Joists and Floor Panels containing same

Abstract

Width enlargement means is described, which is adapted to be attached to a joist end to adapt the latter for use with a joist hanger having a joist receiving socket with diverging side cheeks therein. When attached, the cross section shape of the end of the joist becomes trapezoidal so as to form a wedge. The inclined faces engage the diverging side cheeks of the socket thereby to provide lateral support for the joist end when fitted in the joist receiving socket. One form of enlargement means for a conventional rectangular cross section joist comprises triangular cross section fillets, which are adapted to be fitted to the opposite faces of the end of a the joist. Alternatively it may comprise a wedge shaped member having a central slot into which the end of the joist is fitted. Where the joist has an I-beam cross section, fillets are secured to opposite faces of the central web of the I-beam, or the end of the latter is fitted into a slot in a slotted wedge. Alternatively at least one metal structure is adapted to be fitted to one end of the joist, and the outer faces of the metal structure or structures are spaced by a greater distance in the region of the upper edge of the I-beam section than they are in the region of the lower edge thereof. Where the joist has an I-beam cross section the metal structure(s) may be attached to the web or the upper or lower rails, or all three. However formed the included angle between the inclined faces of the enlargement means whether formed by fillets or a wedge shaped member, or one or more metal structures, is substantially the same as, but not greater, than that between the diverging cheeks of the joist hanger socket in which the joist is to be received in use.

1 . Width enlargement means adapted to be attached to a joist end to adapt the latter for use with a joist hanger having diverging side cheeks in a joist receiving socket therein, whereby the width enlargement means causes at least part of the cross section of the end of the joist to become trapezoidal so as to form a wedge, the inclined faces of which in use engage the diverging side cheeks of the socket thereby to provide lateral support for the joist end when fitted in the joist receiving socket of the hanger.  
   
   
       2 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1  comprising triangular cross section fillets, which are adapted to be fitted to opposite faces of the end of a rectangular cross section joist so as to fill the space between each face of the joist and the side cheeks of the hanger.  
   
   
       3 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fillets are of wood or metal or rubber or plastics material.  
   
   
       4 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fillets are nailed, screwed or stuck to the joist faces.  
   
   
       5 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a wedge shaped member having a central slot into which the end of the joist is fitted.  
   
   
       6 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the wedge shaped member is secured to the joist a by nailing or screwing or by an adhesive or by virtue of an interference fit between the slot and the joist.  
   
   
       7 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1  for use with a joist having an I-beam cross section comprising two fillets adapted to be secured to opposite faces of the central web of the I-beam.  
   
   
       8 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1  for use with a joist having an I-beam cross section comprising a slotted wedge wherein the slot is adapted to receive, and be secured to, an end of the central web of the I-beam joist.  
   
   
       9 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a metal structure which is adapted to be fitted to one end of an I-beam cross section joist, such that when fitted thereto, outer faces of the metal structure are spaced by a greater distance in the region of the upper rail of the I-beam section when in use than they are in the region of the lower rail of the I-beam section, so as to form a trapezoidal shape.  
   
   
       10 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the metal structure is constructed from a single part.  
   
   
       11 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the metal structure is formed from one or more parts, each of which comprises a sheet metal pressing or casting.  
   
   
       12 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the metal structure is adapted to be secured to the central web alone, or to the upper or lower rails of the I-beam section when in use, or to the web and one of the rails, or to the upper and lower rails only, or to both rails and the web.  
   
   
       13 . Width enlargement means as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the included angle between inclined faces of the width enlargement means, is substantially the same as, but not greater than, that between the diverging cheeks of the joist hanger socket in which the joist is to be received in use.  
   
   
       14 . Width enlargement means according to  claim 1 , in combination with a joist.  
   
   
       15 . A method of locating a pre-fabricated floor panel comprising a decking sheet supported by and secured to an array of parallel spaced apart joists, into a building during construction, comprising the steps of: 
 a) securing to a wall or beam in the building joist hangers each having diverging side cheeks defining an upwardly open joist end receiving socket,    b) fitting to each joist end which is to be received in a socket of one of those hangers, a width enlarging means as claimed in  claim 1  so as to form a trapezoidal profile complementary to the socket profile, the included angle of which is substantially the same as, but not greater than, the included angle between the diverging side cheeks of the hanger socket,    c) lifting the panel above the wall or beam and lowering it so that the narrower ends of the enlarged joist ends register with the wider open ends of the joist receiving sockets formed by the diverging side cheeks of the hangers, and    d) lowering the panel so that the joist ends enter the upper wider ends of the sockets and are guided by the converging walls thereof into a final aligned position with the underside of each joist end resting on the bridging section of the socket into which it has been guided.    
   
   
       16 . A floor panel comprising a decking sheet supported by and secured to an array of parellel spaced-apart joists, one or more of said joists comprising a width enlargement means according to  claim 1.