GB2300237A

GB2300237A - Nail plate

Info

Publication number: GB2300237A
Application number: GB9608498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luke Richard John Whale; Julian Philip Marcroft
Original assignee: Gang Nail Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Aldershot GNS Ltd
Priority date: 1995-04-26
Filing date: 1996-04-25
Publication date: 1996-10-30
Also published as: GB2300204B; IE960318A1; GB9508459D0; GB2300203A; GB9608496D0; GB2300204A; GB9608498D0

Description

9 1 A Nail Plate Connector 2300237 The invention relates to a nail plate

for connecting together two timber members.

The connection of timber members by use of nail plates is becoming more and more popular. A nail plate consists of a metallic plate member from which is pressed an array of nail members which then extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate member. These connectors are then pressed into the side faces of abutting timber members so as to overlap the interface between the members and thereby form a rigid connection which is capable of withstanding substantial loading.

To date, nail plates have nearly always been manufactured with a generally rectangular overall shape. Nail plates of different sizes and different width-to-length ratios are well known. Normally, the size of nail plates used to form a particular connection are selected so that all of the nail members of the nail plate are securely embedded in the timber members.

It has been found that the overall strength and stiffness of the connection can be improved if the nail plates are increased in size so as to provide an increased area of connection between each nail plate and the respective timber members. However, a mere increase in size of rectangular nail plates produces situations wherein sharp comers of the nail plates project beyond the timber members themselves. This is clearly hazardous during manufacture and subsequent handling and therefore nail plates of different shapes have been contemplated. L-shaped and T-shaped nail plates have been proposed which increase the area of connection between the nail plate and the respective timber members at right-angled comers and T-joints but it has been found that nail plates of these shapes do not necessarily provide a proportional increase in the strength of the connection.

2 It is an object of the present invention to provide a nail plate for connecting together two timber members in a manner such that the strength of the connection thereby produced is improved.

The invention provides a nail plate as set out in claim 1. Further and advantageous features are set out in the subsidiary claims.

The advantage of the invention over the prior art lies in the combination of the increase in the area of the connection between the connector and the timber members combined with the absence of haza dous projections. Also, the provision of the at least one web portion allows a smooth stress distribution to be provided.

Embodiments of the invention wil accompanying drawings, wherein:

1 now be described with reference to the Figures la, 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a each show, in plan view, alternative nail plates falling within the scope of the invention; and Figures 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b and 5b each illustrate the nail plates of the aforementioned figures in use.

A variety of non-rectangular nail plates is illustrated in the drawings. In each case, the nail plate is used to connect together two timber members whose longitudinal axes lie substantially perpendicular to one another. In Figures I (b), 2(b) and 3(b), two timber members abut one another to form a T-joint. In Figures 4(b) and 5(b), the timber members form a right-angled comer. Corresponding nail plates are normally provided on opposite sides of the connection.

Figure I shows a nail plate connector 10 which is essentially trapezoidal in shape. The connector 10 has a first connecting portion 12 and a second connecting portion 14 for direct connection with the timber members. Web portions 16 extend between the first and second portions 12,14. No hazardous sharp comers are present in the edges of the webs 16 between the first and second connecting portions 12,14.

Figure 2 illustrates a connector portion 20 which is similar to that shown in Figure 1. Again, first and second connecting portions 22,24 are provided with web portions 26 extending therebetween. The only difference between the connector 20 and the connector 10 is the shape of the second connecting portion 14,24.

3 Figure 3 illustrates a further alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in Figure I but with a first portion 32 which has an increased area. The webs 36 extend between the first and second portions 32,34 but terminate substantially halfway along the length of the first connecting portion 32.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate comer connectors 40,50. In each case, a first portion 42,52 is provided for direct connection with the first member and a second connecting portion 44,54 is provided for direct connection with second timber member. A web 46,56 extends therebetween. The only difference between the connector illustrated in Figure 4 and the connector illustrated in Figure 5 is the shape of the second connecting portion 44,54.

In all cases, the nail plate connector is manufactured from sheet steel. The nail projections are pressed from the main body of the connector so that the projections extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main body. The nail projections extend over substantially the entire area of the nail plate connector. The nail projections are preferably arranged in rows and spaced at a distance of between 5mm and 30mm. Each connector is brought into effect merely by pressing into the sides of the abutting timber members which are to be connected.

The provision of at least one web portion between the first and second connecting portions allows a smooth distribution of stresses when the timber framework is placed under loading. The majority of joints which require to be fabricated during the manufacture of timber-frame panels are T-joints, and right angled comers. The nail plate connectors described above all improve the strength and rigidity of such connections without introducing hazardous angular comers whilst increasing the overall area of the nail plate connector and maintaining smooth stress distributions.

Connectors such as those described above are particularly suitable for use in connecting the timber components of prefabricated items such as wall panels and roof trusses. Many other applications will also be suitable and apparent to the skilled reader. The connectors also lend themselves to applications in which a plurality of connectors can be pressed into place by means of automated pressing apparatus.

Further advantageous features and alternatives will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.

4

Claims

1. A nail plate for connecting together two timber members whose longitudinal axes lie substantially perpendicular to one another, having first and second connecting portions for direct connection with the timber members and at least one web portion having a continuous edge extending between the first and second connecting portions.

2. A nail plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the continuous edge is substantially straight.

3. A nail plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the overall shape of the nail plate is trapezoidal.

4. A nail plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nail plate has a trapezoidal portion conjoined with a rectangular portion.

5. A nail plate as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rectangular portion lies adjacent the shorter parallel side of the trapezoidal portion.

6. A nail plate as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rectangular portion lies adjacent the longer parallel side of the trapezoidal portion.

7. A nail plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the overall shape of the nail plate is that of a right-angled triangle with one acute comer truncated.

8. A nail plate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the overall shape of the nail plate is that of a right-angled triangle with both acute comers truncated.

9. A nail plate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein nai members are provided in the first and second connecting portions and also in the or each web portion.

10. A nail plate for connecting together two timber members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.