Apparatus and method for aligning perpendicular members

Abstract

Construction devices and methods are employed for the proper spacing and alignment of structural members or other objects to be affixed. The device and method may be employed to align and fasten together a support beam and a truss.

1 . A device for aligning perpendicular members comprising:
 at least one cross-member having a plane configured to rest on a first structural member;   at least one side-member connected to said at least one cross-member, wherein said at least one side-member has at least one perpendicular aperture passing there through at an angle perpendicular to said cross-member plane, and wherein said at least one side-member has at least one tangential aperture passing there through at an angle tangential to both said cross-member plane and the perpendicular aperture in the side-member; and   wherein said at least one cross-member and side-member are configured to support at least two sides of a second structural beam.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener guide in substantial registration with the at least one tangential aperture, wherein said at least one fastener guide is stably connected to said at least one side-member. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one fastener guide and the at least one tangential aperture are dimensioned and configured to guide a fastener in a direction through both the second structural beam and the first structural beam. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one perpendicular aperture is configured to guide a fastener in a direction perpendicular through the first structural beam. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one side-member is two opposing side-members separated by said at least one cross-member. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a molded plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising fasteners. 
   
   
       8 . A device for aligning perpendicular members comprising:
 at least one cross-member having a plane configured to rest on a first structural member;   a first side-member connected to said cross-member;   a second side-member connected to said cross-member, wherein said first and second side-members oppose each other and are separated by said cross-member plane, wherein each opposing side-member has at least one perpendicular aperture passing there through at an angle perpendicular to the cross-member plane, and wherein each opposing side-member has at least one tangential aperture passing there through at an angle tangential to said cross-member plane and each side-member; and   wherein said cross-member and said two side-members are configured to support three sides of a second structural beam.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one fastener guide stably connected to said opposing side-members, wherein the at least one fastener guide is in substantial registration with the at least one tangential aperture. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one fastener guide and the at least one tangential aperture are configured to guide a fastener in a direction through both the second structural beam and the first structural beam. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second side-members are rotational mirror images around a point on said cross-member plane, wherein the point is equidistant from each of said side-members. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one perpendicular aperture is configured to guide a fastener in a direction perpendicular through the first structural beam. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is a molded plastic material. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising fasteners. 
   
   
       15 . A method of aligning perpendicular members comprising the steps of:
 placing a truss nailing guide on a first structural member;   urging fasteners through apertures in at least one side-member of the truss nailing guide into the first structural member in a perpendicular direction;   placing a second structural member in a gap in the truss nailing guide, wherein the gap is created by a cross-member and at least one side-member connected to the cross-member; and   urging fasteners through apertures in the at least one side-member of the truss nailing guide through the second structural member and into the first structural member in a direction tangential to both the first and second structural members.