GB2480425A

GB2480425A - Restraining strap assembly for tying two walls of a building together

Info

Publication number: GB2480425A
Application number: GB1006947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dean Stanley Allen
Original assignee: Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc
Current assignee: Simpson Strong Tie Co Inc
Priority date: 2010-04-26
Filing date: 2010-04-26
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Also published as: GB201006947D0

Abstract

The assembly 10 comprises an elongate strap member 20 secured, in use, to a first structural member of a building, a restraint member 40 secured in use to a second structural member, a connecting member 60 for securing the restraint and strap members together. The first structural member may be, for example a joist, beam or roof truss. The second structural member may be, for example, a block or brick wall. The restraining member may be secured to the connecting member by way of a slot in the restraining member into which the connecting member is inserted, and secured such that the connecting member is rotatable relative to the restraining member. The restraining and strap members may be made by pushing the members out of a sheet of material such as metal. The restraining member may bear on or inbetween the courses of the block or brick wall. Also claimed is a method of tying the first and second structural members using the restaining strap assembly.

Description

RESTRAINING STRAP

The present invention relates to a restraining strap for use in the construction of buildings and other structures. In particular, the present invention relates to a restraining strap assembly having a plurality of parts connectable together in use.

In the construction of buildings, it is conventional to use restraining straps to tie different parts or substructures of a building together. For example, a restraining strap may be used to tie a first substructure or part thereof, such as a floor or a roof of the building, to a second substructure or part thereof, such as a vertical gable wall of the building. It is necessary to tie the first and second substructures together in order to withstand forces acting to separate them caused, for example, by wind.

Conventionally, a restraining strap comprises a flat strip of metal provided with fastener apertures formed at spaced intervals by which it can be secured using fasteners to a substrate such as a floor, joist or roof truss. Typically, one end of the strip of metal is bent over through 90 degrees so that the bent over portion (known as the "downstand"), in use, engages the outer surface of a wall to resist forces separating the wall and floor or roof. The rest of the strip of metal adjacent the downstand passes through the wall, typically through a mortar course of a block or brick wall, and on to the substrate such as a floor, joist or roof truss to which it is affixed using fasteners. A number of installations which use such a restraining strap are illustrated in Figures la to le. In addition to the I.., installations shown, the strip of metal may be twisted so that it can pass through the vertical mortar joint between two adjacent blocks or bricks of the wall. A mortar joint is normally no more than 10mm deep or wide, while the width of the * strip of metal is usually greater, typically greater than 25mm. *

Because the downstand is a part of the strip of metal turned through 90 degrees and therefore extends in only one direction from the plane of the rest of the strip, it typically extends and bears against only a single block or brick (see Figures la and ib, for example). The forces involved can damage such a single block or brick, particularly as modern building methods tend to use softer blocks or bricks than in the past (e.g. thermalite blocks). Accordingly, also known are two-part restraining strap arrangements which aim to spread the load on the wall across several blocks or bricks. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 2. A two-part restraining strap according to this arrangement comprises an elongate member 12 secured along its length to roof trusses 27 and connectable at one end with a separate load bearing member 13 in the form of a plate. The load bearing member 13 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the elongate member and in at least two directions from said end to spread the load across more than one block or brick.

However, these known restraint straps suffer from the problem that they provide for no tolerance in installation. A first part of the restraint strap is first affixed in place on a first substructure or part thereof, such as a floor or a roof of the building, and then the second substructure or part thereof, such as a vertical gable wall of the building, must be built up so as to fit and fasten with the remainder of the part pre-installed restraint strap. In practice, a floor or roof is constructed by a carpenter, while a wall is constructed by a bricklayer. This presents problems in co-ordinating the constructions as the respective trades do not necessarily work together at the same time on the same construction. As a result, damage to, misalignment of, or no connection at all to the partially installed restraint strap can occur, compromising its integrity and function.

The present invention seeks to address these problems of prior art restraint straps. S...

* In a first aspect, the present invention provides a restraining strap *.

assembly comprising: * U * *.. S. S * *. U *S

an elongate strap member extending in a longitudinal axis and adapted to be secured in use along its length to a first structural member such as a joist, beam, roof truss or the like; a restraint member adapted to be secured in use to a second structural member such as a block or brick wall or the like; and a connecting member adapted to secure in use the elongate strap member to the restraint member, wherein: the restraining strap assembly provides for lateral, rotational and/or vertical spacing connection of the longitudinal axis of the elongate strap member relative to the centre of the restraint member.

Preferably, the elongate strap member comprises the connecting member.

Alternatively, the restraint member comprises the connecting member.

