Structural bracket for securing spanning and supporting members

A dual-mode bracket for use in assembling component pieces of a structure having spanning members that extend approximately perpendicular to spaced supporting members, the spanning members having supported sides in contact with supporting faces of the supporting members, the bracket comprising:

• a first flange;
• a second flange extending approximately perpendicular from the first flange;
• and
• a third flange extending approximately perpendicular from the second flange;
• wherein, in a first heel tie-down mode, the bracket is positionable such that the first flange can be attached to a side of one of the supporting members, and the third flange can be attached to an edge of one of the spanning members to secure the spanning member and the supporting member together;
• wherein, in a second toe cleat mode, the bracket is positionable at a point on the spanning member between adjacent supporting members such that the third flange is adjacent a face of the spanning member, the second flange is adjacent the supported side of the spanning member, and the third flange extends beyond the face of the spanning member to a point adjacent the supported side of an adjacent spanning member, wherein the first flange has at least one engagement feature projecting beyond the plane of the second flange allowing an edge of the first flange to engage an adjacent surface.

In an assembly of at least one spanning member extending transverse to and in contact with at least one supporting member, the spanning member and supporting member being secured by a bracket;

• the supporting member having a first supporting face and a first side substantially perpendicular to the supporting face and forming a first edge with the supporting face;
• the spanning member having a supported side and a second face substantially perpendicular to the supported side and forming a second edge with the supported face, the first edge and second edge defining an intersection;
• a flanged bracket attached to the spanning member and to the supporting member, the bracket having a first flange, a second flange extending approximately perpendicular from the first flange, and a third flange extending approximately perpendicular from the second flange;
• wherein the first, second, and third flanges are mutually perpendicular to each other and the first flange and the third flange occupy respective planes that intersect at an acute angle;
• wherein the first flange is attached to the first side of the supporting member, and the third flange is attached to the second face of the spanning member, the second flange extending between the first and third flanges approximately parallel to a contact area between the spanning member and the supporting member.