Girder Tie

This application claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/469,341, filed Sep. 18, 2023, which claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/128,264, filed Dec. 21, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,821,199, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/950,455, filed Dec. 19, 2019, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure generally relates to girder ties used to resist uplift loads in buildings and other structures.

Girder ties are used to resist uplift loads of building components, such as joists, beams, trusses, etc. Girder ties are commonly used in buildings located in high wind areas (e.g., hurricane or tornado areas) to resist the uplift forces applied to building components by winds blowing into, over, and/or around the building. One conventional type of girder tie connects the building component to a rigid rod that is anchored to a part of the building such as a foundation or a wall. When an uplift force is applied to the building component, the connection between the rigid rod and the girder tie resists the uplift force, holding the building component in position.

In one aspect, a girder tie for connecting a building component to a rigid rod to resist uplift forces applied to the building component comprises a connector. The connector includes a building component connector and a rigid rod connector coupled to the building component connector. The rigid rod connector is configured to attach to the rigid rod. The building component connector includes first and second back flanges free of direct connection to one another. The first and second back flanges are each configured to attach to the building component. A washer is configured to be disposed between the rigid rod connector and a nut on the rigid rod that secures the rigid rod to the girder tie. The washer includes at least one back flange brace configured to inhibit the first and second back flanges from moving relative to one another when the building component experiences the uplift forces.

In another aspect, a girder tie for connecting a building component to a rigid rod to resist uplift forces applied to the building component comprises a connector. The connector includes a building component connector configured to attach to the building component and a rigid rod connector coupled to the building component connector. The rigid rod connector is configured to attach to the rigid rod. The rigid rod connector is configured to form a moment couple with the rigid rod to resist the uplift forces applied to the building component when the building component experiences the uplift forces. A nut is configured to be threaded onto the rigid rod to secure the rigid rod to the girder tie.

Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Corresponding reference characters indicated corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to, one embodiment of a girder tiedown assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present disclosure is indicated generally at reference numeral. As shown in, the girder tiedown assemblyis used to tie or anchor one building component to a supporting member in order to resist any uplift forces that are applied to the building component. In the illustrated embodiment, the girder tiedown assemblyis used to tie a roof truss T (e.g., building component) to a stud(s) C of a wall (e.g., supporting member) of the building to counteract any uplift forces that may lift the roof truss generally upward and away from the stud(s). However, it is understood that the girder tiedown assemblycan be used to tie generally any type of building component down such as a joist, a beam, another type of truss, a column, etc. It is also understood that the girder tiedown assemblycan be used to tie a building component T to support members besides studs C such as columns and concrete walls (e.g., foundation walls).

The girder tiedown assemblyincludes a holdown or anchor, a rigid rodand a girder tie. The holdownis secured to the stud C and the girder tieis secured to the truss T (broadly, building component), with the rigid rodinterconnecting the holdown and girder tie to prevent the truss from being lifted relative to the wall. One example of a suitable holdown is the PHD/DTB Holdowns available from MiTek USA, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri. Nutsare used to secure the rigid rod to the holdownand girder tie—i.e., the rigid rod is at least partially threaded. The girder tieconnects the truss T to the rigid rodto resist the uplift forces applied to the truss. In the illustrated embodiment, the girder tiedown assemblyis used with wood frame construction with the rigid rodextending through a top plate B of the wall to interconnect the holdownand the girder tie. The girder tiedown assemblycan be used with other types of construction. For example, the girder tiedown assemblycan be used to tie the truss T a concrete wall (e.g., supporting member). In that embodiment, the girder tiedown assemblymay not include the holdown. Instead, the rigid rodcan be embedded in the concrete wall (not shown).

Referring to, the girder tieincludes a connectorand a washer. The connectoris configured to be attached to the truss T and the rigid rod. The connectorincludes a building component connectorand a rigid rod connector. The building component connectorand rigid rod connectorare coupled to one another and, more preferably, fixed to one another. The building component connectoris configured to attach to the truss T. The building component connectorincludes first and second back flanges(broadly, at least two back flanges). The first and second back flangesare each configured to attach to the truss T. In one embodiment, the back flangesare sized and shaped to attach to a 2×6 or larger piece of dimensioned lumber. In the illustrated embodiment, each back flangeincludes a plurality of fastener holessized and shaped to receive fasteners(), such as screws, bolts, nails, etc., to secure the back flanges and the building component connectorto the truss T. The first and second back flangesare free of direct connection to one another. In one embodiment, the first and second back flangesare spaced apart by about 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). However, the first and second back flangescould be touching one another within the scope of the present invention. The first and second back flangesare generally planar, with planar rear surfaces that engage the truss T when the building component connectoris secured to the truss T. The back flangescan have generally any shape. Each back flangemay also include a notch or openingconfigured to receive a portion of the washer, as described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, each back flangeincludes a notchextending from a lower edge margin of the back flange.

