Distribution angle plate for a concrete floor system and method therefor

Abstract

A distribution angle plate for a concrete floor system in a multi-level building is disclosed. The plate helps to create a joist bearing point at the interior surface of a vertical structural wall and proximate the top portion of the vertical structural wall. Decking may be laid flat over the top surface of the steel joist and the top surface of the vertical structural wall. This allows the decking to be screwed, welded, or shot directly to the top surface of the vertical structural wall and the top of the steel joist on the same horizontal plane. This also provides for a direct shear attachment at the perimeter of each vertical structural wall. Any height of concrete can then be poured on top of the decking, steel or wood, on a flat continuous plane. This creates a continuous solid mass between vertical structural walls in multi-story buildings, with no voids between floors.

1 . A distribution angle plate for a concrete floor system in a multi-level building comprising:
 a first channel for engaging a steel joist shoe; and   a second channel for engaging a top portion of one of a joist and a vertical structural wall of the building.   
     
     
         2 . The plate of  claim 1  wherein the second channel is perpendicular to the first channel. 
     
     
         3 . The plate of  claim 1  wherein the plate is coupled to a vertical structural wall and wherein the first channel comprises:
 a vertical member for resting flat against an interior surface of the vertical structural wall; and   a horizontal member for supporting a bottom surface of the joist shoe.   
     
     
         4 . The plate of  claim 3  wherein the second channel comprises:
 a horizontal member for resting flat on a top surface of the vertical structural wall; and   a vertical member for resting flat against an interior surface of the vertical structural wall.   
     
     
         5 . The plate of  claim 4  wherein the vertical member of the first channel is also the vertical member for the second channel. 
     
     
         6 . The plate of  claim 3  wherein the vertical structural wall is an interior wall. 
     
     
         7 . The plate of  claim 3  further comprising a third channel for engaging decking coupled to both a top surface of the steel joist shoe and to a top surface of the vertical structural wall and for engaging a concrete slab poured onto the decking. 
     
     
         8 . The plate of  claim 7  wherein the third channel comprises:
 a horizontal member for resting flat on a top surface of the vertical structural wall; and   a vertical member for supporting the concrete slab and the decking.   
     
     
         9 . The plate of  claim 7  wherein the horizontal member of the third channel is also a horizontal member for the second channel. 
     
     
         10 . The plate of  claim 7  wherein the third channel is perpendicular to the second channel and parallel to the first channel. 
     
     
         11 . The plate of  claim 7  wherein the vertical structural wall is an exterior wall. 
     
     
         12 . A concrete floor system in a multi-level building comprising:
 a vertical structural wall;   a steel joist shoe;   a distribution angle plate comprising:
 a first channel for engaging the steel joist shoe, wherein the first channel comprises:
 a vertical member for resting flat against an interior surface of a top portion of the vertical structural wall, wherein an end of the steel joist shoe is proximate the vertical member; and 
 a horizontal member for supporting a bottom surface of the joist shoe; and 
 
 a second channel for engaging the top portion of the vertical structural wall, wherein the second channel comprises:
 the vertical member of the first channel; and 
 a horizontal member for resting flat on a top surface of the vertical structural wall; 
 
   decking coupled to both a top surface of the steel joist shoe and to a top surface of the horizontal member of the second channel that is resting on top of the vertical structural wall and;   a concrete slab poured onto the decking.   
     
     
         13 . The concrete flooring system of  claim 12  wherein the second channel of the plate is perpendicular to the first channel. 
     
     
         14 . The concrete flooring system of  claim 12  wherein the plate further comprising a third channel, wherein the third channel comprises:
 the horizontal member of the second channel; and   a vertical member for supporting the concrete slab and the decking.   
     
     
         15 . The concrete flooring system of  claim 14  wherein the third channel of the plate is perpendicular to the second channel and parallel to the first channel. 
     
     
         16 . A method for constructing a concrete floor in a multi-level building comprising the steps of:
 providing a distribution angle plate having:
 a first channel comprising:
 a vertical member; and 
 a horizontal member; and 
 
 a second channel comprising:
 the vertical member of the first channel; and 
 a horizontal member; 
 
 wherein the second channel is perpendicular to the first channel; 
   creating a joist bearing point at an interior of a top portion of a vertical structural wall;   placing a joist shoe of joist on top of the horizontal member of the first channel while an end of the joist is proximate the vertical member of the first channel;   laying decking on top of the joist and the horizontal member of the second channel; and   pouring concrete over the decking.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of creating a joist bearing point interior to a top portion of the vertical structural wall comprises the step of coupling the horizontal member of the second channel to the top surface of the vertical structural wall. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the vertical structural wall is an interior wall. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the distribution angle plate further comprises a third channel comprising:
 the horizontal member of the second channel; and   a vertical member;   wherein the third channel is perpendicular to the second channel and parallel to the first channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the vertical structural wall is an exterior wall.