AU2015201826A1 - Thermal Expansion Bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

- 21 A thermal expansion bracket for allowing relative movement between structural elements of a building; the bracket comprising a base support member and at least one sliding support element; the base support member including structures for sliding support of the at least one sliding support element. C~a

Description

- 1 THERMAL EXPANSION BRACKET TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to building systems and, more particularly to brackets providing an allowance for movements between structural elements of a building due to thermal expansion. BACKGROUND [0002] Australian patent application AU2011232748 by the present inventor, disclosed a roof truss system in which assemblies of first and second elongate elements provide support for polycarbonate or metal panels interlinking adjacent truss assemblies. [0003] The outer ends of the truss assembly's first and second elongate elements are typically supported on edge beams, or wall structures, running the length of the roof area. The polycarbonate panels between the trusses may be subject to considerable thermal expansion and, if a roof area includes a considerable number of truss and panel elements, relatively large movements of the truss ends along the supporting edge beams can generate distorting or even destructive stress in the panels. [0004] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

-2 Notes [0005] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". [0006] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] Accordingly in one broad form of the invention there is provided a thermal expansion bracket for allowing relative movement between structural elements of a building; the bracket comprising a base support member and at least one sliding support element; the base support member including structures for sliding support of the at least one sliding support element. [0008] Preferably the base support member is affixed to a first structural element of the building; the at least one sliding support element being releasable attached to at least one second structural element of the building. [0009] Preferably the at least one second structural element lies in a plane transverse to a plane of the first structural element. [00010] Preferably the base support member is provided with first and second retaining structures for retaining - 3 respectively first and second sliding support elements; the first and second sliding support elements each supporting a second structural element. [00011] Preferably the first and second retaining structures comprise first and second rail elements for support respectively of the first and second sliding support elements. [00012] Preferably the first and second retaining structures comprise first and second apertures for retaining respectively the first and second sliding support elements. [00013] Preferably the first structural element is a horizontal, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure; the two second structural elements being first and second longitudinal members of a roof truss assembly. [00014] Preferably the base support member comprises a first plate element and a second plate element of a right angled or "U" shaped bracket; the first plate element disposed horizontally and the second plate element disposed vertically when the base support member is installed for use; the base support member provided with fastener openings for affixing the base support member to the horizontal, longitudinal member of the wall structure. [00015] Preferably the first of the two retaining structures is formed on the first horizontally disposed plate element and the second of the two retaining structures is formed on the second vertically disposed plate element.

[00016] Preferably the first and second rail elements are formed respectively from portions of the first and second plate elements; the portions punched from the plate elements and folded to form pairs of opposing raised lips for each of the first and second rail elements. [00017] Preferably inner surfaces of the first and second plate elements offset from the surfaces of the horizontal longitudinal member by spacer plates. [00018] Preferably the first sliding support element comprises a first pair of angle brackets; each of the angle brackets comprising a base portion slidingly retained by the first retaining structure; each of the angle brackets further including a projecting portion provided with a fastener opening; the pair of angle brackets assembled in opposing relationship in use to retain between the projecting portions a secondary support member. [00019] Preferably the secondary support member comprises a first U-shaped bracket; opposing side flanges of the U shaped bracket provided with fastener openings for receiving fasteners for respectively attaching the first U shaped bracket to the pair of angle brackets of the first sliding support element and to the upper longitudinal member of the truss assembly. [00020] Preferably the second sliding support element comprises a second pair of angle brackets; a base portion of each of the second pair of angle brackets slidingly retained by the second retaining structure; projecting portions of the second pair of angle brackets provided with fastener openings for attaching the second pair of angle - 5 brackets to the lower longitudinal member of the truss assembly. [00021] Preferably the base portion of each of the angle brackets of the first and second sliding support elements is of a width wider than the projection portion. [00022] Preferably the width of the base portion extends between the rail elements of the retaining structures. [00023] Preferably the width of the base portion extends beyond the width of the apertures of the retaining structures. [00024] In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of providing for relative movement between structural elements of a building due to thermal expansion; the method including the steps of: (a) affixing a bracket to a first structural element; the bracket provided with at least one sliding support element, (b) attaching a second structural element to the sliding support element, and wherein the sliding support element is slidingly retained between opposing retaining structures of a rail element formed e-nt in a base member of the bracket. [00025] Preferably first and second plate elements of a base member of the bracket are affixed respectively against a horizontal upper surface and an inward facing side surface of a rectangular section, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure.