The orientation of the girder tieinprovides the point of reference for the terms defining relative locations and positions of structures and components of the girder tie, including but not limited to the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “back,” “rear,” “front,” as used throughout the present disclosure.

The connectorincludes a flange or ribextending forward from each back flange. In the illustrated embodiment, each ribextends from an inner edge margin (e.g., the edge margin closest to the other back flange) of a corresponding back flange. Each ribinterconnects the back flangesand the rigid rod connector. Accordingly, the ribsextend from the back flangeto the rigid rod connector. The ribsare generally vertical, when the connectoris secured to the truss T. The ribsare generally perpendicular to the back flanges. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribsgenerally extend along the entire height of the back flanges. The ribsare adjacent to and generally parallel to one another for reasons that will become apparent. In one embodiment, a distance between the ribsis less than or equal to 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). As described in more detail below, the ribsfacilitate the bracing of first and second back flangesto inhibit the movement of the first and second back flanges relative to one another when the truss T experiences the uplift forces. The ribsalso generally stiffen and strengthen the back flanges.

The rigid rod connectoris configured to attach to the rigid rod. The rigid rod connectordefines a central passagesized and shaped to receive the rigid rod. The rigid rod connectorincludes a generally cylindrical wall or tubethat defines the central passage. The ribsextend from the cylindrical wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribsextend from opposite side edge margins of the generally cylindrical wall. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical wallis circumferentially discontinuous. As will become apparent, this discontinuity in the cylindrical wallallows the connectorto be stamped from a single sheet of material, as described in more detail below. The rigid rod connectorhas a height extending from a lower end to an upper end. In one embodiment, the height of the rigid rod connectoris about 2⅜ inches (6 cm). In one embodiment, the height of the rigid rod connectoris about half of the height of the back flanges. Other configurations of the rigid rod connectorare within the scope of the present disclosure.

The rigid rod connectoris configured to form a moment couple with the rigid rodto resist the uplift forces applied to the truss T when the truss experiences the uplift forces. The rigid rod connectoris configured to engage the rigid rodat a minimum of least two longitudinally spaced apart locations on the rigid rod when the truss T experiences the uplift forces to form the moment coupled with the rigid rod. Specifically, upper and lower ends of the rigid rod connectorengage the rigid rodto form the moment couple as described in more detail below.

By forming a moment couple with the rigid rod, the girder tieis able to resist larger uplift forces than conventional girder ties. Conventional girder ties do not form a moment couple with the rigid rodbecause conventional girder ties engage the rigid rod at only one longitudinal location. In fact, some conventional girder ties permit the girder tie and rigid rod to pivot relative to one another, which completely prevents any moment couple from forming.

When the girder tieis subjected to loads (e.g., uplift forces), the failure mode for the girder tie is being pulled from the truss T. Specifically, the fastenerssecuring the girder tieto the truss T are pulled out from (e.g., withdraw from) the truss when a sufficient amount of force is applied. When subject to uplift loads capable of causing failure, the nutsecuring the rodto the girder tieis, in effect, driven down against the top of the cylindrical wallof the rigid rod connector. The force applied to the rigid rod connectoris spaced from the back flangesand therefore urges the girder tiegenerally to pivot or rotate about its lowest most point (or thereabout) that engages the truss T. This movement tends to pry the fastenersout from the truss T. The fastenersresist this withdrawal movement, and the girder tieis constructed to provide substantial additional resistance to pivoting and withdrawal. As the girder tiebegins to bend and pivot, the rigid rod connectorengages the rigid rodat generally two spaced apart locations, one generally at the upper end of the rigid rod connector and another at the lower end of the rigid rod connector. This forms the moment couple between the rigid rod connectorand the rigid rod. Because of the moment couple, in order for the girder tieto continue to pivot and move away from the truss T (e.g., in order for the girder tie to completely fail), the girder tie must bend the rigid rod. Accordingly, the resistance to bending provided by employing the stiffness of the rigid rodincreases the amount of the uplift force the girder tiecan support over conventional girder ties by reducing the withdrawal forces applied to the fasteners.

