Connector system for c-channel members

Abstract

The invention provides in a broadest aspect a system of connectors for connecting to metal C-channel members ( 200, 250, 300 ) in building construction, the C-channel members ( 200, 250, 300 ) having a channel formed by web ( 203, 255, 303 ) and opposed flange surfaces ( 201, 202, 251, 252, 301, 302 ) the system comprising a plurality of connectors ( 100 ), of one or more connector types, the connectors being of a rigid block composition, at least a first connector type being sized and shaped to join together the C-channel members ( 200, 250, 300 ) in more than one relative orientation, the first connector type comprising one or more holes ( 110, 105, 111, 109, 106, 113, 150, 133 ) on one or more faces for fastening the connector to the C-channel members and to other connectors.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more holes on one or more faces comprise one or more holes for fastening the connector to the C-channel members through the flanges of the C-channel members. 
     
     
         3 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the holes of the first connector type include straight-through bolt holes allowing a bolt to be passed through from one side of the connector to the other. 
     
     
         4 . The system of connectors of  claim 2 , wherein the holes of the first connector type include straight-through bolt holes allowing a bolt to be passed through from one side of the connector to the other. 
     
     
         5 . A system of connectors for connecting to metal C-channel members in building construction, the C-channel members having a channel formed by web and opposed flange surfaces, the system comprising a plurality of connectors of one or more connector types, the connectors being of a rigid block composition, at least a first connector type being sized and shaped to join together the C-channel members in more than one relative orientation, the first connector type comprising one or more holes on one or more faces for fastening the connector to the C-channel members and to other connectors; wherein the more than one relative orientation includes a two C-channel members joined in parallel with the respective channels facing one another to form a box beam or column. 
     
     
         6 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the more than one relative orientation includes two C-channel members joined in parallel with the respective channels facing away from one another to form an I-beam or I-column. 
     
     
         7 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the more than one relative orientation includes two C-channel members joined at right angles. 
     
     
         8 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the more than one relative orientation includes another C-channel member joined at right angles to the box beam or column. 
     
     
         9 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the more than one relative orientation includes at least two of the box beams or columns joined at right angles. 
     
     
         10 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the two C-channel members are a first C-channel member and a 2nd C-channel member and the connector of the first type is adapted to form the box beam or column so that:
 a first part of the connector engages an inside surface of the first C-channel member;   a second part of the connector engages an inside surface of the second C-channel member; and   one or more screws fastens the C-channel members in position to the connector through one or more screw holes in the first and second parts of the connector and through corresponding holes in the C-channel members.   
     
     
         11 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the two C-channel members are a first C-channel member and a  2 nd C-channel member and the connector of the first type is adapted to form the box beam or column so that:
 a first part of the connector engages an inside surface of the first C-channel member;   a second part of the connector engages an inside surface of the second C-channel member; and   one or more bolts fastens the C-channel members in position to the connector through one or more of the holes disposed in the first and second parts of the connector and through corresponding holes in the C-channel members.   
     
     
         12 . The system of connectors of  claim 11 , wherein: the first and second parts comprise regions disposed on opposite first and second side faces of the connector respectively which engage at least an inside surface of the web of the corresponding C-channel members. 
     
     
         13 . The system of connectors of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the one or more holes comprise a first straight-through bolt hole providing a straight line access path all the way through the connector from the first side face to the second side face; and   the corresponding holes in the C-channel members comprise holes disposed in the corresponding webs;   whereby a single bolt may be passed through the first straight-through bolt hole and the corresponding holes in the C-channel members.   
     
     
         14 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the one or more holes comprise a first bolt hole in a first side face extending through to a first nut receiving face or first embedded thread disposed between the first side face and a midpoint of the connector midway between the first and second side faces, and a second bolt hole in the second side face extending through to a second nut receiving face or 2nd embedded thread disposed between the second side face and the midpoint; and   the corresponding holes in the C-channel members are disposed in the corresponding webs;   whereby
 a first bolt may be passed through the first bolt hole and the corresponding hole in the first C-channel member and secured with a first nut bearing on the first nut receiving face or with the first embedded thread, and 
 a second bolt may be passed through the second bolt hole and the corresponding hole in the second C-channel member and secured with a second nut bearing on the second nut receiving face or with the 2nd embedded thread. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of connectors of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first part of the connector comprises a first end of opposite third and fourth sides of the connector each engaging the respective opposed flange of the first C-channel member; and   the second part of the connector comprises a second end of the opposite third and fourth sides of the connector each engaging the respective opposed flanges of the second C-channel member.   
     
     
         16 . The system of connectors of  claim 15 , wherein: the one or more screw holes are disposed on the first and second ends and the corresponding holes in the C-channel members are disposed on the flanges thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system of connectors of  claim 5 , wherein the connector of the first type has first and 2nd opposite side faces and:
 the one or more holes comprise a first bolt hole in the first side face extending through to a first nut receiving face disposed between the first side face and a midpoint of the connector midway between the first and second side faces, and a second bolt hole in the second side face extending through to a second nut receiving face disposed between the second side face and the midpoint; and   the corresponding holes in the C-channel members are disposed in the corresponding webs;   whereby
 a first bolt may be passed through the first bolt hole and the corresponding hole in the first C-channel member and secured with a first nut bearing on the first nut receiving face, and 
 a second bolt may be passed through the second bolt hole and the corresponding hole in the second C-channel member and secured with a second nut bearing on the second nut receiving face; and 
 the first bolt hole and the 2nd bolt hole meet to also form a first straight-through bolt hole allowing a bolt to be passed all the way through the connector from the first side face to the 2nd side face. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of connectors of  claim 17 , further comprising screw holes disposed in the first and 2nd side faces on either side of the first and 2nd bolt holes. 
     
     
         19 . The system of connectors of  claim 18 , wherein a width of the connector between the first and 2nd side faces matches a width of the C-channel member between the opposed flanges so that the connector may be connected to the C-channel member with screws passing through the flanges into the screw holes. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The system of connectors of  claim 10 , wherein: the first and second parts comprise regions disposed on opposite first and second side faces of the connector respectively which engage at least an inside surface of the web of the corresponding C-channel members.