Dual function connector

Abstract

A dual function connector for connecting a foundation to a structural element to resist both tension and shear forces. The connector is preferably flat with a top section and a bottom section with the top section being askew to the bottom section. In use the bottom section of the dual function connector can be disposed in the concrete foundation proximate to an exterior surface thereof with the top section of the dual function connector extending from said foundation, the structural element can be disposed adjacent to the top section with the side face of said structural element lying in a first plane transverse to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation, and the side face of the structural element can be fastened to the top section of the dual function connector for resisting shear and tension forces.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:  
     
         1 . In an environment which includes a concrete foundation and a structural element having a side face, a dual function connector for connecting the foundation to the structural element, 
 said connector having an elongated top section and an elongated bottom section,    said elongated top section being connected to said elongated bottom section, said elongated top section having a first longitudinal axis and said elongated bottom section having a second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axis being transverse to said second longitudinal axis,    whereby, the bottom section of the dual function connector can be disposed in the concrete foundation proximate to an exterior surface thereof with the top section of the dual function connector extending from said foundation, said structural element can be disposed adjacent to the top section with the side face of said structural element lying in a first plane transverse to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation, and the side face of the structural element can be fastened to the top section of the dual function connector for resisting shear and tension forces.    
     
     
         2 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section has a circular cross-section and a sleeve, and the elongated bottom section is flat, 
 said circular cross-section is disposed in the sleeve, and the sleeve is attached on the side face of the structural element.    
     
     
         3 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , further comprises means for fastening the elongated top section of the dual function connector to the side face of the structural element, and wherein the elongated top section has a circular cross-section disposed at a free end thereof, 
 said means for fastening adapted to receive and securely retain the free end with the circular cross-section of the elongated top section.    
     
     
         4 . The dual function connector of  claim 3 , wherein the free end with the circular cross-section of the elongated top section has an external threaded section, and wherein means for fastening comprises a coupling nut with an internal threaded section, 
 said external threaded section being suitably sized to engage the internal threaded section of the coupling nut.    
     
     
         5 . The dual function connector of  claim 4 , wherein the means for fastening further comprises means for attaching a sleeve on the side face of the structural element, 
 said sleeve being adapted to receive the free end with the circular cross-section of the elongated top section.    
     
     
         6 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section is flat and the elongated bottom section has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         7 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section has a circular cross-section and the elongated bottom section has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         8 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section is flat and the elongated bottom section is flat.  
     
     
         9 . The dual function connector of  claim 8 , wherein a first line perpendicular to the elongated top section is parallel to a second line perpendicular to the elongated bottom section.  
     
     
         10 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation.  
     
     
         11 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section has a lateral dimension lying in the first plane that does not exceed a width of the side face of the structural element.  
     
     
         12 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis lie in a common plane.  
     
     
         13 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the included angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is less than 180 degrees.  
     
     
         14 . The dual function connector of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated top section is connected to said elongated bottom section by an intermediate section.  
     
     
         15 . The dual function connector of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate section is a circular ring sector.  
     
     
         16 . In an environment which includes a concrete foundation and a structural element having a side face, a dual function connector for connecting the foundation to the structural element, 
 said connector having an elongated top section and an elongated bottom section,    said elongated top section being connected to said elongated bottom section, said elongated top section having a first longitudinal axis and said elongated bottom section having a second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axis being transverse to said second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis lie in a common plane, and the included angle between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is less than 180 degrees,    whereby, the bottom section of the dual function connector can be disposed in the concrete foundation proximate to an exterior surface thereof with the top section of the dual function connector extending from said foundation, said structural element can be disposed adjacent to the top section with the side face of said structural element lying in a first plane transverse to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation, and the side face of the structural element can be fastened to the top section of the dual function connector for resisting shear and tension forces.    
     
     
         17 . In an environment which includes a concrete foundation and a structural element having a side face, a dual function connector for connecting the foundation to the structural element, 
 said connector having a generally flat top section and a generally flat bottom section,    said top section being connected to said bottom section, and said top section being askew to said bottom section,    said top section and said bottom section being coplanar,    whereby, the bottom section of the dual function connector can be disposed in the concrete foundation proximate to an exterior surface thereof with the top section of the dual function connector extending from said foundation, said structural element can be disposed adjacent to the top section with the side face of said structural element lying in a first plane transverse to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation, and the side face of the structural element can be fastened to the top section of the dual function connector for resisting shear and tension forces.    
     
     
         18 . The dual function connector of  claim 17 , wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation.  
     
     
         19 . The dual function connector of  claim 17 , wherein the top section is offset from the bottom section by less than 180 degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The dual function connector of  claim 17 , wherein the top section is connected to the bottom section by an intermediate section.  
     
     
         21 . The dual function connector of  claim 20 , wherein the intermediate section is a circular ring sector.  
     
     
         22 . A dual function connector for connecting a foundation to a structural element, 
 a. said connector having an elongated top section and an elongated bottom section,    b. said elongated top section being connected to said elongated bottom section,    c. said elongated top section having a first longitudinal axis and said elongated bottom section having a second longitudinal axis,    d. said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis lying in a common plane, and    e. said first longitudinal axis being transverse to said second longitudinal axis, 
 whereby, the bottom section of the dual function connector can be disposed in the concrete foundation proximate to an exterior surface thereof with the top section of the dual function connector extending from said foundation, said structural element can be disposed adjacent to the top section with the side face of said structural element lying in a first plane transverse to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation, and the side face of the structural element can be fastened to the top section of the dual function connector for resisting shear and tension forces.  
   
     
     
         23 . The dual function connector of  claim 22 , wherein a first line perpendicular to the elongated top section is parallel to a second line perpendicular to the elongated bottom section.  
     
     
         24 . The dual function connector of  claim 23 , wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the exterior surface of the concrete foundation.  
     
     
         25 . The dual function connector of  claim 22  is made from a flat metal stock.  
     
     
         26 . The dual function connector of  claim 22  is made from a shape maintaining plastic.