GB2349439A

GB2349439A - Bracket for timber beams

Info

Publication number: GB2349439A
Application number: GB9909832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodgr Alandale Steer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-29
Filing date: 1999-04-29
Publication date: 2000-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-29
Also published as: GB0116672D0; GB2349439B; GB9909832D0; GB2361279A; GB2361281A; GB2361278B; GB2361280B; GB0116666D0; GB2361281B; GB0116664D0; GB0116669D0; GB2361255A; GB0116671D0; GB2361280A; GB2361278A; GB2361279B; GB2361255B

Abstract

A bracket (2) for joining a horizontal timber beam of rectangular cross-section to an upright timber post, also of rectangular cross-section comprises a tubular body (14,16) of rectangular cross-section and a connecting plate (6) which projects from one side of the tubular body. The connecting plate (6) is formed with one or more apertures (8) through which respective pins may be driven into the post to fix the bracket (2) in place such that the tubular body (14,16) of the bracket projects perpendicularly from a side of the post. The connecting plate may project parallel to the axis of the tubular body instead of radially (Fig. 3). The bracket may be associated with a spike for fixing a post in the ground (Fig. 7).

Description

Bracket The present invention relates to a bracket for joining a horizontal timber beam to an upright timber post.

In the fabrication of timber frame buildings, it is often necessary to join a horizontal timber beam to an upright timber post.

Hitherto, such a join has required a bracket to be pinned, for example by screws or nails, both to the beam and to the post.

I have now devised an assembly which overcomes this limitation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bracket for joining a horizontal timber beam of rectangular cross-section to an upright timber post, also of rectangular cross-section, said bracket comprising a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving one end of the beam and provided at its opposite end with a connecting plate which projects from one side of the body and which is formed with one or more apertures through which respective pins, for example screws or nails, may be driven into the post to fix the bracket in place such that it projects perpendicularly from a side of the post.

Thus, by fitting each end of a beam into the open end of a respective tubular bracket, the beam may be secured between two upright posts without requiring the brackets to be pinned to the beam.

The connecting plate of the bracket may project either axially or radially from the bracket. It will be appreciated that an axially-projecting connecting plate will extend, in use, across a side of the post adjacent that from which the bracket projects, whereas a radially-projecting connecting plate will extend, in use, across the same side of the post as that from which the bracket projects.

Preferably the connecting plate of the bracket projects radially therefrom and the bracket is used with a second tubular bracket, the connecting plate of which projects axially therefrom so that the two brackets may be fixed in place to project in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the post, from opposite or adjacent sides of the post, with their connecting plates displaced from one another along the length of the post.

Arranged in this manner, the risk of interference between the pins which fix the brackets in place is eliminated.

Also, where the brackets extend from opposite sides of the post, the fixing pins enter the post from perpendicular directions, and so the risk of the post being split apart by the pins is reduced.

Preferably the or each aperture in the connecting plate of the bracket is arranged such that when an identical bracket is attached on an opposite side of the post, such that the two brackets extend in the same axial and radial planes, the apertures in the opposed connecting plates of the two brackets are laterally offset from one another, thereby preventing any interference between the pins which fix the brackets in place.

Preferably the bracket is arranged such that when it is fixed to the post, a gap is formed at the proximal end of at least one side of the bracket, for receiving the axially extending connecting plate of another bracket.

Preferably the bracket is used with a tubular support member of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving the lower end of the post and formed with respective apertures through which fixing pins may be driven into the post from correspondingly aligned apertures in the connecting plate of the bracket.

The tubular support member may be formed at its other end with ground-engaging means which may, for example, comprise an axially-projecting spike or one or more radially-projecting foot-plates for fixing to the ground.

In this case, the tubular support member preferably comprises a tubular member, open at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and formed at its opposite end with a portion of reduced internal width, and a tapered tubular spike the wider end of which is smaller in width than the tubular member at its open end but greater in width than the reduced-width portion of the tubular member, such that the spike may be driven through the tubular member and into the ground to anchor the tubular support member in place.

