US2638637A - Building frame construction - Google Patents

Description

y 19, 1953 E. J. KUMP, JR

BUILDING FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed July 15, 1946 INVENTOR. d- KuMP R ERNEs T Arronu EYS Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES rrrr OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to building-frame construction, and particularly to knee structure in which angularly extending frame members are secured together by knees that function as braces and connectors, and that also take any strains on either of the frame members.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of knee structure in which the frame members .are joined, or may be joined, in a strong, economical, and simple manner providing adequate strength. at the knee to take any strain that would be placed on either of the frame members in normal .building construction where said frame members are used.

Another object of the invention is the combination of a metal knee and Wooden frame members in which the frame members are joined by the knee in a manner providing adequate strength at the knee joint, but which knee does not interfere with nailing to the frame member all the way to their adjoining ends and from any side of said frame members.

One of the various places in building construction where knees or knee braces have beenfound,

to be most desirable and needful, is in arch structure where there are a pair of frame members each comprising a combined rafter and stud, with the ends of the rafters remote from the studs being in substantially adjoining relationship, and in whichthereis no support between the rafters and the floor other than the studs. In the case of plywood arches, as seen in my copending application Serial No. 495,425, filed July 20, 1943, now Patent No. 2,413,145 the knee portion can be of adequate strength to take the strains placed thereon, but in the absence of such structure, some other means must be employed. Also, there are instances where plywood rafters and studs are preferably made separately for joining in the This invention provides the necessary strength and compactness for the knee joint of rafters and studs or for wherever else a knee'is required without making the knee integral with the studs and rafters as shownin said application, and which joint is free from any unsightly projections along '2 knee used in Fig. 1 before bending to form the knee, and indicating in dotted lines the outline of the knee after bending.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line similar to line 3-3 of Fig. l but showing a modified structure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational View of a still further type of knee joint than is shown in the preceding views.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-45 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line similar to line .3-3 of Fig. 1 but showing a modified form, of the invention that is different from the others.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a" pair of channel strips arranged back to back instead of the I strip of Fig. 3.

Briefly described, the preferred form of the instant invention contemplates the use of a plurality of pieces from which the stud element and rafter elements are formed, and which pieces are glued together for their entire lengths. While these pieces may each be of plywood having any desired number of plies, they are usually only two in number for each stud or rafter and are relatively large pieces, each being about two inches thick.-

While the structure illustrated shows the use of bolts or nails for securing the knees or connectors to the stud or rafter pieces, there are instances in which said pieces are cemented to the metal knees or connectors as well as being glued together. It is therefore to be understood that the illustrations and detailed description are not intended to restrict the invention.

In detail, the frame members illustrated each comprise a stud I and a rafter 2 that extend angularly relative to each other and that are connected at their adjoining ends by a knee, generally designated 4.

The rafters of each pair of frame members may also be connected at their adjoining ends by a connector 5 that is substantially identical with the knee member 4, except that the angle between the end portions of the knee may be different.

Each stud I may comprise a plurality of pieces 6 that are of corresponding outline, preferably a pair of such pieces. These pieces are each elongated and of the desired length of the stud and they may correspondingly taper from their lower to their upper ends with their upper ends being of the greatest width. The rafters may each comprise a plurality of pieces 1, preferably a pair, and which pieces are of corresponding outline (Fig. 3).

The knee shown on Figs. 1 to 3 comprises an elongated I member having a web 8 and oppositely extending flanges 9 extending from the longitudinally extending edges of the web, thus providing oppositely outwardly opening channels along opposite sides of the web with the web providing a common bottom for the channels. Of course, a pair of channel strips arranged back to back would provide substantially the same structure, as best seen in Fig. 8, but theI strip is preferable in most instances due to its simplicity and economy of manufacture.

The I strip of Figs. 1 to 3 may beformedfrom a straight length having a notch it cut through one of the sets of flanges and the web as best seen in Fig. 2. The angle of the out edges determines the angle-at which the end portions, will extend relative to each otherinasmuch as the strip as shown in Fig. l is bent to. the dot-tadposition ll of Fig. 2 closing the notch, and thereafter welding along the opposite cut edges securestbcmtogether to form the rigid knee of Fig. 1. To form. the: connector 5, the notch is made more acute than in Fig. 2 so that the end portions will extend at an. angle less than that, shown in the dotted. position H- where. the notch closed. Any desired angle can be obtained according to the acutenessot thenotchcontour.

The web 3 of the knee and of the connector 5, are. eacl-i formed with a row of relatively large openings and tubular members [-2 are fitted-- in these openings and preferably'welded to the web, with the ends of said member projecting equally from. opposite: sides of the. web. The distance these; members project. from the web is preferably less than the width of. the flanges 8,, although, 1' r as will later be described, there are. instances whereth y may be the same and greater widths.

