Variable pitch connector
AssigneeUnited Steel Products Company
InventorGerald Callies
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable pitch connector for supporting an inclined roof rafter. The connector includes a base, cradle, and support means. The support is a separate component, allowing the connector to be manufactured from differing weights of steel. The variable pitch connector may be retrofitted to existing roof assemblies. The invention also relates to a method for installing such connector.
Claims21
A connector for connecting a bearing member, having top, bottom, and side faces, with an inclined member having top, bottom and side faces, said connector comprising:
- a base having a first edge and means for connecting said base to said bearing member;
- a cradle member having a connection end, a free end, a bottom and a pair of sides extending upwardly at right angles from said bottom and configured to receive said inclined member, said cradle member being integrally connected at said connection end to said base along said first edge and including means for connecting said cradle to said inclined member;
- and
- a separate support member, connected to said base for supporting said cradle member.
A connector for retrofitting to an existing bearing member, having top, bottom, and side faces, and inclined member having top, bottom and side faces, assembly, said connector comprising:
- a base having a first edge and means for connection to said bearing member;
- a cradle member having a connection end, a free end, a bottom and a pair of sides extending upwardly at right angles from said bottom and configured to receive said inclined member, said cradle member being integrally connected at said connection end to said base along said first edge;
- and
- a pair of bendable tabs, in substantially the same plane as the base, said tabs spaced from one another to define an open area between said tabs and position on opposite sides of said cradle, said tabs being selectively bendable along said first edge of said base, forward of said edge.
A method of retrofitting a connector to an existing bearing member and inclined member assembly in which said connector includes a base, a pair of bendable tab members, a cradle member integrally formed with the base, a means for supporting the cradle member and a means for connecting the base, tabs, and support to the bearing member and the cradle to the inclined member, said method comprising:
- a. positioning the base on the bearing member and aligning the cradle with the inclined member;
- b. sliding the connector until the inclined member contacts the cradle and the tabs extend over the bearing member;
- c. bending the tabs down to engage a portion of the bearing member;
- d. connecting the base and tabs, said bearing member and the cradle to the inclined member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.