GB2455103A

GB2455103A - Installation aid for a joist hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2455103A
Application number: GB0723289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Harrison
Original assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Current assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Priority date: 2007-11-28
Filing date: 2007-11-28
Publication date: 2009-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-28
Also published as: GB0723289D0; GB2455103B

Abstract

The invention relates to joist hanger 10 incorporating an installation aid 100 in a back flange 60 of the joist hanger. Each installation aid is formed as a through hole 110 preferably cut or punched in the back flange. The through hole comprises a first enlarged or open region (120 figure 3) preferably circular, square or triangular in shape, and sized so as to permit the head of a fastener (95 figure 10) to pass through. A second restricted region (130 figure 3) in the shape of a circular ended slot is sized to permit the shank of the fastener to pass through, but not the head. The fastener may be a nail, screw, bolt or rivet. In use the installation aid allows a joist hanger to be quickly and accurately installed. The present invention also relates to a method of installing an item incorporating the installation aid of the present invention.

Description

INSTALLATION AID

The present invention relates to an installation aid and, in particular, to an installation aid for use with a joist hanger.

Joist hangers are routinely used in the construction of buildings and other structures. A traditional prior art joist hanger is shown in Figure 1. In a typical application, the joist hanger is first connected to and supported by another timber structural member, usually by nailing. The joist hanger then receives and supports a timber joist or an I-joist.

A number of problems exist with traditional joist hangers, and these manifest themselves particularly during the installation process. For example, the manufacturing process for many joist hanger types results in the side flanges/legs being splayed, with the angle between the side flanges and seat being greater than 90 degrees. This splay is often increased during nesting of the joist hangers as part of the packaging process. This causes a problem on site as the installer has to squeeze the side flanges together and hold them in the correct position whilst at the same time locating the first nail in each side and driving these nails in with a hammer. This requires excellent manual dexterity on the part of the installer, usually in awkward working conditions. At best, this increases the time it takes to install a joist hanger. However, at S..

worst, it gives rise to the possibility for misalignment. In certain cases, this misalignment can be outside of acceptable tolerances, compromising the structural integrity of the joist hanger and supported joist. S....

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A number of installation "tools" have been proposed to correct the splay of a joist hanger prior to installation, but these add complexity and increase significantly the time required to install each joist hanger, stowing the installer considerably. As a result, none of these tools are used in practice.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an installation aid to address the problems identified.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an installation aid for locating an item in position on a substrate using fasteners, the installation aid comprising: two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the item, the two or more fastener receiving apertures each comprising: a first enlarged or open region sized so as to permit the head of a fastener to pass through; and a second restricted region sized so as to permit the shank of the fastener to pass through, but not its head.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing an item incorporating the installation aid of any one of claims I to 11 comprising the steps of: offering up the item to the substrate in a position in which the item is to be located; marking on the substrate the position of the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the item; removing the item from the substrate; *1* partially inserting into the substrate the fastener to be located in each S...

second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the Item; re-offering up the item to the substrate such that the heads of each fastener pass through the respective first enlarged or open regions provided . : intheitem; * sliding the item over the shank of each fastener so as to retain the item behind the head of the fasteners, with each fastener located in the second restricted region and effecting positioning of the item; and fully inserting the fasteners so as to locate the item in place on the substrate.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of any one of claims I to 11 comprising the steps of: offering up the joist hanger to the substrate in a position in which the joist hanger is to be located; marking on the substrate the position of the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the joist hanger; removing the joist hanger from the substrate; partially inserting into the substrate the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the joist hanger; re-offering up the joist hanger to the substrate such that the heads of each fastener pass through the respective first enlarged or open regions provided in the joist hanger; sliding the joist hanger over the shank of each fastener so as to retain the joist hanger behind the head of the fasteners, with each fastener located in the second restricted region and effecting positioning of the joist hanger; and fully inserting the fasteners so as to locate the joist hanger in place on the substrate.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in p.,...

