NZ604416B - Improvements in Connector Brackets - Google Patents

Abstract

604416 A bracket assembly (13) to form a joint between at least a first (14) and second (15) 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 including; an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, 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 outer plate includes a tab (10,11) configured to be folded into the open channel of the elongate member. ncluding; an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, 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 outer plate includes a tab (10,11) configured to be folded into the open channel of the elongate member.

Description

PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: 0 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional 0: 597617 Dated: 16 January 2012 IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTOR BRACKETS WE, King Connector Limited, a New Zealand company of 20 Keith Road, RD 7, Rotorua, New Zealand 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 ularly described in and by the following statement: James & Wells ref: 133134/47 IMPROVEMENTS IN TOR BRACKETS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention s to a connector bracket for g elongate construction elements. The invention has particular application to the joining of elongate nel members that are commonly used in the building industry.

BACKGROUND ART Many modern building structures such as warehouses and work shops are built with a frame work of steel C-channel s. 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 ntal members (girts) spanning between them. The columns are joined to rafters 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 aftenlvards.

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 vertical 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 g framework.

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

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 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 ity of the member, and lead to failure of the joint, which in turns may cause a wall or roof to collapse.

To help compensate for this, the plate may be ated from substantially heavier steel 1O than is used for the members being secured. This can mean incurring additional construction costs.

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

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 possible failure of the joints, and to sate for their possible inadequacy, the securing devices may be over engineered by being formed from heavier steel. 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.

It is an object of the present invention to s the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 All references, 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 authors , and the ants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly tood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these nts form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in 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, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of ts, integers or steps. r aspects and advantages of the t 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 two elongate members, wherein each te member has an open channel running one side of its length, the assembly including: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, wherein the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates overlap when the bracket is assembled, James & Wells ref: 133134/47 n the ly is characterised in that the main body of the outer plate includes a tab configured to be folded into the open l of the 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 two elongate members, wherein each elongate member has an open channel running one side of its , the plate ing: a main body at least a first and second connecting portion, wherein the connecting portions are ured to be folded relative to the main body of the plate, the plate characterised in that the plate includes a tab configured to be folded into the open channel of the elongate member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a bracket assembly for forming a joint between at least two elongate members, wherein each elongate member has an open channel running one side of its length, wherein the assembly includes: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, the main body including a tab ured to be folded into the open channel of the channel member, the method including the steps of: James & Wells ref: 133134/47 a) placing the inner plate proximate to one side of the member; and b) placing the outer plate ate to the side of the member bearing the open channek c) fixing the main body of the plates to the member with ing means and folding and ng the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates such that they overlap each other; the method characterised by the additional step of: d) folding the tab of the outer plate into the open channel of the member.

The ion is a two part assembly to be used for the jointing of elongate members, wherein each member has an open l running one side of its length. One part of the assembly includes a tab or protrusion which, during assembly is folded such that it extends into the channel of the elongate member. The ing bracket effectively envelops the joint. The folded tab provides additional lateral strength resulting in a joint that is more robust than others in the prior art.

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

The present invention may also be readily used with elongate members in the form of I- beams, which have a open channel running the length of both faces of the member.

Reference shall now be made throughout out the remainder of this specification 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 may be used with the present James & Wells ref: 133134/47 invention.

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

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

In red embodiments of the t invention, the C-channel member 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 nt the mouth of the channel. This is useful as it provides some surface area against which the present invention may be fixed using suitable fasteners.

The invention is intended for use with any joint connecting two or more 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. r, this is not meant to be limited, and it will be appreciated that the present invention may be used for any arrangement requiring the jointing of two elongate C-channel members.

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

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

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 The outer plate should be understood to mean the portion of the bracket assembly that ts the open face of the C-channel members with which the present invention 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 ion, the inner and outer plates are formed from sheets of steel.

The thickness of the sheets of steel may vary according to the requirements of the joints and expected loadings on the joints with which the invention is to be used. However, one advantage of the invention is that there is less need for the ing bracket assembly to be over engineered and therefore the thickness of the steel sheet used may be less than some of the brackets in the prior art.

