AU2012101413A4 - Coupling of battens in a roof structure - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of coupling a pair of roof battens at a junction therebetween, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are parallel, wherein a bracket, comprising opposed spaced apart walls and an interconnection therebetween, is arranged to assume a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, and is secured in said position to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes. There is also disclosed the bracket itself and an assembly comprising the coupling. C- Ljn

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2A ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title "Coupling of battens in a roof structure" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C\NRPortbl\DCC\AZMN\4599810 1 DOC . 1219/d2 C:\NRPonbrDCC\AZMMA604618_1DOC-12/09/2012 COUPLING OF BATTENS IN A ROOF STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a bracket used to form a coupling between battens in a roof structure and an associated method of forming the coupling, and relates also to an 5 assembly incorporating the coupling. The invention has particular, though not exclusive, application to hip/valley battens and standard roof battens which are formed from laminated timber such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) timber. A hip is a junction between an outwardly convergent pair of roof planes, whereas a valley 10 is a junction between an inwardly convergent pair of roof sections. Figure 1 shows an exemplary building roof comprising hips and valleys, which are marked "h" and "v" respectively. Although the embodiments described and illustrated herein generally comprise hip structures, it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention applies equally to valley structures. 15 A typical building roof frame structure S is shown in Figure 2. The structures includes hip rafters H at positions where respective hips will be formed in the roof. The structure S further includes rafters R and truss top chords C, to which the external roof structure is to be secured via battens. 20 Figure 3 shows battens applied to the roof frame structure in the region of a hip, the structure including a hip truss top chord H (which supports the hip in the same manner as would the hip rafter H referred to above) and rafters R, including ones which extend to the top chord H. The battens comprise standard roof battens B, secured, and extending 25 perpendicular, to rafters R, and hip battens A which extend adjacent, and parallel, to top chord H and are secured to upper ends of the rafters R, and to which ends of ones of the battens B are secured. Laminated timber battens are generally preferable over solid-piece/single-section timber battens because, in a laminated timber batten, any strength-reducing defect that may be present in one lamina is highly unlikely to be 30 coincident with such a defect in any other lamina, whereby there is provided a member which is more homogenous and more consistently strong compared to one formed from a C:\NRPonbrDCC\AZM\46461_L DOC-12A1912012 -2 solid (non-laminated) section of similar timber. Figure 3 includes details of a conventional coupling between a mitred end of a batten B and hip batten A, which coupling is effected by a nail N driven through an edge face E of 5 the batten B adjacent the end, such that it passes through the mitre and through an edge face E of a batten A, which face is abutted by the mitre M, into the batten A, thereby fixing the mitred end to the batten A. Each of the battens A and B is formed of a length of LVL timber having laminae the planes of which are arranged parallel to the outer 0 and inner I faces of the section. 10 Problematically, driving of the nail N through the edge faces E, parallel to the planes of the laminae, often causes delamination of either or each of the battens A and B at the junction J between them (although, in that event, the fixing would still likely be stronger than it would have been had the nail been driven through a defect in a solid timber batten). 15 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for coupling a pair of roof battens at a junction therebetween, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are parallel, the bracket having opposed spaced apart walls and an intereconnection therebetween, whereby the bracket can 20 assume a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, the bracket being securable in said position to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes. 25 Preferably, the interconnection is arranged at a lateral side of the bracket, whereby the bracket is moveable within a plane which is parallel to the respective planes, into said position. Preferably, the walls are configured in the form of flanges. Preferably, the interconnection 30 comprises a web at said lateral side. Preferably, the web and walls are integrally formed. Preferably, the web extends perpendicular to the walls. The web may thus be able to abut C-\NRPortbl\DCC\AZM\46I)46 I.1.DOC-12/0W 2012 -3 an edge face of either or each roof batten when the bracket is in said position. Preferably, the bracket is formed from plate. More preferably, it is a shaped from a single section of metal plate. 