United States Patent [19]
`Gilb
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,422,792
`Dec. 27, 1983
`
`[54] GUSSET METAL LEDGER HANGER
`[75]
`Inventor:
`Tyrell T. Gilb, Berkeley, Calif.
`[73] Assignee:
`Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.,
`San Leandro, Calif.
`[21] Appl. No.: 408,242
`[22] Filed:
`Aug. 16, 1982
`[51]
`Int, Cl.3 .•••••••••••••••••.•.•••••••••••••••••.••.•••.•• F16B 5/00
`[52] U.S. CI . .................................... 403/232.1; 52/702
`[58] Field of Search ............... 403/232.1; 52/702, 289,
`52/167
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`922,215 5/1909 Tuteur ......................... 403/232.1 X
`1,097,934 5/1914 Price ................................. 52/702 X
`3,989,398 11/1976 Wendt ................................. 403/230
`4,353,664 10/1982 Gilb .................................. 403/232.1
`
`Primary Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James R. Cypher
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A gusset metal ledger hanger for attachment to metal
`ledgers wherein the hanger consists briefly of a top
`flange adapted for connection Ito the upper face of the
`outstanding ledger leg, a depending flange attached to
`the top flange and extending downwardly therefrom,
`first and second stirrup members attached to the de(cid:173)
`pending flange and extending downwardly therefrom
`and adapted for holding a structural beam member, and
`a first gusset member operatively ridgedly connected to
`the top flange and having a top edge in registration with
`the lower face of the outstanding leg of the ledger and
`having a gusset foot attached to the outward face of the
`lower leg of the metal ledger.
`
`6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures
`
`0001
`
`Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. EX1035
`Simpson Strong-Tie Co. v. Columbia Insurance Co.
`U.S. Patent No. 11,649,626
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 27, 1983
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 27, 1983
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`4,422,792
`4,422,792
`
`
`
`26
`
`
`
`FIG. i
`
`27
`
`0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 27, 1983
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`4,422,792
`
`13
`
`4
`
`27
`
`26
`
`I 17
`
`16 I
`
`I t \ I --··1·1
`
`_____ J_J~•·=~=~-;;:;:===========!::=:=======
`----1--r
`19
`\
`I
`I
`\
`61
`15
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I O
`I
`1.._ ___ __,..,1
`1'-18
`
`62
`
`FIG. 2
`
`4
`
`8
`
`7
`
`7
`
`9
`
`1
`
`22
`
`i-------
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`L' - - -
`
`.::
`
`I
`
`27
`
`12
`
`13
`
`FIG. 4
`
`0
`
`19
`
`61
`
`26
`
`II
`
`9
`
`1
`
`27
`
`12
`
`FIG. 3
`
`13
`
`0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 27, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`4,422,792
`
`....
`
`7
`
`13'
`
`34
`
`32
`
`33
`
`II I
`
`9'
`
`1
`
`34
`
`FIG. 5
`
`4
`
`8'
`
`4
`
`23 1
`
`s'
`
`---·
`
`lo
`
`0
`
`II
`
`11 1
`
`12'-'""TI
`
`FIG. 7
`
`131
`
`13'
`
`FIG. 6
`
`0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 27, 1983
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`4,422,792
`
`7"
`
`9"
`
`13 11
`
`34 1
`
`33'
`
`\
`18
`
`3
`
`4
`
`8 11
`
`FIG. 8
`
`34 1
`
`,.
`:· 0
`
`0
`
`4
`
`7"
`
`8"
`
`/ 23\
`
`33'
`
`34 1
`
`9"
`
`65
`
`II"
`
`1
`
`66
`
`1211
`
`13 11
`
`FIG. !O
`
`13 11
`
`FIG. 9
`
`0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Dec. 27, 1983
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`4,422,792
`
`24 1
`
`7111
`
`9"'
`
`34'
`.=;1=~52===F=======-1=-=====::-~
`12 11
`
`13 11
`
`33 1
`
`43
`
`4
`
`8111
`
`FIG. ii
`
`8111
`
`7"'
`
`111 °
`
`65
`
`II II
`
`2
`
`i
`
`12"
`
`13 11
`
`FIG.13
`
`13 11
`
`FIG.12
`
`0006
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,422,792
`
`GUSSET METAL LEDGER HANGER
`
`1.
`
`2
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hanger shown in FIG.
