Wind Brace Band Connector and System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wind brace band connector comprising at least a first and a second one-piece connector element for connecting at least one perforated band defining a longitudinal band axis to a connection bracket attached to a building, or for connecting at least two perforated bands with each other. The connector is easy to connect to a perforated band, i.e. a wind brace strap using no or just a simple tool.

Claims

1. Wind brace band connector (1) comprising at least a first and a second one-piece connector element (2) for connecting at least one perforated band defining a longitudinal band axis to a connection bracket attached to a building, or for connecting at least two perforated bands with each other, each connector element having a thickness and comprising: a first body section defining: a first longitudinal body axis, a first body width, a rim area of the first body section, the first body section comprising a number of projecting pins arranged to receive the perforations of the band, the projecting pins identifying a pin side and an opposing non-pin side of the connector element, furthermore the connector element comprises: a second body section defining: a second longitudinal body axis, a second body width, a rim area of the second body section, a second body width comprising a number of holes arranged in the same pattern as the projecting pins of the first body section, the first and second body sections are connected to each other via a common section made of the same piece of material as the first and second body section, wherein, when in use for connecting a perforated band to another perforated band or connector, the pin-side of the first connector element is facing the pin-side of the second connector element and the connector elements are turned 180° in relation to each other.

2. Wind brace band connector according to claim 1, wherein a part of the rim area of the first and/or the second body section comprises at least one wall section extending substantially perpendicular to the body section(s).

3. Wind brace band connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall section comprises a locking mechanism to lock the connector elements in relation to each other.

4. Wind brace band connector according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the common section comprises an embossed section.

5. Wind brace band connector according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the number of pins in each bracket element is at least two.

6. Wind brace band connector according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, wherein the pins project more than two times the thickness of the connector element.

7. Wind brace connector assembly system for connecting a perforated band to a building, the wind brace connector assembly comprising a bracket connected to a structure of a building and a first and a second connector element according to claims 1-6, wherein the bracket comprises bracket holes adapted to receive the pins of a connector element and wherein the connector elements in the mounted state in the one end clamps around a section of the bracket and the other end clamps around a perforated band.

8. Wind brace connector assembly system according to claim 7 wherein the bracket comprises elongate bracket holes.

9. Wind brace connector assembly system according to claim 8 wherein the centreline of the elongate bracket holes is curved.

10. Wind brace connector assembly system according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the bracket is adapted to receive at pins arranged at two different transverse lines of the connector element.

Description

[0040] The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which:

[0041] FIG. 1A shows a schematic perspective view of a wind brace connector for connecting two perforated bands using to connector elements according to the invention,

[0042] FIG. 1B shows a sideview of the wind brace connector shown in FIG. 1A,

[0043] FIG. 1C shows an exploded view of the wind brace connector of FIG. 1A,

[0044] FIG. 2A-2B show a wind brace connector system in an exploded view,

[0045] FIG. 3A and 3B show the wind brace connector system in mounted state,

[0046] FIG. 4 shows the wind brace connector system in two different angles in relation to the bracket, and

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view the wind brace connector system installed on a roof.

[0048] All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

[0049] FIG. 1A-1C shows different views of a wind brace band connector 1 for connecting two perforated bands 2 using to connector elements 3. The wind brace band connector 1 comprises a first connector element 3a and a second connector element 3b (the general reference numeral 3 is used when no distinguishing between the two is necessary). In this embodiment, the band connector 1 is shown connecting two perforated bands 2a and 2b i.e. wind brace bands. Each connector element 3 has a thickness t and defines an overall longitudinal axis OA. The connector elements 3 furthermore comprises a first body section 5 defining a first longitudinal body axis FBA being a part of the overall longitudinal axis OA and a second body section 6 defining a second longitudinal body axis SBA also being part of the overall longitudinal axis OA. Furthermore, a first body width FDW and a second body width SBW are defined perpendicular to the overall longitudinal axis OA. The first body width FBW being smaller than the second body width SBW. In this embodiment, the second body width SBW is defined by the distance between the wall sections 7 and the first body with FBW is capable of being fitted between the two wall sections 7. The first body section 5 defines a rim area PRA at least partly surrounding an area comprising projecting pins 11. The second body section 6 defines a rim area HRA at least partly surrounding an area having holes 12 (best visible in FIG. 1C). The wall sections 7 comprises locking means 8 for locking the two connector elements 3a and 3b to each other.

