A BRACKET ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A bracket assembly comprising a first bracket member associated with a first side of a structural element, a second bracket member associated with an opposed second side of the structural element, and wherein the first bracket member, the second bracket member and the structural element are fastened to one another using one or more fastening assemblies.

Claims

1. A bracket assembly comprising a first bracket member associated with a first side of a structural element, a second bracket member associated with an opposed second side of the structural element, and wherein the first bracket member, the second bracket member and the structural element are fastened to one another using one or more fastening assemblies.

2. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the structural element has a C- or I-shaped cross-sectional shape.

3. The bracket assembly according to claim 2 wherein the I-shaped cross-sectional shape is formed by placing two C-shaped sections in abutment with, or close proximity to, one another.

4. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the structural element comprises a beam, column, rafter, bracket or purlin.

5. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first bracket member and/or the second bracket member extend along substantially the entire length of the structural element.

6. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first bracket member and/or the second bracket member comprise a web member and one or more flange members extending from or adjacent to at least one of an upper edge and a lower edge of the web member.

7. The bracket assembly according to claim 6 wherein the one or more flange members overlie at least a portion of the structural element.

8. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first bracket member and/or the second bracket member are substantially C-shaped in cross-section.

9. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the one or more fastening assemblies comprise a mechanical fastener that extends through the first bracket member, the second bracket member and the structural element so as to fasten them together.

10. The bracket assembly according to claim 9 wherein the one or more fastening assemblies further comprise one or more sleeve members, wherein a portion of the mechanical fastener is received in the one or more sleeve members in use.

11. The bracket assembly according to claim 10 wherein the one or more sleeve members extend substantially between opposed sides of the bracket assembly, such that opposed ends of the sleeve members are located in abutment with, or close proximity to, opposed inner surfaces of the bracket assembly.

12. The bracket assembly according to claim 11 wherein the opposed inner surfaces of the bracket assembly comprise an inner surface of the structural element and an inner surface of the first bracket member or second bracket member.

13. The bracket assembly according to claim 11 wherein the opposed inner surfaces of the bracket assembly comprise and inner surface of the first bracket member and an inner surface of the second bracket member.

14. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 whereinone or more carrying members are associated with the bracket assembly, the one or more carrying members being configured to carry a weight thereon.

15. The bracket assembly according to claim 14 wherein the one or more carrying members are configured for movement relative to the bracket assembly when the weight is placed on the carrying member.

16. The bracket assembly according to claim 15 wherein the carrying member is associated with an elongate member configured to allow the carrying member to move relative to the bracket assembly.

17. A bracket assembly comprising a bracket member associated with a side of a structural element, the bracket member and the structural member being fastened to one another using one or more fastening assemblies.

18. An assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure, the assembly comprising: A first upright structural member and a second upright structural member, the first upright structural member and the second upright structural member being connected to one another via a bracket assembly; An elongate flexible member connected at a first end thereof to the first upright structural member and at a second end thereof to the second upright structural member; and A tensioning assembly associated with the bracket assembly, Wherein upon application of a weight to the tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly is actuated to tension the elongate flexible member, and wherein tensioning of the elongate flexible member results in the application of a force to the first upright structural member in a direction generally towards the second upright structural members, and to the second upright structural member in a direction generally toward the first upright structural member.

19. The assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to claim 18 wherein the tensioning assembly includes a mechanical fastener with which the elongate flexible member is associated.

20. (canceled)

21. The assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to claim 18 wherein a carrying member is associated with the tensioning assembly.

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a bracket member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate details of a tensioning assembly of an assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0090] FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of a bracket assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket assembly 10 comprises a first bracket member 11 associated with a first side of a structural element 12 in the form of a C section, and a second bracket member 13 associated with a second side of the structural element 12. The first bracket member 11 comprises a web 14 that is located substantially parallel to a web 15 of the structural element 12, an upper flange 16 located substantially parallel to an upper flange 17 of the structural element 12 and a lower flange 18 located substantially parallel to a lower flange 19 of the structural element 12.

[0091] The second bracket member 13 includes a web 20 located substantially parallel to, but spaced apart from, the web 15 of the structural element 12. The second bracket member 13 also includes an upper flange 21 located parallel to the upper flange 17 of the structural element 12 and a lower flange 22 located parallel to the lower flange 19 of the structural element 12. Thus, the first bracket member 11 and the second bracket member 13 substantially surround at least a portion of the structural element 12.

[0092] The upper flange 16 of the first bracket member 11 and the upper flange 21 of the second bracket member 13 are connected to the upper flange 17 of the structural element 12 via Tek screws 23. Similarly, the lower flange 18 of the first bracket member 11 and the lower flange 22 of the second bracket member 13 are connected to the lower flange 19 of the structural member 12 via Tek screws 23.