Preferably, the connecting member connects to the restraint member by way of a portion of the connecting member being received in and retained behind a slot provided in the restraint member. More preferably, the portion of the connecting member received in and retained behind the slot provided in the restraint member connecting member is rotatable relative thereto.

Alternatively or additionally, the connecting member connects to the restraint member and or elongate strap member by way of apertures and projections inter engageably connectable and disconnectable from one another.

Preferably, each of the elongate strap member and restraint member are formed from sheet material by cutting and pushing out material from the sheet material. Preferably, the elongate strap member is made from sheet material no *:** more than 2mm thick, more preferably no more than 1.5mm thick. Preferably, the * restraint member is made from sheet material no more than 2.5mm thick. S..

S

In a second aspect, the present invention provides use in a building or other construction of a restraining strap assembly as set forth herein, wherein the elongate strap member is fixed to a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like and the restraint member bears on or inbetween courses of a block or brick wall.

Preferably, the block or brick wall is a gable wall.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of tying a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like to a block or brick wall or the like using the restraining strap assembly as set forth herein.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of: securing the elongate strap member to a first structural member such as a joist, beam, roof truss or the like; securing the restraint member to a second structural member such as a block or brick wall or the like; and tying the elongate strap member to the restraint member using the connecting member.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures Ia to le are examples of installations using a prior art one-piece restraining strap; Figure 2 is an example of an installation using a prior art two-piece restraining strap; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of restraint strap assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the strap member and connecting member of the restraint strap assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the restraint member of the restraint strap assembly of Figure 3; * Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of restraint strap assembly S..

according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the strap member and connecting member of the restraint strap assembly of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the restraint member of the restraint strap assembly of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of restraint strap assembly according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the strap member and connecting member of a restraint strap assembly according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to Figures 3 to 5, the restraining strap assembly apparatus 10 according to the present invention can be seen to comprise an elongate strap member 20, and a separate but disconnectably connectable restraint member 40 and connecting member 60. The elongate strap member 20 is formed from sheet metal material of 1.5mm thickness and about 26mm width. The sheet thickness is with advantage less than 2.5mm, preferably less than 2mm and may be less than 1.5mm. The elongate strap member 20 has the majority of its length forming a first portion 22 which is substantially flat except that it is punched to provide fastener apertures 24. The fastener apertures 24 receive, in use, fasteners such as nails or screws by which it may be connected to a beam, joist, roof truss or other structural member. The elongate strap member 20 has one connectable end 26 deformed by bending back on itself to form a receiving section of substantially tubular section having an end portion with an external diameter of 10mm. The connectable end 26 of the elongate strap member 20 is bent back sufficiently to provide a flange 27 of length 100mm. The connectable end 26 of the elongate strap member 20 receives a tie bar element 62 of the connecting member 60 which, in use, ties the elongate strap member 20 to the restraint member 40. The connecting member 60 further comprises a tie disc element 66 and a tie rod element 64, the tie rod element joining the tie bar element 62 to the tie disc element 66. I...

The restraint member 40 is also formed from sheet metal 15mm thick and cut, bent and formed to provide a frontal flange 42, seat flanges 50, 52 and return * flanges 54, 56. Frontal flange 42 is additionally provided with a tie slot 43 having tie slot entries 46, 47, all formed by a pair of tie flanges 44, 45 protruding out the plane of the frontal flange 42. Tie slot 43 can receive the tie disc element 66 via tie slot entries 46, 47, and retains the tie disc element 66 and connecting member in place, resisting axial pull out forces, by virtue of tie flanges 44, 45. Seat flanges 50, 52 are provided substantially perpendicular to the frontal flange 42 and return flanges 54, 56, with the frontal flange 42 and return flanges 54, 56 extending in their respective planes above and below the seat flanges 50, 52. As such, the seat flanges 50, 52 provide a seat portion which can be received on a block or brick course so as to rest thereon in its own right ready for use and/or be built in with further block or brick courses. Return flanges 54, 56 are provided substantially parallel to the frontal flange, with respective return flanges 54, 56 extending upwardly (as shown) in the case of return flange 54 and extending downwardly (as shown) in the case of return flange 56.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the restraint strap assembly apparatus 10 according to the present invention provides for considerable tolerances when separate parts of the assembly are installed by separate trades at separate times. For example, a bricklayer may simply rest (or build into a block or brick course) a restraint member 40. When simply rested on a block or brick course, the restraint member 40 may later be slid left or right as appropriate, the frontal flange 42 and return flanges 54, 56 providing axial resistance in use.

