Knife plate fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12276100-B2
Application number	US-202016923379-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 8, 2020
Priority date	Jul 8, 2020
Publication date	Apr 15, 2025
Grant date	Apr 15, 2025

Abstract

A connector referred to herein as a knife plate, and the structural connections formed using the knife plate. The knife plate may have a first portion configured to affix to a first structural member, such as a vertical column. The knife plate may have a second portion configured to fit within a slot formed in a second structural member, such as a horizontal beam. The second structural member may be pinned to the knife plate using one or more dowels fit through the second structural member and the knife plate.

First claim

I claim:

1. A system for securing a first structural member to a second structural member in a construction, the second structural member having one or more holes, the system comprising:
a first section specifically made to be affixed to the first structural member; and
a second section, formed contiguous with the first section, and specifically made to be inserted into a slot in the second structural member and to receive one or more dowels through one or more holes in the second section and the second structural member, the second section and one or more dowels specifically made to support the second structural member on the first structural member without transferring moment forces from second structural member onto the first structural member; and
wherein the one or more dowels are specifically made to fit through the one or more holes in the second structural member and the one or more holes in the second section to support the second structural member on the first structural member with a space between the first and second structural members, the space allowing rotation of the first structural member relative to the second structural member.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections are formed at right angles to each other.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein first and second sections are integrally formed with each other.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more holes comprise a plurality of holes in the second section.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of holes comprise a circular hole specifically made to receive a dowel and specifically made to be an axis about which the second structural member rotates relative to the first structural member.

6. The system of claim 5 , the circular hole supporting the second structural member against axial movement and against gravitational forces.

7. The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of holes further comprise one or more oblong holes specifically made to receive one or more of the dowels.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are straight along their length.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are radiused along their length.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are oriented parallel to a long axis of the second structural member and specifically made to support the second structural member against gravitational forces.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are oriented perpendicularly to a long axis of the second structural member and specifically made to support the second structural member against axial movement.

12. A system within a construction, comprising:
a first structural member;
a second structural member comprising an end face, a slot provided in the second structural member through the end face and one or more holes formed a first distance from the end face;
a knife plate for pinning the first and second structural members to each other, the knife plate comprising:
a first section specifically made to be fastened to the first structural member, and
a second section specifically made to fit within the slot in the second structural member and comprising at least one hole formed at a second distance from the first section; and

one or more dowels specifically made to fit through the one or more holes in the second structural member and the at least one hole in the second section, the one or more dowels and second section specifically made to pin the second structural member to the knife plate and first structural member without transferring moment forces from second structural member onto the first structural member; and
wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance to provide a space between the end face of the second structural member and the first structural member when the second section is mounted on the knife plate, the space enabling rotation of the second structural member relative to the first structural member.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein one of the first and second structural members comprises a column, beam, joist, stud, girder, chord, truss, shear wall or frame.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one hole in the second section comprises a plurality of holes.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of holes comprise a circular hole specifically made to receive a dowel of the one or more dowels, and specifically made to be an axis about which the second structural member rotates relative to the first structural member.

16. The system of claim 15 , the circular hole supporting the second structural member against axial movement and against at least gravitational forces.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of holes further comprise one or more oblong holes specifically made to receive one or more of the dowels.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are straight along their length.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are radiused along their length.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are oriented parallel to a long axis of the second structural member and specifically made to support the second structural member against gravitational forces.

21. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more oblong holes are oriented perpendicularly to a long axis of the second structural member and specifically made to support the second structural member against axial movement.

22. A system within a construction, comprising:
a first structural member;
a second structural member comprising multiple holes;
a knife plate for pinning the first and second structural members to each other, the knife plate comprising:
a first section specifically made to be fastened to the first structural member, and
a second section comprising a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes comprising

a circular hole and one or more oblong holes; and
a plurality of dowels specifically made to fit through the multiple holes in the second structural member and the plurality of holes in the second section, the plurality of dowels in the multiple holes and plurality of holes supporting the second structural member on the knife plate and first structural member while allowing rotation of the second structural member relative to the knife plate and first structural member.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the one of the plurality of holes in the second section is open to a top edge of the knife plate.

24. The system of claim 22 , wherein the first and second structural members are formed of wood.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the wood comprises natural wood, composite wood and engineered lumber.

26. The system of claim 22 , wherein the first and second sections are formed at oblique angles with respect to each other.

27. The system of claim 22 , wherein the first and second sections are formed at 180° to each other, such that the knife plate is a flat plate.

28. A system within a construction, comprising:
a first structural member;
a second structural member comprising multiple holes;
a knife plate for pinning the first and second structural members to each other, the knife plate comprising:
a first section specifically made to be fastened to the first structural member, and
a second sect

Assignees

• Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc

Inventors

• Pryor Steven E

Classifications

• E04H9/021

  Bearing, supporting or connecting constructions specially adapted for such buildings · CPC title

• E04B1/92

  Protection against other undesired influences or dangers (buildings providing protection against external dangers E04H9/00; shielding against dangerous radiation G21F) · CPC title

• Y02A50/00

  in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather · CPC title

• E04B2001/2616

  Hinged connections of wooden members · CPC title

• E04B2001/2648

  located in slots of the elongated wooden members · CPC title