Building structural connector

Abstract

A structural connector is provided that limits transmissions of vibrations between connected structural elements in a building or structure. The structural connector is formed from two opposing sheets with a vibration damping material connecting the two.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural connector comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet opposing the first sheet;   a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet, such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet; and   a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material.   
     
     
         2 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein the vibration damping material is a visco-elastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein the first sheet further comprises an extended portion extending away from the vibration damping material. 
     
     
         4 . The structural connector of  claim 3  wherein the second sheet comprises a flat portion, and two side portions extending perpendicularly from the flat portion towards the first sheet, the two side portions bounding at least a part of the vibration damping material, the first sheet extending portion being parallel to the flat portion and perpendicular to the two side portions. 
     
     
         5 . The structural connector of  claim 3  wherein the extending portion of the first sheet defines a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing structure is a protrusion along a length of the first sheet extending toward the second sheet, the protrusion having a T shaped cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing structure extends toward the second sheet and is formed as a reinforcing ladder, the reinforcing ladder comprising an elongate element, and a plurality of rungs attaching the elongate element to the first sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing structure extends toward the second sheet and further comprising a second reinforcing structure extending from the second sheet towards the first sheet and into the vibration damping material. 
     
     
         9 . The structural connector of  claim 1  wherein a spacing between the first sheet and the second sheet is sized to receive a fastener through the first sheet and into the vibration damping material without the fastener contacting the second sheet. 
     
     
         10 . A structure comprising the structural connector of  claim 1  and further comprising a building joist connected to the first sheet. 
     
     
         11 . A structure comprising the structural connector of  claim 1  and further comprising a plate of a wall assembly connected to the first sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 10  further comprising a plate of a wall assembly connected to the second sheet. 
     
     
         13 . The structural connector of  claim 10  further comprising a rafter connected to the second sheet. 
     
     
         14 . A structure comprising:
 a structural connector comprising:
 a first sheet; 
 a second sheet opposing the first sheet; 
 a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet, such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet; and 
   a first building structural element and a second building structural element joined together by a connection of the first structural element to the first sheet and a connection of the second structural element to the second sheet.   
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14  further comprising a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 15  further comprising a second reinforcing structure extending from the second sheet toward the first sheet and into the vibration damping material. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 14  wherein the first sheet further comprises an extended portion extending away from the vibration damping material. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 14  wherein the reinforcing structure is a protrusion along a length of the first sheet. 
     
     
         19 . A method of soundproofing a room during construction of the room comprising the steps of:
 connecting a plurality of studs to a top plate and a bottom plate;   fastening the top plate to a ceiling assembly using a plurality of structural connectors, one of the plurality of structural connectors used at each of a first plurality of connection points, each of the plurality of structural connectors comprising:
 a first sheet; 
 a second sheet opposing the first sheet; and 
 a vibration damping material joining the first sheet and the second sheet such that no part of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet; 
 a reinforcing structure extending from the first sheet into the vibration damping material; 
   fastening the bottom plate to a floor assembly using the plurality of structural connectors, one of the plurality of structural connectors used at each of a second plurality of connection points.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of attaching a sheetrock panel to a wall using a second plurality of the structural connectors, the attaching comprising:
 fastening one of the second plurality of structural connectors to the wall; 
 fastening a furring strip to each of the second plurality of structural connectors; and 
 fastening the sheetrock panel to the furring strip attached to each of the second plurality of structural connectors.