AU2018226409A1 - A building system and components thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a non-invasive attachment mechanism for joining building components to each other such as bearers and joists. One aspect of the present invention uses a clamping system to secure the various building components. This clamping system allows building components to be removably attached without causing damage to the underlying structure. Furthermore, the invention provides a universal attachment mechanism that may be used on various materials, such as wood, steel and composites. Figure 1 1102b

Description

A BUILDING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREOF

STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on New Zealand Patent Application No. 735162, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates building systems and components thereof, and may find particular application in attaching joists to bearers.

BACKGROUND ART

In the building and construction industries, there is often a need to join structural elements together when constructing different types of structures. As an example, joists are commonly attached to bearers when constructing floor or roof structures.

Traditionally, wooden building elements may be joined using a variety of fasteners such as nails, screws, nail plates, and Z-nails. However, many of these fasteners are not appropriate for use with metal or composite building elements. In addition, these fasteners have undesirable appearances and therefore can detract from the overall appearance of a structure.

One method of attaching metal structures together is welding. Welding equipment however, is often bulky and requires a source of electrical power. Additionally, the quality and strength of the resulting weld is highly dependent on the skill of the operator.

In addition, as metals may be prone to rusting over time corrosion resistant treatments are commonly applied; examples include zinc coating, electroplating, galvanising, powder-coating and the like. The use of welding can change the structural integrity of the metal, and compromise or degrade the performance of corrosion resistant treatments, or at least create an aesthetic imperfection in the surface finish.

An alternative method of attaching metal building elements, either to other metal, wood, or composite elements is using fasteners such as bolts. Bolting structures together relies on holes being formed in the structures for the bolts to pass through. These holes may be formed during fabrication of the structures, or as the structures are being installed. The holes however may provide a path for moisture ingress or compromise the structural integrity of the structures themselves.

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In addition, drilling holes may not be suitable if they need to be added adjacent other holes or near the edges of the building material.

To address some of these issues, components of the structures may be pre-fabricated prior to installation. In this way, brackets can be welded or otherwise attached to the building elements in pre-defined 5 locations. Corrosion resistant treatments can then be applied to ensure that the building material, the bracket and the associated joins are protected.

Pre-fabricated building elements with permanently attached brackets have a limited range of applications. The positioning of the brackets can be influenced by a wide variety of factors such as building standards, wind speed, structure loading, and geometry.

However, customising pre-fabricated structures can increase costs and lead-time to the supply of building elements. To overcome this, suppliers may stock significant inventories of pre-fabricated parts to accommodate the wide variability in installation requirements. There is however additional cost associated with maintaining the inventory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket which attaches structural elements together in a non-invasive and / or releasable manner.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket which provides greater flexibility than existing brackets.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bearer.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of assembling a

Ό building system and components therefor.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a building system which is easier to assemble and/or disassemble than existing building systems.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more versatile pre-fabricated building system.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roof-mounting bracket.

Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of 5 these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a building system and components thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for attaching building elements together, the bracket comprising:

a first portion configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a first building element, a second portion configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a second building element, wherein the first portion is configured to allow the bracket to be attached to the first building element at Ό any position along the length of the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building system, comprising:

a bracket;

a first building element; and a second building element;

wherein the bracket is configured attach to the first building element at any position along the length of the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building element having a length and a width, the building element comprising:

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 a top surface and a bottom surface, and an intermediate region separating the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the width of the intermediate region is less that the width of the top surface to define an attachment surface which can in-use be engaged by a bracket.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure, comprising:

a bracket, a first building element, and a second building element, wherein the bracket has a first portion and a second portion, and further wherein the first portion is attached to the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism, and the second portion is attached to the second building element.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a structure, wherein the method uses a bracket to attach a first building element to a second building element, the method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a first portion of the bracket to the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism; and

b) attaching a second portion of the bracket to the second building element.

It should be understood that the phrase non-invasive attachment, as used throughout this specification 20 relates to methods, apparatus, or systems for attaching components together in a manner which does not modify the structure of the either of the respective components. Conversely, invasive attachment mechanisms include screwing, drilling, and welding.

In preferred embodiments, the first building element may be a bearer while the second building element may be a joist. As such, reference will be made herein accordingly. It will be appreciated however, that other building elements may be used within the scope of the present invention, for example the building elements may be rafters, and/or purlins.