5 Preferably the walls are divergent or divergeable sufficiently to permit another said bracket to be located therebetween, whereby several said brackets can be nested together. Preferably, either or each wall is configured to receive therethrough one or more fasteners 10 such that the or each fastener can be driven through a said face overlapped by the wall to secure the bracket in said position. Preferably, both walls are so configured. Preferably either or each wall is configured to receive therethrough fasteners whereby the fasteners can be driven through both side faces overlapped by the wall. The fasteners may comprise nails or self-tapping screws. At least one of the walls may be configured with at least one 15 hole through which a said fastener is receivable to be so driven. Alternatively or additionally, at least one said wall may be penetrable by driving of the fastener. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, one batten is a hip or valley batten and the other is a roof batten an end of which is formed with a mitre abutting or 20 arranged adjacent an edge face of the hip or valley batten at the junction, whereby the coupling is arranged to transfer shear loading which is perpendicular to the planes from the roof batten to the hip or valley batten. The transfer may be effected by simultaneous abutment between one wall and the outer face of one batten and abutment between the other wall and the inner face of the other batten. Preferably, the bracket is arrangeable 25 such that the interconnection abuts an edge face of the roof batten when the bracket is in said position. Preferably, the bracket includes a tab or tongue which projects from an end of the web to lie against an edge face of the hip or valley batten when the bracket is in said position. Preferably the tab is bendable adjacent the web end to be angularly orientated appropriately with respect to the web to lie against the edge face. Preferably, the tab and 30 interconnection is configured to receive therethrough one or more fasteners such that the or each fastener can be driven through the edge face of the hip or valley batten to anchor the C \NRPorb\DCCAZMU(60WisX 1DOC-I 2A)12/112 -4 tab and/or interconnection against the edge face(s). Preferably, either or each of the tab and interconnection is configured to receive the or each said fastener through a portion thereof which is arranged so as to lie about halfway between inner and outer edges of the respective edge face when the bracket is in said position. In one embodiment of the 5 invention, either or each of the tab and interconnection is configured with one or more holes for receipt of the fastener(s) therethrough. Preferably, the tab is configured with only one such hole. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, either or each of the tab and interconnection is penetrable by the fastener(s) such that the respective fastener(s) can be driven through it. In another embodiment of the invention, the tab is provided with sharp 10 projections, such as teeth, which protrude perpendicular to the plane of the tab, to be drivable into the hip or valley batten through said edge face thereof by applying impacts to the tab. The projections may be formed by bending of portions of said plate out of the plane of the tab, edges of said portions being defined by cutouts formed in said plate. In this way, the tab may be configured in a similar manner to a nail plate, as will be apparent 15 to a person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket is configured such that, when it is in said position, the interconnection lies against or adjacent the edge face of the roof batten which forms an obtuse angle with said edge face of the hip or roof batten. 20 In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, both battens are arranged end-to-end, whereby the junction is formed between adjacent ends of the battens, and are preferably standard roof battens. Preferably, the battens in this embodiment are substantially collinear. Preferably, the bracket is arrangeable such that the interconnection abuts adjacent coplanar edge faces of the roof batten when the bracket is in said position. 25 Preferably, the adjacent ends are supported by a rafter or truss top chord underlying and extending transverse to them, and the bracket is arrangeable such that one wall is received between the inner faces and the rafter or chord. Preferably, the bracket is configured to receive therethrough a fastener so as to permit insertion of the fastener through the walls and driving of the fastener into the rafter or chord to secure the bracket in said position. 30 The fastener, when inserted, may pass through one of the adjacent ends. The bracket may be configured with two holes, one in each wall, which are aligned to receive the fastener.

