GB2400618A

GB2400618A - Connecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2400618A
Application number: GB0309015A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tissier Paul Le
Original assignee: 3D PROJECTIONS Ltd; DESIGN VILLAGE Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGN VILLAGE, THE LIMITED
Priority date: 2003-04-17
Filing date: 2003-04-17
Publication date: 2004-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-17
Also published as: GB2400618B; GB0309015D0

Abstract

Connecting apparatus 2 for connecting a timber beam 52 to an I-beam 54 comprises a first member 2, first 4 and second (6, figure 5) side walls extending perpendicular to the first member 2, and a further member (8, figure 5) extending parallel to the first member 2 from the free end of at least one of the side walls 4. One or more apertures (26, 28, 30, 32, figure 2) are provided in the first member 2 and/or side walls 4. In use the apparatus is placed around first 52 and second 54 beams such that the first member 2 extends over the first beam 52 and the further member (8, figure 5) extends under the second beam 54 and fixing means 58 are placed into the first beam 52 through one or more apertures (26, 28, 30, 32, figure 2) to join the first 52 and second 54 beams together.

Description

240061 8 Connecting Apparatus The present invention relates to a

connecting apparatus for fixing first and second structural members to one another.

In the construction industry there is often a need to fix timber to steel beams. This is typically achieved by drilling through both the timber and the steel and joining the two elements together by bolting. This is however relatively expensive and time consuming and so there is a need for a quicker and more cost effective means of joining structural timber to a steel beam.

From a first aspect, the present invention provides a connecting apparatus comprising, a first member, first and second side walls extending away from the first member, and a further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of at least one of the side walls, wherein one or more apertures are provided in the first member and/or in the side walls, and wherein in use the apparatus is placed around first and second structural members such that the first member extends over the first structural member and the further member extends under the second structural member or a part thereof and fixing means are placed into the first structural member through the one or more apertures to join the first member to the first structural member such that the connecting apparatus joins the first and second structural members to each other.

The connecting apparatus of the invention has the advantage that fixing means need only be placed into a first structural member in order to join first and second structural members to one another. Consequently, the apparatus for example could be used to join a wooden beam and a steel beam to one another without any need to drill through the steel beam. It will of course be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention could equally well be used to join a first wooden beam to a second wood beam or to join beams or other structural members such as blocks of other suitable materials to one another.

The side walls could extend at any desired angle from the first member and could take any desired shape. They could for example, be curved.

Preferably the side walls are adapted to come into contact with the sides of one of the structural members in use. More preferably they are adapted to contact the sides of both the first and second structural members in use. This will act to stop the first and second structural members from moving sideways relative to one another.

In one preferred embodiment, the side walls extend substantially perpendicular to the first member. Thus, if the side walls are planar they can be adapted to contact the sides of the structural members across the full height thereof.

The connecting apparatus could be formed from any suitable material but is preferably formed from metal.

Still more preferably the apparatus is made of steel.

The connecting apparatus could completely surround the first and second structural members, the apparatus being configured such that the further member joined the two side walls together. This would however mean that the apparatus had to be assembled on the structural members by slipping it over the ends thereof which could be impractical for use with structural members such as beams of a great length. It would also mean that the apparatus was difficult to use with non-rectangular section structural members such as I-beams. Preferably therefore, the further member only extends across a part of the distance between the first and second side walls.

This will allow the apparatus to be placed onto the structural members without the need to slip it over the ends thereof. It will also allow the apparatus to be used with an I-beam in such a way that the further member extends under a flange of the beam rather than having to extend around the whole cross section of the beam.

In use, the further member of the apparatus grips the underside of the second structural member or a part thereof thus holding the first and second structural members together. Thus, although a single member extending across part of the width of the apparatus would hold the structural members together, the apparatus would be more effective if a member were provided extending from either side wall. Preferably therefore, the apparatus comprises a first further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of the first side wall and a second further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of the second side wall.

As stated above, the further member(s) extending parallel to the first member grip the underside of the second structural member or a part thereof in use in order to hold the first and second structural members together.

