U.S. patent application number 10/482553 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for connector for timber brandering.
Invention is credited to Du Preez, Johannes Petrus.
Application Number | 20040179892 10/482553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25589174 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040179892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Du Preez, Johannes Petrus |
September 16, 2004 |
Connector for timber brandering
Abstract
The invention provides a connector (10) for connecting two
lengths of timber brandering (36 and 38) end-to-end in a roofing
structure. The connector (10) comprises an elongate, hollow sleeve
(12) which is sized and shaped to receive a length of timber
brandering (36 or 38) of generally square cross section at each
longitudinal end (28 and 30) thereof, and which includes a pair of
inwardly directed gripping formations (20 and 22) for gripping
brandering of various different cross-sectional dimensions within a
predetermined tolerance by engaging or deforming the brandering. A
web or flap (34) is provided approximately midway along the length
of the sleeve (12) for limiting the extent to which brandering may
be inserted into the sleeve from each longitudinal end (28 and 30)
thereof. The sleeve (12) also includes two apertures (44) for
allowing the brandering to be locked in position within the sleeve
with locking pins or nails (45).
Inventors: |
Du Preez, Johannes Petrus;
(Guateng, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
D Peter Hochberg
6th Floor
1940 East 6th Street
Cleveland
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
25589174 |
Appl. No.: |
10/482553 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 24, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB02/01812 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/57 20150115;
E04D 12/004 20130101; E04B 1/2608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/300 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2001 |
ZA |
2001/4240 |
Claims
1. A connector for connecting two lengths of timber brandering
end-to-end comprising an elongate, hollow sleeve which is sized and
shaped to receive a length of timber brandering of generally square
cross section at each longitudinal end thereof, and which includes
at least one inwardly directed gripping formation on each of two
contiguous side walls of the sleeve for gripping brandering of
various different cross-sectional dimensions within a predetermined
tolerance by engaging or deforming the brandering, characterised in
that the inwardly directed gripping formations comprise
indentations in side walls of the sleeve defining, on the inner
surface of the sleeve, rigid projections which include engaging
surfaces for engaging the timber brandering.
2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the rigid projections
comprise elongate ribs which include rounded engaging surfaces.
3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein each elongate rib
extends from a location spaced inwardly from one end of the sleeve
to a location spaced inwardly from the other end of the sleeve.
4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein each elongate rib is
stamped into one of the side walls of the sleeve.
5. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the sleeve includes at least one inwardly directed stop
formation located approximately midway along the length of the
sleeve for limiting the extent to which brandering may be inserted
into the sleeve from each longitudinal end thereof.
6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein the stop formation
comprises a flap which extends inwardly from one side wall of the
sleeve.
7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein the flap is formed by
cutting and bending a portion of one side wall of the sleeve so
that one end of the flap is joined to the sleeve along a joint
which extends transversely to the length of the sleeve.
8. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the sleeve defines one or more windows in a side wall
thereof for checking that the timber brandering has been properly
inserted into the sleeve.
9. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the sleeve is formed from metal sheeting.
10. A connector according to claim 9, wherein the metal sheeting is
galvanised iron.
11. A connector according to claim 10, wherein the sleeve is formed
from two pieces of galvanised iron which are joined together along
corner edges of the sleeve.
12. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the
sleeve is formed from a plastics material.
13. A timber joint comprising a connector according to any one of
the preceding claims and two lengths of timber joined end-to-end by
insertion into opposite ends of the sleeve.
14. A timber joint according to claim 13 in a roofing
structure.
15. A timber joint according to claim 14 in a roofing structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to connectors for timber members and
more specifically to a connector for connecting timber brandering
end-to-end in a roofing structure.
[0002] Timber brandering or purlins in roofing structures span
timber trusses as generally horizontal beams for supporting roofing
sheets, tiles or ceiling boards. Typically, the brandering is
connected end-to-end at joints which have to be relatively strong
because these members tend to carry reasonably high loads.
Conventional brandering for roofing sheets or tiles is cut so that
the joints between adjacent lengths of brandering are located
directly above rafters in the timber trusses, and the ends of the
brandering are connected to the rafters with nails.
