Drywall joist hanger

Abstract

A connection utilizing a joist hanger to hang a generally horizontal joist or beam from a wood structural support member such as a top plate or header in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners such as screws and one or more generally vertical drywall panels.

Claims

1. A connection (1) utilizing a joist hanger (2) to hang a generally horizontal joist (3) from a wood structural support member (4) in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners (5) and one or more generally vertical drywall panels (6), the connection (1) comprising: a. the one or more drywall panels (6) shielding the wood structural support member (4), each having a front face (7), a back face (8) opposite the front face (7), the one or more drywall panels (6) being drywall panels such that they have negligible dowel bearing strength compared to the wood structural support member (4); b. the first plurality of fasteners (5), each of the first plurality of fasteners (5) having a shank (13); c. the wood structural support member (4) having a generally vertical front face (16) and the wood structural support member (4) having significant dowel bearing strength compared to the drywall panels (6), the wood structural support member (4) supporting the shanks (13) of the first plurality of fasteners (5); d. the joist (3); and e the joist hanger (2) supporting the joist (3), the joist hanger (2) comprising: i. a first back plate member (9) with a first back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of a first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6); ii. a second back plate member (9) with a second back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6); iii. a first side member (11) connected to the first back plate member (9); and iv. a second side member (11) connected to the second back plate member (9), wherein: (a) at least one of the first plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the first back plate member (9) and the one or more panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4); (b) at least one of the first plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the second back plate member (9) and the one or more drywall panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4); (c) the joist (3) is supported by the joist hanger (2); and (d) the one or more drywall panels (6) are between the joist hanger (2) and the wood structural support member (4) and the back face (8) of one panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) interfaces with the front face (16) of the wood structural support member (4).

2. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. the joist hanger has a seat member (12) interconnecting the first and second side members (11); wherein: i. the joist (3) rests on the seat member (12) between the first and second side members (11).

3. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. no part of the joist hanger (2) contacts the front face (16) of the wood structural support member (4).

4. The connection (1) of claim 3 wherein: a. each of the one or more drywall panels (6) has a top edge face (14); b. the joist hanger (2) has a first top flange (15) connected to the first back plate member (9) and a second top flange (15) connected to the second back plate member (9); wherein: i. the first and second top flanges (15) extend over the top edge faces (14) of the one or more drywall panels (6) and are the only parts of the joist hanger that contact the wood structural support member (4).

5. The connection (1) of claim 4 wherein: a. the first and second top flanges (15) are fastened to the wood structural support member (4).

6. The connection (1) of claim 5 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and b. the first and second top flanges (15) are fastened to the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4).

7. The connection (1) of claim 6 wherein: a. the first and second top flanges (15) are fastened to the wood structural support member (4) with a second plurality of fasteners (5).

8. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. the first plurality of fasteners (5) that attach the joist hanger (2) to the wood structural support member (4) are all within the upper one-third of the first and second back plate members (9).

9. The connection (1) of claim 8 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) is a top plate (4) having one or more parts (50), and the top plate has a height less than one-third the height of the joist hanger (2).

10. The connection (1) of claim 9 wherein: a. the parts (50) of the top plate (4) are two pieces of 2×4 dimensional lumber (50).

11. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. each of the one or more drywall panels (6) has a top edge face (14); b. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and c. the top edge face (14) of each of the one or more drywall panels (6) is located at the level of the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4) or above the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4).

12. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. the first and second back plate members (9) have first and second top edges (24), respectively; and b. the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) interface with the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) below the first plurality of fasteners (5) that pass through the first and second back faces (10) and the one or more drywall panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4), wherein: i. the interface between first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) and the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) extends at least three times as far from the first and second top edges (24) of the first and second back plates (24) as the location of any of the first plurality of fasteners (5) in the first and second back plate members (9).

13. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. no more than two of the first plurality of fasteners (5) fastens each of the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) to the wood structural support member (4) through the one or more drywall panels (6).

14. The connection (1) of claim 1 wherein: a. each of the first plurality of fasteners (5) is a screw (5) that has a tip (18) embedded in the wood structural support member (4).

