# US 11,078,682 B1 · Connector assembly for allowing relative movement between two building members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,078,682 B1 - Document ID: US11078682B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/847,626 - Filed: 2017-12-19 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-19 - Assignees: The Steel Network, Inc. - Applicants: The Steel Network, Inc. - Inventors: Edward R. diGirolamo; Travis Everett Vap; Stephen James Bradford; Megan Marvel Washnieski; Brian Duane Rohnke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078682B1 ## CPC - E04H 9/021: {Bearing, supporting or connecting constructions specially adapted for such buildings} - E04B 1/2403: {Connection details of the elongated load-supporting parts} - E04B 1/41: Connecting devices specially adapted for embedding in concrete or masonry ({joist hangers E04B1/2612; shear dowels E04B1/483;} spacers {other than masonry wall ties} for cavity walls E04B2/30, E04B2/44; connectors for reinforcing elements E04C5/16; fastening frames to the border of openings E06B1/56) - E04B 1/4107: {Longitudinal elements having an open profile, with the opening parallel to the concrete or masonry surface, i.e. anchoring rails} - E04B 2/96: comprising panels attached to the structure through mullions or transoms {(E04B2/885 takes precedence)} - E04B 2001/2415: {Brackets, gussets, joining plates} - E04B 2001/2439: {Adjustable connections, e.g. using elongated slots or threaded adjustment elements} - E04B 2001/2448: {Connections between open section profiles} - E04B 2001/2475: {Profile with an undercut grooves for connection purposes} - E04B 2001/2484: {Details of floor panels or slabs} - E04B 2001/389: {Brackets} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - 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 The present subject matter relates to systems, assemblies, and methods for connecting structural members together. A connector assembly includes an elongated track having a web, opposed edge portions that extend from a first surface of the web and that form a pair of slide channels, and one or more protrusions protruding from a second surface of the web opposing the first surface, the one or more protrusions being configured to connect to the first building member. A connecting member is adapted to connect to the second building member and includes a base that retains the connecting member to the channels but is movable within the channels along the track. In this configuration, when the connector assembly is connected between the first and second building members, the connecting member is movable in the track in response to relative movement between the first and second building members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector assembly comprising: a first building member comprising a concrete slab; a second building member; an elongated track having a web, opposed edge portions that extend in a first direction from a first surface of the web and that form a pair of slide channels, and one or more protrusions affixed to a second surface of the web opposing the first surface, each of the one or more protrusions being offset from a center of the web towards one edge of the web, the one or more protrusions extending in a second direction opposing the first direction, and the one or more protrusions protruding from the second surface and embedded into the concrete slab such that the elongated track is secured along a slab edge of the concrete slab; a connecting member connected to the second building member and including a base that retains the connecting member to the channels but is movable within the channels along the track; wherein, when the connector assembly is connected between the first and second building members, the connecting member is movable in the track in response to relative movement between the first and second building members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged in one or more linear arrays along a length of the track. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions are welded to the track. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly forms a part of a building frame structure wherein the first and second building members comprise at least one vertical member and one horizontal member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the track is adapted to connect to the horizontal member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions each comprise: a stud having an elongated shaft extending away from the second surface of the web; and a head fixed to a distal end of the shaft, the head having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the shaft. ### Claim 7 A building connector assembly comprising: a first building member comprising a concrete slab; a second building member; a track comprising one or more protrusions affixed to a surface of the track, each of the one or more protrusions being offset from a center of the surface towards one edge of the surface, the one or more protrusions embedded into to the concrete slab such that the track is secured against a slab edge of the concrete slab; and a connecting member connected to the second building member; wherein the connecting member is movably coupled to the track and movable along the track; wherein the connecting member includes opposed end portions, a base, and an extension that extends outwardly from the track for connecting to the second building member; wherein the track includes opposed channels that extend from the surface of the track in a first direction, and wherein the base of the connecting member is retained in the opposed channels and is permitted to slide back and forth therein; wherein the one or more protrusions extend from the surface of the track in a second direction opposing the first direction; and wherein the building connector assembly permits relative movement between the first and second building members by permitting the connecting member to slide along the track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more protrusions comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged in one or more linear array along a length of the track. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein one or more protrusions are welded to the track. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the connector assembly forms a part of a building frame structure wherein the first and second building members comprise at least one vertical member and one horizontal member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the track is adapted to connect to the horizontal member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The building connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the one or more protrusions each comprise: a stud having an elongated shaft extending away from the surface of the track; and a head fixed to a distal end of the shaft, the head having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the shaft.