The terms bearer and joist should be well known to one skilled in the art. As such the term bearer should be taken to mean any building material designed to bear at least part of the weight of another building

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 material. Similarly, the term joist should be broadly interpreted to mean any building material designed to be supported by said bearer. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be applicable for joining other building elements together and therefore the foregoing should not be seen as limiting on the scope of the present invention.

The term at any position where used in the present specification should be understood to mean that the position is not pre-determined for example by pre-drilled holes, or sections specifically configured for attachment, such as by reinforcement or pre-positioned fastening elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the bracket may be configured to allow releasable attachment to the joist and/or bearer. This may provide greater flexibility during assembly of a structure, as adjustment may be 0 made as necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the non-invasive attachment mechanism may be a clamp. It will be appreciated however that other non-invasive attachment mechanisms as known by those skilled in the art may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The non-invasive attachment mechanism may advantageously provide greater wind lift resistance than prior art building systems.

In an alternative embodiment, the non-invasive attachment mechanism may comprise a fixed channel or aperture in the bracket, wherein the aperture or channel may engage with a bearer by sliding into position from a respective end ofthe bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion ofthe bracket comprises a pair of jaws to provide attachment

Ό to the bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the bracket further comprises a biasing means to bias the jaws towards one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means may be a fastener such as a nut and bolt arrangement.

However, in an alternative embodiment, the biasing means may be provided by the elements themselves or provided by a separate component such as a spring.

It will therefore be appreciated that other fasteners would be suitable for use with the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the non-invasive attachment mechanism may facilitate the repositioning of the bracket with respect to the length of a bearer and / or joist in use. Repositioning of the bracket may

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 allow greater flexibility during installation.

In a preferred embodiment, the non-invasive attachment mechanism may allow adjustment of the position of the bracket along the length of the bearer while the joist is attached.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion of the bracket comprises a U-shaped channel that is structured to receive a joist.

In a preferred embodiment, the joist is secured to the second portion of the bracket by way of a second portion fastener. In an alternative embodiment, the joist may attach to the first portion of the bracket, and the second portion of the bracket may engage with a bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion fastener may be a complementary nut and bolt pair.

Ina preferred embodiment, the bracket comprises a multi-part construction. This multi-part construction may allow the second portion(s) of the bracket to be releasably attached to the first portion(s) of the bracket. This may simplify installation or allow either the first or second portion(s) to be interchanged as required, for example to accommodate joists and / or bearers having different dimensions. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion(s) may be fixedly attached to the first portion(s) or the first and second portion(s) may have a unitary construction, for example the first and second portions may be formed in a unitary piece by injection moulding.

In a preferred embodiment, the bracket is made from a corrosion resistant material such as 316 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel, or an ultraviolet (UV) resistant polymer.

In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners are made from a corrosion resistant material such as 316

Ό stainless steel, 304 stainless steel or an ultraviolet (UV) resistant polymer.

The use of a corrosion resistant material such as 316 / 304 stainless steel or UV resistant polymers may preserve the integrity of the structure, as well as maintain its aesthetic appeal over time. However as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other materials may be used. In addition, corrosion resistance may be provided by a separate coating or treatment such as a zinc coating, electroplating, galvanising, or powder-coating.

In a preferred embodiment, the bracket may further comprise a packer. The use of a packer may provide abrasion resistance as well as reducing noise resulting from movement for example by thermal expansion and contraction, loading, or wind forces.

In a preferred embodiment, the packer is positioned between the bracket and the bearer.

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In a preferred embodiment, the packer is a polymer or an elastomer.

In a preferred embodiment, the packer comprises low density polyethylene (LDPE).

In a preferred embodiment, at least one surface of the packer is provided with an adhesive. This adhesive may be provided by an intermediate means such as a tape, or applied directly to the surface of the packer, 5 such as a glue. The adhesive may prevent the packer from moving away from the desired location during installation.

In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate region of the building element comprises a first side wall and a second side wall. Furthermore, the top surface, bottom surface, first side wall, and second side wall collectively define a cavity. In some cases, this cavity may be a hollow steel extrusion as should be known 0 in the art. The internal cavity may reduce the weight of the structure, reduce cost and/or allow installation without heavy lifting equipment. It will be appreciated however that the internal cavity is not essential, and in some cases, it may be preferable to use a solid bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the reduced width intermediate region of the bearer is positioned and / or arranged to be engaged by the first portion of the bracket. In these embodiments, the reduced width intermediate region may facilitate non-invasive attachment of the bracket to the bearer.

