Block Strap for Shear Panel Diaphragms

Abstract

Plywood shear panel diaphragms are utilized in building walls and roofs to support against lateral forces such as earthquakes, wind, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Plywood is typically used for the shear diaphragm in wood construction, nailed vertical or horizontal to wood members. When introducing an opening in a plywood shear panel diaphragm, the diaphragm becomes weakened. Shear transfer process is required to maintain integrity in the shear diaphragm at the opening. The strength from the diaphragm is transferred to the openings edges, the top and bottom edges, using blocks between the framing members acting in compression, and the strap, which acts in tension, transfers the support of the diaphragm to opening. When compared to conventional means, the Block Strap apparatus is a better, more accurate, predictable, cost cutting, labor reducing product for providing for shear transfer requirements in typical common wood construction.

Claims

1. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms comprising of a strap portion, where said strap portion comprises of a length of material having an external portion and an interior portion, said strap containing a multiple set of attachment means and an overlap section, and; a block portion, said block portion comprising of at least one block protruding from and attached to said interior portion of said strap.

2. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 1 where said strap portion further comprises a a blocking section, said blocking section containing said blocks, and; a header section containing said multiple sets of attachment means.

3. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 1 where said lateral portion of said blocks is similar to the inter-stud width opening of adjacent studs.

4. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 3 where said apparatus contains 2 blocks.

5. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 3 where said apparatus contains more than 2 blocks.

6. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 1 where said attachment means consists of at least one stud nailing pattern and a header nail pattern

7. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 6 where said attachment means consists of at least one stud nailing pattern and a header nailing pattern, where said nailing pattern further comprises at least one nailing clip

8. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms comprising of a strap portion, where said strap portion comprises of a length of material having an external portion and an interior portion, said strap containing a multiple set of attachment means and at least one overlap section, and; at least one block portion, said block portion comprising of at least one block protruding from and attached to said interior portion of said strap.

9. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 8 where said strap portion further comprises a at least one blocking section, said blocking section containing said blocks, and; a header section containing said multiple sets of attachment means.

10. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 8 where said lateral portion of said blocks is similar to the inter-stud width opening of adjacent studs.

11. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 10 where said apparatus contains 2 blocks.

12. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 10 where said apparatus contains more than 2 blocks.

13. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 8 where said attachment means consists of at least one stud nailing pattern and a header nail pattern.

14. An improved mechanical apparatus for resisting lateral loads in shear panel diaphragms as in claim 13 where said attachment means consists of at least one stud nailing pattern and a header nailing pattern, where said nailing pattern further comprises at least one nailing clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In FIG. 1, the frontal elevation is disclosed of the apparatus.

[0018] In FIG. 2, the top side elevation is disclosed.

[0019] In FIG. 3, a top side oblique from a right side elevation is shown.

[0020] In FIG. 4, a rearward elevation is shown.

[0021] In FIG. 5, a wall assembly is shown with the apparatus shown in use from a front elevation view.

[0022] In FIG. 5A, a wall assembly is shown with the apparatus shown in use from a front right side oblique elevation view.

[0023] In FIG. 5B, a detail view of FIG. 5A detailing the proximal end of the apparatus in use is shown.

[0024] In FIG. 6, a rear elevation view of the wall assembly is shown showing the apparatus in use.

[0025] In FIG. 7, a left side frontal oblique view of an embodiment of the apparatus is shown.

[0026] In FIG. 8, a frontal elevation of an embodiment of the apparatus is shown.

[0027] In FIG. 9, a top side elevation is shown of an embodiment of the apparatus.

[0028] In FIG. 10, a rearward elevation of the embodiment of the apparatus is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] This invention as disclosed in the drawings has the principle use in the construction environment but there exists no limiting language to prevent this invention to be practiced in other fields of use. The invention consists of two main elements, a blocking section and a retention section. This invention is detailed with the use of the invention in the creating of shear panels in new or existing wood framed construction but its use is not limited to only construction industry usage as disclosed by its best mode disclosure by this application.

