AU2017203516A1

AU2017203516A1 - Bridging Member

Info

Publication number: AU2017203516A1
Application number: AU2017203516A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benjamin Joel Richardson; Caleb Daniel Richardson; John Kenneth Richardson; Stephen Mark Richardson
Original assignee: Auspan Building Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Auspan Building Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-03
Filing date: 2017-05-26
Publication date: 2017-12-21

Abstract

Abstract A bridging member (10) comprising an elongate member formed from an intermediate wall (12) and opposed first and second side walls (14, 16). First 5 and second arms (24, 25) are defined by recesses (20) provided in the intermediate wall (12) adjacent ends (18, 19). Hooks (26) are formed by bent end portions 36) of the distal ends of the first and second arms (24, 25). 0 0m coc Co co Co co

Description

“Bridging Member”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a member for use as part of a bridging system.

Background to the Invention [002] When installing rolled purlins in structures, such as roof structures, it is commonly required to utilise bridging. The bridging comprises bracing members installed between adjacent purlins to increase the stiffness of the structure and to ensure that the purlins are maintained in correct alignment.

[003] Such bridging generally comprises a system of clips designed to engage with the purlins. The clips are fixed by welding or riveting to the ends of channel members which span between the purlins.

[004] The present invention relates to a bridging member provided to connect between purlins. The bridging member is of a configuration to allow forming from a single element, thereby allowing bracing of purlins with reduced number of components.

Summary of the Invention [005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bridging member comprising: an elongate member formed from an intermediate wall and opposed first and second side walls; and first and second arms defined by recesses provided in the intermediate wall adjacent ends thereof; wherein hooks are formed by bent end portions of the distal ends of the first and second arms.

[006] Preferably the recesses extend inwardly into the intermediate wall of the bridging member from opposed ends and each includes an inwardly tapered portion adjacent an inner end thereof.

[007] Preferably each of the first and second arms are formed by a portion of the intermediate wall and the first or second side wall.

[008] Preferably the hooks each include a first side portion, a second side portion being parallel to the first side portion and an intermediate portion connecting between the first and second side portions, wherein the first side portion is planar in shape and extends perpendicular to the intermediate portion of the bridging member generally away from the adjacent side wall.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, the hooks are formed by the bent end portions of the first and second arms and the bent end portions are formed by folding the first and second side walls against the adjacent intermediate wall [010] Preferably the distal ends of the arms are turned outwardly away from each other.

[011] Preferably the hooks on a second end of the bridging member each include an outwardly-turned lip portion on a distal end of the second side portion thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings [012] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: [013] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a bridging member in accordance with the present invention; [014] Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the bridging member of Figure 1; [015] Figure 3 is a first perspective view of the bridging members of Figure 1 securing between purlins; [016] Figure 4 is a second perspective view of the bridging members securing between purlins; [017] Figure 5 is a third perspective view of the bridging members securing between purlins; and [018] Figure 6 is a side view of the bridging members securing between purlins.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [019] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a bridging member 10 comprising an elongate member of U-shaped cross section. The bridging member 10 therefore comprises an intermediate wall 12 and first and second side walls 14 and 16.

[020] The intermediate wall 12 comprises a planar wall extending from a first end 18 to a second end 19 of the bridging member 10. The first side wall 14 comprises a planar wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall 12 along a first longitudinal side thereof. The second wall 16 comprises also a planar wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall 12 along a second longitudinal side thereof.

[021] The bridging member 10 is provided to extend between adjacent purlins 11 such that the first end 18 is secured to a first of the purlins 11 and the second end 19 is secured to a second of the purlins 11. The bridging member 10 thereby provides stiffening to the structure formed by the purlins 11 and aids in locating the purlins 11 in the correct orientation.

[022] The first end 18 of the bridging member 10 includes a recess 20 therein. The recess 20 extends inwardly into the intermediate wall 12 of the bridging member 10 from the first end 18. The recess 20 includes an inwardly tapered portion 22 adjacent an inner end thereof such that the recess 20 is generally triangular in shape.

[023] The recess 20 defines a first arm 24 on a first side thereof and a second arm 25 on a second side thereof. The first arm 24 is formed by a portion of the intermediate wall 12 and the first side wall 14, adjacent the first end 18 thereof. The second arm 25 is formed by a portion of the intermediate wall 12 and the second side wall 16, adjacent the first end 18 thereof.

