AU695687B2 - Mounting bracket and method of building construction - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Title of Invention: MOUNTING BRACKET AND METHOD OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Name of Applicant: JOHN MICHAEL GERAGHTY 0.

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The following description is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -1- SJS C 'WINWORDSTACEYDJH\GER-COM.DOC MOUNTING BRACKET AND METHOD OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates generally to building construction and in particular to a supporting arrangement for bearing members. The invention has particular application for use in supporting suspended floors and roofs and the invention is herein described in this context. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this use and may be used in supporting any type of bearing member.

In the construction of suspended roofs or floors, it is necessary to secure bearing members from a wall to provide support for the roof or floor. Typically these bearing members comprise either plates which extend along the wall surface, or joists which extend outwardly from the wall surface, or a combination of both.

These bearing members are under considerable loading and it is 15 necessary to provide a supporting arrangement between the wall and the respective bearing member to support the bearing member and to transfer this loading from the bearing member to the wall. These loadings are usually complex and combine vertical and lateral forces as well as moments.

Previous supporting arrangements include threaded studs or anchors which are inserted through ithe bearing members and into the wall, Typically :...separate holes are drilled in the wall and the bearing members, the respective bearing member are then positioned relative to the wall such that the holes are aligned thereby enabling a stud or anchor to be inserted. In the case of the anchors, these are retained in the wall by a mechanical or chemical fixing arrangement, whereas the stud passes through the wall and is secured in place by a nut and washer tightened on an exposed end of the stud.

A problem with this type of supporting arrangement is that it requires a multi-step operation, the transfer of loading to the wall is over a relatively small area thereby causing concentrated loading on the wall, and that the bolts and anohors have a tendency to become loose over time either by loosening of the securing arrangement or enlarging of the hole.

3 Another technique uses internal supporting piers or columns which provide independent supports for the bearing members. These arrangement have the disadvantage that not only do the piers and columns make for additional costs but also the construction time is increased and in addition they take up valuable internal floor space. Furthermore once the bearing members have been positioned on top of the supporting piers or columns, further fastening devices must be used to secure the bearing member to the surface of the wall or the upper surface of the pier or column.

Another technique for mounting bearing members is to rebate block walls at a desired height to create a suitable recess capable of receiving the bearing member. This latter arrangement has the problem that rebating the walls results in the loss of structural integrity of the wall which is a particular problem when the wall has to be built above the formed recess. Another problem also exists when the fire rating integrity has to be maintained around large recesses. This 15 technique for mounting bearing members also requires complementary fastening devices to provide shear restraint by tying the bearing member to the wall.

The problem of providing a suitable supporting arrangement for the bearing member is exasperated when the wall is formed from a low compressive strength masonry, such as autoclaved aerated concrete, due to the diminished strength characteristics of this type of wall. Previous techniques, in particular studs or anchors are not suitable for use in this type of wall as the load bearing surface S" tends to cut into the wall thereby enlarging the cavity and resulting in a loose support. Furthermore, when using anchors, expanding type metal sleeve anchors frequently shatter such low strength material, whereas the characteristic friability and porosity of these materials provide for low bonding ability with construction grade chemical adhesives.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a support arrangement for a bearing member which is simple to install, is able to effectively transfer loading from the bearing member to the wall and which has a long service life. A further aim of the present invention is to provide a support arrangement for use with a wall formed from low compressive strength masonry.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provide a bracket for mounting a bearing member to a wall, the bracket including a mounting portion securable to the bearing member, and a retaining portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the mounting portion, with at least part of the retaining portion being adapted to be received in a shaped recess in the wall, the retaining portion being of substantially rigid construction and including a support member and a restraining member, the support member being elongate and extending along a longitudinal axis and including a flange portion incorporating a lower planar surface and a stem portion which extends from the lower surface of the flange portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, both the mounting portion and the restraining member extending from the support member and being spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis, wherein the lower planar surface of the support member forms a first abutment surface and the S: restraining member providing a second abutment surface, the first and second abutment surfaces being inclined relative to each other so as to retain the :.:retaining portion of the bracket in the shaped recess to enable the bracket to S• support the bearing member under load.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a bracket when secured to a wall for mounting a bearing member to the wall, the bracket including a mounting portion securable to the bearing member and the retaining portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the mounting portion with at least part of the retaining portion received in a shaped recess in the wall, the retaining portion being of substantially rigid construction and providing first and second abutment surfaces inclined relative to each other so as to retain the retaining portion of the bracket in the shaped recess to enable the bracket to support the bearing member under load.