- 6 [00026] Preferably a first longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a secondary support member comprising a U-shaped bracket; the secondary support member attached to a first sliding support element; the first sliding support element slidingly engaged in retaining a structures formed in the first plate element. [00027] Preferably a second longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a second sliding support element slidingly engaged in a retaining structure formed in the second plate element. [00028] Preferably the first and second sliding support elements are inserted between opposing raised lips of first and second rail elements comprising the retaining structures. [00029] Preferably the first and second sliding support elements are inserted in apertures provided in the first and second plate elements; the first and second plate elements offset from the respective horizontal upper surface and the inward facing side surface of the rectangular section, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure, by spacer plates. [00030] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a bracket for allowing relative movement between structural elements of a building; the bracket comprising a base support member and at least one sliding support element; the base support member including at least one rail element for sliding support of the at least one sliding support element. [00031] Preferably, the base support member is affixed to a first structural element; the at least one sliding - 7 support element being releasable attached to at least one second structural element. [00032] Preferably, the at least one second structural element lies in a plane transverse to a plane of the first structural element. [00033] Preferably, the base support member is provided with first and second rail elements for support respectively of first and second sliding support elements; the first and second sliding support elements supporting two second structural elements. [00034] Preferably, the first structural element is a horizontal longitudinal upper element of a wall structure; the two second structural elements being first and second longitudinal members of a roof truss assembly. [00035] Preferably, the base support member comprises a first plate element and a second plate element of a right angled bracket; the first plate element disposed horizontally and the second plate element disposed vertically when the base support member is installed for use; the base support member provided with fastener openings for affixing the base support member to the horizontal longitudinal member of the wall structure. [00036] Preferably, the first of the two rail elements is formed on the first horizontally disposed plate element and the second of the two rail elements is formed on the second vertically disposed plate element. [00037] Preferably, the first and second rail elements are formed respectively from portions of the first and - 8 second plate elements; the portions punched from the plate elements and folded to form pairs of opposing raised lips for each of the first and second rail elements. [00038] Preferably, the first sliding support element comprises a pair of angle brackets; each of the angle brackets comprising a base portion slidingly retained between the opposing raised lips of the first rail element and a projecting portion provided with a fastener opening; the pair of angle brackets retained in opposing relationship in use to retain between the projecting portions a secondary support member. [00039] Preferably, the secondary support member comprises a first U-shaped bracket; opposing side flanges of the U-shaped bracket provided with fastener openings for receiving fasteners for respectively attaching the first U shaped bracket to the pair of angle brackets of the first sliding support element and to the upper longitudinal member of the truss assembly. [00040] Preferably, the second sliding support element comprises a second U-shaped bracket; a base portion of the second U-shaped bracket slidingly retained between the opposing raised lips of the second rail element; side flanges of the second U-shaped bracket provided with fastener openings for attaching the second U-shaped bracket to the lower longitudinal member of the truss assembly. [00041] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of providing for relative movement between structural elements of a building due to thermal expansion; the