[0003] A problem associated with this type of joint is that the
nails used to connect the lengths of timber brandering to the
rafters are driven through the timber adjacent the ends of the
brandering and this often causes the timber at these ends to split,
thereby reducing the strength of the joint. In addition, since the
joints have to be located directly above the rafters, generally it
is necessary to cut the brandering whilst balancing on a partially
completed roofing structure. Apart from being time consuming, this
tends to be relatively dangerous and has led to accidents in the
past. It will also be appreciated that cutting the brandering to
the correct length on the roofing structure results in timber waste
which increases the cost of the structure.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
connector for connecting two lengths of timber brandering
end-to-end in a joint which is relatively strong and which is
relatively easy and safe to construct.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention there is provided a connector for
connecting two lengths of timber brandering end-to-end comprising
an elongate, hollow sleeve which is sized and shaped to receive a
length of timber brandering of generally square cross section at
each longitudinal end thereof and which includes at least one
inwardly directed gripping formation for gripping brandering of
various different cross-sectional dimensions within a predetermined
tolerance by engaging or deforming the brandering.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve
includes at least one inwardly directed stop formation located
approximately midway along the length of the sleeve for limiting
the extent to which brandering may be inserted into the sleeve from
each longitudinal end thereof.
[0007] The stop formation may comprise a flap which extends
inwardly from one side wall of the sleeve.
[0008] Typically, the flap is formed by cutting and bending a
portion of one side wall of the sleeve so that one end of the flap
is joined to the sleeve along a joint which extends transversely to
the length of the sleeve.
[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sleeve has a
generally square cross section and includes an inwardly directed
gripping formation on each of two contiguous side walls
thereof.
[0010] In one arrangement, the or each inwardly directed gripper
comprises an elongate rib which extends from a location spaced
inwardly from one end of the sleeve to a location spaced inwardly
from the other end of the sleeve. In this way, the entrance to each
end of the sleeve is free of grippers to facilitate the insertion
of the timber brandering into the sleeve ends.
[0011] The sleeve may also define one or more windows in a side
wall thereof for checking that the timber brandering has been
properly inserted into the sleeve.
[0012] Typically, the sleeve includes one or more apertures for
allowing the brandering to be locked in position within the sleeve
with locking pins or the like.
[0013] The sleeve may be formed from metal sheeting, preferably a
single sheet of galvanised iron which is folded along one side of
the sleeve to form a seam.
[0014] Alternatively, the sleeve may be formed from two sheets of
galvanised iron which are connected together along two of the
corner edges of the sleeve.
[0015] Although the thickness of the metal sheet will depend upon
the particular application of the connector, in one application the
sleeve is formed from galvanised iron sheeting having a thickness
of approximately 0.5 mm.
[0016] The sleeve may also be formed from other materials such as a
plastics material.
[0017] The invention extends to a timber joint comprising a sleeve
as described above and two lengths of timber joined end-to-end by
insertion into opposite ends of the sleeve.
[0018] The joined timber may be used in roofing applications,
ceiling applications or other structural applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector according to
the present invention with two lengths of brandering adjacent the
connector;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 in
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG.
2 with brandering of a first cross-sectional dimension inserted
into the connector; and
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG.
2 with brandering of a second cross-sectional dimension inserted
into the connector.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a connector
10 according to the present invention. As can be seen, the
connector 10 comprises a sleeve 12 which defines a hollow passage
14 therethrough. In this embodiment of the invention, the sleeve 12
has a generally square cross-sectional shape and is preferably
formed from sheet metal, for example 0.5 mm thick galvanised iron,
which is both reasonably strong and corrosion resistant.
[0025] With reference also to FIG. 2 of the drawings, two
contiguous side walls 16 and 18 of the sleeve 12 include inwardly
directed gripping formations in the form of two ribs 20 and 22. In
the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 20 and 22 are stamped from the
side walls 16 and 18 and extend from locations 24 and 26 spaced
inwardly from one end 28 of the sleeve 12 to locations spaced
inwardly from the opposite end 30 of the sleeve.