The bracket according to the invention is adapted to be incrrpouated into the wall during its construction. Preferably the mounting portion is adapted to be located at or adjacent the wall with at least part of the retaining portion located within the wall. Preferably the retaining portion includes a suv.iprt member and restraining member of integral construction with at least the R support member being arranged to be received in the shaped recess in the 16452-95.DOC 12/05/98 wall. The support member provides the first abutment surface and the restraining member provides the second abutment surface.

The first and second abutment surfaces are adapted to transfer the loading from the bearing member to the wall. By incorporating the bracket into the wall during its construction, the shape and relative positioning of the abutment surfaces can be optimised to effectively transfer this loading. In particular, the abutment surfaces are inclined relative to each other such that the bracket is effectively "keyed" into the wall, with the respective abutment surfaces positioned to accommodate loading from different directions.

The shaped recess may be especially formed in the wall to receive the bracket. Alternatively, the bracket according to the invention may be arranged to utilise a pre-existing recess in the wall which can be modified as required.

'i An example of a pre-existing recess which can be uned in the central cavity is a S: hollow block wall construction.

In a preferred arrangement, both the first and second abutment surfaces are planar to enable the loading to be spread over a wide surface area of the wall. Preferably the support member is elongate and extends generally along a longitudinal axis. The mounting portion is secured to the support member with the restraining member of the retaining portion being spaced from the mounting portion along this axis. In use, the bracket is preferably arranged to be aligned with the longitudinal axis transverse to the surface of the wall such that the support member extends into the wall with the mounting portion being located at the wall surface. The restraining member is therefore able to be located within the wall or adjacent an opposing surface of the wall.

Preferably the second abutment surface lies in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis to thereby key the bracket into the wall and also provide an abutment surface which is suited to resist lateral loading applied along the longitudinal axis.

Preferably the support member comprises a beam having a flange portion incorporating the first abutment surface and a stem portion extending transverse to the flange portion and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably the beam has a shaped cross section. The stem portion of 16452.95.DOC 12/05/98 the support member forms a third planar abutment surface and the bracket is arranged with the three abutment surfaces being substantially orthogonal thereby enabling the retaining portion to transfer to the wall through the planar surfaces lateral, vertical and shear loading imparted to the bracket fromrn the bearing member. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the bracket is used in a low compressive strength masonry wall, as it enables the loading to be spread over the wall thereby inhibiting fracture of the wall which may occur at concentrated loading points.

A further advantage is that the arrangement of the support member and restraining member provides a rigid configuration particularly for the flange containing the first abutment surface. In this way, flexing of the bracket is reduced which is beneficial as it reduces movement of the bearing member :under load and in addition, prevents concentration of loading on the wall which may otherwise occur if the restraining portion unduly flexes within the shaped 15 recess.

A further advantage of this bracket arrangement is that it may be simply incorporated into a block wall with the bracket being incorporated between courses of the wall. Typically the member is located within a recess formed in the wall at an exposed surface of a first course of 'he wall. A further recess is S 20 formed for the restraining member if required. These recesses can be simply formed using a circular saw or the like. Alternatively the recess may be formed merely by the absence of mortar between courses of the wall. Once the bracket is located in position, a further course of the block wall can be constructed on top of the upper surface of the 16452-95.DOC 12/05/98 I Iflange of the support member thereby locating the retaining portion of the bracket within the wall.

In one arrangement, the restraining member is located within the wall.

However in an alternative arrangement, the restraining member is located outside the wall such that the bracket is arranged to extend between opposing sides of the wall. Further, with this arrangement, the restraining member may form part of a second mounting portion with the second abutment surface being arranged to either engage a second bearing member or an outer surface of the wall.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention relates to a bracket for mounting a plurality of bearing members to a wall, the bracket including first and second mounting portions interconnected by a support member, the support member being arranged to be received in a shaped recess in the wall and to extend through the wall such that respective mounting portions are located on opposing sides of the wall, the support member providing a first abutment surface 15 adapted to engage the wall, and at least one of the mounting portions including a second abutment surface inclined relative to the first abutment surface and being adapted to assist in retaining the support member in the shaped recess through engagement with either the wall or the bearing member to which it is secured to.

