WO2000052275A1

WO2000052275A1 - House and/or shed construction components

Info

Publication number: WO2000052275A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/000145
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Allen Bevis
Original assignee: Klasgold Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-03-02
Filing date: 2000-03-02
Publication date: 2000-09-08
Also published as: BR0008710A; CA2363546A1; MXPA01008755A; CN1347475A; JP2002538340A; KR20010110458A; EP1165899A1

Abstract

An adaptor (18) for location of a first member (12) in space relative to a second member (14) for forming a building frame. The adaptor (18) having first and second attachment means (44, 46) for respective attachment to first and second members (12, 14) wherein the first attachment means (44) is arranged for telescopic attachment to the first member (12). The adaptor (18) can also be arranged for attachment to the first member (12) via first attachment means (44) and a second member (14) via a second attachment means (46), wherein the first and second attachment means (44, 46) are rotatable relative to each other. A beam or column (12, 14) is also disclosed to attach telescopically to an adaptor (18) which connects the beam or column (12, 14) to another beam or column (12, 14), a holding down bolt or the like. The beam or column (12, 14) has opposed openings (26) in opposed walls (20, 22), the opposed openings (16) being arranged for receipt of an elongated member to prevent relative telescopic movement of the adaptor (18) and beam or column (12, 14). The beam or column (12, 14) can also be provided with at least one wall (20, 22) having one or more opposed flaps (28) being in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column (12, 14). The free ends of the flaps (28) extend outwardly of the walls (20, 22) and towards each other to locate opposed edges of a sheet therebetween.

Description

HOUSE AND/OR SHED CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to components which are suitable for construction of a house and/or shed. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Houses and sheds constructed using steel frames are typically constructed in accordance with the following procedure. A concrete slab is poured and dynabolts or holding down bolts are appropriately secured in the slab of concrete at predetermined locations to provide means by which a steel frame can be secured to the slab of concrete. Columns are then erected substantially vertically and secured to the dynabolts or holding bolts at their lower ends. The columns are positioned linearly relative to each other and a corresponding linear arrangement of columns is positioned substantially parallel with the first linear arrangement of columns such that the overall arrangement of columns is substantially symmetrical and each column of each linear arrangement of columns has a corresponding column which is positioned directly opposite it. Roof supports are formed by spanning beams between upper ends of corresponding columns. A single beam may span between corresponding columns. Alternatively, two or more beams may join end-to- end in spanning between upper ends of corresponding columns. It is common for two identical beams to span between the upper ends of corresponding columns . One end of each beam is attached to the upper end of the corresponding columns and the free ends of each of the beams are secured together at a point substantially midway between the corresponding columns. By continuing this process and connecting the upper ends of corresponding columns with beams, the frame of a house or shed is constructed. Sheeting may then be secured to external surfaces of the columns and beams to form the side walls and roof respectively of the house or shed.

The lower ends of the columns are typically attached directly to the dynabolts or holding down bolts and the beams are typically secured relative to each other and the columns via either welds or bolts or a combination of welds and bolts . In some cases adaptor members are used to secure beams to other beams or columns; however, the adaptor members are secured to such beams or columns in the same fashion.

Sheeting is typically attached to external surfaces of the columns and beams via top hats. The top hats are typically screwed to columns and beams such that their longitudinal axes extend substantially transversely relative to longitudinal axes of the beams and columns . In this way adjacent, substantially parallel beams and columns are connected by top hats. Sheeting can then be screwed to the top hats to enclose the house or shed. It is typically time-consuming to assemble a house or shed frame which is constructed using beams and columns in accordance with the above described method. If a slab, upon which a house or shed frame is erected, unevenly sinks or rises after production of specifically dimensioned columns and beams which are to be used to erect a house or shed frame on such a slab, assembly of the columns and beams will be even more difficult. In some cases assembly is not possible which means the columns or beams must either be adjusted or replaced. The problem of uneven movement of a slab has been partially addressed by bolting beams and columns together via slots in walls of the beam or column rather than holes, the slots allowing a small amount of axial movement of a bolt relative to a beam or column. It is therefore desirable to provide alternative columns, beams and adaptor members which enable assembly time of a house or shed to be decreased and which further address the problem of uneven movement of a slab of concrete. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor having first and second attachment means for respective attachment to the first and second members wherein the first attachment means is arranged for telescopic attachment to the first member, the first attachment means being locatable relative to the first member at two extreme positions and any position therebetween, one extreme position resulting from relative telescopic movement of the attached adaptor and first member relative to each other a maximum amount in one direction and the other extreme position resulting from relative telescopic movement of the attached adaptor and first member a maximum amount in the other direction.

The present invention also provides an adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor being adapted to attach to the first and second members via first and second attachment means respectively, the first attachment means comprising a first attachment member and the first attachment member including a female portion in the form of a slot, hole, cavity or the like for receipt of a corresponding male member, wherein the first attachment member is arranged for telescopic attachment to the first member, relative telescopic movement of the adaptor and first member being preventable by insertion of the male member respectively into or through a cavity, or slot or hole of the first attachment member. The male member may comprise a strap. The strap may form part of the adaptor. The present invention also provides an adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor being arranged for attachment to the first member via first attachment means and a second member via second attachment means, wherein the first and second attachment means are rotatable relative to each other. The first and second members may be a beam or column.

The present invention also provides a beam or column which is arranged to attach telescopically to an adaptor which functions to connect the beam or column to another beam or column or a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like, wherein the beam or column has opposed openings in opposed walls, the opposed openings being arranged for receipt of an elongated member to enable the openings of the beam or column to be fixed telescopically relative to the adapter, thereby preventing relative telescopic movement of the adapter and beam or column.

The opposed openings may be opposed slots. The first and/or second attachment means may include telescopic attachment means for telescopic attachment to respective first and second members wherein the first and second attachment means are locatable relative to the respective first and second members at the two extreme positions and any position therebetween. The telescopic attachment means may include a female portion in the form of a slot, hole, cavity or the like for receipt of a corresponding male member wherein relative telescopic movement of the telescopic attachment means and first or second member is preventable by insertion of the male member respectively into or through a cavity, or slot or hole of the first or second member. Alternatively, relative telescopic movement of the telescopic attachment means and first or second members may be preventable by screwing, bolting or the like the telescopic attachment member and first or second members together. The telescopic attachment member may be adapted for screwing, bolting or the like of it to the first or second members. Similarly, the first or second members may be adapted for screwing, bolting or the like of the telescopic attachment member to them. The adaptor may include locking means for preventing relative telescopic movement of the adaptor and first or second members wherein a telescopically attached adaptor and first or second member are adapted to locate telescopically relative to each other at either the two extreme positions or any position therebetween. The locking means may be arranged to locate a telescopically attached adaptor and first and second member telescopically relative to each other in a plurality of discrete positions which may include the two extreme positions or an position therebetween.

