AU2009101214A4

AU2009101214A4 - Connection Bracket and Method

Info

Publication number: AU2009101214A4
Application number: AU2009101214A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Dayus
Original assignee: WESBEAM HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: WESBEAM HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2009-11-26
Publication date: 2009-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-14
Also published as: AU2008202146A1

Description

AUSTRALIA ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Connection Bracket and Method Name of Applicant: Wesbeam Holdings Ltd Actual Inventors: Stephen Dayus Address for service: WRAYS Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- Connection bracket and method Field of the invention The present invention relates to an improved connection bracket and method for joining a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam. 5 Background of the invention Pitched roofs that are constructed one beam at a time, rather than being prefabricated, are commonly termed stick roof frames. In stick roof frames approximately eight primary strutting beams are used per house. Primary strutting beams are used to support other load bearing elements in the roof structure, such as secondary strutting beams, strutting 10 counter beams, strutting hanging beams, garage beams and hangers. Of the eight primary strutting beams used in the average stick roof frame house, approximately six are steel universal beams and two are timber beams, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams. Laminated veneer lumber beams are lengths of timber that are constructed from a plurality of timber veneer sheets laminated together 15 to form the beam of the required dimensions. Laminated veneer lumber beams are often used in situations where solid hardwood was previously used. Given the decrease in availability of hardwood, hardwood is no longer used regularly in the building industry. The benefits of laminated veneer lumber beams are that they can be provided in any length, have the consistency of steel, and are lighter than steel in most instances. 20 Most builders have a preference for laminated veneer lumber or timber over steel due to the increased costs associated with steel universal beams. These include the need for a crane to lift the universal beams into position. Crane drivers routinely delay work, which results in subsequent roof carpentry work being delayed. The cost to hire the crane and operator is also significant. If modification of the fixing positions is required, an on-site 25 welder is required to perform rectification work on the universal beams to reposition mounting brackets and cut new holes for fixing. The cost of steel is also increasing appreciably relative to timber.

2 In contrast, laminated veneer lumber or timber beams are, on average, lighter than steel universal beams and can frequently be lifted into position by the roof carpenters. removing the need for crane operators in most situations. The roof carpenters are able to use conventional fixing techniques involving nail guns and power saws to fix and 5 modify laminated veneer lumber or timber beams, eliminating the need for on-site rectification welding. A LVL or timber secondary strutting beam is joined to a LVL or timber primary strutting beam using a beam hanger, being a metal bracket that joins the end of the secondary strutting beam flush to the side of the primary strutting beam so that they extend 10 perpendicularly to one another. If there is a requirement to join a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam at any angle other than 90* then metal beams are required to be used. There is presently no successful solution for joining two LVL or timber strutting beams together at an angle other than 90*. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved connection bracket and method for joining 15 a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam. Summary of the invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a connection bracket for attaching a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam, the bracket including: a rear plate having apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the rear plate to a 20 primary strutting beam; and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, for supporting a secondary strutting beam, the secondary strutting beam being positioned with a lower surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative to the primary strutting beam; 25 wherein the base plate includes at least one aperture for receiving a fastener through the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam to retain the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation.

3 Bracing may be provided between the rear plate and the base plate. The secondary strutting beam is preferably able to be positioned between 45* and 90* to the primary strutting beam. It will be appreciated that angle less than 450 may also be provided for. Typically, the base plate would include at least two apertures to ensure that the 5 secondary strutting beam is retained in the selected angular orientation. The rear plate and the base plate.are preferably perpendicular to each other. However, it will be appreciated that in an embodiment of the invention, the base plate may be connected to the rear plate at an angle other than 90*, allowing the secondary strutting beam to be connected to the primary strutting beam at a slope. 10 The thickness of the base plate and rear plate are preferably in the range of 2-5mm. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of attaching a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam, including: a) providing a connection bracket having a rear plate with apertures and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, the base plate 15 including at least one aperture; b) positioning the rear plate against a side surface of the primary strutting beam; c) inserting fasteners through the apertures in the rear plate to secure the connection bracket to the primary strutting beam; d) positioning a secondary strutting beam on the connection bracket with a lower 20 surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative to the primary strutting beam; and e) inserting a fastener through the at least one aperture in the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam to retain the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation.

