GB2590983A - Support for a beam - Google Patents

Abstract

The support comprises a chassis 104 including a base for engaging a mounting surface. A collar 106 is movably mounted to the chassis. A member 108 is mounted to the collar which may include a portion for receiving a fastener 107 that secures the member to a beam. The chassis may define a recess which receives the beam. The support may have an angled base. The base may also include deformable tabs configured to align the support relative to the mounting surface. The support might include a second chassis portion. Also claimed is a support assembly with a beam and the support assembly is for a roof.

Description

Support for a beam The present invention relates to a support, a support assembly and a roof assembly.

It is known to provide structures, such as those forming part of a roof assembly, at an angle. By providing the structure at an angle, the structure may be said to be inclined. It is desirable to provide such structures at an incline to avoid, for example, water pooling. It is also known that such inclined structures may be supported by a generally flat supporting structure. That is to say, an inclined structure may be provided above, or rest upon, a generally flat supporting structure. It is desirable that the supporting structure be flat such that, when used in a roofing structure or assembly for example, an internal ceiling can be mounted thereto and can also be generally flat.

In order to achieve the aforementioned incline relative to a flat supporting structure, two existing methods are: the use of timber firings, and tapered insulation.

For the use of timber firings, timber lengths are cut into a wedge shape to which the structure which is to be inclined is attached. This requires long lengths of timber and accurate cuts, and can therefore be time consuming and inaccurate.

Alternatively, tapered insulation can be used in which an incline is formed by the thickness of the insulation. However, this is both expensive and lacks versatility in that the insulation needs to be pre-ordered.

There exists a need to overcome the disadvantages, whether mentioned in this document or otherwise, associated with existing methods.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support for a beam, the support comprising: a chassis, the chassis comprising a base configured to engage a mounting surface; a collar movably mounted to the chassis; and at least one member mounted to the collar and engageable with the beam.

The support may otherwise be referred to as a mount, or a positioning device. The support may be made of plastic.

The beam may be an elongate beam. The beam may be a rafter. The beam may be a batten. The beam may be a single beam. The beam may comprise a plurality of beams disposed adjacent one another. Where the beam comprises a plurality of beams, the beams may be disposed adjacent to one another in an end-to-end manner. The beam may form part of a roof structure or assembly. The beam may be a wooden beam. The beam may be referred to as a supported beam. The beam cross-sectional area may extend along an elongate length. The cross-sectional area may be approximately 44 mm by 44 mm. The beam may have a rectangular cross-section. The beam may have a square cross-section.

The chassis may be referred to as a body, or structure. The chassis may be generally cylindrical, or tube-like. The chassis may be said to be shell-like. The chassis may generally extend along an axis. An exterior of the chassis may comprise a screw thread. The screw thread may have a pitch of around 4mm. The collar may threadably engage the exterior of the chassis, specifically the screw thread thereof. A portion of the exterior of the chassis may not incorporate the screw thread. The chassis may be of a monolithic structure. In other words, the chassis may be a single component.

Alternatively, the chassis may be formed of a plurality of different portions, or units.

The screw thread may have a profile which generally resembles a saw tooth in section. Each "tooth" of the profile may, when viewed in section, have a horizontal portion and an angled portion. The horizontal portion may be disposed at an upper end of the tooth. The angled portion may be disposed at a lower end of the tooth. The angled portion may be angled towards a centre of the support, moving away from the horizontal portion. A vertical portion may interpose the horizontal and angled portions. Advantageously, the horizontal portion being at the upper end of the tooth reduces the risk that a downward force, when applied to the collar, would otherwise tend to urge the chassis inwards (i.e. deforming the chassis). Such inwards deformation could lead to the collar disengaging from the chassis, by virtue of disengagement of the respective threads, reducing the structural robustness of the support. Put another way, the collar could slide over the chassis upon application of a downward force if the upper end of the tooth was angled in a downwards direction. This can also be described as the horizontal portion being a contact, or engagement, surface of the tooth which contacts, or engages, a corresponding surface of a meshed tooth. That is to say, where the horizontal portion of the tooth is the contact surface, in comparison to the angled portion being the engagement surface, the support is able to more robustly transmit downward forces through the collar (such as the weight of a supported beam resting thereon).

The base of the chassis may be generally flat. The base may abut the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be a beam, such as a rafter. The mounting surface may be flat. Where the mounting surface is a beam, the beam may be referred to as a supporting beam. The supporting beam may be collinear with the supported beam. That is to say, both beams may be substantially aligned with one another such that they extend in substantially the same direction. Alternatively, the supported beam may be disposed at an angle, for example ±45°, relative to the supporting beam.

The collar may be referred to as an adjustable collar. The collar may be axially movable along a height of the chassis. The collar may be axially movable along the axis about which the chassis extends. This may be achieved by a screw thread. Rotation of the collar may therefore provide the axial, or height, adjustment of the collar relative to the chassis. The collar may comprise a screw thread. The screw thread may be disposed on a chassis-facing portion of the collar. The collar may surround, or encircle, the chassis.

The collar may be a ring. In other words, the collar may be a closed geometry, or a loop. The collar may be formed of a single, solid body, or may be formed of a plurality of interacting parts. The collar may be gear-like, having a number of circumferentially distributed projections. The collar may be circular. The collar may be configured to, in use, support the beam. That is to say, the beam may rest upon, engage or abut the collar or, more specifically, a surface thereof.

The member may be movably mounted to the collar. The member may be fixedly mounted to the collar. The member may be snap-fitted to the collar. The member may be referred to as a clip, or engagement feature. The member may be referred to as a wing. The member may be movably mounted to the collar such that the member can move along, or around, the collar. Where the collar is substantially round, the member may be able to move around all, or a part of, a circumference of the collar. Where the member is movably mounted to the collar, which is, in turn, movably mounted to the chassis, the member, may also be said to be movably mounted to the chassis. Before the beam is located in situ, it may be possible to adjust the axial position of both the member and the collar by adjusting the axial position of the collar. That is to say, the axial position, or height, of the member may be determined by the axial position, or height, of the collar. The member engageable with the beam may otherwise be described as the member being configured to engage the beam.

Where the member is movably mounted to the collar, the axial position of the collar can be adjusted whilst the supported beam is in situ (and thus engaged by the member). The position of the supported beam can therefore be adjusted with the supported beam engaged by the support, specifically the member thereof.

The member may be flush with, or abut, a face of the beam in use. The member may be configured to engage, or abut, the beam. The member may be secured to the beam. The member may be secured to the beam by a fastener, or adhesive of some variety. Advantageously by securing the member to the beam, the beam, or structure of which it forms part, is better protected against damage resulting from uplift (e.g. forces acting in a generally upward direction). This is particularly the case where the support forms part of a roof assembly, and where wind could otherwise lift the beam from the support and thus damage the assembly. Upward is intended to mean a direction which the supported beam would have to be lifted in to disengage the supported beam from the support.

As mentioned above, securing the member to the beam may facilitate the beam being secured against forces acting in a generally upward direction, such as forces exerted by wind. Resting the beam on the collar may facilitate the beam in transmitting forces in a generally downward direction, such as forces generated by a mass of a roof assembly, access loads, or snow. Resting the beam on the collar may otherwise be referred to as the beam abutting the collar, or being placed thereon.