`
`10
`
`30
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Two alternatives are generally used for providing the 5
`ledger support at the roof line (and in some cases floor
`lines) around the inside perimeter of buildings and/or at
`internal concrete or masonry walls. These are either
`wood ledgers such as 4X 14's or metal ledgers such as
`angle or U-shaped, both attached to the concrete or
`masonry wall by means of anchor bolts.
`The wood ledger has historically dominated until
`recent years, primarily due to the ease of attachment it
`provides for intersecting plywood, purlins, and other 15
`structural members attached to the ledger. More re(cid:173)
`cently the wood ledger systems have been under attack
`because of their excessive costs, certain deficiencies in
`respect to seismic tie anchorage, and the practical diffi(cid:173)
`culties encountered in making the concrete to outstand- 20
`ing member connection without an intermediate wood
`connection, as now required by seismic codes.
`Several years ago, the metal leder was rapidly making
`its appearance, typified by 3 X 3 X ¼ inch up through
`3 X 6 X ¼ inch angled sections, as well as U-channel sec- 25
`tions of approximately the same net section. In part, this
`development was made practical by the improvement in
`gun, air driven or several drilled screw methods for
`attaching plywood, hangers, and other hardware to the
`metal ledger.
`About three (3) years ago, the metal ledger system
`received a bad set back when a series of tests disclosed
`that when a typical purlin type hanger was attached to
`such an angle or U-channel, the loading radically de(cid:173)
`flected the outstanding leg of the angle or U-channel at 35
`the points of concentrated loading. Therefore, in order
`to use metal ledger angle or U-sections, it became neces(cid:173)
`sary to provide costly field welding of gussets (metal
`plates) at the point of the concentrated loads to prevent
`deflection of the outstanding leg of the ledger member. 40
`This requirement tended to throw the balance of eco(cid:173)
`nomic value back towards use of the wood ledger.
`More recently, the economic balance has shifted back
`to the use of the metal ledgers by virtue of the fact that
`the net section of the metal ledgers may be calculated, 45
`approximately, in lieu of an equal section of reinforcing
`steel in the concrete or masonry walls otherwise re(cid:173)
`quired as bond steel in such structures. This economic
`factor at present is sufficient to overcome the cost of
`field welding gussets so that there is a sudden surge of 50
`metal ledger designs being specified.
`In my copending patent application, Ser. No. 172,002
`filed July 24, 1980, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,664 I
`disclosed a hanger entitled Free Gusset Metal Ledger
`Hanger in which the hanger was provided with a gusset 55
`which interlocked with the outstanding leg and the
`lower leg of the metal ledger but was not directly fas(cid:173)
`tened to either member. This hanger was an extremely
`important advance in ledger hangers but did not meet
`the holding requirements of some jurisdictions.
`The object of the present invention is to appreciably
`increase the load holding of the hanger in combination
`with the metal ledger.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanger incorporat(cid:173)
`ing the improvement of the present invention attached
`to a metal ledger angle.
`
`FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the hanger shown
`in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the hanger
`shown in FIG. 2 taken generally along line 4-4.
`FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another hanger incorpo(cid:173)
`rating the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the hanger
`shown in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the hanger
`shown in FIG. 5 taken generally along line 7-7.
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of still another hanger incor(cid:173)
`porating the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the hanger
`shown in FIG. 8.
`FIG. 10 is a portion cross sectional view of the
`hanger shown in FIG. 8 taken generally along line
`10-10.
`FIG. 11 is a variation of the hanger shown in FIG. 8
`incorporating the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the hanger.
`shown in FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of the hanger
`shown in FIG. 11 taken generally along line 13-13.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The gusset metal ledger hanger of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion attaches to a metal ledger 1 which includes a lower
`leg 2 attached to the face of a wall and an outstanding
`leg 3 having an upper face 4 and a lower face 5.
`Referring to the hanger 7 shown in FIGS. 1 through
`4, the top flange 8 is adapted for comnection to the upper
`face 4 of the outstanding ledger leg 3. A depending
`flange 9 attached to the top flange 8 extends down-
`wardly therefrom. First and seconcil stirrup members 11
`and 12 are attached to the depending flange 9 and ex(cid:173)
`tend downwardly therefrom and are adapted for hold(cid:173)
`ing a structural beam member (not shown). Preferably
`the hanger has a seat member 13. A first gusset member
`15 is operatively and ridgedly connected to the top
`flange 8 and is formed with a top ecilge 16 in registration
`with the lower face 5 of the outstanding leg 3 of the
`ledger and has a'side face 17 in close fitting relation to
`the outward face 18 of the lower leg 2 of the metal
`ledger 1.
