GB2524965A

GB2524965A - Joist hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2524965A
Application number: GB1406215.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Mcandrew
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2014-04-07
Filing date: 2014-04-07
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-07
Also published as: GB2524965B; GB201406215D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a joist hanger comprising a substantially plate- like base member adapted to rest upon the top surface of a brickwork course, one end of the base member being provided with an angled upstanding return 4 adapted to be retained in a mortar course between courses of brickwork B and an upstanding side member being provided along at least one edge of the base member to support a joist 9 between the base member and side member, the arrangement being such that in use a joist 9 is supported vertically on the base member above the brickwork course upon which the hanger is mounted, and is supported laterally (against rotation) by the upstanding side member. The invention further relates to a floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger of the invention and further to a kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to the invention.

Description

JOIST HANGER

The present invention relates to joist hangers and more particularly to an improved joist hanger for supporting a joist on a masonry wall or the like.

In building construction, the masonry walls of the building are laid level by level and at the appropriate height where a floor is to be supported off the masonry wall, hangers are provided on the masonry wall at convenient locations. The hangers support joists upon which the floor of the building is laid. The floor decking is then placed onto the joist platform. A conventional masonry hanger supports a joist beneath the level of the supporting block course level. The hanger is a substantially U-shaped support with a steel top plate which is provided at approximately 90 deg to the main body of the support. The top plate rests on the top of the masonry block, or may be provided with a return portion to fit around the top of the block and effectively wrap around the top surface.

The strength of this type of hanger is dictated by the loading capacity of the steel top plate which is inclined to bend before the next block course is laid above the level of the pbte.

Increasingly, a floor cassette is provided to a construction site or the like in prefabricated form. In this way, the joist hangers, joists and floor sheets of a floor cassette are assembled off site before being transported as a prefabricated floor cassette to the required location. In so doing, the time taken to assemble a floor cassette at the site of construction is considerably reduced and the consistency of manufacture of the floor cassettes themselves can be assured.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved floor cassette.

As an exterior wall is built upwards course by course, a floor cassette may be located onto a layer of blocks of the exterior wall at the required height above the ground. Mortar is then layered on the same course of blocks before fUrther blocks for the next course of the exterior wall are built onto the floor supporting course.

The hangers support loads on the floor when the hangers are secured in the finished structure (with all masonry levels installed above them.

In the completed structure, the exterior walls are subjected to wind forces pushing inwardly and/or outwardly on the structure. The inward pressure on the exterior walls is resisted by the layer(s) of blocks immediately above the layer of blocks onto which the joist hangers of the floor cassette have been placed because the upper block layers are abutted against the ends of the joists of the floor cassette. On the other hand, outward, suction pressure from wind forces will pull the exterior walls of a structure apart and, in the most serious of cases, will cause the joist hangers of a floor cassette to pull out of the exterior wall completely causing floor collapse.

The present invention aims to provide a joist hanger which obviates or at east mitigates the above disadvantages of known hangers and provide a joist hanger which fully supports the joists of a floor and provides restraint against suction forces pulling the masonry work, into which the hanger is fixed, outwardly of the structure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a joist hanger comprising a substantially plate-like base member adapted to rest upon the top surface of a brickwork course, one end of the base member being provided with an angled upstanding return adapted to be retained in a mortar course between courses of brickwork and an upstanding side member being provided along at least one edge of the base member to support a joist between the base member and side member.

The arrangement of the joist hanger is such that, in use, a joist is supported vertically on the base member above the brickwork course upon which the hanger is mounted, and is supported laterally (against rotation] by the upstanding side member.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the upstanding return is located at an end of the base member.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the upstanding return is upstanding at right angles to the plane incorporating the base member. More specifically, the upstanding return is upstanding perpendicularly from the base member.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the upstanding return may be formed integrally with the base member. More specifically, the upstanding return may be formed by folding the material of the hanger out of the plane of the base member to protrude perpendicularly therefrom.

