NZ604414B - Improvements in Connector Brackets - Google Patents

Abstract

604414 A bracket assembly (32) to form a joint between at least a first (33) and second (34) elongate member is disclosed. Each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its elongate dimension. The assembly includes; an inner plate having a main body and at least a first and second connecting portion and an outer plate which has a main body and at least a first and second connecting portion. The connecting portions of the inner and outer plates overlap when the bracket is assembled to wrap around the join between the elongate members. The assembly is characterised in that the main body of the outer plate includes holes for fasteners that span the width of the elongate member and along it. ncludes; an inner plate having a main body and at least a first and second connecting portion and an outer plate which has a main body and at least a first and second connecting portion. The connecting portions of the inner and outer plates overlap when the bracket is assembled to wrap around the join between the elongate members. The assembly is characterised in that the main body of the outer plate includes holes for fasteners that span the width of the elongate member and along it.

Description

PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional M597618 Dated: 16 January 2012 IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTOR BRACKETS WE, King Connector Limited, a New Zealand company of 20 Keith Road, RD 7, Rotorua, New d hereby e 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: James & Wells ref: 133390/47 IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTOR BRACKETS TECHNICAL FIELD The present ion relates to a connector t for joining elongate construction ts. The invention has particular application to the joining of te C-channel members that are commonly used in the building industry.

BACKGROUND ART Many modern building ures such as warehouses and work shops are built with a framework of steel C—channel members. The framework is often formed as a series of portals, with structural wall and roofing members in each portal.

The walls of the building are often formed using vertical columns with horizontal members (girts) spanning between them. The columns are joined to s which form the roof of the building. Horizontal members (purlins) span the rafters. It is typically the column and rafter members that form the portals, with the horizontal elements being added vards.

Where the individual members of a building framework meet, they form a joint which must be secured. There are several types of joints in a conventional building, but among the various types of joints is what is commonly referred to in the building industry as a knee or apex joint A knee joint is formed where a column (forming the al members of the wall framework) meets the rafters (the load bearing elements of the roof, which support the purlins, over which sheets of roofing material is laid). An apex joint is formed by opposing rafters, meeting at their ends to form the ridgeline or peak of the roofing framework.

Each joint requires the use of a securing device, such as a plate or bracket, in order to hold the members in a fixed position relative to each other.

James & Wells ref: 133390/47 However, many of these securing devices do not always provide for a robust joint. These may mean the use of knee or apex braces to strengthen the portal to compensate for a lack of strength at the knee or apex joint.

For example, when using plates to secure two members forming a joint, the plate may be fixed using bolts to the flat side of a C—channel member. However, the open side of the member is then vulnerable to distortion under stress. This can compromise the structural integrity of the , and lead to failure of the joint, which in turn may cause a wall or roof to collapse.

To help compensate for this, the plate may be ated from substantially heavier steel than is used for the members being secured. This can mean additional costs in constructing the building.

Alternatively, a bracket may be used. An example of such a t is disclosed in New Zealand Patent No. 337785. This patent discloses a one piece jointing device, which is folded into an ping bracket surrounding the joint and then fixed in place using bolts.

These bolts tend to be heavy duty and robust devices, and again this may be partially to compensate for potential uacies in the securing devices being used.

However, there is still little support provided for the open side of the nel member, and therefore the member is still prone to distortion under sufficient stress.

To minimise the risk of the le failure of the joints, and to compensate for their possible inadequacy, the securing devices may be over engineered by being formed from heavier steel. As previously noted, this adds to the overall cost of the building.

Alternatively, other reinforcing elements such as plates or braces may be added to the portal or ng frame. This adds both time and additional cost to the construction of the building.

James & Wells ref: 133390/47 It is an object of the present invention to address the ing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All nces, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The sion of the references states what their s assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New d or in 1O any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, r or step, or group of ts integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate , wherein each elongate member has an te dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its elongate dimension, the assembly including: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body and connecting portions, and wherein the main body includes a first pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member, James & Wells ref: 133390/47 an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body and connecting portions, wherein the connecting ns of the inner and outer plates overlap when the bracket is assembled. wherein the assembly is characterised in that the main body of the inner plate includes a second pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly across the width dimension of the first elongate member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plate for a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member, 1O wherein each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its elongate dimension, the plate ing: a main body, the body including a first pair of a series of res for fasteners to secure the plate to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member, ting portions, wherein the connecting portions are ured to be folded relative to the main body of the plate, the plate characterised in that the main body es a second pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the plate across the width dimension of the first elongate member.