The adaptor may include opposed walls which are adapted for insertion into an end of the first and/or second member Alternatively, the adaptor may include opposed walls which are adapted to slideably receive therebetween, opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

The adaptor may include another wall, the other wall also being adapted for insertion into an end of the first and/or second member , the other wall joining the opposed walls. The other wall may also, in conjunction with the opposed walls of the adaptor, be adapted to slideably receive an end of the first and/or second member into a hollow end of the adaptor which is formed by the opposed walls and other wall of the adaptor.

Side edges of the opposed walls of the adaptor which are opposite the other wall may extend into extension portions, the extension portions being substantially aligned with the other wall and adapted for insertion into an end of the first and/or second member and the extension portions extending part way toward the opposite opposed wall.

The adaptor may include two pairs of opposed walls which are adapted for insertion into an end of the first and/or second member. The two pairs of the opposed walls of the adaptor may be adapted for slideably receiving two corresponding pairs of opposed walls of the first and/or second member

A transverse section of the adaptor may be substantially square or rectangular. Opposed walls of the adaptor may have a pair of slots adapted for alignment with a corresponding pair of slots of opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

The pair of slots of the adaptor may include a plurality of pairs of slots arranged linearly along the opposed walls of the adaptor. The adaptor may include a transverse plate which is positioned substantially transversely relative to the adaptor walls at either or both ends of the adaptor walls.

An arcuate member may extend from each end of a pair of opposed walls of the adaptor, the arcuate members being adapted for alignment with the corresponding pair of slots of the opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

The arcuate members are preferably elongated arcuate members which lie in planes that are substantially parallel with the walls of the adaptor which have the slots formed in them.

Longitudinal axes of the elongated arcuate members and slots may be orientated substantially transversely relative to the longitudinal axes of the adaptor walls, and first and/or second member respectively.

The corresponding pair of slots may include a plurality of pairs of slots which are arranged linearly along the opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

Each arcuate member may attach to a transverse plate and extend away from both the transverse plate and the adaptor walls.

The locking means may include a strap which is adapted to pass through aligned slots or aligned arcuate members and slots of the adaptor and the first and/or second member.

One end of the strap may be adapted to prevent passage of the strap through the slots.

The other end of the strap may be adapted to be bent relative to a longitudinal axis of the strap which extends between each end of the strap, after insertion of the strap through aligned slots or aligned arcuate members and slots of the adaptor and the first and/or second member. The first or second member may include a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like which is adapted to fix the adaptor relative to a concrete slab upon which the building frame is erected. The holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like may respectively include a plurality of holding down bolts, chemical anchors, dynabolts or the like.

The adaptor may have a plate for attachment to the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like, the plate being positioned substantially transversely relative to the adaptor walls and having a hole for receipt of the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like.

The hole may be threaded for threading engagement with a threaded end of the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like.

The plate may be adapted to provide a surface against which a nut may be tightened as it is threaded onto a threaded end of a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like.

The hole may be substantially centrally positioned in the plate.

The plate may include a plurality of holes for receipt of a plurality of holding down bolts, chemical anchors, dynabolts or the like.

The plate may extend beyond opposed walls of the adaptor to form plate extension portions.

Each plate extension portions may have at least one hole for receipt of at least one holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like.

The second attachment means of the adaptor may include a plurality of attachment means for attachment to a plurality of members. The attachment means may include attachment portions, each attachment portion being rotatable relative to at least one other attachment portion. The attachment portions may be rotatable, in a common plane, relative to each other.

The attachment portions may include attachment arms . The first and second attachment means may include first and second attachment arms.

The attachment arms may extend at a predetermined angle relative to each other.

The attachment arms may be coplanar. The attachment arms may be substantially linear.

An end of one attachment arm may attach to an end of another attachment arm. Alternatively, one end of the one attachment arm may attach to another attachment arm via an attachment region which lies between two ends of the other attachment arm. The attachment region may be substantially midway between two ends of the other attachment arm. The attachment arms of the adaptor may be rotatable, in a common plane, relative to each other. The attachment arms of the adaptor may be pivotally attached to each other via a pair of outer opposed walls which overlap a corresponding pair of inner opposed walls, the outer and inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to each other via an elongate member which rotatably connects said overlapping walls A first end of the elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage through aligned holes in the overlapping walls .

The second end of the elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage back through the aligned holes after it has been inserted therethrough. The first end of the elongate member may be flared to prevent its passage through the aligned holes of the overlapping walls.

The second end of the elongate member may be adapted to be flared after insertion through the aligned holes of the overlapping walls.

The outer overlapping walls may be connected to ends of the elongate member, while the inner overlapping walls may be adapted for passage of the elongate member therethrough, the inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to the elongate member.

The elongate member may include a tube. Rotation of the attachment arms of the adaptor about the elongate member may be prevented by locating means.

The locating means may comprise a screw which is adapted to be screwed into corresponding holes in at least one pair of adjacent outer and inner walls upon alignment of such holes.

Overlapping ends of the outer opposed walls and inner opposed walls may extend to form overlapping arcuate extensions to allow for rotation of the attachment arms of the adaptor relative to each other.

The pair of opposed walls, of the attachment arm having inner opposed walls, which are substantially transverse to the inner opposed walls, may extend around the arcuate extension of the inner opposed walls to enclose the end of the attachment arm from which the arcuate extensions extend. The attachment region of the other attachment arm may include a pair of outer opposed walls, walls which are substantially transverse to these outer opposed walls being adapted to allow relative pivotal movement of the pivotally connected attachment arms.

At least one of the walls of the other attachment arm which are substantially transverse to the pair of outer opposed walls of the other attachment arm may be at least partially removed to allow relative pivotal movement of the attachment arms

The arcuate extensions of said one attachment arm of the adaptor may be adapted to fit substantially neatly inside outer opposed walls of said other attachment arm to prevent axial movement of the arcuate extensions of the attachment arms of the adaptor relative to the elongate member.

Outer contacting surfaces of the arcuate extensions of one attachment arm of the adaptor which may contact inner surfaces of outer opposed walls of said other attachment arm may be separated by a greater amount than opposed walls from which the arcuate extensions of said one attachment arm extend to enable a first and/or second member to be telescopically attached to said other attachment arm without the first and/or second member interfering with said one attachment arm of the adaptor.

