Construction Clip For Joining Structural Infrastructure

Abstract

Devices for joining structural infrastructure and methods of making and using such devices are set forth herein. According to one embodiment, a device for joining structural infrastructure includes first and second flanges and a clip extending from the second flange away from the first flange. The first flange is adapted to be fastened to a first building support member using at least one fastener, and the second flange extends generally perpendicular from the first flange. The clip has an upper end and a wall; the clip upper end couples the clip wall to the second flange. The clip is adapted to secure the device to a second building support member by maintaining a portion of the second building support member between the clip wall and the second flange.

1 . A device for joining structural infrastructure, comprising:
 a first flange adapted to be fastened to a first building support member using at least one fastener;   a second flange extending generally perpendicular from the first flange; and   a clip extending from the second flange away from the first flange, the clip having an upper end and a wall, the clip upper end coupling the clip wall to the second flange, the clip being adapted to secure the device to a second building support member by maintaining a portion of the second building support member between the clip wall and the second flange.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the clip wall is generally planar and extends within ten degrees of being parallel to the second flange;   the clip wall has upper and lower ends;   the clip wall lower end is a distance D 1  from the second flange;   the clip wall upper end is a distance D 2  from the second flange; and   the distance D 1  is not greater than the distance D 2 .   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the clip includes a flared portion extending from the clip wall lower end away from the second flange. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first and second flanges meet at a corner extending generally vertically;   the first flange extends a length L 1  from the corner;   the second flange extends a length L 2  from the corner;   the length L 1  is at least twice as long as the length L 2 ;   the second flange has a height H 1 ;   the clip wall has a height H 2 ; and   the height H 2  is at least one fourth as tall as the height H 1 .   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein a piece of metal is bent to form the corner and bent to form the clip upper end. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second flanges meet at a corner extending generally vertically;   the first flange extends a length L 1  from the corner;   the second flange extends a length L 2  from the corner;   the length L 1  is at least twice as long as the length L 2 ;   the second flange has a height H 1 ;   the clip wall has a height H 2 ; and   the height H 2  is at least one fourth as tall as the height H 1 .   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a piece of metal is bent to form the corner and bent to form the clip upper end. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the clip wall has upper and lower ends;   a point along the clip wall is a distance D from the second flange;   the clip wall upper end is a distance D 2  from the second flange; and   the distance D is less than the distance D 2 .   
     
     
         9 . A device for joining structural infrastructure, comprising:
 a first flange being generally planar and having at least one aperture for use in coupling the first flange to a first piece of structural infrastructure;   a second flange extending generally perpendicular from the first flange; and   a clip extending from the second flange away from the first flange, the clip having an upper end and a wall, the clip wall being separated from the second flange to allow at least a portion of a second piece of structural infrastructure to be positioned between the second flange and the clip wall, the clip upper end coupling the clip wall to the second flange, wherein placing the second piece of structural infrastructure between the second flange and the clip wall couples the device to the second piece of structural infrastructure and causes the second flange to be situated generally vertically.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first and second flanges meet at a corner extending generally vertically;   the first flange extends a length L 1  from the corner;   the second flange extends a length L 2  from the corner; and   the length L 1  is at least twice as long as the length L 2 .   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the second flange has a height H 1 ;   the clip wall has a height H 2 ; and   the height H 2  is at least one fourth as tall as the height H 1 .   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein a piece of metal is bent to form the corner and bent to form the clip upper end. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the clip wall extends within ten degrees of being parallel to the second flange;   the clip wall has upper and lower ends;   the clip wall lower end is a distance D 1  from the second flange;   the clip wall upper end is a distance D 2  from the second flange; and   the distance D 1  is not greater than the distance D 2 .   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the clip includes a flared portion extending from the clip wall lower end away from the second flange. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one aperture in the first flange is a generally vertical slot. 
     
     
         16 . A device for joining structural infrastructure, comprising:
 a first flange being generally planar and having at least one aperture for use in coupling the first flange to a first piece of structural infrastructure;   a second flange extending generally perpendicular from the first flange; and   a clip extending from the second flange away from the first flange, the clip having an upper end and a wall, the clip upper end coupling the clip wall to the second flange, the clip being adapted to secure the device to a second piece of structural infrastructure by maintaining a portion of the second piece of structural infrastructure between the clip wall and the second flange in a friction fit.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the friction fit allows the second piece of structural infrastructure to move laterally relative to the clip after the portion of the second piece of structural infrastructure is between the clip wall and the second flange. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein a piece of metal is bent to form the clip upper end. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the second flange does not include an aperture for use in coupling the second flange to the second piece of structural infrastructure. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the second flange has an upper end; and   the clip upper end extends from the flange upper end.