GB2394757A

GB2394757A - A clip for joining beams

Info

Publication number: GB2394757A
Application number: GB0225350A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Harrison; Paul Royal
Original assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Current assignee: Simpson Strong Tie International Inc
Priority date: 2002-10-31
Filing date: 2002-10-31
Publication date: 2004-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-31
Also published as: GB2394757B; GB0225350D0

Abstract

A clip (1) comprises a planar body (2) and three planar arms (3, 4, 5). The planar body (2) has a first face (6) and a second opposite face (8). A first arm (3) projects perpendicularly to the body (2) from the first face (6) at a first end (7) of the body (2). Second and third arms (4, 5) project perpendicularly from the second face (8) at a second end (9) of the body (2).

Description

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Clip The present invention relates to a clip for securing a first member approximately perpendicular to a second member and a method for securing a first member approximately perpendicular to a second member which comprises the steps of fixing the clip to a first member and fixing a second member to the clip.

Within the context of this specification the word "comprises" is taken to mean

"includes, among other things". It is not intended to be construed as "consists of only',.

Generally, building structures comprise floor decks which are supported by parallel members of timber known as floor joists spaced apart from each other and suspended at their ends by hangers. Typically, a floor deck is produced of floor boards positioned parallel to each other and approximately perpendicular to the floor joists.

However, this arrangement suffers from the problem that there could be insufficient support for the perimeter of the floor deck or a partition wall positioned on the floor deck. To cope with these problems it is known to provide members which are positioned perpendicular to the floor joists. These members are known as supported members and they provide additional stength and support for the perimeter of a floor deck or a

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partition wall positioned on the floor deck. However, it is a difficult task to position a secure supported member between floor joists.

To address this difficulty, a known clip has been used wherein the clip provides a link between a supported member and a floor joist. The known clip is produced of metal and comprises a planar body and two planar flanges wherein the body has a first face and an opposite second face, a first flange extends perpendicular from the first face at a first end of the body and a second flange extends perpendicular from the second face at a second end of the body. The flanges of the known clip each define two openings through each of which a nail can be inserted to attach the clip to the end of a supported member and to a floor joist.

However, the known clip suffers from the problem that it is not capable of accommodating a supported member of"I" shaped section.

Therefore, a need exists for new equipment for facilitating the erection of a building structure which can be used easily, which reduces the burden required to secure a first member approximately perpendicular to a second member, which is strong and which facilitates the use of members of "l" shaped section.

The present invention addresses the problems set out above.

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Remarkably, it has now been found that a clip can be used to secure a first member to a second member, which could be a member of "1" shaped section, quickly and easily.

Consequently, in a first aspect the present invention provides a clip which comprises a planar body and three planar arms wherein the planar body has a first face and an opposite second face, a first arm projects approximately perpendicular to the body from an edge of the first face at a first end of the body and second and third arms project approximately perpendicular to the body from an edge of the second face at a second end of the body.

This provides the advantage that an embodiment of the invention can be employed to secure a member of "I" shaped section (eg a timber floor joist) which comprises a top flange and a bottom flange joined by a web. in use the second and third arms of an embodiment of the invention are capable of locating either side of the web and supporting the underside of the top flange. Advantagously, a clip according to an embodiment of the invention can be used to support a conventional member of rectangular shaped section.

in a preferred embodiment a reinforcement is located at a join of the body with at least one of the arms. More preferably, a reinforcement is located at a join of the body with at least one of the second or third arms. Even more preferably reinforcements are located at joins of the body with the second and third arms. This provides the

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À À sea a ate Àa- e a advantage of resisting bending of the arms relative to the body and increases the load bearing capacity of the second and third arms.

Preferably, the reinforcement is pressed, embossed, stamped or welded into the join between the body and an arm. Alternatively, the reinforcement is integrally produced with the body and an arm for example by additional thickness of material. Most preferably it is pressed. This provides the advantage that no additional material is required to produce a clip according to an embodiment of the invention.

Preferably the body of a clip according to an embodiment of the invention defines an indent which extends from the second end of the body between joins of the body with the second and third arms. Preferably the indent extends not more than half the distance between the first end and the second end of the body. More preferably the indent extends not more than a third the distance between the first end and the second end of the body.

Preferably the first arm of a clip according to an embodiment of the invention is shaped to interlock with the first arm of another clip according to an embodiment of the invention. This provides the advantage of enabling clips according to the invention to secure supported members directly in line with each other on both sides of a floor joist.

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À ee. À es. Àe À Preferably, an embodiment of the invention comprises a first arm having at least one finger and at least one corresponding indent. More preferably the first arm has at least two fingers and at least two corresponding indents.

Preferably, an embodiment of a clip according to the invention comprises a first arm having two fingers and two corresponding indents wherein a first finger is located ajacent a first side of the arm, a first indent is located between the first finger and a second finger, and a second indent is located adjacent a second side of the arm. This provides the advantage that the fingers are capable of being attached securely to a member and they are capable of interlocking with the fingers of a second clip thereby enabling a line of adjacent supported members to be positioned end to end.