15. A connection (1) utilizing a joist hanger (2) to attach a joist (3) to a wood structural support member (4) in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners (5) and one or more drywall panels (6), the connection comprising: a. the one or more drywall panels (6), each having a front face (7) and a back face (8) the one or more drywall panels (6) being drywall panels such that they have negligible dowel bearing strength compared to the wood structural support member (4); b. the first plurality of fasteners, each of the first plurality of fasteners (5) having a shank (13); and c. the wood structural support member (4), the structural support member (4) having significant dowel bearing strength compared to the drywall panels (6), the wood structural support member (4) supporting the shanks (13) of the first plurality of fasteners (5); d. the joist (3); e the joist hanger (2), the joist hanger (2) comprising: i. a first back plate member (9) with a first plurality of fastener openings (26) that are all located in the upper third of the back plate member (9); ii. a second back plate member (9) with a second plurality of fastener openings (26) that are all located in the upper third of the back plate member (9); iii. a first side member (11) connected to the first back plate member (9), the first side member (11) having a first top edge (33) below the first top edge (24) of the first back plate member (9); and iv. a second side member (11) connected to the second back plate member (9), the second side member (11) having a second top edge (33) below the second top edge (24) of the second back plate member (9), wherein: (a) at least one of the first plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the first back plate member (9) and one or more panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4); (b) no more than one of the plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the first back plate member (9) above the first side member (11); (c) at least one of the second plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the second back plate member (9) and the one or more panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4); (d) no more than one of the plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the second back plate member (9) above the first side member (11); and (e) the joist (3) is supported by the joist hanger (2).

16. The connection (1) of claim 15 wherein: a. the joist hanger has a seat member (12) interconnecting the first and second side members (11); wherein: i. the joist (3) rests on the seat member (12) between the first and second side members (11).

17. The connection (1) of claim 15 wherein: a. the first and second back plate members (9) have first and second top edges (24), respectively; and b. the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) interface with the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) below the first plurality of fasteners (5) that pass through the first and second back faces (10) and the one or more drywall panels (6) and into the wood structural support member (4), wherein: i. the interface between first and second back face (10) of the first and second back plate member (9) and the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) extends at least three times as far from the first and second top edges (24) of the first and second back plates (24) as any of the first plurality of fasteners (5).

18. The connection (1) of claim 15 wherein: a. no more than two of the first plurality of fasteners (5) fastens each of the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) to the wood structural support member (4) through the one or more drywall panels (6).

19. A connection (1) utilizing a joist hanger (2) to attach a first generally horizontal joist (3) to a first .Iadd.generally .Iaddend.horizontal wood structural support member (4) .[.in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners (5).]. and one or more generally vertical drywall panels (6), the connection (1) comprising: a. the one or more drywall panels (6), each having a front face (7), a back face (8) opposite the front face (7), the .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.drywall panels (6) being drywall panels such that they have negligible dowel bearing strength compared to the first wood structural support member (4); b. .[.the first plurality of fasteners, each of the first plurality of fasteners (5) having a shank (13).]. .Iadd.one or more cantilevers that hold the joist hanger away from the first generally horizontal wood structural support member.Iaddend.; c. the first wood structural support member (4) having significant dowel bearing strength compared to the .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.drywall panels (6), the first wood structural support member (4) supporting the .[.shanks (13) of the first plurality of fasteners (5).]. .Iadd.one or more cantilevers.Iaddend.; d. the joist (3); and e.Iadd.. .Iaddend.the joist hanger (2), the joist hanger (2) comprising: i. .[.a first.]. .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.back plate .[.member.]. .Iadd.members .Iaddend.(9) with a first back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of a first panel (6) of the one or more .Iadd.drywall .Iaddend.panels (6); ii. .[.a second back plate member (9) with a second back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more panels (6); iii. a first.]. .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.side .[.member.]. .Iadd.members .Iaddend.(11) connected to the .[.first.]. .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.back plate .[.member.]. .Iadd.members .Iaddend.(9).[.; and iv. a second side member (11) connected to the second back plate member (9).]., wherein: (a) .[.at least one of the first plurality of fasteners (5) passes.]. .Iadd.the one or more cantilevers pass .Iaddend.through .[.the first back plate member (9) and.]. the one or more .Iadd.drywall .Iaddend.panels (6) and .[.into.]. .Iadd.are supported by .Iaddend.the first wood structural support member (4) .Iadd.and support the joist hanger (2).Iaddend.; (b) .[.at least one of the first plurality of fasteners (5) passes through the second back plate member (9) and the one or more panels (6) and into the first wood structural support member (4); (c).]. the joist (3) is supported by the joist hanger (2); and .[.(d).]. .Iadd.(c) .Iaddend.the one or more panels (6) are between the joist .[.hanger (2).]. .Iadd.(3) .Iaddend.and the first wood structural support member (4).

20. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. the .[.first.]. .Iadd.one or more .Iaddend.back plate .[.member.]. .Iadd.members .Iaddend.(9) .[.has.]. .Iadd.have .Iaddend.a first top edge (24), a first bottom edge (25), a first generally vertical inner edge (20), a first outer edge (21) .[.substantially.]. .Iadd.generally .Iaddend.parallel to the first generally vertical inner edge (20) near the first top edge (24) and converging toward the generally vertical inner edge .[.(20.]. .Iadd.(20) .Iaddend.near the bottom edge (25), a first back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of a first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6), and a first plurality of fastener openings (26) between the parallel portions of the first generally vertical inner edge (20) and the first outer edge (21).[.; and b. the second back plate member (9) has a second top edge (24), a second bottom edge (25), a second generally vertical inner edge (20), a second outer edge (21) generally parallel to the second generally vertical inner edge (20) near the second top edge (24) and converging toward the generally vertical inner edge (20) near the bottom edge (25), a second back face (10) in parallel registration with the front face (7) of a first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6), and a second plurality of fastener openings (26) between the parallel portions of the second generally vertical inner edge (20) and the second outer edge (21).]..

21. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. the joist hanger has a seat member (12) .[.interconnecting the first and second.]. .Iadd.connected to the one or more .Iaddend.side members (11); wherein: i. the joist (3) rests on the seat member (12).[.between the first and second side members (11).]..

.[.22. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. the first and second back plate member (9) have first and second top edges (24), respectively; and b. the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) interface with the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) below the first plurality of fasteners (5) that pass through the first and second back faces (10) and the one or more drywall panels (6) and into the first wood structural support member (4), wherein: i. the interface between first and second back face (10) of the first and second back plate member (9) and the front face (7) of the first panel (6) of the one or more drywall panels (6) extends at least three times as far from the first and second top edges (24) of the first and second back plates (24) as any of the first plurality of fasteners (5)..].

.[.23. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. no more than two of the first plurality of fasteners (5) fastens each of the first and second back faces (10) of the first and second back plate members (9) to the first wood structural support member (4) through the one or more drywall panels (6)..].

.Iadd.24. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. each of the one or more drywall panels (6) has a top edge face (14); b. the joist hanger (2) has one or more top flanges (15); wherein: i. the one or more top flanges (15) extend over the top edge faces (14) of the one or more drywall panels (6)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.25. The connection (1) of claim 24 wherein: a. the one or more top flanges (15) are fastened to the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.26. The connection (1) of claim 25 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and b. the one or more top flanges (15) are fastened to the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.27. The connection (1) of claim 26 wherein: a. the one or more top flanges (15) are fastened to the structural support member (4) with a plurality of fasteners (5)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.28. The connection (1) of claim 27 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) is a top plate (4) having one or more parts (50), and the top plate has a height less than one-third the height of the joist hanger (2)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. The connection (1) of claim 28 wherein: a. the parts (50) of the top plate (4) are two pieces of 2×4 dimensional lumber (50)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. each of the one or more drywall panels (6) has a top edge face (14); b. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and c. the top edge face (14) of each of the one or more drywall panels (6) is located at the level of the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4) or above the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. The connection (1) of claim 19 wherein: a. the joist hanger (2) has one or more top flanges (15) that are fastened to the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.32. The connection (1) of claim 31 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and b. the one or more top flanges (15) are fastened to the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.33. The connection (1) of claim 32 wherein: a. the one or more top flanges (15) are fastened to the structural support member (4) with a plurality of fasteners (5)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.34. The connection (1) of claim 33 wherein: a. the wood structural support member (4) is a top plate (4) having one or more parts (50), and the top plate has a height less than one-third the height of the joist hanger (2)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.35. The connection (1) of claim 34 wherein: a. the parts (50) of the top plate (4) are two pieces of 2×4 dimensional lumber (50)..Iaddend.

