AU2014202884A1 - A connection arrangement between structural members and a reinforcing device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a connection arrangement between first and second structural members and to a reinforcing device adapted for use in a connection between first and second structural members wherein each of the structural members include a web and a flange and the first and second structural members are positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members face each other. The present invention is suitable for use in a connection arrangement between a purlin or girt in the form of an elongated top-hat section and another purlin or rafter in the form of an elongated single C section or a pair of elongated C sections. In one form, the reinforcing device includes first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween. The first segment is adapted to be secured to a flange of the first structural member or the second structural member. The second segment being adapted to be spaced apart from the web and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member or to face the web and be upstanding from the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member. .. . . .. .. . . . . \------- """N

Description

1 A CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AND A REINFORCING DEVICE THEREFOR Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection arrangement between first and second structural members and to a reinforcing device for reinforcing and/or connecting first and second structural members. The present invention is suitable for use in a connection arrangement between a purlin or girt in the form of an elongated top-hat section and another purlin or rafter in the form of an elongated single C section or a pair of elongated C sections. Background of the Invention Roof and wall structures can be subjected to substantial dynamic loads due to the incidence of wind on the exterior surface, or cladding, of the roof or wall structure. The incidence of wind on the exterior surface of the roof or wall structure results in a pressure difference between the air within the structure and the air outside the structure. In the case of a roof structure, the incidence of wind on the exterior surface of the roof structure can result the air above the exterior surface being at a lower pressure than the air below the exterior surface such that a resultant force acts on the exterior surface of the roof structure is the upwards direction. An upwardly directed force which seeks to lift the exterior surface of the roof structure from the underlying structure beneath, typically due to the incidence of wind, is known as "upllift". Commercial, industrial and rural structures are often constructed using a combination of cost-effective lightweight cold-formed steel sections both as the primary members, such as purlins or girts to which cladding is usually connected, and secondary members, such as columns, beams or rafters to which the primary members are connected and upon which they are supported. Cold-formed steel sections used for the primary members typically include a single C or Z section or a top-hat section. Cold-formed steel sections used for the secondary members typically include single C sections or a pair of back to back C sections. The exterior surface of the wall or roof structure is formed out of the cladding connected to the primary members.

2 Connections between primary and secondary members can be made by screwing members together using self-drilling and tapping screws. However, due to the thinness of the steel used for the C, Z and top-hat sections used as the primary and secondary members, their resistance to plastic deformation can be limited. It has been observed that wind uplift forces acting to separate a primary structural member, in the form of a top-hat section, from a secondary structural member, comprised of a single or a pair of cold-formed C sections, can cause localised buckling of the flanges of the top-hat section in the region of a connection therebetween. Such localised buckling can result in bending moments being applied to the shank or the head of the screws which may in turn lead to tearing of the edges of openings formed by the screws in the structural members or may result in breakage of the screws themselves. Hence the uplift performance of connections between the primary and secondary members can be unacceptably low and substantially below the failure point of the screws or below a level that could be achieved in an arrangement less prone to local deformation of the structural members. The present invention seeks to improve the resistance to failure of connections between primary and secondary members particularly, but not necessarily limited to, where the primary members are comprised of top hat sections and the secondary members are comprised of a single or a pair of cold-formed C sections. Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention provides a reinforcing device adapted for use in a connection between first and second structural members wherein each of the structural members include a web and a flange and the first and second structural members are positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members face each other, the reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment being adapted to be secured to a flange of the first structural member and the second segment being adapted to be spaced apart from the web and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member.

3 In some embodiments, the first segment is adapted to extend in a direction from the web of the first structural member towards an edge of the flange of the first structural member located distally from the web and the second segment is adapted to upstand from towards the edge of the flange of the first structural member. In some embodiments, the second segment is adapted for abutment with a longitudinally extending reinforcement lip of the flange of the first structural member located distally from the web of the first structural member. The first and second segments can be adapted to extend to an outer portion of the flange of the second structural member located distally from the web of the second structural member. In another aspect, the present invention provides a reinforcing device adapted for use in a connection between first and second structural members wherein each of the structural members include a web and a flange and the first and second structural members are positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members face each other, the reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment being adapted to be secured to a flange of the first structural member or the second structural member and the second segment being adapted to face the web and be upstanding from the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member. In some embodiments, the first segment is adapted to extend from the web of the first structural member and the second segment is adapted to upstand from the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member. In some embodiments, when the second structural member includes a pair of back to back elongated C-sections and the flange of the first structural member faces a level pair of the flanges of the second structural member, the first and second 4 segments are adapted to extend to outer portions of the flanges of the second structural member located distally from the webs of the second structural member. The first segment can be adapted to receive a connector extending through the first segment and into the flanges of the first and/or second structural members. In some embodiments, the first segment includes connector positioning means adapted for positioning the connector extending through the first segment into the flanges of the first and/or second structural members closely adjacent to the web of the second structural member. The connector positioning means can include two openings formed in the first segment, wherein a midpoint between the openings can be adapted for alignment with the web of the second structural member for positioning a connector extending through one of the openings closely adjacent to the web of the second structural member. The two openings can be spaced apart by a minimum of double an external radii of a bend between the web and the flange of the second structural member. A further opening can be formed in the first segment adjacent to the one of the openings to form a pair of the openings. The distance between the pair of the openings can be predetermined to provide a minimum clearance between connectors received therethrough. A diameter of the one opening nearer the midpoint of the pair can be larger than a diameter of the other opening of the pair. In some embodiments, further openings are formed in the first segment immediately adjacent to each of the openings nearest the midpoint to form two pairs of the openings on opposite sides of the midpoint.