[024] The second end 19 of the bridging member 10 also includes a recess 20. The recess 20 also extends inwardly into the intermediate wall 12 from the second end 18 such that first and second arms 24 and 25 are formed on opposed sides of the recess 20.

[025] Each of the first and second arms 24 and 25 of the first and second ends 18 and 19 is provided with a hook 26 thereon. The hooks 26 are generally U-shaped such that the hooks 26 include a first side portion 28, a second side portion 29, being parallel to the first side portion 28, and an intermediate portion 30, connecting between the first and second side portions 28 and 29. The first side portion 28 is planar in shape and extends perpendicular to the intermediate portion 12 of the bridging member 10 generally away from the adjacent side wall 14 or 16. The second side portion 29 is also a planar and is located parallel and adjacent the first side portion 28 to define a gap 32.

[026] As can be seen in Figure 2, the hooks 26 on the second end 19 of the bridging member 10 include an outwardly-turned lip portion 34 on a distal end of the second side portions 29.

[027] The intermediate wall 12 and the first and second side walls 14 and 16 include bent end portions 36 adjacent distal ends of the first and second arms 24 and 25. The bent end portions 36 of the intermediate wall 12 and the first side wall 14 adjacent the distal end of the first arms 24 comprise portions wherein the intermediate wall 12 and the first side wall 14 are bent to be parallel and adjacent each other. The bent end portions 36 of the intermediate wall 12 and the second side wall 16 adjacent the distal ends of the second arms 25 comprise portions wherein the intermediate wall 12 and the second side wall 16 are bent to be parallel and adjacent each other. That is, the intermediate wall 12 and the first or second side wall 14 or 16 are bent to engage against each other adjacent the ends of the arms 24 and 25.

[028] The hooks 26 are formed by the bent end portions 36. The hooks 26 are therefore formed having increased thickness, being the combined thickness of the intermediate wall 12 and the side wall 14 or 16. The arms 24 and 25 and the hooks 26 are therefore formed by cutting the recesses 20 into the ends of a U-shaped elongate member, folding the first and second side walls 14 and 16 against the adjacent intermediate wall 12 at the ends of the formed arms 24 and 25 and then bending the flattened ends of the arms 24 and 26 to form the hooks 26. As can be seen in the Figures, the distal ends of the arms 24 and 25 are also turned outwardly away from each other.

[029] In use, the bridging members 10 are used to extend between purlins 11 in a generally known manner. The purlins 11 are provided with apertures 38 for receiving the hooks 26. The hooks 26 adjacent the ends 18 and 19 of the bridging member 10 are inserted into the apertures 38 of adjacent purlins 11 and moved such that a portion of the purlins 11 is received in the gaps 32 of the hooks 26. Bridging members 10 are connected end to end in sequence such that the hooks 26 on the first ends 18 of each subsequent bridging member 10 engage over the hooks 26 adjacent the second end 19 of the previous bridging member 10, within the apertures 38.

[030] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

[031] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A bridging member comprising: an elongate member formed from an intermediate wall and opposed first and second side walls; and first and second arms defined by recesses provided in the intermediate wall adjacent ends thereof; wherein hooks are formed by bent end portions of the distal ends of the first and second arms.
2. A bridging member in accordance with claim 1, wherein the recesses extend inwardly into the intermediate wall of the bridging member from opposed ends and each includes an inwardly tapered portion adjacent an inner end thereof.
3. A bridging member in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the first and second arms are formed by a portion of the intermediate wall and the first or second side wall.
4. A bridging member in accordance with claim 3, wherein the hooks each include a first side portion, a second side portion being parallel to the first side portion and an intermediate portion connecting between the first and second side portions, wherein the first side portion is planar in shape and extends perpendicular to the intermediate portion of the bridging member generally away from the adjacent side wall.
5. A bridging member in accordance with claim 4, wherein the hooks are formed by the bent end portions of the first and second arms and the bent end portions are formed by folding the first and second side walls against the adjacent intermediate wall
6. A bridging member in accordance with claim 5, wherein the distal ends of the arms are turned outwardly away from each other.
7. A bridging member in accordance with claim 6, wherein the hooks on a second end of the bridging member each include an outwardly-turned lip portion on a distal end of the second side portion thereof.