The attachment portions may rotatably attach via an arcuate elongate member which is adapted to pass through holes in opposed walls of the attachment portions, the rotatably attached attachment portions being rotatable in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. A first end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage through the holes in the opposed walls of the attachment portions.

The second end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage back through the holes in the opposed walls of the attachment portions after it has been inserted therethrough.

The first end of the arcuate elongate member may be flared to prevent its passage through the holes in the opposed walls of the attachment portions. The second end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to be flared after insertion through the holes in the opposed walls of the attachment portions.

The arcuate elongate member may include a substantially circular ring. The arcuate elongate member may be adapted to join at ends after insertion through the holes in opposed walls of the attachment portions.

The ends of the arcuate elongate member may be joined by welding. The attachment portions may be movable axially relative to the arcuate elongate member and rotatable relative to the arcuate elongate member at a plurality of positions along the elongate length of the arcuate elongate member.

Longitudinal axes of the opposed slots may be orientated substantially transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the beam or column.

The opposed slots may include a plurality of opposed slots which are arranged linearly along the opposed walls .

The beam or column may include opposed walls which are substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the beam or column.

The beam or column may include another wall, the other wall also being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column and the other wall joining the opposed walls.

Side edges of the opposed walls of the beam or column which are opposite the other wall may extend into extension portions, the extension portions being substantially aligned with the other wall and extending part way toward the opposite opposed wall.

The width of the opposed walls of the beam or column and the width of the extension portions may be such that said other attachment arm can be inserted into an end of the beam or column and moved along the length of such a beam or column without the extension portions interfering with said one attachment arm.

The beam or column may include two pairs of opposed walls, each wall being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column. A transverse section of the beam or column may be substantially square or rectangular.

The beam or column may be a solid beam or column.

Walls of the beam or column may have attachment means for attachment of sheets . The present invention also provides a beam or column having at least one wall which includes attachment means for the attachment of sheets, the attachment means comprising one or more opposed flaps, longitudinal axes of such flaps being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column and with each other, free ends of the flaps extending outwardly of the walls of the beam or column and toward each other, wherein the opposed flaps are adapted to locate opposed edges of a sheet therebetween.

The opposed flaps may be arranged to locate opposed edges of a top hat therebetween. The opposed flaps are preferably located along the longitudinal length of a wall of the beam or column at predetermined intervals, and are preferably located substantially midway across a width of a wall of a beam or column.

Opposing flaps may be located on adjacent walls of a beam or column. In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise, due to express language or necessary implication, the words "comprising", "comprises", or "comprise" are used in the sense of "including", that is the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of an assembled support frame for a house or shed;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of an unassembled beam or column and top hat; Figure 2b is a perspective view of the beam or column and top hat of figure 2a, assembled, and more detailed views of the flaps of the beam or column and top hat;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an adaptor which is suitable for attaching an end of a column to a dynabolt, chemical anchor or holding down bolt;

Figure 4a is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor which is suitable for attaching an end of a column to a dynabolt, chemical anchor or holding down bolt;

Figure 4b is a perspective view of another alternative adaptor similar to the adaptor of figure 4a; Figure 5a is a perspective view of an adaptor which is suitable for attaching an end of a beam to an end of another beam or to an end of a column;

Figure 6a is a perspective view of one arm of the adaptor of Figure 5a; Figure 7a is a perspective view of the other arm of the adaptor of Figure 5a;

Figure 5b is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor to that of figure 5a which is suitable for attaching an end of a beam to another end of a beam or to an end of a column;

Figure 6b is a perspective view of one arm of the adaptor of figure 5b;

Figure 7b is perspective view of the other arm of the adaptor of figure 5b; Figure 5c is a perspective view of an adaptor similar to the adaptor of Figure 5b;

Figure 5d is a perspective view of another adaptor which is similar to the adaptor of Figure 5c;

Figure 5e is a perspective view of an adaptor which is a combination of the adaptor of Figures 4b and 5d;

Figure 6c is a perspective view of one arm of the adaptor of Figures 5c, 5d and 5e;

Figure 7c is a perspective view of the other arm of the adaptor of Figure 5c; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a strap which is suitable for preventing relative movement of an adaptor and beam or column to which the adaptor is telescopically attached;

Figure 10 shows a front elevation of an alternative assembled support frame to that of Figure 1 for a house or shed;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor to that of Figure 5 which is suitable for attaching an end a column to ends of two separate beams;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the adaptor of

Figure 11 as attached to a column and beams; Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative arm to that of Figure 7c;

Figure 14 shows a front elevation of an alternative assembled support frame to that of Figures 1 and

10 for a house or shed; Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor to that of Figures 11 and 12 which is suitable for attaching an end of a column to ends of two separate beams; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the alternative adaptor of Figure 15 as attached to a column and beams; Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor to that of Figure 5 which is suitable for attaching a beam to another beam or column; and

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a column attached to a beam via the alternative adaptor of Figure 17; Figure 19 shows a front elevation of an alternative assembled support frame to that of Figures 1, 10 and 14 for a house or shed;

Figure 20 shows a plan view of the alternative assembled support frame of Figure 19; and Figure 21 is a perspective view of an alternative adaptor to that of Figures 5, 11 and 15 which is suitable for attaching ends of beams pivotally relative to each other.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, a frame 10 for a steel framed house or shed may comprise first members, one example of which is columns 12 and beams 14. The columns 12 are secured relative second members such as dynabolts, chemical anchors, or holding down bolts (not shown) via adaptor members, one example of which is footing adaptor members 16.

The ends of beams 14 and columns 12 are attached relative to each other via adaptor members, one example of which is pivotable adaptor members 18. Referring to Figure 2, each column 12 and beam 14 has opposed walls, one example of which is walls 20 and another wall, one example of which is wall 22 which is substantially normal to walls 20 and substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of each beam 12 or column 14 and joins edges of walls 20. Side edges of the opposed walls 20 which are opposite wall 22 extend into extension portions, one example of which is extensions 24 which are substantially normal to the opposed walls 20 and substantially parallel with wall 22, the extensions 24 extending part way toward the opposite opposed wall 20. Each beam 12 or column 14 has three slots 26 at each end of walls 20. The slots extend across a width of the walls 20 and are substantially normal to a longitudinal length of the walls 20.