5 The first segment can include a lip along an edge of the first segment located distally from the junction and extending in the longitudinal direction. The first and second segments can be connected at the junction along substantially the entire longitudinal lengths thereof. In some embodiments, the angle at which the first and second segments extend to each other is substantially 90 degrees. The body can be formed from a sheet of metal and the junction between the first and second segments can be formed by providing a bend in the sheet. In some embodiments, the first structural member is an elongated top hat section including a pair of spaced apart webs interconnected by an upper flange and including a pair of lower flanges, each lower flange extending from a respective web of the first structural member. In another aspect, the present invention provides a connection arrangement between first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other, the assembly including a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the first structural member and a connector extending through the first segment and into the first and second structural members forms a connection between the first and second structural members, the second segment being spaced apart from the web and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member. In some embodiments, the first structural member is an elongated top hat section including a pair of spaced apart webs interconnected by an upper flange and including a pair of lower flanges, each lower flange extending from a respective web of the first structural member.

6 In some embodiments, the first structural member wherein the first structural member is an elongated Z section. In some embodiments, the connection arrangement includes a second one of the reinforcement devices, the first segment of the second reinforcing device facing the other flange of the first structural member and a connector extending through the first segment of the second reinforcing device and into the first and second structural members forms a connection between the first and second structural members, the second segment of the second reinforcing device being spaced apart from the other web adjoining the other flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the other flange of the first structural member. In another aspect, the present invention provides a connection arrangement including: first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other; a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the first structural member, the second segment facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member; and a connector extending through the first segment and into the first and second structural members forming a connection between the first and second structural members. Some embodiments further include a second one of the reinforcing devices, the first segment of the second reinforcing device facing the web of the second structural member and the second segment of the second reinforcing device facing the web of the first structural member, a connector extending through the first segment and into the web of the second structural member and a connector extending through the 7 second segment into the web of the first structural member forms a connection between the first and second structural members. In another aspect, the present invention provides a connection arrangement including: first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other; a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the second structural member, the second segment facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the second structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the second structural member; and a connector extending through the first segment and into the second structural member and a connector extending through the second segment and into the web of the first structural member thereby forming a connection between the first and second structural members. Some embodiments include a second one of the reinforcing devices, the first segment of the second device facing a flange of the first structural member, the second segment of the second device facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member, and a connector extending through the first segment of the second device and into the first and second structural members forming a connection between the first and second structural members. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein: 8 Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a reinforcing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein the device is shown in isolation; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a connection arrangement including two of the reinforcing devices of Figure 1 used in the connection of a first structural member in form of a top-hat section to a second structural member in the form of a pair of C sections arranged back to back. Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of another connection arrangement including the device of Figure 1 used in conjunction with connectors to connect a first structural member to a second structural member Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of the connection arrangement of Figure 3A wherein the first and second structural members are rotated approximately 90 degrees about a vertical axis and wherein a second device is employed in the connection of the first and second structural members to each other Figure 4A illustrates a perspective view of another connection arrangement including the device of Figure 1 used for connecting a first structural member in the form of a Z section to a second structural member including a pair of C sections arranged back to back; and Figure 4B illustrates a perspective view of the connection arrangement of Figure 4A rotated approximately 45 degrees about a vertical axis and illustrating a second device used in the connection between the first structural member and second structural member. The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the Figures. Detailed Description Referring to Figure 1, a reinforcing device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The reinforcing device 10 includes a body 12 comprised 9 of a first segment 20 and a second segment 40, wherein the first and second segments 20, 30 extend at an angle to each other and include a junction 30 therebetween. The reinforcing device 10 can be employed in a connection arrangement such as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 between a first structural member 80a and a second structural member 90. In the embodiment of the connection arrangement illustrated in Figure 2, the first structural member 80a is in the form of a top-hat section and the second structural member 90 includes a pair of C sections 90a, 90b arranged back to back although the second structural member 90 could include a single C section (not shown). Each of the C sections 90a, 90b has a web 92a, 92b, a lower flange 91 a, 91 b and an upper flange 93a, 93b. The first structural member 80a includes a pair of webs 82a, 82b that are interconnected by an upper flange 83a such that the pair of webs 82a, 82b extend and diverge from the upper flange 83a to respective lower flanges 81 a, 81b. The lower flanges 81a, 81b each have an upturned reinforcing lip 86a, 86b extending longitudinally and located distally from the webs 82a, 82b. The first structural member 80 rests directly upon the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. The first segment 20 of the device 10 is adapted to be secured to at least one of the flanges 81 a, 81 b of the first structural member 80a and the second segment 40 is adapted to be spaced apart from the web 82a, 82b and upstanding from the flange 81 a, 81 b of the first structural member 80a to reinforce the flange 81 a, 81 b of the first structural member 80a. In embodiments, the device 10 is positioned such that the first segment 20 abuts, or is located immediately adjacent to, at least one of the webs 82a, 82b and faces the adjoining flange 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a such that the second segment 40 is spaced apart from the web 82a, 82b and is upstanding from the flange 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a towards an edge of the flange 81a, 81b located distally from the web 82a, 82b. A connector 100 extends through the first segment 20 into the lower flange 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a and through the upper flange 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 to form a connection between the first and second structural members 80a, 90. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10 in detail. The body 12 of the device 10 is comprised of a single piece of sheet metal, such as steel, that is cut to 10 size and formed, such as by cold forming, pressing or by any other suitable method, to form the device 10 illustrated in Figure 1. The device 10 may be hot or cold formed from thin gauge steel which may also be galvanised or otherwise coated. The body 12 of the device 10 is comprised of the first segment 20 and the second segment 40, wherein the first and second segments 20, 30 extend to each other to form an angle 0 at the junction 30 therebetween. Although in the embodiments of the device 10 illustrated herein the first and second segments 20, 30 extend to each other directly to form the junction 30 therebetween it is to be appreciated that the first and second segments 20, 30 may not extend to each other directly. The first and second segments 20, 30 could be separated by an additional segment (not shown) and wherein the junction 30 therebetween may be comprised of the additional segment (not shown). The first and second segments 20 each have a respective length L 1 , L 2 and width W 1 , W 2 and are elongated in their length directions. In the embodiment of the device illustrated in Figure 1, the first segment 20 and the second segment 40 are integrally formed and the junction or connection between the first segment 20 and the second segment 40 is comprised of a bend 15 in the sheet metal from which the body 12 is formed. Thus, the first and second segments 20, 30 are interconnected at lateral edges 22, 42 of the first and second segments 20, 30 along substantially the entire lengths of the edges 22, 42 in the directions of the lengths L 1 , L 2 of the segments 20, 40. The bend 15 is such that the first and second segments 20, 40 are substantially transverse to each other such that the angle 9 is substantially 90 degrees. Thus, the first and second segments 20, 40 of the device 10 have a substantially L shaped profile. However, in other embodiments, not illustrated in the Figures, the angle E may be any angle less than or greater than 90 degrees such as 70, 75, 80, 85, 95, 100, 105, 110 degrees or any increment therebetween. The first segment 20 further includes a lip 26 which is arranged along a second lateral edge 24 of the first segment 20 opposite from, and extending in the same direction as, the interconnected first lateral edge 22 thereof. The lip 26 is integrally formed with the first segment 20 and is connected to the first segment 20 by a connection 17 in the form of a bend extending along the second lateral edge 24 of 11 the first segment 20 in the direction of the length L.. Thus, the device 10 is a section having a profile similar to the Greek letter gamma (F). The first segment 20 is comprised of a first sheet portion 25 having a substantially planar first surface 28 and an opposite substantially planar second surface 29 wherein the first and second surfaces 28, 29 meet along the lateral edge 22 of the first segment 20. Similarly, the second segment 40 comprises a second sheet portion 45 having a substantially planar first surface 48 and an opposite substantially planar second surface 49, wherein the first and second surfaces 48, 49 meet along the lateral edge 42 of the second segment 40. In the embodiment of the device 10 illustrated in the Figures, the sheet portions 25, 45 are substantially planar and sheet-like in form but this need not necessarily be the case. For example, the sheet portions 25, 45 may have removed portions (not shown) to save weight or to save material. The first and second segments 20, 40 are chamfered at opposite ends thereof. Accordingly, as can be seen in Figure 1 in particular, the first segment 10 includes first and second chamfers 20a, 20b at opposite ends along the length L 1 thereof and the second segment also includes first and second chamfers 40a, 40b at opposite ends along the length L 2 thereof. In the embodiments of the device 10 illustrated in the Figures, the first segment 20 is provided with connector positioning means in the form of a plurality of openings 1, 2, 3, 4 formed into the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20. Each of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 extends between and to the first and second surfaces 28, 29 to provide apertures through the first sheet portion 25. The embodiment of the device 10 illustrated in the Figures includes four of the openings 1, 2. 3, 4, however, it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the device 10 may a different number of openings or may be provided with connector positioning means in a form other than openings. Similarly, although the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are formed into the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20 they may be formed, or additional openings (not shown) may be formed, into the second sheet portion 45 of the second segment 40. Alternatively, the device 10 could be provided with no openings in either the first sheet portion 25 or the second sheet portion 45. The openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are positioned at predetermined locations along the length L 1 of the first segment 20.