[0026] In a central region 32 of the sleeve, a stop formation in
the form of a generally square web or flap 34 limits the extent to
which brandering 36 and 38 can be inserted into the sleeve 12 from
either of the ends 28 and 30 thereof. The flap 34 is cut from a
side wall 40 of the sleeve and is bent at 90.degree. to the length
of the sleeve, as shown. The opening formed by bending the flap 34
into the sleeve 12 creates a window 42 for checking that the
brandering has been properly inserted into the sleeve. It will be
appreciated that the window 42 allows for checking on only one side
of the flap 34, and accordingly another, similar window (not shown)
may be provided adjacent the flap 34 for checking the brandering on
the other side of this flap.
[0027] In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the side wall 40 is seen to
include two apertures 44 for locking brandering within the sleeve
12 with locking pins or nails 45.
[0028] The sleeve 12 in the illustrated embodiment is formed from a
single piece of galvanised iron which is joined along a seam 46 on
a side wall 48 of the sleeve. However, the sleeve 12 could also be
formed from two pieces of galvanised iron which are joined together
along corner edges of the sleeve, if desired.
[0029] The cross-sectional dimensions and the length of the sleeve
12 are selected to accommodate the dimensions of the timber
brandering to be joined together. For example, 38.times.38 timber
brandering generally has cross-sectional dimensions of 38 mm by 38
mm with a tolerance of say -2 mm. In this case, the internal
passage 14 of the sleeve 12 will be dimensioned so that the
entrances to this passage can receive 38 mm by 38 mm brandering
with a sliding fit, and the ribs 20 and 22 will be dimensioned so
as to extend a little more than 2 mm into the passage 14, thereby
to engage brandering with cross-sectional dimensions of 36 mm by 36
mm.
[0030] In practice, the two lengths of brandering 36 and 38 are
connected together by simply inserting one of the lengths of
brandering 36 into the end 28 of the sleeve 12 and feeding the
brandering 36 along the hollow passage 14 until the end 50 thereof
buts against the flap 34, and then inserting the other length of
brandering 38 into the end 30 of the sleeve 12 and feeding this
brandering along the passage 14 until it buts against the flap 34.
As the brandering 36 and 38 is fed along the passage 14 it engages
the ribs 20 and 22. Where the cross-sectional dimensions of the
brandering are 36 mm by 36 mm, the brandering is engaged by the
gripping ribs 20 and 22 and held in position in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 3. Where the brandering cross-sectional
dimensions are greater than 36 mm by 36 mm, the ribs 20 and 22
deform the outer surfaces of the brandering as it is forced along
the passage 14 to grip the brandering in position in the manner
illustrated in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that the absence of
gripping formations at the entrances to the passage 14 facilitates
the insertion of the brandering 36 and 38 into the sleeve 12.
[0031] The stop formation 34 and the inwardly directed gripping
formations 20 and 22 need not take the form of that shown in the
drawings, although it is considered important that the sleeve is
not easily removable from the timber brandering and that one length
of brandering cannot be inserted into the sleeve beyond the
approximate midpoint thereof.
[0032] One advantage of the connector of the present invention is
that, provided the sleeve 12 is formed from a material which is
reasonably strong, the joint between two lengths of brandering
should be at least as strong as the timber brandering itself. This
is a significant improvement over conventional connections between
timber brandering where, generally, the joint is considered to be a
weak point.
[0033] A further advantage of the connector according to the
present invention is that it is not necessary to cut the brandering
before effecting the joint, as is the case with conventional
brandering joints. This is advantageous because it tends to be
difficult, dangerous and time consuming to cut brandering while
balancing on a roofing structure.
[0034] It is envisaged that prior to even lifting the brandering
onto the roof, sleeves 12 will be fitted to one of the ends of some
brandering, and thereafter the brandering will be lifted onto the
roof and nailed into position with the sleeves already fitted. The
brandering to be joined end-to-end with that already in position
will simply be slotted into the opposite ends of the sleeves 12 and
nailed into position. In this way, the joints can be effected
relatively quickly and easily by non-skilled labour.
[0035] Apart from being stronger than conventional joints, the
joints constructed with connectors according to the invention will
result in very little timber loss from off-cuts.
* * * * *