ZA200605569B - Flashing - Google Patents

Description

- 1 =

FLASHING

TE=CHNICAL FIELD

Flashing is disclo sed which finds particular use im the construction industr-y, primarily for covering member s such as joists, beams, bmwearers, wall plates, rafters and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Flashing is used i n the construction industry to provide a barrier againsst the passage of moisture into a.nd beyond joists, rafters, beams, bearers, wall plates and the like, especially whe=re such members are formed from materials susceptible tc moisture such as timber.

Known flashing inc=ludes metal strips or metal- containing sheets which are cut and positioned in relati_ cn to the member. It is al so known to use adhesive tape im the place of metal flaslaing.

US 5,148,644 discl_oses a covering strip of rubber or plastic. At column 2, li nes 1&2 it is stated that the strip is dimensioned so that the distance between the si de portions substantially «—orresponds to the width of a wooden member on which t—he strip is placed.

SUMMARY” OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect there is provided flashing comprising an elongate loody for overlying a member, and legs extending for at lesast part of the body length and protruding from either sside of the body, the flashing having a configuration porior to overlying the member whereby one or both legss is/are biased towards a respective member side when positioned thereat.

Thus, the flashincg can be provided with an in-buil_t bias which enables it tc better grip onto and/or locate on the member on which it is placed. Thies bias can be pre- oo q con=figured within the flashing body tc then be transferred to the legs when the flashing is place=d on the member, and/or can be pre-configured within eii ther one or both legss. In one form, both legs may have such bias.

In addition, whilst the legs may” be spaced at appXxoximately the width of a member (eg. the flashing can be supplied with leg spacings corresponding to cone or more stardard member widths), the legs may also have a spacing tha is greater than or, in the case of an elastomeric flashing, slightly lesser than the mermber width and yet still be configured to grip onto the member.

In one form the body can be prowided with eg. a conkoured profile. For example, the legs may extend inwardly from a concave surface of the body. Then, when the flashing is located on the member, the body can assume a generally flat configuration. The contoured profile pro—~ides one means by which bias can Ibe pre-configured within the flashing.

In one form the flashing is formmed from an elasstomeric material. Use of an elastomeric material prowvides for noise reduction (especially when used on met=al members such as metal joists) arnd can provide for imp=act absorption between adjacent merubers (ie. between - which the flashing is located). In acidition, when nails or screws are driven through the flaskiing, the elastomeric properties enable the elastomeric material to grip around the nails or screws, thereby preventirag water, moisture, liguid and dust movement therepast. Tke use of an elasstomeric material can also enhance the in-built bias of the or each leg.

The term “elastomeric” is intencled to include a broad range of polymers having regiliency arad/or shape memory,

- 3 - 4007 Th and includees natural and synthetic rubbers sucka as EPDM | 9 rubber, po-lymeric resins having flexibility and resiliency cuch as AB.S resin and other butadiene and styrene polymers and co-pol-ymers, nylons etc. EPDM rubber is particularly useful bec.muse it has excellent UV, ozone and chemical resistance.s, and is long-ageing. In addition, it is resistant to most paints, lacquers, oils, solveants, acids and cleaning agents.

The #®erm “member” as used herein includess joists, beams, bearers, wall plates, rafters, battens and the like.

In a second aspect there is provided flasshing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs protr—uding from either side of the body ard extending for at lea.st part of the body length, wherein one, some Or all of the legs are detachable from the body along a respective line of severance.

In a third aspect there is provided flaskaing comprising an elongate body for overlying a memeber, and wings extemding laterally from either side of t—he body and extending .for at least part of the body length, wherein one, some eor all of the wings are detachable fr-om the body along a re=spective line of severance.

By providing for leg and wing detachabili.ty, various flashing shapes can be created which can allow for accommodat ion of various other adjacent memberss in abutting ozr closely positioned relationships. For example, when all legs and wings are detached, the resultant =Flashing may simply comprise the eloragate body, or when one= of the legs and one of the adjacent- wings are detached amd the flashing is applied to a first= member, an adjacent seecond member can be butted right up against the

, “ first member where that leg and wimg have been removed, etc.