The reduced width intermediate region may be formed in the bearer by a rolling or similar forming process, by routing, or may be formed during extrusion of the bearer, alternatively the reduced width intermediate region could be provided by other means e.g. by the addition of material.

In an embodiment of the invention the bearer may be curved. This may provide aesthetic or structural Ό advantages and may help draining of water off the structure. Alternatively, straight bearers may be desirable for similar reasons such as providing a flat surface e.g. where the invention is used for flooring structures.

In a preferred embodiment, the bearer further comprises an end cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the end cap is removably attachable to an end of the bearer(s). This may 25 provide aesthetic benefits, as well as aid in preventing moisture from entering the interior of the bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the end cap comprises an elastomer or polymer.

In a preferred embodiment, the end cap comprises a resiliently deformable material.

In a preferred embodiment, the end cap is made from a thermoplastic elastomer, an example of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer is sold under the brand name SANTOPRENE 271-87, however those skilled in the

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 art will appreciate that other materials are suitable for use with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, a further end cap is provided as a post cap. The post cap may be removably attachable to an end of a post. The post cap may differ in at least one respect from the end cap, for instance in at least one dimension. Additional embodiments of the end caps may also be provided by the 5 present invention, for example on the ends of the joists.

In a preferred embodiment, the joist is constructed of a wood. This may provide cosmetic advantages. It will be appreciated however, the use of wood should not be seen as limiting on the invention, and alternatives such as steel, polymers and composite materials are provided for within the scope of the present invention.

The joists may be configured to support a floor or roofing surface, or any other structure as should be known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the joists may be left exposed or covered by vegetation such as in an outdoor pergola.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure(s) may comprise posts, brackets and/or roof mounting brackets.

Ina preferred embodiment, the supporting structure(s) attach to the bearer using interfacing bracket(s).

In a preferred embodiment, the interfacing bracket(s) comprise a first portion configured to attach to the supporting structure(s), and a second portion configured to attach to the bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion of the interfacing bracket has a U-shaped cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion of the interfacing bracket has a complementary shape and

Ό size to the post.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion of the interfacing bracket has a U-shaped cross section.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion of the interfacing bracket has a complementary shape and size to the bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the posts further comprise end caps.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof bracket comprises an upper portion adapted to support and engage a bearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion has a substantially U-shaped channel, the U-shaped channel may aid in positioning a bearer prior to attachment.

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In a preferred embodiment, the roof bracket comprises a lower portion configured to accommodate attaching to a top plate and / or a rafter of a roof structure. Attaching the roof bracket to both a top plate and a rafter may provide additional bracing and stability.

In a preferred embodiment, the roof bracket comprises a gasket configured to restrict the ingress of water 5 into an internal roof cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion of the roof bracket is detachable from the lower portion of the roof bracket. This may allow for a simplified assembly process as only a relatively narrow portion needs to pass through the roofing material.

In a preferred embodiment, the detachable engagement is between the upper and lower portions of the 0 roof bracket is provided by a complementary thread.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing discussion that the present invention may provide a number of advantages including:

• a building system, whereby a joist may be attached to a bearer at any position along the length of the bearer, which can provide greater flexibility or ease of use;

• a building system which utilises non-invasive attachment mechanisms, which may be easier to construct or deconstruct than previous systems;

• a building system with less paths for the ingress of moisture which may be less prone to corrosion;

• a building system with an improved resistance against wind lift forces, thereby making it suitable for use in a wide range of applications;

• a bracket configured to provide a non-invasive attachment to a building element, thereby providing a simple installation process;

• pre-fabricated building components which are more versatile than previous components;

• a roof mounting bracket configured to retain a building element prior to attachment, thereby reducing the risk of damage or injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a bracket according to an aspect of the present invention;

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Figure 2 shows a side view of the bracket of Figure 1 and a bearer according to an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a support structure and a bearer according to an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the components of the building system according to an aspect of the present invention;

Figures 5a-5f show a step-by-step assembly of a structure using an embodiment of the components of the building system;

