GB2503970A

GB2503970A - Bracket mounting pad

Info

Publication number: GB2503970A
Application number: GB1307070.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Michael Stanley
Original assignee: THREEWAY PRESSING Ltd
Current assignee: THREEWAY PRESSING Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-18
Filing date: 2013-04-18
Publication date: 2014-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-18
Also published as: GB201206807D0; GB201307070D0; GB201208966D0; GB2503970B

Abstract

A mounting means (2) for a bracket (20) is provided. The mounting means (2) is comprised of a flexible material having a first and second face (4, 5). The body of the mounting means (2) is between the first and second faces (4, 5) and the first face (4) includes at least one protrusion (8, 10) suitable for insertion through a mounting aperture (24, 26) in the bracket (20), said protrusion (6, 8) being upstanding from the first face (4). The second face (5) is substantially plain, and the or each protrusion (8, 10) defines a discontinuity (12, 14) within the protrusion (8, 10) that is suitable for the insertion the tip of a drill screw (30, 32). The pad may be contoured to match the mounting surface of the bracket and may have a thinned centre section between the mounting protrusions.

Description

CLADDING SYSTEMS

This invention relates to cladding systems for buildings and in particular to brackets for use in such systems and the fixing of such brackets to the building or an element ofthe building.

When using metallic cladding systems for buildings and the like it is known to use brackets for holding construction elements such as purlins away from the surface or an element of the building being clad. The brackets are generally fixed to the io building or an element of the building by at least one drill screw (sometimes known as a stitcher) or the like, hereafter collectively referred to as drill screws. An advantage of using drill screws is that it avoids the need to pre drill holes before presenting the bracket to the surface of the building or the element to which it is to be fixed.

The brackets are optimally attached to the surface of the building or element to which it is to be fixed by at least two drill screws, and most preferably the screws are, when being screwed into the building, orientated relative to each other so that their central axes are at an angle to each other, for example at angle in the range of 200 to 30°.

According to the present invention there is provided a mounting means for a bracket in which the mounting means is comprised of a flexible material having a first and second face, the body of the mounting means being between the first and second faces, the first face including at least one protrusion suitable for insertion through a mounting aperture in a bracket, said protrusion being upstanding from the first face, the second face is substantially plain, and the or each protrusion defines a discontinuity within the protrusion that is suitable for the insertion the tip of a drill screw.

The mounting means according to the present invention is suitable for holding the required number of drill screws or the like in the position required for use, and to optimise the seating of the bracket on the surface to which it is to be attached.

Known brackets are generally formed from pressed or rolled sheet metal and include 1.

a foot and a leg. The foot is adapted to be attached to a building or a building element and includes a number, often two, of mounting apertures through which the shaft of the drill screws pass when fixing the bracket to the building or building element. The head of the drill screw clamps the foot of the bracket to the surface of s the building or building element. Frequently both the foot and the leg include one or more corrugations or the like to improve their stiffness and resistance to bending.

The mounting means is preferably comprised of a flexible material formed into a shape that conforms to the shape of the face of the bracket adapted to engage with or abut the surface to which the bracket is to be attached and the surface to which the bracket is to be attached.

The mounting means preferably includes a number of upstanding protrusions configured and dimensioned so as to extend through the mounting apertures in the is bracket through which the drill screws or the like are intended to pass. In one preferred embodiment, the sides of each protrusion upstanding from the first face extend substantially perpendicularly from the portion of the surface of the first face that is adjacent to that protrusion.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each upstanding protrusion is substantially cylindrical and the axis of the cylinder extends substantially perpendicularly from the portion of the surface of the first face that is adjacent to that protrusion.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, there are more than one protrusions on the first face and the axes of the cylindrical protrusions are at an angle to each other when the mounting means is in an un flexed or deformed state.

In alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention the mounting means may be flexed or deformed so that when there are more than one protrusions on the first face the axes of the cylindrical protrusions are at an angle to each other.

The mounting means is most preferably of an elastically deformable material both to allow it to deform around any unevenness in the surfaces of the bracket or the surface to which the bracket is to be attached and so that when the apertures through which the fasteners are intended to pass are angled to each other deformation of the mounting means will allow upstanding protrusions of the mounting means to be simultaneously, or sequentially, introduced into those apertures.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the upstanding s protrusions are so dimensioned that insertion of the upstanding protrusions into the mounting apertures in the brackets causes compression of the upstanding portions which is elastically resisted by the material. This has the beneficial effect that the upstanding protrusions are held in the mounting apertures and hence holding the mounting means in the desired position relative to the bracket.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention the upstanding protrusions each include a discontinuity which may be in the form of a hole, hollow, or at least one cut or slit which allows for easy insertion of the end of a drill screw into the upstanding protrusion. The or each discontinuity, hole, hollow, slit or cut is preferably located or opens on the part of the protrusion remote from the first face of the mounting means. Most preferably the or each discontinuity, hole, hollow, slit or cut is aligned so that it extends in substantially the same direction that it is intended the drill screw is o be orientated when the mounting means is in use.