The first and second structural members are therefore held against the first member by the action of the further member on the underside of the second structural member. Thus, the connecting apparatus is preferably configured to fit against the edges of the structural members in use. The dimensions of the structural members with which the connecting apparatus is to be used may vary slightly in use however and so a gap may be formed between the structural members and the connecting apparatus in use.

Preferably therefore, a resilient biasing means is provided in the further member. This has the effect of taking up any play between the structural members and the connecting member thus ensuring a firm fixing even with slight changes in dimensions of the structural members.

It will be appreciated that the action of the resilient biasing means pushing the first and second structural members against the first member could be sufficient to hold the structural members together even if the side walls of the connecting apparatus were configured so as not to come into contact with the sides of the structural members.

The resilient biasing means could take any desired form.

In one particularly convenient form however, the resilient biasing means comprises a tab cut out from the further member itself and extending towards the first member.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, resilient biasing means could be provided in one or both side walls of the connecting apparatus as an alternative or in addition to the resilient biasing means in the further member. The resilient biasing means in the side walls are preferably located so as in use to come into contact with the sides of the second structural member.

The connecting apparatus could be rectangular in cross section. However, this would make it relatively difficult to fit over the beams in use. Preferably therefore, the connecting apparatus takes the form of a skewed rectangle. In other words, the first and second side walls may be skewed relative to the first member.

This feature is believed to be novel and inventive in its own right and so, from a further aspect, the present invention provides a connector or clip comprising: a first member having two parallel side edges; first and second side walls folded away from either end of the first member; and a further member extending from the free end of one of the side walls, wherein the lines along which the side walls are folded extend parallel to one another and are skewed relative to the side edges of the first member.

The connector or clip could be connected to first and second structural members to be connected together in any number of ways. For example, the connector could be dimensioned to fit tightly around the structural members so as to be held in place by friction. Alternatively, teeth or other gripping means could be provided on the connector or clip to grip into a structural member in use. In a preferred embodiment however, one or more apertures is provided in the first member and/or the side walls through which fixing means can be inserted into a structural member to hold the connector or clip to that member.

Preferably, the first and second side walls are skewed by between approximately 10 and 80 relative to the first member and more preferably between 30 and 60 . In one particularly preferred embodiment the first and second side walls are skewed by approximately 45 relative to the first member.

Still more preferably, the length of the first member is adapted to be greater than the width of the structural members for connection such that the apparatus can be easily placed around the structural members when placed straight across them due to the space which is left between the side walls of the connecting apparatus and the sides of the structural members. The connecting apparatus can then be rotated until the side walls extend parallel to the sides of the structural members and can then be locked into place.

From a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of connecting a first structural member to a second structural member, the method comprising: positioning the first structural member adjacent the second structural member; providing an apparatus comprising a first member, first and second side walls extending away from the first member, and a further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of at least one of the side walls; positioning the apparatus around the first and second structural members such that the first member extends over the first structural member and the further member extends under the second structural member or a part thereof; and fixing the apparatus to the first structural member such that the apparatus joins the first and second structural members to each other.

Preferably the apparatus is fixed to the first structural member by inserting fixing means into the first structural member through one or more apertures provided in the first member and/or the side walls.

Preferably, the first structural member comprises a material into which nails can be inserted. Still more preferably the material is wood.

Preferably the fixing means comprise nails or screws. It is particularly advantageous that the connecting apparatus can be fixed in place without the need for preparatory work such as drilling through a steel beam.

Preferably the first and second side walls are skewed relative to the first member. Still more preferably the length of the first member is greater than the width of the structural members. Thus the apparatus can be placed over the structural members such that the first member extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extent thereof and the apparatus can then be rotated until the side walls extend parallel to the sides of the first and second structural members.