Each of the chassis, collar and member may be manufactured from plastic. The plastic may be a thermoplastic. Each of the chassis, collar and member may be manufactured by an injection moulding process, which could be using a thermoplastic. Specific plastics which could be used to manufacture one or more of the chassis, collar and member include Talc Filled Polypropylene (30%TFPP), glass-filled PP or any other engineering plastic, such as Polyamide (PA) or Polycarbonate (PC). Alternatively, one or more of the chassis, collar and member may be manufactured from a metal, such as aluminium or zinc. This may be by a die casting process.

The support may have approximate dimensions of around 130 mm in diameter by around 60 mm in height. The support may be around 63 mm in height. The collar may have an outer diameter of around 125 mm. It will be appreciated that the above-mentioned heights refer to the collar being in a vertical position such that the member does not project beyond the end of the chassis. Where the member does project beyond the end of the chassis, the height of the support may be greater than the around 60 mm height specified above. Furthermore, the above dimensions generally reflect the height of a support where the chassis comprises only one chassis portion. It will be appreciated that where the chassis comprises a plurality of chassis portions, the support height may be greater than around 60 mm, such as, for example, around 120 mm.

The support advantageously allows the beam to be elevated and/or orientated simply and accurately. This is particularly desirable where the support is one support of a number of supports in an array, such as in a roofing structure or assembly. By providing adjustment of the support, the same design of support can be used in a range of applications where the dimensions of the support may need to be varied. The same design of support can also be used in, for example, the creation of a sloping, or slanted, roofing structure (where a range of supports may otherwise be required to support the inclination of the beam(s)). The support may also not require any tools to be assembled, instead utilising threaded and snap-fit components. By having the collar, and so member, movably mounted, the support can be used with a range of different beam geometries and/or dimensions.

It may be desirable to elevate the supported beam relative to the supporting beam so as to reduce the pooling of water, particularly where used in a roof assembly. It may be desirable to keep the mounting surface flat because, where used in a roof assembly, an internal ceiling may be suspended from, or attached to, the mounting surface, and it may be desirable that the internal ceiling be flat.

The at least one member may comprise a member aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the member to the beam.

The aperture may form part of a boss. The boss may also be configured to receive a fastener therethrough. The boss may be disposed on a side of the member which is not in facing relations with the beam. This may enable the member to engage the beam to a greater extent (e.g. by allowing the facing surface to be generally flat and so contact more of the beam).

The fastener is a simple means of securing the member to the beam. Any tools needed to install the fastener would be available to the installer by virtue of the fastener being a frequently used means of securing two objects together.

The at least one member may comprise an engagement portion.

The engagement portion may comprise a flat, or generally flat, surface. Where the member comprises an aperture for receipt of a fastener, the aperture may be provided in, or through, the engagement portion.

The engagement portion may comprise an engagement face which is tapered such that engagement of the at least one member, specifically the engagement face thereof, with the beam substantially prevents movement of the collar. The engagement face, or at least a portion thereof, may taper at an angle 0°. The angle 8° may be at least around 1°, at least around 2°, at least around 5° and/or at least around 10°. In one embodiment, the angle 8° may be between around 1° and around 3°. For example, the angle 0° may be around 2°. In other embodiments, angle 0° may be between around 1° and around 30°, 20°, 15°, 10° or 5°, to name just some example ranges.

The engagement face being tapered may otherwise be expressed as the engagement face sloping, or being provided at an angle. When viewed side-on, the engagement portion may have a thickness which reduces from a lower part towards an upper part. The engagement face may therefore have a generally triangular geometry. By providing such a geometry, engagement of the engagement face with the beam may draw, or pull, the member towards the beam. Owing to the tapering nature of the engagement face, the lower part of the engagement portion may contact the beam before the upper part of the engagement portion. The upper part of the engagement portion may therefore pivot, or deflect, towards the beam. Such pivoting may lead to the member interfering with the collar. It may therefore be this pivoting, or deflection, which means the member substantially prevents the collar from moving. The member, when secured to the beam, can therefore be said to lock out the rotation of the collar, or constrain the arrangement.

The angle 0° may be sufficiently large that, upon the upper part of the engagement portion pivoting, the member interferes with the collar to substantially prevent relative rotation between the member and the collar. As mentioned above, this interference may substantially lock the collar in position relative to the chassis. It will be appreciated that the size of the angle e° may be selected in view of the relative sizes of the member and/or collar and/or beam.

Preventing movement of the collar is desirable because, once the beam is secured in position, the support should not move. This should be independent of external influences such as, for example, vibration. By having the member constrain the assembly, the support should remain in the desired position despite such external influences.

The at least one member may comprise an alignment portion.

The alignment portion may be adjacent the engagement portion. The alignment portion may constrain the member about the collar. The alignment portion may be generally U-shaped. That is to say, the alignment portion may generally surround the collar, except for on one, open, side of the alignment portion.

The engagement portion may extend generally perpendicularly from the alignment portion. The alignment portion may extend generally horizontally. The engagement portion may extend generally vertically.

The alignment portion may engage a track defined by the collar.

The track may be of the form of one or more recesses. The track may be defined by two annular recesses, each on an opposing side of the collar.

The track may be engaged by a pair of projections which protrude from the alignment portion. This may allow the member to be clipped, or placed, over the collar.

The at least one member may comprise a plurality of members.

The plurality of members may be a pair of members. In use, the members may oppose one another. That is to say, the members may be disposed on generally opposing sides of the collar. Any features described above or below in connection with the at least one member are equally applicable to the second member of the plurality of members.

Having a plurality of members is also advantageous because the supported beam may comprise two beams which meet, end-to-end, within the boundary of the support. Each of the plurality of members can therefore be secured to one of the two beams, ensuring both beams are secured to the support.

The plurality of members may be offset from one another and engageable with different faces of the beam.

The plurality of members may be circumferentially offset from one another. That is to say, the members may occupy different, and generally opposing, arcuate portions of the collar. The members may engage opposing sides of the beam. That is to say, where the beam has a square cross-section, the two upright sides may be engaged by a respective member.

By engaging different faces of the beam, the plurality of members more robustly anchor the beam to the support.

The chassis may comprise at least one recess in which the beam is receivable.

The at least one recess may be generally rectangular or square. VVhere the chassis is tube-like or generally cylindrical, the recess may be at least partly arcuate (e.g. the geometry left if a square was milled from the chassis).

The chassis may comprise a plurality of recesses. The chassis may comprise a pair of recesses. Each of the pair of recesses may be disposed diametrically opposite one another. The beam may therefore be at least partly received in both recesses (and such that the beam is constrained therein).

The recess may define one or more sidewalls. Where the chassis is generally cylindrical, the recess may define one or more arcuate sidewalls. Where a pair of recesses are present, the recesses may define a pair of arcuate sidewalls. The recesses and/or sidewalls may oppose one another.

The beam may be entirely received in the at least one recess i.e. such that a top face of the beam lies beneath a plane defined by an uppermost surface of the chassis. Alternatively, the beam may be partially received within the at least one recess i.e. such that the beam abuts at least part of the at least one recess but still projects above the plane defined by the uppermost surface of the chassis.

By providing at least one recess in which the beam is receivable, the beam can be more robustly constrained by the support. Furthermore, the receipt of the beam in the at least one recess may allow the beam to be more easily aligned with the support before the member(s) engage the beam. The at least one recess may therefore provide an advantageous alignment functionality.

The at least one member may be rotationally constrained within the at least one recess The member may be rotationally constrained such that the member cannot be moved to a circumferential position which lies outside of an arc defined by the recess. Where the recess defines one or more arcuate sidewalls, it may be abutment of the at least one member with the sidewall which rotationally constrains the at least one member.