Most preferably, insertion of the end of the drill screw into the or each or each hole, hollow, slit or cut will elastically deform the material of the protrusion causing that material to grip the end of the drill screw. This has the particular benefit that a drill screw or the like may be partially inserted into each upstanding protrusion of the mounting means prior to transport of the bracket to the point of attachment on the building. Once the bracket is transported to the desired point of attachment on the building all the operative needs to do is use a driving means to drive the or each drill screw into fixed engagement with the surface of the building or a building element.

A particular benefit of the present invention is the fact that because the mounting means is elastically deformable any knocking of the drill screws during transport of the combined bracket, mounting means and drill screws will not cause damage to drill screws, mounting means or the bracket but will simply cause a little elastic deformation of the mounting means which will, once the impact on the fixing means has ended, elastically reverse.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the mounting means further comprises a thinned portion extending longitudinally between a first and second edge of the mounting means, and the thinning being in the direction between the first s and second faces. That is to say, there is a portion of the mounting means where the distance between the first and second faces of the mounting means is less than for the rest of the mounting means. The thinned portion can be a narrow notch or a wider thinned portion. The presence of a thinned portion may make it easier for a user of the mounting means to flex the mounting means and / or assist in the manufacturing of the mounting means. It may assist the manufacturing of the mounting means because it allows the mounting means to be manufactured in a mould where all the protrusions from the first face protrude in the same direction.

Once the mounting means is removed from the mould, it can then be easily flexed to the shape required to fully engage with the foot of the bracket.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thinned portion is substantially linear, passes between two protrusions, and the longitudinal direction of the thinned portion is substantially perpendicular to a line between the centres of the protrusions.

The mounting means is most preferably made from any form of mouldable elastic material such as a synthetic rubber or other material which is elastically deformable.

It is most preferred that the mounting means is made from a material that will thermally insulate the bracket from the surface to which the bracket is to be attached.

Such a material may be, for example, a silicone rubber. This has the advantage that it removes the need for a separate piece of thermally insulating material to be fixed to the portion of the bracket that will engage with or abut the surface or element to which the bracket is to be fixed as is currently required.

It is further preferred that the mounting means is made from a material that is flame retardant.

The present invention will be further described and explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a mounting means according to the present invention; s Figure 2 shows a side view of the mounting means of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view of a bracket system including the mounting means of Figure 1; and io Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of part of the bracket system of Figure 3.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a mounting means (2) is comprised of a first face (4) and a second face (5). A first and second protrusion (8 and 10 respectively) protrude out of the first face (4). Each of the first and second protrusions (S and 10) is protrude out of the first face (4) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the portions (4A and 4B respectively) of the first face (4) adjacent to the protrusions.

The second face (5) is substantially plain.

The mounting means (2) is dimensioned in the plane of the second face (5) to substantially match the dimensions of a foot (22) (illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) of a bracket (20). The mounting means (2) is formed from a silicone rubber and is elastomeric.

Each of the first and second protrusions (Sand 10) include a discontinuity (12 and 14 respectively) in the form of a conical hole extending from the face of the discontinuity remote from the second face (5) to the second face (5). The discontinuities (12 and 14) could, in other embodiments, have other forms such as parallel sided holes, slits or cuts. The axes of the discontinuities (12 and 14) are orientated to be at an angle to each other.

The discontinuities (12 and 14) are dimensioned and adapted to allow the tip of a drill screw to be inserted into the discontinuity. The flexible, elastic nature of the material of the mounting means causes the material of the protrusions to grip the tip of the drill screw once inserted into the discontinuity.

With reference to Figure 4, the discontinuities (12 and 14) are so positioned on the first face of the mounting means (2) that they may be inserted through the mounting apertures (24 and 26) in the foot (22) of the bracket (20). It may be seen that the s first face (4) of the mounting means (2) is contoured to substantially match the contours of the foot (22) of the bracket (20). This ensures that there is a good seating of the foot (22) on the mounting means (2). The first and second protrusions (8 and 10) are dimensioned so that although they can pass through the mounting apertures (24 and 26) they are compressed a little to do so. This has the effect that the elastic nature of the material of the first and second protrusions (8 and 10) causes the outside of the first and second protrusions (Band 10) to push against the parts of the foot (22) defining the mounting apertures (24 and 26) so holding the first and second protrusions (8 and 10) in place in the mounting apertures (24 and 26).

is It may be necessary to flex the mounting means (2) to allow the first and second protrusions (8 and 10) to be passed through the mounting apertures (24 and 26).