The loads applied during uplift can also have a tendency to separate the back flangesfrom each other in a horizontal direction, which would apply a horizontal shear load to the fasteners, in addition to the vertical shear already being applied. However, the construction of the building component connectorinhibits this as well. The position of the force of the rigid rodin relation to the location of the fastenersextending through the back flangescauses the back flanges to move apart. Additionally, the force of the rigid rodagainst the interior of the cylindrical wallof the rigid rod connectorbecause of the moment couple, also acts to force the back flanges apart. However, referring to, the washeris configured to be disposed between the rigid rod connectorof the connectorand the nuton the rigid rodthat secures the rigid rod to the girder tie. The washerserves two functions. First, the washergenerally distributes the load applied by the nutover the rigid rod connector, like a conventional washer. Second, the washercaptures the ribsto inhibit or prevent the first and second back flangesfrom moving horizontally apart from each other when the truss T experiences the uplift forces, as described in more detail below.

As shown in, the washerincludes an upper flange, a lower flangeand a connecting element. The connecting elementinterconnects the upper and lower flanges,. The upper flange, lower flangeand connecting elementare all generally planar. The upper and lower flanges,are generally parallel with one another and extend rearward from upper and lower edge margins, respectively, of the connecting elementto free ends thereof. The upper and lower flanges,are generally perpendicular to the connecting element. The upper and lower flanges,each define an aperture or openingsized and shaped to receive the rigid rodthrough the flange. The openingsare aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with one another and are configured to align with the central passageof the rigid rod connectorwhen the washer is positioned on the rigid rod connector. Accordingly, the upper flangeis disposed between the nutand the rigid rod connectorwhen the washerand connectorare attached to the rigid rod.

The washerincludes a back flange brace, generally indicated at, configured to brace the ribsto inhibit the first and second back flangesfrom moving relative to one another when the truss T experiences the uplift forces. Specifically, the back flange braceinhibits the first and second back flangesfrom rotating relative to one another, as explained in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the washer includes two back flange braces(e.g., upper and lower back flange braces). Each back flange braceis configured to engage the ribsto prevent the ribs, and therefore the back flanges, from moving apart from one another. Specifically, each back flange braceis configured to inhibit the ribsfrom moving away from one another (e.g., inhibit the back flangesfrom moving away from one another). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower flanges,each define one back flange brace. Each back flange braceincludes an open ended slot(e.g., a slot extending from an edge margin of the upper or lower flange,). The slotsare sized and shaped to receive the ribstherein. Accordingly, the slotsare generally aligned (e.g., vertically aligned) with one another. Opposite sides of each slotare defined by bracing tabs(e.g., portions of either the upper or lower flanges,). Each bracing tabengages a respective one of the ribswhen the ribs are disposed in the slotto prevent the back flangesfrom moving horizontally apart.

In the illustrated embodiment, each bracing tabon the lower back flange braceincludes a projectionsized and shaped to mate with one of the notchesof a corresponding back flange. The projectionsextend rearward from a rear edge margin of the lower flange. The mating of the projectionswith the notchesfacilitates the positioning of the washerrelative to the connector, and further prevents the back flangesfrom moving (e.g., toward or away) relative to one another and helps hold the washer in place relative to the connector when the girder tieis subject to the uplift forces.

In operation, the washeris placed on the connectorsuch that the openingsof the washer are aligned with the central passageof the connector. In this position, the upper flangeof the washeroverlies the upper end of the rigid rod connectorand the lower flangelies under the lower end of the rigid rod connector. Accordingly, the distance between the upper and lower flanges,is generally the same as the height of the rigid rod connector. When the washeris positioned on the connector, the projectionsare inserted into the corresponding notches. This facilitates the alignment of the openingsand central passage. Moreover, when the washeris positioned on the connector, the ribsare captured in the slots. The washermay be placed on the connectorbefore or after the connector is secured to the truss T with the fasteners. Once positioned, the rigid rodcan be inserted into and extend through the openingsand central passage. The nutis then threaded onto the end of the rigid roduntil the nut engages the washer, thereby securing the girder tieto the rigid rod. Preferably, the girder tieis secured to the truss T before the nutis tightened down against the washer.

