ADJUSTABLE ROOF TRUSS BRACE

Abstract

An adjustable roof truss brace for bracing a roof truss to a scaffold structure during a construction of a roof has an elongate body for extending between the scaffold structure and the roof truss and for supporting a roof truss in a substantially vertical position, the elongate body having a first end for positioning proximate the roof truss and a second end distal to the first end for disposing to the scaffold structure; a truss clamp for releasably coupling the roof truss brace to the roof truss, the truss clamp being disposed to the first end of the elongate body; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a distance between the truss clamp and the second end of the elongate body

Claims

1. An adjustable roof truss brace for bracing a roof truss to a scaffold structure during a construction of a roof, the adjustable roof truss brace comprising: an elongate body for extending between the scaffold structure and the roof truss and for supporting a roof truss in a substantially vertical position, the elongate body including a first end for positioning proximate the roof truss and a second end distal to the first end for disposing to the scaffold structure; a truss clamp for releasably coupling the roof truss brace to the roof truss, the truss clamp being disposed to the first end of the elongate body; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a distance between the truss clamp and the second end of the elongate body.

2. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, in which the adjustment mechanism comprises an actuator configured to move the truss clamp with respect to the second end.

3. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, in which the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the longitudinal extent of the elongate body.

4. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an alerting means indicating an extent of travel of the adjustment means.

5. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, in which the elongate body comprises a deployable portion for extending the elongate body between a compact configuration and an extended configuration.

6. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 5, in which the deployable portion is deployable to one of a plurality of discrete extended positions and in which the adjustable roof truss comprises a locking means for securing the deployable portion in one of the plurality of discrete extended positions

7. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 6, in which the locking means comprises a locking pin and a plurality of locking apertures for receiving the locking pin, the locking apertures being disposed to the elongate body, each locking aperture corresponding to an extended position of the plurality of extended positions.

8. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 5, in which the truss clamp is disposed to the deployable portion.

9. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, in which the truss clamp is rotatable about a first axis disposed to the first end of the elongate body.

10. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 9, in which the truss clamp is rotatable about a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

11. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 9, in which one of a substantially U-shaped pivot arm and a substantially L-shaped pivot arm rotationally couples the truss clamp to the first end of the elongate body.

12. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a scaffold structure clamp pivotally mounted to the elongate body for releasably coupling the adjustable roof truss brace to the scaffold structure, the scaffold structure clamp being disposed towards the second end of the elongate body.

13. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 12, in which the scaffold structure clamp is movable along the longitudinal length of the elongate body.

14. The adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 12, in which the scaffold structure clamp is removable from the elongate body.

15. A method of bracing a roof truss during construction of a building, the method comprising the steps of: providing the adjustable roof truss brace as claimed in claim 1; disposing the second end of the elongate body to a scaffold structure proximate the building being constructed; and adjusting the distance between the truss clamp and the second end using the adjustment mechanism; coupling the truss clamp to a roof truss being installed on the building being constructed.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of extending a deployable portion of the elongate body into one of a plurality of discrete extended positions.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, in which the step of extending the deployable portion is performed prior to coupling the truss clamp to the roof truss.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of levelling the roof truss to a substantially vertical position after the step of coupling the truss clamp.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, in which the step of levelling the roof truss comprises operating the adjustment mechanism to adjust the distance between the truss clamp and the second end.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of coupling the second end of the elongate body to the scaffold structure using a scaffold structure clamp disposed to the second end of the elongate body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable roof truss brace according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the adjustable roof truss brace in FIG. 1 in a compact configuration;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a view of a substantially L-shaped pivot arm connecting the truss clamp to the adjustable roof truss brace in FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a view of the second end of the adjustable roof truss brace in FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the adjustable roof truss brace in FIG. 1 coupled to a roof truss and a scaffold structure; and

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a view of a substantially U-shaped pivot arm connecting the truss clamp to the adjustable roof truss brace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a first embodiment of an adjustable roof truss brace is generally indicated at 10.

[0057] A telescopic elongate body 12 comprised of three sections 14, 16, 18 is provided. The three sections are substantially cylindrical in shape. Each section may be substantially cylindrical metal tubes of different diameters. The first end section 12 is receivable in the middle section 16. The middle section 16 is receivable within the second end section 18. Each substantially cylindrical tube may comprise steel or a similar metal which is suitable to brace a portion of a roof truss to a scaffold structure. The material of each section may be the same or different.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first end section 14 of the telescopic elongate body 12 includes a flattened end 19. The flattened end may be formed by nipping an end of the elongate body 12. However, in other embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 6, the first end section 14 of the telescopic elongate body 12 includes a tubular end 51, i.e. the first end section is substantially cylindrical in shape along its longitudinal length. That is to say, the first end section does not comprise the flattened end shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0059] A truss clamp 20 is disposed towards a first end of the elongate body 12. The truss clamp 20 comprising a substantially U-shaped body having a base and two arms extending from opposites sides of the base. A truss receiving space is formed within the U-shaped body. A threaded rod extends through one the arms of the U-shaped body with a clamp head disposed at one end of the rod within the truss receiving space and an operatable handle disposed to the opposite end of the threaded rod.

