AU782527B2 - Mounting bracket - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: ROOF SAFE PTY LTD and VAUGHAN WALLS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD DONALD WILLIAM HAYMAN, JAMES DONALD HAYMAN and ADRIAN RODNEY WARD Actual Inventors Address for service is: WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Mounting Bracket" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PQ1481 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- Title Mounting Bracket Field of the Invention THIS INVENTION relates to a mounting bracket for releasably connecting a member to a rafter of a roof.

Background Art The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, for use in installation of a safety barrier on a roof construction. When so used, the mounting bracket according to the invention supports a post member forming part of the safety barrier.

Australian Patent 661568 discloses a support structure for a safety barrier installed on a roof construction. The support structure includes a post member for supporting a portion of the safety barrier, and a base member. The base member is required to support the post member against deflection outwardly in the event of an outwardly directed loading being applied to the safety barrier, such as by a person falling against the safety barrier. The presence of the brace member does, however, present a problem during installation of roof covering material (such as roof sheeting) on the roof. In particular, it is necessary to detach the base member from a rafter to which it is connected to enable placement of the roof covering in position, and to then re-attach the brace member to the rafter through the roof covering after the latter has been placed in position.

It is against this background, and the problems and deficiencies associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed. The present invention in particular seeks to provide a bracket for mounting a member, for example a -3post member, to an end section of a roof rafter without the need for a brace member fixed between the roof rafter and the post member.

Disclosure of the Invention Broadly, the present invention provides a mounting bracket for detachably connecting a member to an end section of a rafter, the mounting bracket comprising first and second bracket portions detachably secured together to provide an assembly for supporting said member, the first portion being adapted to be secured to the rafter and the second portion having a support section adapted to bear against a surface fixed with respect to the rafter thereby to resist S 10 or at least limit deflection of the assembly in a direction towards said surface upon application of a load to the member.

**In a typical application, the member which is detachably connected to the rafter comprises a post member for a safety barrier. In such an application, the first bracket portion would, in use, be secured to the rafter and would usually remain in position after removal of the safety barrier. The second bracket portion would typically be detached from the first bracket portion as part of the process in which the safety barrier is dismantled. The first bracket portion would, however, remain in position on the rafter. This has a benefit in that safety barrier, or indeed some other structure, can be readily installed on the roof at some later time, if required, using the first bracket portion already in position.

The surface which is fixed with respect to the rafter and against which the support section of the second portion is adapted to bear may take any appropriate form. In one arrangement, for example, the surface may comprise the outer face of a facia mounted on an outer end face of the rafter. In another arrangement, the surface may comprise the actual outer end face of the rafter.

In either of these arrangements, the support section may bear directly on said surface, or it may bear indirectly on said surface through, for example, a rear wall of guttering attached to the facia or to the end section of the rafter, as the case may be.

-4- Preferably the support section may comprise a face adapted to bear against said surface.

The face on the support may be defined by a plate.

The first and second portions can be detachably secured together in any suitable fashion. In one arrangement, the first and second portions may be bolted together. In another arrangement, the first and second portions may be detachably secured together by way of connection means employed to attach the member to the mounting bracket. In the latter arrangement, the member may incorporate a locating spigot adapted to locate in aligned holes in the first and 10 second bracket portions, and a clamping means may be provided for clamping the member and the first and second bracket portions, together. The clamping means may comprise a U-bolt assembly, the arms of which are slidably received sleeves positioned on opposed sides of the member, with the first and second bracket portions received in the internal space defined within the U-bolt.

The first bracket portion may comprise a first longitudinal member having a first section adapted for attachment to the top face of the rafter and a second section adapted for attachment to the second bracket portion.

The second bracket portion may comprise a second longitudinal member with said plate at one end thereof. The second longitudinal member may be configured to provide a base at an end section of the longitudinal element opposite to the end section on which the plate is mounted, the base being adapted to support said member.

The invention also provides a safety railing for a building construction having a roof structure incorporating roof rafters, the safety railing comprising a plurality of support posts each mounted on a respective rafter by a mounting bracket as hereinbefore defined.

The invention also provides a building construction having a roof structure fitted with a safety railing as hereinbefore defined.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the mounting bracket of Figure 1 connecting a post member to a rafter of a roof structure; ooeoo Figure 3 is a side view of the arrangements shown in Figure 2, with the 10 exception that a covering material is shown in position on the roof structure; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a mounting bracket according to the second embodiment; and Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the mounting bracket of Figure 4 connecting a post member to a rafter of a roof structure.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention The first embodiment, which is shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, is directed to a mounting bracket 11 for detachably connecting a post member 13 to an end section 15 of a rafter 17 forming part of a roof structure 18 of a building.

The post member 13 supports a safety rail (not shown). There are, in fact, a series of support posts 13 connected to various rafters 17 by way of a series of mounting brackets 11 at intervals around the roof structure 18. The various support posts 13 support the safety rail so as to provide a safety barrier about the roof structure.