A carpenter may simply affix an elongate strap member 20 to a floor, joist or number of roof trusses in an appropriate location (and at the relevant angle of attack when used of a roof truss). This can then be tied in with (later or there and then) a corresponding restraint member 40 using the connecting member 60. In S...

addition to the lateral tolerance provided by the restraint member 40, the 5: combination of the tie disc element 66 and tie slot 43 provides for vertical tolerance, and the tie disc element 66 provides for rotation of the elongate strap member 20, and all without any compromise to the axial load capacity of the S..

restraint strap assembly apparatus 10.

SR * ..* * . * * S

S SI

Referring next to Figures 6 to 8, a further embodiment of restraining strap assembly apparatus 110 according to the present invention can be seen to comprise an elongate strap member 120 and connecting member 160, and a separate but disconnectably connectable restraint member 140. The elongate strap member 120 is formed from sheet metal material of 1.5mm thickness and about 26mm width. The sheet thickness is with advantage less than 2.5mm, preferably less than 2mm and may be less than 1.5mm. The elongate strap member 120 has the majority of its length forming a first portion 122 which is substantially flat except that it is punched to provide fastener apertures 124. The fastener apertures 124 receive, in use, fasteners such as nails or screws by which it may be connected to a beam, joist, roof truss or other structural member.

The elongate strap member 120 has one connectable end 126 deformed by cutting and appropriate bending to form the connector member 160. The connector member 160 takes the form of a tie disc member 166. The tie disc member 166 is of disc shape and had a diameter of substantially 40mm. The connectable end 126 of the elongate strap member 120 comprising the connecting member 160, in use, ties the elongate strap member 120 to the restraint member 140.

The restraint member 140 is also formed from sheet metal 1.5mm thick and cut, bent and formed to provide a frontal flange 142, seat flanges 150, 152 and return flanges 154, 156. Frontal flange 142 is additionally provided with a tie slot 143 having tie slot entries 146, 147, all formed by a pair of tie flanges 144, protruding out the plane of the frontal flange 142. Tie slot 143 can receive the tie disc element 166 via tie slot entries 146, 147, and retains the tie disc * ..* element 166 and connecting member 160 in place, resisting axial pull out forces, by virtue of tie flanges 144, 145. Seat flanges 150, 152 are provided substantially perpendicular to the frontal flange 142 and return flanges 154, 156, with the frontal flange 142 and return flanges 154, 156 extending in their respective * 30 planes above and below (in the case of frontal flange 142) the seat flanges 150, 152. As such, the seat flanges 150, 152 provide a seat portion which can be received on a block or brick course so as to rest thereon in its own right ready for use and/or be built in with further block or brick courses. Return flanges 154, 156 are provided substantially parallel to the frontal flange, with respective return flanges 154, 156 extending downwardly.

s Again, the restraint strap assembly apparatus 110 according to the present invention provides for considerable tolerances when separate parts of the assembly are installed by separate trades at separate times. Lateral tolerance is provided by the restraint member 140, the combination of the tie disc element 166 and tie slot 143 provides for vertical tolerance, and the tie disc element 166 provides for rotation of the elongate strap member 120, and all without any compromise to the axial load capacity of the restraint strap assembly apparatus 110.

Referring next to Figure 9, a further embodiment of restraining strap assembly apparatus 210 according to the present invention can be seen to comprise an elongate strap member 220 and connecting member 260, and a separate but disconnectably connectable restraint member 240. The elongate strap member 220 is formed from sheet metal material of 1.5mm thickness and about 26mm width. The sheet thickness is with advantage less than 2.5mm, preferably less than 2mm and may be less than 1.5mm. The elongate strap member 220 has the majority of its length forming a first portion 222 which is substantially flat except that it is punched to provide fastener apertures 224. The fastener apertures 224 receive, in use, fasteners such as nails or screws by which it may be connected to a beam, joist, roof truss or other structural member.

The elongate strap member 220 has one connectable end 226 deformed by cutting and appropriate bending to form a downstand. The connector member 260 takes the form of an elongated slot having bent over sides dimensioned to form side flanges 261, 262. The connector member 260 is rotatably connected to the downstand of the elongate strap member 220, arranged parallel thereto but S..

* 30 substantially perpendicular to the first portion 222. The rotatable connection may be achieved using an interference fit or any other suitable connecting means. *1 *

I b Iv

The restraint member 240 is also formed from sheet metal 1.5mm thick and cut, bent and formed to provide a seat flange 242 and a tie disc element 244 arranged perpendicular thereto. The elongated slot of the connector member 260 can receive the tie disc element 244 via elongated slot entries 246, 247, and retains the tie disc element 244 and restraint member 240 in place, resisting axial pull out forces, by virtue of side flanges 261, 262. Seat flange 242 is provided substantially perpendicular to the tie disc element 244. As such, the seat flange 242 provides a seat portion which can be received on a block or brick course so as to rest or be affixed thereon in its own right ready for use and/or be built in with further block or brick courses. A return flange (not shown) may be provided substantially parallel to the tie disc element 244.