[0060] A first embodiment of a pivot arm is shown in FIG. 3. A second embodiment of a pivot arm is shown in FIG. 6 and discussed in detail further below.

[0061] The first embodiment of the pivot arm is a substantially L-shaped pivot arm 22. The substantially L-shaped pivot arm rotationally couples the truss clamp 20 to the flattened end 19 of the first end section 14. The L-shaped body includes a main body with one end rotationally coupled to the elongate body 12 and a flange extending from an end of the main body, the arm being rotationally coupled to the truss clamp 20.

[0062] A first rotational coupling 24 connects the main body of the substantially L-shaped pivot arm 22 to the flattened end 19 of the first end section 14. A first rotational axis is provided by the first rotational coupling 24. The first rotational axis extends through the main body of the L-shaped pivot arm and through the flattened end 19. The first rotational axis allows the truss clamp 20 to rotate about the first end of the elongate body 12.

[0063] A second rotational coupling 26 connects the flange of the substantially L-shaped pivot arm 22 to the truss clamp 20. A second rotational axis is provided by the second rotational coupling 26 and extends substantially orthogonal to the first rotational axis. The second rotational axis allowing the truss clamp 20 to swivel.

[0064] A scaffold structure clamp 28 is disposed towards a second end of the elongate body 12, the second end being distal to the first end. In the current embodiment, the scaffold structure clamp 28 is a removable pressed steel swivel coupler, the pressed steel swivel coupler comprising two coupler elements for receiving and clamping cylindrical tubes. One coupler element of the scaffold truss clamp 28 is coupled to the second end section 18 of the elongate body 12.

[0065] The two coupler elements are rotationally coupled together to allow for one element to swivel with respect to the other. The rotational coupling between the elements provides a rotational axis which extends through both coupler elements and the elongate body 12.

[0066] In other embodiments, the scaffold structure clamp 28 is not removable from the elongate body 12 and comprises a single clamping element for releasably coupling to a portion of a scaffold structure element.

[0067] In the current embodiment, the first end section 14 is a deployable portion of the elongate body 12. In a compact configuration (shown in FIG. 2) the first end section 14 is received within the middle section 16 and is deployable to one of a plurality of extended positions (FIG. 1 shows an example extended position). In any of the extended positions an end part of the first end section 14 is disposed within the middle section 16.

[0068] A plurality of aperture pairs 30 are provided in the first end section 14 with each aperture pair 30 corresponding to one extended position. A further aperture pair (generally indicated at 32) is provided towards an end of the middle section 16. The aperture pairs in the first end section 14 and aperture pair in the middle section 16 receive a locking pin 34 to lock the first end section 14 in one of the extended positions.

[0069] An actuator assembly is provided as a mechanism to cause a portion of the middle section 16 to move, i.e. retract or extend, with respect to the second section 18. The actuator assembly comprises a handle 36 operably coupled to a threaded rod disposed within the elongate body 12. The threaded rod extends through the second end section 18 and at least partially into the middle section 16. At least one threaded coupling is affixed to an inner surface of the middle section 18 to couple the middle section to the threaded rod.

[0070] As a user rotates the handle 36, the middle section 16 is driven in a direction because rotation of the threaded rod causes the threaded coupling(s) to move linearly long the rod.

[0071] Two indicator marks 38, 40 (best seen in FIG. 4) are provided on the middle section 16 to indicate the extent of travel. The first mark 38 acts to alert a user that the middle section 16 should not be drawn into the second end section 18 any further. The second mark 40 acts to alert a user that if the middle section 16 is drawn out of the second end section 18 any further it may lead to an unsafe brace or disconnection from the threaded rod.

[0072] A method of bracing a roof truss during construction of a building will now be briefly described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0073] A building under construction is generally indicated at 100. The building has reached the stage where a run of roof trusses will be installed. A scaffold structure 200 will have been constructed in proximity to the wall 110 of the building. The scaffold structure 200 comprises a plurality of cylindrical scaffolding tubes 210 formed into a frame and extends to an appropriate height to allow for safe construction of the roof. A working platform is formed from wooden planks extending across horizontal scaffolding tubes. The working platform may have a kickboard installed to at least one side of the working platform.