12 The openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are also positioned at predetermined locations across the transverse width W 1 of the first segment 20 and, in embodiments, a minimal distance apart from the lateral edge 22 of the first segment 20 and the junction 30 between the first and second segments 20, 40 that would accommodate a connector 100. The openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are grouped in two pairs that are spaced apart and preferably equidistant from a midpoint along the length L 1 of the segment 20. Thus, the pairs of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are separated by a space S. The space S may be any suitable size but is preferably determined in a manner discussed below. Each pair of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 includes a relatively larger diameter opening 2, 3 located proximally to the midpoint of the segment 20 and a relatively smaller diameter opening 1, 4 located distally from the midpoint of the segment 20. Thus, the space S is defined by the distance between the relatively larger diameter openings 2, 3. The openings 1, 2, 3, 4 are provided in the first sheet portion 25 for the purpose of enabling one or more connectors to be inserted therethrough and to position such connectors in a predetermined location along the length L 1 and/or the width W 1 of the first segment 20, and the first sheet portion 25 thereof for a purpose that will become apparent below. The openings 1, 2, 3, 4 within each pair are located a distance apart so as to enable adjacent pairs of connectors 100 positioned within each pair of the openings 1, 2 and 3, 4 to be located as close as practical to each other. Within each pair of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4, the distance between centres thereof should lie between, a minimum of the diameter of an integral or a non-integral washer or the head 103 of the connectors 100 and up to that distance plus 5 millimetres. Ideally, within each pair of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4, the distance between centres thereof the distances should be as close as practical to achieve optimal load sharing between each pair of connectors 100. The distance between the centres of the central openings 2 and 3 (i.e. the openings located nearest the midpoint) should lie between, a minimum of the sum of the external radii of the bends between the webs 92a, 92b and the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 plus an outer thread diameter of the connectors 100 plus the distance between webs 92a, 92b in the double C section arrangement, such as is illustrated in Figure 2 and discussed below, and up to that distance plus 10 millimetres. Ideally, the distance between the centres of the central openings 2 and 3 should be as close as practical whilst these openings are 13 fully within the respective upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 in a double C section arrangement, such as is illustrated in Figure 2, in order to minimise the deformation of the second structural member 90 in general and the upper flanges 93a, 93b in particular. In the embodiment of the connection arrangement illustrated in Figure 2, the second structural member 90 is comprised of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b arranged back to back. The webs 92a, 92b of the C sections 90a, 90b are arranged immediately adjacent and parallel to each other. The webs 92a, 92b extend between and to the lower flanges 91 a, 91 b and the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the C sections 90a, 90b. The lower flanges 91 a, 91 b are arranged substantially level with each other and the upper flanges 93a, 93b are arranged substantially level with each other. In the connection arrangement illustrated in Figure 2, the first structural member 80 rests directly upon the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. Thus, the lower flanges 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a are supported directly upon the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the back to back C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. The connection arrangement illustrated in Figure 2 includes a first one of the devices 10, illustrated in Figure 1, as well as a second identical device 110 in the connection between the first structural member 80a and the second structural member 90 in a manner which will now be described. The devices 10, 110 are connected to the flanges 82a, 82b of the first structural member 80a and the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 by way of the connectors 100. The connectors 100 illustrated in Figure 2, are self-drilling and tapping screws having a threaded shank 102 and a head 103, however, any suitable connector may be used. To form the connection illustrated in Figure 2, the devices 10, 110 are positioned such that the second surface 29 of the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20 of each device 10, 110 are in face to face contact with upper surfaces 87a, 87b of the flanges 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a. The lips 26 of the devices 10, 110 are positioned in abutment with the webs 82a, 82b of first structural member 80a such that the second segments 40 of the devices 10, 110 are upstanding and located distally from the webs 82a, 82b of the first structural member 80a. The second segments 40 of the devices 10, 110 are located 14 immediately adjacent to or in abutment with the upturned reinforcing lips 86a, 86b of the lower flanges 81 a, 81 b of the first structural member 80a. The connector positioning means of the devices 10 are adapted for positioning the devices 10, 110 such that the connectors 100 extending through the first segments 20 into the flanges 81a, 81b, 93a, 93b of the first and second structural members 80a, 90 are closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. In this regard, the midpoint between the central openings 2, 3 of each device 10, 110, is substantially aligned with the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 for positioning the connectors 10 extending through the first segments 20 into the flanges 81a, 81b, 93a, 93b of the first and second structural members 80a, 90 closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. Positioning of the connectors 100 closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b, and preferably as close as practical thereto, results in a connection between the first and second structural members 80, 90 that is more resistant to separation such as from wind uplift forces. Thus, the devices 10, 110 are positioned such that the space S which separates the pairs of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 straddles a gap G between the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. A connector may first be positioned within, and driven through, one or both of the larger openings 2, 3 and driven through