Such constraint advantageously means that the at least one member is constrained to a range of positions in which it can engage the beam. It may be the at least one recess of the chassis which constrains the at least one member.

The base may comprise an aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the support to the mounting surface.

The aperture may form part of a boss. The boss may project from an upper surface of the base.

By securing the support to the mounting surface using a fastener, the support, and beam, may be better protected against forces acting in a generally upward direction (i.e. uplift forces such as those exerted by, for example, the wind). By having the boss extend from the upper surface of the base, a lower surface of the base may be flat, or substantially flat, so as to more robustly engage the mounting surface.

The base may be angled.

The base being angled is intended to mean that a plane defined by a lower surface of the base (e.g. a surface of the base which rests upon the mounting surface) is not normal to the axis along which the support (specifically chassis thereof) generally extends. In other words, if the support is placed on a flat mounting surface, the support does not extend upwards in a direction which is absolutely perpendicular to that flat mounting surface. Instead, the support extends at a slight angle of inclination.

Such an arrangement is advantageous where the support forms part of a roofing structure, or assembly, in which the roof is to be angled. The angle at which roof beams should be provided can be achieved using the angled base, reducing the complexity and time required for installation.

The angle at which the base is provided may be around 1 in 80 fall every 3.5m, or around 0.7°, to the horizontal. The angle at which the base is provided may be at least the aforementioned values. Advantageously, the angle of the base may be around 1 in 60 fall every 3.5m, or around 1° to the horizontal. This may allow for deflection of one or more of the supporting beam and the supported beam.

The chassis may comprise a primary indicator to identify the direction in which the base is angled.

The primary indicator may identify the direction of the slope of the base by being collinear with the slope of the base. For example, the primary indicator may be an arrow. The arrow may point in the direction in which the base slopes. That is to say, the support may be angled in the direction in which the arrow points.

The primary indicator may be a sticker or label of some variety. The primary indicator is may be an aperture, or cut-out, which has a particular shape. The primary indicator may be an arrow-shaped aperture. Where the primary indicator has a directional indication, such as an arrow, the primary indicator may point in a direction in which the base is inclined or declined. For example, an arrowhead of the arrow may be disposed at a greater height than a tail end of the arrow, owing to the arrow pointing in a direction in which the support is inclined. Alternatively, the arrow may be pointed in a direction in which the support is declined. A single primary indicator may be provided on the chassis. That is to say, there may only be one primary indicator.

The direction in which the base is angled may be referred to as a direction in which the base slopes, or is inclined.

The primary indicator advantageously provides a straightforward and readily recognisable directional indicator which can be used to identify which direction the support is angled in. This enables the swift and comparatively more straightforward assembly of inclined structures, such as a roof structure or assembly.

The primary indicator may indicate a direction in which the beam extends in use. As such, where the beam and mounting surface are generally collinear (e.g. where the mounting surface is a supporting beam which extends in the same direction as the supported beam) the primary indicator can be readily aligned with the supporting beam to position the support. This can facilitate the installation of the support where both beams are generally aligned with each other.

The primary indicator may be referred to as a slope, or incline, indicator or directional aid. The primary indicator is an example of a visual installation aid.

The primary indicator may be disposed on an upper side of the base.

The upper side of the base may be a side of the base which opposes that which engages the mounting surface. The upper side of the base may, in use, be visible.

The primary indicator being provided on the upper side of the base advantageously allows an installer to see the direction in which the base is angled when the support is being positioned. This facilitates the more straightforward installation of an inclined structure, such as a roof assembly.

The chassis may comprise two secondary indicators, disposed at ±45° relative to the primary indicator.

The two secondary indicators being disposed at ±45° is intended to mean that both of the secondary indicators are provided at 450 to the primary indicator, but one is provided at a clockwise angle whilst the other is at an anti-clockwise angle. In other words, the secondary indicators could be said to be provided at 45° and 225° (45°+180°) to the primary indicator.

The two secondary indicators may form a pair of secondary indicators. At an opposing end of the chassis, there may be a further pair of secondary indicators. One of each of the pair of secondary indicators may be disposed at the same angle relative to the primary indicator, but at a different translational position. There may therefore be four secondary indicators provided.

Each secondary indicator may be a sticker or label of some variety. Alternatively, all secondary indicators, and/or primary indicators, may be a single sticker or label of some variety. The secondary indicators may be apertures, or cut-outs, which have a particular shape. The secondary indicators may all be the same e.g. all be cut-outs having the same dimensions. Alternatively, the secondary indicators may have different forms e.g. different varieties of indicator and/or having different dimensions.

The secondary indicators may each be a slot having rounded corners. The secondary indicators may therefore each be of the form of a rounded slot.

The secondary indicators may advantageously be used to align the support with a mounting surface, where the mounting surface is a beam, which is at ±45° to the direction in which the supported beam extends. This is particularly advantageous because aligning the supported beam to be at ±45° to the supporting beam is a desirable arrangement in some structures. Providing corresponding secondary indicators to guide such alignment therefore facilitates installation.

The base may comprise a plurality of deformable tabs configured to align the support relative to the mounting surface.

The base may comprise four deformable tabs. The tabs may be of the form of generally rectangular bodies which are secured to the base at one side of the rectangle. It may therefore be possible to deform the tabs my biasing the tabs at a free end (e.g. a non-connected end) of the rectangle. The tabs may be described as platelike. The tabs may have a relatively small thickness.

The tabs can advantageously be used to align the support with a supporting beam, where the mounting surface comprises a supporting beam. The secured ends of the tabs may be dimensioned such that a cross-section of a typical supporting beam can fit between two opposing tabs. The tabs may be provided at equidistant circumferential positions e.g. where there are four tabs, they may be provided at 90° relative to one another about the axis. The tabs may facilitate the installation, specifically alignment, of the support with/to a supporting beam which is to be aligned perpendicular, or parallel to, the supported beam. The tabs may be frangible. That is to say, the tabs may be broken off of the chassis (e.g. such that they are separated therefrom). Alternatively, the tabs may be deformed but remain part of the chassis. This is advantageous where the use of the tabs is not required e.g. in instances where the supported beam is to be aligned at ±45° to the supporting beam. Where the supported beam is to be aligned at ±45° to the supporting beam, secondary indicators, which may be in the form of cut-outs, may provide a visual guide to facilitate the alignment.

The chassis may comprise one or more clips.

The chassis may comprise a pair of clips. The pair of clips may be disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the chassis about the axis.

The one or more clips may be disposed in a non-threaded, or unthreaded, portion of the chassis. The one or more clips may extend such that a lowermost end of the clips lies in substantially the same plane as a lowermost surface of the base.

The one or more clips may be integrally formed with the chassis. That is to say, the one or more clips may form part of a monolithic structure of the chassis.

The chassis may comprise one or more openings configured to receive a clip.

The openings may be generally rectangular. The support may comprise a pair of openings. The openings may be disposed at diametrically opposite sides of the chassis.

Each opening may be configured to receive a clip. That is to say, a clip may be associated with a corresponding opening in which the clip is receivable.

Provision of the one or more openings configured to receive a clip gives rise to the possibility of stacking multiple chassis portions on top of one another to define the overall chassis. This is desirable because a single design of chassis portion can be used, and then stacked, to support an inclined structure in which supported beams are provided at a range of heights relative to the mounting surface. The use of clips and openings to achieve, and secure, the stacking also represents a simple and tool-free means of securing the stacked portions in position. In other words, the use of clips and openings can be used to provide supports at a range of heights (e.g. a range of distances between the mounting surface and the supported beam).

