CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/076.021. filed June 26. 2008. the disclosuie of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This invention relates to metal joist systems, and more particularly to a fastening device for securing lateral supports between metal joists.

[0003] Metal joist systems have been developed to provide structural support for floors and roofs of buildings. Such systems may support floors or roof decks that consist of concrete, formed steel, wood, or other suitable material capable of supporting α desired load. [0004] Metal joist systems have been widely accepted because of the advantages piovided relative to prior construction techniques. One such advantage is reduced cost. Metal joist systems typically weigh less than comparable prior art systems iesulting in lower material costs. The lighter weight of metal joists may also permit other supporting material such as beams and girders to be constiucted of lighter weight materials resulting in additional cost savings. Metal joist systems may also provide additional benefits such as providing space for passage and concealment of pipes, ducts, and electrical conduits. This may result in a reduced overall building height and further cost savings.

[0005] Construction of metal joist systems often lequires the use of lateral supports. Lateral supports, such as horizontal bridging and diagonal bridging, support the joists against lateral movement during construction. Lateral supports may also provide rigidity necessary for the metal joists to support construction peisonnel and materials during construction. Because joists may exhibit some degree of instability before lateral supports are installed, safety regulations may limit the number of persons or the weight of material that may be placed on the joists prior to installation of lateral supports.

[0006] One type of lateral support previously used is horizontal bridging. Typical horizontal bridging consists of continuous steel members that may be attached to the top or bottom chord of a metal joist. When horizontal bridging is used, the continuous steel members have generally [0007] Prior approaches for installing lateral supports have several drawbacks. The welding process itself may be time consuming and may damage the lateral supports or the metal joists. Replacing or repairing damaged components of the metal joist system increases material costs and slows construction. Removal of lateral supports may be necessary to reposition a metal joists; however, lateral supports welded to metal joists are not easily removed.

[0008] Some prior horizontal bridging has been secured by mechanical means other than welding; however, these techniques typically require mounting features in both the metal joists and the lateral supports. The need for these mounting features requires careful alignment of the metal joists and the lateral supports, slowing the construction process. [0009] Installation processes that slow the attachment of lateral bracing can significantly increase construction costs. Metal joists that have been erected and to which lateral supports have been secured serve as a working platform for additional construction personnel; thus, delays in installation of the lateral supports not only slow completion of the metal joist system but also delay other construction activities.

[0010] In light of these concerns, there continues to be a need for improved techniques for constructing metal joists systems and attaching lateral supports.

[0011] The fastening device for securing lateral supports between metal joists is disclosed comprising an anchor portion capable of attaching lateral supports to a chord of a joist, a mount portion connected to the anchor portion and capable of having a fastener threadably extending there through, and a fastener passing through the mount portion and capable of securing a lateral support to a metal joist.

[0012] Also disclosed is a metal joist system comprising a plurality of metal joists, lateral supports traverse the metal joists, and at least one fastening device capable of securing lateral supports between metal joists, the fastening device comprising an anchor portion capable of attaching lateral supports to a chord of a joist, a mount portion connected to the anchor portion and capable of having a fastener threadably extending there through, and a fastener passing through the mount portion and capable of securing a lateral support to a metal joist. [0013] A method of securing lateral supports to metal joists is also disclosed comprising the steps of assembling a plurality of fastening devices, attaching the anchor portion of the assembled fastening device to a chord of a joist, positioning a lateral support adjacent the mount portion of the assembled fastening device, and engaging the fastener of the assembled fastening device to secure the lateral support to the metal joist, where the fastening device comprises an anchor portion capable of attaching lateral supports to a chord of a joist, a mount portion connected to the anchor portion and capable of having a fastener threadably extending there through, and a fastener passing through the mount portion and capable of securing a lateral support to a metal joist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present fastening device and metal joist system are described below with reference to the following the drawings and figures: [0015] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of fastening device; [0016] FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a metal joist system; [0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the metal joist system of FIG. 2; [0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a fastening device with the fastener engaged; [0019] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a fastening device securing spliced lateral supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present disclosure includes a fastening device K) for securing lateral supports 80 between metal joists 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the fastening device 10 has an anchor portion 20 and a mount portion 30 connected to the anchor portion. The fastening device also has a fastener 40 passing through the mount portion 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the fastening device 10 may be used in a metal joist system 60. The disclosed metal joist system 60 comprises a plurality of metal joists 70 and lateral supports 80 traverse the metal joists. The lateral supports 80 may be attached to the metal joists 70 by the fastening device 10.