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14 shows a bottom perspective view of the components of the building system according to an aspect of the present invention;

shows an embodiment of a roof bracket according to an aspect of the present invention;

shows the roof bracket of Figure 7 in-use supporting a bearer on a roof according to an aspect of the present invention;

shows an embodiment of a structure assembled using a combination of components of the building system according to an aspect of the present invention;

show a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the building system according to an aspect of the present invention used for a floor structure;

shows a perspective view of a deck constructed using an alternative embodiment of the building system according to an aspect of the present invention;

shows a load force versus deflection curve measured during wind-lift testing of the present invention using a 100x100 mm post;

shows a load force versus deflection curve measured during wind-lift testing of the present invention using an 80x80 mm post;

shows a load force versus deflection curve measured during wind-lift testing of the present invention using a 75x75 mm post.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The Bracket

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Referring first to Figure 1 which shows a preferred embodiment of a bracket (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket is configured to provide a releasable attachment between building elements such as joists and bearers. The releasable attachment is provided by a first portion (102) which is configured to receive a building material such as a bearer.

The first portion (102) of the illustrated embodiment comprises a pair of jaws (102a, 102b) which in-use form a clamp. The use of a clamping configuration may provide a non-invasive attachment mechanism. However, it will be appreciated that other configurations of the first portion may be used in order to achieve a non-invasive attachment, for example the jaws may be fixed and configured to receive the bearer in a sliding relationship.

The use of a non-invasive attachment mechanism may allow for greater flexibility during installation as the bracket can be moved to any position along the length of the bearer without needing to align the bracket with discrete apertures in the bearer. There may also be time and cost savings associated with the non-invasive attachment mechanism as there is no need for any holes to be formed in the bearer to accommodate the bracket. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of holes required may provide cosmetic improvements to the structure as well as reliability improvements by reducing the number of paths for moisture ingress.

The bracket (100) includes a second portion (104) which facilitates attachment to a building material such as a joist. The second portion (104) illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a channel having a substantially Ushaped cross-section. However, it should be appreciated that this is not limiting on the scope of the

Ό present invention, and cross-sections such as circular, L-shaped or any other cross-section as known by those skilled in the art could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment pictured in Figure 1, the first portion (102) and second portion (104), are shown as separate elements which may be attached together in-use. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second portions may be attached together or have a unitary construction. Alternatively, the first and second portions may be configured to removably attach to one another by any other means known to those skilled in the art such as using a thread, a clamp, a keyed arrangement or the like.

Complementary fasteners are provided in the form of bolts (106) and nuts (108). These fasteners are configured to bias the jaws (102a, 102b) together as well as provide an attachment means between the first portion (102) and a joist. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide range of other fasteners may be suitable for use in the present invention. It will also be appreciated that the nut may be permanently attached to the respective first (102) and second (104) portions or alternatively the first and/or second portions may include threaded apertures.

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It will also be appreciated that the jaws (102a, 102b) may be biased towards one another by other configurations as known in the art such as a spring force (either as a separate component or inherent to the materials used).

The first portion (102) and the second portion (104) as well as any and all associated fasteners (106,108) are preferably constructed from steel, in particular a stainless steel such as stainless 316 or 304 may be used for its corrosion resistant properties. This should however be seen in any way as limiting on the scope of the invention, and a person skilled in the art would appreciate that a wide range of materials would be suitable for use including other metals, or polymeric and elastomeric materials.

Packer

Illustrated in Figure 1 is an optional packer (110). The packer is preferably constructed of a resiliently deformable material such as low-density poly ethylene (LDPE) however this should not be seen as limiting and as a person skilled in the art would appreciate, a wide range of substitute materials may be used.

The packer (110) is shaped and / or configured to be positioned between the second portion (104) and a bearer. The packer may help to prevent metal-on-metal contact in-use and during thermal expansion, vibration or wind stresses. This may prevent or minimise any noise, corrosion or abrasion between the building elements.

The packer (110) may include an adhesive layer to aid in positioning the packer during installation. This adhesive layer may be applied a glue provided on the packer, double sided adhesive tape, or be an inherent characteristic of the material from which the packer is constructed.

Ό Bearer

Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates a side perspective of the bracket of Figure 1 along with a bearer (112) according to the present invention.

The bearer (112) comprises a reduced width intermediate region (114) which is complementary to the pair of opposing jaws (102a, 102b). This reduced width intermediate region is structured to provide an anchoring point from which the bracket may attach. This attachment mechanism may provide improved resistance to the forces associated with wind lift.