The chassis may comprise a first chassis portion and a second chassis portion, the first chassis portion being mounted on the second chassis portion.

The first chassis portion being mounted on the second chassis portion may be referred to as the first chassis portion being stacked upon, or provided on and adjacent to, the second chassis portion.

As mentioned above, the stacking of a plurality of chassis portions enables the chassis portions to be mounted upon one another. This allows the overall height of the support, and so the height at which the supported beam can be supported, to be increased. This allows the same design of chassis portion to be used to support structures disposed at a range of heights, such as in a sloping roof. For example, only one chassis portion may be needed at a lower end of supported beam, whilst at an upper end of the supported beam two or three, or more, chassis portions may be stacked upon one another to achieve the necessary height at which the supported beam may be supported. The ability to stack chassis portions therefore increases the versatility of the support.

Where the chassis comprises a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions may comprise an external thread. The external threads may align with one another so as to form a substantially continuous screw thread. It may be this alignment which facilitates the collar spanning both first and second chassis portions. This may occur when the collar is in a lowermost position.

One or more clips of the first chassis portion may be received by a corresponding one or more openings of the second chassis portion.

The clips being received in the openings can secure the chassis portions when in a stacked configuration. This can also be achieved without using tools. Furthermore, the securing may be reversible e.g. it may be possible to subsequently detach the chassis portions from one another.

The collar may be a first collar, and the support may further comprise a second collar, the second collar being movably mounted to the second chassis portion.

The second collar may be substantially identical to the first collar. The second collar may not have one or more members mounted thereto.

The first collar may be movably mounted to the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion. The first collar may straddle both first and second chassis portions when the first collar is in a lowermost position (e.g. in closest proximity to the base).

The second collar may provide a reinforcing functionality. The second collar may be used to ensure the first chassis portion is secured to the second chassis portion. This may be particularly advantageous where the chassis portions comprises a recess which can allow an end, which opposes the base, to deform (e.g. to open up so as to facilitate the insertion of an adjacent chassis portion therein). Where the first chassis portion is nested in the second chassis portion, the second collar can ensure that the non-base end of the second chassis portion cannot deform to the extent that the first chassis portion could be detached from the second chassis portion. The second collar may be referred to as a locking ring, or a compression ring.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support assembly comprising: the support according to the first aspect of the invention; the beam; and a mounting surface; wherein the beam is engaged by the at least one member, and the base engages the mounting surface.

The support provides an adjustable mounting for the beam, enabling the beam to be disposed at various heights and angles relative to the mounting surface.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a roof assembly comprising the support assembly according to the second aspect of the invention.

A roof assembly may include a roof structure, or frame, for a roof. The roof may be a roof of a building, such as a lean-to or extension. The support is particularly advantageous where the roof is an angled roof, because the support can structure the assembly of an inclined structure.

The roof may be a flat roof, particularly a flat roof with an opening for a roof lantern. In such instances, it may be desirable for the roof to slope in many directions away from the roof lantern. The support is advantageous in facilitating the sloping of the roof in a number of directions.

The various components of the support are advantageously secured to one another to protect the roof assembly from uplift forces exerted by, for example, the wind.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an angled perspective view of the support of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the support of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view of an underside of the support of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the support of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support assembly comprising a support according to a different embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a perspective section view of the support assembly of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a close-up view of part of the support assembly of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a support according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a side view of the support of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a support according to another embodiment; Figure 12 is a plan view of the support of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a side view of the support of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a side view of a support assembly comprising the support of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a side-on section view of a support assembly according to another embodiment; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the section shown in Figure 15; and Figure 17 is a close-up view of a region of interest as highlighted in Figure 16 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The support 2 comprises a chassis 4, a collar 6 and a pair of members 8, 10.

The chassis 4 comprises a base 12 which is configured to engage a mounting surface (not shown in Figure 1). The chassis 4 also comprises a pair of recesses 14, 16. The recesses 14, 16 define two arcuate sidewalls 18, 20. An external screw thread 22 is provided around a portion of an exterior of the chassis 4.

The chassis 4 further comprises two openings 24, 26. In the illustrated embodiment, one of each of the openings 24, 26 is provided in a respective arcuate sidewall 18, 20. The openings 24, 26 are configured to receive clips. The clips may form part of a different chassis portion, with a plurality of chassis portions making up the overall chassis. This will be described in more detail in connection with the later Figures (and is shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8). In the illustrated embodiment, with a single chassis portion, the openings 24, 26 may not be used. One of the aforementioned clips is labelled 28 in Figure 1. The clip 28 forms part of the chassis 4. As mentioned above in connection with the openings 24, 26, the clip 28 may not be used in the illustrated embodiment in which the chassis 4 comprises a single chassis portion.

The chassis 4 also comprises a plurality of deformable tabs, only one of which is visible in Figure 1 and labelled 30. The deformable tab 30 forms part of the base 12 and can be used to align the mounting surface, which the base 12 engages, with a beam which is supported by the support 2. Put another way, the deformable tabs 30 can be used to assist with the positioning of the support 2 such that a beam, which is supported by the support 2, is provided at a specific angle relative to the mounting surface. This is shown, for example, in Figure 6.

Returning to Figure 1, the chassis 4 comprises an arrangement of ribs 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d. The aforementioned ribs 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d extend between a second arcuate sidewall 20 and the base 12. A similar arrangement of ribs (not visible in Figure 1) extends between a first arcuate sidewall 18 and the base 12. Despite the presence of the ribs, the arcuate sidewalls 18, 20 can flex outwards relative to the base 12. This may be useful when the chassis is formed of multiple chassis portions being stacked upon one another (as will be described in detail later in this document). By virtue of the recesses 14, 16 defining the sidewalls 18, 20, the chassis is generally U-shaped when viewed from the side. That is to say, the arcuate sidewalls 18, 20 can be said to extend from the base 12.

Also visible in Figure 1 is an upper surface 35 of the base 12. The upper surface of the base 12 opposes a lower surface of the base 12, the lower surface of the base 12 being configured to engage the mounting surface.

Turning to the collar 6, the collar 6 is gear-like and surrounds the chassis 4. An inner surface 34 of the collar 6 comprises a screw thread. The screw thread on the inner surface 34 is engageable with the external screw thread 22 of the chassis 4. By virtue of the engagement between the two threads, the collar 6 is able to move axially along the chassis 4. It is by virtue of this mechanism that the collar 6 can be considered an adjustable collar. By adjusting the axial position of the collar 6, an extent of the recesses 14, 16 that lies vertically beneath the collar 6 can be altered. In other words, an effective depth of the recesses 14, 16, from a top-down perspective, can be altered by adjustment of the position of the collar 6. This may be desirable because the collar 6 can be adjusted depending upon a depth of the beam received by the recesses 14, 16. The collar 6 may be adjusted to, for example, enable the recesses 14, 16 to receive an entire depth of the beam therein. The beam may therefore be more robustly constrained by the recesses 14, 16, and so the support 2 generally.

Movably mounted to the collar 6 are the members 8, 10. The members 8, 10 are engageable with a beam (not shown in Figure 1, but an indication is provided in Figure 6) in use. As will be described in detail later in this document, Figure 6 shows an example of a different embodiment of support with a beam placed in situ.