In one form the flashing comprises two legs extending for the entire length of the body on opposing sides thereof, although a plurality of d-iscrete legs arranged along part or the entire length of the body on opposing sides thereof can also be provided .

In one embodiment, prior to positioning the flashing on the member, legs on opposing sicles of the bedy project generally towards each other. In ®his regard the flashing may be extruded or moulded so that the legs in the finished configuration project geneerally towards each other and so that the flashing is wmanufactured with an in- built bias. Thus, when the legs aree positioned on either side of the member, they are biase«d towards that respective side. This enables the flashing to grip onto the member, making it easier to us=e and tending to prevent its inadvertent removal. For example, when the flashing is used in an inverted or vertical configuration, the legs grip onto the member and prevent tThe flashing from dropping off the member.

In addition, by providing le=gs which extend for the entire length of the body on oppos ing sides thereof the © "flashing can prevent stain marks f xom promulgating down the side of the member to which th e flashing is attached (eg. resin stains, water stains et c that emanate from or occur on timber members, or from s eepage from overlying, abutting or adjacent members etc).

Tn another embodiment the fl.ashing further comprises wings extending laterally from the body beyond the legs (ie. the wings can be provided in addition to the legs).

Again, the wings may extend for th e entire length of the body on opposing sides thereof, al though a plurality of

- ) KY discrete wings can be provided for part of or for the Co entire 1 ength of the body on opposing sicles thereof. The wings en._able the flashing to overlap adj=cent members, and can also overlap adjacent flashing etc to provide for a more com prehensive barrier against moistiare, dust, noise and the like,

A dine of severance can also be provided along and adjacent to where each wing is attached t—o the body to enable w_ing detachment. In other words, a discrete or an entire le=ength of the wing can be removed to enable position—-ing of the member in close proximity to other members =and to enable the abutment of adjacent members etc.

The wings may have an elongate rectangular shape and can respe=ctively be joined to the body al ong opposing elongate sides thereof. In a further variation, each wing can tapem:, from a relatively thicker sectz—ion where it is connected to the body to a relatively thi nner remote end (ie. the wing having a decreasing cross-ssectional thicknesss out to its remote end). This t.apering configurz=ation can reduce any distortion Imetween flashing heights #n adjacent members where the wimg overlaps adjacent flashing (eg. of an adjacent memmber). The wings can also be fastened directly or indirect ly to an adjacent member (eg. by nailing, screwing, adhesiv-e, etc).

In one embodiment a line of severan ce is provided along andi adjacent to where each leg atta ches to the body to enables all or any of the legs to be de tached from the body as appropriate, in a similar manner to wing detachmermt. Again, detaching of one or msore legs allows for closes positioning or abutment of adja-cent members etc.

The body may have an elongate rectamigular shape so that it can be positioned along a correspeonding

0 | . rectangular face of a member (eg. an upper face of a joist, besarer etc). The legs can also have an elongate rectanguZlar shape and be respectively joined to the body along opposing elongate sides thereof (eg. so that they can run along corresponding rectangular side facces of a member swich as a joist). Each leg may also taper, from where it is connected to the body to a remote emd, or can be provieied with a constant thickness therethrowigh.

In a fourth aspect there is provided an a=mrangement between =first and second members wherein flashimg as defined dn the first, second or third aspects iss mounted to an in -use upper surface of each member such —+that the flashing of one member overlaps the flashing of another.

In the fourth aspect selected wing (8) and_/or leg(s) of the f lashing of each member can be removed t-o reduce or eliminat e the degree of flashing overlap.

Thee arrangement may be defined as a joint (eg. a butt joint) b etween the first and second members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scop e of the flashing as defined in the Summary, specific flashing embodiments will now be described, by way of e xample only, with reference to the acco mpanying drawings in which:

Figures 1A, 1B, 1C show respectively plan , end and undersid.e plan views of an end section of a fla.shing embodime nt;

Fi gure 2 shows a perspective view of the flashing end section of Figure 1;

Fi gure 3 shows a side elevation of the fl ashing end section of Figure 1;

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Figure 4 shows an enlarged erad elevation similar to

Fiegure 1B and illustrating lines off severance in the flashing in greater detail;

Figures 5A-5F show end elevat=ions of various flashi.ng comfigurations in which parts of tlnae flashing have been "detached for different applications; and

Figures 6-15 show various in—use configurations of th-e flashing of Figures 1-5.

