Ledger Connector and Connection

Abstract

A connector, a connection and a method of making the connection that allows for the connection of a supported member to a supporting member and the supported member is a structural, fire-rated member to which joist hangers that support joists are attached, and the supported member protects the supporting member from fire damage.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connection between a supported member and a supporting member, the connection comprising:
 a. the supported member, the supported member having front and back side faces that are generally parallel to each other and are spaced apart a first selected distance, the supported member also having an end face that meets with the back and front side faces of the supported member at front and back side edges of the end face, the supported member also having a top face and a bottom face that meet with the front and back side faces and the end face;   b. the supporting member, the supporting member having a side face with the back side face of the supported member being in close proximity to the side face of the supporting member such that portions of the back side face of the supported member abut or are disposed in close association with the side face of the supporting member; and   c. a connector, the connector having front and back members connected to each other at their bottom edges by a seat member with the front and back members extending upwardly from the seat member and the seat member supporting the bottom surface of the supported member and the front member of the connector being closely adjacent to the front side face of the supported member and the back member of the connector being closely adjacent to the back side surface of the supported member, and a top flange extends from the top edge of the back member and rests on the top surface of the supporting member;   d. one or more fasteners pass through the front member of the connector and into the supported member;   e. one or more additional fasteners pass through the top flange of the connector and enter the supporting member;   f. one or more joist hangers are attached to the front side face of the supported member; and   g. one or more joists are attached to and supported by the joist hangers and extending away from the supported member and the supporting member, and the supported member supports the loads imposed by the joists and the joist hangers.   
     
     
         2 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the seat member is integrally connected to the front and back members along front and back seat bend lines, the front and back members extending upwardly from the front and back seat bend lines, with the front and back members and the seat member being generally planar members.   
     
     
         3 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the back member extends above the seat member much higher than the front member.   
     
     
         4 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the front member is as wide as the seat member.   
     
     
         5 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more fasteners that connect the front member to the supported member do not extend all the way through the supported member.   
     
     
         6 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supported member overlies portions of the supporting member protecting the supporting member at the level of the one or more joists from fire damage.   
     
     
         7 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 below the supported member and on the side face of the supporting member to which the supported member is attached paneling is attached to the supporting member that protects the supporting member from fire damage.   
     
     
         8 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 embossments are formed across a bend between the top flange and the back member with the embossments extending from a terminal edge of the top flange member through the bend between the top flange and the back member and extending down the back member.   
     
     
         9 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 embossments are formed across a bend between the back member and the seat member and the embossments continue across the bend between the seat member and the front member.   
     
     
         10 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supported member and the one or more joist hangers attached to the supported member extend downwardly from a top face of the supporting member a similar amount.   
     
     
         11 . The connection of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the one or more joist hangers extend farther from the top face of the supporting member farther than the supported member.   
     
     
         12 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supporting member is a wall having vertically disposed studs supporting a horizontal top plate all made from wood.   
     
     
         13 . The connection of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the supported member extends below the top plate of the supporting member a substantial amount with the top plate extending downwardly less than half the extent of the supported member.   
     
     
         14 . The connection of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the connectors are substantially wider than the studs of the supporting member, such that substantial portions of the connector are not interfacing with or in contact with the side face  30  of the supporting member.   
     
     
         15 . The connection of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the back member extends above the seat member much higher than the front member.   
     
     
         16 . The connection of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the front member is as wide as the seat member.   
     
     
         17 . The connection of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the one or more fasteners that connect the front member to the supported member do not extend all the way through the supported member.   
     
     
         18 . The connection of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the supported member overlies portions of the supporting member protecting the supporting member at the level of the one or more joists from fire damage.   
     
     
         19 . The connection of  claim 18 , wherein:
 below the supported member and on the side face of the supporting member to which the supported member is attached paneling is attached to the supporting member that protects the supporting member from fire damage.   
     
     
         20 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 embossments are formed across a bend between the back member and the seat member and the embossments continue across the bend between the seat member and the front member.