NZ555371A - Construction mount with upright that inserts into engagement member of hollow section - Google Patents

Abstract

A mount for enabling positioning of an elongate upright with respect to a surface is disclosed. The mount comprises a base 6d for location on the surface. An engagement member 8d extending from the base and configured to locate the upright thereat and enable positioning of the elongate upright U with respect to the surface. The engagement member has an interior dimension such that the elongate upright can be inserted into an open end thereof to locate the upright within the upright. The base is rectangular and the engagement member is constructed of square or rectangular hollow section. Opposing side walls of the engagement member are either aligned with opposing side edges of the base, or parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a dimension that corresponds to a construction cladding's thickness.

Description

10053751055* 555371 ;PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Our ref: JP803129NZPR ;NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;CONSTRUCTION MOUNT ;We, Onesteel Trading Pty Limited of Level 40, 259 George Street, Sydney, 2000, New South Wales, Australia hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;-1 - ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;2 4 MAY 2007 ;RECEIVED ;100985818_1. DOC: JP:qwgtn ;Received at IPONZ 24 October 2008 ;-2- ;CONSTRUCTION MOUNT ;Technical Field ;An improved mount is disclosed for enabling positioning of an elongate upright on 5 a surface, the mount fmding particular though not exclusive application in the construction of buildings using uprights formed from closed hollow section. ;Background Art ;This specification relates to NZ 571771, which has been divided herefrom. 10 Various mounting arrangements are known for securing elongate uprights to a building foundation. For example, upright beams can be inserted and/or cemented into a recess in the foundation to secure them to the foundation. ;Another known mounting arrangement comprises a metal plate adapted for fastening to a foundation, the plate providing a secure surface to which a metal upright 15 beam may be welded or bolted. ;Summary ;In a first aspect, a mount is provided for enabling positioning of an elongate upright with respect to a surface, the mount comprising: ;20 - a base for location on the surface; and ;- an engagement member extending from the base and configured to engage the elongate upright to locate the upright thereat and enable positioning of the upright with respect to the surface; the engagement member having an interior dimension such that the elongate upright can be inserted into an open end thereof to locate the upright therewithin; 25 wherein the base is rectangular and the engagement member is of square or rectangular hollow section whereby two opposing side walls of the engagement member are either: ;(a) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or ;(b) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a dimension 30 that corresponds to a construction cladding thickness. ;The employment of a closed hollow section for the engagement member enables the mount to better withstand bending moments, particularly which result from transverse ;(eg. wind and load) forces on the elongate upright in use. The closed hollow ;| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFIGE OF N.Z ;2k OCT - ;(Followed by page 2a) ;RECEIVED ;Received at IPONZ 24 October 2008 ;-2a- ;section also provides improved strength and rigidity characteristics to the mount. Further, the employment of a closed hollow section enables the mount to be simply constructed and can allow for an elongate upright to be easily, securely and rigidly mounted with respect to a surface. ;5 In a second aspect, a mount is provided for enabling positioning of an elongate upright with respect to a surface, the mount comprising; ;a base for location on the surface; and an engagement member extending from the base and configured to engage the elongate upright to locate the upright thereat and enable positioning of the upright with 10 respect to the surface, wherein the elongate upright has an open end with an interior dimension such that the upright can be positioned over the engagement member to locate the upright thereon; ;wherein the base is rectangular and the upright is of square or rectangular exterior profile whereby, when the upright is located on the mount, two opposing 15 upright side walls are either: ;(a) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or ;(b) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a dimension that corresponds to a construction cladding thickness. ;The closed hollow section engagement member thus functions as a sleeve that 20 is externally located with respect to ;MTt=i' FCTUAL PROPER" ;OFFICP OF N.Z ;2i) OCT 2008 ;RECEIVED ;(followed by page 3) ;-3 - ;the upright. This enables the mount to better support the upright against wind shear and other loading on e.g. a wall, building etc of which the upright forms a part. ;In this