the flanges 81a, 81b, 93a, 93b to provide clearance around the shank 102 of the connector 100 to enable some movement of the device 10. Another connector is then inserted into the smaller openings 1, 4 and is driven through the flanges 81 a, 81 b, 93a, 93b to fix the devices 10, 110 in position. The devices 10, 110 are adapted to reinforce the flanges 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a. In this regard, the second segments 40 of the devices 10, 110 are adapted to complement the reinforcement of the flanges 81 a, 81 b provided by the upturned reinforcing lips 86a, 86b of the lower flanges 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a. The devices 10, 110 provide additional stiffening for the lower flanges 81 a, 81 b of the first structural member 80a to reduce the extent, if any, of localised buckling of the flanges 81a, 81b and/or of the upturned reinforcing lips 86a, 86b and a junction therebetween. Such buckling can occur as a result of a force acting to pull apart the first structural member 80a from the second structural 15 member 90. By reducing the extent of localised buckling of the lower flanges 81a, 81b of the first structural member 80a and/or of the upturned reinforcing lips 86a, 86b the devices 10, 110 help to reduce the extent of bending moments that may be applied to the threaded shank 102 and/or the head 103 of the connectors 100 and any tearing forces applied to the edges of openings formed by the connectors 100 in the flanges 81 a, 81b, 93a, 93b of the first and second structural members 80a, 90. In the connection arrangement of Figure 2, the first and second segments 20, 40 of the devices 10, 110 extend to outer portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the C sections 90a, 90b of the second structural member 90a, 90b located distally from the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. Thus, the devices 10, 110 are adapted to reinforce a portion of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 located on a side of the connectors 100 distally from the webs 92a, 92b to prevent lifting of the outer portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b. By extending to the outer portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b the devices 10, 110 are adapted to increase the resistance to deformation of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 which can occur as a result of a force acting to pull apart the first structural member 80a from the second structural member 90. Figures 3A and 3B, illustrate a connection arrangement B involving a connection between a first structural member 80 and a second structural member 90 wherein the first structural member 80 is an elongated Z section and the second structural member 90 is an elongated C section. The first structural member 80 includes a web portion 82 between a pair of flanges 81, 83. In Figures 3A and 3B, the web 82 is arranged upright, and a lower one of the flanges 81 extends transversely from a bottom edge 85 of the web 82 and an upper one of the flanges 83 extends transversely from an upper edge 87 of the web 82. The second structural member 90 is an elongated C section including a web portion 92 between a pair of flanges 91, 92. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the web 92 is arranged upright, and a lower one of the flanges 91 extends transversely from a bottom edge 95 of the web 92 and an upper one of the flanges 93 extends transversely from an upper edge 97 of the web 92. The Z section forming the first structural member 80 and the C section forming the second structural member 90 that are illustrated in 16 Figures 3A and 3B are commonly referred to as purlins and are typically cold formed from thin gauge steel sheet. As can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B, the first structural member 80 is placed upon the second structural member 90 such that the lower one of the flanges 81 of the first structural member 80 rests directly upon the upper one of the flanges 92 of the second structural member 90. One of the devices 10 is connected to the web 82 of the first structural member 80 and the web 92 of the second structural member 90 by way of the connectors 100. To form the connection illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the device 10 is positioned such that the second surface 29 of the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20 is in face to face contact with the web 92 of the second structural member 90 and the second surface 49 of the second sheet portion 45 of the second segment 40 is in face to face contact with the web 82 of the first structural member 80. Thus, the first segment 20 faces the web 92 of the second structural member 90 and the second segment 40 faces the web 82 of the first structural member 80. The device 10 is positioned so that a midpoint between the central openings 2, 3 is substantially aligned with the upper flange 93 of the second structural member 90 or, for that matter, with the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80. Thus, one pair of the openings 3, 4 overlaps the web 92 of the second structural member 90 and the device 10 is fastened to the webs 82, 92 by inserting a connector 100 into each of the openings 3, 4 overlapping the web 92 and driving the connectors 100 through the web 92 with a screw driving device. A connector may first be positioned within, and driven through, the larger opening 3 of the pair of openings 3, 4 to provide clearance around the shank 102 of the connector 100 to enable some movement of the device 10. Another connector is then inserted into the smaller opening 4 of the pair of openings 3, 4 and is driven through the web 92 to fix the device 10 in position relative to the second structural member 90. Two more of the connectors 100 are then driven through the second sheet portion 45 of the second segment 40 and through the web 82 of the first structural member 80. A second one of the devices 110 in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B is positioned such that the second surface 29 of the first segment 20 is in face to face contact with an upward facing surface 84 of the lower one of the flanges 81 of the first structural member 80. The second device 110 is adapted to reinforce the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80 particularly, in the region directly 17 adjacent to the web 82 of the first structural member 80. In this regard, the second segment 40 of the device 110 is adapted to complement the reinforcement of the flange 81 provided by the web 82. The second segment 40 of the device 110 is also, to some extent, adapted to complement the reinforcement of the flange 81 provided by the upturned reinforcing lip 86 of the lower flange 81. The lip 26 of the device 110 provides further reinforcement for the flange 81. Thus, the device 110 provides additional stiffening for the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80 