C\NRPonb\DCC\AZM\4(A 618_1 DOC-12/A9/2012 -5 Alternatively, the walls may be penetrable by the fastener. The fastener may comprise a screw, such a self-tapping or self-drilling screw, or a nail. Preferably, the fastener is receivable through the bracket at a central position therealong, such that when the central position is arranged over a centreline of the rafter or chord, the walls extend equal 5 distances to either end of the bracket. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of coupling a pair of roof battens at a junction therebetween, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are parallel, wherein a bracket, 10 comprising opposed spaced apart walls and an interconnection therebetween, is arranged to assume a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, and is secured in said position to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes. 15 Preferably, the interconnection is arranged at one lateral side of the bracket. The method may then comprise moving the bracket within a plane which is parallel to said respective planes, into said position after the junction has been formed. The method may instead comprise, for example, fitting the bracket to one of the battens, which is installed, and 20 thereafter installing the other batten to form the junction, whereby the bracket assumes said position. Preferably, either or each batten comprises a laminated timber section having laminae the planes of which are parallel to said outer and inner faces. Preferably, the laminated timber 25 comprises laminated veneer lumber. Preferably, the walls are configured in the form of flanges. Preferably, the interconnection comprises a web at said lateral side. Preferably, the web and walls are integrally formed. Preferably, the web extends perpendicular to the walls, such that it abuts an edge face of 30 either or each roof batten when the bracket is in said position.

C:\NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\46046 18 _DOC.I A2/ 2012 -6 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one batten is a hip or valley batten and the other a roof batten an end of which is formed with a mitre abutting or arranged adjacent an edge face of the hip or valley batten at the junction, whereby the coupling is arranged to transfer shear loading which is perpendicular to planes from the roof batten to the hip or 5 valley batten. The transfer may be effected by simultaneous abutment between one wall and the outer face of one batten and abutment between the other wall and the inner face of the other batten. Preferably, the bracket is arranged such that the interconnection abuts an edge face of the roof batten when the bracket is in said position. Securing the bracket in said position may comprise driving one or more fasteners through at least one said face 10 into the respective batten(s) to effect receipt of the fastener(s) through the wall(s) overlapping the face(s) whereby to fix the wall(s) against the face(s). Securing the bracket in said position may comprise so driving fasteners through either or each of the outer faces and/or through either or each of the inner faces. In one embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener is received through a hole in the respective wall when so driven. In 15 another embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener penetrates the respective wall when so driven. Preferably, moving the bracket into said position includes locating a tab or tongue which projects from an end of the web such that it lies against said edge face when the bracket is in said position. The method may include bending the tab adjacent the web end such that it is angularly orientated appropriately with respect to the web to be so 20 located. The method may include driving one or more fasteners into the hip or valley batten, through the edge face thereof, thereby effecting receipt of the fastener(s) through the tab, and/or driving one or more fasteners into the roof batten, through an edge face thereof, thereby effecting receipt of the fastener(s) through the interconnection, to effect anchorage of the bracket, which may secure it in said position. In one embodiment of the 25 invention, the or each fastener so driven is received through a respective hole in the tab/interconnection. In another embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener so driven penetrates the tab/interconnection. Preferably, the or each fastener so driven is received through the edge face, against which the tab/interconnection is received, about halfway between inner and outer edges of the edge face. Preferably, only one such 30 fastener is driven to be received through the tab. In another embodiment of the invention, the tab is provided with sharp projections, such as teeth, which protrude perpendicular to C:\NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\460461_ LDOC-12/9/2012 -7 the plane of the tab, and are driven into the hip or valley batten through said edge face thereof. Preferably, the bracket in said position is arranged such that an end of the interconnection lies against or adjacent said edge face of the hip or valley batten. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket in said position is arranged such that 5 the interconnection lies against or adjacent the edge face of the roof batten which forms an obtuse angle with said edge face of the hip or roof batten. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, both battens are arranged end-to-end, whereby the junction is formed between adjacent ends of the battens, and are preferably 10 standard roof battens. Preferably, the battens in this embodiment are substantially collinear. Preferably, the bracket is arranged such that the interconnection abuts adjacent coplanar edge faces of the roof batten when the bracket is in said position, which edge faces are preferably lowermost edge faces. Preferably, the adjacent ends are arranged such that at least one of them, and preferably each of them, is supported by a rafter or truss top 15 chord underlying and extending transverse, and preferably perpendicular, to them, and the bracket is arranged such that one wall is received between the inner face of the/each end so supported and the rafter or chord. Preferably, securing the bracket in said position in this embodiment comprises inserting a fastener through the side walls, which may involve driving the fastener through one of the batten ends therebetween, and thence into the rafter 20 or chord, whereby the bracket is fixed to the rafter or chord and each batten end is thus restrained against displacement in both directions perpendicular to said planes. The ends may thus be spliced. Preferably, insertion of the fastener comprises passing it through two holes, one in each wall, which are aligned. Alternatively, the fastener may penetrate either or each of the walls. Preferably, insertion of the fastener comprises passing it through 25 aligned holes formed through at least one of the batten ends and the rafter or chord. The fastener may comprise a nail or screw. Preferably, the fastener is driven into the rafter or chord at or adjacent a centreline therealong; it can then be ensured that the fastener is a sufficient distance from lateral sides of the rafter or chord such that the full fastening strength achievable thereby is realised in the rafter or chord. Preferably, the insertion of 30 the fastener through the bracket is at a central position therealong; it can then be ensured that the walls extend in equal directions to either side of said centreline, whereby they will CANRPonbKDCCAZMW644618_ DOC.I 1/92012 adequately overlap the inner and outer faces at both ends. It will be appreciated that, advantageously, fixing of the ends to the rafter or chord can be via the bracket, instead of via fasteners driven through the ends, which fasteners might not be able to be inserted sufficiently far back from the adjacent end faces of the battens for the full fastening 5 strengths achievable thereby to be realised in the battens. The driving of the fastener(s) may comprise, for example, hand-hammering of at least one nail and/or screwing-in of one or more self-tapping or self-drilling screws, preferably by way of a pneumatically powered screw-driving tool. 10 Preferably, the bracket in said position is arranged such that the interconnection lies against or adjacent an edge face of a said roof batten. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly 15 comprising: a pair of roof battens, the battens meeting at a junction, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are parallel; and a bracket having opposed spaced apart walls and an interconnection therebetween, wherein the bracket is secured in a position in which it fits over the battens such 20 that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes. Preferably, the interconnection is located at a lateral side of the bracket. 25 Preferably, either or each batten comprises a laminated timber section having laminae the planes of which are parallel to said outer and inner faces. Preferably, the laminated timber comprises laminated veneer lumber. 30 Preferably, the walls are configured in the form of flanges. Preferably, the interconnection comprises a web at said lateral side. Preferably, the web and walls are integrally formed.

C:\NRPonbFLDCC\AZM\4604618_l.DOC.12)0)/20U12 -9 Preferably, the web extends perpendicular to the walls, such that it abuts an edge face of either or each roof batten. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one batten is a hip or valley batten and the 5 other is a roof batten having an end formed with a mitre abutting or arranged adjacent an edge face of the hip or valley batten at the junction, whereby the coupling is arranged to transfer shear loading which is perpendicular to planes from the roof batten to the hip or valley batten. The transfer may be effected by simultaneous abutment between one wall and the outer face of one batten and abutment between the other wall and the inner face of 10 the other batten. Preferably, the interconnection abuts an edge face of the roof batten. The bracket may be secured in said position by one or more fasteners received through the wall(s) overlapping the face(s) and driven through at least one said face into the respective batten(s) whereby to