I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector plate for securing abutting wooden truss members together.
II. Description of the Prior Art
The use of nail connector plates for securing together abutting truss members is well known in the art. These previously known connector plates typically comprise a sheet of metal having a plurality of outwardly extending prongs formed on one side of the sheet which are hammered into the abutting truss members.
It has been the conventional practice with many of these previously known connector plates to nail the connector plate to the wooden truss elements after the insertion of the prongs into the truss elements. The nailed attachment of the connector plate to the truss elements prevents unintended detachment of the connector plate from the truss members. The nail attachment is disadvantageous, however, in that it requires additional materials, i.e. the nails, and is more time consuming to construct, and therefore, more expensive in labor costs.
Due to the disadvantages of nailing the connector plate to the truss element, there have been other previously known connector plates which are secured to the truss element only by hammering the prongs into the truss elements. These previously known connector plates, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,197, issued Sept. 7, 1971, typically include a barb on each point prong which bites into the truss elements after insertion of the prongs. Connector plates of this type, however, are disadvantageous for a number of reasons.
First, due primarily to the sharp tip on each prong, after long usage the prongs tend to slide outwardly from their hole and away from the truss elements. This partial disengagement of the prongs from their respective holes greatly weakens the truss element joint.
The previously known connector plates of this type are also disadvantageous in that the connector plates are difficult to handle due to the sharply pointed end on the prongs. Injuries to workmen handling the connector plates is common in the trade, even when the workmen are wearing gloves.
Lastly, these previously known connector plates are disadvantageous in that a complex punch and die arrangement is required to produce the barbs on the prongs during the punching operation. Due to their resultant high cost, the required punch and die arrangements for these previously known connector plates unduly increases the overall cost for the individual connector plates.