Referring to figures 2a and 2b, each beam 12 or column 14 also has opposed flaps in the form of pairs of punched out projections 28, each punched out projection 28 including a strip of metal which is punched out of walls 20 and 22 such that one end of the strip of metal remains attached to the walls and the other end is partially pressed outwardly of the walls 20 and 22. The pressed out strips of metal of each pair of pressed out projections 28 are substantially aligned and the free ends of each of the pressed out projections 28 are proximal each other. Each pair of pressed out projections 28 are spaced apart such that a distance between points where each of the strips of metal attaches to the walls 20 or 22 approximates a distance from one longitudinal edge of a top hat 30 to the other longitudinal edge of a top hat 30.

Referring to Figure 3, footing adaptor members 16 are formed of opposed walls, one example of which is walls 32 which are substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the footing adaptor members 16. An edge of each of the walls 32 is joined by another wall, one example of which is wall 34 which is also aligned with the longitudinal axis of the footing adaptor members 16. Extension portions, one example of which is extensions 36 extend from each edge of walls 32 which is opposite wall 34. Each extension 36 extends toward the wall 32 which is opposite the wall 32 from which the extension 36 extends. The extensions 36 only extend part way toward opposite walls 32. A plate 38 is secured to lower ends of walls 32, 34 and extensions 36 to enclose a lower end of the footing adaptor members 16. The plate 38 has a hole 40 which is positioned to align with the longitudinal axis of the footing adaptor members 16; although, the plate 38 could have more than one hole. For example, it could have four holes which are positioned symmetrically in the plate 38. Slots 42 are formed in walls 32 and run across a substantial portion of the width of walls 32. Five slots 42 are formed in each wall 32 and the slots 42 are equidistantly spaced from each other.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b alternative footing adaptor members 17 and 27 could be used, particularly for small sheds and/or houses. The alternative footing adaptor members 17 and 27 are similar to the corresponding footing adaptor member 16 except for the following differences. A plate 39 which is similar to plate 38 of figure 3 extends beyond opposed walls 32 which correspond to opposed walls 32 of the footing adaptor member 16 to form plate extension portions, one example of which is plate extensions 41. Each of the plate extensions 41 has a hole 43 which is substantially centrally positioned within each plate extension 41. Longitudinal edges of the opposed walls 32 are joined by opposed walls 45 which are substantially aligned relative to each other and substantially transversely aligned relative to the opposed walls 32. The alternative footing adaptor member 17 has a transverse plate, one example of which is plate 47 which attaches to upper ends of opposed walls 32 and 45 to enclose an upper end of the alternative footing adaptor member 17. The alternative footing adaptor member 27 does not have a transverse plate 47. The upper end of the alternative footing adaptor member 27 is therefore open. The alternative footing adaptor member 27 also does not have the slots 42 which are formed in the walls 32 of the footing adaptor member 16 and the alternative footing adaptor member 17. Referring to Figures 5a, 6a and 7a, pivotable adaptor member 18 includes first and second attachment arms in the form of substantially symmetrical arms 44 and 46. Each of the arms 44 and 46 have two pairs of opposed walls, one example of which is opposed walls 48 and 50. End plates 52 are attached to one end 51 of each of the arms 44 and 48 such that each end 51 is enclosed by the end plates 52.

Five slots 54 are formed in each of the opposed walls 48, toward the end 51 of each of the arms 44 and 46. Each of the slots 54 are transverse of longitudinal axes of each of the arms 44 and 46 and extend across a substantial portion of the width of opposed walls 48. Each of the five slots 54 are substantially equidistantly spaced from each other.

The arms 44 and 46 of pivotable adaptor members 18 pivotally attach to each other via end 55 of each of the arms 44 and 46. Opposed walls 50 extend away from plates 52 and their ends which are distal from the plates 52 have semicircular extensions 56 which extend beyond adjacent opposed walls 48.

Referring to figures 5b, 6b and 7b, an alternative pivotable adaptor member 19 to the pivotable adaptor member 18 of figures 5a, 6a and 7a is essentially the same as the pivotable adaptor member 18 except that it does not include the end plates 52 nor the slots 54. Identical reference numerals have been used to refer to similar features of the adaptors of figures 5a, 6a and 7a, and 6a, 6b and 7c. Arms 44 and 46 of pivotable adaptor members 18 and

19 are assembled as follows. Semicircular extensions 56 of arm 44 pass inside corresponding semicircular extensions 56 of arm 46 for alignment of holes 58 of the semicircular extensions 56. A tube 60 is passed through the aligned holes 58 and outer ends of the tube 60 are splayed outwardly to locate the tube 60 relative to semicircular extensions 56 of the arm 46 . Rotation of arms 44 and 46 relative to the tube 60 typically results in the arm 44 rotating relative to the tube 60.

Opposed walls 48 of the arm 44 continue around the semicircular extension 56 to enclose the end of the arm 44 which is inserted in between the semicircular extensions 56 of the arm 46. Contrastingly, the opposed walls 48 of the arm 46 do not continue around the semicircular extensions 56 of the arm 46 such that an end of the arm 46 which pivotally attaches to the arm 44 is open for receipt of the arm 44 between semicircular extensions 56 of the arm 46.

Referring to figures 5c-e, 6c and 7c, other alternative pivotable adaptor members 21, 23 and 25 are similar to pivotable adaptor member 19 with the following exceptions. For ease of reference in explaining differences between the pivotable adaptor members 21, 23 and 25 and the pivotable adaptor member 19, identical reference numerals have been used to refer to similar features. Referring to figures 6c and 7c, the semicircular extensions 57 of arm 45 which are designed to pass inside the corresponding semicircular extensions 56 of arm 46 are only partially enclosed rather than being fully enclosed. The arms 45 and 46 of figures 6c and 7c respectively are used to form the adaptor 21. Similar arms are used to form adaptors 23 and 25; although, the arm 46 varies slightly as follows. For adaptors 23 and 25, the arcuate extensions 59 of arm 46 are flaired out slightly from the wall 50 from which they extend. That is, the arcuate extensions 59 of the adaptors 23 and 25 are separated by a slightly greater amount than the walls 50. The arm 46 which forms part of the adaptor 25 differs in another respect from the arm 46 which forms part of the adaptor 21. A plate 59, which is similar to the plate 39 of figures 4a and 4b encloses an open end of the arm 46. The semicircular extensions 56 of the arm 46 are located at one end of the arm 46 and the plate 59 is located at the other end of the tubular arm 46.