fix the wall(s) against the face(s). Preferably, fasteners are driven through either or each of the outer faces and/or through either or each of the inner faces. In 15 one embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener is received through a hole preformed in the respective wall. In another embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener penetrates the respective wall. Preferably, a tab or tongue which projects from an end of the web lies against the edge face of the hip or valley batten. One or more fasteners may be driven into the hip or valley batten, through the edge face thereof, whereby the or each 20 fastener is received through the tab and/or into the roof batten, through an edge face thereof, thereby effecting receipt of the fastener(s) through the interconnection, effecting anchorage of the bracket, which may secure it in position. In one embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener so driven is received through a respective hole in the tab/interconnection. In another embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener so 25 driven penetrates the tab/interconnection. Preferably, the or each fastener so driven is received through the edge face, against which the tab/interconnection is received, about halfway between inner and outer edges of the edge face. Preferably, only one such fastener is driven to be received through the tab. In another embodiment of the invention, the tab is provided with sharp projections, such as teeth, which protrude perpendicular to 30 the plane of the tab, and are driven into the hip or valley batten through said edge face thereof. The projections may be defined by portions of said plate bent out of the plane of C RPodbKlDCCAZM\4)4618_.DOC-12/O9/2012 - 10 the tab, edges of said portions being defined by cutouts formed in said plate. In this way, the tab may be configured in a similar manner to a nail plate, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, an end of the interconnection lies against or adjacent said edge face of the hip or valley batten. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 5 interconnection lies against or adjacent the edge face of the roof batten which forms an obtuse angle with said edge face of the hip or roof batten. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, both battens are arranged end-to-end, whereby the junction is formed between adjacent ends of the battens, and are preferably 10 standard roof battens. Preferably, the battens in this embodiment are substantially collinear. Preferably, the interconnection abuts adjacent coplanar edge faces of the roof batten, which edge faces are preferably lowermost edge faces. Preferably, at least one of the adjacent ends, and more preferably each of them, is supported by a rafter or truss top chord underlying and extending transverse, and preferably perpendicular, to them, and the 15 bracket is arranged such that one wall is received between the inner face of the/each end so supported and the rafter or chord. Preferably, a fastener is received through the side walls and, and possibly an end of a said batten therebetween, whereby the bracket is fixed to the rafter or chord and each batten end is thus restrained against displacement in both directions perpendicular to said planes. The ends may thus be spliced. Preferably, the 20 fastener extends through two preformed holes, one in each wall, which are aligned. Preferably, the fastener extends through aligned holes preformed through at least one of the batten ends and the rafter or chord. Alternatively, the fastener may penetrate either or each of the walls. The fastener may comprise a nail or screw. Preferably, the fastener is driven into the rafter or chord at or adjacent a centreline therealong; it can then be ensured 25 that the fastener is a sufficient distance from lateral sides of the rafter or chord such that the full fastening strength achievable thereby is realised in the rafter or chord. Preferably, the fastener is received through the bracket is at a central position therealong; it can then be ensured that the walls extend in equal directions to either side of said centreline, whereby they will adequately overlap the inner and outer faces at both ends. It will be 30 appreciated that, advantageously, fixing of the ends to the rafter or chord can be via the bracket, instead of via fasteners driven through the ends, which fasteners might not be able C a\NR no,,bIDCCAZM4(461K_ IDOC-12109/2012 - 11 to be inserted sufficiently far back from the adjacent end faces of the battens for the full fastening strengths achievable thereby to be realised in the battens. Preferably, the interconnection lies against or adjacent an edge face of the roof batten. 5 Preferably, each flange is generally rectangular. Preferably, the bracket is bent from a shaped section of metal plate. 