* * which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a traditional prior art joist hanger in ** . use; * S * Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation view of a joist hanger incorporating a first preferred embodiment of installation aid according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic detail view of the installation aid of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic detail view of installation aid according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic detail view of installation aid according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention: Figure 6 is a schematic detail view of installation aid according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic front elevation view of a joist hanger incorporating a yet further preferred embodiment of installation aid according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic detail view of the installation aid of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic detail view of installation aid according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 1 Oa to I Of are schematic views illustrating a typical installation sequence for a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of Figure 2; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a joist supported in a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of Figure 2 and installed using an installation method according to the present invention: Figure 12a is a schematic illustration of an accessory comb for use with a joist hanger incorporating an installation aid according to the present invention; and Figure 1 2b is a schematic illustration of a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of Figure 2 illustrating the accessory comb of Figure 12a in use. * *eS

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* . Refernng first to Figure 1, there is illustrated a traditional joist hanger I comprising a joist receiving slot 2 formed by opposed spaced apart side flanges 3, 4 and a joining bottom flange 5. Each of the side flanges 3, 4 are . : joined to a back flange 6, typically by a fold line or weld line 7. Each back * flange 6 is joined to a top flange 8, typically by a fold line or weld line 7. In use, the joist hanger 1, must be installed with the back flanges 6 tight against a supporting timber member 9 and the opposed spaced apart side flanges 3, 4 substantially parallel to one another. The top flanges 6 rest on a top surface of the supporting timber member 9 (or are bent over in order to do so).

Fasteners are used to affix the joist hanger with the supporting timber member 9 and joist. Correct installation relies on the manual dexterity and repeated accuracy of the installer in order that all of the flanges 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are arranged and installed substantially perpendicular to one another.

Failure of the traditional joist hanger I can occur when the flanges 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are not arranged and installed substantially perpendicular to one another.

Referring next to Figures 2 and 3, there is illustrated a joist hanger 10 incorporating an installation aid 100 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Joist hanger 10 comprises a joist receiving slot 20 formed by opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 and a joining bottom flange/seat 50. Each of the side flanges 30, 40 are joined to a back flange 60, typically by a fold line or weld line 70. Each back flange 60 has sufficient length to permit a top flange 80 (shown in Figures 1 Oe, I Of and 11) to be incorporated, typically by folding along fold line 70.

Joist hanger 10 additionally comprises an installation aid 100 in each back flange 60. Each installation aid 100 is formed as a through hole 110 cut, punched or otherwise formed in back flange 60. The through hole 110 comprises a first enlarged region 120 in the shape of a circle, sized so as to ***** permit the head of a fastener to pass through, and a second restricted region S.'.

in the shape of circular ended slot, sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not its head.

S. *.S * * In use, with reference to Figures IOa to lOf, the installation aid 100 allows a joist hanger 10 to be installed quickly with repeatable accuracy.

First, as shown in Figure 1 Oa, the joist hanger 10 is held in position with the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 held substantially parallel to one another. The position of the fastener 95, typically a nail, required to locate each back flange 60 is then marked on the structural timber member 90 simply by using the second restricted region 130 of the installation aid 100 as a template. Joist hanger 10 is then removed and the fasteners 95 partially inserted into the structural timber member 90, as shown in Figure lOb. Next, with reference to Figure lOc, joist hanger 10 is offered up to the fasteners 95 so that the heads of each fastener 95 pass through the respective first enlarged region 120 provided on each back Range 60. Once the head of each fastener 95 has passed through its respective first enlarged region 120, the slot of the second restricted region 130 permits the joist hanger 10 to slide downwardly over the shank of the fastener 95, as shown in Figure 1 Od, so as to be retained behind the head of the fastener 95, both in the correct spatial position and with the correct splay of the flanges. The installer then has both hands free to perfect installation of the joist hanger 10 without having to hold it. Optional top flanges 80 may be incorporated, typically by folding of the back flanges 60 along fold lines 70, as shown in Figure lOe, and then all necessary fasteners 95 are inserted according to the required specification, as shown in Figure 1 Of. Finally, a joist 150 is received in the joist receiving slot 120, as can best be seen in Figure 11.