Alternatively, the tubular support member may be open at its other end, for example so that the assembly may be slid upwards along the upright post or may be used to join together the adjacent ends of two upright posts. In the latter case, the tubular support member is preferably formed with an internal partition midway between its opposite ends.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tubular support member comprising a tubular member, open at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and formed at its opposite end with a portion of reduced internal width, and a tapered tubular spike the wider end of which is smaller in width than the tubular member at its open end but greater in width than the reduced-width portion of the tubular member, such that the spike may be driven through the tubular member and into the ground to anchor the tubular support member in place.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of tubular bracket in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the bracket of Figure 1 attached to an upright tubular support member; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of tubular bracket in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bracket of Figure 3 attached to an upright tubular support member; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of two tubular brackets attached to an upright tubular support member; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an alternative configuration of the brackets of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of tubular support member.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a tubular bracket 2 of square cross-section is shown having an opening 4 at one end for receiving one end of a timber beam and provided at its opposite with a radially-extending connecting plate 6.

The connecting plate 6 is formed with three apertures 8 for receiving respective fixing pins so that the plate 6 may be fixed, as shown in Figure 2, to one side of an upright tubular support member 10, also of square cross-section, with the bracket 2 extending perpendicularly therefrom.

The tubular support member 10 has an opening 12 at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and may be provided at its opposite end with ground engaging means such as a spike for anchoring the tubular support member in place.

The bracket 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed of sheet metal from two right-angled sections 14 and 16 and a rectangular plate 6, the three sections 14,16 and 6 being buttwelded together along their adjoining edges. Whilst this particular arrangement is convenient to manufacture, it will be appreciated that the bracket 2 may be formed in a number of different ways and from a greater or fewer number of sections.

The apertures 8 in the connecting plate 6 of the bracket 2 are arranged such that when two identical brackets 2 extend from opposite sides of the tubular support member 10 in the same vertical and horizontal planes, the apertures 8 in their opposed connecting plates 6 are offset from one another, thereby preventing any interference between the pins which fix the two brackets in place.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, an alternative tubular bracket 18 is shown which is instead formed with an axially extending connecting plate 20 so that the bracket 18 may be fixed to the tubular support member 10 as shown in Figure 4.

The bracket 18 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is also formed of sheet metal from two right-angled sections 22 and 24 which are butt-welded together along their adjoining edges and a rectangular plate 20 which is lap welded to the surface of the right-angled section 22.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, an assembly is shown for joining two timber beams to opposite or adjacent sides of the tubular support member 10, the assembly comprising a first tubular bracket 2 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 and a second tubular bracket 18 of the type shown in Figures 3 and 4. It will be appreciated that, due to the respective apertures 8 in the connecting plates 6,20 of the first and second brackets 2,18 being vertically displaced from one another, there is no risk of interference between the pins which fix the brackets in place.

The arrangement of Figure 5 is also preferred as it allows the two brackets 2 and 18 to be fitted substantially flush to the ground at the base of the tubular support member 10.

Figure 6 shows how the two brackets 2 and 18 may be fitted to adjacent sides of the tubular support member 10. The end edges of the sides of the bracket 2 are formed with cutouts e. g. 28 to form a slot between the main body of the bracket 2 and the side of the tubular support member 10 against which the bracket is fixed, this slot being dimensioned to receive the connecting plate 20 of the bracket 18. Arranged in this way, two pairs of tubular brackets may be fitted on opposite sides of the tubular support member 10.

It will be appreciated that whilst Figures 5 and 6 show the tubular brackets 2 and 18 fixed to a tubular support member 10, the tubular brackets 2 and 18 may instead be fixed directly to a post.

Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of tubular support member which comprises a tubular member 30, having an opening 32 at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and formed at its opposite end with an internal lip 34.

The tubular support member also comprises a tapered tubular spike 36 having a flange 38 at its upper end which is smaller in width than the tubular member 30 at its opening 32, but greater in width than the bottom opening defined by the lip 34. The spike may therefore be driven through the tubular member 30 and into the ground, to anchor the tubular member 30 in place.