-6- In addition to the rafters 17, the roof structure 18 includes a facia 21 at the outer ends of the rafters 17, to which guttering 23 is attached. The roof structure 18 further includes battens positioned on the rafters 17 for supporting a roof covering 27 which in this embodiment is in the form of roof sheeting secured to the battens by way of fixings. Only the outermost batten 25 is shown in the drawings (see Figure The outer edge 30 of the roof covering 27 overhangs the facia 21 so as to be above the gutter 23 in known manner.

The mounting bracket 11 comprises a first bracket portion 31 and a second bracket portion 32 detachably secured together to provide an assembly for supporting the post member 13.

The first bracket portion 31 comprises a length of metal 34 configured to provide a first section 33 which is adapted for attachment to the top face of the rafter 17, and a second section 35 which is adapted for attachment to the second bracket portion 32. An intermediate section 37 is provided between the first section 33 and the second section 35. The intermediate section 37 is offset in relation to the first and second end sections 33, 35 so as to pass over the upper end of facia 21, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The first section 33 presents a planar face 41 adapted to rest on the top face of the rafter 17 and includes a series of mounting holes 43 through which fixing elements 45, such as coach or lag screws, can be received and screwed into the rafter for securing the first bracket portion 31 to the rafter. One of the holes 43b is in the form of a slot which permits movement of the first bracket portion 31 in the direction of the slot for adjustment purposes (as will be explained in more detail later), once a fixing element 45b has been loosely received therein and prior to installation of fixing elements 45a in the other mounting holes 43a.

The second bracket portion 32 comprises a length of metal 46 having a plate 47 at an inner end thereof. The plate 47 presents a face 48 adapted to bear against the outer side of the facia 21, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The length of metal 46 is configured to provide a base 49 at the outer end section 39 thereof to support the post member 13 in the manner to be described.

Between the two ends of the strip there is an intermediate section 51 which extends from the plate 47 and is adapted to be detachably connected to the second section 35 of the first bracket portion 31 by way of a bolt 55 passing through aligned bolt holes (not shown) in the intermediate section 51 of the second bracket portion 32 and the end section 35 of the first bracket portion 31.

The base 49 at the outer end section 39 of the second bracket portion 32 presents an upper face 61 on which the lower end of the post member 13 can be supported. A threaded bolt 65 is mounted on, and projects from, the bottom end of the post member 13 and is adapted to be received in a mounting hole 67 formed in the base 49. A nut 69 threadedly engages the protruding bolt 65 to i:.ii *secure the base member 13 to the base 49.

The mounting bracket 11 is installed on the roof structure in the manner best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The mounting bracket 11 is so positioned that the face 48 of the plate 47 bears against a surface 50 fixed with respect to the rafter 17. In this embodiment, the face 48 bears against the facia 21 through the rear wall 23a of the guttering 23. With the face 48 in position in contact with the rear wall 23a of the guttering 23, the first section 33 of the first bracket portion 31 is secured to the rafter by way of fixing elements 45a and 45b. In this way, the facia 21 against which the rear wall 23a of the guttering 13 is in contact, defines the surface 50. This fixing process first involves installation of a fixing element 45b in slotted hole 43b in a manner which allows the position of the mounting bracket 11 with respect to the rafter 17 to be adjusted axially to ensure that the face 48 of plate 47 is in contact with the rear wall 23a of the guttering 23 which in turn is in contact with the facia 21. Once the mounting bracket 11 is in the required position, the fixing element 45b in slotted hole 43b can be fully installed in position, and additional fixing elements 45a can be inserted into holes 43a. Once the post member 13 is attached to the second bracket portion 32, the post member is then securely connected to the rafter 17. After the required number of post members 13 have been positioned at intervals along or around the roof structure (as the case may be), railing can then be connected between the series of post members 13 to complete the safety barrier. This then provides a safety barrier around the roof structure during construction of the roof.

At the stage where battens are positioned on the rafters 17 to carry the roof covering, the outermost batten 25 can be positioned on the rafters above the first section 33 of the first bracket portion 31, as best seen in Figures 3 of the drawings. This necessitates removal of fixing element 45b. Fixing 29 for securing the roof covering 27 in position is then installed, passing through the roof covering material, through batten 25, through hole 43b in the mounting bracket and into the rafter 17. Where the batten 25 passes over rafters which are not fitted with one of the mounting brackets 11, appropriate packing material *(not shown) is positioned between the rafters 17 and the batten 25 so as to maintain the battens at an even level. The provision of packing material under batten 25 on rafters not fitted with mounting brackets 11 avoids a series of crests in the batten at locations where it passes over the mounting brackets 11.

The safety barrier can be removed following completion of the roof structure.

Each post member 13 can be removed as part of the dismantling process by detaching the second bracket portion 32 from the first bracket portion 31 by removal of the connecting bolt 55. In this way, the post members 13 can be easily and conveniently removed. The first bracket portion 31 remains in position on the roof structure. This has a benefit in that the safety barrier, or indeed some other structure, can be readily installed on the roof at some later time if required, using the first bracket portion already in position.