Preferably a first fixing means is inserted into the first structural member via an aperture in the first member prior to rotation of the apparatus and further fixing means are inserted into the first structural member through further apertures in the first member and/or the side walls after rotation of the apparatus to fix it against rotation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a fixing member according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the fixing member of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the fixing member of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the fixing member of Figure 1; Figures 5 to 7 show the fixing member of Figure 1 being used to fix an I-beam to a wooden beam.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the fixing member of the invention is made up of a first member 2, two side walls 4, 6 and flange elements 8, 10. The first member 2 is a planar element having long straight parallel side edges 12,14 and shorter parallel end edges 16, 18. The side walls 4, 6 extend downwardly or perpendicular from the end edges 16, 18 of the first member 2. The flange elements 8, 10 extend inwardly from the free ends of the side walls and parallel to the plane of the first member.

The fixing member is cut from a single sheet of metal which would usually be steel, more preferably stainless steel, and which is bent into shape. The fixing member is configured such that the end edges 16, 18 of the first member 2 are skewed (not perpendicular) relative to the side edges 12, 14 of the first member 2. In the preferred embodiment shown, the end edges 16, 18 extend at approximately 45 to the side edges 12, 14. The end edges 16, 18 extend in the planes of the respective side walls 4, 6 such that the side walls 4, 6 also extend at approximately 45 to the parallel side edges 12, 14 of the first member 2.

Three apertures 20, 22, 24 are formed in the first member 2 providing bores through which nails, screws or similar fastening means may pass in use. The apertures are arranged in a straight line and are spaced apart evenly along the length of the first member positioned approximately centrally on the longitudinal axis thereof.

Two apertures 26, 28, 30, 32 are formed in each side wall 4, 6. The apertures in the side walls also provide bores through which nails, screws or similar fastening means may pass in use. The apertures 26, 28 and 30, 32 in the side walls are positioned in diagonally opposite quadrants of the respective side walls.

As stated above the flange elements 8, 10 extend inwardly from the side walls 4, 6 and parallel to the plane of the first member 2. As for the side walls, the flange elements 8,10 extend at approximately 45 to the parallel side edges 12, 14 of the first member 2. The flange elements 8, 10 are large enough to grip the underside of a beam or part thereof in use and in the embodiment shown, each flange element 8, 10 extends inwardly over approximately one fifth of the length of the first member 2.

Resilient means are provided in the form of a tab 34, 36 projecting upwardly from each flange element 8, 10 towards the first member 2. As can be seen, the tabs 34, 36 are cut out from the flange elements 8, 10 on three sides 38, 40, 42 thereof. The fourth side provides a hinge 44, 46. Th,e hinge is positioned in each flange element such that the tab extends upwardly at an angle towards the first member 2 and towards the respective side wall 4, 6 to which the flange element in which the tab is formed is attached. The tabs 34, 36 are positioned to one side in each flange element 8, 10 so that, as shown in Figure 1, the tab is located substantially in the portion of the flange element which extends beyond the first member 2 in plan view.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), resilient means in the form of a tab are provided in the side walls 4, 6 instead of in the flange elements 8, 10.

The flange elements 8, 10 are substantially rectangular in shape. However, the corner at the free end of each flange element adjacent the shorter side wall of the first member 2 is cut away on a diagonal to provide a blunted edge 48, 50.

The way in which the fixing member is used will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. The fixing member of the embodiment described above is intended for joining a wooden beam 52 of rectangular cross section to a steel I-beam 54. (It will of course be appreciated that the fixing member could however be used for joining structural members of other materials to one another.) In use, the wooden beam 52 is placed above the I-beam 54 such that the base of beam 52 rests against the upper flange 56 of I-beam 54. The width of the wooden beam 52 and the upper flange 56 of I-beam 54 are substantially the same such that the edges of the wooden beam 52 and the flange 56 are approximately aligned.

The fixing member is placed over the wooden beam 52 such that the first member 2 extends across the upper surface I of the wooden beam 52 with the side edges 12, 14 of the first member 2 extending approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wooden beam 52. The length of the first member 2 is greater than the width of the beams and so a clearance is provided between the side walls 4, 6 and the sides of the beams 52, 54 when the first member 2 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the beams. The side walls 4, 6 extend downwardly from the first member 2 and are dimensioned such that the flange elements 8, 10 are positioned to extend inwardly at a height just underneath the upper flange 56 of I-beam 54.