embodiment, the elongate upright can have an exterior dimension that generally corresponds to the interior dimension of the closed hollow section 5 engagement member such that the upright is snugly or abuttingly received therein. The resulting close fit further enhances the ability of the closed hollow section engagement member to support the upright and also provides for greater ease of fastening of the upright to the member. ;In another embodiment, where the elongate upright is tubular, the closed ;10 hollow section engagement member can have an exterior dimension corresponding to an interior dimension of the elongate upright such that an open end of the elongate upright can be positioned over the closed hollow section engagement member to locate the upright thereon. This embodiment allows the side walls of the elongate upright to extend right down to an in-use upper surface of the base. Wall cladding or the like can ;15 then be fastened to the upright right down to the base, providing both additional fastening security for the cladding and an enhanced aesthetic effect. ;In one form, the closed hollow section engagement member extends substantially perpendicularly from a flat surface of the base. The mount can then be used to support an in-use vertically extending upright of a building frame. ;2 0 In one form, the engagement member is of square or rectangular closed hollow section. The upright may also be of square or rectangular hollow section. Rectangular closed hollow section is readily available, has inherent strength and rigidity, and provides for right planar surfaces to which other beams, cladding etc can be easily mounted or attached. ;2 5 In one form, the base is a plate that comprises apertures through which plate fasteners may pass to secure the plate to the surface in use. The plate fasteners can comprise chemically setting and/or self-fastening anchor bolts. ;The closed hollow section engagement member can be provided with at least one aperture through which a fastener can extend to secure the upright to the closed ;3 0 hollow section. The upright can also be provided with at least one respective aperture through which the fastener can extend, and this aperture can align with the closed hollow section aperture when the upright is mounted thereto. ;The apertures can each be provided in the form of and function as a pilot hole. As a pilot hole, each aperture can guide the fastener, but each aperture can also be ;adapted to allow the respective fastener to firmly bite into the engagement member or upright, so that the fastener can be firmly fastened to both the member and upright. ;The fastener may in this regard comprise a self-tapping screw. Such a screw may also self-tap in use into a side of the upright or member where no such aperture is provided. ;In one variation of the mount, the base comprises a rectangular plate and the engagement member is of square or rectangular hollow section whereby two opposing side walls of the section are either: ;(a) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or ;(b) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a dimension that corresponds to a construction cladding thickness. ;In another variation of the mount, the base comprises a rectangular plate and the upright is of square or rectangular hollow section whereby, when the upright is positioned on the mount, two opposing upright side walls are either: ;(i) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or ;(ii) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a dimension that corresponds to a construction cladding thickness. ;In both of these variations, when cladding is attached to the upright, the base can be concealed (eg. such that it does not protrude beyond the cladding nor does it form an obstacle to the full use of the area adjacent to both sides of the cladding). This can be useful, for example, when attaching interior walls to the upright. ;In one embodiment, the closed hollow section engagement member and base are of weldable metal, and the engagement member is welded to the base by at least one major weld line. The major weld line may comprise a multiplicity of overlaid minor weld lines. A major weld line formed from a multiplicity of minor weld lines can be less brittle and less likely to fracture or break than a normal weld line, in that weak heat affected zones are less likely to be generated in the engagement member or base during welding. Multiple weld lines can also strengthen the join by bonding a larger area of the engagement member to a larger area of the base. ;The surface on which the base is located is usually defined by part of a foundation, floor or other component of a construction such as a building or other structure. The upright may form or be part of an upright in a frame of a construction such as a building or other structure. The base may be of steel plate and the engagement member and the upright may each be of steel closed hollow section. ;Brief Description of the Drawings ;Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the mount as defined in the Summary, specific