10 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank which is bendable and/or foldable to form said bracket. Preferably, the blank is a sheet or plate which is foldable along parallel lines which extend between opposed edge portions of the blank, whereby to form the interconnection and said walls. Preferably, the blank is 15 configured with a pair of spaced apart cutouts extending from a peripheral edge of the blank and terminating at said lines, thus defining the tab which can be bent out of the plane of the sheet or plate. Preferably, the cutouts are substantially parallel. Preferably, the blank is substantially rectangular. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blank is formed with the hole(s) with which the bracket is configured. 20 The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1, as already discussed, shows an exemplary building roof formed with hips and valleys; 25 Figure 2, as already discussed, shows a conventional building roof frame structure prior to application of battens thereto; Figure 3, previously discussed, shows a building roof frame structure in the region of a hip, to which LVL timber battens are applied, and shows both conventional batten couplings and batten couplings effected by brackets in accordance with preferred 30 embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 is an underside view showing details of the structure of Figure 3; C kRPorbl\DCCAZM\I46 61LDOC-1 2/(19/21112 - 12 Figure 5 shows the bracket from various angles; and Figure 6 shows a blank from which the bracket is formed. Shown in Figure 5 is a bracket I for coupling battens applied to a roof frame structure, 5 such as that shown in Figures 3 and 4. The bracket 1 is formed from a blank 50, which is shown in Figure 6 and will be described in further detail later, and comprises opposed generally parallel flanges 3 and a web 5 interconnecting the flanges at a lateral side of the bracket 1 and arranged substantially perpendicular to the flanges 3. The bracket 1 is formed from steel plate having a thickness of approximately 0.5mm to Imm. A G2 steel 10 grade and a Z275 galvanised coil finish are particularly suitable. The bracket 1 further comprises a tab 7 which is integrally formed with the web 5 and extends oblique thereto. Each flange 5 is penetrable by fasteners to fix it to a first roof batten and a second roof batten with which the first roof batten forms a junction, though may instead be formed with one or more holes therethrough to receive the fastener(s). Each wall is also 15 configured with a central hole 9 which, in an alternative application of the bracket 1, receives a fastener which holds it to first and second battens at a junction therebetween and secures both it and the battens to an underlying rafter or truss top chord. The bracket 1 is used to couple battens in a roof structure, as shown in Figure 3, and has 20 two modes of use which will be described with reference to that drawing. In a first mode of use, the bracket 1 is used to form a coupling 10 between a mitred end of a standard roof batten B and a section of a hip batten A at a junction J of the battens B, A. The outer faces 0 of those battens A and B lie in a common plane, as do the inner faces I 25 of those battens. The bracket 1 is introduced over the battens B, A at the junction J by sliding it, in a plane parallel to the planes in which the respective outer faces 0 and inner faces I lie, such that one flange 3 is overlappingly received over the brackets B, A, against the outer faces 0, and the other flange 3 is overlappingly received over the battens B, A, against the faces I, the bracket I thus fitting smoothly over the battens B, A to form a close 30 clearance fit therewith. The bracket I according to the embodiment described in the illustrated is so introduced in a manner such that the web 5 is received against an edge C:\NRPonbl\CCAZM\4604618 1DOC-] 2/9/2012 - 13 face E of the batten B which forms an obtuse angle with the edge face E of the hip batten A, though in another embodiment, the bracket may be configured and arranged such that the web is received against the edge face E of the batten B which forms an acute angle with the edge face E of the batten A. The bracket 1 is positioned such that the tab 7 is 5 received against the edge face E of batten A. The tab 7 may thus facilitate location of the bracket I in position. When the bracket I is thus positioned, fasteners, such as nails or screws, are driven through the flanges 3, on either or each side of the bracket 1, whereby the bracket I is secured to the battens B, A, such that a joint is formed between them at the junction J. Advantageously, the fasteners thus effecting coupling between the brackets 10 B, A extend perpendicular to the planes of the laminated timber strips (laminae) in the battens B, A so as not to delaminate them. Alternatively or additionally, a fastener, such as a nail or screw, may be inserted through a hole I1 in the tab 7 and driven into the hip batten A through the edge face E thereof, so as 15 to hold the tab 7 against the edge face E, and/or one or more fasteners may be inserted through one or more of axially spaced apart holes 13 through the web 5 and driven into the roof batten through an edge face E thereof, so as to hold the web 5 against that edge face E. Although any such a fastener extends parallel to the laminae in the respective batten, owing to its being positioned about halfway between the inner I and outer 0 faces of the 20 batten (by virtue of the hole 11 and holes 13 being centrally located in the tab 7 and web 5) and in a section of the batten to which a degree of restraint is provided by the flanges 3, the integrity of the batten will not be appreciably upset by that fastener. It is possible that the bracket 1 may be secured in position solely by one or more fasteners received in one or more of these holes. Because shear loads applied to the batten B perpendicular to the 25 planes in which the faces I and 0 lie will be transferred to the batten A through the bracket 1, a smaller number of fasteners than is shown, and perhaps only one fastener, may be sufficient to secure the bracket I in position. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the tab 7 may be configured with integral 30 teeth, bent out of the plane thereof, so as to project perpendicular to that plane, which may be driven into the batten A through its edge face E by tapping the tab 7 with a hammer, C 1NRPortb\DCC\AZM\4604618_1.DOC.12M9J/2012 - 14 thereby securing it to the hip batten edge face E without the use of a separate fastening element. In a second mode of use, the bracket I receives adjacent ends of two standard roof 5 battens B, which ends are received against an outer face 0 of the rafter R, and secured in position to form a coupling 20 at a junction J' between those ends. The bracket 1 is slid, in a plane parallel to those in which the adjacent outer faces and inner faces, respectively, of the end-to end battens B lie, over the adjacent batten ends, such that the flanges 3 smoothly fit over those faces, each overlapping the batten ends, an inner one of those flanges sliding 10 between the rafter outer face 0 and batten inner faces I so as to be clamped therebetween, the web 5 being received against adjacent edge faces E of the battens B, preferably the lowermost edge faces E thereof. The bracket 1 is centrally positioned over the rafter R, whereby the aligned holes 9 through the flanges 3 overlie a central longitudinal axis of the rafter R. A fastener, preferably a nail but possibly a screw, is then inserted through the 15 holes 9, possibly being driven through one of the adjacent batten ends between the holes 9 so as to be so inserted, and thence driven into the rafter R at or close to the central axis, whereby an interconnection is formed between the bracket 1 and rafter R, and thus between the batten ends and rafter R. The interconnection restrains the battens from displacement parallel to the faces 0 and I, both in an outward direction (whereby it 20 transfers loads exerted by uplift forces from the battens into the rafter) and in an inward direction (whereby it provides resistance to live or dead weight loads exerted through the battens). Advantageously, owing to the fastener being driven at or adjacent the aforementioned centreline, it is a sufficient distance from lateral sides of the rafter such that its full fastening strength is realised in the rafter. Also advantageous is that fixing of 25 the ends to the rafter does not rely, as it often conventionally does, on fasteners, driven through the ends, which cannot be inserted sufficiently far back from the adjacent end faces of the battens for the full fastening strengths achievable thereby to be realised in the battens. Because the fastener is driven through a central position along the bracket, the flanges reliably extend sufficiently to either side of the centerline to overlap the inner and 30 outer faces at both ends.

CANRPOnbl\DCCAZM\461618 DOC-12/9/2012 - 15 A splice, comprising the bracket 1, is thus formed between the batten ends. In this mode of use of the bracket 1, the tab 7, if bent out of the plane of the web 5, is redundant. Because the web 5 is received against the lowermost edge faces E of the battens B, the bracket I restrains the battens B not only against relative movement perpendicular to the 5 planes in which the outer and inner faces thereof lie, but also, to a degree, against downward movement parallel to the rafter outer face 0. In either mode of use, but especially in the second mode, the formation of the coupling may, in one variant embodying the invention, instead comprise fitting the bracket 1 to one 10 of the battens which is installed, and/or inserting the fastener through the holes 9 and driving it part way into the rafter R, so that the bracket I is held in place, and thereafter installing the other batten to form the junction, then driving the fastener 9 the full way into the rafter R. In the case of the second mode of use, the formation of the coupling may, in another variant embodying the invention, comprise inserting the fastener through the 15 holes 9 and driving it part way into the rafter R, so that the bracket I is held in place, and thereafter installing both battens to form the junction, then driving the fastener 9 the full way into the rafter R. In either variant, it is, again, preferable that the bracket 1 be positioned such that lowermost lateral side thereof be that at which the interconnection is arranged, so that the interconnection will, once the bracket is attached to the rafter, restrain 20 the or each