In alternative embodiments, the upstanding return may be a separate element from the base member. In such embodiments, the upstanding return is preferably permanently attached to the base member. More specifically, the upstanding return may be attached to the base member by rivot, welding or other, similar, permanent fastening.

The arrangement of the joist hanger is such that, in use, the upstanding return is locateable adjacent the outer surface of the exterior wall onto which the hanger to placed. More specifically, the upstanding return is located in a mortar course between courses of block work in a wall, the outer surface of the upstanding return being locateable proximate the outer surface of the exterior wall onto which the hanger to placed. In this way, as the mortar sets around the upstanding return, the upstanding return forms a restraint against the hanger pulling out of the block work forming the wall.

In embodiments of the invention, the hanger may be provided with two side members, one adapted to contact each side of the joist to be supported in the hanger.

Conveniently the, or each, side member may be provided with apertures to receive fixing means for securing the joist within the hanger.

Advantageously, the or each side member of the hanger maybe provided with reinforcing ribs which operate to encourage the hanger to resist bending forces which would tend to pull the hanger away from the brickwork course upon which it is mounted.

Conveniently the, or each, side member is integrally formed with the base member of the hanger.

Preferably, the base member of the hanger may also be provided with reinforcing ribs.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to the first aspect of the invention, at least one joist supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and supported laterally (against rotation) by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at least one floor sheet supported horizontally on the joist.

In preferred embodiments, the floor cassette comprises a plurality of joist hangers according to the first aspect of the invention, and a plurality of joists each supported vertically on a base member of a joist hanger and supported aterally (against rotation) by an upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at least one floor sheet supported horizontally on the plurality of joists.

In preferred embodiments, each of the joists and the joist hangers is spaced apart from one another across the width of the, or each, floor sheet.

More specifically, each of the plurality of joists is supported at a first end of the joist vertically on a base member of a joist hanger and supported bterally (against rotation] by an upstanding side member of the joist hanger. In preferred embodiments, each of the plurality of joists is also supported at a second end of the joist vertically on a base member of a further joist hanger and supported laterally (against rotation) by an upstanding side member of the further joist hanger.

In preferred embodiments, each end of each of the plurality of joists is on a base member of a joist hanger and supported laterally (against rotation) by an upstanding side member of the joist hanger. In this way, each end of each joist of the floor cassette is supported by a joist hanger.

In the floor cassette according to the invention, the upstanding return of the or each joist hanger is arranged to be locateable into a mortar course of a wall formed of layers (courses) of brickwork. As the mortar sets, the, or each, upstanding return of the floor cassette will provide a restraint against the joist hanger(s) pulling out of the block work forming the wall.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a kit for manufacturing a floor cassette, the kit comprising at least one joist hanger according to the first aspect of the invention, at least one joist to be supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and laterally (against rotation) by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at east one floor sheet to be supported horizontally on the joist.

In preferred embodiments, the kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprises a plurality of joist hangers according to the first aspect of the invention.

In preferred embodiments, the kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprises a plurality of joists.

In preferred embodiments, the kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprises a plurality of floor sheets.

In order that the invention maybe easily understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a joist hanger according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows the joist hanger of Figure 1 in side plan view; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a joist hanger according to an alternative embodiment of the invention in location on a course of block and supporting a joist; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the joist hanger of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a joist hanger according to an embodiment of the invention in location on a course of block and supporting a joist; Figure 6 depicts an installation assembly embodiment in which a joist hanger of the invention is located onto an I-joist; Figure 7 shows a floor cassette according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 8 shows the floor cassette of Figure 8 in position on two exterior walls; Figure 9 shows the floor cassette of Figures 8 and 9 being lifted into position on two exterior walls; Figure 10 shows the floor cassette of Figure 10 in side plan view; Figure 11 shows a joist hanger of the floor cassette of Figures 8 to 11; Figure 12 shows the adjustment mechanism of the joist hanger of Figure 12; and Figure 13 shows a detailed view the adjustment mechanism of Figure 13.

