NZ546490A - A threaded bar adjustable support with left and right handed threads - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting an overhead structure, such as a pergola, an adjustable vertical distance from a primary structure involves providing an elongate member 10 having first and second oppositely threaded ends, and a formation 15 on the elongate member intermediate the first and second ends for engagement with a tool. The method further involves screwing the first end into a first attachment member 12 and the second end into a second attachment member 14. The first attachment member 12 is connected to the primary structure, and the second attachment member 14 to the overhead structure. The tool is then used to rotate the elongate member 10 so that the first and second ends are simultaneously threaded into their respective attachment members to vary the distance between the overhead structure and the primary structure.

Description

4 6 4 9 0 IPONZ '0 APR 2ogg 1 AN ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT * ;This invention relates to apparatus for supporting a secondary structure o ;VJ1 ;an adjustable distance from a primary structure. In particular, the invention is directed ;BACKGROUND ART ;Australian patent no. 707335 discloses a support member for supporting an appendant structure, such as a pergola, from the roof trusses of an existing roof. The support member enables the pergola to be supported above the 10 lower portion of the existing roof, to thereby obtain the required height or head clearance below the pergola. The spacing of the pergola above the existing roof also allows ventilation between the pergola and the roof. ;The known pergola support member comprises a first attachment portion which, in use, is fixed to one of the roofing beams, and a second attachment 15 portion which, in use, supports the pergola. Typically, the second attachment portion supports a bearer beam which forms part of the pergola structure and supports the other pergola roof members. The known support member also comprises connecting means extending between the first and second attachment portions. The connecting means is adapted to extend through the roof cladding, and comprises at least two 20 elongate detachable parts. Typically one part is a threaded tube or sleeve, and the other part is a length of threaded rod which is received within the tube or sleeve. The rod is threaded into the tube by relative rotation of the rod and tube about their common axis. ;Although the support member of Australian patent 707335 provides a 25 simple and useful solution to the problem of supporting a pergola from an existing roof, it has some disadvantages. First, it is difficult, if not impossible, to adjust the height of the pergola relative to the existing roof structure once the first and second attachment portions have been connected to their respective members. The length of the support member must therefore be set accurately beforehand. Moreover, since at 30 least two support members are normally used to support the pergola bearer, their lengths and the connection of their respective first attachment portions to the respective roof trusses must be carefully set so that the bearer beam is at the desired ru to a support member for adjustably supporting a pergola above a roof truss. ui ;VI ;Ul * '/ 2 height and inclination when mounted to the second attachment portions.

Secondly, it is difficult to tell by visual inspection what length of threaded rod is received within the threaded tube. There should always be at least a predetermined minimum length of threaded rod within the tube to ensure that the 5 pergola is securely connected to the existing roof.

It is an aim of this invention to provide an improved support member which overcomes, or ameliorates the above described disadvantages, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one broad form, the invention provides a method for supporting an overhead structure an adjustable vertical distance from a primary structure, the method comprising: providing an elongate member having first and second oppositely threaded ends, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second ends for facilitating the engagement of a tool with the elongate member; screwing the first end into a first attachment member; screwing the second end into a second attachment member; connecting the first attachment member to the primary structure; connecting the second attachment member to the overhead structure; and engaging the formation with a tool and rotating it about the axis of the elongate member so that the first and second ends are simultaneously threaded into their respective attachment members by such rotation, to thereby vary the distance between the overhead structure and the primary structure.

In another broad form, the invention provides a support assembly for supporting an overhead structure from a primary structure by an adjustable vertical distance, the support assembly comprising: a first attachment member adapted to be connected to the primary structure; a second attachment member adapted to be connected to the overhead structure; and an elongate member having a first threaded end operatively threaded into the first attachment member, a second threaded end operatively threaded into the second attachment member, the first threaded end being threaded in the opposite sense to the second threaded end, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second threaded ends thereof for facilitating the engagement of a spanner INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 RECEIVED with the elongate member, whereby the first and second ends may be simultaneously threaded into their attachment members by rotation of the formation.