The clips 8, 10 are snap fitted to the collar 6. The snap fitting occurs by virtue of a pair of projections provided on each member 8, 10 (the projections are not shown in Figure 1) which engage a track 36 of the collar 6. Only an upper side of the track 36 is visible in Figure 1, with a track also being provided on an underside of the collar 6. By virtue of the engagement between the projections and the track 36, the members 8, 10 are circumferentially moveable about the collar 6. The members 8, 10 are circumferentially moveable about the collar 6 within an arc defined by the recesses 14, 16 of the chassis 4. Put another way, ends of the arcuate sidewalls 18, 20 define limits of travel of the members 8, 10. Figure 1 shows the members 8, 10 in a configuration in which a beam can be received by the recesses 14, 16 and engaged by the members 8, 10. Although a plurality of members 8, 10 are shown, in other embodiments only a single member may be provided.

Each of the members 8, 10 comprises an engagement portion 38,40 and an alignment portion 42, 44. In the illustrated arrangement, the engagement portions 38, 40 extend from the alignment portions 42, 44. Furthermore, the engagement portions 38, 40 are generally vertical whereas the alignment portions 42, 44 are generally horizontal.

The alignment portions 42, 44 are generally U-shaped such that they surround the collar 6 on all but one side. The previously mentioned projections, which engage the track 36 of the collar 6, extend from opposing surfaces of the alignment portions 42, 44 in the illustrated embodiment. The engagement portions 38, 40 comprise engagement faces 46, 48 that engage the beam in use. Each of the engagement faces 46, 48 is tapered such that a thickness of the engagement portion 38, 40 is greater in proximity to the collar 6 than at an opposing end of the engagement portion 38, 40 (i.e. further away from the collar). In other words, a thickness of the engagement portion 38, 40 decreases moving away from the collar 6 (e.g. upwards in the illustrated embodiment). The tapering is also shown in Figure 13, denoted by 8".

Returning to Figure 1, each of the engagement portions 38, 40 comprises a boss 50 (the boss of the second member 10 is not visible in Figure 1). Each of the bosses 50 defines a corresponding aperture 54, 56. Each of the apertures 54, 56 are configured to receive a fastener therethrough. Upon receiving a fastener through the aperture 54, 56, and the fastener engaging the beam, each of the members 8, 10 are secured to the beam. By virtue of the previously explained tapering engagement faces 46, 48, when a fastener is provided through the boss apertures 54, 56 and engages the beam, the members 8, 10 pivot such that an upper end of the engagement face 46, 48 is drawn towards the beam. By virtue of this movement, a distal end of the respective alignment portion 42, 44 pivots upwards (i.e. towards an uppermost face of the chassis 4). This locks the members 8, 10 to the collar 6. The pivoting, and locking, will also be described in connection with Figures 13 and 14 later in this document.

By virtue of the locking, the collar 6 cannot move relative to the chassis 4, and the members 8, 10 are therefore secured in position relative to the chassis 4. The overall support 2 is therefore secured, or constrained, in position in engagement with the beam. This locking functionality is particularly advantageous because, once assembled, it is desirable to secure the support 2, or a support assembly of which the support 2 forms part, in position. This may be to avoid movement of the support 2 by, for example, vibration or other external influences, which could otherwise detrimentally affect the robustness of the structure of which the beam forms part One example of such a structure is a roof structure, or assembly.

Although in the illustrated embodiment a screw thread 22 is used on an exterior of the chassis 4 to facilitate adjustment of the collar, in other arrangements it may be the case that the collar 6 moves purely in an axial manner (i.e. not a screw thread). In other words, alternatives to a screw thread engagement may be used to raise, and lower, the collar 6 relative to the chassis 4. In such arrangements, the members 8, 10 may be fixedly mounted to the collar 6 i.e. such that the members 8, 10 cannot move relative to the collar 6.

Figure 1 also demonstrates a further feature of the base 12. The base 12 is angled. That is to say, the base 12 is not perpendicular relative to a direction in which the chassis 4 generally extends. Instead, when the base 12 is placed on the (flat) mounting surface, the chassis 4, and so support 2, extends at a slight angle which is offset from perpendicular to the mounting surface. The angled offset is advantageous in allowing the support 2 to be used in the installation of an inclined structure, such as a roof assembly. In other words, the angled nature of the base 12 can be used to achieve an incline of a structure by supporting the beam at an angle relative to the mounting surface. The specific angle at which the base 12 is provided is around 0.7° to horizontal, or around 1 in 80 fall. In other embodiments, the angle may be greater than the aforementioned values.

Figure 2 shows the support 2 of Figure 1 from a rotated perspective view. As such, the features described in detail in connection with Figure 1 will not be described in detail again to avoid repetition. However, Figure 2 shows the upper surface 35 of the base 12 in more detail, and the associated features will therefore be described below.

As shown in Figure 2, the base 12 comprises a boss 58 which defines an aperture 60. The aperture 60 is configured to receive a fastener therethrough. Receipt of a fastener through the aperture 60 secures the support 2 to the mounting surface, which may be a supporting beam. This is also shown in detail in connection with Figure 7, which will be described in detail later in this document.

Returning to Figure 2, a primary indictor 62 is also shown in Figure 2. The primary indicator 62 is in the form of an arrow. The primary indicator 62 is an arrow-shaped cut out which is provided through the base 12. The primary indicator 62 advantageously points in the same direction as the base 12 is angled, sloped. As such, during installation an installer can use the primary indicator 62 to indicate which direction the beam, which is supported by the support 2, will be sloping in. The primary indicator 62 therefore facilitates the installation and use of the support 2. The primary indicator 62 may be directional e.g. may point in a direction in which the support 2, and so beam, is either increasing in height or decreasing in height (i.e. inclining/declining) or alternatively the primary indicator 62 may merely be co-linear with the angle (e.g. it may not be indicative of a specific direction either way). It will also be appreciated that various other implementations of a primary indicator are possible (e.g. stickers or labels, and a wide range of other shapes and geometries).

Figure 2 also shows a plurality of secondary indicators 64a, 64b, 64d (64c is not visible in Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2, on a right hand side of the base 12 there is provided a pair of secondary indicators 64a, 64b. On the other side of the base, one of a corresponding pair of secondary indicators is visible and labelled 64d. Returning to the first pair of secondary indicators 64a, 64b, each of the indicators are provided at ±45° relative to the primary indicator 62. Similarly, for the other pair of secondary indicators 64c, 64d, one of each of the indicators is provided at ±45° relative to the primary indicator 62.

The purpose of the secondary indicators 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d is to provide a visual aid which facilitates the installation of the support 2 onto a supporting beam (where the mounting surface is a supporting beam) which is disposed at ±45° relative to the supported beam (i.e. the beam which rest on the support 2). That is to say, where the mounting surface comprises a beam, the secondary indicators can be used to facilitate the alignment of the support 2 relative to the supporting beam to provide alignment with the supported beam. In particular, diagonally opposing secondary indicators 64a, 64d and 64b, 64c (not visible in Figure 2) align with opposing sides of a standard size beam when the support is provided at ±45° relative to the supporting beam. This is advantageous because aligning the support 2 so that the supported beam is provided at ±45° relative to the supporting beam is a desirable arrangement in various structures, including roofing structures.

