APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING TWO STRUCTURES

Description

This application claims priority to AU2024901788 filed on Jun. 13, 2024, the entireties of which are included herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for connecting two structures and in particular to apparatus for connecting a track or rail in a building system to a bracing member in a building structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ceiling structures generally include a framework which is suspended from a building structure and the framework supports the ceiling tiles or plasterboard linings. In some cases, rooms are divided by walls that are constructed to stop at the ceiling level and are fixed to the ceiling framework rather than passing through the ceiling cavity space and being connected to the building structure above. In the event of seismic activity from earthquakes or similar events, it is possible for the ceiling structure and less-than-full-height walls to move and gain momentum which ultimately causes the ceiling and walls to fail and collapse, potentially injuring people located in its vicinity and causing damage to the building's fixtures and fittings.

As result a number of recommendations of building guidelines and standards it has been recommended to provide bracing in ceilings and in internal walls to limit the amount of movement that a ceiling mass and internal wall can have.

In order to achieve this, the less-than-full-height walls are generally braced at the head or top of the wall to the underside of the building structure, such as the roof or concrete slab, while a ceiling framework is braced from the topside of the ceiling mass upper structure to the underside of the building structure, such as the roof or concrete slab.

Bracing the less-than-full-height wall also limits the transfer of movement within the wall structure to the ceiling structure in the event of a seismic occurrence. Bracing of suspended ceilings and less-than-full-height walls has been performed previously, however such bracing arrangements ad hoc, site-built systems that are built from general site materials, with no specific engineering design to the sections used or the connection methods employed. As a result, it is not possible to be sure that the ad-hoc bracing systems were fit for purpose or perform adequately in the event of an earthquake until a seismic event actually occurred.

Another particular problem that may occur, in the event of seismic activity, is that a connector that connects a building track, such as a furring channel or a top cross rail, to a bracing component, can fail at various connection points in the event of an earthquake or similar seismic activity. This can have catastrophic consequences, such as the track not being held in position and either being dislodged or falling due to gravity. It can have disastrous effects on maintaining the integrity of either a ceiling structure or a roof structure.

The present invention seeks to overcome at least one of the above disadvantages by providing apparatus for connecting two different structures, such as a ceiling structure and a building structure (roof structure) that have features to prevent the immediate fall or collapse of such structures and can temporarily hold a structure in place until it can be further secured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention that is provided apparatus for connecting a building component to a brace component, said apparatus including:

• • a first member;
  • a second member integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the first member;
  • retaining means adapted to retain the building component;
  • wherein further at least one of said first member and said second member is adapted to form a first connection to said building component;
  • wherein at least one of said first member and said second member is adapted to form a second connection to said brace component;
  • such that in the event of a disturbance to the building component whereby said first connection fails, said retaining means retains the building component to prevent separation of the building component from the apparatus.

Preferably the first member has a depending portion that is secured to a part of the building component.

After the apparatus initially contacts the building component, the apparatus is preferably moved through a ninety degree rotation in order to be in a position to secure the apparatus to the building component at the first connection.

The apparatus may further include a recess or receiving section for receiving the building component to enable the apparatus to move through the ninety degree rotation.

The recess or receiving section may have a portion in the first member and a portion in the second member. The retaining means can be located on one or both of the first and second members.

The apparatus preferably has a third member integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the first member, the third member enabling connection of the apparatus to another like apparatus.

The retaining means may be located at a lower part of the second member such that after the apparatus is moved through the rotation and secured to the building component, the retaining means extends underneath and is orthogonal to the building component and is in frictional engagement with the building component, the building component extending through the recess or receiving section. The building component is preferably a top cross rail.

The retaining means is preferably located at the depending portion of the first member.

The depending portion may be offset from the first member such that a curved section is defined that integrally joins the depending portion to the remainder of the first member.

The curved section can be in contact with a first flange of a first leg of the building component and the depending portion is preferably abutting against and affixed at the first connection to an outer side of the first leg.

The retaining means may be further formed at a lower part of the second member such that the retaining means follows a profile of a second flange and associated second leg of the building component.

The retaining means preferably includes a corner recess that receives and fits against the second flange. The retaining means preferably has a fold line in contact with an outer side of the second leg of the building component. The fold line can be created by a component extending orthogonal to the retaining means, the component being affixed at a third connection to an outer side of the second leg of the building component.

In the event of failure of either or both of the first and third connections, the profile of the retaining means preferably abuts against an underneath portion of the first and second flanges to prevent complete separation of the building component from the apparatus.