The inner and outer plates can come in a variety of shapes, which tely depends on the joint with which the present invention is to be used, but persons 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 invention, 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 limiting.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the inner plate approximates a gle (although not arily with 90° corners), with connecting portions extending from generally opposing edges of the plate. It should be understood that the connecting ns do not necessarily have be precisely parallel to each other.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the plates may take a y 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 elongate edge of the C- l member (where the sides of the member meet either the closed or open faces of the member, depending on whether it is the connecting ns of the inner or outer plate being folded). The ting portion bears against the sides of the C-channel member 1O when in use.

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 possible that there may be more than two connecting portions extending from the main body. For example, one edge may be provided with two te 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, and could provide a surface area for ancillary equipment or non-load bearing members to be positioned ate to the members being secured after the bracket assembly has been installed.

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

It should be appreciated that the shape and the placement of the connecting ns of the outer plate are complementary to those of the inner plate. The connecting portions unite James & Wells ref: 133134/47 the inner and outer plates, essentially forming a unitary bracket assembly. When assembled about the joint to be secured, and the ting portions fixed relative to each other, the inner and outer plates envelop the joint. These lock the C-channel members in place.

The connecting ns define the closed sides of the bracket (against which 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 of the bracket that the elongate length of the C-channel members s or passes.

The connecting portions include a ity of apertures to allow the use of fastening means to pass through the overlapping portions and fix them to the nel member being secured. The spacing and size of these res may vary according to the types of fasteners being used.

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 bracket is to be used. The tab is dimensioned such that it fits snugly inside the open channel of the nel member.

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 ed 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 extending at a right angle from the column.

James & Wells ref: /47 These tabs e lateral th to the joint being secured. The edges of the tab may meet and bear against the edges of the channel under stress.

However, the primary age of the tab is that when folded, it increases the strength capacity of the bracket along the line of the fold, a region of the bracket where fastenings cannot be used. The snug fit of the tab within the open channel of the C-channel member bridges the channel and strengthens the bracket to better withstand loads and stresses that may be applied to the joint. Without the tab, the outer plate may buckle, thus potentially compromising the joint before it reaches the maximum loadings for which the joint has been designed.

The inventor has found that the tab increases the overall performance of the bracket assembly, and therefore the joint being secured by the bracket. When designing a building, joints are design to and loadings, these loadings being lly dependent on the spans (the distance between load bearing s) of the building.

As a result of the performance of the present invention, the spans of the building may be increased. Depending on the building this may mean less load bearing members may be required, with a subsequent impact on the cost and length of time of construction.

Both the inner and outer plates include a ity of apertures to allow the use of fasteners to fix the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates together. These apertures also allow the bracket to be fixed to the C-channel members with which the present invention is to be used.

The arrangement of these apertures may vary according to the joint and dimensions of the C-channel members being secured but approximate the position of the te length of the members when the bracket assembly is in on.

As discussed above, the C-channel members have a length dimension and a width dimension. The series of apertures are arranged in pairs such that they substantially James & Wells ref: 133134/47 correspond with the length and width dimensions of the C-channel members, when the bracket assembly is in use.

Persons skilled in the art will iate that the position of these apertures may vary on the shape of the bracket, and the position of the C-channel member when the bracket is in use.

For e, the apertures may be arranged such that they form an X shaped pattern.

Preferably, each series of apertures are arranged substantially in a line. 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.

However, it is preferable to have at least three or more apertures in each series to ensure a strong joint. The greater the number of apertures the more fasteners can be used to minimise spacing between adjacent apertures. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that r spacing between adjacent res increases the risk of buckling or deformation of the plate at that region. The closer the apertures, and the more nt their number, the lesser the risk of failure.

It should be appreciated that because the sides of the te dimension of the nel 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.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the apertures of the inner plate are ed to be positioned just inwards of the ter of the square or rectangular shape defined 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, made up of four series of apertures, which are paired. Each pair of series of apertures define the parallel sides of the square or rectangle.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 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 se the risk of tearing out of the fastener. Positioning the res too close to the centre leaves the edges of the C-channel member unsupported, which again, may compromise the structural integrity of the t.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inner plate is ed with two sets of apertures, each set having four series of apertures arranged in pairs, forming a square or rectangle coincidental to the position of the two te members to be secured by the bracket.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fastening members are self-drilling or apping screws are used to fix the bracket assembly to the members being jointed and d.

