A CONNECTION FOR TIMBER MEMBERS

Abstract

A connection, a kit of parts, a modular building and associated methods. The connection comprising: a first timber member; a first connector assembly associated with the first timber member, the first connector assembly comprising: a plurality of elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end extending into and fixed with respect to the first timber member; and a second end protruding from the first timber member, wherein each of the anchor members defines a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the anchor member for receiving a bolt; the connection further comprising: a plate connected or connectable to a second member, the plate defining at least one hole for receiving a bolt; at least one plurality of bolts, the or each bolt configured to extend through at least one of the anchor members and plate; wherein for the or each bolt, at least one of the corresponding anchor member hole or plate hole is oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit; and the or each bolt is configured to clamp the plate and anchor member such that relative movement of the plate and first connector assembly is resisted by friction caused by the clamping force provided by the plurality of bolts.

Claims

1. A connection, comprising: a first timber member; a first connector assembly associated with the first timber member, the first connector assembly comprising: a plurality of elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end extending into and fixed with respect to the first timber member; and a second end protruding from the first timber member, wherein each of the anchor members defines a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the anchor member for receiving a bolt; the connection further comprising: a plate connected or connectable to a second member, the plate defining at least one hole for receiving a bolt; at least one bolt, the or each bolt configured to extend through at least one of the anchor members and plate; wherein for the or each bolt, at least one of the corresponding anchor member hole or plate hole is oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit; and the or each bolt is configured to clamp the plate and anchor member such that relative movement of the plate and first connector assembly is resisted by friction caused by the clamping force provided by the or each bolt.

2. The connection of claim 1, wherein the at least one bolt is a first plurality of bolts, the connection further comprising: a second member, wherein the second member is a second timber member; a second connector assembly associated with the second timber member, the second connector assembly comprising: a plurality of second elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end extending into and fixed with respect to the second timber member, and a second end protruding from the second timber member, wherein each of the anchor members defines a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the anchor member for receiving a bolt; the connection further comprising: a second plurality of bolts, each of the second plurality of bolts configured to extend through at least one of the second anchor members and plate.

3. The connection of claim 2, wherein, for each second bolt: at least one of the corresponding anchor member hole or plate hole is oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit; and each bolt is configured to clamp the plate and anchor member such that relative movement of the plate and first connector assembly is resisted by friction caused by the clamping force provided by the plurality of bolts.

4. The connection of claim 1, wherein the plate defines a plurality of holes aligned with those of the anchor members of the first connector assembly and, for each bolt, both of the corresponding first connector anchor member hole and plate hole are oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit.

5. The connection of claim 1, wherein each anchor member comprises a rod and a bracket, wherein the first end of the rod comprises a screw thread for screwing into the respective timber member, and the bracket is at the second end of the rod and defines one of the holes.

6. The connection of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length to the diameter of the elongate anchor members is at least 10:1.

7. The connection of claim 1, wherein the anchor members comprise pairs of anchor members arranged flanking the plate, such that each bolt extends through a pair of anchor members.

8. The connection of claim 7, wherein the anchor members of at least one pair of anchor members have the same orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective timber member; and/or the anchor members of at least one pair of anchor members are arranged such that the first ends diverge from one another.

9. The connection of any of claim 1, wherein; the first connector assembly comprises a row of at least four anchor members; a first and fourth anchor member are each arranged at a first angle to the surface of the first timber member; and a second and third anchor member, located between the first and fourth anchor members, are each arranged at a second angle to the surface of the first timber member.

10. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the anchor members of one of the connector assemblies are arranged such that a further connector assembly with the same arrangement can be located on an opposing face of the first timber member without collision between anchor members of the first connector assembly and further connector assembly.

11. The connection according to claim 1, further comprising: a further connector assembly associated with the first timber member, the further connector assembly being for connecting to a third member; the further connector assembly comprising: a plurality of elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end extending into and fixed with respect to the first timber member; and a second end protruding from the first timber member; wherein the anchor members of the further connector assembly are arranged to avoid collision with the anchor members of the first connector assembly.

