AU2012216768B2

AU2012216768B2 - An anchoring device

Info

Publication number: AU2012216768B2
Application number: AU2012216768A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steven Grgic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-16
Filing date: 2012-09-12
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-16
Also published as: AU2012216768A1

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides an anchoring device including a bracket member having a head portion with a head extension, and a base portion, wherein the head portion and head extension are adapted to engage a structural member of a building; and a fastening rod having an eye, the eye being adapted to receive a ceiling hanging rod; wherein in use, the fastening rod passes through the base portion and bears against the structural member to releasably secure the anchoring device thereto, via contact between the head extension and structural member.

Description

The present invention provides an anchoring device including a bracket member having a head portion with a head extension, and a base portion, wherein the head portion and head extension are adapted to engage a structural member of a building; and a fastening rod having an eye, the eye being adapted to receive a ceiling hanging rod; wherein in use, the fastening rod passes through the base portion and bears against the structural member to releasably secure the anchoring device thereto, via contact between the head extension and structural member.

2012216768 12 Sep 2012

STEVEN GRGIC

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PATENT OF ADDITION

FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED “AN ANCHORING DEVICE”

This invention is described in the following statement:2012216768 12 Sep 2012

AN ANCHORING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anchoring device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an anchoring device, which is capable of being releasably secured to a purlin, and from which a ceiling may be suspended.

Background to the Invention

Suspended ceilings in buildings are usually suspended from a purlin by a ceiling hanging rod. An anchoring device attached to the purlin is used to link the ceiling hanging rod to the purlin. This arrangement is often used, for example, in office buildings and shopping centres.

Purlins are struts or beams which are usually employed in roof decking for supporting the decking or common rafters. It is desirable to suspend a wide variety of items from purlins, such as, but not limited to, ceilings, piping, wiring trays/conduits and ducts. Such items are often suspended from purlins using a threaded rod or by means of clips and clamps.

Anchoring devices currently used in suspended ceiling arrangements typically “hang” from a rail of the purlin and there is then a ceiling hanging rod which passes through an opening in the device. These anchoring devices, while effective in a suspended orientation under gravity, are unstable and may be dislodged by a sudden upward movement or force applied to the suspended ceiling. Such sudden upward movement of the anchoring device, for instance, during ceiling maintenance or harsh movements caused by natural disasters, can result in a portion of the suspended ceiling arrangement collapsing.

Accordingly, various advances in the design of anchoring devices have been made to more securely attach the anchoring device to the purlin. In one instance, the anchoring requires holes to be drilled in the purlin to accommodate a fastener which attaches the anchoring device, having similarly drilled holes, thereto. However, this process is labour intensive and requires use of tools, such as drills and spanners. This creates disadvantages as the drilled sections of the purlin may be weakened and further

2012216768 12 Sep 2012 adjustments require additional holes to be drilled, making this type of anchoring device impractical. In addition, during maintenance of the ceiling area, such fasteners need to be completely removed in order to remove or adjust the anchoring device.

In another known anchoring device, the head of the device is arranged to wrap over a rail and a tongue, formed from the anchoring device body, is arranged to wrap under the purlin. This design is also disadvantageous since the user is required to reach and handle the anchoring device directly and remove the tongue away from the purlin in order to remove the anchoring device. A variation of this anchoring device involves the incorporation of “barbs” or sharp projections on the internal surface which contact the rail to provide additional frictional retention or grip of the device.

Purlins are also used for suspending other roof-space services, including, water pipes, fire sprinkler pipes, cable trays and air conditioning ducting. These services are generally heavy duty applications and require more substantial and stable securing to the purlin, as well as to the suspended service. Accordingly, alternative anchoring devices are used in combination with threaded rods. These threaded rods are screwed directly into the anchoring device at one end, while the other end is attached directly to a clamp, a cable tray or duct support, for example. These types of attachment are not suitable for the suspension of ceilings, which must be suspended independently.