method including the steps of: - 9 (a) affixing a bracket to a first structural element; the bracket provided with at least one sliding support element, (b) attaching a second structural element to the sliding support element, and wherein the sliding support element is slidingly retained between opposing raised lips of a rail element formed on a base member of the bracket. [00042] Preferably, first and second plate elements of a base member of the bracket are affixed respectively against a horizontal upper surface and an inward facing side surface of a rectangular section, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure. [00043] Preferably, a first longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a secondary support member comprising a U-shaped bracket; the secondary support member attached to a first sliding support element; the first sliding support element slidingly engaged between opposing raised lips of a first rail element formed on the first plate element. [00044] Preferably, a second longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a second sliding support element slidingly engaged between raised lips of a second rail element formed on the second plate element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [00045] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: - 10 [00046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a thermal expansion bracket according to the invention assembled to a section of an elongate longitudinal upper element of a wall structure and supporting the ends of a truss assembly, [00047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 1, [00048] Figure 3 is a further view of the bracket of Figures 1 and 2 showing an alternative second sliding support element for the lower chord of the truss assembly, [00049] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a thermal expansion bracket according to the invention, similarly assembled to a section of the elongate upper element of the wall structure of Figure 1 and supporting the ends of a like truss assembly, [00050] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base support member of the bracket of Figure 4. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment [00051] With reference to Figure 1 to 3, a thermal expansion bracket 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises a base support member 12 and at least one, but preferably two, sliding support elements 14 and 16, for attachment of the first and second longitudinal elements 18 and 20 of a truss assembly 30. [00052] Base support member 12 is comprised of a first plate element 24 and a second plate element 26, forming a right angled bracket. In use, the first plate element 24 is disposed horizontally against the upper surface 28 of a typically rectangular section, longitudinal member 30 of a wall structure (not shown), with the second plate element - 11 20 disposed vertically against the inward facing side surface 32. Preferably, first plate element 24 is provided with a flange 27 to more securely position the bracket on the longitudinal member 30. The base support member 12 is provided with fastener openings 54 for affixing the base support member 12 to the horizontal longitudinal member 30, for example by rivets, screw or bolts. [00053] The base support member 12 includes at least one, but again preferably two rail structures 36 and 38 arranged respectively on the first and second plates elements 24 and 26. The rail structures 36 and 38 provide for sliding retention of the two sliding support elements 14 and 16, and each comprises pairs of opposing raised lips 40 and 42 respectively. Preferably the lips 40 and 42 are formed respectively from the plates 24 and 26 by punching the required material for the lips, firstly into outwardly projecting elements, which are then folded to form opposing inward facing flanges 44 and 46. [00054] The first sliding support element 14 comprises an assembly which includes a pair of angle brackets 48, each of which is formed of a base portion 50 and a projecting portion 52, provided with a fastener opening 54. The base portion 50 is somewhat greater in width than the projecting portion 52, with the width being such as to allow the base portions 50 to be retained between the opposing pair of raised lips 40. [00055] The pair of angle brackets 48 is retained in the rail structure 26 in opposing relationship, to support between the projecting portions 52 a secondary support member 56.