When the girder tieis subject to the uplift forces, the first and second back flangesare urged to move relative to one another (e.g., generally away from one another). Specifically, the first and second back flanges want to generally pivot and rotate relative to one another. This movement of the back flangesis caused, at least in part, by the moment couple formed between the rigid rod connectorand the rigid rodin conjunction with the force of the rigid rod being offset from the location of the resisting force provided by the fastener. Below the point of level of the engagement of the nutwith the washerat the top of the rigid rod connector, the bottoms of the back flangesare urged to pivot away from each other about a separation axis perpendicular to the back flanges and passing through the center of engagement of the nut with the washer at the top of the rigid rod connector. The back flange bracesinhibit this movement (e.g., lateral and/or rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the rigid rod connector) of the back flanges. As the back flangestry to move away from one another due to the uplift forces, the bracing tabsof the back flange bracesengage the ribs, preventing the ribs and therefore the back flanges from moving apart and causing the back flangesto act as a single piece of material. Moreover, because the back flange bracesrestrict the movement (e.g., generally horizontal movement) of the back flanges, any load (e.g., horizontal load) that would have been imposed on the fastenersbecause of the movement of the back flanges is eliminated (e.g., all this horizontal load is contained and carried by the back flange braces). This eliminates placing any additional load on the fastenersand generally keeps the load on the fasteners to generally only vertical shear and withdrawal. It is understood that by subjecting the fastenersto less load (e.g., the horizontal load), the fasteners can carry or withstand a large amount of vertical shear load and withdrawal load. Thus, the back flange braceshelp strengthen the connection of the building component connectorto the truss T. In addition, because the back flangespivot relative to another, a portion of the back flanges above the separation axis may move toward one another as the back flanges pivot. As a result, portions of the ribsare brought into engagement with and push against one another, cancelling out a portion of the load (e.g., horizontal load).

The connectorand washerare preferably made from metal. In one embodiment, the connectorand washerare each formed as one piece (e.g., the connector and washer are each integral one-piece components) from metal blanksand, respectively, () that are stamped from a sheet of material (e.g., metal) and bent into shape. As a result, the first and second back flangesare indirectly connected to each other by way of the rigid rod connector. However, there is no direct connection between the first and second back flanges in the plane of the first and second back flanges. A direct connection could be made between the first and second back flangesin their common plane, but is not necessary because of the functionality of the washer. In one embodiment, the connectorand washerare each stamped from 10 gauge steel, although other suitable materials are within the scope of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the connectorand the washerare made from multiple pieces joined together, such as by welding.

Referring to, another embodiment of a girder tie according to the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral. Girder tieis generally analogous to girder tieand, thus, for ease of comprehension, where similar, analogous or identical parts are used, reference numerals “” units higher are employed. Accordingly, unless clearly stated or indicated otherwise, the above descriptions regarding girder tiealso apply to girder tie.

The girder tieis a first or left oriented girder tie configured to be attached to the left side of a building component, such as a truss T′ or a column. In this embodiment, the right or second back flangehas a straight outer edge margin. As a result, the width of the right back flangeis reduced (compared to back flange), thereby reducing the overall width of the connector(e.g., building component connector). The back flangesof the girder tiehave different shapes. The straight edge of the second back flangeallows the connectorto be attached to smaller building elements, such as 2×4 piece of dimensioned lumber.

Referring to, another embodiment of a girder tie according to the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral. Girder tieis generally analogous to girder tieand, thus, for ease of comprehension, where similar, analogous or identical parts are used, reference numerals “” units higher are employed. Accordingly, unless clearly stated or indicated otherwise, the above descriptions regarding girder tiealso apply to girder tie.

The girder tieis a second or right oriented girder tie configured to be attached to the left side of a building component, such as a truss T′ or a column. In this embodiment, the left or first back flangehas a straight outer edge margin. As a result, the width of the left back flangeis reduced (compared to back flange), thereby reducing the overall width of the connector(e.g., building component connector). This allows the connectorto be attached to smaller building elements, such as 2×4 piece of dimensioned lumber.illustrate the left oriented girder tieattached to the left side of the truss T′ and the right oriented girder tieattached to the right side of the truss T′.

Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.