DETATLED DESCRIPTION OF SPE CIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a flashing embodiment 10 comprises an elongates body portion 12 havimg a centre line 14 formed (eg. indent—ed or raised) or pr inted thereon to enable centring of the body portion or a -member such as a joist or the lil=<e. The centre line 14 al so provides a guide for accurate nailing/screwing of ov erlying members (eg. decking).

Projecting laterally from resspective longitudinal si des of the body portion 12 are two wing portions 16.

Ea ch wing portion is attached to tle body portion via a re spective raised region 18, which supports flexure of the wimg portion with respect to the body portion.

It will also been seen that each wing portion taper—s in thickness from the raised regiorn out to a free edge thereof. Thus, adjacent to its frese edge, each wing portion is relatively thin, and th3.s allows it to overlap ad—jacent flashing etc (as described below). In addition, ea<ch wing portion may extend for tlme entire length of the body portion, or may be provided acs a series of discrete wimg portions spaced along a respective longitudinal side of the body portion. As a further alternative, discrete wimg portions can be cut, torn or =ievered from a larger

« i 4 length of wing portion in use, again depending on tThe applicatiom.

Exterading downwardly from adjacent longitudinal sides of the bodsy portion are two leg portions 20. Each leg portion is connected to the body portion adjacent t © a respective raised region 18, and each leg portion s ubtends an acute amgle a (Figure 1B) with the body portion. Thus, prior to leocating the flashing on a member, and as can be seen in Ficgure 1B, the leg portions tend to general ly point towa=rds each other, which provides the flashi ng with a pre-application configuration that enables it to grip onto a member, as described below.

Alternatively, one of the legs may extend gen erally orthogonal ly from its connection to the body portion, and yet the otTher leg when subtending an acute angle caan still provide th e flashing with a pre-application configuration that enabl es it to grip onto a member.

Each leg portion can also slightly taper in decreasing thickness from the body portion out to a= free edge there of. This provides the leg portion with &=a greater de gree of stiffness adjacent to the body portion and relati vely less stiffness away from the body portion.

This also assists with maintaining an in-built biass in the leg portio-n orientation to the position as depicted in

Figures 1B- and 2.

Again, each leg portion can extend for a full. length of the bod.y portion, or can be provided as a seriess of spaced apa.rt discrete leg portions along the lengtla of the body porti.on. In addition, these discrete leg port—ions can be formed by severing, tearing Or cutting sections of a leg port-jon from the remainder of the leg portiora : length.

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As best shown in Figures 1B and 4, the body 1= is provided with a contoured profile. The legs 20 exterd inwardly from a concave surface 21 of the body. Thema, when the flashing 10 is located on a member, the body 12 will assume a generally flat configuration (Figure 7). Hcoowever, the previously contoured body profile now provides a bias which is transferred to the legs 20 so that they grip onto respective member sides.

In an alternative arrangement the body 12 can be 0 supplied in a generally Elat configuration, with onee or typically both legs 20 generally pointing to each o-ther.

Then, when the flashing 10 is located on a member, "the bias is provided by the one or both legs, so that t he legs then grip onto the respective member sides. a5 As best illustrated in Figures 1C and 4, a lime of severance 22 is provided where the wing portion 16 connects to raised regiorh 18. This enables each wi ng portion to be partially or completely severed, cut or torn from the body portion (eg. as shown in Figures 5A, 5B, 5C,

GF and 13). Similarly, = line of severance 24 ig perovided where each leg portion connects. to the body portion. 12.

Again, this allows each Jeg portion to be partially— or completely severed, cut or torn from the body porti.on (as shown on Figures 5A, 5D, G5E, 5F and 14). In additiocen, the lines of severance 22,24 need not be at the connect.ion points of the wing/leg portions to the body portiorm and, for some applications, could instead be located par—tway along the wing/leg portions.