to reduce the extent, if any, of localised buckling of the flange 81 and/or of the upturned reinforcing lips 86 and a junction therebetween. Such buckling can occur as a result of a force acting to pull apart the first structural member 80 from the second structural member 90. Reducing the extent of localised buckling of the lower flange 81 and/or of the upturned reinforcing lip 86 of the first structural member 80 the device 110 helps to reduce the extent of bending moments that may be applied to the threaded shank 102 and/or the head 103 of the connectors 100 and any tearing forces applied to the edges of openings formed by the connectors 100 in the flanges 81 and 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90. The connector positioning means of the device 110 is adapted for positioning the connectors 100 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 81, 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90 closely adjacent to the web 82 of the first structural member 80. In this regard, the connector positioning means includes the positioning of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 at a predetermined position across a transverse width W of the first segment 20 and, preferably, a minimum distance apart from the junction 30 between the first and second segments 20, 40 to provide clearance to accommodate the connectors 100. Thus, the pair of openings 3, 4 of the second one of the devices 110 through which the connectors 100 are inserted are also adapted to locate the connectors 100 connecting the lower flange 81 to the upper flange 92 in a substantially predetermined location as close as practical to the web 82 of the first structural member 80 and, for that matter, to each other. The connector positioning means of the device 110 is also adapted for positioning the connectors 100 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 81, 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90 closely adjacent to the web 92 of the second structural member 90. In this regard, the midpoint between the central 18 openings 2, 3, is substantially aligned with the web 92 of the second structural member 90 for positioning the connectors 100 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 81, 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90 closely adjacent to the web 92 of the second structural member 90. Positioning of the connectors 100 closely adjacent to the web 92, and preferably as close as practical to the web 92, results in a connection between the first and second structural members 80, 90 that is more resistant to separation such as from wind uplift forces. Furthermore, the connectors 100, being located close to each other, are more able to load share forces. A rigid portion 112 of the first and or the second segments 20, 40 of the second device 110 are located beyond at least the central openings 2, 3, or beyond the outer openings 1, 4. The rigid portion 112 is adjacent to the connecters 100 and is adapted to reinforce a portion of the upper flange 93 of the second structural member 90 located on a side of the connectors 100 distally from the web 92 of the second structural member 90 to prevent lifting of the distal portion of the upper flange 93. Thus, the second device 110 increases the resistance to deformation of the upper flange 93 of the second structural member 90 which can occur as a result of a force acting to pull apart the first structural member 80 from the second structural member 90. Figures 4A and 4B illustrate another connection arrangement C in accordance with another embodiment of the invention involving a connection between a first structural member and a second structural member in which like components to the aforementioned embodiments are given like reference numerals. In the connection arrangement C illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, a first structural member 80, in the form of an elongated Z section, is connected to the second structural member 90 which is comprised of a pair of C sections 90a, 90b arranged back to back. The webs 92a, 92b of each of the C sections 90a, 90b are arranged immediately adjacent to each other and the lower flanges 91 a, 91 b and the upper flanges 93a, 93b are arranged substantially level with each other. The first structural member 80 is placed upon the second structural member 90 such that the lower one of the flanges 81 of the first structural member 80 rests directly upon the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 19 90. A connection between the first structural member 80 and the second structural member 90 is provided by at least a first one of the devices 10 and more preferably, as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, two of the devices 10, 110 in a manner that will now be described. The first one of the devices 10 is located on the upward facing surface 84 of the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80. In this position, the second surface 49 of the second sheet portion 45 of the second segment 40 of the device 10 is in face to face contact with the flange 81 of the first structural member 80. Also, the second surface 29 of the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20 of the device 10 is in face to face contact with the web 82 of the first structural member 80. The device 10 is positioned such that length L 1 of the device 10 extends in the same direction as the elongated length direction of the elongated first structural member 80. The device 10 is adapted to reinforce the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80 particularly, in the region directly adjacent to the web 82 of the first structural member 80. In this regard, the second segment 40 of the device 10 is adapted to complement the reinforcement of the flange 81 provided by the web 82. The second segment 40 of the device 10 is also, to some extent, adapted to complement the reinforcement of the flange 81 provided by the upturned reinforcing lip 86 of the lower flange 81. The lip 26 of the device 110 provides further reinforcement for the flange 81. Thus, the device 10 provides additional stiffening for the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80 to reduce the extent, if any, of localised buckling of the flange 81 and/or of the upturned reinforcing lips 86 and a junction therebetween. Such buckling can occur as a result of a force acting to pull apart the first structural member 80 from the second structural member 90. Reducing the extent of localised buckling of the lower flange 81 and/or of the upturned reinforcing lip 86 of the first structural member 80 the device 10 helps to reduce the extent of bending moments that may be applied to the threaded shank 102 and/or the head 103 of the connectors 100 and any tearing forces applied to the edges of openings formed by the connectors 100 in the flanges 81 and 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90.