Alternative designs of installation aid according to the present invention are illustrated in Figures 4 to 6. In Figure 4, there is shown an installation aid formed as a through hole 210 cut, punched or otherwise formed in back flange 60. The through hole 210 comprises a first enlarged region 220 in the shape of a square, sized so as to permit the head of a fastener to pass * through, and a second restricted region 230 in the shape of circular ended * slot, sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not its *:::: head. Figure 5 illustrates an installation aid 300 formed as a through hole 310 *:*. cut, punched or otherwise formed in back Range 60. The through hole 310 comprises a first enlarged region 320 in the shape of a triangle, sized so as to permit the head of a fastener to pass through, and a second restricted region 330 in the shape of circular ended slot, again sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not its head. In Figure 6, there is shown a yet further installation aid 400 formed as a through hole 410 cut, punched or otherwise formed in back flange 60. The through hole 410 comprises a first enlarged region 420, simply sized so as to permit the head of a fastener to pass through, and a second restricted region 430, sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not its head. it will be appreciated that any geometric configuration may be beneficially employed, provided that a first enlarged region is sized to permit the head of a fastener to pass through, and a second restricted region prevents withdrawal of the head, yet permits the shank of the fastener to pass through.

Further alternative configurations of installation aid are illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. Referring now to Figure 7, joist hanger 10 comprises an installation aid 500 provided on the outer edge of each back flange 60. Each installation aid 500 is integrally formed as a tab 510 and is part of the back flange 60. Tab 510 comprises a downwardly descending hook portion 515 defining an open region 520 which leads to a second restricted circular ended slot 530, sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not the head of the fastener.

in use, the joist hanger 10 is held in position with the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 held substantially parallel to one another. The position of the fastener 95, typically a nail, required to locate each back flange is then marked on the structural timber member 90 simply by using the S...

second restricted region 530 of the installation aid 500 as a template. Joist hanger 10 is then removed and the fasteners 95 partially inserted into the S.....

* structural timber member 90. Next, joist hanger 10 is offered up to the *..** * fasteners 95 so that the shanks of each fastener 95 pass through the first opening 520 and on into the slot of the second restricted region 530. The joist hanger 10 slides downwardly over the shank of each fastener 95, so as to be retained behind the head of the fastener 95, both in the correct spatial position and with the correct splay of the flanges.

A yet further alternative configuration of installation aid is illustrated in Figure 9. As with Figures 7 and 8, joist hanger 10 comprises an installation aid provided on the outer edge of each back flange 60. Each installation aid 600 is integrally formed as a tab 610 and is part of the back flange 60. In this embodiment, tab 610 comprises a upwardly arranged hook portion 615 defining an open region 620 which leads to a second restricted circular ended slot 630, sized so as to permit the shank of a fastener to pass through, but not the head of the fastener.

With reference now to Figures 1 2a and 1 2b, an optional "comb" type device 180 may be beneficially employed by the installer to supplement the installation aid according to the present invention. The comb 180 generally comprises an planar element 182 provided with at least one pair of slots 184.

The slots 184 are arranged so as to receive the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30,40 and hold them in position, substantially parallel to one another.

during installation, as can best be seen in Figure 12b. Accordingly, the slots 184 are laterally spaced from one another by the necessary distance to maintain the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 substantially parallel to one another. The comb 180 is applied to the joist hanger 10 prior to the installation sequence described above, and can be removed either after marking of the fastener positions, or after insertion of the fasteners. It will be appreciated that the necessary lateral spacing of the slots 184 may vary depending upon the size of joist hanger being installed. Accordingly, multiple pairs of slots 184 may be provided on the planar element 182 to *IS.

accommodate the full range of sizes of joist hanger to be installed.

Alternatively, different sized combs 180 may be provided, one per size of joist hanger. * I

*: As an alternative to the comb described above, a spacer element or elements (not shown) may be beneficially employed by the installer to supplement the installation aid according to the present invention. The spacer element or elements will be suitably dimensioned so that when they are positioned between the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40, pressure applied externally to the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 (e.g. by squeezing) brings them together into contact with the spacer element or elements such that the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 are substantially parallel to one another. The installation sequence described above is then followed. It will be appreciated that the necessary lateral spacing of the opposed spaced apart side flanges 30, 40 may vary depending upon the size of joist hanger being installed. Accordingly, an adjustable spacer element or multiple elements (preferably inter-connectable) may be provided to accommodate the full range of sizes of joist hanger to be installed.