The bracket of this aspect of the invention may include all of the features of the bracket described earlier but has the added advantages that it provides support for a plurality of bearing members, and is simpler to incorporate into the wall as it is not necessary to provide a recess to accommodate the restraining member.

Preferably both the mounting portions include a second abutment surface.

This arrangement has the advantage that it provides an abutment surface to resist lateral forces along the longitudinal axis in either direction, and further assists in keying the bracket into the wall.

In one form, the mounting portion includes a restraining member incorporating the second abutment surface, and an attachment member adapted to be secured to the bearing member. Typically the restraining member and the attachment member are either connected together or integrplly formed together.

An advantage of this arrangement is that as the attachment member is not 7 required to abut the outer surface of the wall, it may be inclined at any angle to the wall. However, it should be realised that the mounting portion may comprise a single member which both includes the second abutment surface and is adapted to be secured to the bearing member.

In one form, the attachment member includes a pair of attachment plates adapted to receive the bearing member therebetween. The attachment plates may be at any preferred orientation. For example, the attachment plates may be spaced apart along the longitudinal axis enabling the bearing member to be secured in a position where it extends along the wall. In another form, the attachment plates may be spaced in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis such that the bearing member can be mounted to extend outwardly from the wall.

Preferably the mounting portion is adapted to provide a seat onto which :the bearing member may be located prior to it being secured to the bracket.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a building assembly 15 comprising a wall and a bracket in any form disclosed above, the wall including opposing surfaces and incorporating a shaped recess extending from at least one of the surfaces into the wall, the support member of the bracket being located within the shaped recess with the first abutment surface engagable with an interior recess of the wall.

Preferably in this aspect of the invention, the wall is formed from discrete elements arranged in courses and wherein the shaped recess is located between the courses of the discrete elements.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of building construction including the steps of: providing a plurality of discrete wall elements and a bracket in any from disclosed above; constructing a wall formed from a plurality of courses of said wall elements; locating the support member of the bracket at the upper surface of a first course of the wall elements; and constructing at least a second course of bricks over said first course such that said retaining portion is located within a shaped recess bounded by said first and second cours6. zf said wall elements.

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8 A nunber of preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of illustrative example, with reference to tne accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 1 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 3 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view of the bracket of the Figure 5 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a fourth 15 embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 7 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 9 in an in-use orientat Figure 11 is a perspective view of a bracket according to yet a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 11 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a bracket according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 13 in an in-use orientation.

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a bracket according to an eighth embodiment of this invention.

Figure 16 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 15 in an in-use orientation.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a bracket 10 adapted to be installed in a block wall 50 and arranged to support a bearing member 100.

The bracket 10 includes a support member 11, interconnecting an attachment plate 12 and a restraining plate 13. The support member 11 is elongate, extending generally along a longitudinal axis 14, and is in the form of a shaped beam having a flange 15 and a stem 16.

The attachment plate 12 and the restraining plate 13 extend transverse to the longitudinal axis 14. Further, each of the plates is generally elongate and arranged to extend in a direction transverse to the other such that, as illustrated in Figure 1, the attachment plate extends upwardly whereas the restraining plate extends generally in a horizontal direction. The attachment plate incorporates apertures 17 to receive fastening elements 18.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the support member 11 is located within the wall :between respective courses 51 and 52 of the wall. The support member 11 is located at the upper surface of the lower course 51 in a recess 53 formed in the lower course. An end portion 19 of the support member 11 projects from a surface 54 of the wall and forms °°°ge S a seat20 to receive the bearing member100. In this embodiment, the bearing member 100 is in the form of a plate which extend parallel to the wall. Typically, joists are attached to the plate 100 and extends outwardly from the wall to provide the support Ssurface for the floor or roof.