12. The connection according to claim 11, wherein the arrangement of anchor members of the first connector assembly is the same as the arrangement of anchor members of the further connector assembly.

13. The connection according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of connector assemblies associated with the first timber member, the plurality of connector assemblies being arranged in parallel in the first timber member.

14. A kit of parts for use in the connection as defined in claim 1, the kit of parts comprising: a first connector assembly configured to be connected to a first timber member, the first connector assembly comprising: a plurality of elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end configured to extend into and be fixed with respect to a first timber member; and a second end configured to protrude from the first timber member, wherein each of the anchor members defines a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the anchor member for receiving a bolt; the kit of parts further comprising: a plate connected or connectable to a second member, the plate defining at least one hole for receiving a bolt; at least one bolt, the or each bolt configured to extend through at least one of the anchor members and plate, wherein for the or each bolt, at least one of the corresponding anchor member hole or plate hole is oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit; and the or each bolt is configured to clamp the plate and anchor member such that relative movement of the plate and first connector assembly is resisted by the clamping force provided by the at least one bolt.

15. A modular building comprising a plurality of connections according to claim 1.

16. A method of erecting a building including either: use of a connection according to claim 1 in a pre-fabricated panel or member forming part of the building.

17. A method of connecting two adjacent timber members using the connection of any of claim 1, the method comprising: installing the anchor members of the first connector assembly in a first timber member; locating the plate adjacent the anchor members; inserting one or more bolts through the corresponding anchor member and the plate; tightening the bolt to provide a friction fit with the plate and anchor member; and connecting the plate to a second timber member.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting the plate to the second timber member comprises: installing the anchor members of a second connector assembly in the second timber member; locating the plate adjacent the anchor members of the second connector; inserting one of the second plurality of bolts through the corresponding anchor member and the plate; tightening the bolt to provide a friction fit with the plate and anchor member.

19. A method of disassembling two adjacent timber members connected using the connection of claim 1, the method comprising: loosening each of the bolts to disconnect the plate from the anchor members of the first connector assembly; withdrawing each of the bolts; and disconnecting the first timber member from the plate.

20. A connection, comprising: a first structural member; a first connector assembly associated with the first structural member, the first connector assembly comprising: a plurality of elongate anchor members, each anchor member comprising a first end extending into and fixed with respect to the first structural member; and a second end protruding from the first structural member, wherein each of the anchor members defines a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the anchor member for receiving a bolt; the connection further comprising: a plate connected or connectable to a second structural member, the plate defining at least one hole for receiving a bolt; at least one bolt, the or each bolt configured to extend through at least one of the anchor members and plate; wherein for the or each bolt, at least one of the corresponding anchor member hole or plate hole is oversized so as to receive the corresponding bolt with a clearance fit; and the or each bolt is configured to clamp the plate and anchor member such that relative movement of the plate and first connector assembly is resisted by friction caused by the clamping force provided by the or each bolt.

21. A connection according to claim 20, wherein: the first structural member is a first concrete member; and/or the second structural member is second concrete member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0077] FIG. 1A is a partial transparent perspective view of a connection from a first side;

[0078] FIG. 1B is a transparent perspective view of a connection from a second side;

[0079] FIG. 1C is a side view of the connection of FIG. 1B;

[0080] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of parts of a connection;

[0081] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the plate of the connection of FIG. 2;

[0082] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a 2-plane polyhedron plate;

[0083] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a 4-plane tetrahedral plate;

[0084] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a bracket of the connection of FIG. 2;

[0085] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a bracket of connection having screw threads on two opposite sides;

[0086] FIG. 5 includes two side views of part of the elongated anchor members of a connection from a first and second side;

[0087] FIG. 6 is a side view of part of the elongated anchor members of a connection;