According to another aspect of the present ion, there is provided a method of forming bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate members, wherein each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its James & Wells ref: 133390/47 elongate dimension, and wherein the assembly includes: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body and connecting portions, wherein the main body includes a first pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member and a second pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly to the width dimension of the first elongate , an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body and connecting portions, the method including the steps of: a) placing the inner plate proximate to one side of the first elongate member to be connected; and b) placing the outer plate proximate to the opposing side of the first elongate member; the method terised by the additional step of: c) fixing the main body of the inner plate to the elongate dimension of the first member with fastening means passing through the first pair of series of apertures, and fixing the main body of the inner plate across the width dimension of the first te member with fastening means passing through the second pair of series of apertures, and folding and securing the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates such that they overlap each other.

The invention is a two part assembly, consisting of inner and outer plates, to be used for the jointing of elongate members, wherein each member has an open channel running one side of its . The inner plate of the assembly es an arrangement of apertures corresponding to the overlap with the te member which, when used with ers, secures the inner plate to the closed side of the member. The outer plate is James & Wells ref: 133390/47 secured using fasteners to the open side of the channel of the elongate member, and, via the connecting portions, to the inner plate. The resulting bracket effectively envelops the joint, and the use of fasteners along both the length and width of the elongate member provides onal strength to the t resulting in a joint that is more robust than others in the prior art.

The elongate member should be understood to have an open face and a substantially flat or closed face, the open face being in the form of a channel running the elongate dimension of the member with the reverse side of the channel being the ntially flat face of the member. For example, the elongate member could have a substantially C- or 1O U-shaped cross-sectional profile. Such members are common place in the building industry.

Reference shall now be made throughout out the remainder of this ication to the elongate members being C-channel members, although this is not meant to be limiting and any elongate member having a channel running its length, with the reverse side being substantially flat, may be used with the t invention.

It will be understood that the C-channel member has an elongate dimension (the longest ion when in plan view) having an open face and a closed face. Each of the open face and the closed face has a width or h dimension (when in plan view).

The C-channel member also has two sides perpendicular to its faces, the sides defining a depth dimension. The channel running the elongate dimension has a depth substantially corresponding to the depth dimension of the C-channel .

In preferred ments of the present invention, the C-channel member is formed from rolled steel or the like, a material which is common place in the building industry.

In preferred embodiments. the C-channel members include a lip running along the edges of the channel, providing a surface immediately adjacent the mouth of the channel. This James & Wells ref: 133390/47 is useful as it provides some surface area against which the present ion may be fixed.

The invention is intended for use with any joint connecting at least two elongate C- channel members.

One example of such a joint is what is referred to in the trade as a knee joint. This is a joint formed by the meeting of a column and a rafter. and is one of the more common joints that can be found in a building. However, this is not meant to be limiting, and it will be appreciated that the present invention may be used for any ement requiring the jointing of two elongate C-channel members.

The invention is a two part bracket assembly formed from an inner plate and an outer plate.

The inner plate should be understood to mean the portion of the bracket assembly that contacts the flat face of the C-channel members with which the present invention is to be used.

The outer plate should be understood to mean the portion of the bracket assembly that contacts the open face of the C-channel members with which the present ion is to be used.

The inner and outer plates may each be formed from a single blank of sheet material such as aluminium or an alloy. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inner and outer plates are formed from sheets of steel.

The ess of the sheets of steel may vary according to the requirements of the joints and expected loadings on the joints with which the ion is to be used. However, one advantage of the invention is that there is less need for the resulting bracket ly to be over engineered and therefore the thickness of the steel sheet used may be less than James & Wells ref: 133390/47 some of the brackets in the prior art.

The inner and outer plates can come in a variety of shapes, which ultimately depends on the joint with which the present invention is to be used, but s skilled in the art will appreciate that regardless of what joint is to be secured with the present invention, the inner and outer plates substantially complement each other.

The inner and outer plates each should be understood to have a main body.