[0021] The anchor portion 20 of the fastening device 10 is capable of attaching to a chord of a metal joist 70. The metal joist 70 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 consists of a top chord 71, a bottom chord 72, and a web 74. The web 74 intersects the top chord 71 and bottom chord 72 at panel points 75. The anchor portion 20 may attach to either a top chord 71 or a bottom chord 72. As shown in FIG. 3, the anchor portion does not protrude above the top chord 71. [0022] Generally, the top chord 71 and bottom chord 72 of a metal joist are formed from chord segments 73. The anchor portion 20 may be installed between the chord segments 73. The anchor portion 20 may be frictionally secured between the chord segments 73. Additionally, the anchor portion 20 may be designed with friction enhancing surface characteristics to improve the retention of the anchor portion between the chord segments 73. Alternatively, the anchor portion 20 may be secured in other ways that ensure the anchor portion remains attached to the chord of the metal joist 70.

[0023] The anchor portion 20 may secure the fastening device 10 at any location along the top chord 71 or bottom chord 72 of a metal joist 70. Lateral supports 80 may be located near panel points 75 and therefore the anchor portion 20 may be attached near the panel points. However, lateral supports 80 may also be located at any other location along the top chord 71 or bottom chord 72 of a metal joist 70, and the anchor portion 20 may be installed accordingly.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the mount portion 30 is connected to the anchor portion 20.

The mount portion 30 is capable of having a fastener 40 threadably extending there through.

The mount portion 30 may position the fastener 40 so that when engaged the fastener secures the lateral support 80 to the chord of a metal joist 70.

[0025] The mount portion 30 may be generally L-shaped, as depicted in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the mount portion 30 may be constructed in other shapes or angles that position the fastener 40 to engage the lateral support 80. The mount portion 30 may also angle the fastener 40 to provide both horizontal and vertical positioning of the lateral supports 80. By angling the fastener 40, movement of the lateral supports 80 may be limited in both the horizontal and vertical directions thereby improving the stability of the metal joist system 60.

Additionally, the mount portion 30 may be angled to permit installation of lateral supports 80 near panel points 75.

[0026] The mount portion 30 is also capable of having a fastener threadably extending there through. The mount portion 30 may have a hole, a slot, or other appropriate aperture through which the fastener 40 may pass. In one alternative, the mount portion 30 may have a threaded hole that engages the fastener 40 as it passes through the mount portion.

[0027] The fastener 40, as shown in FIG. 4, may secure a lateral support 80 to a metal joist 70. Numerous types of fasteners may be utilized, including a bolt as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 5. Additionally, various types of bolts such as tipped, cupped, and self-tapping are contemplated for use with the fastening device 10. When engaged, the fastener 40 secures the lateral support 80 to the metal joist 70. The fastener 40 may contact the lateral support 80 directly. Alternatively, another component, not shown, may be inteiposed between the fastener 40 and the lateral support 80 to ensure a secure connection.

[0028] A locking mechanism, such as a nut 50, may also be used. The locking mechanism may be positioned on either side of the mount portion 30. The locking mechanism may also be attached to the mount portion 30, or may be a separate component.

Positioning the nut 50 between the mount portion 30 and the lateral support 80, as shown in FIG. 1, may allow a shorter fastener 40 to be used thereby reducing material costs and reducing the unbraced length of the fastener. Additionally, a lock washer, tension nut, or other similar locking mechanism may be used to maintain the fastener 40 in the engaged position. Other combinations of locking mechanisms and fasteners are well known in the art and are contemplated for use with the fastening device 10.

[0029] Additionally, the mount portion 30 may serve as a locking mechanism. The mount portion 30 may have a threaded hole that engages the fastener 40. When tightened, the stiffness of the mount portion 30 may prevent the fastener 40 from disengaging. In this alternative, the fastening device 10 may be used with or without a separate locking mechanism, such as a nut 50.

[0030] The fastening device 10 may be used in a metal joist system 60. The metal joist system 60 shown in FIG. 2 comprises metal joists 70, lateral supports 80, and fastening devices 10. The lateral supports 80 are secured to the metal joists 70 by the fastening devices 10. The lateral supports 80 provide stability to the metal joists 70. As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral supports 80 terminating at a wall 90 may be anchored to the wall by lateral support anchors 81. Lateral supports 80 may also terminate and be anchored to beams and other support structures according to the design of the metal joist system 60. Various types of lateral support anchors 81 are well known in the prior art and are contemplated for use with the metal joist system 60.