Here, again, the restraint strap assembly apparatus 210 according to the present invention provides for considerable tolerances when separate parts of the assembly are installed by separate trades at separate times. Lateral tolerance is provided by the elongated slot of the connector member 260, the combination of the tie disc element 244 and rotatable elongated slot of the connector member 260 provides for vertical tolerance, and the tie disc element 244 and rotatable elongated slot of the connector member 260 provides for rotation of the elongate strap member 220, and all without any compromise to the axial load capacity of the restraint strap assembly apparatus 210.

Referring next to Figure 10, there is shown an alternative form of elongate strap member 320 for use in the restraining strap assembly apparatus 10; 110; 210 according to the present invention. The elongate strap member 320 is formed from sheet metal material of 1.5mm thickness and about 26mm width, with a plurality of spaced apart pairs of side flanges 322 and top flanges 324 provided by bending along the length of the elongate strap member 320. The )SS. . sheet thickness is with advantage less than 2.5mm, preferably less than 2mm and may be less than 1.5mm. The plurality of spaced apart pairs of side flanges 322 and top flanges 324 along the length of the elongate strap member 320 define truss receiving apertures 340. This has the advantage of enveloping the -10 -trusses and avoiding the need for noggins. The elongate strap member 320 is additionally provided with one con nectabte end 326 deformed by cutting and appropriate bending to form a downstand.

Whilst reference herein is made to the terms vertical, horizontal, lateral, longitudinal axis, etc., this does not infer any strict position, but simply the relative position or orientation of features or other things with reference to the apparatus.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. In addition, all of the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Accordingly, while many different embodiments of the present invention have been described above, any one or more or all of the features described, illustrated and/or claimed in the appended claims may be used in isolation or in various combinations in any embodiment.

For the avoidance of doubt, any one or more of the features of any embodiment may be combined and/or used separately in a different embodiment with any other feature or features from any of the embodiments.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, these are by way of example only and non-limiting. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternatives are possible within the ambit of the invention. As such, the true scope of the invention is that as set out in the appended claims. * 30 ** * . * *o* S. * * S S S *S

Claims

-11 -CLAIMS1. A restraining strap assembly comprising: an elongate strap member extending in a longitudinal axis and adapted to be secured in use along its length to a first structural member such as a joist, beam, roof truss or the like; a restraint member adapted to be secured in use to a second structural member such as a block or brick wall or the like; and a connecting member adapted to secure in use the elongate strap member to the restraint member, wherein: the restraining strap assembly provides for lateral, rotational and/or vertical spacing connection of the longitudinal axis of the elongate strap member relative to the centre of the restraint member.
2. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate strap member comprises the connecting member.
3. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the restraint member comprises the connecting member.
4. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the connecting member connects to the restraint member by way of a portion of the connecting member being received in and retained behind a slot provided in the restraint member.
5. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portion of the connecting member received in and retained behind the slot provided in the restraint member connecting member is rotatable relative thereto. S...S
6. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connecting member connects to the restraint member and or *5 S S * S I ** -12 -elongate strap member by way of apertures and projections inter engageably connectable and disconnectable from one another.
7. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the elongate strap member and restraint member are formed from sheet material by cutting and pushing out material from the sheet material.
8. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate strap member is made from sheet material no more than 2mm thick.
9. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate strap member is made from sheet material no more than 1.5mm thick.
10. A restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the restraint member is made from sheet material no more than 2.5mm thick.
11. Use in a building or other construction of a restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate strap member is fixed to a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like and the restraint member bears on or inbetween courses of a block or brick wall.
12. Use in a building or other construction of a restraining strap assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the block or brick wall is a gable wall. I...
13. A method of tying a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like to a block or brick wall or the like using the restraining strap assembly as claimed in any one of claims Ito 10.II III

-13 -
14. A method of tying a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like to a block or brick wall or the like as claimed in claim 12, the method comprising the steps of: securing the elongate strap member to a first structural member such as a joist, beam, roof truss or the like; securing the restraint member to a second structural member such as a block or brick wall or the like; and tying the elongate strap member to the restraint member using the connecting member.
15. A restraining strap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
16. Use of a restraining strap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of tying a beam, joist, or roof truss or the like to a block or brick wall or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings. S... * * *5** ** S5**S * . * . * *.* *. * * * . S S.