Method and apparatus for connecting perpendicularly oriented structural building members

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for perpendicular attachment of a first structural member to a second structural member, or of a first structural member between a pair of parallel structural members that uses a uniquely designed angled connector bracket that is formed with angled plates from which a plurality of teeth or nails extend. The teeth on one plate are intended to be driven into the end of the first structural member, and the teeth on the other plate are to be driven into an upper or outer surface of the second structural member to effect a generally perpendicular joint between such members.

1 . A connector for forming a joint between a first structural member and a second structural member comprising:
 a first plate member having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and   a second plate member connected to said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom.   
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the second plate member extends from the first plate member at an angle of about 90 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the angle between said first and second plate members is between 5 and about 265 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said second plate member has a width equal to that of said first plate member. 
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said second plate member has a narrower width than said first plate member. 
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said first plate member has a length greater than that of said second plate member. 
   
   
       7 . A connector for forming a joint between a first structural member and a second structural member comprising an L-shaped bracket having a pair of plates, the first of said plates having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and the second of said plates having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. 
   
   
       8 . A system for attaching a cross member between a pair of parallel members comprising a pair of connectors for attaching each end of said cross member to one of said parallel members, each connector comprising:
 a first plate member having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and   a second plate member extending from said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the teeth extending from each of the outer surfaces of said first plate members are adapted to engage an end of said cross member. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the teeth extending from each of the lower surfaces of said second plate members are adapted to engage an upper surface of one of said parallel members. 
   
   
       11 . A system for attaching a cross member between a pair of parallel members comprising a pair of connectors for attaching each end of said cross member to one of said parallel members, each connector comprising an L-shaped bracket having a pair of plates, the first of said plates having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, and the second of said plates having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. 
   
   
       12 . A structure for use when constructing wooden structures, comprising:
 a first wooden member;   a second wooden member oriented parallel to said first wooden member;   a third wooden member extending between and connecting said first and second wooden members, said third member positioned generally perpendicular to said first and second members;   a first connector comprising
 (a) a first plate member having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom engaging an end of said third wooden member, and 
 (b) a second plate member extending from said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom engaging an upper surface of said first wooden member; and 
   a second connector comprising
 (a) a first plate member having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom engaging an opposite end of said third wooden member, and 
 (b) a second plate member extending from said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom engaging an upper surface of said second wooden member. 
   
   
   
       13 . A method of securing a joint between a first structural member and a second structural member employing a connector, said connector comprising a first plate member having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, a second plate member extending from said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. driving the teeth of said first plate into an end of a first building support member;   b. positioning said first building support member generally perpendicular to and above a second building support member such that said second plate is above an upper surface of said second structural member; and   c. driving the teeth of said second plate into said upper surface.   
   
   
       14 . A method of securing a building cross member between parallel first and second structural members employing a pair of connectors, each connector comprising a first plate member having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, a second plate member extending from said first plate member at an angle, said second plate member having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. driving the teeth of a first plate of said first connector into an end of said building cross member;   b. driving the teeth of a first plate of said second connector into an opposite end of said building cross member;   c. positioning said building cross member between and above said first and second building support members such that the second plate of each connector is above an upper surface of each of said second and third structural members; and   d. driving the teeth of said second plates into said upper surfaces.