[0088] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connection between four timber members;

[0089] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate connection between four timber members;

[0090] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a connection between a steel member and a timber member;

[0091] FIG. 10 is a side view of a connection between three timber members;

[0092] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connection between two timber members;

[0093] FIG. 12A and 12B are a side and top view of a further connection arrangement; and

[0094] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modular building framework comprising a plurality of connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0095] FIGS. 1A to 1C show a connection 10. The connection 10 is between two timber members-a first timber member 12 and a second timber member 14. In the present example the first timber member 12 is a beam and the second timber member 14 is a column, however in other arrangements the connection may be between members other than beams and columns-for example spans of an arch or at junctions between more than two timber members.

[0096] In the example of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the first and second timber members 12, 14 are connected by first and second connector assemblies 16, 18 and a plate 20. The first connector assembly 16 is associated with the first timber member 12. The second connector assembly 18 is associated with the second timber member 14. Both the first and second connector assemblies, in the present example, comprise a plurality of elongate anchor members. The plate 20 is connected to the first connector assembly 16 and second connector assembly 18. In other embodiments, the second connector assembly 18 may be omitted and the plate 20 may instead be directly fixed to the second timber member 14.

[0097] The first connector assembly 16 is fixed to the first timber member 12 and the second connector assembly 18 is fixed to the second timber member 14. In use, the first and second connector assemblies 16, 18 can be attached to their respective timber members 12, 14 before, during, or after transport of the timber members to the site. The connection 10 can then be made up on site by connecting the two connector assemblies 16, 18 to the plate 20 by inserting a plurality of bolts (discussed below). Completion of the connection therefore requires very little time on site.

[0098] In the present example, each anchor member of the first and second connector assemblies comprises an elongated threaded rod 22, 28 and a bracket 24, 30 (shown in more detail in FIG. 2). The threaded rod 22, 28 is located at a first end of the anchor member and extends into the respective timber member 12, 14. The bracket 24, 30 is located at the second end of the anchor member and protrudes from the respective wood member 12, 14. The elongated threaded rods 22a-22d of the first connector assembly are fixed with respect to the first timber member 12. The elongated threaded rods 28a-h of the second connector assembly are fixed with respect to the second timber member 14.

[0099] In the present example the anchor members are fixed with respect to their corresponding timber members 12, 14 by means of a screw thread, the threaded rods being screwed into the respective timber member 12, 14 to create a strong connection. However, in other examples, the anchor members may be glued to their respective timber members 12, 14.

[0100] The brackets 24, 30 of the anchor members are located at the second end of their respective anchor members. The brackets 24, 30 are screwed onto the corresponding threaded rod 22, 28. Each bracket 24, 30 comprises a through hole 34, 36, suitable for receiving a bolt 26, 32 (described in more detail below). The brackets 24, 30 are configured such that holes 34, 36 are perpendicular to the corresponding threaded rod 22, 28.

[0101] When the connection 10 is assembled, the plate 20 is arranged between the first and second connector assemblies 16, 18. The plate 20 connects the first connector assembly 16 to the second connector assembly 18 and, hence, the first timber member 12 to the second timber member 14.

[0102] The plate 20 is arranged in a plane parallel to the threaded rods 22, 28. In the present example this is perpendicular to the end faces of the timber members 12, 14. The plate 20 comprises a series of holes 38, 40 (shown in FIG. 3a) arranged to align with the holes 34, 36 of the brackets 24, 30. When assembled, bolts 26, 32 extend through the brackets 24, 30 and the plate 20, fixing the first and second connector assemblies 16, 18 with respect to the plate.