Referring now to Fhigures 5A to 5F, it will be= seen that a number of differemt wing portion and leg por—tion detachment scenarios are possible. Each of these aallows the flashing to be used in parallel or in various aangular relationships with adjacent flashing on adjacent members

- 10 - ca i I 3 ancy allows for various other positiornal arrangements of EE q the= flashing on a member to which thes flashing is mounted.

Referring now to Figure 6, flasshing 10 in accordance wit=h the present invention is shown poositioned on a member in the form of a joist J, an end of wwhich is butted to a walll W (which may also be a beam etc? . The joist J also sit=s on top of a member in the form cf bearer B. As can be seen, part of each of the leg port—ions 20 is cut or torzn away, or removed, to define an end region 26 of the bocdy portion 12. This end region toge=ther with the wing por—tions 16 lap upwardly along the wall W as shown.

This lapping provides a barrier— to water, moisture, licyuids, dust etc at the joint of joist J to wall W. The enc region can also be sealed against= the wall (eg. by naii ling, screwing, adhesive etc). Irn addition, the wing por-tions 16 at the end region overharng laterally either gice of the joist to provide a coverZing effect to the joiint.

As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the flashing 10 is mounted to a joist, the leg por—tions 20 are urged outzwardly by respective sidewalls of the joist J. Because of a pre-configured internal bias in the flashing against such outward movement, the leg portions grip onto either sicde of the joist. This then enabless placement onto the flamshing of overlying members (eg. baattens, decking etc) andl fastening of these members to thes joist with less lik=elihood of flashing displacement.

Referring specifically to Figur—e 7, it will be seen hows the flashing 10 covers and proteccts the top face of thes joist J, with the wing portions coverhanging the joist on either side to prevent moisture (eg. rain etc), fluid see-page and dust etc falling onto thes top and sides of the joi.st. In addition, it will be seen how the leg portions

20 (biased outwardly by the respective joist side faces) grip on to the joist to hold the flashing firmly in place.

If desired, adhesive cara also be applied between the flashing and the joist.

When an overlying member (eg. decking, floorboards, panels etc) is positioned on top of the flashing, nails or screws can be driven through the flashing. Where the flashing is formed from elastomeric or deformable material, it tends to grip around the side of the nail or screw, thereby also prewenting the passage of moisture, dust etc between the flashing and nails/screws and towardss the joist. The flashing can thus act as a complete waterproof barrier and can prevent rotting, warping, etc of the joist. The flashdng can also prevent moisture wvaporisation between the joist and flashing which can otherwise lead to bubbling, buckling etc.

Referring now to Figure 8, parallel joists, J and J” are shown. In this embediment the left-side flashing 10 has one of its wing portions removed (in the manner as shown in Figure 5B) enabling the adjacent right-side flashing 10’ to overlap in the region shown by arrow O.

As also shown in Figure 8, the leg portions located between the adjacent jo ists can be compressed together when the flashing is foxmed from an elastomeric or deformable material.

Because the wing thickness tapers out to its remote edge, the thickness of the overlap also accordingly tapers. This means that , for any overlying member (eg. batten, floorboard etc) there is not an undue or overly uneven overlap to under-lie that member in use. For elastomeric flashings, this more minimal degree of thickness of overlap may also be readily and easily compressed in use.

TBhe overlapping of adjacent flashmings further providess greater sealing against the paassage of moisture, dust beftween the adjacent joists, whicloa has many advantacges. In addition, it provides £or increased support for overlying members to enhancze impact resistamce, sound absorption, cushionirmg etc.

Re=ferring now to Figure 9, an arr—angement for "abutting perpendicular joists J and J’ is depicted (ie. a gso-calle=d “butt” joint). In this arrarmgement, the joists are conrected by a screw or nail plate P. The left-side joist J has a flashing 10 mounted there=to, similar to the flashincg shape of 5B. The left-side flasshing 10 has one of : its wincg portions removed to enable the= left-side joist to be posit-ioned in close facing relationsship (or abutment) to a wa. ll W. The flashing of Figure 5A. can also be employed in this regard.

