I-joist web hole insert

Abstract

An insert for I-joist web holes provides support and separation for piping, tubing and/or cabling guided through the installed I-joist's web. At the same time, the insert protects the web hole against destructive forces commonly related to the installation process and/or gravitational loads of piping, tubing and/or cabling.

1 . An I-joist web hole insert comprising: 
 a. a fit ring adjacent said flange for positioning said insert within said I-joist web hole;    b. a flange radially extending at one and of said ring for positioning said insert with respect to an insertion side of said web;    c. a number of cutout contours arrayed within said fit ring; and    d. an attachment feature for attaching said insert to said I-joist.    
   
   
       2 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment feature are attachment holes positioned on said flange in a radially outward distance to said fit ring;  
   
   
       3 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment feature is a snap finger recessed into said fit ring such that said snap finger fits together with said fit ring within said web hole and such that a hook tip of said snap finger snaps behind a web side opposite said insertion side.  
   
   
       4 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said flange further comprises a primary chord rest at least partially corresponding to an inside contour of a chord of said I-joist.  
   
   
       5 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said cutout contours are enforced via ribs.  
   
   
       6 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said cutout contours are concentrically arrayed with respect to said ring.  
   
   
       7 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said fit ring is circular.  
   
   
       8 . The insert of  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature is an outside thread placed on said ring.  
   
   
       9 . The insert of  claim 8 , wherein said outside thread is a cut thread configured such that said insert may be said attached by threading said insert with said outside thread into said web hole.  
   
   
       10 . The insert of  claim 8 , wherein said outside thread is provided by a thread ring extending next to said fit ring, said outside thread being configured in conjunction with an inside thread of a thread flange such that said insert is said attached by sandwiching said web between said flange and said thread flange via said thread flange screwed on said outside thread.  
   
   
       11 . The insert of  claim 10 , wherein said thread flange features a secondary chord rest at least partially corresponding to an inside contour of a chord of said I-joist.  
   
   
       12 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said insert further comprises a load rest at least partially corresponding to a central contour of a web stiffening support providing buckling reducing support of said web adjacent said web hole.  
   
   
       13 . The insert of  claim 1  made of plastic.  
   
   
       14 . An I-joist web hole support system comprising: 
 a. a web stiffening support having a central contour;    b. an insert having: 
 i. a fit ring adjacent said flange for positioning said insert within said I-joist web hole;  
 ii. a flange radially extending at one and of said ring for positioning said insert with respect to an insertion face of said web;  
 iii. a number of cutout contours arrayed within said fit ring;  
 iv. an attachment feature for attaching said insert to said I-joist;  
 v. a load rest at least partially corresponding to said central contour.  
   
   
   
       15 . The web hole support system of  claim 14 , wherein said web stiffening support has a U-shape and wherein said load rest said corresponds to a central arc of said central contour.  
   
   
       16 . The web hole support of  claim 14 , wherein said web stiffening support further comprises a load rest for resting on an inside contour of a chord of said I-joist.  
   
   
       17 . The web hole support of  claim 14 , wherein said web stiffening support further comprises alignment holes corresponding to holes of said attachment features being positioned on said flange.  
   
   
       18 . The web hole support system of  claim 14 , wherein said web stiffening support is made of sheet metal.  
   
   
       19 . The web hole support system of  claim 14 , wherein said insert is made of plastic.  
   
   
       20 . An I-joist comprising: 
 a. a web hole; and    b. an insert inserted in said web hole and attached to said I-joist;    wherein said insert has a cutout contour for guiding through at least one of a pipe, a tube and a cable through said web hole without direct contact between said web hole and said at least one of a pipe, a tube and a cable.