GB2412952A

GB2412952A - An adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2412952A
Application number: GB0506746A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Flannery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-07
Filing date: 2005-04-04
Publication date: 2005-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-04
Also published as: GB0506746D0; GB0408020D0; GB2412952B

Abstract

An adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement comprises a bracket (1; 14) and a washer (2). The bracket (1) defines a support plate (3) having an elongate slot (5) with longitudinal edges and a plurality of apertures (8a,8b) located adjacent opposed longitudinal edges of the slot (5). The washer (2) comprises at least one pair of parallel legs (10) arranged such that they can engage in at least one of the apertures (8a,8b) on either side of the slot (5) respectively. This enables a fastener passing through the slot (5) and through a hole (9) formed in the washer (2) to mount the bracket (1) at a chosen position relative thereto dependent on the apertures (8a,8b) chosen to receive the legs (10) of the washer (2).

Description

24 1 2952 - 1 -

AN ADJUSTABLE LOAD-BEARING BRACKET ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to an adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement for use within the construction industry, in particular for supporting brickwork from a structural support member.

Load-bearing bracket arrangements are commonly used within the construction industry to support and to tie brickwork to the supporting structure of a building, such as a concrete or steel framework. As it is very Jo difficult to align a plurality of fixing elements precisely, such bracket arrangements are usually provided with a means of allowing some degree of adjustment to compensate for variations in alignment of the fixing elements.

GB zo3454O and GB oo4986 both describe such bracket arrangements wherein an elongate slot in the base of a bracket has longitudinal edges which are provided with a plurality of serrated teeth. A similarly toothed washer can be engaged with the teeth to locate a bolt secured to a structural member of a floor or wall so that the bracket can be tied to the structural member, the interengaging serrated teeth of the washer and the bracket enabling the position of the bracket relative to the bolt to be finely adjusted.

The main disadvantage with these bracket arrangements is that they are difficult and therefore expensive to manufacture because the serrated teeth along the longitudinal edges of the bracket must be accurately cut.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable loadbearing bracket arrangement which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable loadbearing bracket arrangement comprising a bracket in the form of a support plate which defines an elongate slot and a plurality of additional - 2 apertures located adjacent opposed longitudinal edges of the slot; a washer comprising at least one pair of parallel legs arranged such that they can engage in at least one of the apertures on either side of the slot respectively; and a fastener which can pass through the slot and through a hole formed in the washer to mount the bracket to a support structure at a chosen position relative thereto dependent on the apertures chosen to receive the legs of the washer.

In a first embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the slot are preferably To formed with castellated teeth and each of the apertures is defined by gaps formed between adjacent teeth on either side of the slot. In this case the washer preferably comprises two parallel legs, one on either side thereof which can each be engaged across the slot and located in a pair of aligned gaps defined by the castellated teeth.

Preferably, the legs are spaced apart by a distance equal to four times the pitch of the castellated teeth.

Preferably also, the width of all the teeth is the same and is also the o same as the gaps between them.

In a modification of the first embodiment, the washer preferably comprises a plurality of parallel legs arranged on either side thereof, the washer being able to straddle the slot in order that the legs can be located in one or more of the gaps defined by the castellated teeth on either side of the slot respectively.

Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the plurality of apertures are separate from and spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the slot in two o lines on either side thereof. In this case, the washer is preferably the same as that in the modified first embodiment and comprises a plurality of parallel legs, arranged on either side thereof, the washer being able to straddle the slot in order that the legs can be located in one or more of the apertures on either side of the slot respectively.

Preferably also, the washer is of channel section, the sides of the channel forming the parallel legs and the base of the channel defining the hole.

Preferably also, the pitch of the apertures on both sides of the slot is the same.

Preferably also, the hole in the washer is located in a position which is offset from a central position by a distance equal to half the pitch of the apertures.

Preferably also, the bracket is of channel section and the support plate comprises the base wall of the channel. Alternatively, the bracket is of channel section with a base wall defining a second elongate slot which is wider than the elongate slot in the support plate and around the edges of which is secured the support plate so that the first elongate slot and the apertures are located inwardly of the edges of the second elongate slot.

Preferably, the support plate is welded to the base wall of the bracket.

Preferably also, the elongate slot is located centrally of the base wall of the channel-section bracket.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. is a perspective view of a bracket forming part of an adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention with part of one side broken away to reveal detail of an elongate slot; - 4 Fig. 2 iS a perspective view to an enlarged scale of a washer for engagement with the bracket shown in Fig. I; Fig. 3 is a front view to an enlarged scale of the elongate slot formed in the bracket of Fig. I; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section along the line IV-IV in Fig. with the washer of Fig. 2 engaged therewith; 0 Fig. 5 is front view of a bracket forming part of an adjustable load bearing bracket arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of a modified washer for engagement with the bracket shown in Figs or in Fig. 5.

The adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement of the invention comprises a bracket with which a washer 2 can be engaged to enable the bracket to be secured to a structural member by means of a fastener (not o shown), such as a bolt. The bracket may attached, for example by welding, to another member or members (not shown), such as a load-bearing plate or projections, which are not relevant to the present invention but which enable the bracket to be secured to brickwork and the like, for example by being embedded in a layer of mortar between courses of bricks. The washer 2 can engage the bracket in a plurality of positions thus enabling the position of the bracket relative to the fastener to be finely adjusted.

Typically, the bracket is of channel section and comprises a base wall 3 and integral, parallel side walls 4. In a first embodiment as shown in Fig. I, so the base wall 3 comprises a support plate that defines a centrally located, elongate slot 5 with longitudinal edges 6 formed with castellated teeth 7. The gaps 8a, 8b between the teeth 7 thus form two series of apertures, one on either side of the slot 5 respectively. Preferably but not essentially, the teeth - 5 - 7 along one edge 6 are exactly aligned horizontally across the slot 5 with the teeth 7 of the other edge 6, as shown in Fig. 3, such that the aligned gaps 8a, 8b between the teeth form pairs. Preferably, the castellations are regular so that the width of the teeth 7 is the same as the gaps 8a, 8b between them.

This enables regular adjustment of the position of the bracket in use, as will be described.

The washer comprises a substantially square washer which is provided with a hole 9 for the fastener and with a pair of parallel legs lo. In a o first embodiment for use with the bracket as shown in Fig. I, the washer is of channel section, the sides of the channel forming a pair of parallel legs lo and the base of the channel defining the hole 9. Such a washer can be manufactured either by being folded from or being machined from bar.

The two legs lo of the washer are spaced apart by a distance which is equal to an exact multiple of the pitch of the castellated teeth 7 in order that the legs lo can each be engaged across the slot 5 and located in a pair of aligned gaps 8a, fib, as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably, the legs lo are spaced by a distance equal to four times the pitch of the castellated teeth 7.

It will be appreciated that the pitch of the castellated teeth 7 determines the degree of adjustment between the washer a, and therefore the fastener, and the bracket I. However, in order to provide a finer adjustment, the hole 9 is preferably located in a position which is offset from 2 5 a central position by a distance equal to half the pitch of the castellated teeth 7. Hence, by turning the washer through 80 the degree of adjustment can be halved. This can be seen in Fig. 4 where the centre of the hole 9 in the washer is indicated by the solid line 1. If the hole 9 were to be located centrally of the washer a, as indicated by the dashed line An, then the JO position of the fastener relative to the bracket would drop by half the pitch of the teeth 7. - 6 -

In use, the position of the bracket relative to a fastener, such as a bolt, already secured to a structural support member such as a beam or column, is adjusted as required, the fastener passing through the slot 5. The washer is then located over the fastener and its legs lo are engaged into the appropriate gaps 8a, 8b of the castellations to maintain the relative positioning of the bracket to the fastener. If necessary, the washer can be turned through t80 to facilitate this engagement. The bracket can then be clamped into position, by securing a nut over the end of the fastener, thus clamping both the washer and the bracket in position.

In a modification, the washer can be formed as shown in Fig. 6.

Here the washer comprises a plurality of parallel legs 3a, lab arranged on either side thereof. The pitch of the legs 3a, jab along each side is identical to that of the gaps 8a, 8b formed between adjacent teeth 7 on either side of the slot 5 in order that the washer can straddle the slot 5 and its legs 3a, lab can be located in one or more of the gaps 8a, 8b on either side of the slot respectively.

It will be appreciated that in this modification, the washer is used in to a position which has effectively been rotated through go as compared to the washer shown in Fig. a. In Fig. the two legs lo are arranged along the sides of the washer which lie at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the slot 5 so that each leg lo spans the slot 5. In contrast, in the modification shown in Fig. 6 the legs 3a, lab are arranged along the sides of the washer which run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot 5. This means that the position of the hole 9 should be located accordingly with a view to achieving the finer degree of adjustment described above. Hence, the pitch of the gaps 8a, 8b along each of the sides of the slot 5 should be the same and the hole 9 in the washer is therefore preferably located in a position which is offset from a so central position between the sides of the washer not formed with the legs 3a, tab by a distance equal to half the pitch of the gaps 8a, fib. - 7

In a second embodiment of bracket 4 according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 5, the bracket 3 is again of channel section with a base wall 3 and integral, parallel side walls 4. The base wall 3 also comprises a support plate that defines a centrally located, elongate slot 5.