- 12 [00056] The secondary support member 56 comprises a first U-shaped or saddle bracket with the opposing side flanges 58 provided with fastener openings for receiving fasteners for firstly attaching the first U-shaped bracket to the pair of angle brackets 48 of the first sliding support element 14, and secondly to the upper longitudinal member 18 of the truss assembly 30. [00057] The second sliding support element 16 comprises a second U-shaped or saddle bracket 60, in which a base portion 62 is of a length to be slidingly retained between the opposing raised lips 42 of the second rail structure 38. Side flanges 64 of the second U-shaped bracket 60 are provided with fastener openings for attaching the lower longitudinal member 20 of the truss assembly 30 to the second U-shaped bracket. [00058] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3 the second sliding support element 16 for attachment of the lower longitudinal member 20, may comprise two angle brackets 66 and 68 similar to those of the first sliding support element 14 described above. As for the first sliding support element, each of these angle brackets are also formed of a base portion sliding between the raised lips of the rail element 26 with a projecting portion provided with the identical fastener openings. Second Preferred Embodiment [00059] With reference now to Figures 4 and 5, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the thermal expansion bracket 100 for support of a truss assembly 102 again includes a base support member 112 and sliding support elements 114 and 116. Base support member 112 is - 13 formed of sheet metal folded into an inverted generally "U" shape and sized to fit around a rectangular, longitudinal upper member 118 of a wall structure (not shown). [00060] As is best seen in Figure 5, a first plate element 120 of the "U" shaped bracket extends downward along the inner face 121 of the longitudinal upper member 118 of the wall structure, with a second plate element 122 forming the base of the "U" shaped bracket disposed across the upper surface 123 of the longitudinal member 118. [00061] Again with particular reference to Figure 5, at least the first plate element 120, and the second plate element (or base of the "U") 122, are provided with spacer plates 126 and 128 respectively for offsetting the inner surfaces of the second plate element 122 and the first plate element 120 from the respective surfaces of the longitudinal upper member 118. [00062] The two sliding support elements 114 and 116 of this embodiment of the thermal expansion bracket 100 are similarly configured to the corresponding sliding elements 14 and 16 described above for the first preferred embodiment. Thus sliding element 114 includes a pair of opposing angle brackets 130 (only one of which can be seen in Figure 4) supporting between them a "U" shaped truss support bracket 132 for support of an upper element 104 of truss assembly 102. Similarly, sliding element 116 is comprised of a pair of opposing angle brackets 134 for support of the lower element 106 of the truss assembly 102. [00063] Both the second plate element 122 and the first plate element 120 of the of the base support member 112 are provided with apertures 138 and 140 respectively. The width - 14 of these apertures is such as to allow a loose sliding fit of the projecting portions of the pairs of angle brackets of the two sliding elements 114 and 116. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment above, the base portion of each of the angle brackets 132 and 134 is of a width wider than that of the apertures 138 and 140 so that when assembled as shown in Figure 4, the base portions of the angle brackets 132 and 134 extend beyond the width of the apertures 138 and 140 thus are captured between inner surfaces of the base support member 112 and the surfaces of the longitudinal upper member 118. [00064] The spacer plates 126 and 128 may be of metal sheet somewhat thicker than the sheet material forming the base support member 118, with both the sliding support elements 114 and 116 formed of the same sheet material as that used for the base support member. However, in a preferred arrangement, all the metal elements of the thermal expansion bracket are stamped from the same metal sheet material. To provide the necessary clearance for the base portions of the angle brackets 132 and 134 to allow movement induced by thermal expansion, shim plates 142 and 144, of the same configuration as the spacer plates 126 and 128 are inserted between the plates 126 and 128 and the internal surfaces of the base support member 112. [00065] Both the base support member 112, the spacer plates 126, 128 and the shim plates 142, 144, are provided with apertures for securing the assembly, for example by riveting or self-tapping screws, to the upper longitudinal member 118 of the wall structure. Other Embodiments - 15 [00066] Although the above description has focused on the use of the brackets of the invention as supporting ends of a roof truss assembly, it will be understood that the bracket may equally be used for the support of trusses between adjacent vertical longitudinal supporting elements of a wall of polycarbonate or other cladding sheeting. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [00067] In use, each truss of a roof assembly comprising a series of trusses interconnected by roofing or cladding panels, is supported on the upper structural members of a wall or other support structure by the expansion bracket of the invention. [00068] The sliding support elements of the bracket allow movement due to thermal expansion and contraction of the panels to prevent undue stressing of the panels which may, particularly in large roofed areas, cause distortion stress and cracking of the panels. [00069] Depending on preferred arrangements, movements of trusses due to thermal expansion may be accommodated from a fixed central or an end truss of the roof assembly. If fixed at the central truss, movement will increase incrementally to a maximum at the end trusses. Where it may be desirable to secure an end truss as a fixed truss, movement at the opposite end truss may be considerable. [00070] In some installations, brackets may be provided in different lengths and with different lengths of base support members and apertures to accommodate different degrees of movement.