The end portion 19 of the support member 11 and the attachment plate 12 forms the mounting portion 21 of the bracket 10. In use, the bearing member 100 is located on the seat 20 and fastened to the attachment plate by the fastening elements 18.

The bracket 10 is adapted to transfer loading from the bearing member to the wall through the support member 11 and restraining plate 13. In particular, vertical loading is transferred to the wall through a lower face 22 of the flange 15 of the support member engaging an interior surface of the wall, whereas lateral forces, extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 are transferred to the wall by the respective faces 23, 24 of the restraining plate 13 engaging an interior surface of the wall. Shear loading is able to be accommodated by the respective faces 25, 26 of the stem 16 of the support member. Further, with the arrangement of these abutment surfaces, the bracket 10 is "keyed" into the wall and is only capable of very limited movement.

A second embodiment of the bracket 10 is disclosed in Figures 3 and 4.

The bracket is similar to the bracket of the first embodiment and like features have been given like reference numerals.

The bracket 10 in this embodiment differs from the firsf embodiment in regard to the arrangement of the mounting portion 21. In this embodiment, the bracket 10 is adapted to support a bearing member 106 in the form of a joist extending outwardly from the wall 50. The mounting portion 21 includes a Ushape channel 27 having spaced plates 28, 29 interconnected by a web Each of the plates incorporates apertures 17 adapted to receive the fasteners 18 to secure the bearing member 100 to the bracket 10. The joist 100 is arranged to be located between the plates 28 and 29 and received on the web 30 which forms a seat to correctly locate the joist.

Loading is transferred to the wall through the bracket in a similar manner to that disclosed in the first embodiment except that lateral loading is also 15 transferred to the wall by the edge surface 31 of the channel 27 engaging the wall surface 54. This engagement of the edge surface 31 provides an opposing ooeel reaction surface to the inner surface 23 of the restraining plate 13 to further key the bracket into the wall and further assists in restraining the bracket from lateral S"movement relative to the wall.

The third embodiment is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 which incorporates a further variation of the mounting portion 21.

In this arrangement, the mounting portion 21 includes a second restraining member 32 and an attachment member 33. The mounting portion further includes a web 34 extending between the restraining member 32 and the attachment plate 33 to form a seat for the bearing member 100.

The restraining member 32 has an inner surface 35 which is adapted to engage the wall surface 54 and provides additional lateral restraint for the bracket The outer surface 36 of the restraining member 32 forms a recess with the attachmeit plate 33 and the web 34 to locate bearing member 100 therein.

Apertures 17 located in the attachment plate received fasteners 18 to secure the bearing member 100 to the bracket 10. In this arrangement the bearing member is in the form of a plate which extends parallel to the wall surface.

I-c- 11 A further embodiment of the bracket 10 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In this embodiment the bracket is adapted to extend through the wall and support two bearing members 100 and 101.

Bracket 10 includes a support member 11, having a shaped cross section as illustrated in the earlier embodiments, which interconnects two mountirg portions 21. Each mounting portion 21 includes an attachment plate 12 and is arranged to support a respective one of the bearing members 100 and 101 in the same mz'nner as that illustrated in the first embodiment.

As the bracket does not include the restraining member 13, lateral forces on the bracket are arranged to be transferred by an inner surface 37 of the respective attachment plates engaging the respective bearing members 100, 101 which in turn bear against the wall surfaces 54, 55 of the wall.

.A variation of this embodiment is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 where a restraining member 38 is incorporated intermediate the mounting portions 21.

15 The restraining member is arranged to be located within the wall 50 and adapted to accommodate the majority of the lateral loading on the bracket 10 by the restraining member 38 engaging an interior surface of the wall.

A further variation is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 where each of the mounting portions 21 include a restraining member 39. The restraining members are adapted to engage a respective outer surface of the wall 54, 55 to accommodate lateral loading on the bracket.

A further variation is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. This embodiment ;°°iagain is adapted to support the two plate bearing members, In this arrangement each mounting portion 21 is the same as that disclosed with reference to Figures 5 and 6 and incorporates a restraining member 32 and an attachment member 33 interconnected by a web 34 which forms a seat adapted to receive a respective one of the bearing members.

