Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 1 -
IMPROVEMENTS IN, OR RELATING TO, A JOINT AND SYSTEM THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a joint and a system for a joint.
In particular, although not
exclusively, the present disclosure relates to steel structures which could be
the framework of a portal
system, rafter system for a building, or any other structural element.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are several ways to make buildings using steel, or at least
with a steel substructure.
These buildings are typically constructed from a lightweight channel or C
section frame, and the
frames are joined at intersecting points by a range of fasteners and brackets.
[0003] United States patent US 2005/0120658 Al discloses a joint structure
for a building using
thin and lightweight shaped-steel. It discloses a joint structure for
fastening and fixing frame members
made of thin lightweight shaped-steel to steel sills and a bolt joint truss
structure for forming a main
structure of a roof. This joint structure is also used to fasten a steel frame
member to form a wall to a
steel floor sill. The joint portions of the respective members are connected
together to form a joint and
a fastener is inserted into the joint through-hole to fasten and fix the
respective members to each
other.
[0004] Japanese patent JP 2004/346614 A2 discloses a joint structure of
steel column or steel
pipe column and beam reinforcement. The document discloses a joint bracket for
screw reinforcement
fixed to a reinforcement fixation position on an outer face of a column flange
of the crisscross steel
frame column, and a tip of a beam reinforcement composed of the screw
reinforcement is screwed
into the joint bracket to join the beam reinforcement with the crisscross
steel frame column.
[0005] United States patent US 6,920,724 discloses a bracket for a
structural panel and a
structural panel made with such a bracket. The bracket for use in fabricating
steel structural panels
has a first passageway for accepting a connecting member secured to a
diametrically opposed
bracket to introduce tension between opposing brackets in the panel. The
brackets each have an
additional second passageway to accept a connecting member for securing the
brackets to a
horizontal structural slab or other floor systems.
[0006] United States patent US 6,047,513 relates to a construction system
for building a steel
frame using steel members. Rafters form a roof portion of the steel frame, and
a ceiling joist having
two ends form a ceiling portion of the steel frame. Compression webs and
tension webs, disposed
between the rafters and the ceiling joists, distribute the load between the
rafters and the ceiling joists.
A peak bracket connects two rafters and a compression web together. Eave
brackets connect the two
unconnected ends of the two connected rafters to the ends of the ceiling
joist. Compression brackets
connect the pressure webs to the ceiling joist. A centre bracket connects two
of the tension webs and
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 2 -
one of the compression webs to the ceiling joist. Channel brackets connect one
of the tension webs
and one of the compression webs to one of the rafters and the ceiling joist.
[0007] Although the above existing systems work well from a structural
perspective, there are a
number of disadvantages associated with the use of additional brackets and
fasteners to join the steel
sub structures.
[0008] From an operational perspective, it can be difficult for a business
to supply complete
building systems. Currently, the joining brackets and roll formed steel
sections to be joined are
manufactured by alternative suppliers. This is because the range of machinery
required to produce the
brackets and sections is vastly different, making the consolidation of supply
uneconomic from an
investment perspective.
[0009] Conventional engineering design in most cases also calls for the
brackets securing the
joints of the steel sections to be twice as thick as the base frame material.
This leads to higher costs
as steel is sold by weight.
[0010] As the joining brackets and the steel sections are made from
different steels, or materials
then they will expand and contract at different rates. This may induce stress
and/or loosen
connections between the section and the bracket.
[0011] The requirement of present steel framing systems for large scale
constructions to have
both the brackets and the steel sections means that designing and specifying a
building adds
complexity. The steel sections must be designed to work with specific bracket
systems. If these
brackets have an issue with supply then this can set a building project back
in time until the brackets
can be supplied. Further, if the specific bracket system cannot be supplied
for whatever reason, then
at best a new bracket system must be sourced with its own lead times etc. If
this new bracket system
differs from the old one, then the steel structure that has been designed will
have to be redesigned
and possibly re-engineered and certified. This is worse still if steel
sections have been cut and
prepared. They will have to be reworked or worse scrapped and started again.