[0093] The bracket assembly 10 further comprises a fastening assembly 24 configured to fasten the first bracket member 11, the second bracket member 13 and the structural element 12 to one another. The fastening assembly 24 comprises a bolt 25 including a bolt head 26 that is located in abutment with an outer surface 27 of the first bracket member 11. The bolt 25 extends through the entire assembly 10 and projects outwardly from an outer surface 28 of the second bracket member 13. A purlin nut 29 is associated with the end of the bolt 25 extending from the outer surface 28 of the second bracket member 13 and the nut 29 is tightened such that located in abutment with the outer surface 28 of the second bracket member 13.

[0094] The bolt 25 is provided with an outer screw thread that is complementary to the inner screw thread of a sleeve member 30 in the form of a threaded bar joiner. The sleeve member 30 is sized so as to extend substantially between the web 15 of the structural element 12 and the web 20 of the second bracket member 13. Washers 31, 32 are located between the sleeve member 30 and the web 15 of the structural member 12 and the web 20 if the second bracket member 13, respectively.

[0095] In use, the bolt 25 and nut 29 are tightened so as to produce a compressive force against opposed sides of the bracket assembly 10. The presence of the sleeve member 30 extending between opposed sides of the bracket assembly 10 at the interior thereof prevents the bolt 25 and nut 29 being tightened to the point where damage or deformation of the bracket assembly 10 occurs.

[0096] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a bracket assembly 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structural element 41 is in the form of an I beam fabricated from two C sections 42, 43 arrange back to back. The assembly 40 of FIG. 2 is similar in construction to that of FIG. 1, except that the web 44 of the first bracket member 45 and the web 46 of the second bracket member 47 are both parallel to, but spaced apart from, the web 48 of the structural element 41.

[0097] The constructions of the fastening assembly 49 of the bracket assembly 40 is substantially identical to that of FIG. 1. However, in FIG. 2, the sleeve member 50 extends between the web 44 of the first bracket member 45 and the web 46 of the second bracket member 47 while passing through the web 48 of the structural element 41.

[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a bracket assembly 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket assembly 60 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 in that it comprises a first bracket member 11 and a second bracket member 13 that are fastened to, and substantially surround, a C section structural element 12 along a portion of the length of the structural element 12.

[0099] Tek screws 23 that connect the upper flange 16 of the first bracket member 11 and the upper flange 21 of the second bracket member 13 to the upper flange 17 of the structural element 12. In this Figure, it may also be seen that four fastening assemblies 24 have been used to fasten together the first bracket member 11, the second bracket member 13 and the structural element 12.

[0100] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a bracket member 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bracket member 100 is configured for use as an apex bracket, and therefore has a first bracket section 101 and a second bracket section 102 located at an angle to one another. Each bracket section 101, 102 comprises a web 103, and a pair of flanges 104 projecting from opposing edges of the web 103. Reinforcing members 105 in the form of plate members are connected to the flanges 104 via Tek screws 23.

[0101] The bracket member 100 of FIG. 4 further comprises a threaded elongate member 106 that is positioned between adjacent bracket sections 101, 102. The elongate member 106 projects beyond both flanges 104 of the bracket member 100.

[0102] A connection member 107 in the form of an eye bolt is provided on a first end of the elongate member 106. Movement restriction members 108 in the form of a pair of nuts are provided on the elongate member 106 in abutment with the flanges 104 in order to reduce or eliminate movement of the elongate member 106 relative to the bracket member 100. The position of the movement restriction members 108 relative to the elongate member 106 may be adjusted by screwing the movement restriction members 108 relative to the elongate member 106. In this way, the position of the connection member 107 relative to the bracket member 100 may be adjusted.

[0103] In FIG. 4 it may also be seen that the web 103 of the bracket member 100 comprises a plurality of apertures 109 through which the fastening assemblies pass during use.

[0104] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an assembly 110 for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, a pair of upright structural members in the form of columns 111, 112 and their footings 113, 114 are shown. The columns 111, 112 are connected to one another via an apex bracket (not shown in this Figure) located at the apex 115 of the structure.

[0105] An elongate flexible member 116 in the form of an extensible cord is attached at opposed ends thereof to the columns 111, 112. The elongate flexible member 116 extends upwardly along the columns 111, 112 towards the apex 115 of the structure. A plurality of guide members 117 in the form of rollers are provided on the columns 111, 112 in order to both maintain tension on the elongate flexible member 116 and also to prevent the elongate flexible member 116 from becoming snagged or tangled.