Figure 2 also shows, in more detail, one of the deformable tabs, labelled 66, which forms part of the base 12. As shown in Figure 2, the deformable tab 66 is disposed in a window 68 in the chassis. The deformable tab 66 is generally rectangular and is connected to the chassis 4 at one, connected side 70. Each of the other three sides of the deformable tab are not connected to the chassis 4. By pivoting the deformable tab 66 about the connected side 70, the deformable tab 66 can be biased towards a downward position to assist in the alignment and positioning of the support 2 on the mounting surface. Specifically, the deformable tab 66 assists when the mounting surface is a beam owing to the fact that the deformable tab 66, in combination with the other deformable tabs (not shown in Figure 2), can engage either side of the beam (where the beam forms part of the mounting surface). This is indicated in Figure 6, and will be described in detail later in this document.

Turning to Figure 3, a perspective view of an underside of the support 2 is provided. Figure 3 shows various features forming part of the base 12.

Figure 3 shows an underside portion of the track 36, of the collar 6, which is engaged by projections of the members 8, 10.

Turning to the base 12, the primary indicator 62 is shown, along with the secondary indicators 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d. The pair of clips 28, 29 are also visible in Figure 3.

All four deformable tabs 30, 31, 66, 67 are also shown as forming part of the base 12. Finally, the aperture 60 is also visible.

As indicated in Figure 3, the base 12, specifically a lower surface thereof, is generally flat.

Turning to Figure 4, an underside of the support 2 is illustrated. All of the features shown in Figure 4 have been previously explained and Figure 4 will therefore not be described in detail. However, Figure 4 does show more accurately the distribution of indicators, and other features, provided in the base 12.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the support 2.

Figure 5 illustrates how the deformable tabs 30, 67 project beyond a lowermost surface of the base 12. Specifically, the deformable tabs 30, 67 extend to a vertical position which is lower than the lowermost surface of the base 12. Figure 5 also shows, taking first member 8 for example, how the alignment portion 42 generally extends around, or surrounds, the collar 6. Figure 5 also illustrates how the support 2 is angled to provide for support of a beam at an angle.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support assembly 101.

The support assembly 101 comprises a support 102 according to a different embodiment of the invention than that of support 2 of Figures 1 to 5, a beam 103 and the mounting surface 105. A fastener 107, securing the beam 103 to the support 102, is also shown in Figure 6.

Reference numerals associated with features illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, which are common to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, will be incremented by 100. Accordingly, these features will not be described in detail.

Returning to Figure 6, the beam 103 may be referred to as a supported beam because the beam 103 is supported by the support 102. The mounting surface 105 is also in the form of a beam. The beam 105 may be referred to as a supporting beam because the support 102 is mounted to, and is thus supported by, the supporting beam 105.

It will be appreciated that both beams 103, 105 may be wooden, metal or made of some other material. Furthermore, the beams 103, 105 may have a square cross-section, rectangular cross-section or some other shape of cross-section. Similarly, for both beams 103, 105, each beam may be a single beam or a combination of multiple beams which co-operate to define a generally single beam geometry. That is to say, multiple beam portions may be connected to one another within a boundary defined by the support 102 to define the beams 103, 105. Said beam portions may be connected to one another by the support 102 (e.g. the support 102 may secure the two constituent parts together). This is desirable because shorter beam portions may be more economical to transport and assemble than longer counterparts.

Figure 6 demonstrates how the deformable tabs 30 (only one of which is visible in Figure 6) can be used to align the support 102 with the supporting beam 105. As shown in Figure 6, the deformable tabs 30 can be provided in positions such that the deformable tabs 30 engage, or abut, the supporting beam 105. The deformable tabs 30 may be provided at positions which lie just outside of outer edges of the beam 105 such that the support 102 is fitted to the beam 105.

Figure 6 also indicates how the supported beam 103 is received by the recesses 114 (only one of which is visible in Figure 6) and chassis 4. That is to say, one of the arcuate sidewalls 118 is shown adjacent one side of the supported beam 103. The supported beam 103 can therefore be more easily located relative to, or aligned with, the support 102.

The supported beam 103 is also shown engaging the collar 106. The supported beam 103 is therefore supported by the collar 106. Fastener 107 passes through the member 108 to secure the member 108 to the supported beam 103. As mentioned in connection with the previous embodiment, by using the fastener 107 and drawing the member 108 towards the supported beam 103, the member 108 pivots and interferes with the collar 106 to secure the assembly in place.

A primary difference between the embodiments shown in Figure 6 and the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5 is that, in Figure 6, the chassis 4 comprises two chassis portions 104a and a second chassis portion 104b. The first chassis portion 104a is also shown comprising a screw thread 122.

The first chassis portion 104a can be said to be stacked upon the second chassis portion 104b. Alternatively, the first chassis portion 104a can be said to be mounted on, and adjacent to, the second chassis portion 104b. By providing multiple chassis portions 104a, 104b, an overall height of the chassis 104 can be increased. This is advantageous because the same design of chassis portion 104a, 104b can be used to enable the support 102 to be used with supported beams 103 at a range of vertical positions. For example, at a lowermost point of a structure, of which the supported beam 103 forms part, a single chassis portion may be used. At an uppermost point of a structure, two or three stacked chassis portions may be used. The chassis portions 104a, 104b can therefore be used to adjust the height of the chassis 104, and so support 102.

To facilitate the stacking of chassis portions 104a, 104b, clips and openings as described in the previous embodiment may engage one another to secure the chassis portions 104a, 104b in position. The interaction between the openings and clips is shown in connection with Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 is a section view of the support assembly 101 shown in Figure 6. The section view is taken about a plane normal to lengths of the supported and supporting beams 103, 105.

Figure 7 shows how multiple chassis portions 104a, 104b are stacked upon one another to form the overall chassis 104.

Taking the right hand side of Figure 7 as an example, an opening 126 in the second chassis portion 104b is configured to receive a clip 129. The clip 129 forms part of the first chassis portion 104a. By virtue of the clip 129 engaging the opening 126, the first and second chassis portions 104a, 104b are secured to one another.

Figure 7 also demonstrates how an external screw thread of each of the first and second chassis portions 104a, 104b is generally continuous across the chassis portions 104a, 104b. This enables the collar 106 to straddle both chassis portions 104a, 104b when the collar is a lowermost position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lowermost position of the collar 106 is approximately collinear with a parting line between the chassis portions 104a, 104b.

The section view of Figure 7 also shows how a fastener 171 is secured through a boss 160 in the second chassis portion 104b. The fastener 171 is configured to secure the second chassis portion 104b, and thereby the first chassis portion 104a, to the supporting beam 105. The support 102 is therefore secured to the supporting beam 105 by the fastener 171.

Figure 8 shows a region of interest of Figure 7 in more detail. Specifically, Figure 8 shows a close-up view of the clip 129 being received in the corresponding opening 126 to secure the first and second chassis portions 104a, 104b together. As will be appreciated from Figure 8, the clip 129 is a deformable clip and can be urged inwards, so as to disengage an end of the clip 129 from the opening 126, and thereby facilitate separation of the first and second chassis portions 104a, 104b. In other words, by disengaging the clip 129 from the opening 126, the chassis portions 104a, 104b can be separated from one another.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a support 202 according to the invention.

The support 202 shares many features in common with the supports 2, 102 shown in Figures 1 to 8 and, in particular, the support 102 as shown in Figures 6 to 8. As such, features present in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 will be identified by numerals incremented by 100 relative to those of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, and by 200 relative to those of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5.

The support 202 comprises a chassis 204, members 208, 210 and a collar 206.