Throughout the drawings, like features will be demoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a joist hanger according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side plan view of the joist hanger of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 there is shown a schematic view of a joist hanger according to one aspect of the present invention in which, the joist hanger I comprises a substantially flat, plate-like base member 2. The base member of the embodiment shown is substantially rectangular in form but may also be square. One end 3 of the base member is provided with an upstanding lip 4 which maybe integral with the base member. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the upstanding lip forms a substantially 90 degree angie with the base member as will be described further below.

A tapered side member 5 is provided along one side edge 6 of the base member. The side member extends upwards from the base member at a substantially 90 degree angle. The edges of the side member slope from the first end 3 of the base member towards the end 7 thereof remote from the upstanding lip 4. In the embodiment shown, the slope of the nearer S edge forms a more acute angle with the base member than the frirther edge. Preferably, the side member may be formed integrally with the base member or may alternatively be mounted to the base member by any suitable means such as welding.

Both the side member 5 and the base member 2 in the embodiment shown are provided with reinforcing ribs 8 to discourage the hanger from bending under the load of a joist 9 placed therein. The ribs may be longitudinal along the length of the side member and lateral along the width of the base member.

Apertures 100 are provided at the upper and lower edges of the side member to receive fixing means (not shown) as will be described further below.

It is envisaged that the hanger may be formed of steel although other materials which provide adequate strength and load bearing qualities could also be considered.

In an alternative embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the joist hanger 10 comprises a substantially flat, plate-like base member 2. The base member of the embodiment shown is substantially rectangifiar in form but may a'so be square. One end 3 of the base member is provided with an upstanding lip 4 which may be integral with the base member. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the upstanding lip forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the base member as will be described further below.

A tapered side member 5 is provided along one side edge 6 of the base member and an additional side member 5' is provided along the other edge of the base member 2. The second side member may have the same shape and general dimensions as the first side member 5 or may be of slightly different dimensions.

The side members extend upwards from the base member at a substantially 90 degree angle. The edges of the side members slope from the first end 3 of the base member towards the end 7 thereof remote from the upstanding lip 4. In the embodiment shown, the slope of the nearer S edge forms a more acute angle with the base member than the further edge. Preferably, the side members may be formed integrally with the base member or may alternatively be mounted to the base member by any suitable means such as welding Both the side members 5, 5' and the base member 2 in the embodiment shown are provided with reinforcing ribs B to discourage the hanger from bending under the load of a joist 9 placed therein. The ribs may be longitudinal along the length of the side member and lateral along the width of the base member.

The use of the hanger described in Figures 1 to 4 will now be described. As in a conventional building process, the outer brickwork courses are built up to the level where a floor is to be formed. A suitable number of hangers 1, 10 as shown in Figures 1 to 4 are placed on the upper most course of bricks. The base member 2 of each hanger is placed upon the top surface of the brickwork course and the upstanding lip 4 is located towards the outermost surface of the course of bricks.

A wooden joist 9 is then laid upon the base member against the upstanding side member 5 as shown in Figure 3. Fixing means, such as for example nails, are driven through the apertures 100 in the side member and into the side of the joist These fixing means prevent the hanger from rotating about the inside face of the brickwork course and falling off the wall.

The reinforcing ribs 8 provide additional strength to the side member(s) and the base of the hanger. In order for the hanger to distort for example by unbending, both the base member and the side members have to buckle whereas in the known hangers described above, unbending can occur when the base member buckles.

Additionally, both the upstanding lip 4 of the base member within the mortar course between courses of brickwork and the fact that the side member is fixed to the joist acts to restrain movement of the hanger and the joist relative to the outer wall and provides a more secure connection of the hanger within the brickwork of the wall.

Also, the fact that the at least one side member is rigidly connected to the base plate, as well as being fixed to the joist acts to restrain any tendency for lateral rotation of the joist when loads are applied to it.

The resulting hanger connection is simple and easy to produce, simple and easy to install, resulting overall in cost savings in both the production and building process.

Furthermore, further masonry courses may then be laid over the top of the hangers as best seen in Figure 5.