`As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the gusset member is
`an integral part of the depending flange 9. As a specific
`example, the gusset member may be constructed from a
`purlin hanger having a top flange element 2¾'' a depend-
`ing flange 2f' X 7 gauge. The stirrup elements may be
`2f' X 12 gauge. The gusset member may be made by
`cutting the depending flange 9 3" and 1/16th" down
`from the bend of the angle. The gusset is then bent 90°
`so that'it creates a gusset 2 and¾" long. The stirrups are
`attached to the depending flange by standard welds 19
`and 20.
`Preferably, a second gusset member 22 is integrally
`60 connected to the top flange 8 and has a top edge 23 in
`registration with the lower face 5 ofthe outstanding leg
`3 of the ledger and has a side edg,e 24 in close fitting
`relation to the outward face 18 of the lower leg 2 of the
`ledger 1. The first and second gusset members 15 and 22
`65 are located adjacent the stirrup members 11 and 12.
`Openings 6 may be formed in top flange 8 for insertion
`of fasteners therethrough and into metal ledger 1 or
`instead of openings, markings may be indicated where
`
`0007
`
`

`

`4,422,792
`
`3
`steel penetrating nails may be inserted using air or gun
`powder actuated nailing guns.
`the seismic straps 26 and 27 are attached to the stir(cid:173)
`rups by welds 28 and 29. The straps are connected to
`the held beam by suitable fasteners to satisfy seismic 5
`building code requirement.
`The hanger in the form just described provided a
`greatly improved load holding capacity over all previ(cid:173)
`ous hangers. The hanger, however, did not provide
`sufficient load holding capacity for some jurisdictions. 10
`Applicant discovered that by providing a first gusset
`foot 61 attached to the first gusset member 15 at a right
`angle so that the foot was positioned in face to face
`contact with the ledger lower leg 2 and fastening the
`foot to the lower ledge leg by fastening means 62, a 15
`surprisingly substantial increase in holding capacity of
`the hanger could be obtained. A further increase in
`holding capacity can be obtained by providing a second
`gusset foot 63 attached to second gusset member 22
`which also is positioned in face to face contact with the 20
`ledger lower leg 2 and attached thereto by fastener 62.
`FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate an alternate free gusset
`metal ledger hanger 7' which incorporates the free gus-
`set teachings previously described and illustrated in
`hanger 7 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Top flanges 8' 25
`are adapted for connection to the upper face 4 of the
`outstanding ledger leg 3. Depending flanges 9' attached
`to the top flanges 8' extend downwardly therefrom.
`First and second stirrup members 11' and 12' are at(cid:173)
`tached to the depending flanges 9' and are adapted for 30
`holding a structural beam member (not shown). A first
`gusset member 15' is operatively ridgedly connected to
`the top flange 8' by being directly connected to stirrup
`member 11' by weld 31. First gusset member 15' has a
`top edge 16' in registration with the lower face 5 of the 35
`outstanding leg 3 of the ledger and a side face 17' in
`close fitting relation to the outward face 18 of the lower
`leg 2 of the metal hanger.
`The first and second gusset members 15' and 22' are
`formed from a U-shaped member 32 in which the legs 40
`33 and 34 also form seismic straps which are connected
`to a carried beam (not shown). The base 36 of the U(cid:173)
`shaped member forms the side face 17' of the gusset
`member.
`Detents 37 and 38 may be formed in the gusset par- 45
`tions 15' and 22' for stiffening purposes.
`First and second gusset members 15' and 22' are held
`in position by shooting nail means 62 through base 36 of
`the U-shaped member into lower leg 2 of the metal
`ledger.
`Preferably hanger 7' is formed with a seat member 13'
`integrally connected to stirrup members 11' and 12'. For
`ease of installation, openings 6' may be formed in top
`flanges 8' or the insertion of fasteners into the metal
`ledger.
`Still another form of hanger 7" is illustrated in FIGS.