[0050] The pins 11 of the first body section 5 are arranged in a manner capable of being received in the perforations 13 of the band 2.

[0051] The projecting pins 11 identify a pin side PS and an opposing non-pin side NPS of the connector element 3. The holes 12 of the second body section 6 are arranged in the same pattern as the perforations 12 of the perforated band 2 and hence the pattern of the pins 11.

[0052] The first body section 5 and the second body section 6 of each connector element 3 are connected to each other via a common section 15. The common section 15 is made of the same piece of material as the first and second body sections 5, 6. In this embodiment, the common section 15 has an embossed section for increasing the rigidity of the common section.

[0053] It is shown that the connector element 3a and 3b are identical but in the installed situation the one connector element is turned 180° in relation to the other. In this mounted situation, the projecting pins 11 of the one connector element 3 is inserted through the perforations 13 of the perforated band 2 and through the holes 12 of the second body section 6. The longer of the pins acts as registration pins in order to guide the assembly of the two connector elements with the perforated band.

[0054] It is furthermore, shown that when in use for connecting a perforated band 2 to another perforated band 2, the pin-side PS of the first connector element 3a is facing the pin-side PS of the second connector element 3b, and the connector elements 3a, 3b are turned 180° in relation to each other. In this way, a strong connection is achieved using two uniform connector elements 3.

[0055] FIG. 2A — 2B show a wind brace connector system 100 in an exploded view. The system comprises a wind brace band connector 1 comprising two connector elements 3 and a bracket 101. The pins 11 of the connector elements 3 and the bracket holes 102 are adapted to hold the same pattern as the perforated band 2. Hence, connecting the connector elements 3 the bracket 101 needs no further adaption of the connector elements 3. In this embodiment, the bracket 101 comprises elongated bracket holes 105. A further centre bracket hole 106 is arranged between the two elongated bracket holes 105. FIG. 2B shows a side view of the exploded view of FIG. 1A. In this view, it is easily visible that the pins 11 are of different length. The longer pins 11a are used as registration pins. In this way, it is easy for the worker to keep the parts i.e. the first and second connector element 3, the bracket 101 and the perforated band 2 in correct position in relation each other during assembling.

[0056] FIG. 3A and 3B show the wind brace connector system 100 in assembled stated i.e. where the perforated band 2 is connected to the bracket 101 by the wind brace band connector 1. It is shown that the longer pins 11a are folded in order to lock the one end of the wind brace band connector 1 to the bracket 101 and to lock the other end of the wind brace band connector 1 to the perforated band 2 (these pins are only visible in FIG. 3B). It is seen that the shorter of the pins 11 are still long enough to project through the other connector element 3. The lengths of the pins 11 are at least twice the material thickness of the connector element 3. It is seen that the bracket 101 further comprises a number of bracket apertures 115 arranged to affix the bracket to a structure e.g. a truss of a building.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows the wind brace connector system 100 where the wind brace band connector 1 is arranged in two different angles in relation to the bracket 101.The angles θ1 and θ2 are in measured from the same surface of the bracket 101 to the overall longitudinal axis OA of the wind brace band connector 1. The difference between the angles θ1 and θ2 substantially show the adjustment capabilities of the system 100 i.e. how much the wind brace band connector 1 may be turned in the elongated bracket holes 105 (seen in FIG. 2A). It is seen that the same bracket 101 may be used for connecting more than one wind brace band connectors 1 or the one wind brace band connector 1 may be connected in different positions according to the specific need.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view of the wind brace connector system 100 installed on trusses 150 of a roof. The bracket 101 is attached to the truss 150, and the wind brace band connector 1 is connected to the bracket 101. The wind brace band connector 1 is connecting the perforated band 2 and the bracket 101. Having a similar connection in the other end of the perforated band 2 the wind brace connector system 100 support the whole roof structure.

[0059] Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.