The right-side joist J’ employs a. flashing 10’ shaped similarJly to that shown in Figure 4. A.s can be seen, the left-sicde flashing has a wing portion t.hat overlaps the right-sXide flashing to provide a moistu_re etc barrier at the inte=rsection of the two joists. De=cking members D can then be positioned over the two joists and fastened down onto theam (eg. by screws or nails) whic h can extend through the respective flashings. The decking D can also compresss against the overlapping wing p ortion of the left- side fleazshing. Again, because of its t apering thickness, the wincg portion can be compressed by 4d ecking D so that adjacent: decking members can be levelle d as depicted.

Fi_gure 10 shows an arrangement of perpendicular joists J and J’ similar to Figure 9, but where a section 28 (showsn in phantom) of the overlappineg wing portion 16 has beer cut, torn or detached along thee line of severance 22 and amlso cut from a remainder of the wing portion 16

(ecy. where no overlap of the wing portion is required or dessired). This arrangement can be employed eg. where moisture etc ingress is not critical, such as in indoor apgolications.

Referring now to Figure 11, an arrangement is de-picted where the joist J abuts perpendicularly a plate memmber PL. Once again, sections of leg portions 20 have be en removed adjacent to the plate PL to enable the body po rtion 12 and lateral wing porticns 16 to lap over a top su rface of the plate PL. Decking D can be then be po sitioned on top of the joist at the intersection of the jo.ist with the plate. .

Referring now to Figure 12, the close positioning of a joist J against a wall W whilst resting on a bearer B is deepicted. The flashing can emplo=y a shape similar to that shmown in Figure 5B. The location of one of the leg poortions 20 between the joist and the wall prevents the imgress of moisture, dust etc at region E. The over- hanging of wing portions 16 prevemts moisture, seepade etc rumnning down the side of joist J, the moisture dropping off the flashing at region G. In addition, the provision off the right-side leg portion enables the joist to be painted, or coated with a sealer, and thereby prevents any owerlying members (such as deckin.g, floorboards etc) from bezing inadvertently coated with t he paint, sealer etc.

Ttaus, the bottom tip of the leg p rovides an edge I to eriable paint “cutting-in”.

As stated above, Figure 13 shows the removal (eg. by cuatting, tearing etc) at the line= of severance 22 of one of the wing portions. Figure 14 shows the removal at the 14nes of severance 24 of two of t he leg portions.

Referring now to Figure 15, a flashing 10 similar to tat depicted in Figure 5E is shown positioned on a joist

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J. In this application, both leg portions 20 of the flashing have been removed so that the flashing can be positioned on top of the joist- and so that the wing portions 16 overhang either si.de of the joist. This arrangement can be employed winere it is not necessary for the flashing to grip onto the joist (eg. where it is not critical that the flashing be in perfect alignment at a central position on top of thes joist). Alternatively, to maintain a central alignment, the flashing can be adhesively fixed to the joist or can be nailed or screwed thereto, prior to then attachi ng overlying members to the joist.

Whilst in Figures 6-12 amd 15 the flashing has been described with reference to it s use on joists, it should be appreciated that the flashimg can be used with many different types of members including beams, bearers, rafters, battens, purlins, guris, uprights etc.

Whilst typically the flashing is formed from an elastomeric polymer, in some applications it may be formed from more rigid polymers or otker materials. Thus, it can be extruded or moulded and supplied in easy to use rolls.

As stated above, the flashing provides a number of key features. These include: * The capacity of the flashing to cover and protect the upper surfaces of joists, Ioeams and other members (especially timber joists and loeams) to prevent rot, splitting, swelling, staining, discolouration, etc from moisture and other liquid passage, dust etc. * The in-built bias in tke flashing which enables the leg portions to grip onto t.he side of a member, thus enabling the flashing to be used in a number of orientations, including inverte d orientations. e Detachability/severabil.ity of the leg portions and wing portions of the flashing, which enabZle it to be used in a variety of different applications, =some of which have been describe=d above with reference to Fiigures 5-15. e The capac=ity of the flashing to grip onto nails, screws etc insertesd therethrough, to waterproeof and prevent moisture, dust and the passage of oth er matter between the flash_ ing and the nail/screw. eo The capacity of the flashing to compr—ess to enable overlapping of adjacent flashings without aff ecting respective levels of overlying members (such as decking) . e The impact and shock absorption properties of the flashing, togethe xr with noise resistance and minimisation (especially where the flashing is used with muetal and other hard member s, including metal decking f or formwork ete). e The capacity of the flashing to preveent moisture and dust passage into and between the joints between members, and to c over or shroud members by providing an overhang on eithe x side thereof (eg. provided®@ by overhanging wing portions 16). eo The capacrity of the flashing to be formed into a number of differe-nt shapes using the lines off severance and also because it can be easily cut, torn amnd shaped.