In most embodiments of the present ion, the main body will have at least four sides such that the body is a quadrilateral (a four sided shape) although this is not meant to be In some embodiments of the present invention. the inner plate approximates a rectangle ugh not necessarily with 90° corners), with connecting portions extending from generally opposing edges of the plate. It should be understood that the connecting portions do not necessarily have be precisely parallel to each other.

Persons d in the art will appreciate that the plates may take a variety of shapes depending on the type of joint to be secured. For example, a bracket for use with an apex joint may approximate a pentagon (five , the top of the pentagon forming the ridgeline or point of the roofing framework.

A connecting portion should be understood to mean an extension of the main body of the plate along one side, which is intended to be folded about an te edge of the C- channel member (where the sides of the member meet either the closed or open faces of the member, depending on whether it is the connecting portions of the inner or outer plate being folded). The connecting portion bears against the sides of the C-channel member when in use.

James & Wells ref: 133390/47 Both the inner and outer plates include at least two connecting portions along two generally opposing edges of their respective main bodies. However, this is not meant to be limiting, and in some embodiments of the invention it is possible that the connecting portions are arranged along edges of the main body that are at right angles to each other." It is also le that there may be more than two ting portions extending from the main body. For example, one edge may be provided with two separate connecting portions, which can be folded independently of each other. This can be useful for larger brackets as less force will be required to fold the connecting portions. rmore, in some ments of the present ion, the connecting portions may include tabs which can be folded to contact another surface of the nel members being jointed.

Alternatively, for a main body provided with more than four sides, such as the pentagon described above, three of the sides of the pentagon may be provided with a connecting portion.

It should be appreciated that the shape and the placement of the connecting portions of the outer plate is complementary to those of the inner plate. The connecting portions unite the inner and outer plates to form a unitary bracket assembly. The bracket assembly is essentially a acle for the ends of the two elongate members that form the joint to be secured.

When assembled about the joint to be secured, and the connecting portions fixed relative to each other, the inner and outer plates envelop the joint. These help lock the C-channel members in place, when used in conjunction with fasteners.

The connecting ns include a plurality of apertures to allow the use of fasteners to pass h the overlapping portions and fix them to the C-channel member being secured. The connecting portions define the closed sides of the bracket (against which James & Wells ref: /47 the side of the C-channel member abuts or bears), while the other sides of the bracket are open. It is through these open sides, which may be t of as receptacles, of the bracket that the te length of the C-channel members extends or passes.

The main body of the inner plate is provided with at least four series of apertures.

Fastening means, such as bolts or self-drilling and/or self-tapping screws, such as TekTM screws, pass through these apertures and into the C-channel member being held by the bracket.

As discussed above, the C-channel s have a length dimension and a width dimension. The series of apertures are arranged on the main body of the inner plate such that they correspond with the length and width dimensions of the nel member, when the bracket assembly is in use.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the position of these apertures may vary depending on the shape of the bracket, and the position of the C-channel member when the bracket is in use. Preferably, each series of apertures are substantially in a linear pattern.

The four series of apertures are , with one pair corresponding to the width dimension of the C-channel member and the other pair ponding to the elongate dimension of the member.

The actual number of apertures within each series may vary according to the requirements of the user as well as the size of the C-channel member to be jointed.

Preferably, there are at least three apertures in each series of apertures forming the lines on the portion of the main body corresponding to the width dimension of the C-channel member.

James & Wells ref: 133390/47 Preferably, there are at least four apertures in each series of apertures forming the lines on the n of the main body corresponding to the length dimension of the C-channel member.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and more apertures may be provided. s skilled in the art will appreciate that the greater the number of apertures the more ers can be used to minimise spacing between adjacent apertures. The closer the apertures, and the more frequent their number, the lesser the risk of buckling or deformation in the regions between adjacent res.

It should be appreciated that e the sides of the elongate dimension of the C- 1O channel member are parallel, the portion of the member that is encompassed by the bracket has a square or rectangular shape in a plan view regardless of the shape of the bracket itself.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the linear patterns formed by the four series of apertures substantially correspond with the perimeter of the portion of the C-channel member which is held within the bracket assembly of the present invention. in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apertures are arranged to be positioned just inwards of the perimeter of the square or rectangular shape d by the end of the C-channel member held within the bracket assembly. It will be appreciated that this means the apertures are arranged in a square or rectangular pattern, each pair of series of apertures ng the parallel sides of the square or gle.

