Concealed Post Tie

Abstract

An elongated connector is provided for connecting first and second structural members, the elongated connector is received in the first and second structural members and is connected to structural members with first and second lateral fasteners with the connector and the fastener being substantially hidden from view.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connection between a first structural member and a second structural member made with a connector and one or more first and second fasteners, the connection comprising:
 a. a first structural member having a face surface;   b. a second structural member having a matching surface, with the face surface of the first structural member interfacing with the matching surface of the second structural member;   c. a connector, said connector being an elongated member received in both the first structural member and the second structural member and passing through the face surface of the first structural member and the matching surface of the second structural member, the connector having a body and a longitudinal axis;   d. the one or more first fasteners are received by the connector and by the first structural member; and   e. the one or more second fasteners are received by the connector and by the second structural member.   
     
     
         2 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elongated connector is made with one or more flattened sides.   
     
     
         3 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector is made with two flattened sides that are oppositely disposed.   
     
     
         3 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 one or more tabs project from the body of the connector, and each of the one or more tabs is formed with an end surface, and the one or more tabs are located on the connector such that when the connector is received in the first and second structural members the end surfaces of the one or more tabs are adjacent the face surface and the matching surface.   
     
     
         4 . The connection of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the connector is formed with two tabs disposed on opposite sides of the body and the end surfaces of the tabs face different directions on the longitudinal axis of the connector.   
     
     
         5 . The connection of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the connector is made with two flattened sides that are oppositely disposed, and the tabs project from the flattened sides.   
     
     
         6 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body of the connector is a hollow tube.   
     
     
         7 . The connection of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the elongated connector is made with one or more flattened sides.   
     
     
         8 . The connection of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the connector is made with two flattened sides that are oppositely disposed.   
     
     
         9 . The connection of  claim 8 , wherein:
 one or more tabs project from the body of the connector, and each of the one or more tabs is formed with an end surface, and the one or more tabs are located on the connector such that when the connector is received in the first and second structural members the end surfaces of the one or more tabs are adjacent the face surface and the matching surface.   
     
     
         10 . The connection of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the connector is formed with two tabs disposed on opposite sides of the body and the end surfaces of the tabs face different directions on the longitudinal axis of the connector.   
     
     
         11 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body of the connector is made from a single sheet rolled into the general form of a cylinder, and the body has a left edge segment and a right edge segment, and when the body is formed into the general form of a cylinder, the left edge segment and the right edge segment are adjacent.   
     
     
         12 . The connection of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the body of the connector is formed with a bottom edge segment and a top edge segment with the bottom and top edge segments defining the longitudinal extent of the connector, and wherein the left, right, top and bottom edge segments are joined by diagonal segments that intersect with adjacent edge segments of the left, right top and bottom edge segments at angles of less than 90 degrees   
     
     
         13 . The connection of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the left edge segment is parallel to the right edge segment with a slit between the left edge segment and the right edge segment.   
     
     
         14 . The connection of  claim 11 , wherein:
 one or more tabs project from the body of the connector, and each of the one or more tabs is formed with an end surface, and the one or more tabs are located on the connector such that when the connector is received in the first and second structural members the end surfaces of the one or more tabs are adjacent the face surface and the matching surface.   
     
     
         15 . The connection of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the connector is formed with two tabs disposed on opposite sides of the body and the end surfaces of the tabs face different directions on the longitudinal axis of the connector.   
     
     
         16 . The connection of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the connector is made with two flattened sides that are oppositely disposed, and the tabs project from the flattened sides.   
     
     
         17 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector is made with first and second lateral openings that receive the first and second lateral fasteners respectively, and the first and second lateral openings splay outwardly.   
     
     
         18 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector is made with first and second lateral openings that receive the first and second lateral fasteners respectively, and the first and second lateral openings are obround with substantially flattened oppositely disposed side edges that run orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the connector.   
     
     
         19 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the one or more first and second fasteners is an adhesive.   
     
     
         20 . The connection of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector is formed with an indicator, and the indicator is located on the connector such that when the connector is received in the first and second structural members the indicator is near the face surface and the matching surface.