Referring to Figures 1, 2a, 2b and 3, a column 12 and footing adaptor member 16 are assembled as follows. A bolt (not shown) of a holding down bolt or dynabolt which projects upwardly from a slab of concrete is passed upwardly through the hole 40 (see Figure 3) of the footing adaptor member 16. The footing adaptor member 16 is secured relative to the slab of concrete by threading a nut onto a thread of the holding down bolt or dynabolt until it tightens against an upper surface of the plate 38 (see Figure 3) of the footing adaptor member 16. With the footing adaptor member 16 secured relative to the slab of concrete, a column 12 (see Figures 1 and 2) is positioned uprightly relative to the footing adaptor member 16 and appropriately orientated so that one of its ends is received telescopically within an upper end of the footing adaptor member 16. The column 12 is orientated so that opposed walls 20 slide inside opposed walls 32 of the footing adaptor member 16. The column 12 is then moved upwardly or downwardly until a top end of the column 12 is suitably positioned relative to an upper surface of the slab of concrete. With the column 12 appropriately positioned, a strap (see Figure 7) is passed through slots 42 and 26 if one pair of slots 42 is aligned with a pair of slots 26. Otherwise, the column 12 is moved slightly upwardly or downwardly until the strap 62 can be inserted through an aligned pair of slots 42 and 26 to lock the column 12 relative to the footing adaptor member 16. The strap 62 is passed through the footing adaptor member 16 and column 12 until an inside surface of a transverse end 64 abuts against an outside surface of one of the opposed walls 32 of the footing member 16. An end 66 of the strap 62 which is opposite the transverse end 64 is then bent relative to the longitudinal axis of the strap 62 until the end 66 of the strap 62 is aligned with the opposite end 64 and abuts an outside surface of the wall 32 of the footing member 16 opposite that which the transverse end 64 abuts. Referring to figure 4a, the alternative footing adaptor member 17 can be used to attach a column 12 to a concrete slab in a manner similar to that described above, with the exceptions that the opposed walls 20 of the column 12 slide outside rather than inside opposed walls 32 of the footing adaptor member 17.

Columns attach to the alternative footing adaptor member 27 by sliding inside opposed walls 32 and 45 in a manner similar to that described below in relation to adaptor 19.

Referring to figure 5e, the adaptor 25 provides another alternative footing adaptor which can be used to attach a column to a concrete slab as described above in relation to the alternative footing adaptor 17. However, the adaptor 25 is suitable for attaching a beam or column at an angle other than right angles to a wall or concrete slab respectively. With a column 12 fixed relative to a footing adaptor member 16 and extending upwardly therefrom, a pivotable adaptor member 18 is attached relative to an upper end of the column 12 as follows. Either arm 44 or end 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 18 is inserted into the upper end of the column 12 in a similar fashion to that described above in relation to insertion of the column 12 into the footing adaptor member 16. The arm of the pivotable adaptor member 18 which is inserted into the upper end of the column 12 is moved upwardly or downwardly until one part of slots 54 aligns with a pair of slots 26 (see Figure 2) in upper ends of opposed walls 20 of the column 12. A strap (see Figure 7) is then inserted through aligned slots 26 and 54 as described above in relation to insertion of the strap 62 into aligned slots 42 and 26 of the footing adaptor member 16 and column 12. By bending the end 66 of the strap 62 such that it aligns with the opposite transverse end 64, the pivotable adaptor member 18 is axially located relative to the column 12.

The alternative pivotable adaptor member 19 is attached to an upper end of a column in a slightly different manner to that used in relation to the pivotable adaptor 18. Either arm 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19 is appropriately orientated to enable an upper end of a column to slide upwardly inside the hollow arm 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19. The pivotable adaptor member 19 may be attached to a column similar to the column 12; however, the column 12 is attached to the pivotable adaptor member 19 by sliding it inside the hollow arms 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member as opposed to sliding the arms 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 18 inside the column 12. The pivotable adaptor member 19 is designed for attachment to timber beams or columns 47 in which case an end of the timber beam or column is orientated relative to hollow arms 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19 to enable an end of the timber beam or column 47 to slide telescopically inside a hollow arm 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19. With a timber beam or column 47 appropriately located within a hollow arm 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19, the timber beam or column 47 can be attached to the pivotable adaptor member 19 by screwing self drilling wood screws 49 through one or both of opposed walls 50 of the arms 44 or 46. Four self drilling wood screws may be screwed through a single wall 50.