This is to maximise the strength of the bracket. Positioning the apertures too close to the edge may compromise the integrity of the bracket or fasteners by leaving an inadequate amount of material between the fasteners and the edges of the plate. This can affect the bearing surface and increase the risk of g out of the fastener. Positioning the res too close to the centre leaves the edges of the C-channel member James & Wells ref: 133390147 unsupported, which again, may compromise the structural integrity of the bracket.

In preferred embodiments of the t ion, the inner plate is provided with two sets of apertures, each set having four series of apertures forming a square or rectangle pattern coincidental to the position of the two elongate members to be secured by the bracket.

In some embodiments of the t invention, the inner plate may have further apertures arranged inwards of the rectangle defined by the ce of apertures discussed above.

For example, further apertures may be arranged inwards of the rectangle in an X or even circular pattern.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outer plate is provided with at least one tab, positioned on an edge of the main body such that it corresponds with the open side of the C-channel member with which the t is to be used.

A tab should be understood to mean an extension of the main body of the plate along one edge of the plate, and which is intended to be folded.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the outer plate is provided with at least two tabs, one for each elongate member being secured by the bracket.

In some embodiments of the invention, the joint being secured is one where an elongate member is jointed to the mid section of a column, for example an awning joint. In this type of bracket, there may be two tabs provided to engage with the C-channel member forming the column. with a single tab for the member ing at a right angle from the column.

These tabs may provide lateral strength to the joint being d. The edges of the tab meet and bear against the edges of the channel under stress.

James & Wells ref: /47 The strength of the resulting bracket assembly is such that rather than bolts being used as the fastening s. self-drilling and/or self-tapping screws (such as TekTM screws) may be used without compromising the structural ity of the bracket assembly.

It will be appreciated that the present ion may have a number of advantages, including: o the formation of a robust jointing or connecting bracket assembly for C-channel members which is more resistant to loading. and therefore movement, than conventional brackets; o a bracket assembly that is relatively cheap to manufacture; o a bracket ly that is easily and quickly assembled; o a bracket assembly that may be used to increase the spans or spacing of building or portal members greater without requiring additional reinforcing elements or 0 at the very least, offers the public a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS r aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1a, b is a plan view of the inner and outer plates of one ment of the present invention in the form of a bracket assembly for a knee joint; Figure2 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly formed by the inner and outer plates of Figures 1a and 1b; James 8. Wells ref: 133390/47 Figures 3a. b is a plan view of the inner and outer plates of one embodiment of the t invention in the form of a bracket assembly for a canopy joint; Figure4 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly formed by the inner and outer plates of s 3a and 4b; Figures 5a b is a plan view of the inner and outer plates of one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a bracket assembly for an apex joint; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly formed by the inner and outer plates of Figures 5a and 5b; Figure 7 is a end view of a building portal demonstrating the various joints with which the present invention may be used.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE ION The inner plate (generally indicated by arrow 1) of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1a.

It will be seen that the inner plate (1) es a five sided main body (2) with two connecting portions (3, 4) arranged on generally opposing edges. Edges (5, 6) define the entry points for the widths of the C-channel members (not shown) to be jointed.

To fix the inner plate (1) to each C-channel member to be jointed, the main body (2) includes a first series of apertures arranged in a pair of lines (7) and a second series of apertures ed as a pair of lines (8). The first pair of lines (7) corresponds to the elongate dimension of the C-channel member (not shown) with which the invention is to be used. The second pair of lines (8) corresponds to the width of the nel member.

It will be appreciated that the series of apertures (7, 8) form a rectangle substantially corresponding to the perimeter of the ends of the elongate members (not shown) to be James & Wells ref: 133390/47 secured.

The placement of the series of apertures (8) running the width of the area in which the C- channel member will be placed indicates that the inner plate (1) is to be fixed to the closed face of the C-channel member (not shown).

The outer plate (9) of the bracket assembly is depicted in figure 1b. It will be seen that the shape of this plate (9) is substantially a mirror of the inner plate (1) of Figure 1a. r, the outer plate includes tabs (10, 11), which can be folded about dashed lines (12) into the open faces of the C—channel members (not shown) being secured with the present invention. it will be noted that there is a tab for each member (not shown) to be secured.