[0103] The holes 34, 36 defined by the brackets 24, 30 and the holes 38, 40 defined by the plate 20 have a larger diameter than the bolts 26, 32 that extend there through. In the present example, all of the holes 34, 36, 38, 40 of the brackets 24, 30 and plate 20 are the same size; the bolts 26, 32 are also all the same size. The bolts 26, 32 and holes 34, 36, 38, 40 are configured to provide a clearance fit. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the bolts 26, 32 do not engage and interfere with the inner circumferential surface of the holes 34, 36, 38, 40 in order to resist loads applied to the connection.

[0104] In order to rigidly fix the brackets 24, 30 with respect to the plate 20, the bolts are friction grip bolts. Friction grip bolts are bolts configured to prevent relative movement of the plate 20 and brackets 24, 30 using friction caused by the high clamping force between the components. This is instead of directly counteracting relative movement through contact with the bolt shaft. In the present example, all of the bolts 26, 32 used to connect the first and second connector assemblies are identical.

[0105] The disclosed arrangement of the plate 20, bolts 26, 32 and brackets 24, 30 with oversized holes provides an arrangement particularly good at dissipating energy. Such a connection is therefore of particular benefit to dissipate large cyclical deformations of the building in which the connection 10 is located. The connections 10 are therefore suitable for use in areas prone to earthquakes.

[0106] In the connection 10 of FIGS. 1A to 1C, the anchor members (i.e. rods 22, 28 and brackets 24, 30) are arranged in pairs. Each bolt 26, 32 extends through a pair of brackets 24, 30one on either side of the plate 20.

[0107] Referring to the anchor members of the first connector assembly 16, two rod pairs are provided, each with a corresponding bracket 24. Rod pair 22a and 22b and their corresponding brackets 24 are connected to the same bolt 26 and are arranged at the same orientation, parallel and symmetrical in the longitudinal plane of the first timber member 12. The same applies to rod pair 22c and 22d. The first rod pair 22a and 22b converge with second rod pair 22c and 22d towards the centre of the first timber member 12 in a direction towards the first end of the anchor members. This rod member arrangement is particularly good at resisting moments applied to the connection 10.

[0108] Referring to the anchor members of the second connector assembly 18, four rod pairs are provided. Rod pair 28a and 28b and their corresponding brackets 30 are connected to the same bolt 32 and are arranged to diverge from each other along the length of the rod. Each of rod pairs 28c and 28d, 29e and 28f and 28g and 28h are also each arranged on a single bolt 32 and diverge along the length of the rod. This rod arrangement is also good at resisting moments applied to the connection 10. This rod arrangement also allows multiple adjacent connections within a timber member without anchor interference and collision.

[0109] FIG. 2 is a close up view of the plate 20 and first and second connector assemblies 16, 18. The bolts 26, 32 have been removed for clarity. Oversized holes 34, 36 can be seen in brackets 24, 30.

[0110] In this example, a nut 35 is used to attach the rods 22, 28 to the brackets 24, 30. The nuts 35 act to pre-stress the rods 22, 28 and thus avoid slippage between the rods 22, 28 and brackets 24, 30. This improves the performance of the rod-bracket part. In other examples, the rods 22, 28 and brackets 24, 30 may be formed as a single part, for example by forging or stamping.

[0111] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the plate 20. The plate 20 has two sets of through-holes. The two through holes 38 on a first side of the plate 20 are arranged to connect to the brackets 24 of the first connector assembly 18. The four through holes 40 on the second side of the plate 20 are arranged to connect to the brackets 30 of the second connector assembly 28. All of the plate 20 holes 38, 40 are the same size and are oversized with respect to the bolts 26, 32 to provide a clearance fit. In another embodiment the holes and bolts may be of different sizes on the same plate.

[0112] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a plate 61. The plate 61 is formed of two rectangular shaped sub-plates 62 that are connected at an edge. A first one of the sub-plates is joined at an angle to the other sub-plate resulting in the plate 61 having two orientations of a plane allowing for the fastening of timber members oriented in different planes in space. The four through holes 70 of the plate 61 are arranged to connect to the brackets of a connector assembly as described elsewhere herein.