Alternatively, different sized spacer elements may be provided, one per size of joist hanger.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, these are by way of example only and non-limiting. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternatives are possible within the ambit of the invention. For example, the installation aid may take many different forms. The number of installation aids provided on a joist hanger may be increased, and their relative positions varied. Indeed, each installation aid may be offset vertically or horizontally with respect to one another. The installation aid is suitable for use with any element which requires accurate spacing of relative parts in an installation.

For example, spaced apart elements requiring the same vertical (or lateral) positioning, such as a bolt and bolt receiving element for a door or gate, may : ... employ frangible means therebetween which is used while marking, but S...

removed after marking and before installation. As such, the true scope of the * invention is that as set out in the appended claims. * .

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Claims

1. An installation aid for locating an item in position on a substrate using fasteners, the installation aid comprising: two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the item, the two or more fastener receiving apertures each comprising: a first enlarged or open region sized so as to permit the head of a fastener to pass through; and a second restricted region sized so as to permit the shank of the fastener to pass through, but not its head.

2. An installation aid as claimed in claim I wherein the item comprises at least two regions or parts movable relative to one another, and at least one of the two or more fastener receiving apertures is provided in each movable region or part.

3. An installation aid as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the first enlarged or open region is polyhedral in shape.

4. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first enlarged or open region is circular, square or triangular in * shape.

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5. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second restricted region is a slot. S. S S * S * SS

6. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second restricted region is a slot provided with a circular end.

7. An installation aid as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 5 or 6 wherein the first enlarged or open region is an opening of a tab portion.

8. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first enlarged or open region and second restricted region are cut or punched from the item during or after manufacture of the item.

9. An installation aid as claimed in any one claims I to 7 wherein the first enlarged or open region and second restricted region are integrally formed in the item during manufacture.

10. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fasteners are nails, screws, bolts or rivets.

11. An installation aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the item is a joist hanger.

12. A joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of any one of the preceding claims.

13. A joist hanger as claimed in claim 12 comprising at least two spaced apart flanges, with at least one fastener receiving aperture provided in each of the at least two flanges. S.S. * S S...

14. A method of installing an item incorporating the installation aid of any one of claims I to 11 comprising the steps of: S.....

* offering up the item to the substrate in a position in which the item is to be located; * :*.: marking on the substrate the position of the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the item; removing the item from the substrate; partially inserting into the substrate the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the item; re-offering up the item to the substrate such that the heads of each fastener pass through the respective first enlarged or open regions provided in the item; sliding the item over the shank of each fastener so as to retain the item behind the head of the fasteners, with each fastener located in the second restricted region and effecting positioning of the item; and fully inserting the fasteners so as to locate the item in place on the substrate.

15. A method of installing a joist hanger incorporating the installation aid of any one of claims I to 11 comprising the steps of: offering up the joist hanger to the substrate in a position in which the joist hanger is to be located; marking on the substrate the position of the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the joist hanger; removing the joist hanger from the substrate; partially inserting into the substrate the fastener to be located in each second restricted region of the two or more fastener receiving apertures provided in the joist hanger; re-offering up the joist hanger to the substrate such that the heads of each fastener pass through the respective first enlarged or open regions provided in the joist hanger; * sliding the joist hanger over the shank of each fastener so as to retain **** *. : the joist hanger behind the head of the fasteners, with each fastener located in the second restricted region and effecting positioning of the joist hanger; and fully inserting the fasteners so as to locate the joist hanger in place on the substrate.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising the step of fastening the joist hanger to the substrate using further fasteners.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 further comprising the first step of affixing a comb to opposed spaced apart side flanges of the joist hanger to hoJd them in position, substantially parallel to one another, prior to performing the further steps of claims 15 or 16.

18. An installation aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. A joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of installing an item or joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings. p * * *.* S** S p S S...

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