[0106] A tensioning assembly in the form of a scissor assembly 118 is located at the apex 115 of the structure. It is envisaged that the scissor assembly 118 will typically be located in the interior of an apex bracket assembly such as that illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0107] The scissor assembly 118 comprises a first scissor member 119 associated with column 111 and a second scissor member 120 associated with column 112. The first scissor member 119 is associated with the portion of the elongate flexible member 116 that is attached to column 112, while the second scissor member 120 is associated with the portion of the elongate flexible member 116 that is attached to column 111. Thus, the elongate flexible member 116 crosses over itself between the columns 111, 112 and the scissor assembly 118.

[0108] A carrying member in the form of a hook 121 extends from the scissor assembly 118. When a weight (not shown) is placed on the hook 121, the hook 121 moves in a downward direction towards the ground. Movement of the hook 121 relative to the apex bracket (not shown in this Figure) results in scissor member 119 pivoting in a clockwise direction about pivot point 122 and scissor member 120 pivoting in an anticlockwise direction about pivot point 122. These movements of the scissor members 119, 120 result in the elongate flexible member 116 being tensioned, thereby applying a force to the columns 111, 112 in a direction generally towards one another. This force applied to the columns 111, 112 results in increased strength and stability to the structure, which assists in making the structure resistant to damage in conditions of high wind.

[0109] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a bracket assembly 10 for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, the bracket assembly 10 comprises a first bracket member 11 associated with a first side of a structural element 12, and a second bracket member 13 associated with a second side of the structural element 12. The first bracket member 11 comprises a web 14 that is located substantially parallel to the structural element 12, while the second bracket member 13 includes a web 20 located substantially parallel to the structural element 12.

[0110] The assembly 10 further comprises a fastening assembly including a first bolt 120 configured to connect the first bracket member 11 to the structural member 12 via a sleeve 121, and a second bolt 122 configured to connect the second bracket member 13 to the structural member 12 via the sleeve 121.

[0111] The first bracket member 11 includes an extension member 123, while the second bracket member 13 also includes an extension member 124. The extension members 123, 124 are located at approximately 90° to the webs 14, 20 of the first bracket member 11 and the second bracket member 13 respectively.

[0112] The extension members 123, 124 are configured to overlie portions of an adjacent structural member 125, and are configured for connection to the adjacent structural member 125 via bolts 126.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a bracket assembly 10 for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, the first bracket member 11 is of sufficient size to extend between two structural members 12A, 12B of the same type. In this embodiment, the structural members 12A, 12B are vertical structural members, such as columns. The first bracket member 11 is connected to both the vertical structural members 12A, 12B as well as an adjacent structural member 125 in the same manner as in FIG. 6.

[0114] In FIG. 7, a spacer member 127 is located between the vertical structural members 12A, 12B and is connected thereto via a bolt 128. The spacer member 127 is configured to maintain a substantially constant distance between the vertical structural members 12A, 12B by reducing or eliminating deflection of the vertical structural members 12A, 12B towards one another due to the tensioning and/or stiffening forces generated by the assembly 10 once assembled.

[0115] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate details of a tensioning assembly 130 of an assembly for securing and/or reinforcing a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8A, a first end of a flexible elongate member 131 is connected to a column 132 via a D shackle 133. The elongate flexible member 131 extends upwardly along the column 132.

[0116] In FIG. 8B, the elongate flexible member 131 passes over a pair of guides in the form of rollers 134 as it extends upwardly along the column 132. The rollers 134 ensure the smooth movement of the elongate flexible member as it extends and retracts. In FIG. 8B, the elongate flexible member 131 extends along an angled member 135 towards an apex bracket (not shown in this Figure) of the structure to which it is attached.

[0117] FIG. 8C illustrates an apex bracket 136 of the structure. The elongate flexible member 131 passes through the eye 137 of an eye bolt 138. The elongate flexible member 131 is connected at an opposed second end thereof to a second column (not shown) in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

[0118] The eye bolt 138 extends through the lower edge of the apex bracket 136 towards the ground. When a weight is placed upon the eye bolt 138, the elongate flexible member 131 is extended and tensioned, thereby drawing the column 132 to which the first end of the flexible elongate member 131 is connected and the column (not shown) to which the second end of the elongate flexible member 131 is connected generally towards one another. By tensioning the structure in this manner, the strength of the structure, and therefore the resistance of the structure to conditions of high wind (such as cyclones, tornadoes, typhoons etc.) is improved.

[0119] FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a bracket member 201 is located against a side of a structural member 202 in the form of a C-channel. A fastening assembly is provided, the fastening assembly including a sleeve 203 that extends between an inner surface of the bracket member 201 and an inner surface of the structural member 202. A bolt 204 passes through the bracket member 201 and is screw-threadedly received in a first end of the sleeve 203, while bolt 205 pass through the structural member 202 and is screw-threadedly received in an opposed second end of the sleeve 203.

[0120] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0121] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0122] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.