Whilst all of the above variations are capable of attaching the anchoring device, they are difficult to remove or adjust.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved anchoring device, including one which facilitates installation, removal and/or adjustment of the anchoring device, without the need to also have to replace the ceiling hanging rod and other ceiling suspension components or to modify a pre-existing purlin.

Unlike the alternative anchoring devices known in the art as described above, the anchoring device of the present invention allows for easy and secure attachment to a pre-existing purlin without further modifications. In other words, the present invention is also useful in retrofitting situations.

2012216768 12 Sep 2012

Summary of the Invention

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an anchoring device including a bracket member having a head portion and a base portion, wherein the head portion is adapted to engage a structural member of a building; and a fastening rod having a receiving portion, the receiving portion being adapted to receive an upper end of a ceiling hanging rod; wherein in use, the fastening rod passes through the base portion and bears against/abuts the structural member to releasably secure the anchoring device thereto.

Preferably, the structural member is a purlin. More preferably, the head portion is adapted to engage with a rail of the purlin. A typical purlin is substantially C-shaped in cross-section, or has a substantially U-shaped channel having inwardly deviated rail members. Even more preferably, the head portion includes a lip which is adapted to wrap over the rail. In alternative preferred embodiments, the head portion includes a head extension that is adapted to bear against a flange of a purlin, when in use.

Accordingly, in a further embodiment, there is provided an anchoring device including a bracket member having a head portion with a head extension and a base portion, wherein the head portion and head extension are adapted to engage a structural member of a building; and a fastening rod having a receiving portion, such as an eye or hook, the receiving portion being adapted to receive an upper end of a ceiling hanging rod; wherein in use, the fastening rod passes through the base portion and bears against the structural member to releasably secure the anchoring device thereto, via contact between the head extension and structural member.

Preferably, the fastening rod is substantially cylindrical and includes an at least partially threaded portion. When assembled, at least a part of the fastening rod is threaded through the base portion of the bracket member.

More preferably, when in use, the base portion is located spatially apart from the structural member/purlin, which in turn engages with the head portion, lip and/or the head extension of the bracket member. In this arrangement, the intervening space between the base portion and the structural member/purlin enables a first end of the

2012216768 12 Sep 2012 fastening rod to bear against/abut the structural member/purlin and thereby secure the anchoring device to the structural member/purlin. In alternative arrangements wherein the head portion includes a head extension, tightening of the fastening rod brings the first end of the threaded portion into contact with an underside of the flange of the structural member/purlin and the head extension into contact with the opposite side of the flange, thereby transmitting the weight of any suspended items to the flange rather than the rail of the structural member/purlin. In these latter arrangements, the head portion is adapted such that substantially no weight is borne by the rail. For example, the head portion may include a lip that assists in positioning the device adjacent to the rail, but the head portion is of sufficient height that when the fastening rod is tightened against the structural member/purlin, it is the contacting of the head extension with the structural member/purlin that distributes the force to the structural member/purlin, rather than the head portion and lip distributing force to the rail, since the flange of the structural member/purlin is stronger than the rail.

The fastening rod is preferably a threaded member or is in the form of a winding, wherein the eye is formed at a proximal end thereof. Preferably, the eye is adapted to receive a ceiling hanging rod, for suspending a ceiling, therethrough. As such, a “hooked” ceiling hanging rod is able to pass through the eye and be suspended therefrom. The eye is of a substantially circularly looped or angular configuration. When the eye is of an angular configuration, it may be in the form of a square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, hexagon or any other angular shape as desired. Preferably, the eye is not threaded as it is intended only to receive the ceiling hanging rod in a manner analogous to that of currently used anchoring devices and purlin hooks.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an anchoring device for suspending a ceiling, the anchoring device including a bracket member, the bracket member including a head portion and a base portion, wherein the head portion is adapted to engage a rail of a purlin; and a threaded fastening rod having an eye formed at the proximal end thereof; wherein in use, the base portion is located spatially apart from the purlin and a part of the threaded fastening rod passes through the base portion and the distal end of the fastening rod bears against the purlin to releasably secure the anchoring device thereto.