Because of the increased performance of the bracket assembly as a result of the tab, rather than bolts being used as the fastening members, self drilling and self tapping screws may be used to secure the bracket assembly to the members being jointed without compromising its structural integrity.

The or has found that avoiding a combination of types of fastening members (such as bolts used with self-drilling and self-tapping screws) may provide for inconsistent performance.

When loading is applied to the bracket, the screws tend to bear the entire load until failure, at which stage the bolts carry the load. However, the transition from the load being taken by the screws to being taken by the bolts can still result in some structural damage, in the form of ng of the bracket assembly.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 The use of a single type of fastening means — i.e. screws, as opposed to bolts, provides for greater uniformity of connection at all fastening points of the bracket assembly. Screws also require less e area for the apertures, and consequently can be position closed to the edge of the main body. These in turn further increases the performance of the bracket as greater loading may be required before the plates begin to buckle.

As screws are lly more resistant to loading (and therefore movement of the joint), they also result in a stiffer portal. If bolts were used, the joint undergoes a degree of movement before the bolts begin to bear the loading and resist the movement.

Another reason for preferably using screws is that not only is less room physically required to l them, they may be added from one side only, without requiring access to the other side of the plate. This is in contrast to bolts, which require access to the other side in order to wind the nut onto the bolt.

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

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the t 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: s 1a, b is a plan view of the inner and outer plates of one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a t assembly for a knee joint; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly formed by the inner and outer plates of Figures 1a and 1b; Figures 3a, b is a plan view of the inner and outer plates of one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a t assembly for a canopy joint; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bracket assembly formed by the inner and outer plates of Figures 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 ng portal demonstrating the various joints with which the present invention may be used.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The inner plate ally indicated by arrow 1) of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1a. It will be seen that the inner plate (1) includes a five sided main body (2) with two connecting portions (3, 4) arranged on generally opposing edges.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 Edges (5, 6) define the entry points for the widths of the C-channel member (not shown) to be jointed.

It will be appreciated that the rectangular arrangement of the apertures (7) defines the final positions for the ends of the elongate members (not shown) to be secured. The placement of the series of apertures (8) running the width of the area in which the 0- channel member (not shown) will be placed indicates that the inner plate (1) is to be fixed to the flat side of the C section member.

The outer plate (9) of the t assembly is ed 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.

However, the outer plate es tabs (10, 11), which can be folded into the open faces of the C-channel s (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.

Like the inner plate, the outer plate (8) includes apertures (12) to secure the plate to the C- l s (not shown). However, as the plate is being fixed to the open face of the member, there is no need for apertures running the area corresponding to the width of the member.

When folded into position, as depicted in Figure 2, these tabs (only 11, 10) provide some lateral support to the joint (not shown as hidden by bracket assembly 13), increasing its rigidity and resistance to deformation under stress.

The illustrated ment of the bracket assembly (13) is intended for use with a rafter (14) and column (15) and is generally referred to in the building trade as a knee bracket.

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 such as a canopy joint. Figure 3a shows an inner plate (16) of a bracket assembly (not shown) that James & Wells ref: 133134/47 may be used for such a joint.

The inner plate (16) is a substantially rectangular inner plate with two connecting ns (17, 18) on opposing edges of a quadrilateral main body (19).

A first edge (20) defines the entry point for an elongate member (not shown) such as a canopy or awning rafter. Other edges (21) define the entry points for the column member (not shown) with which the t invention is to be used.

The corresponding outer plate (22) is depicted in Figure 3b. Here, it will be seen that two tabs (23) are provided for the vertical column (not shown) being secured while a single tab (24) is provided for the canopy rafter (not shown) that is being secured.

A perspective view of this embodiment of the invention is provided in Figure 4. Here, it can be seen that the C-channel members forming the column (25) and canopy rafter (26) have a lip (27), through which fasteners fix the bracket assembly (27) to the open sides of the column (25) and rafter (26). r embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, showing the inner plate (28) and outer plate (29) respectively. These show the plates that would be used to secure an apex joint which is formed by two rafters (not shown).