embodiments of the mount will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ;Figures 1(a) to (c) show sequential perspective views of a construction anchor for use with an upright in accordance with a first mount embodiment; ;Figures 1(d) and (e) respectively show side and plan views of the anchor of Figures 1(a) to (c); ;Figures 2(a) to (e) show similar views to Figures l-(a) to (e) but of a construction anchor for use with an upright in accordance with a second mount embodiment; ;Figures 3(a) and (b) show sequential perspective views of a construction anchor for use with an upright in accordance with a third mount embodiment; ;Figures 3(c) and (d) respectively show side and plan views of the anchor of Figures 3(a) and (b); ;Figures 3(e) to (h) show similar views to Figures 3(a) to (d) but of a ;-6- ;construction anchor for use with an upright in accordance with a fourth mount embodiment; ;Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a construction anchor in accordance with a fifth mount embodiment and having wall cladding mounted thereto; ;5 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a construction anchor in accordance with a sixth mount embodiment; and ;Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a housing frame supported on construction anchors according to the third and fourth mount embodiments. ;10 Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments ;Referring firstly to Figures l(a)-(e), a mount in the form of a construction anchor 2 is shown for enabling positioning of an elongate upright beam U (eg. of square hollow section - SHS) with respect to a surface S. ;The anchor 2 comprises a base in the form of a metal plate 6 for location on the ;15 surface and an engagement member in the form of a sleeve 8 (eg. of square hollow section - SHS), the sleeve extending substantially perpendicularly from the plate 6. The sleeve 8 has an interior dimension such that a standard dimension elongate upright beam U (eg. standard SHS) can be closely or even snugly (or abuttingly) inserted into an open end of the sleeve 8 to locate the beam U therewithin and to enable secure ;2 0 positioning of the beam U on the surface. The upright beam U is slidingly located within the sleeve 8 in the direction of arrow I. ;A close fit between the sleeve 8 and upright beam U results in the upright beam being surrounded and supported along a portion of its length adjacent to the surface S. This helps make the upright beam U more resistive to bending moment and ;2 5 shear forces to which it may be subjected to in use (eg. as a result of wind shear and loading forces - see Figure 6) and helps strengthen the beam against plastic deformation. ;The sleeve 8 and the upright beam U are typically each of galvanised steel hollow section. Galvanised steel closed hollow section is now readily available, and its ;3 0 use provides strength and rigidity, together with planar surfaces to which other beams, a wall or other objects such as cladding can be easily attached by fasteners, welding or other securing means. ;In a typical application the surface S is an upper surface of a concrete slab foundation of a building (see eg. Figure 6). The plate 6 comprises four apertures 10 ;-7- ;through which plate fasteners may be passed to secure the plate 6 to the surface S. The plate fasteners are typically mechanical or chemical setting anchor bolts which provide a very strong fastening arrangement when secured in the concrete slab through mechanical/chemical bonding thereto. ;5 The sleeve 8 also comprises pilot holes 12 through which sleeve fasteners in the form of self-tapping screws are introduced. The pilot holes are sized such that the screws initially self-tap (and thus firmly bite) into the sleeve wall, before they self-tap into respective opposing walls of the upright beam U to secure it within the sleeve 8. The pilot holes 12 help guide the self-tapping screws into the sleeve 8 and speed up the 10 fastening of the upright beam U to the anchor 2. The upright beam U may itself additionally be provided with pilot holes that can align with the pilot holes 12 when the beam is fully inserted in sleeve 8, to further enhance the fastening operation. ;The sleeve 8 is welded to the plate 6 by at least one major weld line 14. The major weld line 14 can comprise a multiplicity of overlaid minor weld lines, as a major 15 weld line formed from a multiplicity of minor weld lines is less brittle and less likely to cause fracture or breakage than a normal weld line (ie. it is less likely to produce a heat affected zone in either the sleeve 8 or the plate 6). Multiple weld lines also strengthen the join by bonding a larger area of the sleeve 8 to a larger area of the plate 6. ;Referring now to Figures 2(a)-(e), where like reference numerals (with the 2 0 addition of a suffix "a") are used to denote similar or like parts, a second mount in the form of a construction anchor 2a is shown. ;The main difference between anchor 2a and anchor 2, is that the exterior dimension of sleeve 8a is configured to suit an interior dimension of a hollow beam