.Iadd.36. The connection (1) of claim 31 wherein: a. each of the one or more drywall panels (6) has a top edge face (14); b. the wood structural support member (4) has a top face (17); and c. the top edge face (14) of each of the one or more drywall panels (6) is located at the level of the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4) or above the top face (17) of the wood structural support member (4)..Iaddend.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an upper right perspective view of a connection formed according to the present invention in which the joist hanger has a pair of top flanges.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded upper right perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional right side elevation view of the connection shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 4.

(9) FIG. 9 is a left side elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 4.

(10) FIG. 10 is a an upper right perspective view of a connection formed according to the present invention in which the joist hanger does not have a pair of top flanges.

(11) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional right side elevation view of the connection shown in FIG. 10.

(12) FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 12.

(14) FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 12.

(15) FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 12.

(16) FIG. 16 is a right side elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 12.

(17) FIG. 17 is a left side elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 12.

(18) FIG. 18 is a an upper right perspective view of a connection formed according to the present invention in which the joist hanger does not have a pair of top flanges and each back plate member is attached with only two fasteners.

(19) FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 18.

(20) FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the joist hanger shown in FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(21) As shown in FIG. 1, the invention is a connection 1 utilizing a joist hanger 2 to hang a substantially horizontal joist 3 from a wood structural support member 4 in cooperation with a first plurality of fasteners 5 and one or more substantially vertical drywall panels 6.

(22) Preferably, the one or more drywall panels 6 shield the wood structural support member 4, and each of the one or more drywall panels 6 has a front face 7, a back face 8 opposite the front face 7, and negligible dowel bearing strength. While not shown in the drawings to show the vertically disposed studs and top plate 4 that makes up the wall, the panels 6 cover all of the structural wood members that make up the wall.

(23) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each fastener 5 preferably has a shank 13. Preferably, the structural support member 4 has a substantially vertical front face 16 and significant dowel bearing strength. The joist hanger 2 preferably supports the joist 3.

(24) Preferably, the joist hanger 2 has a first back plate member 9, a second back plate member 9, a first side member 11, and a second side member 11.

(25) The first back plate member 9 preferably has a first back face 10 in parallel registration with the front face 7 of a first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6. Preferably, the second back plate member 9 also has a second back face 10 in parallel registration with the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6. The first side member 11 preferably is connected to the first back plate member 9. Preferably, the second side member 11 is also connected to the second back plate member 9.

(26) As shown in FIG. 3, at least one of the first plurality of fasteners 5 preferably passes through the first back plate member 9 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. Preferably, at least one of the first plurality of fasteners 5 also passes through the second back plate member 9 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. The joist 3 preferably is supported by the joist hanger 2. Preferably, the one or more panels 6 are between the joist hanger 2 and the structural support member 4 and the back face 8 of one panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 interfaces with the front face 16 of the structural support member 4.

(27) The first and second back plate members 9 preferably are planar, with first and second front faces 19 opposite the first and second back faces 10, first and second inner edges 20 that preferably are linear, and first and second outer edges 21 opposite the first and second inner edges 20. The first and second outer edges 21 preferably have first and second upper substantially vertical potions 22 and first and second lower slanted portions 23 that converge downward. The first and second back plate members 9 preferably have first and second top edges 24 that are oriented up and first and second bottom edges 25 that are oriented down. The first and second back plate members 9 preferably are formed with fastener openings 26 near the first and second top edges 24. Although the back plate members 9 are shown as splayed outward in opposite direction, they could both be bent inward to face each other between the first and second side members 11, or they could both be bent in the same direction, either left or right, with one between the first and second side members 11. The joist hanger 2 of the present invention is preferably formed from light gauge sheet steel and is designed to be cut from the sheet metal blank with little waste. The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-17 are preferably made from 12 gauge sheet steel, and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 that has only two fastener openings 26 in each back plate member is preferably made from 14 gauge steel.