The building component is preferably a furring channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for connection to a top cross rail according to a first embodiment in which the apparatus is about to make initial contact with the top cross rail;

FIG. 2 is the apparatus of FIG. 1 abutting against the top cross rail;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus in contact with the top cross rail as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 in contact with the top cross rail but turned 90 degrees clockwise with reference to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 connected to the top cross rail and secured to a pair of bracing components;

FIG. 5A is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 when attached to the top cross rail and pair of bracing components;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of a pair of apparatuses of FIG. 1 connected to one another and also to the top cross rail with each of the apparatuses separately connected to a pair of bracing components;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of an apparatus according to a further embodiment for connecting to a furring channel, the apparatus shown about to be placed into contact with the furring channel;

FIG. 8 is the apparatus of FIG. 7 placed in contact with the furring channel;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus in contact with the furring channel as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is the apparatus of FIG. 8 in contact with the furring channel but rotated through 90 degrees when viewed in relation to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 10 connected to a pair of bracing components;

FIG. 11A is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 11 when connected to the furring channel and pair of bracing components;

FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view from below of the apparatus in a reverse view compared to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view from below of the apparatus shown connected in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view from above of a pair of apparatuses shown in FIG. 10 connected to one another and to the furring channel; and

FIG. 15 is the pair of apparatuses connected to one another as in FIG. 14 but each connected to a pair of bracing components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown apparatus 2, in the form of a bracket assembly or connector which is able to connect a building component, such as a rail or track used in the construction of a less than full height wall, to a bracing component of a building structure, such as a roof structure. In particular, the apparatus 2 connects one or more bracing components to a rail, track or channel.

The apparatus 2 has three connecting members including a first member 4, a second member 6 located perpendicularly to and integrally formed with the first member 4, and a third member 8, also integrally formed with first member 4 and also perpendicular to member 4. Both the second the third members 6, 8 are generally parallel to one another and located at opposite extremities of the first member 4.

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 2 ready to engage with a structural component 20 which is, in this case, a top cross rail. The rail 20 has a web 22, first leg 24 and second leg 26 with each of the legs 24 and 26 extending generally perpendicularly from the web 22. In FIG. 2 the apparatus 2 is shown with the lower part of first member 4 in contact with the rail 20. More particularly, the rail 20 is located within first receiving section 12 which is a cutout from the lower part of first member 4 which is formed by first side 15 and second side 13. Second side 13 forms part of a depending portion 10 that depends from a lower part of first member 4. The depending portion 10, in addition to side 13, also has a bottom edge 11 and a side edge 23 which is in line with a fold line between first member 4 and third member 8. Thus, the first side 15 is brought into contact with the outer surface 29 of web 22 of the rail 20. The first side can be frictionally engaged with or slightly loose with respect to outer surface 29 to enable further movement described in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4.

At a lower portion of the second member 6 there is a retaining portion 16 that, together with a middle portion 14 and a lower edge 17 define a second receiving section 18. Alternatively, the first receiving section 12 and second receiving section 18 can be considered to be a single receiving section. The middle portion 14 is located between the retaining portion 16 and the main upper section of second member 6, which has various apertures for the location and securing of bracing components. The retaining portion 16 has an extension or tongue that together with the second receiving section 18 can retain the rail 20 and prevent it from dislodging or falling due to gravity, in the event of a seismic condition.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to position or locate the apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is moved 90 degrees (clockwise from above) as shown by the arrow 31 in FIG. 3. The rail 20 is effectively positioned into the second receiving section 18 with the retaining portion 16 now positioned underneath the rail 20 such that its upper edge 27 is contact with or very close proximity to the underneath side of rail 20, opposite web 22, and in particular first flange 32 and second flange 24. Thus the retaining portion 16 is essentially perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis 33 of rail 20. The depending portion 10 is now adjacent to leg 26 and is in contact with second ridge 30 and second flange 34. The bottom edge 21 of the third member 8 is in contact with the top of rail 20 and specifically on the outer face 29 of web 22. Edge 17 is also in this position. The internal side 19 of middle portion 14 is in contact with the first ridge 28 and first flange 32 on leg 24 of rail 20. The positioning of the apparatus 2 from FIG. 1 through to FIGS. 2 and 4 is simply done by moving apparatus 2 by an installer's hand. There may be a small gap between the various sides or edges and the rail 20, but in general there is an interference fit or engagement between those contacting surfaces and edges. The apparatus 2 can then be secured to both legs 24, 26 of the rail 20 via securing means such as bolts 72 and 74, through corresponding apertures 38, 40 in depending portion 10, shown in FIG. 5.