The chassis 204 comprises a first chassis portion 204a and a second chassis portion 204b. As with the previous embodiment, the first chassis portion 204a is stacked on the second chassis portion 204b. The combination of the chassis portions 204a, 204b define the chassis 204.

A primary difference between the support 202 of Figure 9 and the support 102 of Figures 6 to 8 is that the support 202 also comprises a second collar 209. The second collar 209 provides a different functionality to the collar 206 (herein referred to as a first collar 206).

The second collar 209 is incorporated to provide a securing functionality. This is in order to more robustly secure the first chassis portion 204a to the second chassis portion 204b.

As shown more clearly in connection with Figure 1, each chassis portion comprises recesses 14, 16 which define two arcuate sidewalls 18, 20. It will be appreciated that when a first chassis portion is stacked upon a second chassis portion (as shown in, for example, Figure 7), there may be some deflection of the arcuate sidewalls 18, 20 of the second chassis portion radially outwards to facilitate engagement of the first chassis portion. In other words, the arcuate sidewalls of the lower chassis portion may be deflected outwards so that the clip(s) of the upper chassis portion can be received in the openings of the lower chassis portion.

Returning to Figure 9, the second collar 209 is provided to substantially prevent the aforementioned deflection of the arcuate sidewalls of the second chassis portion 204b once the first chassis portion 204a is stacked thereon and is secured in situ. This is achieved, in the illustrated embodiment, by virtue of the second collar 209 being a closed ring, an internal surface of which engages the screw thread of the arcuate sidewalls. The internal surface of the second collar 209 therefore limits the extent to which the arcuate sidewalls can deflect. The arcuate sidewalls of the second chassis portion 204b may therefore be prevented from deflecting to an extent that could allow the first chassis portion 204a to be disengaged therefrom.

The second collar 209 may be substantially identical to the first collar 206, save for the fact that the functionality it provides is different. Specifically, the supported beam may engage the first collar 206, but the beam will typically not engage the second collar 209. The second collar 209 can therefore be referred to as a locking collar, or a securing collar.

Figure 10 is a side view of the support 202 as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 illustrates an unthreaded portion 211 of the second chassis portion 204b. In use, an equivalent unthreaded portion of the first chassis portion 204a may be received within the second chassis portion 204b. The unthreaded portion of the first chassis portion 204a may therefore not be visible (e.g. the unthreaded portion of the first chassis portion 204a is not visible in Figure 10).

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a support 302 according to another embodiment.

The support 302 shares many features in common with the support 2 shown in Figures 1 to 5. Accordingly, only the different features will be described in detail, and reference numerals denoting features common to both embodiments will be incremented by 300 in Figure 11.

The support 302 comprises a chassis 304, collar 306 and first and second members 308, 30. The chassis 304, and first and second members 308, 310 incorporate features which are distinct from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, as will be described in detail below.

The chassis 304 comprises an arrangement of ribs 332a, 332b, 332c; 332d. Like for the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the ribs 332a, 3332b, 332c, 332d extend between a (second) arcuate sidewall 320 and a base 312 of the chassis 304. Second and third ribs 332b, 332c, however, each comprise a flat portion 332b', 332c'. The flat portions 332b', 332c' can be said to define a shelf. he shelf is configured to support a further chassis portion when the chassis is formed of two or more chassis portions.

That is to say, where the chassis comprises a plurality of chassis portions, owing to at least one chassis portion being stacked upon another, the shelf can support the stacked, or mounted, chassis portion. A lower end of the stacked, or mounted, chassis portion can therefore engage, or abut, the shelf. This is illustrated in, and described in connection with, Figures 15 and 16. The shelf therefore provides an increased surface area upon which the stacked, or mounted, chassis portion can rest, or engage. For completeness, an opposing (first) arcuate sidewall 318 also comprises a like rib arrangement to that described above. Second and third ribs 333b, 333c of that arrangement, and corresponding flat portions 333b', 333c', are visible in Figure 11.

A lower end of the second and third ribs 332b, 332c define arcuate recesses 332b", 332c" respectively. The arcuate recesses 332b", 332c" can receive a cooperatively shaped arcuate region disposed at an upper end of the second and third ribs 332b, 332c. One such arcuate region is labelled 337 in Figure 11.

A further distinguishing feature of the chassis 304 over the chassis 4 is the incorporation of a brace 305. The brace 305 is of the form of a projection which extends from an upper surface 335 of the base 312. The brace 305 is dumbbell-shaped, but other geometries could otherwise be used. The brace 305 surrounds a boss 360 and aperture 358 defined therein. The brace 305 is also connected to an outer diameter of the boss 360. The brace 305 extends between, and therefore connects, the second and third ribs 332b, 332c, 333b, 333c, of the rib arrangements associated with each of the first and second arcuate sidewalls 318, 320. This is shown in more detail in Figure 12.

As will be appreciated from Figures 11 and 12, the brace 305 is advantageous in providing improved structural robustness of the support 302. In particular, the brace 305 reduces the risk of the arcuate sidewalls 318, 320 deforming inwards (i.e. towards the aperture 358) when a supported beam is placed on the collar 306 (which is, in turn, mounted to the chassis 304 via arcuate sidewalls 318, 320).

Turning to Figure 13, a side view of the support 302 is provided. Features of an engagement portion 340, which forms part of the member 10, will be described in detail.

The support 302 comprises the members 308, 310. Only the member 310 will be described in detail. The member 310 comprises the engagement portion 340 and an alignment portion 344. The alignment portion 344 engages the collar 306, specifically a track defined thereby (not visible in Figure 13). The engagement portion 340 comprises an engagement face 348. The engagement face 348 engages a beam in use (as indicated partly in Figure 14).

Returning to Figure 13, the engagement face 348, or at least a portion thereof, is tapered such that a thickness of the engagement portion 340 is greater in proximity to the collar 306. The taper is indicated by the angle Er in Figure 13. The engagement portion 340 further comprises a boss 350 which, in turn, defines an aperture therein (not visible in Figure 13).

Figure 14 shows a support assembly incorporating the support 302 and a supported beam 303. In use, and as shown in Figure 14, a fastener 351 is received through the aperture, and engages the supported beam 303 (i.e. a beam supported by the support 302). As the fastener 351 is driven into the beam 303, an upper part of the engagement face 348 is urged in a direction, indicated by arrow 349, towards the beam 303. The upper part of the engagement face 348 is therefore, in effect, drawn towards the beam 303. The upper part of the engagement face 348, and so member 310, pivots about a pivot point 353 as the fastener 351 is driven further into the beam 303. The direction in which the alignment portion 344 is urged is indicated by arrow 355. The member 310 eventually pivots to such an extent that the member 310 interferes with the collar 306 such that the member 310 can no longer move relative to the collar 306. This is advantageous in locking the member 310 in position relative to the collar 306. It will be appreciated that the angle 80 may be any suitable value that is sufficiently large that the member 310 can pivot to such an extent that the member 310 interferes with the collar 306 such that the member 310 can no longer move relative to the collar 306. It will be appreciated that the size of the angle 8° may be selected in view of the relative sizes of the member 310 and/or collar 306 and/or beam 303. In one embodiment, the angle e° may be between around 10 and around 5°, for example between around 1° and around 3°. For example, the angle 8° may be around 2°.

When the fastener 351 is driven into the beam 303 to such an extent that the member 310 interferes with the collar 306, locking the member 310 in position relative to the collar 306, the support 302 is secured in position (and beam 303 is secured thereto).