20 The connector positioning means of the device 10 is also adapted for positioning the device 10 such that the connectors 100 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 81, 93 of the first and second structural members 80, 90 are closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. In this regard, the midpoint between the central openings 2, 3, is substantially aligned with the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 for positioning the connectors 10 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 81, 93a, 93b of the first and second structural members 80, 90 closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. Positioning of the connectors 100 closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b, and preferably as close as practical thereto, results in a connection between the first and second structural members 80, 90 that is more resistant to separation such as from wind uplift forces. Thus, the device 10 is positioned such that the space S which separates the pairs of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 straddles a gap G between the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. Accordingly, in a preferred form, the dimension of the space S is determined by the dimension of the gap G between such C sections with which the device 10 is intended for use. Connectors 100 are inserted through each of the openings, 1, 2, 3, 4 and are driven through the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80 and through the upper flanges 93a, 93b to provide a direct connection therebetween. The device 10 includes a pair of the rigid portions 112a, 1 12b. The rigid portions 11 2a, 11 2b are located beyond the outer openings 1, 4 in the first segment 20. The rigid portions 112a, 112b are adjacent to the connecters 100 and are adapted to reinforce portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 located on a side of the connectors 100 distally from the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 to prevent lifting of the distal portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b. A second one of the devices 110, identical to the first device 10, is positioned on the opposite side of the web 82 of the first structural member 80 to the abovementioned first one of the devices 10. The second surface 29 of the first sheet portion 25 of the first segment 20 of the second device 110 is arranged in face to face contact with the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second 21 structural member 90. Furthermore, the second surface 49 of the second sheet portion 45 of the second device 10 is positioned in face to face contact with the web 82 of the first structural member 80. The second device 110 is positioned such that the space S which separates the pairs of the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 straddles the gap G between the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. Connectors 100 are inserted into the openings 1, 2, 3, 4 and are driven through the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the pair of C sections 90a, 90b forming the second structural member 90. As illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, two more of the connectors 100 are driven through the second sheet portions 45 of the second segments 40 of the first and second devices 10, 110 and through the web 82 of the first structural member 80 sandwiched therebetween. The connector positioning means of the second device 110 is also adapted for positioning the second device 110 such that the connectors 100 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 are closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. In this regard, the midpoint between the central openings 2, 3, is substantially aligned with the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 for positioning the connectors 10 extending through the first segment 20 into the flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 closely adjacent to the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90. The second device 110 also includes a pair of the rigid portions 11 2a, 112b adapted to reinforce portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 located distally from the webs 92a, 92b of the second structural member 90 to prevent lifting of the distal portions of the upper flanges 93a, 93b. Thus, in the embodiment of Figrues 4A and 4b, the second segment 40 of the second device 110 is adapted to complement the reinforcement of the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90 provided by the web 82 and the lower flange 81 of the first structural member 80. The lip 26 of the device 110 provides further reinforcement for the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90. Thus, the second device 110 provides additional stiffening for the upper flanges 93a, 93b of the second structural member 90.