U', so that beam U' can be slidingly located over sleeve 8a in the direction of arrow O, ;2 5 typically in a close (eg. snug or abutting) fit. ;Another difference with this anchor embodiment is that pilot holes P may now solely be provided in the beam U' (Figure 2(c)). ;The configuration of anchor 2a also provides for a beam continuous surface right down to the in-use upper surface of the plate 6a (Figure 2(c)). This then allows for ;3 0 wall cladding or the like to be attached to a continuous surface of the beam U', right down adjacent to surface S. It also allows for an optional securing weld to be employed at the lower end of beam U', with the weld extending between the beam and plate 6a. ;Again, a close fit between the sleeve 8a and upright beam U' results in the beam being supported along a portion of its length adjacent to the surface S, helping to ;-8- ;make the beam U' more resistive to bending moment and shear forces in use and strengthening the beam against plastic deformation. ;Referring now to Figures 3(a)-(d), where like reference numerals (with the addition of a suffix "b") are used to denote similar or like parts, a third mount in the 5 form of a construction anchor 2b is shown. The anchor 2b comprises an L-shaped plate 6b that makes the anchor ideally suited for use at a corner of a construction (see e.g. Figure 6). ;Referring now to Figures 3(e)-(h), where like reference numerals (with the addition of a suffix "c") are used to denote similar or like parts, a fourth mount in the 10 form of a construction anchor 2c is shown. The anchor 2c comprises a rectangular plate 6c that makes the anchor ideally suited for use in a location intermediate a wall structure (see e.g. Figure 6). ;In construction anchor 2c, the plate 6c can be configured such that, when the beam U' is located on the anchor 2c (as shown in Figure 3(f)) a first beam side wall v 15 and its opposing beam side wall w align with a respective side edge of the plate 6c as shown. In this regard, the corresponding adjacent faces of the sleeve 8c are each inset from a respective side edge of the plate 6c by a distance corresponding to the thickness of either wall v or w of beam U'. This configuration allows cladding attached to walls v and w to extend right down to the surface S. ;20 In a further variation on construction anchor 2c the plate 6c can be configured such that, when the beam U' is located on the anchor 2c, a first beam side wall v and its opposing beam side wall w are each inset from a respective side edge of the plate 6c by a dimension that corresponds to a construction cladding thickness. In this regard, the corresponding adjacent faces of the sleeve 8c are each inset from a respective side edge 25 of the plate 6c by a distance corresponding to the thickness of either wall v or w of beam U', together with a dimension corresponding to the thickness of cladding to be employed. This configuration allows for cladding attached to walls v and w to extend down adjacent to surface S. ;In yet a further variation on construction anchor 2c the plate 6c can be 3 0 configured such that adjacent faces of the sleeve 8c are each aligned a respective side edge of the plate 6c. Thus, when the beam U' is located on the anchor 2c, the beam side walls v and w are each overhang from a respective side edge of the plate 6c by a dimension that corresponds to the wall thickness. This further variation again allows cladding attached to walls v and w to extend right down to the surface S. ;-9- ;Thus, for construction anchor 2c as shown in Figure 3(f), and for the above-described further variations of anchor 2c, when cladding is attached to the walls v and w of upright U' the plate 6c does not then jut or protrude out beyond the cladding. This can otherwise cause an obstacle that could be tripped over or interfere with a full use of 5 interior or exterior floor space adjacent to the cladding. ;The employment of a predetermined inset in the construction anchor, to take into account cladding thickness, can also be adapted for anchors 2 and 2b ;With the anchors 2b and 2c of Figure 3, the exterior dimension of sleeves 8b and 8c is typically configured to suit an interior dimension of a hollow beam U'(eg. of 10 standard dimension), so that the beam U' can be slidingly located over sleeve 8b and 8c in the direction of arrow O in a close (typically snug or abutting) fit. Again, the anchors 2b and 2c can be formed so that the alternative (internal) mounting of a beam U can be accommodated. ;Again, with the anchors 2b and 2c of Figure 3, the close fit between the sleeves 15 8b and 8c and upright beam U' also results in the beam being supported along a portion of its length adjacent to the surface S, helping to make the beam U' more resistive to bending moment and shear forces in use, and strengthening the beam against plastic deformation. ;The smaller plate configurations of anchors 2b and 2c in Figure 3 are also more 2 0 space efficient and are also purpose configured for use in specific locations (ie. corner locations for anchor 2b and intermediate wall locations for anchor 