When the safety barrier is in position, the mounting bracket 11 provide a simple yet highly effective arrangement for connecting the post member 13 to the rafter 17. If, for example, a worker falls against the safety barrier, any tendency for the post member 13 to deflect outwardly is resisted by contact between the second bracket portion 32 and the fixed surface 50 defined in this case by the facia against which the rear wall 23a of guttering 23 is in contact.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a mounting bracket 11 according to a second embodiment. In the second -9embodiment, the mounting bracket 11 includes a first bracket portion 31 and a second bracket portion 32. In this embodiment, however, the first and second portions 31, 32 are not bolted together but rather are, in use, secured together by the securing arrangement used to attach the post member 13 to the mounting bracket 11.

The first bracket portion 31 includes a first end section 71 for attachment to the rafter 17 and a second end section 72 having a locating hole 73 therein. The second bracket portion 32 includes a plate 75 at an inner end thereof adopted to bear against a fixed surface 50 such as facia 21, and an outer end section 77 incorporating a locating hole 79 in the form of a slot.

~The post member 13 incorporates a connection means 81 which comprises a Ubolt 83, the arms 85 of the U-bolt 83 being slidably received in sleeves 87 positioned on opposed sides of the lower end of the post member 13. The arms project beyond the upper ends of the sleeve 87 and have nuts 89 threadedly mounted thereon. An internal space is defined within the U-bolt, and the sections 72 and 77 of the first and second bracket portions 31 and 32 respectively are clamped together within that space. The second end section 72 of the first bracket portion 31 provides a base on which the post member 13 is received and supported. The post member 13 includes a locating pin 93 projecting downwardly from the lower end thereof which is received in corresponding aligned locating holes 73, 79 in the first and second bracket portions. The hole 79 in the second bracket portion 32 is in the form of a slot to allow positional adjustment of the second bracket portion 32 to bring the plate in contact with the facia 21.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiments provide a simple yet highly effective way for mounting a safety rail onto rafters of a roof structure of a building.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the two embodiments described. In particular, it should be understood that the second bracket portion could possibly be formed integrally with the post member, if desired.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (16)

1. A mounting bracket for detachably connecting a member to an end section of a rafter, the mounting bracket comprising first and second bracket portions detachably secured together to provide an assembly for supporting said member, the first portion being adapted to be secured to the rafter and the second portion having a support section adapted to bear against a surface fixed with respect to the rafter thereby to resist or at least limit deflection of the assembly in a direction towards said surface upon application of a load to the member.

2. A mounting bracket according to claim 1 wherein the support section comprises a face adapted to bear against said surface.

3. A mounting bracket according to claim 2 wherein said face on the support "section is defined by a plate.

4. A mounting bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein 15 the first and second bracket portions are adapted to be bolted together. A mounting bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first bracket portion comprises a first longitudinal member having a first section adapted for attachment to the top face of the rafter and a second section adapted for attachment to the second bracket portion.

6. A mounting bracket according to claim 5 wherein an intermediate section is provided between the first section and the second section of the first bracket portion.

7. A mounting bracket according to claim 6 wherein the intermediate section is offset in relation to the first and second end sections to permit the intermediate section to pass over the upper end of a facia attached to the end of the rafter. -12-

8. A mounting bracket according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the first section of the first section bracket portion comprises a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fasteners for detachably securing the first end section to the upper face of the rafter.

9. A mounting bracket according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said mounting holes comprises a slot having a longitudinal axis aligned generally with the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal member. A mounting bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second bracket portion comprises a second longitudinal member with 10 said plate at one end thereof. oo oi

11. A mounting bracket according to claim 10 wherein the second longitudinal :••member is configured to provide a base at an end section of the longitudinal element opposite to the end section on which the plate is mounted, the base being adapted to support said member. 15 12. A mounting bracket according to claim 11 wherein there is an intermediate section between the two end sections of the elongate element, the intermediate section being adapted to be detachably connected to the ~second section of the first bracket portion.

13. A mounting bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second portions are detachably secured together by way of a connection means employed to attach the member to the mounting bracket.

14. A mounting bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said member incorporates a locating spigot adapted to locate in aligned holes in the first and second bracket portions, and wherein there is provided a clamping means for clamping the member and the first and second bracket portions together. -13- A mounting bracket according to claim 14 wherein the clamping means comprises a U-bolt assembly, the arms of which are slidably received in sleeves positioned on opposed sides of said member, with the first and second portions received in the internal space defined within the U-bolt.

16. A safety railing for a building construction having a roof structure incorporating roof rafters, the safety railing comprising a plurality of support posts each mounted on a respective rafter by a mounting bracket according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A building construction having a roof structure fitted with a safety railing according to claim 16. 0

18. A mounting bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A safety railing for a building construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A building construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0.. Dated this seventh day of July 2000. ROOF SAFE PTY LTD and VAUGHAN WALLS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicants