GB2301604A

GB2301604A - A restraining strap for buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2301604A
Application number: GB9611376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Irving Pearce
Original assignee: Caradon Catnic Ltd
Current assignee: Caradon Catnic Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-31
Filing date: 1996-05-31
Publication date: 1996-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-31
Also published as: GB9611376D0; GB9510983D0; GB2301604B

Abstract

The invention provides a restraining strap 1 for use in building operations, comprising one or more integrally formed strengthening means 2. The strengthening means 2 increases the resistance of straps 1 to bending and in particular prevents bends occurring across, i.e. perpendicular to the strengthening means 2. The straps have formations along the longitudinal edges, and may also have channeled formations in the body of the straps. A central row of holes is also provided.

Description

A RESTRAINING STRAP The invention relates to a restraining strap for use in building operations, and more particularly to such straps used for securing two elements of a building, such as anchoring joists to walls, trussed rafters, flat roofs, pitched roofs or gable ends.

It is known in the art to provide restraining straps which are used to secure elements such as walls together in close proximity. Such straps are required to have a relatively long service life, as once in place they may be inaccessible. As will be appreciated, these straps are also required to be cheap and relatively easy to manufacture.

A problem which has been experienced with prior straps is that of failure under load. Failure can occur due to faults in the material of the strap arising during manufacture, but is more often due to movement of building parts through subsidence and the like.

It is object of the invention to seek to mitigate problems such as this.

According to the present invention there is provided a restraining strap for use in building operations, comprising one or more integrally formed strengthening means.

Thus, using the invention it is possible to provide a strap which is less likely to fail in use, whilst being relatively simple and yet inexpensive to manufacture.

The strengthening means may comprise one or more longitudinally extending substantially arcuate or angle part or parts of the strap. Further, the or each strengthening means may comprise a part extending out of the plane of a substantially planar part of the strap.

It is preferred that the or each part extends substantially parallel with a side of the strap. It has been found that this provides a particularly strong arrangement whilst, again, being simple to manufacture.

The or each part may extend substantially the length of a side of the strap, and it is further preferred that the or each part is adjacent an edge of the strap.

The or each part may include a portion extending substantially parallel with, and in the same plane as the plane of the strap. Further, the or each part may include a part extending substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the strap.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each part comprises a substantially cylindrical part.

In order to facilitate use, it is preferred that the strap includes one or more securing aperture for securing the strap to a substrate. The or each aperture may be disposed in a substantially central area of the strap.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the strap may have two such longitudinally extending substantially arcuate or angle parts, each one being disposed adjacent an edge of a pair of opposing edges of the strap. The said parts may be substantially parallel with one another.

According to a further preferred embodiment, there may be a plurality of parts together forming one or more grooves of substantially U-shape, in section. Restraining straps embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 7;; Figure 9 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 12 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a plan view of a seventh embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 14 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a plan view of an eighth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 16 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a plan view of a ninth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 18 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a plan view of a tenth embodiment of strap according to the invention; Figure 20 is a sectional view of the strap of Figure 19; and Figure 21 is a sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of strap according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are illustrated by like reference numerals, there is illustrated a restraining strap 1 for use in building operations, comprising one or more integrally formed strengthening means 2.

In each of the Figures, it can be seen that the strap 1 comprises a generally planar, elongate, plate element in which is integrally formed the strengthening means 2. The plate is provided with two apertures 3 to receive securing means such as screws, nails, rivets or the like to secure the strap 1 to a substrate in use.

The apertures 3 are formed in a substantially central band 4 of the plate, and do not weaken it in any significant way thereby. As can be seen generally from Figures 1 to 20, the strengthening means 2 consists of folded or creased parts of the plate forming curves or angles therein, in various configurations. In each of the illustrated embodiments, there are provided two or more strengthening means 2, however it will be appreciated that one or more strengthening means 2 could be provided. In addition, in each illustrated embodiment the strengthening means are disposed at or adjacent, and parallel with, opposing longitudinal edges of the plate. Again, it will be appreciated that this configuration can be varied. For example, the strengthening means 2 need not be parallel with one another but could, for example, converge towards one another at one side or end of the plate.

The position of the strengthening means can also be varied, relative to the edges of the plate. Strengthening means at right angles to one another are particularly envisaged.

As illustrated, the strengthening means 2 all generally comprise a longitudinally extending substantially arcuate or angle part or parts extending out of the general plane of the plate. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 there are four strengthening means, the strap 1 of this embodiment being provided with two Ushaped flanges 6, each one having an arcuate part 7 and two angle parts 10. The strap illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 has two strengthening means, again in the form of two U-shaped channels at opposing edges having arcuate parts 7. A further variation on this arrangement is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a variation of the strap of Figures 1 and 2, in which the central band 4 is narrower than that of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

In Figures 5 and 6, the strap 1 is provided with two angle parts 10 forming a pair of parallel flanges, perpendicular to the general plane of the strap 1 and formed from opposite edges thereof. In Figures 9 and 10, again there are provided two angle parts 10 forming substantially parallel perpendicular flanges 8, the flanges in this embodiment being provided with extension parts 9 which are parallel with and in the same plane as the general plane of the strap 1.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment having a plurality of angle parts 10, combining to form a series of U-shaped grooves. In the embodiment shown in Figures 19 and 20, the angle parts are replaced by a series of arcuate parts 7, giving a sinuous appearance.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 15 to 18 and 21, the arcuate parts 7 have been folded back on themselves to form substantially cylindrical parts 11, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 having additional strengthening means in the form of angle parts 10. It is to be noted that in Figure 21 the centre or substantial centre of the cylindrical parts 11 is substantially aligned with the central transverse axis Y for improved resistance to bending.

In all embodiments of the invention, the strengthening means 2 are integral with the material of the straps 1, which may be formed from any suitable material such as for example a metal. The strengthening means 2 may be formed at the same time as formation of the straps 1, such as, for example by extrusion, or subsequent thereto, or a mixture of both, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In use, the strengthening means 2 increase the resistance of straps 1 to bending, and in particular prevent bends occurring across i.e. perpendicular to the strengthening means 2.

Claims

1. A restraining strap for use in building operations, comprising one or more integrally formed strengthening means.

2. A strap according to claim 1, the strengthening means comprising one or more longitudinally extending substantially arcuate or angle part or parts of the strap.

3. A strap according to claim 2, the or each part comprising a part extending out of the plane of the strap.

4. A strap according to claim 1 or claim 2, the or each part extending substantially parallel with a side of the strap.

5. A strap according to any of claims 2 to 4, the or each part extending substantially the length of a side of the strap.

6. A strap according to any preceding claim, the or each part being adjacent an edge of the strap.

7. A strap according to any preceding claim, the or each part including a portion extending substantially parallel with, and in the same plane as, the plane of the strap.

8. A strap according to any preceding claim, the or each part including a portion extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the strap.

9. A strap according to any of the claims 1 to 6, the or each part comprising a substantially cylindrical part.

10. A strap according to any preceding claim including a securing aperture, for securing the strap to a substrate, in use.

11. A strap according to claim 10, the aperture being disposed in a substantially central part of the strap.

12. A strap according to any preceding claim, there being two longitudinally extending, substantially arcuate or angle parts, each one being disposed adjacent an edge of a pair of opposing edges of the strap.

13. A strap according to claim 12, the parts being substantially parallel to one another.

14. A strap according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of parts together forming one or more groove of substantially U-shape, in section.

15. A strap substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.