(28) The first and second side members 11 preferably are planar as well, with first and second inner faces 27 that face the joist 3, and first and second outer faces 28 opposite the first and second inner faces 27. The first and second side members 11 preferably have first and second back edges 29 that form an angular joint 47, preferably orthogonal, where they meet the first and second inner edges 20 of the first and second back plate members 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first and second side members 11 preferably have first and second front edges 30 opposite the first and second back edges 29. The first and second front edges 30 preferably have first and second lower substantially vertical portions 31 and first and second upper slanted portions 32 that angled back toward the first and second back edges 29. The first and second side members 11 preferably have first and second top edges 33 slightly below the level of the first and second top edges 24 of the first and second back plate members 9. The first and second side members also preferably have first and second bottom edges 34 opposite the first and second top edges 33 and slightly above the level of the first and second bottom edges 25 of the first and second back plate members 9. The first and second side members 11 preferably are formed with fastener openings 35.

(29) The one or more panels 6 preferably are drywall panels 6. Drywall, otherwise known as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, sheetrock, or gyprock, is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It is used to make interior walls and ceilings. In the United States and Canada, drywall panels are manufactured in 48-inch wide panels in varying lengths. Common panel thicknesses are ½-inch and ⅝-inch. In the present invention, two layers of ⅝-inch drywall is preferred. Drywall is naturally fire resistant and can be used to cover and protect the structural members of a building. However, gypsum is friable and has little or no dowel bearing strength. Other panel materials and qualities are also possible.

(30) Preferably, the joist hanger has a seat member 12 interconnecting the first and second side members 11, and the joist 3 rests on the seat member 12 between the first and second side members 11. Preferably, no part of the joist hanger 2 contacts the front face 16 of the structural support member 4. The joist hanger 2 is not embedded in the structural support member 4. The seat member 12 preferably has a substantially horizontal upper face 36 that interfaces with the joist 3. The seat member 12 also preferably has a lower face 37 opposite the upper face 36, first and second linear side edges 38, a back edge 39 orthogonal to the first and second side edges 38, and a front edge 40 parallel to the back edge 39. The first and second side edges 38 preferably form an angular joint 48, preferably orthogonal, where they meet the first and second bottom edges 34 of the first and second side members 11.

(31) Each of the one or more panels 6 preferably has a top edge face 14. In a preferred embodiment, the joist hanger 2 has a first top flange 15 connected to the first back plate member 9 and a second top flange 15 connected to the second back plate member 9. The first and second top flanges 15 preferably extend over the top edge faces 14 of the one or more panels 6 and are the only parts of the joist hanger that contact the structural support member 4. Preferably, the first and second top flanges 15 are fastened to the structural support member 4. The structural support member 4 preferably has a top face 17, the first and second top flanges 15 are fastened to the top face 17 of the structural support member 4. Preferably, the first and second top flanges 15 are fastened to the structural support member 4 with a second plurality of fasteners 5. Most preferably, these fasteners 5 are nails.

(32) The first and second top flanges 15 preferably are planar, with first and second upper faces 41 and first and second bottom faces 42 opposite the first and second upper faces 41. Preferably, the first and second bottom faces 42 contact the top face 17 of the structural support member 4. The first and second top flanges 15 preferably have first and second parallel side edges 43, a first and second front edges 44 and first and second back edges 45. The first and second front edges 44 preferably form an angular joint 49, preferably orthogonal where they meet the first and second top edges 24 of the first and second back plate members 9. Preferably, the first and second top flanges 15 are formed with fastener openings 46.

(33) As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 18, the first plurality of fasteners 5 that attach the joist hanger 2 to the structural support member 4 preferably are all within the upper one-third of the first and second back plate members 9. Preferably, the structural support member 4 is a top plate 4 consisting of one or more parts 50 that have a height less than one-third the height of the joist hanger 2. The parts 50 of the top plate 4 preferably are two pieces of 2×4 dimensional lumber 50.

(34) Preferably, each of the one or more panels 6 has a top edge face 14 and the structural support member 4 has a top face 17. The top edge face 14 of each of the one or more panels 6 preferably is located at the level of the top face 17 of the structural support member or above the top face 17 of the structural support member 4, thereby shielding the structural support member 4.

