GB2278269A - Brackets for downpipe mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

A bracket for use in securing a downpipe to a tile-or slate-hung wall without drilling or damaging any tile, comprises a base portion 40, for fixing to the underlying batten on which tiles are to be hung, a shank portion 38 which, in use, extends between overlapping tiles and a terminal portion 41, for attachment of the downpipe by a standard coupling strap. The bracket 32 is made of flexible material to permit the accommodation of adjacent tiles and to this end may include lines of weakness 44, 46 at the junction of the portions. <IMAGE>

Description

BRACKETS FOR USE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to a bracket for use in securing guttering downpipes or like elements to walls or other structural elements hung with, for example, tiles or slates.

Downpipes are one of the last jobs to be finished when building a new property or renovating an old property. Other works are completed; cleaning down and last fittings are carried out; downpipes are measured up; downpipe holding brackets are then drilled and fixed; and finally the downpipe is connected. This sequence is satisfactory when fixing downpipes to brick. or to rendering, but very difficult to perform when trying to drill and fix brackets to hung tiles of clay or concrete, as the tiles quite often crack, chip and break away: having no solid backing makes fixing a very tricky task.

However, after the brackets have been finally fixed, the work is completed by fitting the downpipe. If any damage has been caused the tiles have to be repaired or replaced; unfortunately, as in any making good, this repair work tends to stand out from the original work.

It is an aim of the present invention to facilitate the fitting of downpipes to a tile-hung building by eliminating the drilling of tiles and the fixing of brackets thereto, whilst at the same time avoiding the risk of damage to the tiles.

According to the present invention there is provided a bracket for securing a downpipe or other element to a tile- or slate-hung structure, the bracket being secured to the underlying solid structure and having a shank which, in use, extends between adjacent overlapping tiles or slates.

Although the invention may be carried out in a variety of ways, one particular embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through the wall of a tile hung building, showing a stage in securing a downpipe with brackets according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a detail showing a further stage in securing the downpipe; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a bracket according to the invention; and, Figure 4 is a side elevation of the bracket of Fig 3.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a wall 10 of a building comprises a lower, brick portion 12 and an upper, breeze block portion 14 to which is secured a series of wooden battens 16 on which tiles 18 are to be hung.

A gutter 20 runs along the edge of the roof 22 and is connected to a downpipe 24 through a swan neck 26. The downpipe 24 is secured to the brick wall portion 12 by standard downpipe coupling straps 28 and fixings 30.

However, the couplings 28 around the downpipe 24 are secured to the upper wall portion 14 by means of brackets 32 shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The bracket 32 comprises a base portion 34 drilled with three holes 36, an integral shank portion 38 and a terminal portion 40 having a flange 41 providing an elongate hole 42. Transverse lines of weakness are provided at 44 and 46 by means of indentations.

When the downpipe 24 is to be fitted, the desired line of the downpipe is marked on the battens 16 by the use of a plumb line or by measurement, and a top bracket 32 is then nailed to the three topmost battens 16 by galvanised nails 48. A bottom bracket 32 is next fixed in a similar way. Tiling is subsequently carried out normally except that the brackets 32 are manipulated to accommodate the overlying tile 18 and to leave the terminal portions 38 projecting some 7.5-10 cm beyond the lower edge of the respective tiles. Manipulation is, of course, facilitated by the lines of weakness 44,46. A typical final shape of a bracket 32, and how it is angled to lie snugly between the tiles 18, is shown in Fig. 2.

Finally, the downpipe 24 is secured by means of the standard coupling straps 28 which are bolted to the respective brackets 32 through the holes 42. Any fine adjustments can be made by adjusting the swan neck 26.

The above-described bracket thus provides means for securing a downpipe or like element to a tile-hung wall, without need to drill any tiles, and without causing damage to the tiles.

While the invention has been particularly described with reference to securing guttering downpipes, it will be appreciated that brackets according to the invention may be used to secure other services or be incorporated during construction with a view to being subsequently utilised to support climbing plants against a wall.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A bracket for use in securing a downpipe or other element to a tile- or slate-hung wall or other structure, the bracket comprising a base portion for fixing to the underlying solid structure, an intermediate portion which, in use, extends between a pair of overlapping tiles and a terminal portion providing means for direct or indirect attachment of a downpipe or other element, the material of the bracket being sufficiently flexible to permit the accommodation of adjacent tiles.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, in which lines of weakness are provided at the junction between the base portion and the intermediate portion, and/or the intermediate portion with the terminal portion to facilitate conforming the bracket to the particular configuration of the adjacent tiles.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the base portion is provided with fixing means enabling it to be secured to the underlying structure.

4. A bracket as claimed in claim 3, in which the securing means comprise a plurality of holes.

5. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the attachment means on the terminal portion comprise at least one aperture.

6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, in which the attachment means comprise a slotted flange formed in the terminal portion and arranged for co-operation with a conventional downpipe coupling strap.

7. A downpipe bracket as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

8. A downpipe bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. The features hereinbefore described, or their equivalents, in any novel, patentable selection.