The field of the present invention is building construction hardware for mounting components such as utilities to steel web joists.
Building construction frequently uses steel web joists. Such devices employ two beams. The beams are mutually parallel and spaced apart to create a large moment of inertia for the joist. Cord elements extend at angles between the two so the beams will act as one in bending. Each beam includes a set of two elongate angle elements which are also mutually parallel. The cord elements extend for anchoring to between the elongate angle elements which form a cord space to receive the elements. Each angle element includes two legs extending at a right angle to one another, a first leg which is parallel with the first leg of the other angle element to define the cord space and a second leg extending in opposite directions from the second leg of the other angle element to generally define laterally extending flanges lying in a plane. Above the angle element of the upper beam, a wood nailer may be employed. The wood nailer sits on the plane defined by the laterally extending flanges and is typically approximately the same width as the beam defined by the two flanges.
Right angle brackets having holes centrally extending through each of the two legs of the bracket are well known. Such brackets are used in both wood and steel construction. However, steel construction often requires the hanging of various construction components such as pipes from the basic steel structure. The steel structure in such construction typically is not conveniently or economically modified through drilling, welding or the like to provide attachment for such components. Consequently, it is advantageous to provide clamping mechanisms, which can, without modifying the beam, rigidly support a mounting for the beam. Such clamping mechanisms frequently are adjustable to accommodate the variations in such beams and avoid the need for stocking excessive parts. An adjustable clamping mechanism providing a mounting is illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/389,771, filed Sep. 2, 1999, for Hanger For Mounting Two I-Beams, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention is directed to a seismic adapter for attachment to the beam of a steel web joist including a wood nailer and a method of mounting of such an adapter.
In a first separate aspect of the present invention, a seismic adapter includes two brackets positionable to either side of the wood nailer and retained by a shaft extending through the wood nailer. The brackets each include a mounting section to receive the shaft, a base section to extend beneath the beam of the steel web joist and an engagement section to engage the underside of the laterally extending flange of the steel web joist.
In a second separate aspect of the present invention, a seismic mounting includes two brackets positionable to either side of the wood nailer and retained by a shaft extending through the wood nailer. The brackets each include a mounting section with a hole to receive the shaft, a base section to extend beneath the beam of the steel web joist and an engagement section to engage the underside of the laterally extending flange of the steel web joist. The shaft extends through a passage in the wood nailer at a center distance above the undersurface of the laterally extending flanges that is greater than the distance from the axis of the holes located on the mounting section of each bracket to the edges of the engagement sections of each bracket.
In a third separate aspect of the present invention, a method of seismic attachment employs the placement of brackets to either side of the wood nailer such that base sections extend inwardly beneath the laterally extending flanges and engagement sections rise to meet the underside of the flanges. A passage extends transversely through the wood nailer and a shaft through the passageway provides for drawing the mounting sections against the wood nailer. The passage is drilled such that the center distance above the undersurface of the laterally extending flanges of the steel web joist is greater than the distance from the axis of the holes through the mounting section to the edges of the engagement sections. In this way, the edges of the engagement sections are drawn hard against the underside of the laterally extending flanges of the steel web joist beam.
In a fourth separate aspect of the present invention, the foregoing separate aspects are contemplated to be employed in combination.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seismic adapter and a method of seismic attachment to a steel web joist. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.