A nail 58 is placed through the central aperture 22 in first member 2 of the fixing member to join the fixing member to the wooden beam 52. It will be appreciated that the fixing through central aperture 22 allows rotation of the fixing member about nail 58. Thus as shown in Figure 6, once nail 58 has been placed, the fixing member is then rotated until the side walls 4, 6 extend approximately parallel to the sides of the wooden beam 52. In so rotating the fixing member, the side walls are brought in towards the beams 52, 54 until they abut against the sides thereof. The flange elements 8,10 are also moved inwardly such that they abut against the underside of upper flange 56 of I-beam 54. Further, the resilient tabs 34, 36 will take up any play between the underside of upper flange 56 of I-beam 54 and the flange elements 8,10 as shown in Figure 7. This could be caused for example by variations in the thickness of the wooden and/or steel beams being used.

Once the fixing member has been rotated into place against the sides of the beams, nails (not shown) are placed into the timber beam 52 through the remaining apertures 20, 24 in the first member 2 and through the apertures 26, 28, 30, 32 provided in either side wall 4, 1 6. The placing of these nails firmly holds the fixing member against rotation and so fixes the wooden beam and steel beam to one another without the need to drill through the steel I-beam.

Claims

Claims 1. Connecting apparatus comprising, a first member, first and

second side walls extending away from the first member, and a further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of at least one of the side walls, wherein one or more apertures are provided in the first member and/or in the side walls, and wherein in use the apparatus is placed around first and second structural members such that the first member extends over the first structural member and the further member extends under the second structural member or a part thereof and fixing means are placed into the first structural member through the one or more apertures to join the first member to the first structural member such that the connecting apparatus joins the first and second structural members to each other.
2. Connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls are adapted to contact the sides of one or both of the structural members in use.
3. Connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls extend substantially perpendicular to the first member.
4. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the apparatus is formed from metal.
5. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, the apparatus being made of steel.
6. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the further member extends across a part of the distance between the first and second side walls.
7. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, the apparatus comprising a first further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of the first side wall and a second further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of the second side wall.
8. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each further member extends from one side wall towards the other side wall of the apparatus.
9. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a resilient biasing means is provided in the further member.
10. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a resilient biasing means is provided in one or both of the side walls.
11. A connecting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second side walls are skewed relative to the first member.
12. A connecting apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second side walls are skewed by approximately 45 relative to the first member.
13. A method of connecting a first structural member to a second structural member, the method comprising: positioning the first structural member adjacent the second structural member; providing an apparatus comprising a first member, first and second side walls extending away from the first member, and a further member extending parallel to the first member from the free end of at least one of the side walls; positioning the apparatus around the first and second structural members such that the first member extends; over the first structural member and the further member! extends under the second structural member or a part thereof; and fixing the apparatus to the first structural member such that the apparatus joins the first and second structural members to each other.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the I apparatus is fixed to the first structural member by inserting fixing means into the first structural member through one or more apertures provided in the first member and/or the side walls.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the first structural member comprises a material into which nails can be inserted.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the material is wood.
17. A method as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the fixing means comprise nails or screws.
18. A method as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the first and second side walls are skewed relative to the first member.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the apparatus is placed over the structural members such that the first member extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extent thereof and the apparatus is then rotated until the side walls extend parallel to the sides of the first and second structural members.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the length of the first member is greater than the width of the structural members. ;
21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein a first fixing means is inserted into the first ' structural member via an aperture in the first member prior to rotation of the apparatus and further fixing means are inserted into the first structural member through further apertures after rotation of the apparatus to fix the ' apparatus against further rotation. I
22. A connector or clip comprising: a first member having two parallel side edges; first and second side walls folded away from either end of the first member; and a further member extending from the free end of one of the side walls, wherein the lines along which the side walls are folded extend parallel to one another and are skewed relative to the side edges of the first member.
23. An apparatus or method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structural members are beams.
24. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.