d. fasteners are received in the closest column of openings to the side flange extension and the middle column of openings and the fasteners received in the closest column of openings to the side flange extension and the middle column of openings are received in a single one of the one or more vertical members.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The connection of claim 7, wherein:
the column of openings farthest from the side flange extension does not receive any fasteners.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The connection of claim 7, wherein:
a. the horizontal member comprises,
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member,
b. the one or more side surface faces of the horizontal member has a flaring lower portion where the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped member jut out more than the central webs of the upstanding c-shaped side members, and wherein
c. the side flange extension is attached to the side flange so that the side flange extension of the connector does not over-lie the flaring lower portion of the header.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The connection of claim 7, wherein:
a. the horizontal member comprises,
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member, and wherein
b. the side flange extension of the connector does not overlie the side flange of the c-shaped bottom track of the horizontal member.

### Claim 11

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners, and the side flange is formed with three columns of openings arranged vertically, a column of openings closest to the side flange extension, a column of openings farthest from the side flange extension and a middle column of openings wherein
d. fasteners are received in the closest column of openings to the side flange extension and the farthest column of openings from the side flange extension and the fasteners received in the closest column of openings to the side flange are received in one of the one or more vertical members and the fasteners received in the farthest column of openings from the side flange extension are received in a different one of the one or more vertical members.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The connection of claim 11, wherein:
the middle column of openings does not receive any fasteners.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The connection of claim 11, wherein:
a. the horizontal member comprises,
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member,
b. the one or more side surface faces of the horizontal member has a flaring lower portion where the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped member jut out more than the central webs of the upstanding c-shaped side members, and wherein
c. the side flange extension is attached to the side flange so that the side flange extension of the connector does not over-lie the flaring lower portion of the header.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The connection of claim 11, wherein:
a. the horizontal member comprises,
1. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
2. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member, and wherein
b. the side flange extension of the connector does not overlie the side flange of the c-shaped bottom track of the horizontal member.

### Claim 15

A connection between a header comprising a horizontal member and one or more vertically disposed members, formed with a connector, the connection comprising:
a. the horizontal member having a bottom face, an end and one or more side surfaces;
b. one or more vertical members extending orthogonally to the horizontal member with the horizontal member extending horizontally and the one or more vertical members extending vertically, with one of the one or more vertical members being closest to the end of the horizontal member, and the end of the horizontal member abutting or lying closely adjacent to a web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member, the one or more vertical members extending past and above the end of the horizontal member and having vertical side surfaces:
c. the connector attached to the horizontal member and to at least one of the one or more vertical members, the connector including,
1. a first plate which attaches to the bottom face of the header with one or more fasteners;
2. a second plate which attaches to the web vertical face of the one or more vertical members closest to the end of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners;
3. a planar side flange projecting along the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with the planar side flange being joined to at least one of the vertical side surfaces of the one or more vertical members with one or more fasteners;
4. a side flange extension that extends in the plane of the side flange and extends along one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with the side flange extension being joined to one of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member with one or more fasteners, the second plate is attached to the first plate at an orthogonal bend, the side flange is joined directly to the second plate at an orthogonal bend wherein:
d. the side flange and the side flange extension are only connected to the first plate through the connection to the second plate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The connection of claim 15, wherein the horizontal member comprises:
a. a bottom c-shaped track, having a central web member and two side flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, the bottom c-shaped track being oriented such that the central web member is disposed horizontally and constitutes the bottom face of the horizontal member;
b. a pair of upstanding c-shaped side members, each having a central web member and two end flanges projecting away from the central web member in the same direction, where the central web members of the c-shaped side members are disposed vertically and the bottom c-shaped track supports and partially encloses the upstanding c-shaped side members with one of the end flanges of each of the upstanding c-shaped members interfacing with the central web member of the bottom c-shaped track and portions of the central web members of the upstanding c-shaped side members and the side flanges of the bottom c-shaped track making up at least portions of the one or more side surfaces of the horizontal member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The connection of claim 16, wherein:
the side flange extension of the connector does not overlie the side flange of the c-shaped bottom track of the horizontal member.