Claims (23)

1. A thermal expansion bracket for allowing relative movement between structural elements of a building; the bracket comprising a base support member and at least one sliding support element; the base support member including structures for sliding support of the at least one sliding support element.

2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the base support member is affixed to a first structural element of the building; the at least one sliding support element being releasable attached to at least one second structural element of the building.

3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the at least one second structural element lies in a plane transverse to a plane of the first structural element.

4. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the base support member is provided with first and second retaining structures for retaining respectively first and second sliding support elements; the first and second sliding support elements each supporting a second structural element.

5. The bracket of claim 4 wherein the first and second retaining structures comprise first and second rail elements for support respectively of the first and second sliding support elements.

6. The bracket of claim 4 wherein the first and second retaining structures comprise first and second apertures - 17 for retaining respectively the first and second sliding support elements.

7. The bracket of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the first structural element is a horizontal, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure; the two second structural elements being first and second longitudinal members of a roof truss assembly.

8. The bracket of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the base support member comprises a first plate element and a second plate element of a right angled or "U" shaped bracket; the first plate element disposed horizontally and the second plate element disposed vertically when the base support member is installed for use; the base support member provided with fastener openings for affixing the base support member to the horizontal, longitudinal member of the wall structure.

9. The bracket of claim 8 wherein the first of the two retaining structures is formed on the first horizontally disposed plate element and the second of the two retaining structures is formed on the second vertically disposed plate element.

10. The bracket of claim 5 wherein the first and second rail elements are formed respectively from portions of the first and second plate elements; the portions punched from the plate elements and folded to form pairs of opposing raised lips for each of the first and second rail elements. - 18

11. The bracket of claim 8 wherein inner surfaces of the first and second plate elements offset from the surfaces of the horizontal longitudinal member by spacer plates.

12. The bracket of any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the first sliding support element comprises a first pair of angle brackets; each of the angle brackets comprising a base portion slidingly retained by the first retaining structure; a-nd each of the angle brackets further including a projecting portion provided with a fastener opening; the pair of angle brackets assembled in opposing relationship in use to retain between the projecting portions a secondary support member.

13. The bracket of claim 12 wherein the secondary support member comprises a first U-shaped bracket; opposing side flanges of the U-shaped bracket provided with fastener openings for receiving fasteners for respectively attaching the first U-shaped bracket to the pair of angle brackets of the first sliding support element and to the upper longitudinal member of the truss assembly.

14. The bracket of any one of claims 4 to 13 wherein the second sliding support element comprises a second pair of angle brackets; a base portion of each of the second pair of angle brackets slidingly retained by the second retaining structure; projecting portions of the second pair of angle brackets provided with fastener openings for attaching the second pair of angle brackets to the lower longitudinal member of the truss assembly.

15. The bracket of claim 14 wherein the base portion of each of the angle brackets of the first and second - 19 sliding support elements is of a width wider than the projection portion.

16. The bracket of claim 15 wherein the width of the base portion extends between the rail elements of the retaining structures.

17. The bracket of claim 15 wherein the width of the base portion extends beyond the width of the apertures of the retaining structures.

18. A method of providing for relative movement between structural elements of a building due to thermal expansion; the method including the steps of: (a) affixing a bracket to a first structural element; the bracket provided with at least one sliding support element, (b) attaching a second structural element to the sliding support element, and wherein the sliding support element is slidingly retained between opposing retaining structures of a rail element formed e-n in a base member of the bracket.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein first and second plate elements of a base member of the bracket are affixed respectively against a horizontal upper surface and an inward facing side surface of a rectangular section, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure.

20. The method of claim 16 or 17 wherein a first longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a secondary support member comprising a U-shaped bracket; the secondary support member attached to a first sliding support element; the first sliding support element - 20 slidingly engaged in retaining a structures formed in the first plate element.

21. The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein a second longitudinal element of a truss assembly is attached to a second sliding support element slidingly engaged in a retaining structure formed in the second plate element.

22. The method of claim 18 or 19 wherein the first and second sliding support elements are inserted between opposing raised lips of first and second rail elements comprising the retaining structures.

23. The method of claim 18 or 19 wherein the first and second sliding support elements are inserted in apertures provided in the first and second plate elements; the first and second plate elements offset from the respective horizontal upper surface and the inward facing side surface of the rectangular section, longitudinal upper element of a wall structure, by spacer plates.