It will be appreciated that modifications to the shape of the bearer (112) may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the reduced width intermediate region (114) may be provided at the top and bottom edges of the bearer, thereby allowing the bearer to be used in either orientation.

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The reduced width intermediate region (114) may be formed in the bearer (112) by a rolling or similar forming process, by routing, or may be formed during extrusion of the bearer, alternatively the reduced width intermediate region could be provided by other means as known in the art, such as by the addition of material.

In an alternative embodiment, the jaws may engage with the lower edges (115) of the bearer or deform the profile of the bearer as they are fastened in place.

Interfacing bracket

Referring now to Figure 3 which illustrates an embodiment of a support structure (123) for supporting the bearer (112) in-use. In this embodiment, an interfacing bracket (120) is provided between the bearer (112) 0 and a post (122). The Interfacing bracket comprises a first portion (124) configured to attach to the post and a second portion (126) configured to attach to the bearer.

The first (124) and second (126) portions of the interfacing bracket (120), are preferably provided with complementary dimensions to the respective post (122) and bearer (112) however this is not essential.

It will be appreciated that the post (122) may be constructed from any material, however in the preferred embodiment the post is constructed from steel. In particular, the post may be constructed from a rectangular hollow section (RHS) or square hollow section (SHS) of steel. As described herein, it may be preferably to use a stainless-steel alloy such as stainless 316 or 304.

An optional post cap (128) is provided which may be used when hollow sections of material are used. The post cap may be used to seal the end of the post to prevent moisture or water ingress. The post cap may

Ό also provide cosmetic appeal by providing a finished appearance to the post.

The post cap (128) is ideally constructed from a compliant material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, an example of a suitable thermoplastic elastomer is sold under the brand name SANTOPRENE 271-87. However, those skilled in the art should appreciated that other materials may be suitable for use with the present invention.

Apertures (118) are provided in the interfacing bracket (120). These apertures allow a bolt (106) to pass through and a complementary nut (108) to be attached thereby securing the interfacing bracket to the post (122) and the bearer (112).

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the components of the previous Figures. In the illustrated example a support structure is provided in the form of a post (122). The post(s) may be attached to a ground or flooring structure by a number of different methods, such as concrete, bolting, or by attaching

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2018226409 04 Sep 2018 to an intermediate ground anchor as will be known by one skilled in the art.

The optional post cap (128) may be attached to the post and may be advantageous where the post is constructed of a hollow section of steel.

An interfacing bracket (120) is then placed over the top of the post (122) and is attached to the post using 5 the complementary fasteners (106, 108). It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternative methods of attaching a bearer to a post may be suitable for use with the present invention, and the illustrated embodiment is provided by way of example only.

A bearer (112) can then be mounted on top of the post(s) by positioning the bearer on the interfacing bracket(s) (120), aligning the aperture(s) in the interfacing bracket (118) with the aperture(s) in the 0 bearer(s) (116) and joining the two together using the complementary fasteners (106, 108). It will be understood that the apertures in any of the aforementioned building elements may be pre-fabricated, for example by drilling prior to attachment, or formed during insertion of the fasteners for example when using self-tapping fasteners.

The bracket(s) (100) can then be attached at any position along the length of the bearer (112) using the 5 methods previously described.

A bearer end cap (130) is also provided which may be profiled to be complementary to the shape of the bearer (112). In a similar manner to the post cap (128), the bearer end cap may prevent moisture ingress and improve the aesthetic appeal of the structure.

Exemplary method of construction

Ό Figures 5a to 5f illustrate an exemplary method of constructing a roofing structure such as a pergola using the present invention.

As shown in Figure 5a, a plurality of posts (122) are erected and first attached to the ground by methods known to those skilled in the art. Apertures (125) may be pre-formed in the top of each of the posts or drilled either prior to after erecting the posts.

Interfacing brackets are then attached as shown in Figure 5b. These may be secured in place by passing bolts through the apertures (125) and securing in place with a nut.

Bearers (112) are then attached to the interfacing brackets, spanning the gap between the posts (122) as shown in Figure 5c. Again, these may be attached using nut and bolt fasteners. A plurality of brackets (100) are then attached to each of the bearers (112) as shown in Figure 5d.