[0030] FIG. 1 details the front view of the apparatus 100 where exterior portion 2 of strap 1 is bounded by proximal end 10 and distal end 9 with top edge 8 and lower edge 8A. Distal end 9 contains header attachment means 28. The strap 1 has two principle functional areas; a blocking section 1B and a header section 1A. The strap is constructed using metallic compounds, usually steel or aluminum. It is foreseen that other materials can be used so long as the structural integrity of the strap is maintained. The thickness or gauge of the strap will directly correlate to the lateral shear force resistance values of the strap as well as the length of the strap as it attaches to the header. FIG. 3 details the attachment means 28 shown in this disclosure as a pattern of nail openings 6, said opening extending from exterior portion 2 through rearward portion 3. Said attachment means is the method through which apparatus 1 is secured to a member that forms the upper header of an opening in a building wall. When an opening is constructed in a wall that is subject to shear forces, blocks and steel straps are used to transfer shear moments at the opening to the vertical diaphragm to attempt to prevent lateral forces from collapsing the wall. FIG. 5 shows such an opening for a window. Construction Codes mandate that openings in horizontal diaphragms with a dimension that is greater than 4 feet shall be constructed with metal ties and blocking. Blocking shall extend not less than the dimension of the opening in the direction of the tie and blocking. Ties shall be attached to blocking in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions but with not less than eight 16d common nails on each side of the header-joist intersection. In this disclosure, attachment means is a series of nail opening pattern 6 through which 16d common nails are inserted, thereby attaching the distal end of the apparatus to the header portion 21 of the opening, as detailed in drawing FIGS. 5 and 5A.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an upper view of the apparatus detailing the series of blocks 4 that are attached near the proximal end of apparatus 1, where said blocks are bounded by four horizontal lateral surfaces 12 and two vertical faces 10. Said blocks are constructed of a material that is accepted in the building codes. Current construct practices use lumber, usually poor quality scrap materials that are lying about the construction site, which are of varying quality, causing their shear force resistance value to vary as well. In this apparatus, metal blocks are recommended for ease of manufacturing and attachment to the rearward portion 3 of strap 1.

[0032] Said blocks 4 are separated by stud width opening 14 located on the rearward portion 3, which is usually a distance of 1 inches which is the width of the 24 or 26 studs that are commonly used in wood construction. This width can be varied for other dimensions of lumber studs. Opposite of inter-stud width opening 14 on external portion 2 exists nail clip 5 and stud nail pattern 5A. The use of nail clip 5 is to facilitate a quick method of securing the apparatus in the opening, where once held in place, allows the installer to properly use the stud nail pattern 5A to attach the apparatus to the stud. At each opening between the existing studs, the blocks are inserted until the proximal end 10 is reached with proximal nail pattern 7 being used to secure the studs. Nail Clip 5 is also located in the proximal nail pattern 7 as seen in FIG. 3. Stud overlap 15 allows for the strap to extend past the last block. In the figures presented with this disclosure, only 2 blocks are being disclosed but this does not limit this disclosure to only a particular number of blocks. Larger openings will require a larger shear load moment resistance which will require more blocks and a longer strap to connect them.

[0033] FIG. 5 details the installation of the apparatus in the framing of a window opening. FIG. 5A details that the inter-stud distance 24 is used to determine the lateral horizontal dimension 12 of the block to fit between studs 23. Cripple studs 27 form the connection between the header 21 and top plate 29, while jack studs 26 hold the header 21 in place vertically. King stud 25 provides additional structural security to the assembly between the sole plate 28 an top plate 29. FIG. 5B details stud width 14 firmly encompassing stud 23 and stud width opening 24 is entirely filled with block. Proximal end 10 with stud overlap 15 cover the last stud FIG. 6 is a rearward view of the assembled apparatus with blocks 4 completely occupying the entire inter-stud distance 24. It should be noted that FIG. 5 details that two apparatus are used in securing the opening, one on each side of the opening attaching to the header 29.

[0034] An embodiment of the invention is the incorporation of two apparatuses into a single apparatus. Similar to the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the design where a single strap 28 is used incorporating the same blocks 4 spaced apart using the stud with opening 14. Header opening dimension 30 is used to span the opening located along the header of the opening. This embodiment will enable the installer to more quickly secure the opening using only one apparatus that has been specifically designed for the particular opening.

[0035] It can be appreciated by those appropriately skilled in the art that changes, modifications or embodiments can be made to this invention without departing from the spirit, principles, theories, ideas or conceptions that have been disclosed in the foregoing. It is herein recognized that the embodiments disclosed by this description of the best mode of practicing this invention, which will be hereafter described in their full breadth in the claims and equivalents thereof.