The tubular member 30 is also provided with a peripheral flange 40 which is formed with a plurality of apertures 42 through which respective pins may be driven into the ground to provide additional support for the tubular member 32. However, it will be appreciated that in certain circumstances, the flange 42 may alone provide support for the tubular member 30, rather than in combination with a tapered tubular spike.

The arrangements thus described provide a convenient means for attaching a timber beam between the respective tubular support members of two upright timber posts.

The brackets in accordance with this invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, including the construction of timber frame buildings (whether dwellings our outhouses such as sheds or garages) and fences. The brackets enable a framework of upright posts and horizontal beams to be constructed with relative ease and speed.

Claims

Claims 1) A bracket for joining a horizontal timber beam of rectangular cross-section to an upright timber post, also of rectangular cross-section, said bracket comprising a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving one end of the beam and provided at its opposite end with a connecting plate which projects from one side of the body and which is formed with one or more apertures through which respective pins may be driven into the post to fix the bracket in place such that the tubular body of the bracket projects perpendicularly from a side of the post.
2) A bracket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connecting plate of the bracket projects axially from tubular body of the bracket.
3) A bracket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connecting plate of the bracket projects radially from the tubular body of the bracket.
4) A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each aperture in the connecting plate of the bracket is arranged such that when an identical bracket is attached on an opposite side of the post, such that the tubular bodies of the two brackets extend in the same axial and radial planes, the apertures in the opposed connecting plates of the two brackets are laterally offset from one another.
5) A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged such that when the bracket is fixed to the post, a gap is formed at the proximal end of at least one side of the tubular body of the bracket, for receiving the axially extending connecting plate of another bracket.
6) A bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
> ' 7) An assembly for joining a horizontal timber beam of rectangular cross-section to an upright timber post, also~of rectangular cross-section, said assembly comprising first and second brackets, each bracket comprising a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving one end of the beam and provided at its opposite end with a connecting plate which projects from one side of the body and which is formed with one or more apertures through which respective pins may be driven into the post to fix the bracket in place such that the tubular body of the bracket projects perpendicularly from a side of the post, wherein the connecting plate of the first bracket projects radially from the tubular body of the bracket and the connecting plate of the second bracket projects axially from the tubular body of the bracket, so that the two brackets may be fixed in place such that their tubular bodies project in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the post, from opposite or adjacent sides of the post, with their connecting plates displaced from one another along the length of the post.
8) An assembly for joining a horizontal timber beam of rectangular cross-section to an upright timber post, also of rectangular cross-section, said assembly comprising a bracket comprising a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving one end of the beam and provided at its opposite end with a connecting plate which projects from one side of the body and which is formed with one or more apertures through which respective pins may be driven into the post to fix the bracket in place such that the tubular body of the bracket projects perpendicularly from a side of the post, and a tubular support member of rectangular cross-section, open at one end for receiving the lower end of the post and formed with respective apertures through which pins may be driven into the post from correspondingly aligned apertures in the connecting plate of the bracket.
9) An assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the support member is formed at its other end with ground-engaging means.
10) An assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the ground engaging means comprise or one or more radially-projecting foot-plates for fixing to the ground.
11) An assembly as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the ground-engaging means comprise an axially-projecting spike.
12) An assembly as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the tubular support member comprises a tubular member, open at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and formed at its opposite end with a portion of reduced internal width, and said axially projecting spike comprises a tapered tubular spike the wider end of which is smaller in width than the tubular member at its open end but greater in width than the reduced-width portion of the tubular member, such that the spike may be driven through the tubular member and into the ground to anchor the tubular support member in place.
13) An assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the tubular support member is open at its other end.
14) An assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the tubular support member is formed with an internal partition midway between its opposite ends.
15) An assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16) A tubular support member comprising a tubular member, open at one end for receiving the lower end of an upright timber post and formed at its opposite end with a portion of reduced internal width, and a tapered tubular spike the wider end of which is smaller in width than the tubular member at its open end but greater in width than the reduced-width portion of the tubular member, such that the spike may be driven through the tubular member and into the ground to anchor the tubular support member in place.
17) A tubular support member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.