[0113] FIG. 3c is a perspective view of a further plate 81. The plate 81 is formed of four triangular shaped sub-plates 82, 83 that are connected at the edges to form a tetrahedron shape. The plate 81 has four orientations of a plane allowing for the fastening of timber members oriented in four different planes in space. The six through holes 90, 91 of the plate 81 are arranged to connect to the brackets of a connector assembly as described elsewhere herein.

[0114] FIG. 4a shows a bracket 24, 30. In the present example, the brackets 24, 30 of the connection 10 are all identical, as such the depicted bracket 24, 30 is suitable for use with the first and second connector assembly 16, 18. The bracket 24, 30 comprises a first hole 34, 36 for accommodating the bolt 26, 32 that connects the bracket 24, 30 to the plate 20. The first hole 34, 36 has in this example the same diameter as the holes 38, 40 in the plate, and are oversized with respect to the bolts 26, 32 to provide a clearance fit. However, in other examples the sizes of the holes 38, 40 in the plate and the brackets may not be the same. In earthquake applications, the diameter of the holes 38, 40 in the plate may be increased to increase ductility and energy dissipation of the joint. The bracket 24, 30 further comprises a second hole 42 for receiving the end of the elongated threaded rod 22, 28 to connect the bracket 24, 30 to the rod 22, 28. In other examples, the bracket 24, 30 may be integral with the rod 22, 28.

[0115] FIG. 4b is similar to FIG. 4a but the bracket 24,30 comprises two holes 42 on two opposite sides. The two holes are for receiving the ends of elongated threaded rods to connect in a serial like coupling.

[0116] FIG. 5 shows the second timber member 14 and threaded rods 28 of the second connector assembly 18 from two opposing sides. As described above, the pairs of rods 28 may be arranged to diverge. In the present example the rods 28 are arranged such that all of the rods 28 on a first side of the timber member 14 are angled in a first direction (e.g. downwards) and all of the rods on a second side of the timber member 14 are angled in a second direction (e.g. upwards). The orientation of the rods 28 on the first side of the timber member 14 may be staggered with respect to each other and the orientation of the rods 28 on the second side of the timber member 14 may be staggered with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0117] Turning to the left-hand side of FIG. 5 and referring only to the downward oriented rods 28, the angles of the first rod 28b, second rod 28d, third rod 28f and fourth rod 28h with respect to the downward vertical are referred to as 44b, 44d, 44f and 44h, respectively, and are equal to about 80, 75, 65 and 55 respectively. Turning to the right-hand side of FIG. 5 and referring only to the upward oriented rods 28, the angles of the first rod 28a, second rod 28c, third rod 28e and fourth rod 28g with respect to the upward vertical are referred to as 44a, 44c, 44e and 44g, respectively, and are equal to about 55, 65, 75 and 80 respectively. This splaying of the rods 28 may improve load and moment-resisting performance and prevent collision of rods in cases with connected beams on both sides of a column, for example.

[0118] In FIG. 6, a different rod 28 arrangement is shown for the second connector assembly. In the rod 28 arrangement of the FIG. 6, the second and third pairs of rods 28 are closer together than in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5. In the rod 28 arrangement of FIG. 6, the first and second upward oriented rods 28a, 28c make an angle of 30 with the horizontal. The third and fourth upward oriented rods 28e, 28g make an angle of 20 with the horizontal. The first and second downward rods 28b, 28d make an angle of 20 with the horizontal. The third and fourth downward rods 28f, 28h make an angle of 30 with the horizontal.

[0119] FIG. 6 also shows an example rod 22 arrangement for the first connector assembly 16. In this arrangement, both the first and third rods 22a, 22c make an angle of 10 with the horizontal, and converge in a direction towards the first end of the anchor.