In this embodiment, the flange 15 of the support member and the mounting portions 21 are formed from a single strip of material with the stem 16 of the support member being connected to the flange and the respective restraining members 32. This arrangement has the advantage that the bracket is more rigid 12 as compared to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 and is more easy to manufacture.

A fiurther embodiment is illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. In this embodiment the bracket 10 incorporates two mounting portions 21 having an arrangement similar to that disclosed in Figures 3 and 4 which includes a Ushaped channel 27 having spaced plates 28 and 29 interconnected by a seat In this way the bracket 10 is able to accommodate two joists. Ag.-,in as there is no restraining member adapted to be located within the wall, the lateral forces are adapted to be accommodated by the edge surface 31 of the respective channels 27 engaging tne respective wall surfaces 54 and The bracket 10 is adapted to be installed into the wall 50 during its construction. In one arrangement the wall is constructed up to the first course 51.

The recess is then formed in the upper surface of the wall to accommodate both the flange and stem of the supporting member such that the upper surface of the 15 flange is substantially tlush with the upper surface of the first course 51 of the wall. Once the bracket 10 is located in place, the second course 52 of the wall can then be constructed over the first course incorporating the bracket 10 such that the support member 11 of the bracket is retained in a shaped recess bounded by the first and second courses of the wall.

An advantage of the bracket according to the present invention is that it may be installed easily within the wall during the course of the walls construction without requiring additional labor or scaffolding. Furthermore the placement of the various wall elements are unaffected by the bracket thereby ensuring the structural integrity of the wall.

A further advantage of the bracket is that loading is transferred to the wall over a large area thereby avoiding concentration of loading on the wall. It should be realised that the relative dimensions of the various components of the bracket could be altered to accommodate for changes in the strength characteristics of the wall. That is, if the wall is formed from a low strength material such as autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, a support member having a wider flange could be used to increase the area of the first abutment surface. Similar changes could be made to increase the other abutment surfaces if required.

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13 A further advantage of the bracket is that in using a shaped support member, offers a low mass profile with a high proportional flexural strength.

Furthermore the low mass provides for low heat conductivity combined with a proportionally increased surface area improving heat transmission through radiation.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that a bracket in accordance with the invention provides an improved supporting arrangement which is better able to accommodate and transfer loading and which is relatively inexpensive.

Finally, it is understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

S. a a. a

Claims (4)

1. A bracket for mounting a bearing member to a wall, the bracket including a mounting portion securable to the bearing member, and a retaining portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the mounting portion, with at least part of the retaining portion being adapted to be received in a shaped recess in the wall, the retaining portion being of substantially rigid construction and including a support member and a restraining member, the support member being elongate and extending along a longitudinal axis and including a flange portion incorporating a lower planar surface and a stem portion which extends from the 10 lower surface of the flange portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, both S. the mounting portion and the restraining member extending from the support member and being spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis, wherein the lower planar surface of the support member forms a first abutment surface and the restraining member providing a second abutment surface, the 15 first and second abutment surfaces being inclined relative to each other so as to retain the retaining portion of the bracket in the shaped recess to enable the bracket to support the bearing member under load.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stem portion includes a third abutment surface which is inclined relative to both the first and second abutment surfaces.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member has a T-shaped cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis.

4. A bracket when secured to a wall for mounting a bearing member to the wall, the bracket including a mounting portion securable to the bearing member and the retaining portion connected to, or integrally formed with, the mounting portion with at least part of the retaining portion received in a shaped recess in the wall, the retaining portion being of substantially rigid construction and providing first and second abutment surfaces inclined relative to each other so as to retain the retaining portion of the bracket in the shaped recess to enable the bracket to support the bearing member under load.