Referring to figure 9, timber beams 14 and timber columns 12 are shown attached to adaptors 27; 19,21 or 23; and 92. While the pivotable adaptor member 19 is designed for attachment to a timber beam or column, it may also be used for attachment to a metal or fabricated beam or column. In such a case the metal or fabricated beam or column is attached to the pivotable adaptor member 19 by telescopically sliding the metal or pre-fabricated beam or column inside the hollow arm 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19, in a similar fashion to that describe above in relation to a timber beam or column. The metal or pre-fabricated beam or column may then be secured to the pivotable adaptor member 19 by screwing walls of the arms 44 or 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 19 to corresponding adjacent walls of the metal or pre-fabricated beams or columns. The pivotable adaptor member 19 could similarly be secured relative to a metal or pre-fabricated beam or column using rivets, bolts, spot welding or other known methods of fixing components together. By appropriately connecting ends of columns 12 and beams 14 with pivotable adaptor members 18, pairs of beams 14 span between upper ends of opposite columns 12 where each pair of beams 14 is substantially aligned with other pairs of beams 14 which span between upper ends of other columns 12 which are opposite each other. Referring to Figure 2, top hats 30 are placed across adjacent columns 12 or beams 14 such that the longitudinal axes are substantially transverse to longitudinal axes of columns 12 and beams 14. Top hats 30 can be attached to the columns 12 and beams 14 by sliding the tops hats 30 transversely relative to the columns 12 and beams 14 while outer contacting flanges 17 of the top hats 30 contact external surfaces of walls 20 or 22 of the columns 12 and beams 14. While sliding the top hats 30 they are directed relative to punched out projections 28 such that the flanges 70 pass underneath the projections 28 and outer edges of flanges 70 pass between points where each of the strips of metal of the projections 28 attach to walls 20 or 22. In this way top hats 30 can be quickly attached to columns 12 and beams 14 such that they extend between adjacent, substantially parallel columns 12 and beams 14. With top hats 30 appropriately attached to columns 12 and beams 14, sheeting can be attached to the top hats to complete the walls and roof and enclose the house or shed. Referring to Figure 10, a beam 90 may be located relative to another beam 14 and a column 12, the beam 14 and column 12 corresponding to a beam 14 and column 12 of Figure 1, such that the beam 90 extends outwardly and downwardly from an intersection point where the beam 14 and column 12 join, to form a support for an eave of a house or shed. The beam 90 of Figure 10 can be pivotally attached relative to the column 12 and beam 14 of Figure 10 via the alternative adaptor 92 of Figures 11 and 12. The alternative adaptor 92 has three attachment arms , one example of which is arms 94 which are rotatably attached relative to each other. The arms 94 are similar to arms 44, 45 and 46 of the pivotal adaptor members 18, 19, 21 and 23 of Figures 5a-5d. Arms 94 and 96 are rotatably attached as described in relation to arms 44, 45 and 46 of the pivotable adaptor members 18, 19, 21 and 23. Referring to figure 13, the third arm 98 is formed of an arm similar to arm 99 with the exception that it has slots in walls which correspond to walls 48 of figure 5a. Semicircular extensions 101 extend from one end of the arm 99 and are similar to the semicircular extensions 56 of figure 7c; although, the semicircular extensions 101 are separated by a greater amount that the semicircular extensions 56. The semicircular extensions 101 therefore flair out from the walls from which the extend in a similar manner to that explained above in relation to adaptor 25 of figure 5e. However, the semicircular extensions 101 actually flair out more than the semicircular extensions of the adaptor 25. The extra spacing between the semicircular extensions 101 makes the arms 98 and 99 suitable for attaching to pivot adaptors 18, 19 21 or 23 to make the adaptors suitable for attachment to 3 beams or columns rather that 2. The third arm 98 is attached to the adaptor arms 94 and 96 as follows. Semicircular extensions 103 which correspond to semicircular extensions 101 of arm 99 pass outside corresponding semicircular extensions of both arms 94 and 96. The arm 98 is pivotally attached to the arms 94 and 96 by passing a tube (not shown) similar to the tube 60 which rotatably secures arms 94 and 96 together; although, the diameter of the tube (not shown) which rotatably attaches arm 98 to arms 94 and 96 is slightly less than that of the tube 60 such that it can be inserted inside an inner diameter of the tube 60. The tube which rotatably attaches arm 98 is fixed axially relative to the arms 94 in the same manner as described above in relation to the pivotal adaptor member 18. Arm 94 is able to rotate both toward and away from adjacent arms 96 and 98 and the other arms 96 and 98 are able to rotate in a similar fashion toward and away from adjacent arm 94. The arm 94, 96 and 98 rotate substantially in a common plane which is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube 60 and the tube (not shown) which is inserted inside tube 60.

Referring to Figure 12 a column 12, beam 14 and beam 90 can be attached as described above in relation to attachment of a column 12 and beam 14 to a pivotable adaptor member 18. The beam 90 is typically shorter in length than the beam 14 because the eave of a house or shed typically only extends away from a house or shed wall a fraction of the distance between a house or shed wall and an upper most point of a roof of a house or shed. Referring to Figure 14, a frame 102 for a steel framed house or shed may have a beam 104 which extends upwardly relative to an intersecting column 12 and beam 14 which correspond to columns 12 and 14 of Figures 1 and 10. It is often useful that a support for a gutter 106 is formed between the upwardly extending beam 104 and the intersection point of the column 12 and beam 14 from which the upwardly extending beam 104 extends. Referring to Figure 15 an alternative adaptor 108 has arms 94 and 98 which correspond to arms 94 and 98 of the alternative adaptor 92 and a third arm 110 which, unlike adaptor arms 94 and 98 is formed of two substantially linear ends 112 and 114 which intersect substantially midway along the elongate length of the adaptor arm 110. The end 112 of the arm 110 extends substantially horizontally away from the intersection point of arms 94 and 98 and the end 114 extends upwardly of the end 112. The end 112 provides a support for a gutter 106 and the end 114 is attachable to a beam 104. Referring to Figure 16 the alternative adaptor 108 is attached to a column 12, beam 14 and beam 104 as described above in relation to the alternative adaptor 92 of Figures 10-12. Referring to Figures 17 and 18, an alternative pivotable adaptor member 72 includes first and second attachment arms , one example of which is a horizontal member 74 and a vertical member 76. Both the horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 have two pairs of opposed walls 48 and 50 similar to corresponding opposed walls of Figure 5. End plates 52 which correspond to end plates 52 of Figure 5 attach to either end of the horizontal member 74 and another plate 52 attaches to a lower end of the vertical member 76. Five slots 78 are formed in each end of each of the opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74 and a lower end of each of the opposed walls 48 of the vertical member 76. Each of the slots 78 of the horizontal member 74 are transverse of the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member 74 and each of the slots 78 of the vertical member 76 are similarly transverse of the longitudinal axis of the vertical member 76. The slots 78 extend across a substantial portion of the width of opposed walls 48. Each pair of slots of any one of the three groups of five pairs of slots are substantially equidistantly spaced from each other. Opposed walls 50 of the vertical member 76 extend upwardly beyond upper ends of adjacent opposed walls 48 of the vertical member 76 to form arcuate extensions , one example of which is upper pivot lobes 80. A lower wall 50 of the horizontal member 74 is discontinuous and formed of two end portions which are located at either end of the horizontal member 74 such that a middle region of the horizontal member 74 is not enclosed by the lower plate 50.

The upper pivot lobes 80 of the vertical member 76 are separated by a greater amount than opposed walls 50 of the vertical member 76 which are substantially aligned with the upper pivot lobes 80. The distance between opposed walls 50 and opposed walls 48 of the vertical member 76 is substantially equivalent to corresponding distances between opposed walls 50 and 48 respectively of the horizontal member 74.

The horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 of the alternative pivotable adaptor member 72 are assembled as follows. The upper pivot lobes 80 of the vertical member 76 are inserted upwardly into the horizontal member 74 by aligning the upper pivot lobes 80 with opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74 and inserting the upper pivot lobes 80 between the opposed walls 48 and between lower plates 50 which are positioned at each end of the horizontal member 74. The vertical member 76 is moved upwardly into the horizontal member 74 until upper arcuate surfaces of the upper pivot lobes 80 are almost contacting an inner surface of the upper plate 50 of the horizontal member 74. The horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 are then moved relative to each other to align holes of the upper pivot lobes 80 and opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74. With such holes appropriately aligned a tube 82 is passed through the holes and outer ends of the tube 82 are attached to the upper pivot lobes 80. Rotation of the horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 relative to each other results in the vertical member 76 rotating relative to the tube 82. With the horizontal member 74 and vertical member

76 rotatably attached as described above and the vertical member 76 extending transversely of the horizontal member 74 the upper pivot lobes 80 are located in an upper half opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74. With relative rotation of the horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 the horizontal member 74 is free to rotate downwardly, in either direction toward the vertical member 76 until an inner edge of one of the lower walls 50 contacts one of the opposed walls 48 of the vertical member 76. The alternative pivotable adaptor member 72 is typically used for connecting an upper end of a column 12 with a beam 14. The vertical member 76 of the alternative pivotal adaptor member 72 is connected to an upper end of a column 12 in a similar fashion to that which a column 12 or beam 14 is connected to an end 44 or end 46 of the pivotable adaptor member 18. The horizontal member 74 is connected to a beam 14 by appropriately aligning the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member 74 with a longitudinal axis of a beam 14 and subsequently inserting the horizontal member 74 into one end of the beam 14. The horizontal member 74 is dimensioned such that opposed walls 48 slide inside opposed walls 20 of the beam 14 and upper wall 50 of the horizontal member 74 slides underneath wall 22 of the beam 14. Extensions 24 of the beam 14 slide underneath lower plates 50 of the horizontal member 74. The opposed walls 50 of the vertical member 76 are substantially aligned with opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74 and positioned substantially centrally between the opposed walls 48 of the horizontal member 74. The width of walls 48 and 50 of both the horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76 and the amount the extensions 24 extend inwardly of walls 20 of the beam 14 is such that the opposed walls 50 of the vertical member 76 pass inside the inner edges of extensions 24 of the beam 14 without contacting such inner edges. The horizontal member 74 is therefore able to be inserted into an end of the beam 14, as described above, and moved axially relative to the beam 14 without opposed walls 50 of the vertical member 76 interfering with extensions 24 of the beam 14. The horizontal member 74 is moved axially relative to the beam 14 until a pair of slots 78 of the horizontal member 74 align with a pair of slots 26 of the beam 14. The horizontal member 74 can then be fixed axially relative to the beam 14 by insertion of a strap 62 as described above in relation to the footing adaptor member 16 or pivotable adaptor member 18. Slots 26 are preferably located along the longitudinal length of a beam 14 that is to be attached to a column 12 via an alternative pivotable adaptor member 72, and not restricted to each end. Such location of slots 26 enables a horizontal member 74 to be moved axially relative to a beam 14 such that a column 12 can be attached to the vertical member 76 and extend downwardly of a beam 14 at a positioned between ends of the beam 14. Referring to Figure 16 this enables a beam 14 to extend downwardly from an uppermost point 86 of a roof, toward a supporting column 12 and beyond such a supporting column 12 to form an overhang 88. Beams 14 which are used with alternative pivotable adaptor members 72 are therefore longer than beams 14 which are used with pivotable adaptor members 18 by an amount equivalent to the length of the overhang 88.

The gap between lower plates 50 of the horizontal member 74 is typically such that the horizontal member 74 is able to rotate approximately 60 degrees in either direction, downwardly toward the vertical member 76, before an inner edge of one of the lower walls 50 of the horizontal member 74 contacts one of the opposed walls 48 of the vertical member 76. Rotation of the horizontal member 74 relative to the vertical member 76 results in walls 50 of the vertical member 76 rotating inside inner edges of extensions 24 of the beam 14. Because the upper pivot lobes 80 are positioned in an upper half of walls 48 of the horizontal member 74, when the vertical member 76 is positioned transversely relative to the horizontal member 74, the upper pivot lobes 80 do not interfere with inside surfaces of extensions 24 during relative rotation of the horizontal member 74 and vertical member 76.

Referring to Figures 19 and 20, a frame 120 for a steel framed house or shed may comprise columns 12 and a column 122 and beams 124. The columns 12 correspond to columns 12 of Figure 1 and the column 122 is similar to columns 12; although, it extends upwardly substantially midway between the columns 12 and lies in a common plane which includes columns 12. Beams 124 extend upwardly from upper ends of columns 12 and column 122 and are similar to beams 14 of Figure 1; although, they do not lie in the plane that includes columns 12 and column 122 but extend upwardly and toward a central uppermost point 126 (see Figure 20) of a roof of the house or shed which is supported by the frame 120. The central uppermost point 126 is substantially centrally positioned within outer walls which are supported by corner columns 12 and the central uppermost point 126 is located at upper ends of beams 124 which extend upwardly and inwardly toward each other from upper ends of columns 12 and the column 122. Because the beams 124 do not lie in the plane that includes the columns 12 and column 122 the columns 12 and the column 122 must be appropriately rotated about their longitudinal axes relative to the dynabolts, chemical anchors or holding down bolts which attach to their lower ends to enable adapters which connect lower ends of the beams 124 to upper ends of the columns 12 and 122 to be inserted into upper ends of such columns. Referring to Figure 21, upper ends of beams 124 are rotatably attached relative to each other via an alternative adaptor 128. The alternative adaptor 128 includes arms 94 which are rotatably attached, via ends of the arms 94 to a common ring , one example of which is a pipe 130. The arms 94 are similar to those of the alternative adaptors 92 and 108 and are attached to the pipe 130 via holes in opposed walls 50 of the arms 94 which correspond to opposed walls 50 of the pivotable adaptor member 18 of Figures 5-7. For the frame 120 of Figures 19- 20, five arms 94 are rotatably attached to the pipe 130.

The arms 94 can be moved axially relative to the rod 130 to align with upper ends of beams 124. The arms 94 can then be attached relative to the beams 124 in a similar fashion to that described above in relation to the arms 94 of alternative adaptors 92 and 108.

The rod 130 is typically not continuous to enable it to be threaded through holes in opposed walls 50 of the arms 94. Ends of the pipe 130 may be subsequently fixed relative to each other to increase the strength of the alternative adaptor 128.

Each of the above describes adaptors 16, 17, 92, 108, 72 and 128 can be modified in a similar manner to that which the adaptors 17 and 18 are modified in forming the adaptors 27, and 19, 21 and 23 respectively, to produce adaptors which are designed to attach to a solid or hollow beam or column by slideably receiving the beam or column inside a portion of the adaptor rather than sliding a portion of the adaptor inside a hollow end of a column 12.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. An adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor having first and second attachment means for respective attachment to the first and second members wherein the first attachment means is arranged for telescopic attachment to the first member, the first attachment means being locatable relative to the first member at two extreme positions and any position therebetween, one extreme position resulting from relative telescopic movement of the attached adaptor and first member relative to each other a maximum amount in one direction and the other extreme position resulting from relative telescopic movement of the attached adaptor and first member a maximum amount in the other direction.