(35) Preferably, the first and second back plate members 9 have first and second top edges 24, respectively. The first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 preferably interface with the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 below the first plurality of fasteners 5 that pass through the first and second back faces 10 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. Preferably, the interface between first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 and the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more drywall panels 6 extends at least three times as far from the first and second top edges 24 of the first and second back plates 24 as the location of any of the first plurality of fasteners 5 in the first and second back plate members 9. This distributes pressure on the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 so that the panels 6 are not crushed by the joist hanger 2.

(36) In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, no more than two of the first plurality of fasteners 5 fastens each of the first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 to the structural support member 4 through the one or more panels 6. This arrangement achieves the highest load value per fastener 5, and the result is unexpected.

(37) As shown in FIG. 11, preferably, each of the first plurality of fasteners 5 is a screw 5 that has a tip 18 embedded in the structural support member 4. The screws 5 are cantilevered beyond the front face 16 of the structural support member 4, through the panels 6 which do little or nothing to support the shanks 13 of the screws 5. The most preferred fasteners 5 for the cantilevered attachment of the joist hanger 2 to the structural support member 4 are Simpson Strong-Tie SDS screws that have a 3.5-inch shank length and a ¼-inch shank diameter.

(38) The joist hanger 2 preferably has a first back plate member 9 with a first plurality of fastener openings 26 that are all located in the upper third of the back plate member 9. Preferably, the joist hanger 2 has second back plate member 9 with a second plurality of fastener openings 26 that are all located in the upper third of the back plate member 9. The joist hanger 2 preferably has a first side member 11 connected to the first back plate member 9, the first side member 11 having a first top edge 33 below the first top edge 24 of the first back plate member 9. Preferably, the joist hanger has a second side member 11 connected to the second back plate member 9, the second side member 11 having a second top edge 33 below the second top edge 24 of the second back plate member 9.

(39) At least one of the first plurality of fasteners 5 preferably passes through the first back plate member 9 and one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, preferably, no more than one of the plurality of fasteners 5 passes through the first back plate member 9 above the first side member 11. Similarly, at least one of the second plurality of fasteners 5 preferably passes through the second back plate member 9 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. Preferably, no more than one of the plurality of fasteners 5 passes through the second back plate member 9 above the first side member 11. The joist 3 preferably is supported by the joist hanger 2.

(40) Preferably, the first and second back plate members 9 have first and second top edges 24, respectively. The first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 preferably interface with the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 below the first plurality of fasteners 5 that pass through the first and second back faces 10 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4. Preferably, the interface between first and second back face 10 of the first and second back plate member 9 and the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more drywall panels 6 extends at least three times as far from the first and second top edges 24 of the first and second back plates 24 as any of the first plurality of fasteners 5.

(41) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first back plate member 9 preferably has a first top edge 24, a first bottom edge 25, a first substantially vertical inner edge 20, a first outer edge 21 substantially parallel to the first substantially vertical inner edge 20 near the first top edge 24 and converging toward the substantially vertical inner edge 20 near the bottom edge 25, a first back face 10 in parallel registration with the front face 7 of a first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6, and a first plurality of fastener openings 26 between the parallel portions of the first substantially vertical inner edge 20 and the first outer edge 21. Preferably, the second back plate member 9 also has a second top edge 24, a second bottom edge 25, a second substantially vertical inner edge 20, a second outer edge 21 substantially parallel to the second substantially vertical inner edge 20 near the second top edge 24 and converging toward the substantially vertical inner edge 20 near the bottom edge 25, a second back face 10 in parallel registration with the front face 7 of a first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6, and a second plurality of fastener openings 26 between the parallel portions of the second substantially vertical inner edge 20 and the second outer edge 21.

(42) The first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 preferably interface with the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 adjacent and between each of the first plurality of fasteners 5 that pass through the first and second back faces 10 and the one or more panels 6 and into the structural support member 4.

(43) Substantially all of the first and second back faces 10 of the first and second back plate members 9 preferably interfaces with the front face 7 of the first panel 6 of the one or more panels 6. Preferably, the back face 8 of one panel 6 of the one or more panels 6 interfaces with the front face 16 of the first structural support member 4 where the first plurality of fasteners 5 attach the joist hanger 2 to the structural support member 4 through the one or more panels 6.