Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Inclined top cover – Rafter to vertical support connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-12-11
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Inclined top cover
Rafter to vertical support connection
C052S093100, C052S222000, C052S273000, C052S639000, C052S643000, C052S712000, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327823
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a jointing device for joining elongated members of a building structure and in particular but not limited to a jointing device for joining an upright member and a truss member, or for joining adjacent truss members of a portal frame structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Buildings generally have a number of elongate structural members that are joined together. For example, roof trusses are joined together at their apex and to respective uprights.
It is observed that elongate structural members are joined by plate-shaped jointing devices to one side of the structural members.
The joints so formed are structurally weak and prone to failures.
Where the elongate members are C-shaped steel sections, the plate-shaped jointing devices are invariably fixed to the bight portions of the sections. The open side of the C-sections can be deformed easily.
The ends of the elongate members at the joints are exposed and must be shaped by cutting or otherwise in order to have an acceptable appearance.
One attempt to improve structural strength at the joints is to provide the plate-shaped devices with lips forming shallow channels for receiving the elongate members. These devices do not totally overcome the above disadvantages as the joints continue to be structurally weak.
More importantly, these prior art devices require the elongate members for joining to be physically held together while fixing a jointing device thereto. At least one additional worker or a expensive hold-down tool must be employed for holding the elongate members together.
The jointing devices currently available do not have facility for a roof truss member to extend outwardly as an eave support.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to alleviate or to reduce to a certain level one or more of the prior art disadvantages.
OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect therefore the present invention relates to a jointing device for joining elongate members. The device comprises a gusset portion and spaced flange portion each extending from an edge of the gusset portion and forming a cavity there between. The device further comprises a first opening arranged adjacent to one end of the gusset portion and in communication with the cavity and a second opening arranged adjacent to the opposite end of the gusset portion and in communication with the cavity. In use, one elongate member is positioned in said cavity through said first opening and a second elongate member is positioned in said cavity through said second opening for joining by fixing to the jointing device. The device is formed from a blank with foldlines and the blank is configured with sections bendable along said foldlines to form said gusset portion and said flange portions.
In preference, at least one of flange portions has one or more skirt elements formed remotely from said gusset portion and extending in a direction towards the opposite flange portion. It is further preferred that the one or more skirt elements extends to the opposite flange portion. If desired the or each skirt element may be integrally formed with the flange portions.
More preferably said at least one flange portion has two skirt elements arranged for, in use, abutting respective elongate members.
Desirably the flange portions are configured so that the first opening and said second opening are aligned or at an angle to each other.
The device may be formed with means for facilitating fixing to the elongate members. Suitably said facilitating means are guide holes for fixing means such as nails, bolts, nuts, screws, staples or the like.
It is preferred that the gusset portion extends substantially between the first and second openings. It is further preferred that the gusset portion extends to the openings so that, in use, the elongate members are in contact with free ends of the gusset portions.
Said elongate members may be solid, hollow or a combination thereof. They may be in the form of a C or U sections, or T or I sections, or a combination thereof. Each said elongate member may have two of said sections positioned back to back.
One or each of the flange portions may have a part which can be removed for providing access to fixing the device to or removing the device from one of the elongate members.
Conveniently the device has a third opening in alignment with the first opening so that the elongate member through the first opening can extend outwardly through the third opening to form an eave support structure.
One or both said flange portions may have one or more observation holes for checking the elongate members in the cavity thereof.
In another aspect therefore the present invention resides in a building structure comprising at least one pair of spaced upright elongate members and one or more roof truss elongate members spanning the or each pair of the elongate members. Each of the upright elongate member is joined to the or each said roof truss elongate members by the device as hereinbefore described.
It is preferred that where the building structure includes two or more roof truss elongate members, adjacent roof truss elongate members are joined by the device as hereinbefore described.
The building structure may be a portal frame structure for a carport, garage, shed, dwelling or the like buildings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1652612 (1927-12-01), Daniels
patent: 5660005 (1997-08-01), Tacoma
patent: 24889/95 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 42890/97 (1998-05-01), None
patent: 614005 (1979-10-01), None
patent: 2142278 (1973-03-01), None
patent: 2951098 (1980-07-01), None
patent: 1493599 (1977-11-01), None
Emms Investments PTY Ltd.
Stephan Beth A.
Syres Christy M.
Young & Thompson
LandOfFree
Jointing device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Jointing device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Jointing device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2584903