2012216768 12 Sep 2012

It is the ability of the anchoring device to be releasably secured to the purlin, without the need to directly handle the device, that defines one advantage of the present invention over the prior art. This is achieved by virtue of the cooperation between the eye and the ceiling hanging rod to allow reversible attachment of the anchoring device.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an anchoring device of the type which is reversibly attachable to a structural member of a building, whereby installation, removal and/or adjustment of a suspended ceiling is facilitated.

It is also an aspect of the present invention to provide an anchoring device which is suitable for a retrofitting application, without the need to have to replace ceiling hanging rods and other ceiling suspension components, nor to modify a pre-existing purlin.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figures 1A, IB and 1C show isometric views of anchoring devices known in the art.

Figure 2 shows plan views of an embodiment of an anchoring device according to the present invention, of the bracket member (A) and fastening rod (B).

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of an anchoring device according to the present invention assembled to a purlin and a ceiling hanging rod suspended from the fastening rod.

Figure 4 shows isometric views of two embodiments of anchoring devices according to the present invention. (A) shows an embodiment that substantially wraps over the rail and then bears against the lower flange, and (B) shows an embodiment that does not substantially interact with the rail and then bears against the lower flange.

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the anchoring device shown in

Figure 4A assembled to a purlin.

Figure 6 shows several views of an exemplary plug means which is suitable for use in association with an anchoring device of the present invention.

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Figure 7 shows an exemplary plug means in use with an anchoring device of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the invention

Referring to the Figures wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The following description refers to the specific, illustrated embodiments of the present invention and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific illustrated embodiment.

According to one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the Figures 2 and 3, there is provided an anchoring device 100 including a bracket member 200, the bracket member 200 having a head portion 210 and a base portion 220. The head portion 210 is adapted to engage with a structural member 300 of a building. The anchoring device further includes a fastening rod 400 having an eye 410 formed at the proximal end thereof, the eye 410 being adapted for receiving a ceiling hanging rod 500 therethrough. When the anchoring device is in use, the fastening rod 400 passes through the base portion 220 and the distal end of the fastening rod 400 bears against/abuts the structural member 300 to releasably secure the anchoring device 100 thereto.

The structural member 300 is preferably a purlin. The purlin can be in a variety of shapes, such as, but not limited to, C-, Z- or S-sectional shapes. A common feature of a purlin is the presence of a substantially vertical web 320 having flanges 330,335 at its ends. The purlin may be laid out horizontally or at any angle relative to the roof decking and may vary significantly in dimension or gauge. As an example, the purlin may be laid substantially horizontally, or inclined at an angle between 0° to 90°, such as 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40° or 45°. Most preferably, the purlin is laid out substantially horizontally. In some embodiments, the purlin may be from about 100 to 300mm in height, have flange 330,335 widths of from about 50 to 100mm, and with flange rails 310 which may be from about 10 to 20mm in height. The gauge or thickness of the purlin may vary from about 1.5 to 3mm, depending on the size of the purlin and/or its intended application.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the head portion 210 of bracket 200 preferably engages with a rail 310 of the purlin 300. Most preferably, the upper part

2012216768 12 Sep 2012 of head portion 210 includes a lip 230 that wraps over rail 310, such that the head portion 210 is bent over the rail 310 in a “hooked” manner. The base portion 220 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the head portion 210 and is preferably integrally formed from a single piece of material, such as, but not limited to, metal of a suitable gauge which has been bent at a desired angle. The head portion 210 is preferably about 40mm in height above the base portion 220, preferably about 20mm in breadth; the length of the lip 230 wrapped over the rail 310 is preferably about 12mm; and the length of the base portion 220 is preferably about 35mm. In some embodiments, the bracket 200 may be made from mild steel, preferably 1 to 4mm thick, most preferably 2mm gauge mild steel. In other embodiments, the bracket may be made from steel, aluminium, copper, alloy metals, plastics or other suitable material.