The. lower ends of pieces. 7 are fitted between opposed. flanges. 9. at. each of the opposite sides. or the. web. 8, and said pieces are recessed on their opposed sides to. receive, the. projecting ends of thetubular member l2. The bottoms of saidremasses in. pieces, I may be coaxially. apertured. to passbolt 13, which bolts passthrO-ugh he. tubula member l2 and upon tightening the nuts Ht on said bolts. the pieces are. drawn lightly against the, web 8;, The ends, or pieces 6.that.e.xt.end into. the, oppositely outwardly opening channels eithe- L strip are preferably cut away on their oppfised. sides. to compen ate for the web 9),. thereby permitting the adjacent sides of said pieces to come together all the distance to. the knee- The flanges 9 may also be formed with o,penings for nails or screws [3 that. extend, through aid open nssinto. the pi es 6. andl- Wberethe I strips. and pieces 64.1 are fairly light, the bolts. may be omitted, and the nails, only used. There are instances where the bolts are, adequate, as in. heavier structure, or, as seen in Fig. 3: both may be used;

The foregoing description relative to thepieces T is applicable to pieces i3, the upper ends Qi the latter being fitted against the. web 8' and; receivingtubul'ar members that are identical with those fitted in recesses formed in pieces 1,. Bolts [3 extend through such tubular members the same as described for pieces 'I'.

The outer adjacent ends of the rafter pieces that come together at the ridge extend into, conmotor 5', the latter being identical in every respect with the knees, except for the angle at which the end portions extend.

The thickness of each of the pieces 6, l is such that they preferably project beyond the flanges 9, as seen in Fig. 3, thus providing nailing surfaces that may be used for nailing roof or ceiling structure. As the oppositely outwardly facing sides of the pieces 6, '1 are not covered, any desired structure may b nailed to said sides all the way to the adjoining ends of the studsv and rafters. The studs'and rafters join each other at the angle of the knee along line l8 (Fig. 1) thus forming a continuous surface across the joint, and also enabling as much as possible of the studs and rafters to be held in the angularly extending portionsof the knee.

By the foregoin structure an extremely strong knee joint and ridge joint are provided, without the. use of high strength materials such as plywood. The provision of the members I2 is an important contribution. towards providing the necessary strength. No external braces, such as ordinarily extend across the inside angle in knee structure, is. necessary but the. knee joint is practically as free from. external projections as the. knee joint in the plywood. arches hereinbcfore mentioned.

InFig. 4 a special knee joint. is shown in which the-end ortionsthat. receive the rafter and stud. pieces 6 "t are tapered in, continuation of. the t p r f said pieces. Also in this form of. the invention, relatively longv tubular members 20 are. used and. which members. extend; completely through the members 6, l and riveted over against the oppositely outwardly facing. sides of" said members. a seen at 2 L In Fig. 6 I, show the. knee as being formed; of. channel strips, 2.5. .26 arranged parallel with'their open sides. facing each other.v The rafter pieces 21. and the. stud pieces, 28 are disposed. between said channels, although the. sides. 29 of. said channel strips do not come together when the adjacent sides of the, stud and rafter pieces. are. together, thus. providing nailing. surfaces 30 between the. adjacent edges. of the channels.

The. bottoms 31' of channels, 25,26 carry tubular member 32 projecting inwardly therefrom, which members correspond in, function with the. member 12. of. Fig. 3. These members. 32 are arranged in. coaxial. pairs respectively welded i o enings.

formed; in thesaid bcttomse'l'. The oppositely outwardly facing. ides. of he stud. and rafterpieces are recessed to receive said members. and bolts. 3 extend through said; members. andthrough axially aligned. openings in the stud and rafter pieces for bolting them together and for securing, the channels, against said. p e e ail 3J4 extendmg through the. sides as of said; channel, members. may also be used in addition to. the bolts, if desired.

e structure of e- 6,. in so. far as channels 2.5, 26 are concerned is particularly well suited to use. where a single stud and a single rafter, or a combination of adjoubl'e piece rafter or stud,

isused', with asinglepiece studor rafter.

In. ig. T. how the se f r si le. r fter piece 35. and a single stud piece 3.1; held together by a knee joint that comprises the channels. 25;, 2.6, of Fig. 6. The same numbers are used in Fig. 7 to identify identical elements. of Fig. '6'.