The term "threaded in the opposite sense" is intended to mean that the first and second threaded ends of the elongate member are of different handedness, i.e. one has a left hand thread and the other has a right hand thread. In this manner, when the elongate member is rotated with its respective ends threaded into the first and second attachment members, the distance between the first and second attachment members is varied.

Typically, the formation is a nut fixed to the elongate member, e.g. by welding.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate member is formed from two threaded portions (of different handedness), threaded into opposite sides of the nut, and fixed thereto by welding.

Advantageously, a lock nut is also threaded onto the elongate member. 15 Once the height has been adjusted to the desired extent, the lock nut is threaded into abutment with the nut on the first or second attachment member to prevent any further inadvertent rotation of the elongate member.

The overhead structure is typically a pergola, and the primary structure is a roof. The support member is used to support a bearer beam of the pergola at a 20 distance above a roof truss of the roof. In use, two or more support members may be used to support the bearer beam above respective roof trusses.

The first attachment member may suitably comprise a metal plate which is adapted to be fixed to a roof truss, e.g. by bolting. A first nut is fixed to the plate, e.g. by welding, orientated such that the axis of the nut is parallel to the plane of 25 the plate.

The second attachment member is used to support the pergola bearer beam or other overhead structure in use. The second attachment may suitably comprise a metal portion, such as an angle section, on which the bearer beam or other overhead structure is supported. A second nut is fixed to the second attachment 30 member, e.g. by welding. The elongate member has its first and second ends threaded into the first and second nuts, respectively.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 4 practice, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of support apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the support apparatus of Fig. 1 in use.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing a modified support apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation showing the support apparatus of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the support apparatus of Fig. 3 in use.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing part of a modified support apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the modified support apparatus of Fig. 6 in use.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing part of a modified support apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Fig. 1, support apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprises an elongate member in the form of a threaded rod 10. (Although the whole rod 10 is shown threaded in Fig. 1, it is only necessary for the opposite ends to be threaded). One threaded end of the rod 10 is adapted to be threaded into a nut 11 or equivalent which is fixed, e.g. by welding, to a first attachment member in the form of a metal plate 12. The opposite end of the threaded rod 10 is adapted to be threaded into another nut 13 or equivalent which is fixed, e.g. by welding, to a second attachment member which is in the form of an angle section 14.

The threads at the opposite ends of the rod 10 are of different handedness, i.e. one is a left hand thread, and the other is a right hand thread. Thus, when the rod 10 is threaded into the nuts 11,13 and rotated, the distance between the nuts 11,13, and hence the distance between the attachment plate 12 and the angle INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 REfiFIVPn section 14, will vary accordingly.

The rod 10 can be formed from two lengths of threaded rod, 10a, 10b which are threaded in opposite senses. The adjacent or opposed ends of the portions 10a, 10b are threaded into opposite sides of a nut 15, and then welded thereto to fix the 5 nut 15 rotationally relative to the rod 10. The nut 15 serves to facilitate the rotation of the rod 10 by a spanner or similar tool. However, alternative means may be provided to facilitate rotation of the rod 10 by a tool. For example, two parallel flat portions can be milled into opposite sides of the rod 10, to enable the rod to be operatively engaged by a spanner.

The rod 10, nuts 11,13,15 and attachment members 12,14 are made of steel or other suitable material.

The support apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is particularly, but not solely, suitable for supporting a pergola structure above the lower portion of an existing roof. As shown in Fig. 2, the plate 12 is mounted to a roof truss 20 (or other 15 roof support member). The plate 12 is suitably fixed to the truss 20 by bolts passing through apertures in the plate 12. Preferably, at least one of the bolts passes through a nail plate 21 of the truss 20, for added strength. The lower end of rod 10 is threaded into the nut 11 fixed to the plate 12. The nut 11 has an axis which is parallel to the plane of the plate 12, so that the rod 10 will be orientated in a substantially vertical 20 plane.

