# US 2014/0189997 A1 · Slip Bracket Connector for Rigid Members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0189997 A1 - Document ID: US20140189997A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/204,246 - Filed: 2014-03-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-27 - Assignees: BTI, Inc. - Applicants: BTI, Inc. - Inventors: Vaughn P. Adams, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140189997A1 ## CPC - F16B 7/04: Clamping or clipping connections (friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00) - F16B 7/00: Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections ({F16B11/008, F16B17/00 take precedence;} umbrella frames A45B25/02; welding or soldering of connections B23K; vehicle connections in general B60D; railway couplings B61G; bicycle frames B62K; couplings for transmitting rotation F16D; couplings for tubes conveying fluids F16L) - F16B 7/0493: {forming a crossed-over connection} - B23P 11/00: Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) - F16B 2200/503: the flange being separate from the elements to be connected - Y10T 29/49833: Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part - Y10T 29/49948: Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] - Y10T 29/4995: Nonthreaded - Y10T 403/32: Articulated members - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A one-piece rigid connector allows a nominal construction wood member to slip axially while fixed at its distal end, to accommodate the naturally occurring shrinkage of lumber. The connector surrounds the wood member and attaches to a second wood member to secure the members together. The connector may be slightly larger radially than the first member to accommodate natural movement. In one embodiment, the connector is made of a light gauge sheet metal and attaches a vertical baluster to the horizontal lower deck rail of an elevated wood deck guard rail system. The connector secures the baluster horizontally, but allows the baluster to move vertically to accommodate expansion or contraction of the baluster after construction. The distal end of the baluster is secured using conventional wood screw attachment. The connector includes tabs on each side to allow fastening of the connector to the lower deck rail using conventional wood screws. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of attaching a first wood member to a second member so that natural dimensional fluctuations of the first wood member are not restricted, the method comprising: placing a connector around the first wood member, the connector comprising: a brace that fits around the first wood member and allows for natural dimensional fluctuations in the first wood member; and a plurality of tabs attached to the brace such that the tabs make flush contact with the second member, each tab having at least one aperture disposed through the tab; and driving a fastener through each aperture into the second member, the fasteners securing the connector to the second member so that the brace is not attached to the first wood member. ### Claim 2 The method of claim I wherein the first wood member is a baluster having a first end rigidly connected to a third member spaced vertically away from the second member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the brace allows for natural dimensional fluctuations in the first wood member by leaving a clearance gap between the brace and the first wood member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the clearance gap is sufficiently thin that the brace secures the first wood member laterally, and the clearance gap is sufficiently wide that the first wood member may naturally expand radially and longitudinally without contacting the brace. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the clearance gap extends around at least two sides of the first wood member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the brace extends around exactly three sides of the first wood member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the brace comprises a planar front portion and planar left and right portions integral with and angularly transverse to the front portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein a first of the tabs extends from the left portion of the brace and a second of the tabs extends from the right portion of the brace. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein each of the tabs comprises a first section parallel with the front portion of the brace and a second section extending from and angularly transverse to the first section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein only the second section of each tab contains one of the apertures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first wood member is a ceiling joist. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first wood member is a wall stud. ### Claim 13 A method of attaching a first wood member to a second member, the method comprising: placing a connector around the first wood member, the connector comprising: a brace that fits around exactly three sides of the first wood member and leaves a clearance gap between the brace and at least two of the sides of the first wood member; and a plurality of tabs attached to the brace such that the tabs make flush contact with the second member, each tab having at least one aperture disposed through the tab; and driving a fastener through at least one aperture of each tab into the second member, the fasteners securing the connector to the second member so that the first wood member is attached to the second member and is secured laterally and the brace is not securely attached to the first wood member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the clearance gap allows dimensional variation of the first wood member under conditions of contraction or expansion caused by wood moisture evaporation or absorption. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein each of the tabs comprises a section that extends over a top of the second wood member when the connector is placed around the first wood member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein at least one aperture of each tab is through the section that extends of the top of the second wood member, and wherein driving the fasteners through the apertures comprises driving one of the fasteners through the aperture in the section that extends over the top in each tab. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first wood member is a baluster. ### Claim 18 A method for providing vertical tension relief of a baluster in a wood deck, the baluster being rigidly secured to an upper rail spaced vertically away from a lower rail, the method comprising: placing a connector around the baluster adjacent the lower rail, the connector comprising: a brace that fits around three sides of the first wood member, allows the first wood member to project vertically out of the brace, and leaves a clearance gap between the brace and at least two of the sides of the first wood member; and a plurality of tabs attached to the brace such that the tabs make flush contact with the lower rail, each tab having at least one aperture disposed through the tab; and driving a fastener through at least one aperture of each tab into the lower rail, the fasteners securing the connector to the lower rail so that the baluster is attached to the lower rail and is secured laterally and the brace is not securely attached to the baluster. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the fasteners are driven into the lower rail such that the fasteners are placed under tension forces by the baluster. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the fasteners are driven into the lower rail such that the fasteners are placed under shear forces by the baluster.