The first member 4 has a number of elongated slots 36 and the second member 6 has a series of elongated slots 42. Fasteners can be threaded through the slots 36, 42 to allow the temporary positioning of a further component with respect to the members 4 and 6, such as a bracing component. Once a position of that further component is finalised, fasteners can be used through the various apertures 44 on first member 4 and apertures 46 on second member 6 to finally locate and fix the further component to each of the members 4 and 6. This is shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A whereby bracing component 52, which can be a stud, having web 56 and flanges or legs 58 and 60 can be connected to member 6 through nut and bolt arrangements 68, connecting to the web 56 to an outside face of the second member 6. Similarly, bracing component 54, having web 62 and first and second legs or flanges 64 and 66 can be connected through the web 62 to an outside face of first member 4 through securing means such as nuts and bolts 70.

The main purpose of the retaining portion 16 is, in the event of an earthquake or other seismic event, to assist in holding the weight of forces that are applied to the rail 20 and to prevent rail 20 from falling due to gravity, which would otherwise make the structure weaker or even to disintegrate. This is in the event that the securing means 72 and 74 are somehow damaged or sheared off, and therefore do not effectively attach the apparatus 2 to the rail 20. That is, if the shearing force on the fasteners 72 and 74 is too great so that they are ineffective, the retaining portion 16 is able to maintain and hold the rail 20 to keep the structure together and prevent catastrophic damage.

The above system provides an easy way to install, by a simple 90 degree twist, the apparatus 2 to rail 20 and securing to both legs 24, 26 of the rail 20.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view having two such apparatuses connected together on the same rail 20. This enables the connection of up to four bracing components in varied and different directions, rather than just two bracing components. The second apparatus 80, similar to apparatus 2, has first member 84, second member 86 and third member 82. The retaining portion 87 located at the lower part of second member 86 is positioned oppositely to the direction of retaining portion 16 of apparatus 2. Retaining portion 87 sits underneath and is in contact with the first and second flanges 32 and 34 of rail 20. The third members 8 and 82 of respective apparatuses 2 and 80 are secured together through the use of apertures 48 and 50 (and corresponding apertures on third member 82) whereby securing means such as nut and bolt combinations 94 and 96 are used to secure both apparatuses 2 and 80. A third bracing component 88 can be connected to first member 84 through securing means 98. A fourth bracing component 90 can be used and secured to second connecting sections 86 through the use of such securing means 100.

With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown a further embodiment of an apparatus for connecting a building component to a bracing component in a building structure. The apparatus 200 is shown ready to be engaged and connected with the building component, which is a furling channel 220. Apparatus 200 has a number of connecting members including a first member 204, a second member 206 and a third member 208. The second and third members 206 and 208 are generally perpendicular to and integral with the first member 204, being at respective peripheries of the first member 204. First member 204 has a depending portion 210 that has a profile at edges 213 and 215 adapted to match with the profile of one of the legs, in this case second leg 226 and corresponding second flange such as 230 of the furring channel 220. The furring channel 220 also has a web 222 and a first leg 224 with a corresponding first flange 228 located at the outer extremity of the leg 224. The web 222 exists between the first leg 224 and second leg 226.

A first receiving section 212 is formed as a gap and bounded by lower edge 219 and edge 213 of the depending portion 210. The width of the lower edge 219 from where it meets bottom edge 217 of second member 206 up to edge 213 is substantially the same as the width across the channel 220 from one outer edge of the first flange 228 to an outer edge of the second flange 230. The second member 206, which is opposite the third member 208, has a retaining portion 216 that depends from a lower section of the second member 206. In an initial form, the retaining portion 216 has a component 227 initially in line or in the same plane as the remainder of the second member 206. A slot is cut into the connecting section 206 and has a rounded extremity Or corner 223 to match the shape of the outer edge of the first flange 228 of the channel 220. Prior to use the component 227 has been outwardly formed (or it can be formed that way after manufacture) at right angles to the remainder retaining portion 216. The fold line 225 of the retaining portion 216 has a profile to match the outer side of the first leg 224 and the first flange 228. Moving the component 227 from an in-plane position with the rest of second member 206 to a position that is perpendicular to the second member 206, creates a second receiving section 218. This is bounded by the fold line 225, the corner 223 and bottom edge 217.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown apparatus 200 positioned on top of the furring channel 220 with lower edge 219 in contact with the top sections of the first and second flanges 228 and 230.