16452-95 DOC 12/05/98 A bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the retaining portion includes a support member and a restraining member, the support member being elongate and extends generally along a longitudinal axis and includes a lower generally planar surface which forms the first abutment surface, the restraining member providing the second abutment surface and wherein both the mounting portion and the restraining member extending from the support member and are spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis. 6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein said wall is formed from discrete elements arranged in courses aiid wherein said support member extends between adjacent courses. e.7. A bracket as claimed in either claims 5 or 6, wherein the support member includes a flange portion incorporating lower planar surface forming the first abutment surface and a stem portion which extends from the lower surface transverse to the flange portion and in the direction of the longitudinal 15 axis. 8. A bracket as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stem portion includes a third planar abutment surface and where in the first, second and third abutment surfaces are substantially orthogonal. 9. A bracket as claimed in either claim 7 or 8 wherein the support member has a T-shaped cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 9, wherein the restraining member is arranged to be received in the shaped recess in the wall. 11. A bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 9, wherein the support member extends through the wall and wherein the restraining member forms at least part of a second mounting portion securable to a second bearing member the first and second mounting portion being disposed on opposite surfaces of the wall. 12. A bracket for mounting a plurality of bearing members to a wall, the bracket including a first and second mounting portion interconnected by a support member, the support member extending along a longitudinal axis and being arranged to be received in a shaped recess in the wall and to extend 16452-95.DOC 12/05198 I= 16 through the wall such that the respective mounting portions are located on opposite sides of the wall, and at least one of the mounting portions including a second abutment surface inclined relative to the first abutment surface and being adapted to assist in retaining the support member in the shaped recess through engagement with either the wall or the bearing member to which it is secured to. 13. A bracket as claimed in 12, wherein both the mounting portions include a said second abutment surface. 14. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting o 10 portion or at least one of the mounting portions includes a pair of plates, interconnected by a web. The plates being spaced apart and adapted to receive the bearing member therebetween which is supported on said web. 15. A bracket as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plates are spaced apart in the direction of said longitudinal axis to thereby enable said bearing member to 15 extend generally in the direction of said wall. 0* 16. A bracket as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pair of plates are spaced apart in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis to thereby enable said bearing member to extend outwardly from said wall. 17. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting C portion, or at least one of the mounting portions, includes an extension of the support member and an attachment plate which extends upwardly from a distal end of said extension, the bearing member being adapted to locate on said extension between said wall surface and said attachment plate. 18. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting portion includes apertures therein adapted to receive fasteners to secure the bearing member to the bracket. 19. A building assembly comprising a wall, and a bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, the wall including opposite surfaces and incorporating a shaped recess extending from at least one of said surfaces into the wall, the support member of the bracket being located within said shaped recess with the first abutment surface engagable with an interior surface of said wall. 16452-95.DOC 12105/98 A building assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the wall is formed from discrete elements arranged in courses, and wherein the shaped recess is located between adjacent courses. 21. A building assembly as claimed in either claim 19 or 20 when dependent on claim 10, wherein the restraining member is located within the shaped recess with the second abutment surface adapted to engage an interior surface of said wall. 22. A building assembly as claimed in either claim 19 or 20 when dependent on either claims 11 or 12, wherein said shaped recess extends between said 10 opposite surfaces and wherein said respective mounting portions are located at Ior adjacent a respective one of said opposite surfaces. 23. A method of building construction including the steps of: providing a plurality of discrete wall elements, and a bracket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 when dependent on either claim 1 or 15 constructing a wall formed from a plurality of courses of said wall S" elements; locating the support member of the bracket at the upper surface of a first course of said wall element; and constructing a second course of wall elements over said first course such that said support member is located within a shaped recess bounded by said first and second courses of said wall elements. 24. A method of building construction as claimed in claim 23, further including the steps of forming a first recess in the wall at the upper surface of said first course for receiving at least part of the support member and wherein said shaped recess is bounded by said first and second courses of said wall elements and incorporates said first recess. A method as claimed in either claim 23 or 24, wherein the wall elements are formed from relatively low compressive strength masonry. 26. A bracket substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 16452-95.DOC 12105/98 18 27. A building assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 28. A method of building construction substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 12 May, 1998 10 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for JOHN MICHAEL GERAGHTY S 6 S S S *a 16452-95.DOC 12105/98 a ABSTRACT A bracket 10 is disclosed for mounting at least one bearing member 100 to a wall 50 and which is adapted to be incorporated into the wall 50 during its construction. The bracket includes a mounting portion 21, a support member 11 and a restraining member 13. The support member and the restraining member providing inclined first and second abutment surfaces which are adapted to retain the bracket within a shaped recess in the wall to enable the bracket to support the bearing member under load. a a. S