Support bracket and assembly formed of connected structural members

Abstract

A structural support apparatus comprises a connection bracket comprising, a generally flat, rigid member having opposing generally flat faces and a thickness extending between the flat faces. The rigid member is attachable to a support member. An arm extends from an end of the rigid member and a finger extends from the arm and is receivable in a hollow channel formed in an attachable member of rigid material. The hollow channel is complementary in configuration to at least one of the finger and the arm and a selected recess configuration is formed between the finger, the arm and the end of the rigid member. The recess accommodates one or more lip portions of the attachable member when either the arm or the finger, are received within the hollow channel.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for coupling a plank to a support beam, the apparatus comprising:
 a rigid member having a first face and a second face, the second face opposite the first face;   a protrusion extending from the first face;   an arm extending from an end of the rigid member; and   a first finger extending from the arm in a first direction, and a second finger extending from the arm in a second direction,   the first finger, the arm, and the end of the rigid member defining a first recess, and the second finger, the arm, and the end of the rigid member defining a second recess, the first recess and the second recess configured to receive a portion of the plank.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the protrusion has a sharp terminal end and is disposed and configured to engage the support beam. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the rigid member defines a hole extending from the first face to the second face, the hole configured to receive a screw for attaching the rigid member to the support beam. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the rigid member includes an angled guide disposed proximate the hole and configured to direct an angle of insertion of the screw through the rigid member and into the support beam. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the rigid member defines a plane and the first finger extends in the first direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second finger extends in the second direction perpendicular to the plane. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the first direction is opposite for the second direction. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the arm is angled with a non-zero angle relative to a plane of the rigid member. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the arm is rotated relative to a plane of the rigid member. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus for coupling a plank to a support beam, the apparatus comprising:
 a rigid member defining a plane;   an arm extending from an end of the rigid member;   a first finger extending from the arm in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of the rigid member; and   a second finger extending from the arm in a second direction perpendicular to the plane of the rigid member, the second direction opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a protrusion extending from the rigid member.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the end of the rigid member is a first end and the protrusion is disposed at a second end of the rigid member, the second end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the protrusion has a sharp terminal end and is disposed and configured to engage the support beam. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the rigid member defines a hole configured to receive a screw for attaching the rigid member to the support beam. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the rigid member includes an angled guide disposed proximate the hole and configured to direct an angle of insertion of the screw through the rigid member and into the support beam. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus for coupling a plank to a support beam, the apparatus comprising:
 a rigid member defining a plane;   an arm extending from an end of the rigid member;   a first finger extending from a first side of the arm, and a second finger extending from a second side of the arm, at least a portion of the first finger rotated at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the rigid member in a first direction, and a least a portion of the second finger rotated at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the rigid member in a second direction, the second direction different than the first direction.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a protrusion extending from the rigid member.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the protrusion has a sharp terminal end and is disposed and configured to engage the support beam. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the rigid member defines a hole configured to receive a screw for attaching the rigid member to the support beam.