In Fig. 8 is shown a pair of channel strips in back to back relationship to. form an I strip such asshown in Figs. 1' to 3. The bottoms 3801 said strip-s may be coaxially apertured for tubular members 39 that are identical with the member I2 of Fig. 3. These members 32 in Fig. 8 function to hold the channel strips together as Well as providing the desired structure for taking the strains of the stud and rafter pieces, the latter being respectively numbered it, there being a pair or" each. Bolts d2 extending through said members 39 and through coaxial holes in the stud and rafter pieces bolt the stud and rafter pieces and the knee together.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and the drawings are not to be considered restrictive of the invention, but merely illustrative thereof.

I claim:

1. Building structure comprising a first pair of elongated angularly disposed frame members in end to end substantially adjoining relationship, a knee for securing said members together, said knee being elongated and formed to provide a continuous channel extending longitudinally thereof having opposed sides and a bottom, adjacent end portions of said members being positioned between said sides and against said bottom, projections secured to said bottom extending into said end portions, and means for securing said end portions between said sides and against said bottom; said knee including a second channel parallel with said first mentioned chan' nel and identical therewith, a second pair of elongated frame members in end to end substantially adjoining relationship and respectively in side by side relationship with said first pair and having adjacent end portions received in said second channel said end portions of said second pair being between the sides of said second channel and adjacent the bottom of the latter, projections extending from the bottom of said second channel into said last mentioned end portions and means for securing said last mentioned end portions in said second channel.

2. Building structure comprising a pair of frame members each of which comprises a pair of substantially identical elongated frame elements in side by side adjoining relationship, said frame member being in end to end adjoining relationship and extending angularly from each other, a knee comprising an elongated I member providing oppositely outwardly opening channels at opposite sides of its central web, the adjoining end portions of said frame members being secured to said I member with the elements of each frame member being at opposite sides of said web, and means securing said elements against said web.

3. An arch member comprising a stud and a rafter extending angularly relative to each other with one of their ends in adjoining relationship, a knee comprising an elongated I member of structural steel providing a web and oppositely outwardly extending flanges along opposite longitudinally extending edges of said member, said web extending into the adjacent end portions of said stud and said rafter whereby said end portions will enclose said web, and projections extending oppositely outwardly of said web into the said end portions.

4. An arch member comprising a stud and a rafter extending angularly relative to each other with one of their ends in adjoining relationship, a knee comprising an elongated I member of structural steel providing a web and oppositely outwardly extending flanges along opposite longitudinally extending edges of said member, said web extending into the adjacent end portions of said stud and said rafter whereby said end portions will enclose said web, and projections extending oppositely outwardly of said web into the said end portions, said flanges being in engagement with two opposite sides of said end portions, and means for securing said end portions against said web and between said flanges.

5. An arch member comprising a stud. and a rafter extending angularly relative to each other with one of their ends in adjoining relationship, a knee comprising an elongated I member of structural steel providing a web and oppositely outwardly extending flanges along opposite longitudinally extending edges of said member, said web extending into the adjacent end portions of said stud and said rafter whereby said end portions will enclose said web, and projections extending oppositely outwardly of said web into the said end portions, said flanges being in engagement with two opposite sides of said end portions, and means for securing said end portions against said web and between said flanges, said means comprising units extending through said flanges into said end portions.

6. An arch member comprising a stud and a rafter extending angularly relative to each other with one of their ends in adjoining relationship, a knee comprising an elongated I member of structural steel providing a web and oppositely outwardly extending flanges along opposite longitudinally extending edges of said member, said web extending into the adjacent end portions of said stud and said. rafter whereby said end portions will enclose said web, and projections extending oppositely outwardly of said web into the said end portions, said projections being tubular elements secured to said web, and said end portions being recessed to receive the projecting ends of said tubular elements.

7. In an arch member comprising a coplanar stud andrafter extending angularly relative to each other with one of their ends in adjoining relationship, a knee formed to provide a pair of similar, parallel, elongated continuous metal channels, said stud and said rafter extending into said channels at their adjoining end portions, means securing said portions in said channels, and means connected with said channels projecting into said end portions for transmitting strains on said rafter and stud in their common plane to said metal channels, said channels having their open sides directed oppositely outwardly and having a web forming a bottom common to both channels, said last mentioned means being cylindrical members extending through said web and projecting from opposite sides thereof.

ERNEST J. KUMP, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,884 True July 10, 1883 675,249 Sergeant May 28, 1901 1,622,746 Truemper Mar. 29, 1927 2,283,943 Myer May 26, 1942 2,323,844 Sahlberg July 6, 1943 2,365,501 Walstrom Dec. 19, 1944 I FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 376,603 France of 1907 19,103 Denmark of 1914 21,371 France of 1920 151,604 Great Britain of 1921

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