GB2227070A

GB2227070A - Articulated connector

Info

Publication number: GB2227070A
Application number: GB8928431A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith William Thompson; Robert Powell; Alfred Leslie Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-17
Filing date: 1989-12-15
Publication date: 1990-07-18
Also published as: GB8829503D0; GB8928431D0

Abstract

An articulated connector, for example for connecting a diagonal bracing member (22) for trussed rafters of a roof of a building to a wall plate (20) of the building, comprises a first part (1) for attaching to the wall plate including first and second substantially planar portions which extend mutually substantially perpendicular to each other. The second planar portion incorporates a protruding surface in which are provided apertures (8, 9, 10) disposed at different predetermined angles relative to the remainder of the portion. The connector further comprises a second part (11) for attaching to the bracing member (22) including a third substantially planar portion (12) for aligning a connecting element (16) with one of the apertures (8, 9 or 10) of the first part so that the parts are connected in an articulated manner. A nail 24 may be driven through the centre of the connecting element 16 and into the wall plate to secure the connection. <IMAGE>

Description

ARTICULATED CONNECTOR The present invention relates to an articulated connector, and more particularly, but not exclusively, is concerned with an articulated connector for connecting a diagonal bracing member for trussed rafters of a roof of a building to a wall plate of the building.

It is well known that the majority of modern buildings have roofs which incorporate timber prefabricated trussed rafters. In order to resist wind forces it is generally necessary to interconnect the trussed rafters with bracing members both longitudinally and diagonally over the length of the roof and to connect the rafters and the bracing members with a wall plate, generally of timber, which extends along the top of the side walls of the building.

Interconnection of the rafters presents no problems, but connection of the bracing member to the wall plate requires removal from the wall plate of a section which is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the rafters and to the longitudinal direction of the sidewalls and which is also inclined to the vertical by an amount corresponding to the pitch of the roof. This section is difficult and time consuming to cut and is prone to error and consequent weakness of the joint. There is therefore a need for a connector suitable for connecting the end of the diagonal bracing member to the wall plate in a simple and effective manner. Such a connector would have applications in other fields including roofs which employ rafters that are not trussed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for such a diagonal bracing member which is simple and economical to fit.

According to the present invention there is provided an articulated connector comprising: a first part including a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first planar portion, the second planar portion incorporating a surface defining an aperture disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the remainder of the second planar portion; a second part including a third substantially planar portion for alignment with the aperture of the first part; and a connecting element for interconnecting the first and second parts in an articulated manner.

The third substantially planar portion may incorporate an aperture and the connecting element may pass through the aperture in the first part and the aperture in the second part. The aperture may be provided in a part of the second planar portion which protrudes in a direction away from the first portion. The surface may define a plurality of apertures at different predetermined angles relative to the remainder of the second planar portion. Three apertures may be provided. A plurality of holes may be provided in the second planar portion for securing the first part to the upper surface of a wall plate. Protrusions may be formed around at least a part of the periphery of said holes. Further, a plurality of holes may be provided in the first planar portion for securing the first part to a side face of a wall plate.

The second part may be formed with a reinforcing rib along a substantial part of the length thereof. The third planar portion in the second part may be formed in an end portion thereof which is substantially triangular in shape, the edges of the end portion being provided with flanges. A plurality of holes may be provided in the second part for securing the second part to a bracing member. Protrusions may be formed around at least a part of the periphery of said holes.

The connecting element may be secured to the second part.

The connecting element may be provided with a flange for securing the connecting element to the second part. An end of the connecting element may be chamfered to assist insertion thereof into at least one of said apertures. The connecting element may be formed with a bore for the passage of securing means.

At least one of the apertures may be dimensioned so as to allow limited angular movement of the first and second parts relative to the predetermined angle.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one embodiment of a first part of an articulated connector according to the present invention, in the form of a wall plate connector; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the wall plate connector shown in Figure 1: Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one embodiment of a second part of an articulated connector according to the present invention, in the form of a diagonal bracing element connector; and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view on a different scale showing the components of the articulated connector of Figures 1 to 3 as they are intended to be used.

Figures 1 and 2 show a wall plate connector 1 which forms a first part of the articulated connector according to the present invention. The wall plate connector comprises an upright portion 2 for engaging against the side of a wall plate (not shown in Figures 1 and 2), the upright portion 2 being provided with a number of holes 3, four as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for securing the connector 1 to the side of the wall plate with nails or the like. The wall plate connector also comprises a lateral portion 4 for engaging against the upper surface of the wall plate, the lateral portion being provided with a number of holes 5, ten as shown in Figure 1, for securing the connector to the upper surface of the wall plate with nails or the like.The holes 5 may be punched in a manner that results in protrusions 6 being formed which extend downwardly so as to engage with the wall plate and to increase the security of the fastening of the connector 1 to the wall plate. Holes 3 are punched in a manner which ensures substantially clean edges so as to facilitate alignment of the connector 1 with the wall plate.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the lateral portion 4 is formed with an upwardly extending protrusion 7 which is rounded in a direction generally perpendicular to the upright portion 2 and which extends in the direction of the upright portion 2 a sufficient distance to allow the provision of three substantially circular holes 8,9,10 along the length of the protrusion. As can be seen particularly from Figure 2, the holes 8,9,10 are positioned at different angles with respect to the lateral portion 4.

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the different angles enable the connector to be used for roofs of widely differing pitches without modification or the provision of alternative connectors. The connector 1 may be made, for example, of galvanised mild steel.

Figure 3 shows a diagonal bracing element connector 11 which forms a second part of the articulated connector according to the present invention. The connector 11 comprises a plate 12 for engaging with the end portion of a diagonal bracing member (not shown in Figure 3). The plate 12 is provided with a number of holes 13, six as shown in Figure 3, for securing the connector 11 to the bracing member with nails or the like. The holes 13 may be punched in a manner that results in protrusions being formed which extend so as to engage with the bracing member and to increase the security of the fastening of the connector 11 to the bracing member. Alternatively, the holes 13 may be punched in such a way that the protrusions formed are an effective alternative to nails such that no additional securing means is required.In order to strengthen the plate 12 against deformation, the plate is formed along the majority of its length with a curved reinforcing rib 14, the radius of curvature of the reinforcing rib 14 being greater in the regions where the bending stresses are likely to be greatest and the configuration of the plate 12 permits such a greater radius of curvature. The free end of the plate 12, where it is to be connected to the wall plate connector 1, is generally triangular in shape in order to allow as great a freedom of movement as possible.

This shape restricts the radius of curvature of the reinforcing ribs 14 and to increase the resistance to bending stresses the free end of the plate 12 is provided with a flange 15 which extends around the exposed edges of the free end.

In order to permit an articulated connection between the connector 1 and the connector 11, connecting element 16 is secured in an aperture formed in the free end of the plate 12. The connecting element 16 is provided with a flange 17 to facilitate securing the element 16 to the plate 12, with a chamfered free end 18 to facilitate insertion of the connecting element 16 into one of the holes 8,9,10 of the connector 1, and with a central bore 19 for the insertion of a nail or the like (not shown in Figure 3) through the connectors 1 and 11 and into the wall plate.

In use of the articulated connector according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the wall plate connector 1 is first positioned as required on a wall plate 20 and secured in place with nails or the like such as nail 21. The diagonal bracing connector 11 is positioned as required at the end of a diagonal bracing member 22 and is secured thereto with nails or the like such as nail 23.

Alternatively, connector 12 may previously be secured to the end of the bracing member 22, for example by a manufacturer of trussed rafters. The diagonal bracing member can then be manipulated to approximately its desired position and the free end of the connecting element 16 inserted into the appropriate hole 8,9, or 10 depending on the pitch of the roof. The holes 8, 9 and 10 are dimensioned so as to allow the connecting element to rotate freely therein and to tilt relative thereto by a small amount so that the bracing member, by virtue of the triangular end portion of the plate 12, can assume any desired rotational position and a range of elevational positions as required. The triangular end portion of the plate 12 ensures that the connector 11 does not interfere with the construction of the roof.

Any forces to be transmitted from the trussed rafters to the wall plate by way of the diagonal bracing member pass by way of the connecting element 16. However, in order to ensure merely that the connecting element 16 does not become dislodged from the hole 8, 9 or 10 a nail 24 or the like is used to hold the connecting element 16 in place.

It should be noted though, that the nail 24 is not required to absorb or transmit any forces.

Claims

1. An articulated connector comprising: a first part including a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first planar portion, the second planar portion incorporating a surface defining an aperture disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the remainder of the second planar portion; a second part including a third substantially planar portion for alignment with the aperture of the first part; and a connecting element for interconnecting the first and second parts in an articulated manner.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third substantially planar portion incorporates an aperture and the connecting element passes through the aperture in the first part and the aperture in the second part.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the aperture is provided in a part of the second planar portion which protrudes in a direction away from the first portion.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the surface defines a plurality of apertures at different predetermined angles relative to the remainder of the second planar portion.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein three apertures are provided.

6. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the second planar portion for securing the first part to the upper surface of a wall plate.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein protrusions are formed around at least a part of the periphery of said holes.

8. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the first planar portion for securing the first part to a side face of a wall plate.

9. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second part is formed with a reinforcing rib along a substantial part of the length thereof.

10. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the third planar portion in the second part is formed in an end portion thereof which is substantially triangular in shape, the edges of the end portion being provided with flanges.

11. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the second part for securing the second part to a bracing member.

12. A connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein protrusions are formed around at lesast a part of the periphery of said holes.

13. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting element is secured to the second part.

14. A connector as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connecting element is provided with a flange for securing the connecting element to the second part.

15. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an end of the connecting element is chamfered to assist insertion thereof into at least one of said apertures.

16. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting element is formed with a bore for the passage of securing means.

17. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the apertures is dimensioned so as to allow limited angular movement of the first and second parts relative to the predetermined angle.

18. An articulated connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.