Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie – Sheet or wire tie
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-05-29
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Assembled in situ-type anchor or tie
Sheet or wire tie
C052S749100, C052S712000, C052S656900, C052S657000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237300
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the interconnection of structural components in metal building frames and is of particular relevance to the interconnection of wall stud components of adjacent subframes.
BACKGROUND ART
The present applicant's Australian Patent 667145 discloses a structural member of a kind roll formed from a strip of metal sheet so that the strip is folded over onto itself at its lateral edges to form respective boxed edge formations linked by a web. The web and adjacent portions of the boxed edge formations define a longitudinally extending recess of dovetail cross-section. Boxed structural members of this form are well suited to serve as wall studs in steel building frames in that they provide sufficient structural strength with minimum material, while the boxing imparts sufficient rigidity to allow other frame. and cladding components to be fastened to the studs by nailing.
An earlier open form of wall stud is disclosed in applicant's Australian patent 639313.
The common practice is to deliver a steel house frame to a building site as a set of subframes and individual components. The subframes normally include stud wall subframes, each comprising an assembly of wall studs joined by top and bottom plates and by noggings. The normal practice is to commence frame erection by installing the wall subframes in position on the slab and loosely linking them together. On completion of this layout, the erection crew commences rigid fastening of the frames together before starting on the roof. It is an object of at least one aspect of the invention to facilitate the initial laying out and linking of the wall subframes.
It is another object of the invention, in one or more further aspects, to address longer term problems which may arise from in situ forces tending to separate wall subframes, which can arise e.g. from a variety of temperature effects, or from ground and frame movements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been realised, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, that the first of these objects can be met by providing a tie bracket which is configured to accommodate the studs at the intersections of adjacent subframes and to take advantage of service holes in the studs, and which can be reconfigured to act as a mid-height tie bracket linking the subframes.
The invention accordingly provides, in its first aspect, a tie bracket for linking adjacent end studs of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other. The bracket includes a shaped clement of sheet metal which includes a generally polygonal center portion defining at least three margins intersecting at respective corners for being accommodated between the stud ends. A plurality of tabs project respectively from at least two of the margins adjacent end studs of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other, each said tab being of a length in the direction of projection greater than its width and of broadly similar order to the lengths of the longer of said margins& Respective formations are provided in each of said tabs to define alternative bending lines spaced in the direction of projection.
The center portion is preferably substantially flat. In one embodiment, the center portion is of generally square configuration, and there are four tabs projecting in oppositely directed pairs from opposite sides of the square. In another embodiment, there may also be four tabs in two oppositely directed mutually orthogonal pairs, but two of the opposed margins of the center portion are tapered towards each other for being accommodated between a complementary pair of mutually inclined surfaces of a wall stud, and wherein the respective tabs at these tapered margins are asymmetrically linked to said center portion by webs offset towards the more separated ends of the tapered margins, whereby said tab between the tapered margins can project through aligned apertures of a pair of adjacent studs.
In a still further embodiment, suited in particular to link subframes extending at an obtuse angle, e.g. 135°, to each other, the center portion is generally triangular.
The tabs are preferably bendable at the bending lines by hand.
In its first aspect, the invention also provides a tie bracket for linking adjacent end studs of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other. The bracket comprises a shaped element of sheet metal which includes generally polygonal center portion defining at least three margins intersecting at respective corners, for being accommodated between the end studs. A plurality of tabs project respectively from at least two of the margins for engaging respective apertures in the end studs. Respective formations in the tabs define at least one bending line in each tab transverse to the direction of projection of the tab, about which lines the tab is bendable by hand to a substantial angle to the plane of the center portion to maintain engagement between the bracket and the end studs when the tabs are projected through the respective apertures in the end studs.
In this aspect of the invention, there is also provided an assembly of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other with end studs of the respective subframes disposed adjacent to each other, wherein these end studs are linked by a bracket as aforedescribed, and wherein respective said tabs of the bracket project through apertures in the end studs and are bent over at a substantial angle to the plane of the center portion to maintain engagement between the bracket and the end studs.
In this assembly, the wall studs of the sub-frames including the end studs each comprise a structural member formed in a strip of metal sheet so that the strip is folded over onto itself at its lateral edges to form respective boxed edge formations linked by a web in which the said aperture is provided. Advantageously in this case, the center portion is shaped at least in part to complement at least a portion of the boxed edge formation of one or both end studs.
The invention further provides, in its first aspect, a method of linking adjacent end studs of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other, utilising a tie bracket as aforedescribed, wherein the respective said tabs of the bracket are projected through preformed service apertures in the end studs and are bent over at a substantial angle to the plane of the center portion to maintain engagement between the bracket and the end studs.
In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly of a pair of stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other with respective end studs of the subframes adjacent to each other. The end studs are connected at or adjacent to their upper ends by an angled shear connector, preferably a right angle connector, having a shorter arm which is fastened to an outer side surface of one end stud and a longer arm which extends past that stud and is connected to a side surface of the other end stud whereby to stabilise the assembly of the subframes against the action of long term shear forces.
In a third aspect, the invention provides a double stud connector of general U-shaped configuration having a web portion and a pair of flanges, the flanges have inward rib means spaced and configured whereby the connector can contact and grip about a pair of side-by-side wall studs.
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Carne Stuart John
Fathinia Sarah
Hunt Peter James
Seccombe Campbell John
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd.
Friedman Carl D.
McDermott Kevin
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