Hold-down connectors and wall systems

Abstract

A hold-down connector for attaching metal studs forming a wall assembly to a support structure. One embodiment of the hold-down connector has a base portion that has first and second side gusset plates protruding therefrom. The first and second side gusset plates each have a welding edge constructed to be welded to a portion of a structural member, such as a vertically extending stud. A base plate may be placed onto the base portion and the base portion may be attached to a support structure with at least one fastener that extends through the base portion and base plate. Some embodiments may have cross straps attached thereto. Other embodiments have hook-like fasteners formed in the first and second side gusset plates for hooking engagement with a structure member.

1 . A hold-down connector for attachment to a structural member having a web, the hold-down connector comprising: 
 a base portion having at least one base portion fastener opening therethrough;    a first side gusset plate protruding from a first side of said base portion and having a first welding edge constructed to be welded to the web of the structural member;    a second side gusset plate having a second welding edge constructed to be welded to the web of the structural member, said second side gusset plate protruding from a second side of said base portion such that said second welding edge is spaced from said first welding edge a first distance; and    a base plate received on said base portion between said first and second side gusset plates, said base plate having an opening therethrough that corresponds with one of the at least one base portion fastener openings in said base portion.    
   
   
       2 . The hold-down connector of  claim 1  wherein the web of the structural member has a width and wherein said first distance is less than said width.  
   
   
       3 . The hold-down connector of  claim 1  wherein the web of the structural member has a width and wherein said first distance is substantially equal to said width.  
   
   
       4 . The hold-down connector of  claim 1  further comprising at least one cross-strap attached to a corresponding one of said first and second side gusset plates.  
   
   
       5 . The hold-down connector of  claim 1  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are integrally formed with said base portion.  
   
   
       6 . The hold-down connector of  claim 1  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are attached to said base portion.  
   
   
       7 . A hold-down connector for attachment to a structural member having a web, the hold-down connector comprising: 
 a base portion having at least one base portion fastener opening therethrough;    a first side gusset plate protruding from a first side of said base portion, said first side gusset plate having a first attachment edge having at least one first fastener hook formed therein for hooking engagement with a corresponding portion of the web of the structural member;    a second side gusset plate protruding from a second side of the base portion and spaced a first distance from said first side gusset plate, said second side gusset plate having a second attachment edge having at least one second fastener hook formed therein for hooking engagement with another corresponding portion of the web of the structural member;    a base plate received on said base portion between said first and second side gusset plates, said base plate having an opening therethrough that corresponds with at least one of the at least on base portion fastener openings in said base portion.    
   
   
       8 . The hold-down connector of  claim 7  wherein the web portion of the structural member has a width and wherein said first distance is less than said width.  
   
   
       9 . The hold-down connector of  claim 7  wherein the web of the structural member has a width and wherein said first distance is substantially equal to said width.  
   
   
       10 . The hold-down connector of  claim 7  further comprising at least one cross-strap attached to a corresponding one of said first and second side gusset plates.  
   
   
       11 . The hold-down connector of  claim 7  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are integrally formed with said base portion.  
   
   
       12 . The hold-down connector of  claim 7  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are attached to said base portion.  
   
   
       13 . A wall system, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a wall frame supported on said support structure, said wall frame comprising at least one vertically extending metal stud having a stud web and two stud flanges protruding from said stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other;    a hold-down connector comprising: 
 a base portion attached to said support structure;  
 a first side gusset plate protruding from a first side of said base portion and having a first welding edge welded to a corresponding portion of said stud web of one of the at least one vertically extending metal studs; and  
 a second side gusset plate protruding from a second side of said base portion and having a second welding edge that is spaced from said first welding edge a first distance and is welded to another corresponding portion of said stud web.  
   
   
   
       14 . The wall system of  claim 13  wherein said stud web to which said first and second welding edges are welded has a width that is substantially greater than said first distance.  
   
   
       15 . The wall system of  claim 13  wherein said stud web to which said first and second welding edges are welded has a width that is substantially equal to said first distance.  
   
   
       16 . The wall system of  claim 15  wherein said first side gusset plate is further welded to one of said stud flanges and said second side gusset plate is further welded to another of said stud flanges.  
   
   
       17 . The wall system of  claim 13  wherein said hold-down connector further comprises a base plate received on said base portion between said first and second gusset portions and wherein said base portion is fastened to said support structure by a fastener extending through said base portion and said base plate.  
   
   
       18 . The wall structure of  claim 17  further comprising at least one cross-strap corresponding to at least one of said first and second side gusset plates and being attached thereto.  
   
   
       19 . A wall system, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a wall frame supported on said support structure, said wall frame comprising at least one vertically extending metal stud having a stud web and two stud flanges protruding from said stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other;    a hold-down connector corresponding to one of said vertically extending metal studs and comprising: 
 a base portion attached to said support structure;  
 a first side gusset plate protruding from a first side of said base portion and having a first welding edge welded to one of said stud flanges of the corresponding vertically extending metal stud; and  
 a second side gusset plate protruding from a second side of said base portion and having a second welding edge that is spaced from said first welding edge a first distance and is welded to another said stud flange of the corresponding vertically extending metal stud.  
   
   
   
       20 . A wall system, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a wall frame supported on said support structure, said wall frame comprising at least one vertically extending metal stud having a stud web and two stud flanges protruding from said stud web in spaced-apart relation to each other;    a hold-down connector corresponding to one of said at least one vertically extending metal studs, said hold-down connector comprising: 
 a base portion attached to said support structure;  
 a first side gusset plate protruding from a first side of said base portion and having at least one first hook protruding therefrom for hooking engagement with said stud web of the corresponding vertically extending metal studs; and  
 a second side gusset plate protruding from a second side of said base portion and having at least one second hook protruding therefrom for hooking engagement with said stud web of said corresponding vertically extending metal stud.  
   
   
   
       21 . The wall system of  claim 20  wherein said web of said corresponding vertically extending metal stud has a first series of first slots therethrough that correspond in number to a plurality of said first fastener hooks and a second series of second slots that correspond in number to a plurality of second fastener hooks.  
   
   
       22 . The hold-down connector of  claim 20  wherein said stud web of said corresponding vertically extending metal stud has a width and wherein said first side gusset plate is spaced from said second side gusset plate a first distance that is less than said width.  
   
   
       23 . The hold-down connector of  claim 20  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are integrally formed with said base portion.  
   
   
       24 . The hold-down connector of  claim 20  wherein said first and second side gusset plates are attached to said base portion.