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These are preferably attached by:

a) positioning the second portion (104) above of the top surface (111) the bearer (112);

b) bringing the pair of jaws (102a, 102b) together to receive the bearer (112). In doing so, the pair of jaws (102a, 102b) engage the reduced width intermediate region (114);

c) securing the bracket (100) to the bearer (112) using the fasteners (106, 108), so that the pair of jaws (102a, 102b) clamp onto the reduced with intermediate region (114).

Optionally a packer (110) may also positioned on the bearer (112) or attached to the second portion (104) prior to step (a).

It will also be appreciated that the brackets (100) may first be attached to the bearers (112) prior to 0 attaching the bearers (112) to the interfacing brackets (120), this may be faster and more efficient, particularly where the bearers (112) are to be supported at a significant height above the ground.

Joists (502) are then attached to the second portions (104) of the brackets (100) using fasteners as shown in Figure 5e.

Finally, a roofing material (504) may be attached to the joists (502) typically by screwing in place.

It should also be understood that a further layer or combination of building elements may be provided to the roofing structure prior to adding the roofing material (504) as will be well known by those skilled in the art. Examples include the use of purlins, bracing straps or foam/rubber tapes which may minimise sound resulting from movement such as thermal expansion or wind.

One advantage of using the present system is that the resulting structure may be easier to dis-assemble

Ό than previously available systems. The non-invasive nature of the attachment allows the structure to be taken down, moved and reassembled in another location.

Figure 6 shows an underside perspective view of a roof or decking structure constructed using the present invention. In the pictured embodiment, the bearers are substantially straight, however it will be appreciated that these may be curved as required.

Roof Bracket

Referring now to Figure 7 which illustrates a roof bracket (700) that can be used to attach a building structure to the roof of a building. The roof bracket (700) comprises an upper portion (702) adapted to receive, and attach to, a bearer (112) of the present invention and a lower portion (704) configured to engage with the top plate of a wall (706) and/or a rafter (708) of a roof.

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Attaching the roof bracket (700) to both a top plate (706) and a rafter (708) may provide additional bracing a stability to the roof bracket. Fasteners (710) are provided for attaching the roof bracket to a roof and are illustrated in the form of screws or bolts. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternative fastening means may be used.

The upper portion (702) of the roof bracket (700) has a U-shaped cross section adapted to support and engage with the bearer (112). The upper portion (702) has an aperture (712) to allow a nut and bolt fastener (or similar) to be used to attach the roof bracket (700) to the bearer (112).

A U-shaped cross section may be advantageous as it defines a channel to receive the bearer (112). This may provide resistance to the bearer moving laterally, which can prevent it from falling off from the 0 bracket during installation.

It should be understood by one skilled in the art that alternative configurations of the upper portion (702) of the roof bracket could be used, and as such fall within the scope of the present invention.

The roof bracket (700) preferably includes a body (701) which interconnects the upper portion (702) with the lower portion (704).

The roof bracket (700) includes a gasket (714) which is slidably engaged with the body (701) of the roof bracket (700). This gasket (714) forms a seal around an aperture (not shown) in the roof (716) which the body of the bracket passes through as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the invention used as a roofing structure. It combines both bracket (100) and roof bracket (700). The bearer(s) (112) illustrated in Figure 9 are curved and generally angled to

Ό the horizontal to encourage water to flow off.

Mounting the structure using the roof brackets (700) of the present invention may allow for greater headroom underneath the structure when compared to alternative systems which attach under the eaves of a roof (716). There may also be improved aesthetic appeal using this form of connection.

Decking system

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment where the structure and components are used for a deck or flooring system (1000). The post (122) otherwise known as a pile supports the structure and an interfacing bracket (120) may again be used to connect the bearer (112) to the post.

The bearer (112) in this configuration may have different dimensions when compared to the bearers used in roofing systems. For example, the flooring bearer may be a 150mm x 50mm beam while the roofing

James & Wells ref: 305240AU/106

2018226409 04 Sep 2018 bearer may be 100mm x 50mm, 80mm x 40mm. It will be appreciated that the aforementioned dimensions are approximate and provided by way of example only, a person skilled in the will appreciate that any suitable dimensions may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the optional bearer end cap (130) will be dimensioned according to the dimensions of the bearer (112).

Decking material (1002) may be attached to the joists by various methods known by those skilled in the art, form example nailing or screwing.