2. An adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor being adapted to attach to the first and second members via first and second attachment means respectively, the first attachment means comprising a first attachment member and the first attachment member including a female portion , one example of which is a slot, hole, cavity or the like for receipt of a corresponding male member, wherein the first attachment member is arranged for telescopic attachment to the first member, relative telescopic movement of the adaptor and first member being preventable by insertion of the male member respectively into or through a cavity, or slot or hole of the first attachment member. The male member may comprise a strap. The strap may form part of the adaptor.

3. An adaptor for location of a first member in space relative to a second member for forming a building frame including a house or shed frame, the adaptor being arranged for attachment to the first member via first attachment means and a second member via second attachment means, wherein the first and second attachment means are rotatable relative to each other.

4. A beam or column which is arranged to attach telescopically to an adaptor which functions to connect the beam or column to another beam or column or a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like, wherein the beam or column has opposed openings in opposed walls, the opposed openings being arranged for receipt of an elongated member to enable the openings of the beam or column to be fixed telescopically relative to the adapter, thereby preventing relative telescopic movement of the adapter and beam or column.

5. A beam or column having at least one wall which includes attachment means for the attachment of sheets, the attachment means comprising one or more opposed flaps, longitudinal axes of such flaps being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column and with each other, free ends of the flaps extending outwardly of the walls of the beam or column and toward each other, wherein the opposed flaps are adapted to locate opposed edges of a sheet therebetween.

6. An adaptor as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and/or second attachment means includes telescopic attachment means for telescopic attachment to respective first and second members wherein the first and second attachment means are locatable relative to the respective first and second members at the two extreme positions and any position therebetween.

7. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second attachment means includes telescopic attachment means for telescopic attachment to the second member wherein the second attachment means is locatable relative to the second member at two extreme positions and any position therebetween.

8. An adaptor as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the telescopic attachment means includes a female portion , one example of which is a slot, hole, cavity or the like for receipt of a corresponding male member wherein relative telescopic movement of the telescopic attachment means and first or second member is preventable by insertion of the male member respectively into or through a cavity, or slot or hole of the first or second member.

9. An adaptor as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein relative telescopic movement of the telescopic attachment means and first or second members is preventable by screwing, bolting or the like the telescopic attachment member and first or second members together. The telescopic attachment member may be adapted for screwing, bolting or the like of it to the first or second members. Similarly, the first or second members may be adapted for screwing, bolting or the like of the telescopic attachment member to them.

10. An adaptor as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein the adaptor includes locking means for preventing relative telescopic movement of the adaptor and first or second members wherein a telescopically attached adaptor and first or second member are adapted to locate telescopically relative to each other at either the two extreme positions or any position therebetween.

11. An adaptor as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locking means is arranged to locate a telescopically attached adaptor and first and second member telescopically relative to each other in a plurality of discrete positions which may include the two extreme positions or an position therebetween.

12. An adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the adaptor includes opposed walls which are adapted for insertion into an end of the first and/or second member.

13. An adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 11 wherein the adaptor includes opposed walls which are adapted to slideably receive therebetween, opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

14. An adaptor as claimed in claim 13 wherein opposed walls of the adaptor have a pair of slots adapted for alignment with a corresponding pair of slots of opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

15. An adaptor as claimed in claim 14 wherein the pair of slots of the adaptor includes a plurality of pairs of slots arranged linearly along the opposed walls of the adaptor.

16. An adaptor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the corresponding pair of slots include a plurality of pairs of slots which are arranged linearly along the opposed walls of the first and/or second member.

17. An adaptor as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the locking means includes a strap which is adapted to pass through aligned slots or aligned arcuate members and slots of the adaptor and the first and/or second member.

18. An adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first or second member includes a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like which is adapted to fix the adaptor relative to a concrete slab upon which the building frame is erected.

19. An adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 3 and 6

- 18 wherein the second attachment means of the adaptor includes a plurality of attachment means for attachment to a plurality of members.

20. An adaptor as claimed in claim 19 wherein the attachment means includes attachment portions, each attachment portion being rotatable relative to at least one other attachment portion.

21. An adaptor as claimed in claim 20 wherein the attachment portions are rotatable, in a common plane, relative to each other.

22. An adaptor as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the attachment portions include attachment arms .

23. An adaptor as claimed in claim 22 wherein an end of one attachment arm attaches to an end of another attachment arm.

24. An adaptor as claimed in claim 22 wherein one end of said one attachment arm attaches to said other attachment arm via an attachment region which lies between two ends of said other attachment arm.

25. An adaptor as claimed in any one of claims 22 - 24 wherein the attachment arms of the adaptor pivotally attach to each other via a pair of outer opposed walls which overlap a corresponding pair of inner opposed walls, the outer and inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to each other via an elongate member which rotatably connects said overlapping walls.

26. An adaptor as claimed in claim 25 wherein overlapping ends of the outer opposed walls and inner opposed walls extend to form overlapping arcuate extensions to allow for rotation of the attachment arms of the adaptor relative to each other.

27. An adaptor as claimed in claim 24 wherein the attachment region of the other attachment arm includes a pair of outer opposed walls, walls which are substantially transverse to these outer opposed walls being adapted to allow relative pivotal movement of the pivotally connected attachment arms.

28. An adaptor as claimed in claim 24 or claim 27 wherein outer contacting surfaces of the arcuate extensions of one attachment arm of the adaptor which contact inner surfaces of outer opposed walls of the other attachment arm are separated by a greater amount than opposed walls from which the arcuate extensions of said one attachment arm extend to enable a first and/or second member to be telescopically attached to said other attachment arm without the first and/or second member interfering with said one attachment arm of the adaptor.

29. An adaptor as claimed in claim 20 wherein the attachment portions rotatably attach via an arcuate elongate member which is adapted to pass through holes in opposed walls of the attachment portions, the rotatably attached attachment portions being rotatable in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

30. An adaptor as claimed in claim 29 wherein the attachment portions are movable axially relative to the arcuate elongate member and rotatable relative to the arcuate elongate member at a plurality of positions along the elongate length of the arcuate elongate membe .

31. An adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second members may be a beam or column.

32. A beam or column as claimed in claim 4 wherein the opposed openings are opposed slots.

33. A beam or column as claimed in claim 5 wherein the opposed flaps are located along the longitudinal length of at least one wall of the beam or column at predetermined intervals.