`8 through 10. Hanger 7" incorporates the same free
`gusset principal of the hangers previously described. A
`top flange 8" is adapted for connection to the upper face
`4 of the outstanding ledger leg 3. A depending flange 9" 60
`is attached to the top flange 8" and extends down(cid:173)
`wardly therefrom. First and second stirrup member 11"
`and 12" are attached to the depending flange 9" by weld
`39 and extend downwardly therefrom and are adapted
`for holding a structural beam member (not shown). The 65
`first gusset member is composed of two parts. An ex(cid:173)
`tended portion 41 of stirrup 11" which has a top edge
`16" in registration with the lower face 5 of the outstand-
`
`4
`ing leg 3 of the ledger forms the first part. The extended
`portion 41 is operatively rigidly connected to the top
`flange 8" and depending flange 9". The other member
`making up the first gusset member is end portion 42 of
`seismic strap 33' which has a first gusset foot 65 formed
`at right angles and an end face 17" in close fitting rela-
`tion to the outward face 18 of the lower leg 2 of the
`metal ledger 1. A nail 62 permanently attaches first
`gusset foot 65 to lower leg 2.
`The first seismic strap 33' is adapted for connection to
`the structural beam member and is connected to the
`outside face 43 of the stirrup 11".
`The second gusset member is also formed from a
`combination o'f two members; namely, extended stirrup
`portion 44 of second stirrup member 12" and end por(cid:173)
`tion 46 of seismic strap 34'. Extended stirrup portion 44
`has a top edge 23" in registration with the lower face 5
`of the outstanding leg 3 of the ledger 1. The second
`seismic strap 34' is connected to the second stirrup 12"
`by welds 47 and 48. The seismic strap 34' h11s a second
`gusset foot 66 attached at right angles and has an end
`face 24' in close fitting relation to the outward face 18 of
`the lower leg 2 of the metal ledger 1. The depending
`flange 9" is located entirely between the stirrup mem(cid:173)
`bers 33' and 34'. A nail fastener 62 attaches gusset foot
`66 to lower leg 2 of the ledger 1.
`The hanger 7'" illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 is a varia-
`tion of the hanger 7" illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10.
`A description of parts which are identical are not re(cid:173)
`peated and only the differences between the two hang(cid:173)
`ers will be described. In hanger 7'", the top flange 8'"
`and depending flange 9'" extend laterally beyond stir(cid:173)
`rup members 11" and 12" and depending flange 9'" is
`formed with vertically extending first and second slots
`51 and 52. The first seismic strap 33' extends throug~
`the first slot 51 and has an end face 17'. The second
`seismic strap 34' which is connected to the second stir(cid:173)
`rup member 12'" extends through the second slot 52 and
`has a side edge 24' in close fitting relation to the out(cid:173)
`ward face 18 of the lower leg 2 of the metal ledger 1.
`Nails 62 attach gusset feet 65 and 66 to the lower leg 2
`of the ledger 1. Prior to the present invention, it was this
`outstanding leg which failed in bending. In the present
`case, the permanently positioned gussets provide a stiff(cid:173)
`ening of the outstanding leg of the ledger member so
`that the moment load is transferred to shear load. In
`respect to the attaching pins or nails, the calculated limit
`of value, in a general way, is therefor, either such pin
`shear value or the lower portion of the gusset expressed
`50 as L/R. A secondary indeterminate is present as an
`aspect of the free gusset and has to be considered. As
`load is increased, it is clear that the load reaction is
`taken by the rigidity of the outstanding leg of the ledger
`member plus the ridgity of the angle of the hanger top
`55 flange. This, as noted previously, is not sufficient to take
`all of the load. The gusset, because it is attached to the
`lower leg 2 of the ledger prevents bending of the out(cid:173)
`standing leg 3 of the metal ledger.
`I claim:
`1. In combination a gusset metal ledger hanger for
`attachment to a metal ledger 1 wherein the metal ledger
`includes a lower leg 2 attached to the face of a wall and
`an outstanding leg 3 having an upper' face 4 and a lower
`face 5, said ledger hanger including; a top flange 8
`adapted for connection to said upper face 4 of said
`outstanding ledger leg 3, a depending flange 9 attached
`to said top flange 8 extending downwardly therefrom,
`first and second stirrup members 11 and 12 attached to
`
`0008
`
`

`

`4,422,792
`5
`6
`said depending flange 9 extending downwardly there(cid:173)
`bers 11' and 12' and said base 36 of said U-shaped mem(cid:173)
`from and adapted for holding a structural beam mem(cid:173)
`ber forms said side face 17' of said gusset members
`ber, a first gusset member 15 operatively and ridgedly
`which is located in close fitting ]l'elation to said outward
`connected to said top flange 8 having a top edge 16 in
`face 18 of said lower leg 2 of said metal ledger 1; said
`registration with said lower face 5 of said outstanding 5
`improvement comprising:
`leg 3 of said ledger and having a side face 17 in close
`a. fastening means 62 adapted for permanently attaching
`fitting relation to said outward face 18 of said lower leg
`said base 36 to said ledger lower leg 2.