Wind Lift Testing

The inventor performed independent testing of the of the present invention to gauge its performance under wind-lift conditions. The results of this testing are provided by way of example only and should not be seen as a guarantee of the performance of the present invention.

The results of this testing can be found in Figures 12-14. The system used under test was constructed according to the methods described herein. The difference between each of the tests was that the dimensions of the post were varied. In the first test (278134) a 100 mm x 100 mm stainless steel 316 post was used. The second test (278135) used an 80 mm x 80 mm post, while the third test (278136) used a 75 mm x 75 mm post.

An extension force was then applied between the post and the joist, and the resulting deflection measured. A summary of these results can be found in the following table:

Test No:	Description	Max Load (kN)	Deflection at Maximum load (mm)	Slope (N/m)	Load at Deflection of 2 mm (kN)	Load at Deflection of 4 mm (kN)	Load at Deflection of 6 mm (kN)	Load at Deflection of 7 mm (kN)
278134	100 x 100 post	7.245	7.55	4217	4.04	5.73	6.93	7.06
278135	80x80 post	7.270	7.34	6391	4.30	5.93	6.98	7.14
278136	75x75 Post	6.972	6.29	4989	4.80	6.42	6.86	6.40

Figure 12, shows the load force versus deflection measured on the 100x100 mm post, while Figure 13 shows the same relationship for the 80x80 mm post, and Figure 14 similarly shows the results for the 75x75mm post.

In each of the tests deformation occurred in the arms (102a, 102b) of the bracket.

The results of this testing indicate that the present invention may advantageously provide improved wind lift performance when compared to other building systems known to those in the art.

James & Wells ref: 305240AU/106

2018226409 04 Sep 2018

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known 0 equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (29)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS

   1. A bracket for attaching building elements together, the bracket comprising:

   a first portion configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a first building element, a second portion configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a second building element, wherein the first portion is configured to allow the bracket to be attached to the first building element at any position along the length of the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism.
2. 2. The bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first building element is a bearer.
3. 3. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second building element is a joist.
4. 4. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion is configured to releasably attach to the first building element.
5. 5. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion is configured to releasably attach to the second building element.
6. 6. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion includes a channel or aperture configured to receive the first building element to provide the non-invasive attachment.
7. 7. The bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first portion includes a clamping mechanism to provide the non-invasive attachment.
8. 8. The bracket as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first portion comprises a pair of jaws to provide the non-invasive attachment to the first building element.
9. 9. The bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first portion of the bracket comprises a biasing means to bias the pair of jaws towards one another.
10. 10. The bracket as claimed in claim 9, wherein the biasing means comprises a fastener.
11. 11. The bracket as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fastener includes a nut and a bolt.
12. 12. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion of the bracket comprises a U-shaped channel that is structured to receive the second building element.

    2018226409 04 Sep 2018
13. 13. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion of the bracket attaches to the second building element using a second portion fastener.
14. 14. The bracket as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second portion fastener includes a nut and a bolt.
15. 15. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion has a multipart construction.
16. 16. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion has a multipart construction.
17. 17. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion is releasably attached to the second portion.
18. 18. The bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first portion has a unitary construction with the second portion.
19. 19. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first building element has a non-uniform cross-section.
20. 20. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket is constructed from a corrosion resistant material.
21. 21. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket is constructed of 316 stainless steel.
22. 22. The bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a packer.
23. 23. The bracket as claimed in claim 22, wherein the packer is positioned between the bracket and the first building element.
24. 24. The bracket as claimed in either claim 22 or 23, wherein the packer is constructed from a polymer material.
25. 25. The bracket as claimed in claim 24, wherein the polymer material is low density polyethylene.
26. 26. The bracket as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the packer includes an adhesive.
27. 27. A building system, comprising:

    a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26; a first building element; and

    2018226409 04 Sep 2018 a second building element;

    wherein the bracket is configured to attach to the first building element at any position along the length of the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism.
28. 28. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure, comprising: a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, a first building element, and a second building element, wherein the bracket has a first portion and a second portion, and further wherein the first portion is attached to the first building element using a non-invasive attachment mechanism, and the second portion is attached to the second building element.
29. 29. A method of constructing a structure by attaching a first building element to a second building element, the method using a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, the method comprising the steps of:

    a) attaching the first portion of the bracket to the first building element using the noninvasive attachment mechanism; and

    b) attaching the second portion of the bracket to the second building element.