2c). ;In a further variation of the anchors 2,2a, 2b and 2c, the sleeves 8, 8a, 8b and 8c can each have a rectangular plan shape, and the beams U, U' can be of corresponding rectangular hollow section. ;2 5 Referring now to Figure 4, where like reference numerals (with the addition of a suffix "d") are used to denote similar or like parts, a fifth mount in the form of a construction anchor 2d is shown. In anchor 2d the beam U is, like anchor 2, positioned within the sleeve 8d. ;However, in anchor 2d the two opposing sleeve side walls 8d' and 8d" are ;3 0 aligned with respective opposing plate side edges 6d' and 6d". The two opposing sleeve side walls can then each have cladding C mounted to them (in Figure 4 cladding C is only shown mounted to one side sleeve wall 8d')- ;This configuration again allows the cladding C to extend right down to the surface S, and results in the anchor 2d being completely concealed behind the cladding, ;-10- ;to provide both a functional and aesthetic enhancement to anchor use. For example, if anchor 2d is used to support an upright located intermediately in an interior wall of a building, when cladding such as plasterboard is attached to either side of the upright beam U the anchor 2d is concealed from view. ;5 Again, in a variation on anchor 2d, the sleeve side walls 8d' and 8d" can be parallel to but inset from the respective plate side edges 6d' and 6d" by a dimension that corresponds to a cladding thickness, to give a flush mounting of the cladding with the plate side edges 6d' and 6d". In this embodiment, if the cladding is to extend to the floor at a location away from the anchor 2d, then cut-outs in the cladding can be pre- ;10 formed to accommodate the underlaying portion of plate 6d. ;Referring now to Figure 5, where like reference numerals (with the addition of a suffix "e") are used to denote similar or like parts, a sixth mount in the form of a construction anchor 2e is shown. In anchor 2e the sleeve is now defined by a sleeve-like construction 8e comprising two angle flanges 8e', 8e" projecting from a base 6e. Again, ;15 a beam U or U' can be positioned within or to surround the sleeve-like construction 8e. ;In the case where a beam U is to be positioned within the sleeve-like construction 8e, it is inserted into a recess 16e defined between the angle flanges 8e', 8e" via an opening 18e, with the recess typically being sized such that the upright U closely (eg. snugly or abuttingly) aligns with inside faces of the angle flanges 8e', 8e". ;2 0 The anchor embodiments described in Figures 1 to 5 find application in the support of various vertical members of external and internal walls of a house or building, such as that depicted in Figure 6. ;Referring now to Figure 6, a house H comprises a rigid frame having a plurality of bearers B, tie-beams T, studs E and uprights U', which are also configured ;2 5 to define window and door areas W. Each of the bearers B, tie-beams T, studs E and uprights U' can be of galvanised steel closed (eg. square) hollow section, which can offer spans and structural properties not achievable with known timber frames. ;In house H, anchors may additionally or alternatively be employed to support beams U (ie. in the internally mounted configuration). ;3 0 Should the house H be subjected to a transverse wind loading L, the loading is distributed throughout the rigid frame as depicted by the arrows in Figure 6. Such loading is transferred via the bearers B, the tie-beams T, the studs E and the uprights U' to be taken up by the anchor constructions 2. ;The construction anchors described above in Figures 1 to 5 and employed in ;-11 - ;the house H are configured to withstand the required wind loadings and, because of their support along a length of the uprights U', help prevent excessive distortion of the frame under wind loading. ;The construction anchors thus enable an elongate upright to be securely and 5 rigidly mounted to a surface S, and particularly so when a closed hollow section is employed for the sleeve. The construction anchors are also configured to withstand bending moments that result from transverse forces on the upright beam. ;The foregoing describes a number of distinct embodiments of a construction anchor. Other modifications can be made to the anchor without departing from the 10 general principles described and defined herein. ;For example, the sleeve 8 and upright beam U may have different cross-sectional shapes, such as a polygonal or circular cross-section. The plates may incorporate self-fastening anchor pins that extend into a curing concrete foundation. Whilst the anchors and upright beams U are usually formed of galvanized steel, they 15 may be made of other suitable construction materials such as aluminium, brass or even plastic. The sleeve 8 may be mounted to the plate 6 to extend therefrom at angles other than 90 degrees, for example, at 45 degrees. ;In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, 2 0 "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense (i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features). *

