GB2033948A

GB2033948A - Bracing Between Framing Members E.G. Purlins

Info

Publication number: GB2033948A
Application number: GB7929342A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ROECHLING BURBACH WEITERVERARB
Current assignee: ROECHLING BURBACH WEITERVERARB
Priority date: 1978-08-25
Filing date: 1979-08-23
Publication date: 1980-05-29
Also published as: SE7906519L; BE878044A; LU81511A1; NL7906240A; DE2837153B1; DE2837153C2

Abstract

A cross-strut (1) comprises a U- shaped section whose flanges are slotted (4) near each end to enable the strut (1) to be hooked into a rectangular aperture (6) in the web (7) of a Z-shaped purlin (5). The apertured (5) and the cross-strut (1) are used in constructing a roof, e.g. The dimensions of the end portions of the strut (1) relative to the aperture (6) are such that the strut (1) can be inserted endwise through the aperture (6) whereupon 90 DEG rotation of the strut (1) enables the slots (4) to engage an adjacent wall of the aperture (6) in a manner to prevent axial removal of the strut (1) in the event of inadvertent lateral displacement of the strut (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in Sections for Buildings The invention relates to the construction of a section in a building, particularly a roof, and is particularly concerned with a system of construction and with a strut for use in the section.

It is well knwon that in roof structures, for example, the purl ins, consisting of cold-rolled sections, are connected by means of threaded bars. Screwing the purlin and bar together is a time-consuming operation during assembly.

British Patent Specification No. 1,115,425 discloses U-shaped cross struts for connecting purlins which are to be hooked in an aperture in the web of the purlin and secured in position by a spring. When a U-shaped section is used for the cross struts, the length of the flanges is equal to the height of the web. This solution is relatively costly and unsuitable for many practical cases since the cross struts are not reiiably secured in position.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cross-strut and a system of construction involving use of the strut, wherein the strut can be simply manufactured, easily assembled and produces a reliable connections with the supporting sections, for example, the purlins.

According to one aspect of the present invention a cross-strut is provided for connecting building supporting sections of the type in which the section has an apertured web, each crossstrut having end portions for insertion through a web aperture so that the cross-strut can be suspended from the web and each end portion of the cross-strut being adapted, upon a selected degree of axial rotation after insertion, to engage positively with an adjacent wall of the aperture in a manner preventing removal of the cross-strut in the event of its inadvertent lateral displacement within the aperture.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for constructing a section in a building, the system comprising supporting sections and cross-struts for connecting the sections, the sections having webs comprising apertures for suspending the cross struts which are slotted at and taper towards the ends, the width of the struts in a first direction parallel to the slots being greater than the width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of each aperture being slightly less than the width of each cross-strut in the first direction, the height of each aperture being slightly greater than the width of each cross-strut in the second direction and the length of the tapering ends of each cross-strut being slightly greater than the height of each aperture.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for constructing a section in a building, the system comprising supporting sections and cross-struts for connecting the sections, the sections having apertured webs and each cross-strut having end portions for insertion through a respective web aperture so that the cross-struts can be suspended from the webs, each end portion of each cross-strut being adapted, upon a selected degree of axial rotation after insertion, to engage positively with an adjacent wail of the aperture in a manner preventing removal of the cross-strut in the event of its inadvertent lateral displacement within the aperture.

An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an end portion of a cross-strut.

Figure 2 is an end view of a cross-strut, Figure 3 is an underneath view of an end portion of the cross-strut, Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a cross-strut is secured to a supporting section.

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a section constructed using the present system, Figure 6 is a side view showing the strut locking devices in more detail.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cross-strut 1 comprises a U-shaped section 1, the width (H) of whose flanges 2 is greater than the width (D) of the web 3. The strut 1 has slots 4 in its end portions to enable the strut 1 to be hooked into the supporting section in the form of purlin 5, via rectangular apertures 6 provided in the web 7.

The slots 4 have flanks or sides parallel to one another. In order to facilitate assembly slots 4 taper towards the ends of the strut 1 as shown in Figure 1.

The purlin 5 shown in Figure 4 is a Z-shaped section. The width B of the apertures 6 in the web 7 of the purlin 5 is slightly less than the width H of the flanges 2 of the U-shaped cross-strut 1. The height C of the apertures 6 is slightly greater than the width D of the web 3 of the cross-strut 1. The cross-strut 1 is designed to taper from the slot 4 towards the flange end in such a manner that the width E of the tapering ends of each cross-strut is slightly greater than the height C of the apertures 6.

The purlin 5 and cross-strut 1 are assembled as follows: the cross-strut 1 is rotated through 900 (top right in Fig. 4) relative to its end position (see lower aperture 6 in Fig. 4) and inserted in the aperture 6. Since the width B of the aperture 6 is slightly less than the width H of the flanges 2, the flanks 8 of the slots 4 form a stop as far as which the cross-strut 1 can be inserted into the aperture 6. After being inserted in the aperture 6, the cross-strut 1 is rotated through 90 and suspended in the web 7 of the purl in 5 with the aid of the slots 4.

As shown, assembly of the purlin 5 and crossstrut 1 can be effected very simply and quickly. In addition, the special design of the purlin 5 and cross-strut 1 ensures a secure fit preventing inadvertent lifting out of the strut 1 because the latter must first be rotated through a further 900 before it can be removed from the aperture 6.

The structure according to the invention is not limited to particular dimensions. The following dimensions for the apertures 6 in the web 7 of the purlin 5 and the corresponding dimensions of the cross-strut 1 are given merely as an illustration and by way of an example

B22mm } aperture 6 C=1 7 mm aperture 6 H=27 mm D=15 mm '- cross-strut 1 E=20 mm In the event of particularly high safety standards locking devices 10, as shown basically in Figs. 5 and 6, can be passed through opening 9 in the web 3 of the cross-struts 1. In such a structure the cross-struts 1 are secured to prevent both torsional stress and removal.

The invention has been explained with the aid of a cross-strut 1 in the form of a U-shaped section. It is obvious that other sections can also be used for the bracing if they and the associated apertures 6 in the supporting section 5 are designed in accordance with the invention. Thus, the cross-struts 1 can for example be made of tubes of rectangular or oval cross-section.

Alternatively, sections such as e.g. T-, I- or Lsections can be used, if necessary.

The structure according to the invention is particularly suitable for grooves, but can also be used for other purposes, for example, the facing or frontage of buildings.

The sections used for the supporting elements (purlin 5) and the cross-struts 1 can be made, for example, from cold- or hot-rolled or extruded components.

Claims

1. A cross-strut for connecting building supporting sections of the type in which the section has an apertured web, each cross-strut having end portions for insertion through a web aperture so that the cross-strut can be suspended from the web and each end portion of the crossstrut being adapted, upon a selected degree of axial rotation after insertion, to engage positively with an adjacent wall of the aperture in a manner preventing removal of the cross-strut in the event of its inadvertent lateral displacement within the aperture.

2. A cross-strut as claimed in claim 1 in which the end portions of the cross-strut are provided with inwardly extending lateral slots to engage with an adjacent wall of an aperture.

3. A cross-strut as claimed in claim 2 in which the cross-strut tapers towards its ends from the region of the slots.

4. A cross-strut as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the end portions of the cross-strut are provided with openings to receive safety locking means.

5. A cross-strut as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cross-strut is in the form of a U-section.

6. A cross-strut as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which the cross-strut is in the form of a rectangular or oval tube.

7. A system for constructing a section in a building, the system comprising supporting sections and cross-struts for connecting the sections, the sections having webs comprising apertures for suspending the cross-struts which are slotted at and taper towards the ends, the width of the struts in a first direction parallel to the slots being greater than the width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of each aperture being slightly less than the width of each cross-strut in the first direction, the height of each aperture being slightly greater than the width of each cross-strut in the second direction and the length of the tapering ends of each cross-strut being slightly greater than the height of each aperture.

8. A system for constructing a section in a building, the system comprising supporting sections and cross-struts for connecting the sections, the sections having apertured webs and each cross-strut having end portions for insertion through a respective web aperture so that the cross-struts can be suspended from the webs, each end portion of each cross-strut being adapted, upon a selected degree of axial rotation after insertion, to engage positively with an adjacent wall of the aperture in a manner preventing removal of the cross-strut in the event of its inadvertent lateral displacement within the aperture.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 in which the end portions of the cross-strut are provided with inwardly extending lateral slots to engage an adjacent wall of an aperture.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 in which the cross-struts taper towards their ends from the region of the slots.

11. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 in which the end portions of the cross-struts are provided with openings to receive safety locking means.

12. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 in which the cross-struts are in the form of Usections.

13. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 in which the cross-struts are in the form of rectangular or oval tubes.

14. A system as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 1 3 in which the apertures in the webs are rectangular.

15. A system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 14 in which the sections are Z-shaped puriins.

1 6. A cross-strut substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A system for constructing a section in a buildirig substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.