Preferably each arm defines at least one opening for a receiving fixing (ea. a nail or screw). More preferably the second and third arms each define one opening and the first arm defines at least two openings located adjacent the end of each finger distal to the body of the clip.

Preferably, an embodiment of a clip according to the present invention comprises arms which define openings wherein the openings in the first arm are positioned to ensure non-alignment of openings in the first arm of another clip according to an embodiment of the invention. This provides the advantage of minimising the risk of timber splitting when nails are used to attach two embodiments of the invention to a member

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c e À e À À À with their first arms interlocking. Advantageously this advantage of the invention applies to the full range of widths of currently available timber joists having "1" shaped sections.

Preferably, an embodiment of a clip according to the present invention is manufactured of a metal including steel or stainless steel, or a plastics material.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method for securing a first member approximately perpendicular to a second member which comprises fixing a clip according to a first aspect of the invention to the first member and fixing the second member to the clip.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set

out below with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a known clip and a clip according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a view of a clip according to the invention in use; and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a clip according to the invention.

À À @ eta À a a ce a À a a a A À a e a a c À a a eve sea ace À For the purposes of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as

part of the same or separate embodiments, however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

As seen in Figures l to 3, a clip (1) of galvanised steel comprises a planar body (2) and three planar arms (3, 4, 5) wherein the planar body (2) has a first face (6) and an opposite second face (8). A first arm (3) projects approximately perpendicular to the body (2) from an edge of the first face (6) at a f rst end (7) of the body(2). Second and third rectangular arms (4, 5) project approximately perpendicular to the body (2( from an edge of the second face (8) at a second end (9) of the body(2) .

Reinforcements (1)) are located at joins (11) of the body (2) with the second and third arms (4, 5). The reinforcements (1) are pressed into the body (2) and the second and third arms (4, 5).

The body (2) of the clip (1) dehmes a rectangular indent (12) which extends from the second end (9) of the body (2) between joins (11) of the body (2) with the second and third arms (4, 5). The indent (12) extends not more than a third the distance between the first end (7) and the second end (9) of the body (2).

e a À e a e ee. e ece e. a The first arm (3) of the clip (I) is shaped to interlock with the first arm (3) of another clip (1). It has two fingers (13, 14) and two corresponding indents (15, 16) wherein a first finger (13) is located adjacent a first side of the arm (3); a first indent (15) is located between the first finger (13) and a second finger (14); and a second indent (16) is located adjacent a second side of the arm (3). The first indent (15) and the second finger (14) have curved sides whereas the first finger (13) and the second indent (16) have one straight side.

Each of the second and third arms (4, 5) defines one opening (17) for receiving a nail and the fingers (13, 14) of the first arm (3) each define one opening (17) for receiving a nail. The openings in each finger (13, 14) are positioned to ensure non-alignment of openings (17) in the first arm (3) of another clip (1) according to this embodiment of the invention.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

Claims

À À À Claims

1. A clip which comprises a planar body and three planar arms wherein the planar body has a first face and an opposite second face, a first arm projects approximately perpendicular to the body from the first face at a first end of the body and second and third arms project approximately perpendicular to the body from the second face at a second end of the body.

2. A clip according to claim 1 wherein a reinforcement is located at a join of the body with at least one of the arms.

3. A clip according to claim 2 wherein the reinforcement is pressed, embossed, stamped or welded into the join between the body and an arm.

4. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein a reinforcement is located at a join of the body with the second and third arms.

5. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the body defines an indent which extends from the second end of the body between joins of the body with the second and third arms.

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6. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the first armis shaped to interlock with the first arm of another clip according to any preceding claim.

7. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm has at least one finger and at least one corresponding indent.

8. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm has at least two fingers and at least two corresponding indents.

9. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm has two fingers and two corresponding indents wherein a first finger is located ajacent a first side of the arm, a first indent is located between the first finger and a second finger, and a second indent is located adjacent a second side of the arm.

10. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein at least one arm defines at least one opening for a receiving fixing (ea. a nail or screw).

11. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein each one arm defines at least one opening for a receiving fixing (ea. a nail or screw).

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12. A clip according to any preceding claim wherein the second and third arms each define one opening and the first arm defines at least two openings located adjacent the end of each finger distal to the body of the clip.

13. A clip according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein openings in the first arm are positioned to ensure non-alignment of openings in the first arm of another clip according to any preceding claim when the first arms of each clip are interlocked.

14. A method for securing a first member approximately perpendicular to a second member which comprises fixing a clip according to any preceding claim to the first member and fixing the second member to the clip.

15. A method according to claim 14 which comprises the steps of fixing the clip to a supported member having an I shaped section wherein the web of the supported member is positioned between the second and third arms of the clip and fixing a joist to the clip wherein at least part of the first arm and at least part of the first face of the body adjoins the joist.

16. A clip substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings or as described herein with respect the accompanying drawings.