As shown in Figure 2B, the fastening rod 400 includes an eye 410 at its proximal end. In a preferred embodiment, the eye 410 is of a substantially circular configuration. Most preferably, the eye 410 is formed by winding or bending one end of the fastening rod

400 to form a loop. In alternative embodiments, the eye may be formed by angularly bending the proximal end of the fastening rod 400 to form a triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or any other suitably shaped eye. The eye 410 is capable of receiving therethrough, and suspending therefrom, a ceiling hanging rod 500 (see Figure

3) of about 3 to 8mm in diameter, most preferably, about 5.5mm in diameter.

The fastening rod 400 is preferably at least partially threaded at its distal end. It is not necessary for the entire length of the fastening rod 400 to be threaded. In a preferred form, the threaded portion 420 is about 50mm in length and the fastening rod 400, including the eye 410, is about 70mm in length. The threaded portion 420 enables the fastening rod 400 to be passed through an aperture 240 in the base portion 220, preferably a threaded aperture, thereby allowing the fastening rod 400 to bear against/abut the purlin 300. As a result, threading the fastening rod 400 through the base portion 220 gradually forces the purlin 300 away from the base portion 220, which in turn brings the lip 230 into engagement with the rail 310. Accordingly, the lip 230 counteracts the force applied against the rail 310, thereby allowing the anchoring device 100 to be releasably and securely tightened against the purlin 300.

2012216768 12 Sep 2012

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 220 is located spatially apart from the structural member or purlin 300. It would be understood by the skilled person that the spatial distance between the base portion 220 and purlin 300 enables ease of installation and/or removal.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 shows the anchoring device in use. When assembled and in use, the anchoring device 100 is securely tightened against the purlin 300 and the fastening rod 400 is capable of suspending a ceiling hanging rod 500. In this illustrated embodiment, the ceiling hanging rod 500 is suspended from the eye 410 of the fastening rod 400. In circumstances when ceiling hanging rod 500 having a diameter of approximately 5mm is used, the eye 410 typically has a diameter of 9mm to allow a snug fit. In a preferred use, the eye 410 receives ceiling hanging rod 500 for suspending a ceiling. The eye 410 allows a hooked part of the ceiling hanging rod 500 to pass through the eye 410 and be suspended therefrom.

The embodiments illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 show an anchoring device that is adapted to engage, and apply force to, the lower flange 335 of the purlin 300. These embodiments function in substantially the same manner as those illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, except that the force of the suspended load is borne by the lower flange 335 rather than the rail 310. This is desirable as excess weight applied to the rail 310 may result in deformation of the rail 310, whereas the flange 335 is significantly more resistant to deformation. In use, the anchoring device shown in Figure 4A provides a positive positioning of the device 200 onto the rail 310, tightening of the fastening rod 400 brings the first end of the threaded portion 425 into contact with the underside of the lower flange 335, while the head extension 215 contacts the upper surface of the lower flange 335, whereby the lower flange 335 is clamped between the threaded portion 420 and the head extension 215, as clearly shown in Figure 5. It is preferred that no weight is to be borne by the rail 310. Accordingly, the head portion 210 is preferably adapted to not contact the rail 310 when the device engages the purlin 300. In particular, it is preferred that a gap 280 remains between the rail 310 and the head portion 210. Similarly, the anchoring device shown in Figure 4B also results in the lower flange 335 being clamped between the threaded portion 420 and the head extension 215. In this embodiment however, there is no lip 230 that is used to positively position the device 200 on the rail 310.

2012216768 12 Sep 2012

By virtue of the relationship between the eye 410 of the fastening rod 400 and the ceiling hanging rod 500, the present invention enables a user to tighten or loosen the engagement between the purlin 300 and the anchoring device 100 by rotating the ceiling hanging rod 500. This allows the user to loosen, tighten and/or move the anchoring device from a distance, without the need to directly reach, and handle the anchoring device, for installation, removal or maintenance thereof. In order to facilitate such loosening or tightening, the present invention optionally provides a plug means 600.

