Joist noise reduction system and method of installation

Abstract

A noise reducing joist system includes a joist hanger, a joist and a sheath surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of the joist, the sheath and joist inserted into the joist hanger. The joist and sheath are inserted into the joist hanger. The sheath interfaces with the joist hanger rather than the joist thereby reducing noise that may be created by a sliding that might occur between the joist end the joist hanger.

1 . A noise reducing joist system comprising: 
 a joist;    a joist hanger; and    a removable sheath surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of the joist, the sheath and joist inserted into the joist hanger.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable sheath is comprised of a plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the removable sheath is comprised of an injection molded plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the removable sheath is comprised of a fire-resistant plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joist is a composite I-beam.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the removable sheath covers a height of a bottom flange of the composite I-beam along end side portions of the bottom flange and an end of the bottom flange.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the removable sheath extends above the height of the bottom flange of the composite I-beam.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein an interior width of the removable sheath has a width less than a width of a bottom flange of the composite I-beam to form an interference fit between the removable sheath and the bottom flange of the composite I-beam.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an opening in the joist hanger is sized to snugly receive an outer width of the sheath.  
   
   
       10 . A method of installing a noise reducing joist system comprising: 
 installing a joist hanger;    surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a sheath;    inserting the joist and sheath into the joist hanger.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a sheath includes surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a plastic sheath.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a plastic sheath includes surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a fire-resistant plastic sheath.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a joist with a sheath includes surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a composite I-beam joist with a sheath.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a composite I-beam joist with a sheath includes covering a height of a bottom flange of the composite I-beam long end side portions of the bottom flange and an end of the bottom flange.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein surrounding a bottom portion, a lower end portion and lower end side portions of a composite I-beam joist with a sheath includes fitting the sheath over an end portion of a bottom flange of the composite I-beam with an interference fit.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein installing a joist hanger includes installing a joist hanger sized to snugly receive an outer width of the sheath.