Whilst the flashing has been described with reference to a number of pr-eferred embodiments, it show ld be appreciated that the flashing can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (26)

16 - SCI bo CLAIMS:

1. Flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a - member, and legs extending for at least part of the body length and protruding from either sicie of the body, the flashing having a configuration prior- to overlying the member whereby one or both legs is/arce biased towards a respective member side when positioned thereat.

2. Flashing as claimed in claim 1 comprising two legs extending for the entire length of tlae body on opposing sides thereof.

3. Flashing as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein, prior to positioning the flashing on the membexr, the legs on opposing sides of the body project generally towards each other.

4. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising wings exterading laterally from the body beyond the legs.

5. Flashing as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wings extend for the entire length of the k>ody on opposing sides thereof.

6. Flashing as claimed in claims 4 or 5 wherein a line of severance is provided along and adjacent to where each wing is attached to the body to enabl e wing detachment.

7. Flashing as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the wings have an elongate re ctangular shape and are respectively joined to the body a long opposing elongate sides thereof.

8. Flashing as claimed in any one «of claims 4 to 7 wherein each wing tapers, from a rela tively thicker section where it is connected to the body to a relatively thinner remote end.

9. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a line of severance is provided along and adjacent to where each leg attaches to the body to enable leg detachment from the body.

10. Flashing as claimed in any one of the preceding claime wherein the body hems an elongate rectangulax— shape.

11. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi ng claims wherein the legs have an elongate rectangula.r shape and are joined to the body” along opposing elongate sides thereof.

12. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi ng claims wherein each leg tapers, from where it is comnnected to the body to a remote erad, or has a constant thic=kness therethrough.

13. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi ng claims that is formed fromm an elastomeric material.

14. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi ng claims wherein the member is a joist, beam, bearer, wall plate, rafter or batten.

15. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi.ng claims wherein the legs are spaced at approximately= the width of the membex.

16. Flashing as claimed in any one of the precedi.ng claims wherein the body iss provided with a contoure=d profile, with the legs extzending inwardly from a cconcave surface of the body, whereby the body assumes a gemerally flat configuration when the flashing is located on the member.

17. Flashing comprising an elongate body for overlying a member, and legs protrudirig from either side of the= body and extending for at leastc part of the body length, wherein one, some or all of the legs are detachable= from the body along a respective line of severance.

18. Flashing comprising an elongate body for over—lying a member, and wings extendirig laterally from either sside of

. . th e body and extending for at least part of the body lemgth, wherein one, some or all of the wings are de-tachable from the body along a resspective line of severance.

19. Flashing as claimed in claim 1.7 or 18 wherein the lime of severance is provided along and adjacent to where eaech leg or wing is attached to the body.

20 . Flashing as claimed in any one: of claims 17 to 19 whoich is otherwise as defined in any~ one of claims 1 to

16 .

21 . Flashing substantially as here:in described with reference to the accompanying drawinags.

22. An arrangement between first a_nd second members whesrein flashing as claimed in any oene of the preceding claims is mounted to an in-use upper— surface of each mermber such that the flashing of ones member overlaps the flashing of another.

23 . An arrangement as claimed in c laim 22 wherein selected wing {s) and/or leg(s) of thue flashing of each mermber is removed to reduce or elimi . mate the degree of flashing overlap.

24 _ An arrangement as claimed in ¢ laim 22 or 23 that defines a joint between the first an_d second members.

25. An arrangement as claimed in c¢ laim 24 that defines a butt joint.

26 An arrangement between first a-md second members sulostantially as herein described wi th reference to Figures 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of th.e accompanying drz=vings.