`2 of said metal hanger 1, and said gusset member is an
`4. A free gusset metal ledger hanger as described in
`integral part of said depending flange 9; said improve(cid:173)
`claim 1 wherein; said first stirmp member 11" includes
`ment comprising:
`10 a top edge which forms said top edge 16" of said first
`a. a first gusset foot 61 attached to said first gusset mem(cid:173)
`gusset member; and a first seismic strap 33' adapted for
`ber 15 at a right angle thereto and positioned in face
`connection to said structural beam member is connected
`to face contact with said ledger lower leg 2; and
`to said outside face 43 of said stirrup 11" and has an end
`b. fastening means 62 adapted for permanently attach(cid:173)
`face 17" forming said side face of said first gusset mem(cid:173)
`ing said first gusset foot 61 to said ledger lower leg 2. 15
`ber, said improvement comprising:
`2. A gusset metal ledger hanger as described in claim
`a. a first gusset foot 65 attached to said first gusset mem(cid:173)
`1 including; a second gusset member 22 integrally con(cid:173)
`ber and positioned in face to face contact with said
`nected to said top flange 8 having a top edge 23 in
`ledger lower leg 2; and
`registration with said lower face 5 of said outstanding
`b. fastening means 62 adapted for permanently attach(cid:173)
`leg 3 of said ledger and having a side face 24 in close 20
`ing said first gusset foot 65 to said ledger lower leg 2.
`fitting relation to said outward face 18 of said lower leg
`5. A gusset metal ledger hanger as described in claim
`2 of said ledger 1, and said first and second gusset mem(cid:173)
`4 including; said second stirrup member 12" has a top.
`bers 15 and 22 are located adjacent said stirrup members
`· edge 23" in registration with said lower face 5 of said
`11 and 12; said improvement comprising:
`outstanding leg 3 of said ledger 1 which forms said top
`a. second gusset foot 63 attached to said second gusset 25
`edge of said second gusset member, a second seismic
`member 22 at a right angle thereto and positioned in
`strap 34' connected to said second stirrup 12" having an
`face to face contact with said ledger lower leg 2; and
`end face 24' in close fitting relation to said outward face
`b. fastening means 62 adapted for permanently attach(cid:173)
`18 of said lower leg 2 of said metal hanger 1, and said
`ing said second gusset foot 63 to said ledger lower leg
`depending flange 9" is located entirely between said
`2.
`stirrup members 33' and 34', said .improvement compris(cid:173)
`3. In combination a gusset metal ledger hanger for
`ing:
`attachment to a metal ledger 1 wherein the metal ledger
`a. a second gusset foot 66 attached to said second gusset
`includes a lower leg 2 attached to the face of a wall and
`member and positioned in face to face contact with
`an outstanding leg 3 having an upper face 4 and a lower
`said ledger lower leg 2; and
`face 5 said ledger hanger including; top flanges 8' 35
`b. fastening means 62 adapted for permanently attach(cid:173)
`adapted for connection to said upper face 4 of said
`ing said second gusset foot 66 to said ledger lower leg
`outstanding ledger leg 3; depending flanges 9' attached
`2.
`to said top flanges 8' extending downwardly therefrom;
`6. A gusset metal ledger hanger as described in claim
`first and second stirrup member 11' and 12' attached to
`4 c.omprising:
`said depending flanges 9' extending downwardly there- 40
`a. said depending flange 9'" extends laterally beyond
`from and adapted for holding a structural beam mem(cid:173)
`said stirrup members 33' and 34' and is formed with
`ber; first and second gusset members 15' and 22' opera(cid:173)
`vertically extending first and second slots 51 and 52;
`tively and ridgedly connected to said top flanges 8'
`b. said first seismic strap 33' extends through said first
`having top edges 16' and 23' in registration with said
`slot 51; and
`lower face 5 of said outstanding leg 3 of said ledger and 45
`c. a second seismic strap 34' connected to said second
`having side face 17' in close fitting relation to said out(cid:173)
`stirrup 12" extends through said second slot 52 and
`ward face 18 of said lower leg 2 of said metal ledger 1;
`has a side edge 24' in close fitting relation to said
`and said first and second gusset members 15' and 22' are
`outward face 18 of said lower leg 2 of said metal
`formed from a U-shaped member 32 having legs 33 and
`ledger 1.
`34 and a base 36 directly connected to said stirrup mem- 50
`* * * * *
`
`30
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0009
`
`