Cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector and system

Abstract

A cross-laminated timber (CLT) and cold formed steel (CFS) connector and system is provided. The CLT and CFS connector comprises a track, at least one fastener, and at least one spring. The track is configured to connect to at least one CFS stud. The at least one fastener includes a head and shaft. The at least one fastener is configured to connect the track to a CLT panel. The at least one spring is configured to receive the shaft of the fastener and compress between the head of the fastener and the track. Methods of installing the CLT and CFS connector and system are also provided.

1 . A cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector comprising:
 a track configured to connect to at least one cold formed steel stud;   at least one fastener including a head and a shaft, the at least one fastener configured to connect the track to a cross-laminated timber panel;   and at least one spring configured to receive the shaft and compress between the head and the track.   
     
     
         2 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 1  wherein the track is made from cold formed steel. 
     
     
         3 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 1  wherein the track is U-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 1  further comprising a spacer configured to nest within the cross-laminated timber panel. 
     
     
         5 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 4  wherein the spacer is made from steel. 
     
     
         6 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 4  wherein the spacer is made from precast concrete. 
     
     
         7 . A cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector comprising:
 a first track configured to connect to at least one first cold formed steel stud;   a second track configured to connect to at least one second cold formed steel stud;   at least one first fastener including a head and a shaft, the at least one first fastener configured to connect the first track to a first side of a cross-laminated timber panel;   at least one spring configured to receive the shaft and compress between the head and the first track; and   at least one second fastener configured to connect the second track to a second side of the cross-laminated timber panel.   
     
     
         8 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 7  wherein the first track and the second track are made from cold formed steel. 
     
     
         9 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 7  wherein the first track and the second track are U-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 7  further comprising a spacer configured to nest within the cross-laminated timber panel between the first track and the second track. 
     
     
         11 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 10  wherein the spacer is made from steel. 
     
     
         12 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 10  wherein the spacer is made from precast concrete. 
     
     
         13 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 7  further including at least one first plate configured to connect to the first track at the location of the at least one first cold formed steel stud. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector comprising:
 positioning a track on a cross-laminated timber panel, the track configured to connect to a cold formed steel stud; and   attaching the track to the cross-laminated timber panel with a fastener and a spring assembly, the fastener including a head and a shaft, the shaft extending through the spring and the spring positioned between the head and the track.   
     
     
         15 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 14  further comprising attaching the cold formed steel stud to the track. 
     
     
         16 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 15  wherein the cold formed steel stud is attached to the track with at least one second fastener or by welding. 
     
     
         17 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 15  further comprising inserting a spacer into the cross-laminated timber panel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 17  further comprising connecting the spacer to the track. 
     
     
         19 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 17  wherein the spacer is made from at least one of steel and precast concrete. 
     
     
         20 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector of  claim 17  wherein the spacer is installed at the location of the cold formed steel stud.