4 Preferably, prior to step a), the end of the secondary strutting beam is cut to a desired angle, such that the end of the secondary strutting beam can be positioned against the rear plate. Advantageously, additional fastening is provided. For example, after step e), fasteners 5 may be inserted through the secondary strutting beam into the primary strutting beam to secure the beams together. Typically such fasteners would be nails. Additionally, strapping may be provided, which loops over a top surface of the secondary strutting beam, the ends of which are secured to the primary strutting beam. The strapping is preferably metal. 10 Bracing may be provided between the rear plate and the base plate. The secondary strutting beam is preferably able to be positioned between 45* and 90* to the primary strutting beam. The primary strutting beam and the secondary strutting beam are preferably timber based products, such as solid hardwood or laminated veneer lumber. 15 Typically, the base plate would include at least two apertures to ensure that the secondary strutting beam is retained in the selected angular orientation. The fasteners inserted through the base plate are typically screws. Nails are preferably used to secure the rear plate to the primary strutting beam. The rear plate and the base plate are preferably perpendicular to each other. However, 20 it will be appreciated that in an embodiment of the invention, the base plate may be connected to the rear plate at an angle other than 90', allowing the secondary strutting beam to be connected to the primary strutting beam at a slope. According to a third aspect, there is provided a roof joint assembly, including: a primary strutting beam; 25 a secondary strutting beam; and 5 a connection bracket, including: a rear plate having apertures, the apertures receiving fasteners securing the rear plate to the primary strutting beam; and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, 5 supporting the secondary strutting beam, the secondary strutting beam being positioned with a lower surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative to the primary strutting beam; wherein the base plate includes at least one aperture receiving a fastener through the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam 10 retaining the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation. Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection bracket according to an embodiment of 15 the present invention securing a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam; Figure 2 is a representative cross-sectional plan view of a connection bracket securing a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection bracket of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the connection bracket blank, prior to bending and welding. 2D Detailed description of the embodiments A connection bracket 10 is provided for attaching a secondary strutting beam 12 to a primary strutting beam 14. Preferably the beams 12, 14 are timber based products, such as laminated veneer lumber beams, allowing roof carpenters to employ conventional fixing techniques using nail guns and power saws. As can be seen from 6 Figure 1, the primary strutting beam 14 has a larger cross-section than the secondary strutting beam 12 and is one of the main structural beams in a building construction supporting other secondary strutting beams. As can best be seen in Figure 3, the connection bracket 10 includes a rear plate 16 and 5 a base plate 18 extending perpendicularly outwardly from the rear plate 16. As can be seen from Figure 4, the bracket 10 can be manufactured from a stamped blank, with the rear plate 16 and base plate 18 being formed integrally and bent into the desired position, which is typically at 900 to each other, along bend line 20. The rear plate 16 and the base plate 18 are rectangular in shape. At the edges of the rear plate 16 are 10 bracing portions in the form of triangular end gussets 22, which are formed by bending end extensions of plate 16 along lines 24 and welding them to the base plate 18 along edges 26, 28 to brace the bracket 10. The rear plate 16 includes apertures 30 for receiving fasteners 32, such as nails (shown in Figure 2), to secure the rear plate 16 to the primary strutting beam 14. The outer 15 surface 34 of the rear plate 16 sits flush against the side surface 36 of the primary strutting beam 14. The base plate 18 typically sits aligned with the lower edge 38 of the primary strutting beam 14, as shown in Figure 1. A secondary strutting beam 12 that is to be attached to the primary strutting beam 14 preferably has the end 40 cut to the desired angle, as shown in Figure 2, which depicts 20 the angle as approximately 45*. The secondary strutting beam 12 is positioned with the end 40 against the rear plate 16 and a lower surface 42 resting on the base plate 18 at the selected angular orientation, 45" in Figure 2, relative to the primary strutting beam 14. The base plate 18 includes at least one aperture 44, although it is preferable that there 25 are at least two apertures 44, and the embodiment illustrated includes three. The apertures 44 receive fasteners, such as screws 46, through the base plate 18 into the lower surface 42 of the secondary strutting beam 12 to retain the secondary strutting beam 12 in the selected angular orientation.

