Connector for modular building system

Abstract

A connector for use in joining structural members is disclosed herein. The connector comprises a planar sheet having a primary portion and a flange. Said sheet contains a series of perforations between the primary portion and the flange, the perforations of configurations and dimensions sufficient to allow a user to bend the flange relative to the primary portion by hand. Bending by hand may be done manually, using one's bare hands, hand tools, a combination of both hand tools and one's bare hands, or another mechanical device to assist one in bending after shipping.

1 . A connector for use in joining structural members in erecting a building, the connector comprising a planar sheet having a primary portion and a flange, the sheet defining a series of perforations between the primary portion and the flange, the perforations of configurations and dimensions sufficient to allow a user to bend the flange relative to the primary portion by hand.  
     
     
         2 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said series of perforations define a plurality of flanges, such that the flanges may be bent by hand in either the same direction or opposite directions of each other from the planar sheet.  
     
     
         3 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a T connector.  
     
     
         4 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a Y connector.  
     
     
         5 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector is an L connector.  
     
     
         6 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a cornice connector.  
     
     
         7 . A connector according to  claim 6 , wherein said connector comprises a plurality of straps extending from the primary portion of the connector.  
     
     
         8 . A connector according to  claim 7 , wherein said connector comprises a plurality of straps extending from the primary portion of the connector, where said straps are configured to be fastened to the member.  
     
     
         9 . A connector according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a strap connector.  
     
     
         10 . A connector according to  claim 9 , wherein said connector is configured with openings in the primary portion of the connector allowing said portion of the connector to be embedded in a poured foundation and wherein the strap is configured for connecting to a structural member using fasteners selected from a group consisting of screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, pneumatically driven fasteners, powder actuated fasteners, crimping, clinching, and welding.  
     
     
         11 . A method for joining structural members in erecting a building comprising the steps of: 
 providing a connector comprising a planar sheet having a primary portion and a flange, the sheet defining a series of perforations between the primary portion and the flange the perforations of configurations and dimensions sufficient to allow a user to bend the flange relative to the primary portion by hand;    selectively bending said flange by hand in relation to primary portion to form a three dimensional connector having channels; and    securing the connector to the structural member.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a connector comprising a planar sheet having a primary portion and a flange, the sheet defining a series of perforations between the primary portion and the flange the perforations of configurations and dimensions sufficient to allow a user to bend the flange relative to the primary portion by hand, includes providing a T-connector.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a connector comprising a planar sheet having a primary portion and a flange, the sheet defining a series of perforations between the primary portion and the flange the perforations of configurations and dimensions sufficient to allow a user to bend the flange relative to the primary portion by hand, includes providing a cornice connector.