The upper end of the rod 10 is threaded into the nut 13 which is fixed to the angle section 14. A lock nut 16 may be threaded onto the upper portion of the rod 10 beforehand, for the purpose described below.

Two or more of the support assemblies are fixed to respective roof 25 trusses at spaced locations. A bearer beam 22 is then supported on the angle sections 14 of the respective support assemblies. The pergola joists and other components (not shown) can then be mounted to the bearer beam 22.

Each support assembly can be adjusted to set the pergola bearer beam 22 at the desired height relative to the roof truss 20, and to ensure that it is level or at some other desired inclination. The nut 15 of the respective support assembly is engaged by a spanner and the rod 10 is rotated. Since the attachment plate 12 is fixed to the truss 20, rotation of the rod 10 will cause the attachment member 14 supporting INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 RECEIVED 6 the bearer beam 22 to move either up or down, depending on the direction of rotation of the nut 15.

Once the desired height has been achieved, the locking nut 16 is rotated to engage the upper nut 13 and thereby fix the assembly against height 5 changes. Although the locking nut 16 is desirable, it is not necessary for the operation of the invention.

The described support apparatus has several advantages including: • it can be easily adjusted in use; • it allows for infinite adjustment over a range of heights; 10 • it can be manufactured easily and economically from commonly available components; • it is robust and able to support the weight of the pergola. The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the invention, and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made thereto 15 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

For example, the rod 10 may comprise a plain cylindrical rod, having only its end portions threaded in opposite senses.

In a modified form of the support apparatus, the bottom plate 12 is replaced by an angle section 12A, as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. (The other components 20 of the support apparatus of Figs. 3 to 5 are substantially the same as that of Figs 1 and 2, and for this reason, are not described again.) Instead of being affixed to the truss in use, the angle section 12A is bolted, or otherwise suitably affixed, to the top plate 30 of the wall frame supporting the truss, as shown in Fig. 5. In this manner, the structural integrity of the truss is not 25 affected by having to drill holes therethrough as in Fig. 2. Moreover, the bottom end of the threaded rod 10 of the support apparatus can extend down into the cavity between the wall frame and the external cladding (not shown). This permits the threaded rod 10 to be longer, allowing greater scope of adjustment.

In yet another modified version, suitable for heavy duty applications 30 such as in areas of high wind loads, the bottom plate 12 of Fig. 1 is replaced by an a length of channel section 12B, as illustrated in Fig. 6. In use, the channel section 12B is bolted to both the top plate and the truss as illustrated in Fig. 7, thereby INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 3 AUG 2007 RECEIVED strengthening the truss against uplift forces. The channel section 12B effectively serves as the connection between the truss and the supporting wall frame.

The channel section 12B is reversible (permitting both left hand and right hand applications to a truss).

In a further modified embodiment, partly illustrated in Fig. 8, the bottom plate 12 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a composite connector 12C comprising an angle section fixed back-to-back to a channel section. Connector 12C can be used to fix the lower end of the support apparatus to a truss, wall, or both, and is reversible.

Although the support assembly of the present invention has been described with particular reference to its application in supporting a pergola above a roof, it can also be used for other building applications, such as suspending a secondary structure below a primary structure.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 received

Claims (17)

1. A method for supporting an overhead structure, such as a pergola, an adjustable vertical distance from a primary structure, the method comprising: providing an elongate member having first and second oppositely threaded ends, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second ends for facilitating the engagement of a tool with the elongate member, screwing the first end into a first attachment member, screwing the second end into a second attachment member, connecting the first attachment member to the primary structure, connecting the second attachment member to the overhead structure, and engaging the formation with a tool and rotating it about the axis of the elongate member so that the first and second ends are simultaneously threaded into their respective attachment members by such rotation, to thereby vary the distance between the overhead structure and the primary structure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formation is a nut.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongate member is formed from two portions inserted into opposite sides of the nut and fixed thereto.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising the step of providing a lock nut threaded onto the elongate member.