Here it will be seen that the main body (30 and 31 respectively) of each plate (28, 29) approximates a pentagon, which the connecting portions (32) suitably arranged to wrap around the sides of the C-channel members to be secured. Like with the previous embodiments described, the outer plate includes two tabs (33) to be folded into the open l of the member.

Figure 6 shows the assembled bracket (34) securing the apex joint (hidden by t assembly). The cross-sectional shape of the C-channel members (35) being d can be appreciated in this view.

James & Wells ref: 133134/47 The C—channel member has an open face (36), due to the channel (37) running its elongate dimension (38). The channel has lips (39) bounding the open face (36) and these provide a contact e for the main body of the outer plate (29) of the bracket.

The connecting portions (32) of the outer plate (29) fold over against the sides (40) of the C-channel member (35). The width dimension of the C-channel member is defined by arrow 41 and the depth by arrow 42.

The bracket assembly of the present ion may be used in a variety of joints that may be found in a building, a section (43) of which is illustrated in Figure 7. These include the apex joint formed by the ends of two rafters (indicated by dashed lines 44) over 1O which the apex bracket (34) is positioned. It will be seen that the res of the inner plate (35) form a rectangular pattern.

Where the rafters (36) meet the columns (37) form left and right knee joints (dashed lines 38) Another common joint is the awning, canopy or lean-to joint (dashed lines 39).

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that cations and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (26)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member, n each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is ured 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 at least a first and second ting n, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, 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 outer plate includes a first tab and a second tab, wherein both tabs are configured to be folded into the open channel of the elongate member.

2. The bracket assembly as d in claim 1 wherein the elongate members are C-channel members.

3. The bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body of each plate has at least four sides.

4. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tabs are positioned on separate edges of the main body of the outer plate.

5. The bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the connecting portions of the plates are positioned on one or more edges of their tive main bodies.

6. The bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4 n the main body of each plate has two connecting portions along two generally opposing edges of their respective main bodies.

7. The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the shape and the placement of the connecting portions of the outer plate are complementary to those of the inner plate.

8. The t assembly as claimed in claim 6 n the tabs are on edges of the main body that does not include a connecting portion.

9. The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 n the connecting portions include a plurality of apertures.

10. The bracket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the inner and outer plates are formed from sheets of steel.

11. A plate for a t assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate member, wherein each elongate member has an elongate dimension and a width dimension and is configured with an open channel g at least a portion of its elongate dimension, the plate including: a main body, at least a first and second connecting portion, wherein the connecting portions are configured to be folded relative to the main body of the plate, the plate characterised in that the plate includes a first tab and a second tab, n both tabs are configured to be folded into the open channel of the elongate member.

12. The plate as claimed in claim 11 wherein the main body has at least four sides.

13. The plate as claimed in claim 12 wherein the tabs are positioned on separate edges of the main body of the outer plate.

14. The plate as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the connecting portions are extensions from the sides of the main body.

15. The plate as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the main body has two connecting portions extending from two lly opposing sides of the body.

16. The plate as d in claim 15 wherein the tabs are on edges of the main body that does not include a connecting portion.

17. The plate as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the connecting portions include a plurality of apertures.

18. A method of forming a t 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 ion and is configured with an open channel running at least a n of its elongate dimension, and wherein the assembly includes: an inner plate, wherein the inner plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, an outer plate, wherein the outer plate has a main body, and at least a first and second connecting portion, the main body including a first tab and a second tab, wherein both tabs ured to be folded into the open channel of the member, the method including the steps of: a) placing the inner plate proximate to one side of the member; and b) placing the outer plate proximate to the side of the member bearing the open channel; c) fixing the main body of the plates to the member with fastening means and folding and securing the connecting portions of the inner and outer plates such that they overlap each other; the method terised by the additional step of: d) folding the first and second tabs of the outer plate into the open channel of the member.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the elongate members are C- channel members.

20. The method as claimed in either claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the fastening means are bolts.

21. The method as claimed in either claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the fastening means are self-drilling and/or self-tapping screws.

22. The method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 n the joint to be formed is a knee joint of a building.

23. The method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the joint to be formed is an apex joint of a building.

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

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

26. A method of forming a bracket assembly to form a joint between at least a first and second elongate members 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“. 9.39“.