A tapering part of the engagement face 348 may be referred to as an upper part of the engagement face. A non-tapering part of the engagement face 348 may be referred to as a lower part of the engagement face 348.

Like features, and a like mechanism, may also be incorporated in, and utilised with, the other member 308 In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the upper part of the engagement face 348 tapers at a constant angle 8°. In other embodiments, the taper may not be a constant angle and may instead be variable. The pivoting may otherwise be achieved without the use of a tapering engagement face 348, and instead incorporating a step change in the thickness of the engagement portion 340.

Figure 15 is a section side view of a support assembly 401 comprising a support 402 according to a different embodiment, a beam 403 and a mounting surface 405. The support assembly 401 shares many features in common with the support assembly 101 shown in Figure 7, and so only the different features will be described in detail.

Reference numerals associated with features common to the embodiment of Figure 7 will be incremented by 300 in Figure 15.

Like the Figure 7 embodiment, the Figure 15 embodiment comprises a chassis 404 which comprises first and second chassis portions 404a, 404b. Each of the chassis portions 404a, 404b correspond with the chassis 304 shown in, and described in connection with, Figures 11 to 14.

The first chassis portion 404a is stacked upon the second chassis portion 404b.

Although two chassis portions 404a, 404b are shown in Figure 15, further chassis portions could also be stacked to further increase the height of the support 402. As described in connection with Figure 5, in Figure 15 clips 428, 429 of the first chassis portion 404a engage with corresponding openings 424, 426 in the second chassis portion 404b. This interaction secures the chassis portions 404a, 404b together.

Figure 15 also indicates how flat portions 432b', 433b' of second ribs 432b, 433b of the second chassis portion 404b facilitate the engagement of the chassis portions 404a, 404b. As described in connection with Figure 11, each of the flat portions 442b', 443b' define, at least in part, a shelf which can support a lower end, or underside, of the first chassis portion 404a. The support 401 is more robust as a result.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the section shown in Figure 15. A region of interest, circled and labelled B in Figure 16, is shown in a magnified view in Figure 17.

Turning to Figure 17, a magnified view of a region of interest of Figure 16 is shown.

Specifically, Figure 17 shows, in more detail, how the first chassis portion 404a is secured to the second chassis portion 404b.

The clip 429 of the first chassis portion 404a engages the associated opening 426 in the second chassis portion 404b to releasably secure the chassis portions 404a, 404b together. As described above, the same interaction occurs at an opposite side of the chassis portions 404a, 404b such that two clips engage two respective openings.

As shown in Figure 17, each of the first and second chassis portions 404a, 404b comprises an external screw thread. The thread has a profile which generally resembles a saw tooth in section. That is to say, the profile is generally triangular. Each tooth comprises a horizontal portion 457, a vertical portion 459 and an angled portion 461. A gap, generally indicated by numeral 463, is also provided between each tooth by way of a further horizontal portion. Advantageously, by providing the horizontal portion 457 at the upper end, or top, of the tooth, the risk of the collar 406 sliding over the chassis 404 is reduced. If the angled portion 461 was provided at the upper end, or top, of the tooth, a downwards force exerted through the collar 406 would tend to urge the chassis 404 inwards, risking the collar 406 disengaging from the chassis 404. Described another way, it is advantageous to have the horizontal portion as the contacting surface, rather than the angled portion, to improve the robustness of the support. If the chassis 404 shown in Figure 17 is turned upside down, and a force is applied to the now top end of the collar 406, it will be appreciated that the force will urge the collar 406 teeth over the teeth of the chassis 4 (and at least urge the chassis 404 inwards). This is owing to the fact that the angled portion 461 would, in this instance, be the part of the tooth which is the contact surface. It is therefore desirable to have the horizontal portion 457 at the top of the tooth, and therefore be the contacting surface which engages, or supports, the mated, or meshing, tooth.

The horizontal portion 457 may otherwise be referred to as an engagement surface, or abutment surface, which supports a corresponding engagement surface of a mated tooth, or thread profile.

Each of the embodiments described above may be provided as part of, or utilised in, a structure. The structure may be provided at an angle, or incline. The structure may be, for example, a roofing structure or roof assembly. The various chassis portions may be stacked upon one another, and the collars adjusted, such that a supported beam can be raised, and angled, as required by the structure. Each of the above-described embodiments therefore provides an adjustable support which can easily be used to assemble an inclined structure, which may otherwise be complicated and/or costly to

obtain using prior art methods.

For the purposes of this document, axial is taken to be a direction in which the chassis extends. In other words, where the chassis is generally cylindrical, axial refers to a direction about which the circular cross-section generally extends so as to define the overall chassis.

Also for the purposes of this document, a lowermost surface of the base is intended to refer to a surface of the base which engages the mounting surface. This is despite the fact that, in an extended configuration, the deformable tabs may extend beneath the lowermost surface of the base (i.e. the surface that engages the mounting surface).

The described and illustrated embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims are desired to be protected.

In relation to the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used to preface a feature there is no intention to limit the claim to only one such feature unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim.

When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Optional and/or preferred features as set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional and/or preferred features for each aspect of the invention, or concept, set out herein are also applicable to any other aspects of the invention, where appropriate.

Claims (23)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A support for a beam, the support comprising: a chassis, the chassis comprising a base configured to engage a mounting surface; a collar movably mounted to the chassis; and at least one member mounted to the collar and engageable with the beam.
2. 2. The support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member comprises a member aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the member to the beam.
3. 3. The support of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one member comprises an engagement portion.
4. 4. The support according to claim 3, wherein the engagement portion comprises an engagement face which is tapered such that engagement of the at least one member with the beam substantially prevents movement of the collar.
5. 5. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one member comprises an alignment portion.
6. 6. The support according to claim 5, wherein the alignment portion engages a track defined by the collar.
7. 7. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one member comprises a plurality of members.
8. 8. The support according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of members are offset from one another and engageable with different faces of the beam.
9. 9. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the chassis comprises at least one recess in which the beam is receivable.
10. 10. The support according to claim 9, wherein the at least one member is rotationally constrained within the at least one recess.
11. 11. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises an aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough to secure the support to the mounting surface.
12. 12. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the base is angled.
13. 13. The support according to claim 12, wherein the chassis comprises a primary indicator to identify the direction in which the base is angled.
14. 14. The support according to claim 13, wherein the primary indicator is disposed on an upper side of the base.
15. 15. The support according to either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the chassis comprises two secondary indicators, disposed at ±45° relative to the primary indicator.
16. 16. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises a plurality of deformable tabs configured to align the support relative to the mounting surface.
17. 17. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the chassis comprises one or more clips.
18. 18. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the chassis comprises one or more openings configured to receive a clip.
19. 19. The support according to any preceding claim, wherein the chassis comprises a first chassis portion and a second chassis portion, the first chassis portion being mounted on the second chassis portion.
20. 20. The support according to claim 19 when dependent upon claims 17 and 18, wherein one or more clips of the first chassis portion are received by a corresponding one or more openings of the second chassis portion.
21. 21. The support according to either of claims 19 or 20 wherein the collar is a first collar, and the support further comprises a second collar, the second collar being movably mounted to the second chassis portion.
22. 22. A support assembly comprising: the support according to any preceding claim; the beam; and a mounting surface; wherein the beam is engaged by the at least one member, and the base engages the mounting surface.
23. 23. A roof assembly comprising the support assembly according to claim 22.