5. A support assembly for supporting an overhead structure an adjustable vertical distance from a primary structure, the support assembly comprising: a first attachment member adapted to be connected to the primary structure; a second attachment member adapted to be connected to the overhead structure; and an elongate member having a first threaded end operatively threaded into the first attachment member, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 1 3 AUG 2007 RECEIVED 9 a second threaded end operatively threaded into the second attachment member, the first threaded end being threaded in the opposite sense to the second threaded end, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second threaded ends thereof for facilitating the engagement of a spanner with the elongate member, whereby the first and second ends may be simultaneously threaded into their attachment members by rotation of the formation.

6. A support assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the formation is a nut.

7. A support assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elongate member is formed from two portions fixedly engaged in opposite sides of the nut.

8. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a lock nut threaded onto the elongate member.

9. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein each attachment member comprises a nut fixed to a plate-like portion so that the axis of the nut is parallel to the plane of the plate-like portion.

10. A building construction comprising an overhead structure supported an adjustable vertical distance from a primary structure by a support assembly, the support assembly comprising a first attachment member connected to the primary structure; a second attachment member connected to the overhead structure; and an elongate member having a first threaded end threaded into the first attachment member, a second threaded end threaded into the second attachment member, the first threaded end being threaded in the opposite sense to the second threaded end, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second threaded ends thereof for facilitating the engagement of a spanner with the elongate iNltLLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE I OF N.Z. 1 3 AUG 2007 10 member, whereby the first and second ends may be simultaneously threaded into their attachment members by rotation of the formation.

11. A building construction as claimed in claim 10, wherein the formation is a nut.

12. A building construction as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elongate member is formed from two portions threaded into opposite sides of the nut.

13. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a lock nut threaded onto the elongate member.

14. A building construction as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein each attachment member comprises a nut fixed to a plate-like portion so that the axis of the nut is parallel to the plane of the plate-like portion.

15. A pergola support assembly for supporting a pergola above a roof truss, the support assembly including a first attachment member connected to the roof truss in use, the first attachment member comprising a metal plate-like portion adapted to be fixed to the roof truss and a first nut fixed to the plate-like portion; a second attachment member supporting the pergola in use, the second attachment member comprising a metal portion on which the pergola is adapted to be supported and a second nut fixed to the metal portion; and an elongate member having a first threaded end threaded into the first nut, a second threaded end threaded into the second nut, the first threaded end being threaded in the opposite sense to the second threaded end so that the distance between the first and second attachment members can be varied by rotation of the elongate member, and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second threaded ends thereof for facilitating the engagement of a spanner with the elongate member, whereby the first and second ends may be simultaneously threaded into their attachment members by rotation of the formation. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AUG 2007 RECEIVED 11

16. A pergola support assembly for supporting a pergola above a wall, the support assembly including a first attachment member adapted to be connected to the wall in use, the first attachment member comprising a metal angle section adapted to be fixed to the top of the wall, and a first nut fixed to the angle section; a second attachment member supporting the pergola in use, the second attachment member comprising a metal portion on which the pergola is adapted to be supported, and a second nut fixed to the metal portion; and an elongate member having a first threaded end threaded into the first nut, a second threaded end threaded into the second nut, the first threaded end being threaded in the opposite sense to the second threaded end so that the distance between the first and second attachment members can be varied by rotation of the elongate member; and a formation on the elongate member intermediate the first and second threaded ends thereof for facilitating the engagement of a spanner with the elongate member, whereby the first and second ends may be simultaneously threaded into their attachment members by rotation of the formation.

17. Support apparatus for supporting a pergola, the support apparatus being substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 AU6 2007 received