In FIG. 9 there is shown the position of the apparatus 200 with respect to the channel 220. In order to move the apparatus 200 to the position shown in FIG. 10, an installer will by hand rotate the apparatus 200 by 90 degrees in a clockwise direction as indicated by the circular arrow 231 in FIG. 9. The depending portion 210 is now positioned flush against and engages with second leg 226 of channel 220. The first member 204 to which the depending portion 210 is connected, is parallel with the longitudinal axis 233 of the channel 220 while the second member 206 is perpendicular to the channel 220 and the lower edge 217 contacts and abuts against the top edges of the flanges 228 and 230. The component 227 at the bottom of second member 206 sits flush against and engages with the outer side of leg 224 while the corner element 223 abuts the curved outside part of first flange 228. Thus, the retaining portion 216 fits and exactly follows the contour of the first flange 228 and extends down the outer face of the first leg 224. The depending portion 210 has a curved section 229 such that the depending portion 210 is offset and in a slightly different plane to the first member 204. The curved section 229 essentially enables the profile or contour of the depending portion 210 to be able to abut against the outer face of second leg 226. The depending portion 210 is then secured to the leg 226 of channel 220 (referring to FIG. 12) by securing means such as bolts and screws 272 and 274. Referring to FIG. 13, the component 227 is affixed to first leg 224 by retaining means such as screws and bolts 279 and 281.

In the event of a seismic episode or earthquake or substantial movement created by external conditions, if any or all of the securing means 272, 274 or 279 and 281 are sheared so that they are no longer functioning to attach the apparatus 200 to the channel 220, both the depending portion 210, with its curved section 229 and the retaining portion 216 will be able to retain and hold the channel 220 and prevent it from falling due to gravity and potentially weakening the structure to which it is attached. This is due to the specific profile of depending portion 210 fitting to second flange 230 and the outer side of leg 226, and due to the fold line 225 and corner section 223 also closely fitting to the first flange 228 at the outer side of first leg 224. Both of these profiles enable the holding of the furring channel 220 at the underneath parts of the flanges 226 and 228.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 11A, the first member 204 has a pair of elongated slots 236 and apertures 244 while second member 206 has a pair of elongated slots 242 and a set of apertures 246. The slots 236 and 242 through which one or more fasteners can be threaded can allow the location or temporary positioning of a further component such as a bracing component 254 or 252. Relative adjustment of its position can be made and once a final position of the bracing component is attained, then fasteners can be used to select apertures 244 and 246 to finally secure and fix a respective bracing component to the members 204 and 206. In FIG. 11 bracing component 252 has first and second legs 258 and 260, while web 256 is secured through selected apertures 246 on second member 206 using securing means, being nuts and bolts, 268.

Referring also to FIGS. 12 and 13 the bracing component 254, having web 262 and first and second legs 264 and 266 is able to be securely located in selected apertures 244 using securing means in the form of nuts and bolts 270 once the final location is selected. Towards the other end of the bracing component 252 it is connected to a bracket 271 via securing means 275, with the bracket 271 enabling attachment to a roof structure (not shown). Similarly bracing element 254 at its upper end is connected to a bracket 273 through securing means 277 and in turn the bracket 273 is connected to the roof structure.

Thus, the connector of the apparatus 200 enables the connection of a track, either being a top cross rail 20 or a furring channel 220, to a series of bracing components which in turn are connected to a roof structure.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 there is shown a further connecting apparatus 280 which is connected to apparatus 200. This is to enable two additional bracing components to be connected to the same furring channel 220. The second apparatus 280 has first member 284 on an opposite side of the furring channel 220 compared to first member 204 of apparatus 200. It also has second member 286 in a reverse orientation to second member 206 of the first apparatus 200. The third member 282 is connected to the third member 208 of apparatus 200 through a series of apertures which are to secure the two third members together through nuts and bolts 294 and 296.

A third bracing component 288 is able to be connected to second member 284 through securing means 289 and at an upper end it is connected to bracket 295 which in turn is connected to a structure, such as a roof structure. Securing means 297 connects the bracing component 288 to the bracket 295. Similarly, a fourth bracing component 290 is connected between the second member 286 and a bracket 291 which in turn is connected to a structure (not shown). Bracket 291 is connected to the roofing structure through securing means 293. The lower end of the fourth bracing component 290 is connected to the second member 286 through securing means in the form of nuts and bolts 299. Again, each of the members 284 and 286 have elongated slots and a series of apertures for temporary connection or location of respective bracing components and the smaller apertures are used to secure, in a final position, the bracing components 288 and 290 with respect to the members 284 and 286.