batten thereafter introduced between its flanges from being dislodged under gravity before that batten is firmly secured in place. It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that, in the first mode of use, the bracket 1 could be used to form a coupling between a valley batten, instead of a hip batten, 25 and roof batten. It will also be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that, in the second mode of use of the bracket 1, the transversely extending member on which the roof battens are supported could be a truss top chord rather than a rafter. As mentioned previously, the bracket 1 is formed from a blank 50, which is illustrated in 30 Figure 6. The blank 50 is cut from a section of steel plate, and has a substantially rectangular shape. The blank 50 comprises outer portions 3', defining respective ones of C NRPortbl\DCC\AZM\46)461_ I.DOC-I 2/09/O212 - 16 the flanges 3, and a central portion 5' which is located between the portions 3' and defines the web 5 and also the tab 7. The blank 50 is configured with holes which are the aforementioned holes through the bracket 1. The blank 50 is further configured with parallel spaced apart cutouts 15 which extend from an edge of the blank 50 at one end, 5 towards an edge at the blank's opposite end, and which terminate at ends of linear boundaries 17 between respective ones of the outer portions 3' and the inner portion 5'. The bracket 1 is formed by folding of the blank 50 at each of the boundary lines 17, whereby the portions 3' project perpendicular to the portion 5', in the same direction, such that the flanges 3 are formed. Also, the central portion 5' is bent/folded at a line 19 which 10 extends between inner ends of the cutouts 15 such that a section 7' of the portion 5' defined between those cutouts provides the tab 7. The configuration of the bracket I permits it to be received between the flanges of a like bracket and permits it to receive a like bracket between its own flanges, whereby several 15 such brackets may be held together in a nested configuration, in which the brackets are all in the same orientation, with their webs generally parallel, the flanges of the bracket, to this end, being slightly outwardly divergent or able to be spread apart so as to be so divergent. 20 While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described 25 exemplary embodiments. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps 30 but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A bracket for coupling a pair of roof battens at a junction therebetween, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are 5 parallel, one batten being a hip or valley batten and the being a roof batten an end of which is formed with a mitre abutting or arranged adjacent an edge face of the hip or valley batten at the junction, the bracket having opposed spaced apart walls and an intereconnection therebetween at one lateral side of the bracket, whereby the bracket can assume a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer 10 faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, the bracket being securable in said position to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes, the bracket including a tab or tongue arranged at an end of the bracket on said lateral side to lie against an edge face of the hip or valley batten when the bracket is in said position, the tab being able to receive 15 therethrough a fastener driven into the hip or valley batten through the edge face to secure the bracket in said position.

2. A method of coupling a pair of roof battens at a junction therebetween, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are 20 parallel, wherein a bracket, comprising opposed spaced apart walls and an interconnection therebetween, is arranged to assume a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, and is secured in said position to form a coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes. 25

3. An assembly comprising: a pair of roof battens, the battens meeting at a junction, adjacent outer faces and adjacent inner faces of the battens lying in respective planes which are parallel; and a bracket having opposed spaced apart walls and an interconnection therebetween, 30 wherein the bracket is secured in a position in which it fits over the battens such that one wall overlaps the outer faces and the other wall overlaps the inner faces, to form a C:NRPoIb\DCC\AZM\46(M618_ 1. DOC-12 9/2012 - 18 coupling in which one batten is restrained from movement relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the planes.

4. A method according to claim 2 or an assembly according to claim 3, wherein the 5 intereconnection is to one lateral side of the bracket, whereby the bracket is or has been moved in a plane parallel to said respective planes into said position.

5. A blank which is bendable and/or foldable to form a bracket in the method of claim 2, the assembly of claim 3, or the method or assembly of claim 4, the blank 10 comprising a sheet or plate which is foldable along parallel lines which extend between opposed edge portions of the blank, whereby to form the interconnection and said walls.