Sheathing tie down
OwnerThomas C. Thompsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved metal connector that securely ties together sheathing and underlying structural members on a building to prevent hurricane and earthquake damage. The connector has alternating sheathing tabs for securing multiple sheets of sheathing. Connected underneath the sheathing tabs, a rib separates the sheathing and correctly spaces each adjoining sheet with a slight gap to avoid buckling. Below the rib, rafter webs alternate with the sheathing tabs to prevent movement of the sheathing and rafter. The large surface area and precise nail holes on the sheathing tabs avoid sheathing splitting and assures correct attachment to the underlying structural member.
Claims19
A unitary apparatus for securing sheathing to structural members of a building comprising:
- a. a unitary body having a face, a rib, generally right angle bends, sheathing tabs, braces, and gussets;
- b. said face having right angled bends forming a generally perpendicular rib;
- c. said rib having right angled bends forming generally perpendicular sheathing tabs;
- d. said face having right angled bends forming generally perpendicular braces;
- e. said braces having right angle bends forming generally perpendicular gussets;
- f. said face having a planar extension forming a base.
A unitary apparatus having a generally rectangular face, a rib generally in the middle of said face, generally right angle bends, sheathing tabs on said rib, a pair of generally rectangular braces, each attached to a generally triangular gusset, and a generally trapezoidal-shaped base attached to said face.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.