[0074] In the current embodiment, the roof trusses are a standard construction. For example, a substantially triangular wooden frame comprising two top chords extending at angles for the ends of a bottom chord and webs extending therebetween.

[0075] A first roof truss 120 (show from the side in FIG. 5) is disposed to an upper surface of the wall 110 in a substantially upright, i.e. vertical position. The bottom chord is placed in the required position on the wall 110.

[0076] An adjustable roof truss brace 10 is provided. The adjustable roof truss brace 10 in FIG. 5 is that discussed above.

[0077] In the current embodiment, adjustable roof truss brace 10 is coupled to a substantially vertical cylindrical scaffold tube 211 through the use of scaffolding clamp 28 disposed to the second end of the elongate body 12. Preferably, the adjustable roof truss brace is coupled in a position along the scaffold tube 211 which will give a substantially 45 degree angle between the elongate body 12 and the substantially vertical scaffold tube 211 when the adjustable roof truss brace 10 is coupled to the roof truss 120.

[0078] Once the adjustable roof truss brace 10 is coupled to the scaffolding structure 200, the first end section 14 is deployed to one of the plurality of extended positions. This is achieved by removing the locking pin 34 and extracting the first end section 14 by an amount required. To lock the first end section 14 in the deployed position, the locking pin 34 is inserted through the aperture pair 32 on the middle section 16 and an aperture pair of the plurality of aperture pairs 30 in the first end section 14.

[0079] The extended position is chosen by the user so that the adjustable roof truss brace 10 can be coupled to the first roof truss 120 using the truss clamp 20. In some cases, the extended position may result in longitudinal extent of the elongate body 12 being more or less than is actually needed because of the coarse increments provided by the plurality of aperture pairs 30. In such cases, the handle 36 may be operated so that the actuator mechanism extends or retracts the middle section 16 to achieve the necessary longitudinal extent.

[0080] One of the top chords of the first roof truss 120 is received within the receiving space of the truss clamp 20. This may require rotating the truss clamp 20 about the first and/or second axis to position the truss clamp 20 in an appropriate position. The truss clamp 20 is then actuated so as to be releasably coupled to the top chord. The first roof truss 120 preferably being in a substantially upright position before being received in the receiving space of the truss clamp 20.

[0081] The positioned and coupled adjustable roof truss brace 10 now provides support to the roof truss 120. One or more additional adjustable roof truss braces 10 may also be fitted to the first roof truss 120 to provide support to other areas of the first roof truss.

[0082] Next the first roof truss 120 may be levelled, i.e. made plumb. Since the truss clamp 20 is coupled to the top chord of the first roof truss and the second end of the elongate body is coupled to the scaffold tube 211, any change in the longitudinal extent of the elongate body 12 will cause the coupled top chord to move. To adjust the longitudinal extent of the elongate body 12, the handle 36 of the actuator is operated to either extend or retract the middle section 16 as needed to substantially level the first roof truss 120. This process may be repeated with one or more additional adjustable roof truss braces.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 6, the second embodiment of the pivot arm is a substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50. In this embodiment, first end section 14 of the telescopic elongate body 12 includes a tubular end 51, i.e. the first end section 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape along its longitudinal length. Other than the tubular end 51, the first end section 14 is the same as that discussed above.

[0084] The substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50 and first end section 14 with tubular end 51 are used with the adjustable roof truss brace 10 discussed above.

[0085] The substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50 rotationally couples the truss clamp 20 to the tubular end 51 of the first section 14 of the telescopic elongate body 12. The substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50 includes two prongs and a cross piece, each prong extends from an end of the cross piece. The prongs are rotational coupled to the first end section 14. The cross piece is rotationally coupled to the truss clamp 20.

[0086] A first rotational coupling 52 connects both prongs of the substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50 to the first end section 14. The tubular end 51 of the first end section 14 is disposed between both prongs of the substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50. A first rotational axis is provided by the first rotational coupling 52. The first rotational axis extends through both prongs and through the tubular end 51 of the first end section 14. The first rotational axis allows the truss clamp to rotate about the first end of the elongate body 12.

[0087] A second rotational coupling 54 connects the cross piece of the substantially U-shaped pivot arm 50 to the truss clamp 20. A second rotational axis is provided by the second rotational coupling 54 and extends substantially orthogonal to the first rotational axis. The second rotational axis intersecting with the first rotational axis within the tubular end 51 of the first end section 14. The second rotational axis allowing the truss clamp 20 to swivel.

[0088] The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.