The outer plate also includes a series of apertures (13). These are intended for use with C-channel members that have a lip running the open face of their elongate dimension, and therefore e a surface area h which fasteners may pass.

When folded into position, the bracket assembly (14) as depicted in Figure 2, the tabs (10, 11) provide some l t to the joint (hidden by bracket assembly 14), increasing its rigidity and resistance to deformation under .

The illustrated embodiment is intended for use with a rafter (15) and column (shown in dashed lines 16) and is referred to in the building trade as a knee bracket. It will be seen that both the rafter (15) and column (16) are provided with a lip (17) along the open edge of their channels (18).

The apertures (13) of the outer plate (9) contact the lip (17).

The sequence of apertures (not shown) of the inner plate (1) contacts the flat side of the column (16) and rafter (15). Fasteners (not shown) such as TekTM screws will pass through these apertures (not shown) to fix the bracket assembly (13) to the members (15, James & Wells ref: 133390/47 However, the present invention can also be used for other types of joints, such as where one end of an elongate member meets the mid section of another member. Figure 3a shows an inner plate (19) of a bracket assembly (not shown) that may be used for such a joint.

The inner plate (19) is a substantially rectangular inner plate with two connecting portions (20, 21) on opposing edges of a quadrilateral main body (22).

A first edge (23) defines the entry point for an elongate member (not shown) such as a canopy or awning rafter. Other edges (24, 25) define the entry points for the column member (not shown) with which the present invention is to be used.

The main body (22) includes a series of apertures arranged in pairs (26, 27) to form a rectangle which will substantially pond to the position of the C-channel member (not shown) when the bracket is in use.

The corresponding outer plate (28) is depicted in Figure 3b. Here, it will be seen that two tabs (29) are ed for the vertical column (not shown) being secured while a single tab (30) is provided for the canopy rafter (not shown) that is being d. Although a series of apertures (31) is provided, these are only for use with the lips of the open face of the elongate dimension of the C-channel member (not shown’) to be secured.

A ctive view of this embodiment of the invention (32) is provided in Figure 4. Here, it can be seen that the C-channel members g the column (33) and canopy rafter (34) have a lip (35), through which fasteners (not shown) fix the bracket assembly (32) to the open sides of the column (33) and rafter (34).

Another ment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, showing the inner plate (36) and outer plate (37) respectively. These show the plates that would James & Wells ref: 133390/47 be used to secure an apex joint which is formed by two rafters (not shown), Here it will be seen that the main body (38 and 39 tively) of each plate (28, 29) approximates a pentagon, which the connecting portions (40) suitably arranged to wrap around the sides of the C-channel members to be secured.

Like with the previous embodiments described, the inner plate es a series of apertures arranged in lines (41, 42) approximating the te and width dimensions of the C-channel members when the bracket assembly envelops the members in use (not shown).

Figure 6 shows the led bracket (43) securing the apex joint (hidden by bracket assembly). The cross-sectional shape of the C-channel members (44) being secured can be appreciated in this view.

The nel member has an open face (45), due to the channel (46) running its te dimension (47). The channel has lips (48) bounding the open face (45) and these provide a contact surface for the main body of the outer plate (37) of the bracket.

The connecting portions (40) of the outer plate (37) fold over against the sides (49) of the C—channel member (44). The width dimension of the C-channel member is defined by arrow 50 and the depth by arrow 51.

The bracket assembly of the present invention may be used in a variety of joints that may be found in a building, a cross-section (52) of which is illustrated in Figure 7. These include the apex joint formed by the ends of two rafters (indicated by dashed lines 53) over which the apex bracket (43) is positioned. The rectangular n formed by the series of apertures (41, 42) is clearly seen.

