Slip bracket connector for rigid members

摘要

A one-piece rigid connector allows a nominal construction wood member to slip axially while fixed at its distal end, to accommodate the naturally occurring shrinkage of lumber. The connector surrounds the wood member and attaches to a second wood member to secure the members together. The connector may be slightly larger radially than the first member to accommodate natural movement. In one embodiment, the connector is made of a light gauge sheet metal and attaches a vertical baluster to the horizontal lower deck rail of an elevated wood deck guard rail system. The connector secures the baluster horizontally, but allows the baluster to move vertically to accommodate expansion or contraction of the baluster after construction. The distal end of the baluster is secured using conventional wood screw attachment. The connector includes tabs on each side to allow fastening of the connector to the lower deck rail using conventional wood screws.

主权项

1. A method of attaching a first wood member to a second member, the method comprising:
placing a bracket connector around the first wood member such that the bracket connector is in contacting relationship with the second member and in non-contacting relationship with the first wood member, the bracket connector being a three-sided brace including:
a planar front portion and planar left and right portions attached to opposing edges of the front portion and defining a proximal end and a distal end of the brace that are each open, the left, front, and right portions leaving a clearance gap between the bracket connector and the first wood member; andat least two tabs, one of the tabs attached to the left portion and another of the tabs attached to the right portion, each of the tabs including a first section projecting from the respective left or right portion, and each tab having at least one aperture disposed through the tab for receiving a fastener; abutting at least one of the tabs attached to the left portion and at least one of the tabs attached to the right portion against the second member such that the first section of each tab makes flush contact with the second member; and driving a fastener through one or more of the apertures in each of the tabs into the second member, the fasteners securing the bracket connector to the second member such that the bracket connector remains in non-contacting relationship with the first wood member, the non-contacting relationship creating a clearance gap that permits natural dimensional fluctuations of the first wood member.