Hurricane strap

Abstract

A hurricane strap for securing at least one horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element includes a flexible metal strap having a first toothed end portion, an oppositely disposed second toothed end portion, and an untoothed middle portion, the teeth of each end portion being adapted to be pressed into a face of a vertical frame element for securing the strap to the vertical frame element. The strap is of sufficient length so that when in place in a working position, a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the middle portion can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for securing at least one horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element, comprising: 
 a flexible metal strap having a first toothed end portion, an oppositely disposed second toothed end portion, and an untoothed middle portion, the teeth of each end portion being adapted to be pressed into a face of a vertical frame element for securing the strap to the vertical frame element,    the strap having sufficient length so that when in place in a working position, a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the strap can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element.    
     
     
         2 . A wall frame, comprising: 
 a horizontal frame element secured to a vertical frame element by means of a securing apparatus, the securing apparatus comprising:    a flexible metal strap having a first toothed end portion, an oppositely disposed second toothed end portion, and an untoothed middle portion, the teeth of each end portion being adapted to be pressed into a face of a vertical frame element for securing the strap to the vertical frame element,    the strap having sufficient length so that when in place in a working position, a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the strap can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element.    
     
     
         3 . A system for securing a horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element in a frame wall, comprising: 
 a flexible metal strap having a first toothed end portion, an oppositely disposed second toothed end portion, and an untoothed middle portion, the teeth of each end portion being adapted to be pressed into a face of a vertical frame element for securing the strap to the vertical frame element,    the strap having sufficient length so that when in place in a working position, a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the strap can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element; and    a press apparatus comprising: 
 a press yoke defining generally a C-shape having a first end portion, a body portion, and a second end portion, the second end portion defining an internally threaded slot for receiving in connecting engagement an externally threaded portion of a hydraulically actuated press;  
 a first platen positionable at and removably attachable to the first end portion of the press yoke;  
 a hydraulically actuated press comprising a body and a plunger, the body having external threads, and the body being connected to the second end portion by screwing the threads of the body into the second end portion with the plunger passing through the slot of the second end portion;  
 a second platen, positionable at and removably attachable to an end of the plunger;  
 a pneumatically powered hydraulic pump connected to the press for powering the plunger to press the second platen toward the first platen, thereby pressing the barbed connector plate into lumber to be fabricated, repaired, joined, or spliced.  
   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the press yoke slot internal threads are sized at twelve threads per inch and extend at least approximately 2¼″ through the slot.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the first platen is rectangular, has dimensions of between approximately 2″ by 4″ and approximately 8″ by 10″, and is attached to the first end portion by keying means.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the magnets are inset into the working side of at least one of the platens to hold the barbed connector plate on the at least one platen during clamping.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the press yoke has approximately an 8″ yoke and approximately a 4¼″ throat, and is sized to develop approximately 40,000 pounds or more of pressure with a 3-times safety factor when used with a 25-ton press and an 8″ by 10″ barbed connector plate.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the press yoke has approximately an 8″ yoke and approximately a 4¼″ throat, and is sized to develop approximately 20,000 pounds of pressure when used with a 10-ton press and a 4″ by 6″ barbed connector plate.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 means for positioning and supporting the press yoke in engagement with a truss, rafter, or other lumber to be fabricated, repaired, joined, or spliced.    
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the positioning and supporting apparatus comprises: 
 a jack stand having means for rolling or sliding the jack stand on a substantially horizontal surface;    a jack arm support, connected to the jack stand, the jack arm support having a telescoping sleeve actuatable by a winch-actuated cable and pulley system;    a winch-actuated cable and pulley system mounted on or near the jack arm support for actuating the sleeve; and    a jack arm, connected to the jack arm support for receiving the press yoke and positioning and supporting the press yoke.    
     
     
         11 . A method for securing a horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element of a wall frame, comprising: 
 providing a device for securing a horizontal element to a vertical element of a wall frame,    comprising: 
 a flexible metal strap having a first toothed end portion, an oppositely disposed second toothed end portion, and an untoothed middle portion, the teeth of each end portion being adapted to be pressed into a face of a vertical frame element for securing the strap to the vertical frame element,  
 the strap having sufficient length so that when in place in a working position, a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the middle portion can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element.  
   aligning the horizontal frame element and the vertical frame element in the desired orientation;    bending the device into a shape so that a multiplicity of teeth of the first end portion can be pressed into a first face of a vertical frame element, the middle portion can wrap around exposed faces of at least one horizontal frame element, and a multiplicity of teeth of the second end portion can be pressed into a second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element;    placing the device in working position;    pressing the teeth of the first toothed end portion of the device into the first face of the vertical frame element adjacent to the teeth so that a multiplicity of the teeth of the first toothed end portion engage the vertical frame element;    pressing the teeth of the second toothed end portion of the device into the second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element adjacent to the teeth so that a multiplicity of the teeth from the second toothed end portion engage the vertical frame element.    
     
     
         12 . A method for securing a horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element of a wall frame according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the pressing steps is accomplished by means of an apparatus comprising: 
 a press yoke defining generally a C-shape having a first end portion, a body portion, and a second end portion, the second end portion defining an internally threaded slot for receiving in connecting engagement an externally threaded portion of a hydraulically actuated press;    a first platen positionable at and removably attachable to the first end portion of the press yoke;    a hydraulically actuated press comprising a body and a plunger, the body having external threads, and the body being connected to the second end portion by screwing the threads of the body into the second end portion with the plunger passing through the slot of the second end portion;    a second platen, removably attachable to an end of the plunger; and    a pneumatically powered hydraulic pump connected to the press for powering the plunger to move the second platen toward the first platen thereby pressing the barbed connector plate into lumber to be fabricated, repaired, joined, or spliced.    
     
     
         13 . A method for securing a horizontal frame element to a vertical frame element of a wall frame according to  claim 12 , wherein the pressing operation is performed at the work site where the secured frame elements are to be used.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first toothed end portion extends a distance of at least six inches along the first face of the vertical frame element, and the second toothed end portion extends a distance of at least six inches along the second, oppositely disposed face of the vertical frame element.