The elastic nature of the mounting means (2) ensures that this does not damage the mounting means (2). In embodiments where there is a thinning in a portion of the mounting means (2) the flexure of the mounting means (2) is even easier.

To prepare the bracket (20) for use the mounting means (2) is brought into engagement with the foot (22) of the bracket (20) as described above. The tips (34 and 36) of the drill screws (30 and 32) are introduced into the discontinuities (12 and 14) of the first and second protrusions (8 and 10)so that the tips (34 and 36) are gripped by the material of the first and second protrusions (8 and 10). This can take place at a place of manufacture of the bracket (20) and br the mounting means (2).

Alternatively the bracket (20) can be prepared for use on the site it is to be used. It is not, however, at all necessary to prepare the bracket (20) for use adjacent the location it is to be used. This is advantageous because the bracket may be intended to be used in a position where access is difficult and preparation of the bracket (20) may not be easy. The elastic nature of the grip of the tips (34 and 36) by the material of the first and second protrusions (8 and 10) means that the bracket (20) can be transported ready for use without the danger of the drill screws (30 and 32) being damaged by little knocks or displaced from engagement with the first and second protrusions (Band 10).

Claims

CLAIMS1 A mounting means for a bracket in which the mounting means is comprised of a flexible material having a first and second face, the body of the mounting means s being between the first and second faces, the first face including at least one protrusion suitable for insertion through a mounting aperture in a bracket, said protrusion being upstanding from the first face, the second face is substantially plain, and the or each protrusion defines a discontinuity within the protrusion that is suitable for the insertion the tip of a drill screw.

2 A mounting means according to claim 1 in which there are two protrusions upstanding from the first face.

3 A mounting means according to claim 1 or 2 in which the first face of the is mounting means is contoured to substantially match the contours of the part of the bracket adapted to abut the mounting means.

4 A mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the sides of each protrusion upstanding from the first face extend substantially perpendicularly from the portion of the surface of the first face that is adjacent to that protrusion.

A mounting means according to any of claims ito 3 in which each upstanding protrusion is substantially cylindrical and the axis of the cylinder extends substantially perpendicularly from the portion of the surface of the first face that is adjacent to that protrusion.

6 A mounting means according to claim 5 in which there are more than one protrusion on the first face and the axes of the cylindrical protrusions are at an angle to each other.

7 A mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the discontinuity is one or more slits in the material of the upstanding protrusion.

S A mounting means according to any of claims ito 6 in which the discontinuity is a hole in the material of the upstanding protrusion.

9 A mounting means according to any of claims I to S in which the discontinuity s within each protrusion is adapted to grip the tip of a drill screw once inserted therein.

A mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which the mounting means further comprises a thinned portion extending longitudinally between a first and second edge of the mounting means, and the thinning being in the direction between the first and second faces.

Ii A mounting means according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 9 when dependent on claim 2 in which the thinned portion is substantially linear, passes between the upstanding protrusions, and the longitudinal is direction of the thinned portion is substantially perpendicular to a line between the centres of the upstanding protrusions.

12 A mounting means according to any of claims ito ii in which the mounting means is of an artificial rubber material.

13 A mounting means according to any of claims ito ii in which the mounting means is of a silicon rubber.

14 A mounting means according to any of claims ito i3 in which the mounting means is of a flame retardant material.

A bracket system suitable for use in the cladding system for a building comprising a bracket which includes one or more mounting apertures, a mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 14 which is dimensioned and configured so that the location and spacing of the protrusions on the first face of the mounting means matches the location and spacing of the mounting apertures of the bracket; and a number of drill screws matching the number of mounting apertures.

16 A bracket system according to claim 15 in which the protrusions of the mounting means extend through the mounting apertures and a drill screw is introduced into the discontinuity in each protrusion from the side of the mounting bracket remote from the mounting means.

17 Use of a mounting means according to any of claims ito 14 comprising the steps of (i) Taking a mounting bracket which includes one or more mounting apertures and a mounting means according to any of claims 1 to 14 which is dimensioned and io configured so that the location and spacing of the protrusions on the first face of the mounting means matches the location and spacing of the mounting apertures of the bracket; (ii) Flexing a mounting means and introducing each protrusion into its designated mounting aperture; as (iii) introducing the tip of a drill screw into the discontinuity in each protrusion from the side of the bracket remote from the mounting means; (iv) Presentation of the combined bracket, mounting means and drill screw(s) to the location where the bracket is to be fixed; (v) Fixation of the bracket to the building or building element to which it is to be fixed by driving of drill screws.

18 Use of a mounting means according to claim 17 in which steps (i)to (iii) are performed at a different location to steps (iv) and (V).