However in this case two series of apertures USA, tsb are provided that are separate from and spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the slot 5 in two lines on either side thereof. Again, the pitch of the apertures USA, sub in each of the two lines is preferably, but not necessarily, the same in order to provide a finer degree of adjustment of the bracket.

The washer 2 which is used with this second embodiment of bracket 4 is as described above and shown in Fig. 6. It will be appreciated that the washer again straddles the slot 5 in order that the legs 3a, lab can be located in one or more of the apertures USA, sub on each side of the slot 5.

Although the cross-sectional shape of the legs 3a, tab and the shape defined by the apertures USA, tsb are shown in the drawings as being substantially square, it will be appreciated that any shape could be used, for example circular or rectangular shapes. Also, although the apertures 3a, sub o and the legs 3a, lab on either side of the slot 5 and the washer respectively are shown as being aligned, they could be offset from one another.

Also, it should also be appreciated that the cross-sectional shape of the legs 3a, lab of the washer does not need to be identical to that of the apertures USA, sub or to the gaps 8a, fib. For the example, the profile of the legs 3a, lab could be made square or round whereas the apertures lsa,sb and gaps 8a, 8b could be rectangular. The only requirement is that the legs Ma and lab can be inserted into the apertures USA, sub or into the gaps 8a, 8b.

In a modification (not shown) to both the first and second embodiment of bracket I, 4, a planar support plate can be formed with an elongate slot and provided along its longitudinal edges 6 with apertures - 8 - either in the form of with castellated teeth 7, as shown in Fig. 3, or as separate apertures USA, lab, as shown in Fig. 5. This support plate can then be welded onto the base wall 3 of the bracket I, 4 which base wall 3 also defines a second centrally located, elongate slot which is wider that the elongate slot in the support plate. The support plate is secured to the base wall 3 around the edges of second slot so that the first elongate slot 5 and the apertures are located inwardly of the edges of the second elongate slot.

It will be appreciated that for most purposes the elongate slot 5 is o preferably located centrally of the base wall 3 of the channel-section bracket I, 4 but it is possible to produce brackets for special purposes where this is not the case. 9 -

Claims

I. An adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement comprising a bracket in the form of a support plate which defines an elongate slot and a s plurality of additional apertures located adjacent opposed longitudinal edges of the slot; a washer comprising at least one pair of parallel legs arranged such that they can engage in at least one of the apertures on either side of the slot respectively; and a fastener which can pass through the slot and through a hole formed in the washer to o mount the bracket to a support structure at a chosen position relative thereto dependent on the apertures chosen to receive the legs of the washer.
a. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim I, wherein the is longitudinal edges of the slot are preferably formed with castellated teeth and each of the apertures is defined by gaps formed between adjacent teeth on either side of the slot.
3. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim a, wherein the width of all 2 o the teeth is the same and is also the same as the gaps between them.
4. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim or Claim 3, wherein the washer comprises two parallel legs, one on either side thereof which can each be engaged across the slot and located in a pair of aligned Is gaps defined by the castellated teeth.
5. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to 4, wherein the legs are spaced apart by a distance equal to four times the pitch of the castellated teeth.
6. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to 3, wherein the washer comprises a plurality of parallel legs arranged on either side thereof, the washer being able to straddle the slot in order that the legs can be located in one or more of the gaps defined by the castellated teeth on either side of the slot respectively.
7. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim I, wherein the plurality of apertures are separate from and spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the slot in two lines on either side thereof.
8. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the washer comprises a plurality of parallel legs arranged on either side thereof, the washer being able to straddle the slot in order that the legs can be located in one or more of the apertures on either side of the slot respectively.
9. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to 8, wherein the is pitch of the apertures on both sides of the slot is the same.

to. A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the hole in the washer is located in a position which is offset from a central position by a distance equal to half the pitch of the apertures.

If. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to lo, wherein the bracket is of channel section and the support plate comprises the base wall of the channel.

An. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to lo, wherein the bracket is of channel section with a base wall defining a second elongate slot which is wider than the elongate slot in the support plate and around the edges of which is secured the support plate so that the first elongate slot and the apertures are located inwardly of the edges of the second elongate slot.

A bracket arrangement as claimed in Claim In, wherein the support plate is welded to the base wall of the bracket.

- 11 - 4. A bracket arrangement as claimed in any of Claims to 3, wherein the elongate slot is located centrally of the base wall of the channelsection bracket.

An adjustable load-bearing bracket arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. to 4, Figs. I, 3, 4 and 5, or Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.