7 To secure the connection, the secondary strutting beam 12 is fastened to the primary strutting beam 14 via nails 48. Additional fastening can be provided, as shown in Figure 1, where metal strapping 50 is looped over the top surface of the secondary strutting beam 12 and is fastened at its ends (not shown) to the primary strutting beam 14, 5 typically via nails. This strapping 50 holds the secondary strutting beam 12 into contact with the base plate 18 of the bracket 10. It will be appreciated that alternate additional fastening means may be provided. The present invention provides an improved connection bracket, and method, for joining secondary strutting beams to primary strutting beams at any desired angle. The 10 connection bracket can be used be roof carpenters allowing them to more widely use timber based beams, such as laminated veneer lumber beams, so that they can use conventional fixing techniques and avoid the difficulties and expense involved with using steel universal beams.

Claims

1. A connection bracket for attaching a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam, the bracket including: a rear plate having apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the rear plate to a 5 primary strutting beam; and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, for supporting a secondary strutting beam, the secondary strutting beam being positioned with a lower surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative to the primary strutting beam; 10 wherein the base plate includes at least one aperture for receiving a fastener through the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam to retain the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation.

2. A connection bracket according to claim 1 further including bracing between the rear plate and the base plate. 15

3. A connection bracket according to claim 2 wherein said bracing comprises a pair of end gussets.

4. A connection bracket according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said base plate includes at least two apertures to ensure that the secondary strutting beam is retained in the selected angular orientation. 20

5. A connection bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said rear plate and base plate are perpendicular to each other.

6. A method of attaching a secondary strutting beam to a primary strutting beam, including: 9 a) providing a connection bracket having a rear plate with apertures and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, the base plate including at least one aperture: b) positioning the rear plate against a side surface of the primary strutting 5 beam; c) inserting fasteners through the apertures in the rear plate to secure the connection bracket to the primary strutting beam; d) positioning a secondary strutting beam on the connection bracket with a lower surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative 10 to the primary strutting beam; and e) inserting a fastener through the at least one aperture in the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam to retain the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein, prior to step a), the end of the secondary 15 strutting beam is out to a desired angle, such that the end of the secondary strutting beam can be positioned against the rear plate.

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7 wherein after step e), fasteners are inserted through the secondary strutting beam into the primary strutting beam to secure the beams together. 20

9. A method according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein said primary strutting beam and secondary strutting beam are timber based products.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein said base plate includes at least two apertures to ensure that the secondary strutting beam is retained in the selected angular orientation. 10

11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein the fastener(s) inserted through the aperture(s) in the base plate are screws.

12. A method according to any of claims 6 to 11 wherein the fasteners inserted through the apertures in the rear plate are nails. 5

13. A roof joint assembly, including: a primary strutting beam; a secondary strutting beam; and a connection bracket, including: a rear plate having apertures, the apertures receiving fasteners securing 10 the rear plate to the primary strutting beam; and a base plate, connected to and extending outwardly from the rear plate, supporting the secondary strutting beam, the secondary strutting beam being positioned with a lower surface resting on the base plate at a selected angular orientation relative to the primary strutting beam; 15 wherein the base plate includes at least one aperture receiving a fastener through the base plate into the lower surface of the secondary strutting beam retaining the secondary strutting beam in said selected angular orientation.

14. A roof joint assembly according to claim 13 further including bracing between the rear plate and the base plate. 20

15. A roof joint assembly according to claim 14 wherein said bracing comprises a pair of end gussets. .11

16. A roof joint assembly according to claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein said base plate includes at least two apertures to ensure that the secondary strutting beam is retained in the selected angular orientation.

17. A roof joint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein said rear 5 plate and base plate are perpendicular to each other.

18. A roof joint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein said primary strutting beam and secondary strutting beam are timber based products.

19. A roof joint assembly according to any one of claIms 13 to 18 wherein the fasteners) received through the aperture(s) in the base plate are screws. 10

20. A roof joint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 19 wherein the fasteners received through the apertures in the rear plate are nails.