A plug means 600 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In use, the plug means 600 is inserted into the eye 410 of the fastening rod 400 to secure the ceiling hanging rod 500 therein and substantially prevent movement of the ceiling hanging rod 500 within the eye 410 when the ceiling hanging rod 500 is rotated to either loosen or tighten the fastening rod 400. To facilitate its function, it is preferred that the plug means is substantially tapered as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 and more preferably includes a groove 610 whereby the groove 610 may accommodate a portion of the ceiling hanging rod 500. Figure 6 shows an exemplary tapered plug means 600 from its narrow end (A), side profile (B), from its wide end (C) and in perspective (D). The skilled person would readily recognize that alternative forms of the plug means would function just as well as the illustrated embodiment. These alternative forms of plug means are equally encompassed by the present disclosure.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the plug means 600 may be formed from a slightly resilient material, such as, but not limited to, a soft plastic. Such a material provides a substantially tight fit within the eye 410 and resists loosening. The plug means 600 can also function to prevent accidental removal of the ceiling hanging rod 500 from the eye 410 of the fastening rod 400 by substantially preventing movement of the ceiling hanging rod 500 relative to the fastening rod 400.

The skilled person will realise that the plug means 600, as described above, fits into the eye 410 and presses down on to the hanging rod 500 to form a tight fit thereby enabling the anchoring device 100 to be held in an upright position so that the anchoring device 100 can be fitted to a purlin 300 from well below the purlin 300 to which it is intended to be attached. This means that a worker can set the scaffold or work platform to the

2012216768 12 Sep 2012 height needed to install a ceiling and attach the anchoring device 100 from that height or level. Accordingly, it is possible to perform both hanging rod installation and ceiling installation from a single height setting of the scaffold or work platform. In addition, there are many obstacles in the void between the ceiling to the purlin including but not limited to, cable trays, air conditioning ducts, sprinkler systems and structural beams which make it difficult, and in some cases unsafe, to physically reach the purlin. Thus the present invention provides significant advantages for workers in ceiling spaces.

Although the detailed description describes the anchoring device of the present invention used to suspend a ceiling, the present invention is not to be limited as such. It would be understood that the present invention may be used to suspend other materials and devices from a purlin or other structural member of a building, for instance piping, wiring trays and conduits, ducting, lighting equipment and other materials/devices used in the ceiling space of buildings.

Any prior art reference or statement provided in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that such art constitutes, or is to be understood as constituting, part of the common general knowledge.

2012216768 19 Sep 2018

Claims

The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A purlin hanger including:

a bracket member having a head portion with a head extension and a base

5 portion, wherein the head portion and/or the head extension, are adapted to engage a purlin; and a fastening rod having a receiving portion, the receiving portion being adapted to receive an upper end of a ceiling hanging rod;

wherein in use, the fastening rod passes through a threaded aperture in the base

10 portion and bears against the purlin to releasably secure the purlin hanger thereto, via contact between the head extension and the purlin.
2. The purlin hanger of claim 1, wherein the head portion wraps substantially over a rail of the purlin.
3. The purlin hanger of claim 1, wherein the head portion does not engage with a rail of the purlin.
4. The purlin hanger of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening rod is at

20 least partially threaded.
5. The purlin hanger of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when in use, the head extension bears against a flange of the purlin and the base portion is located spatially apart from the purlin.
6. A purlin hanger for suspending a ceiling, the purlin hanger including a bracket member, the bracket member having a head portion with a head extension and a base portion, wherein the head extension is adapted to engage with a flange of a purlin; and a threaded fastening rod having an eye; wherein in use, the base

30 portion is located spatially apart from the purlin and the threaded fastening rod passes through a threaded aperture in the base portion and a distal end of the fastening rod bears against the purlin to releasably secure the purlin hanger thereto.

2012216768 19 Sep 2018
7. A purlin hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a plug means to substantially retain a ceiling hanging rod in the eye.

5
8. A method of suspending a ceiling including the step of securing a purlin hanger of any one of claims 1 to 7 to a purlin.
9. A ceiling suspended by a purlin hanger of any one of claims 1 to 7.

1/6

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Figure 1-PRIOR ART

500

2/6

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410

3/6

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Figure 3

4/6

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Ο 200 215

420

425

Figure 4

5/6

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Figure 5

6/6

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Figure 6

500