[0120] FIG. 7 depicts a connection of four timber members 112, 113, 114, 115. Each timber member 112, 113, 114, 115 includes a corresponding connector assembly including four threaded rods 122 (only some of which are referenced in FIG. 7) and corresponding brackets 124 (only some of which are referenced in FIG. 7). The rods 122 and brackets 124 are as described above. The connector assemblies of each timber member 112, 113, 114, 115 connect to a central four-way plate 120 in a corresponding manner to that described abovethat is, using friction grip bolts arranged in oversized holes in the brackets 124 and plate 120.

[0121] FIG. 8 shows a connection between 4 timber members 612, 613, 614, 615 to a common plate 620. In this example, the plate 620 is circular. Each of the four timber member is connected to the plate 620 by means of two first connector assembly and correspondingly two elongated threaded rods 622 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In respects other than those mentioned, this connection largely corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0122] FIG. 9 shows two connections between a steel I-beam 213 and a timber member 212, 214. Each of the connections between the steel I-beam 213 and one of the timber members 212, 214 comprises a connector assembly as described above. The connector assembly includes threaded rods 222 and brackets 224 (only one of which is referenced in FIG. 8) as described above, which connect to a flange of the I-beam 213 using friction bolts and oversized holes, as described above, with the flange of the I-beam being the plate of the above embodiments. The flange of the I-beam is integrally connected to the rest of the I-beam (which is the second member).

[0123] FIG. 10 shows a connection between three timber members 312, 313, 314. This connection is similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, except with an additional timber member 313 arranged at an angle to the first timber member 312 (which is also arranged at an angle). Two of the timber members 312, 313 comprise a connecting assembly largely identical to the first connecting assembly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The third timber member 314 comprises a connecting assembly largely identical to the second connecting assembly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In order to accommodate the additional timber member 313, the plate 320 is hexagonal. In every respect other than those mentioned, this connection corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0124] FIG. 11 shows a connection between two timber members 412, 414. A first timber member 412 is connected to the plate 420 by means of a first connector assembly as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The plate 420 is fixed to the second timber member 414 by means of four elongated threaded rods 437. The four elongated threaded rods 437 are in direct contact with the second timber member 414 and the plate 420. That is, the second timber member 414 is not connected to the plate 420 via brackets 38 as in the connection 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4, but rather directly connected to the plate 420.

[0125] Any of the connections described herein can be provided as a kit of partsthat is, in a disassembled form suitable for assembling into the described connectioneither including or excluding the timber members.

[0126] FIGS. 12A and 12B show an alternative arrangement of a connection 500. The connection 500 has a first connector assembly 516 comprising two anchor members having a threaded rod 522 and a bracket 524. The threaded rods 522 are connected to the bracket 524 by means of a threaded nut 535, as described above. The plate 520 of this example is fixed with respect to the second timber member (not shown) by a second connector assembly 518, comprising a threaded rod 527, which is similar to those used as part of the anchor members. The anchor members of the first connector assembly 516 (i.e. threaded rods 522 and brackets 524) comprise oversized holes and are connected to the plate 520 by means of a bolt 526, as described above.

[0127] In practice, a connection may include a plurality of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, in parallel.

[0128] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a modular building 600. The modular building 600 comprises a plurality of first and second timber members 512, 513, in the form of beams and columns (only some of which are referenced in FIG. 13). The beams and columns 512, 514 support floors and walls and, as such, are used to partition in the volume of the building into separate internal spaces. A plurality of connections 10 as described herein are provided to connect the beams and columns.

[0129] The connections 10 are configured to be easily assembled and disassembled. As such, the beams and columns can be readily and securely connected and disconnected by a user. This allows a user to move the partitions (e.g. floors and/or walls) of the modular building, to reconfigure the internal space. This is advantageous as it allows buildings to be more readily repurposed for different uses, without the need for labour and carbon-intensive processes.

[0130] The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims as appended hereto. Furthermore, features from one example may be combined with an alternative example unless such a combination is explicitly precluded.