[0031] The lateral supports 80 may be connected to both the top chord 71 and the bottom chord 72 of the metal joists 70. As shown in FIG. 2, the lateral supports may be connected near panel points 75. A metal joist system 60 may require lateral supports 80 on both the top chords 71 and the bottom chords 72. Some design guidelines for metal joist systems 60 require lateral supports 80 on the bottom chords 72 when uplift forces are expected, such as on roofs.

[0032] Some metal joist systems 60 may require multiple pieces of lateral support 80 to cover the full span of the metal joist system. Two pieces of lateral support 80 may be joined with a single fastening device 10 and secured to a metal joist 70. By splicing pieces of lateral support 80, the full span of a metal joist system 60 may be supported using standard length pieces of lateral supports.

[0033] The number of metal joists 70 and the number of lateral supports 80 may vary depending upon the design of the metal joist system 60. The metal joists 70 may be equally spaced, or the spacing may vary. Similarly, the number and spacing of the lateral supports may vary according to the metal joist system design. The fastening device 10 may be utilized with these various configurations of metal joists and lateral supports. Additionally, in some metal joist systems 60 multiple types of lateral supports 80 may be utilized. For example, some designs for metal joist systems 60 require the use of both horizontal and diagonal bridging. The fastening device 10 may still be employed where appropriate on these metal joist systems.

[0034] Lateral supports 80 may be secured to a chord of a metal joist 70 by assembling a fastening device 10, attaching the anchor portion 20 of the assembled fastening device to a chord of a joist, positioning the lateral support adjacent the mount portion 30 of the assembled fastening device, and engaging the fastener 40 of the assembled fastening device to secure the lateral support to the metal joist. A locking mechanism may also be engaged to maintain the fastener 40 in the engaged position and further secure the lateral support to the metal joist. Additionally, multiple pieces of lateral support 80 may be spliced together with a single fastening device when a single lateral support 80 is not long enough to reach the entire span of a metal joist system 60. Further, if a metal joist 70 or a lateral support 80 must removed, the fastener 40 may be disengaged and the necessary components removed or replaced.

[0035] The fastening device 10 may be made of standard materials, such as steel, utilized for the construction of metal joist systems 60. The fastening device may be coated with shop paint, or other protective coating, to provide protection against corrosion during construction. Additionally, metal joist systems 60 including the fastening device 10 may be coated with fire resistive coatings. Such paints and coatings are well known in the prior art. [0036] The fastening device 10 provides several advantages over the prior art techniques for construction of metal joist systems 60. One advantage is reduced cost. The fastening device 10 may be installed without welding, requiring fewer tools and speeding the construction of metal joist systems. The fastening device 10 may be manufactured such that the fastener 40 is captive to further reduce the effort required by the construction personnel. Additionally, the fastening device 10 may be used in place of filler plugs thereby reducing the number of components required for the assembly. Faster construction of metal joist systems may also provide earlier access for related trades reducing the total time and cost for completing construction

[0037] The fastening device 10 does not require welding. Because the lateral supports 80 are not welded to the metal joists 70, there is less risk of damaging the components during construction. Additionally, when only temporary lateral supports 80 are required, the fastening device 10 may be quickly disengaged and the components reused on future construction projects. Splicing lateral supports 80 may also be possible at any fastening device K). The ability to splice lateral supports 80 may simplify the installation process. Further, the ability to release and reattach the fastening device may permit metal joists 70 to be moved during the construction process.

[0038] Another advantage of the fastening device 10 is that no unique mounting features are required on the metal joists 70 or lateral supports 80. The metal joists and lateral supports may therefore be less costly to manufacture. The fastening device 10 may also be employed with metal joist systems 60 having metal joists 70 with varying chord sizes. Also because no mounting holes are required in the either the metal joist or the lateral supports, the fastening device may be installed with a wide tolerance simplifying the construction. [0039] Construction personnel installing lateral supports may require fewer tools when using the fastening device 10. The fastener 40 may be engaged with a cordless drill, socket wrench, or other tool appropriate for the fastener selected. Additionally, the anchor portion 20 and the mount portion 30 may be constructed at an angle that provides an automatic gauge for the installation to ensure the anchor portion is not set too deep in the metal joist 70. Because a floor or roof deck is typically installed on the top side of the metal joist, the anchor portion 20 generally may not protrude above the top chord 71 of the metal joist 70. [0040] While the invention has been described with detailed reference to one or more embodiments, the disclosure is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the claims, or the equivalents thereof.