Drag strut connector
AssigneeSimpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
InventorSteven E. Pryor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for attaching walls to beams or trusses that are offset from the wall and act as collectors in the lateral force resisting system. The main purpose of a drag strut connector is to connect a beam or truss to the top plate of a colinear bearing wall, thereby completing the load path and allowing loads to be transferred out of the roof or floor sheathing into the wall system where the shearwalls are. Such a beam or truss is referred to as a load “collector” or “drag strut”. The key to this connection is that it uses self-drilling screws to create a superior connection to that achieved with a similar connector and bolts.
Claims30
A building frame connection comprising:
- a. a top plate;
- b. a borne member that is colinear with and offset from said top plate;
- c. a connector having a base member with a first edge and a side member with an attachment portion and a connection portion, said connection portion being integrally connected to said base member along said first edge;
- d. a first plurality of self-drilling screw fasteners attaching said borne member to said attachment portion;
- and
- e. fastening means attaching said top plate to said base member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.