22 It is to be appreciated that the terms "upon", "upright", "upper" and "lower" are used herein to describe the relative position of the components described with the assistance of such terms with reference to their representation in Figure 2. It is to be further appreciated that the entire arrangement of the first and second structural members 80a, 90 may be reoriented in any manner. Thus, for example, the upright web portions 82a, 82b, 92a, 92b may be oriented vertically or horizontally or at any orientation between the vertical and horizontal. The upright web portions 82a, 82b, 92a, 92b may also be inverted in which case the lower flanges 81a, 81b, 91a, 91b and the upper flanges 83a, 83b, 93a, 93b would be reversed. The terms "upon", "upright", "upper" and "lower" as used throughout this specification in relation to the various assemblies of the first and second structural members 80a, 90 and the webs and flanges thereof are to be understood in as being used in a relative sense and not necessarily as suggesting a limitation as to the orientation of such features. In each of the arrangements described above and illustrated in the Figures, the devices 10, 110 are adapted to provide a stronger connection between first and second structural members than can be achieved with the use of the connectors 100 only. Where the first structural member is a purlin or girt and the second structural member is an underlying structural member, such as a purlin or a rafter, the devices 10, 110 are adapted to provide a connection, or to reinforce a connection, between the purlin or girt and the underlying structural member to resist a force tending to separate or pull apart the first and second structural members. It is envisaged that the devices 10, 110 of the invention are particularly suited for providing a stronger connection between purlins, girts and underlying purlins or rafters to provide increased performance against wind uplift where cladding material is connected to the purlins, girts. It has been found that in connections between elongated top-hat section structural members to underlining structural members, such as elongated single C section structural members or double C section structural members, that the abovementioned arrangements of the devices 10, 110 in such connections substantially increases the wind uplift performance of the connections than with the use of connectors on their own to effect the connection.