There are also left and right knee joints d lines 54) formed by the meeting of the rafters (55) to the columns (56). Another common joint is the awning, canopy or lean-to James & Wells ref: 133390147 joint d lines 57)».- Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (30)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A bracket ly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member, wherein each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width ion and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its elongate dimension, the assembly including: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body and connecting portions, wherein the main body es a first pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the t assembly to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member, and an outer plate, wherein the outer plate includes a main body and connecting portions, wherein the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates overlap when the bracket is assembled, wherein the assembly is characterised in that the main body of the inner plate includes a second pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly across the width dimension of the first elongate member, wherein the main body of the inner plate also includes a third and fourth pair of a series of apertures which form a square or rectangle pattern of apertures dental to the position of the second of the elongate s to be joined by the bracket.

2. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate members include a substantially flat or closed face.

3. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the elongate s are C- channel members.

The bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the inner plate of the bracket assembly contacts the flat face of the C-channel members in use.

The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body of each plate has at least four sides.

The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connecting portions of the plates are oned on one or more edges of their respective main bodies.

The bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the main body of each plate has two connecting portions along two generally opposing edges of their tive main bodies.

The bracket assembly as d in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first and second pair of the series of apertures of the inner plate form a square or rectangle pattern of apertures coincidental to the position of the first of the two te members to be joined by the bracket.

The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each series of apertures includes at least three apertures.

10. The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the connecting portions include a plurality of apertures.

11. The bracket ly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the inner and outer plates are formed from sheets of steel.

12. A plate for a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second te member, n each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its elongate dimension, the plate including: a main body, the body including a first pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the plate to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member, connecting portions, wherein the connecting portions are configured to be folded relative to the main body of the plate, the plate characterised in that the main body includes a second pair of a series of res for fasteners to secure the plate across the width dimension of the first te member, wherein the main body also includes a third and fourth pair of a series of apertures form a square or rectangle pattern of res coincidental to the position of the second of the elongate members to be joined by the bracket.

13. The plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the main body has at least four sides.

14. The plate as claimed in claim 13 n the connecting portions are extensions from the sides of the main body.

15. The plate as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the main body has two connecting portions extending from two generally opposing sides of the body.

16. The plate as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein each series of apertures are ntially in a linear pattern.

17. The plate as d in any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the first and second pair of the series of apertures form a square or rectangle pattern of apertures coincidental to the position of the first of the two elongate members to be joined by the bracket.

18. The plate as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein each series of res includes at least three apertures.

19. The plate as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the connecting portions include a plurality of apertures.

20. A method of forming a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate members, wherein each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel running at least a portion of its te dimension, and wherein the assembly includes: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, connecting portions, a first pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the t assembly to the elongate dimension of the first elongate member and a second pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly to the width ion of the first elongate member, a third pair of a series of apertures for fasteners to secure the bracket assembly to the elongate dimension of the second te member and a fourth pair of a series of apertures to secure the t assembly to the width dimension of the second elongate member, an outer plate, n the outer plate has a main body and connecting portions, the method including the steps of: a) placing the inner plate proximate to one side of the first elongate member to be connected; and b) placing the outer plate proximate to the opposing side of the first elongate member; the method characterised by the additional step of: c) fixing the main body of the inner plate to the elongate dimension of the first member with fastening means passing through the first pair of series of apertures, and fixing the main body of the inner plate across the width dimension of the first te member with ing means passing through the second pair of series of apertures, fixing the main body of the inner plate to the elongate dimension of the second member with fastening means passing through the third pair of series of apertures, and fixing the main body of the inner plate across the width dimension of the second elongate member with fastening means passing through the fourth pair of series of apertures and folding and securing the connecting ns of the inner and outer plates such that they p each other.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the elongate members include a substantially flat or closed face.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the elongate members are C-channel

23. The method as claimed in either claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the inner plate contacts the flat face of the elongate members in use.

24. The method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the fastening means are bolts.

25. The method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the fastening means are self-drilling and/or apping screws.

26. The method as d in any one of claims 20 to 25 wherein the joint to be formed is a knee joint of a building.

27. The method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 26 wherein the joint to be formed is an apex joint of a building.

28. A bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member substantially as herein described in the Best Modes section of the specification and with reference to the accompanying figures.

29. A plate for a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member substantially as herein described in the Best Modes section of the specification and with reference to the accompanying figures.

30. A method of forming a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member substantially as herein described in the Best Modes section of the specification and with reference to the accompanying figures. King Connector Limited by its Attorneys JAMES & WELLS ECTUAL PROPERTY 2:9". 2:9".