Claims (17)

- 12-CLAJMS:

1. A mount for enabling positioning of an elongate upright with respect to a surface, the mount comprising: - a base for location on the surface; and 5 - an engagement member extending from the base and configured to engage the elongate upright to locate the upright thereat and enable positioning of the upright with respect to the surface, the engagement member having an interior dimension such that the elongate upright can be inserted into an open end thereof to locate the upright therewithin; 10 Wherein the base is rectangular and the engagement member is of square or rectangular hollow section whereby two opposing side walls of the engagement member are either: (a) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or (b) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a 15 dimension that corresponds to a constructions cladding thickness

2. A mount for enabling positioning of an elongate upright with respect to a surface, the mount comprising: a base for location on the surface; and 20 an engagement member extending from the base and configured to engage the elongate upright to locate the upright thereat and enable positioning of the upright with respect to the surface, wherein the elongate upright has an open end with an interior dimension such that the upright can be positioned over the engagement member to locate the upright thereon; 2 5 wherein the base is rectangular and the upright is of square or rectangular exterior profile whereby, when the upright is located on the mount, two opposing upright side walls are either: (a) aligned with opposing side edges of the base; or (b) parallel to but inset from opposing side edges of the base by a 3 0 dimension that corresponds to a constructions cladding thickness.

3. A mount as defined in claim 2, wherein the engagement member and the upright each comprise a closed hollow section. imtfi i fhti iai ppnpgRjy OFFICE OF N.2 -6 OCT 2008 RECEIVED -13-

4. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions of the engagement member and the upright are the upright is snugly or abuttingly received on or in the engagement member.

5 5. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement member is mounted to extend substantially perpendicularly from a flat surface of the base.

6. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is a 10 plate, the plate comprising apertures through which plate fasteners may pass to secure the plate to the surface.

7. A mount as defined in Claim 6, wherein the plate fasteners are chemically setting and/or self-fastening anchor bolts. 15

8. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement member or upright comprises at least one aperture through which a fastener can be introduced such that the upright can be secured to the engagement member. 20

9. A mount as defined in Claim 8, wherein each aperture is in the form of a pilot hole.

10. A mount as defined in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the upright fastener is a self-tapping screw that self-taps into a side of the upright in use. 25

11. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement member is welded to the base by at least one major weld line.

12. A mount as defined in Claim 11, wherein the major weld line comprises a 3 0 multiplicity of overlaid minor weld lines.

13. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface is part of a foundation, floor or a component of a construction. 'NT^'oFRCEAOF>^Z>ERTY -s OCT 2008 RECEIVED -14-

14. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upright forms or is part of an upright in a frame of a construction.

15. A mount as defined in Claim 13 or 14, wherein the construction is a building or other structure.

16. A mount as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is of steel plate and the engagement member and upright are each of steel hollow section.

17. A mount as defined in claim 1 or 2, and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS OF -8 OCT 2008