Claims (26)

1. A reinforcing device adapted for use in a connection between first and second structural members wherein each of the structural members include a web and a flange and the first and second structural members are positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members face each other, the reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment being adapted to be secured to a flange of the first structural member and the second segment being adapted to be spaced apart from the web and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member.

2. The reinforcing device of claim 1, wherein the first segment is adapted to extend in a direction from the web of the first structural member towards an edge of the flange of the first structural member located distally from the web and the second segment is adapted to upstand from towards the edge of the flange of the first structural member.

3. The reinforcing device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second segment is adapted for abutment with a longitudinally extending reinforcement lip of the flange of the first structural member located distally from the web of the first structural member.

4. A reinforcing device adapted for use in a connection between first and second structural members wherein each of the structural members include a web and a flange and the first and second structural members are positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members face each other, the reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment being adapted to be secured to a flange of the first structural member or the second structural member and the second segment being adapted to face the web and be upstanding from the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member to reinforce the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member. 24

5. The reinforcing device of claim 4, wherein the first segment is adapted to extend from the web of the first structural member and the second segment is adapted to upstand from the flange of the first structural member or the second structural member.

6. The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second segments are adapted to extend to an outer portion of the flange of the second structural member located distally from the web of the second structural member

7. The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the second structural member includes a pair of back to back elongated C sections and the flange of the first structural member faces a level pair of the flanges of the second structural member, the first and second segments are adapted to extend to outer portions of the flanges of the second structural member located distally from the webs of the second structural member.

8. The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first segment is adapted to receive a connector extending through the first segment and into the flanges of the first and/or second structural members.

9. The reinforcing device of claim 6, wherein the first segment includes connector positioning means adapted for positioning the connector extending through the first segment into the flanges of the first and/or second structural members closely adjacent to the web of the second structural member. 1O.The reinforcing device of claim 7, wherein the connector positioning means includes two openings formed in the first segment, wherein a midpoint between the openings is adapted for alignment with the web of the second structural member for positioning a connector extending through one of the openings closely adjacent to the web of the second structural member.

11. The reinforcing device of claim 8, wherein the two openings are spaced apart by a minimum of double an external radii of a bend between the web and the flange of the second structural member.

12.The reinforcing device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a further opening is formed in the first segment adjacent to the one of the openings to form a pair of the openings. 25

13.The reinforcing device of claim 10, wherein the distance between the pair of the openings is predetermined to provide a minimum clearance between connectors received therethrough.

14.The reinforcing device of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a diameter of the one opening nearer the midpoint of the pair is larger than a diameter of the other opening of the pair.

15.The reinforcing device of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein further openings are formed in the first segment immediately adjacent to each of the openings nearest the midpoint to form two pairs of the openings on opposite sides of the midpoint.

16.The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first segment includes a lip along an edge of the first segment located distally from the junction and extending in the longitudinal direction.

17.The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second segments are connected at the junction along substantially the entire longitudinal lengths thereof.

18. The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle at which the first and second segments extend to each other is substantially 90 degrees.

19. The reinforcing device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is formed from a sheet of metal and the junction between the first and second segments is formed by providing a bend in the sheet.

20.The reinforcing device of claim 1, wherein the first structural member is an elongated top hat section including a pair of spaced apart webs interconnected by an upper flange and including a pair of lower flanges, each lower flange extending from a respective web of the first structural member.

21.The reinforcing device of claim 4, wherein the first structural member is an elongated Z section.

22.A connection arrangement including: first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other; 26 a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the first structural member, the second segment being spaced apart from the web and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member; and a connector extending through the first segment and into the first and second structural members forming a connection between the first and second structural members.

23. The connection arrangement of claim 22, wherein the first structural member is an elongated top hat section including a pair of spaced apart webs interconnected by an upper flange and including a pair of lower flanges, each lower flange extending from a respective web of the first structural member

24.The connection arrangement of claim 23, further including a second one of the reinforcement devices, the first segment of the second reinforcing device facing the other flange of the first structural member and a connector extending through the first segment of the second reinforcing device and into the first and second structural members forms a connection between the first and second structural members, the second segment of the second reinforcing device being spaced apart from the other web adjoining the other flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the other flange of the first structural member.

25.A connection arrangement including: first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other; a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the first structural member, the second segment facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member; and 27 a connector extending through the first segment and into the first and second structural members forming a connection between the first and second structural members.

26.The connection arrangement of claim 25, further including a second one of the reinforcing devices, the first segment of the second reinforcing device facing the web of the second structural member and the second segment of the second reinforcing device facing the web of the first structural member, a connector extending through the first segment and into the web of the second structural member and a connector extending through the second segment into the web of the first structural member forms a connection between the first and second structural members. 27, A connection arrangement including: first and second structural members, each of the structural members including a web and a flange and the first and second structural members being positioned so that the flanges of the first and second structural members are facing each other; a reinforcing device including first and second elongated segments extending at an angle to each other and including a junction therebetween, the first segment facing a flange of the second structural member, the second segment facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the second structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the second structural member; and a connector extending through the first segment and into the second structural member and a connector extending through the second segment and into the web of the first structural member thereby forming a connection between the first and second structural members.

28.The connection arrangement of claim 27, including a second one of the reinforcing devices, the first segment of the second device facing a flange of the first structural member, the second segment of the second device facing the web of the first structural member and upstanding from the flange of the first structural member and being adapted to reinforce the flange of the first structural member, and a connector extending through the first segment of the second device and into the first and second structural members forming a connection between the first and second structural members.