Where a single sided version of the invention such as the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2 maybe suitable in most load carrying aspects, where extra load carrying capacity is required, then the double sided version described above and depicted in Figures 3 and 4 maybe used. In this embodiment, fixing means would be driven into the joist from both sides, through the apertures 100 provided in the side members 5, 5' of the hanger.

As can be seen in Figure 5, using a hanger according to the present invention, the joist 9 is supported on the level of the brickwork on the underside of the joist and therefore masonry coursing around the building can proceed at the same rate without adjusting any levels by using cut block courses as packing pieces.

The hanger of the present invention supports a joist above the surrounding brickwork. Such a hanger allows for easy -brick/block coursing where a mixture of built-in and joist hanger connections are used at either end of the joist. The upstanding lip of the joist hanger is retained in the mortar course between the layers of surrounding brickwork) thereby providing a restraint against suction forces from wind surrounding the structure which forces would otherwise tend to pull the brickwork away from the joist hanger and the joist leading to a weakening in the support for the joist.

Figure 6 shows a joist hanger 1 in which side wall S comprises a punch out aperture 106. In forming the punched out aperture, a locating lug 105 is formed. 1-Joist 9 maybe correctly located on the hanger by way of abutting the end of the lower chord of I-joist 9 against the lug 105 and the lower surface of the lower chord of the I-joist against base member 2. Thereafter, fasteners such as nails or screws or the like may be attached to the upper and lower chords of the I-joist through apertures 100 in side wall S. Apertures 111 in base member 2 and 109 in side wall 5 are elongate openings in the material of the joist hanger 1. As best shown in Figures 12 and 13, the elongate configuration of the apertures 109, 111 allows for adjustment of the location of the hanger to be made in the directions "A" and/or "C" shown in Figure 12. Such adjustment ensures that upstanding lip 4 is correctly located to be positioned within the mortar course between layers of block work in exterior wall 113.

Figure 7 depicts a floor cassette 200 comprises a series of spaced apart joists 9 and a floor sheet 120 attached to the upper surface of the upper chord of each joist 9.

Each joist 9 has a joist hanger 1 attached by fasteners (not shown] at and end thereof The relative position of the joist 9 in the hangers 1 is best seen in Figure 11.

The end of the joist 9 is located in abutment with lug 105 and is spaced apart from the upstanding lip 4. It should be understood that in embodiments not shown, the joists 9 may have a hanger 1, 10 located at the opposite end thereof in additional to the hangers 1 shown in Figure 7.

Figures 8 to 10 depict the floor cassette 200being lifted in prefabricated form onto a wall 113. The hangers 1 at the or each end of the joist 9 are lowered using crane 121 and lines 123 (see Figures 9 and 10] onto the uppermost surface of the brickwork 113.

Apertures 109, 109 provide a degree of adjustment in terms of where the upstanding lip 4 butts against the blocks 113.

Thereafter a mortar course is provided onto wall 113 and additional layers of masonry maybe added. Once the mortar has set, the upstanding lips 4 each provide a key point to act in restraint when pressures exerted on wall(s) 113 push them apart. The effects on the walls and floor support structure by outward suction forces are therefore mitigated.

The hanger described above is equally applicable to solid timber joists or to "flanged" timber joists such as I-joists or metal-ribbed joists (where the only connections possible are to the top and bottom flanges of the joist]. The hanger also provides excellent lateral restraint to such joists, which would otherwise have a tendency to rotate and topple when loads are applied to them.

It is to be understood that the geometry of the side members and the base member and the positions of the apertures may be varied to create various levels of resisting coupling [or moments] between the joist and the hanger which ultimately provides the resistance to rotation or overturning and contribute substantially to the load carrying capacity of the hanger connection.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A joist hanger comprising a substantially plate-like base member adapted to rest upon the top surface of a brickwork course, one end of the base member being provided with an angled upstanding return adapted to be retained in a mortar course between courses of brickwork and an upstanding side member being provided along at least one edge of the base member to support a joist between the base member and side member.
2. A joist hanger according to claim 1, wherein the upstanding return is located at an end of the base member.
3. A joist hanger according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upstanding return is upstanding at right angles to the plane incorporating the base member.
4. A joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upstanding return is upstanding perpendicularly from the base member.
5. A joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upstanding return is formed integrally with the base member.
6. A joist hanger according to claim 5, wherein the upstanding return is formed by folding the material of the hanger out of the plane of the base member to protrude perpendicularly therefrom.
7. A joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upstanding return is a separate element from the base member.
8. A joist hanger according to claim 7, wherein the upstanding return is permanently attached to the base member.
9. A joist hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger is provided with two side members.
10. A joist hanger according to claimS, wherein one side member is adapted to contact each side of the joist to be supported in the hanger.
11. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side member is provided with apertures to receive fixing means for securing the joist within the hanger.
12. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side member is provided with reinforcing ribs which operate to encourage the hanger to resist bending forces which would tend to pull the hanger away from the brickwork course upon which it is mounted.
13. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side member is integrally formed with the base member of the hanger.
14. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member of the hanger is provided with reinforcing ribs.
15. A floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to any one of claims 1-14, and at least one joist supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and supported laterally (against rotation) by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at east one floor sheet supported horizontally on the joist.
16. A joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A floor cassette substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 11-13 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 14, at least one joist to be supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and laterally (against rotation) by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at least one floor sheet to be supported horizontafly on the joist.
20. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to claim 19 comprising a plurality of joist hangers according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
21. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to claim 19 or claim 20 comprising p1urahi of joists.
22. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to any one of claims 19 to 21 comprising a plurality of floor sheets.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows:CLAIMS1. A joist hanger comprising a substantially plate-like base member adapted to rest upon the top surface of a brickwork course, one end of the base member being provided with an angled upstanding return adapted to be retained in a mortar course between courses of brickwork and an upstanding side member being provided along at least one edge of the base member to support a joist between the base member and side member.2. A joist hanger according to claim 1, wherein the upstanding return is located at an end of the base member.3. A joist hanger according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upstanding return is upstanding at right angles to the plane incorporating the base member. Lfl154. A joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upstanding C"J return is upstanding perpendicularly from the base member.5. A joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upstanding r.return is formed integrally with the base member.6. A joist hanger according to claim 5, wherein the upstanding return is formed by folding the material of the hanger out of the plane of the base member to protrude perpendicularly therefrom.7. A joist hanger according to any one of claims ito 4, wherein the upstanding return is a separate element from the base member.8. A joist hanger according to claim 7, wherein the upstanding return is permanently attached to the base member.9. A joist hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger is provided with two side members.10. A joist hanger according to claim 9, wherein one side member is adapted to contact each side of the joist to be supported in the hanger.11. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side member is provided with apertures to receive fixing means for securing the joist within the hanger.12. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side member is provided with reinforcing ribs which operate to encourage the hanger to resist bending forces which would tend to pull the hanger away from the brickwork course upon which it is mounted. Lfl1513. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each side C"J member is integrally formed with the base member of the hanger.14. A joist hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member of the r. . . . hanger is provided with reinforcing ribs.15. A floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to any one of claims 1-14, and at least one joist supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and supported laterally against rotation by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at least one floor sheet supported horizontally on the joist.16. A joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.17. A joist hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.18. A floor cassette substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 11-13 of the accompanying drawings.19. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette comprising at least one joist hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 14, at least one joist to be supported vertically on the base member of the joist hanger and laterally against rotation by the upstanding side member of the joist hanger; and at least one floor sheet to be supported horizontally on the joist.20. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to claim 19 comprising a plurality of joist hangers according to any one of claims 1 to 14.21. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to claim 19 or claim 20 comprising plurality of joists. Lfl1522. A kit for manufacturing a floor cassette according to any one of claims 19 to 21 comprising a plurality of floor sheets.N r