[0012] Having to assemble steel structures that then need additional
separate brackets held in
place and attached leads to cost and handling issues. The steel structures may
need bracing, or other
support until the brackets are attached to the steel structure, or between the
structures. This leads to
increased handling of multiple components, the steel sections and the
brackets, as well as more
components on site. Having additional components can also lead to incorrect
assembly. Every time
there is a separate, or another, component then this adds to cost with
handling, freight and assembly.
[0013] Further, if for any reason a geometry, for example of two steel
sections that are to be
joined, is outside the capabilities of a chosen bracket system, then either
this geometry cannot be
achieved, leading to redesign, or a different bracket, outside the chosen
bracket system, must be
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 3 -
used. This adds to longer design, specifying and certifying times, as well as
obtaining additional
components from a different supplier.
[0014] The heavy nature of the conventionally designed brackets also adds
additional freight
expenses to the overall cost structure. This freight cost is from the supplier
to the steel section
fabricator, which adds cost, and then both the steel section and the brackets
freighted to the job site.
[0015] As the brackets are required to be thicker than the base material
and pre-galvanised
material can only be purchased up to 3 mm thick, the majority of brackets also
have to be galvanised
after they are formed. This adds additional cost and time and potential delay
to the process.
[0016] In most cases the design and distribution of light weight steel
buildings is limited to a few
key wholesalers who distribute their product by way of franchising the rights
to smaller locally based
individuals. The present number of brackets and the various construction
techniques and practises
create complexities. This requires constructors to undergo specific intensive
training to bring them up
to standard, again adding additional time and cost to the process. This also
can limit the desired
assembly geometries, as stated above, for the
[0017] In this specification where reference has been made to patent
specifications, other external
documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose
of providing a context for
discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, reference to such
external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents,
or such sources of
information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common
general knowledge in the art.
[0018] It is an object to provide an improved joint system for steel
construction, or to provide an
improved knee joint in steel that reduces the complexity of the components
needed, or the component
count, to reduce manufacturing time and complexity, as well as assembly, or to
overcome the above
shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to at least provide the
public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY
[0019] In a first aspect there is described a joint system for structural
elements for a building
construction, comprising
a first beam of closed hollow cross-section having a cutout in at least one
side of the beam
to accommodate a second beam within the cutout, and a fastening system to
attach both beams to
each other.
[0020] In a further aspect there is described a joint system for structural
elements for a building
construction, comprising
a first beam formed from at least two pieces of overlapping sheet steel to
define a closed
hollow cross-section,
a second beam having a hollow cross-section,
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443
PCT/IB2022/060536
- 4 -
the first beam having at least two unitarily formed opposing extending
portions having a
distance between them to accommodate, when in a jointed condition, the second
beam therebetween,
the extending portions and the second beam each having a plurality of
corresponding,
when in a jointed condition, spaced apart holes to receive fasteners
therethrough, such that when in a
jointed and fastened condition the joint system provides a joint system that
is moment, in plane, and
out of plane, force resistant.
[0021] In a
further aspect there is described a joint system for structural elements for a
building
construction, comprising
a first beam, extending in a first direction, of hollow cross-section formed
from a first two
pieces of sheet steel, the first two pieces of sheet steel overlapping each
other at least in part to form
the hollow cross-sectional,
a second beam, extending in a second direction, of closed hollow cross-section
formed
from a second two pieces of sheet steel, the second two pieces of sheet steel
overlapping each other
at least in part to form the closed hollow cross-sectional, the second beam
having a first dimension
perpendicular to the second direction,
the first beam having two opposing extending portions unitarily formed by at
least one of
the first two pieces of steel, the extending portions having a distance
between them substantially equal
to the first dimension of the second beam, the extending portions and the
remainder of the first two
pieces of sheet steel providing between them a complimentary pocket for the
second beam, the
extending portions each having a first plurality of spaced apart holes thereon
to receive fasteners
therethrough,
the second beam having a second plurality of spaced apart holes on opposing
sides
thereof to receive the same fasteners therethrough, complimentary to the first
plurality,
wherein locating the second beam into the complimentary pocket of the first
beam, and
locating fasteners through the first plurality of spaced apart holes, and
second plurality of spaced apart
holes provides a jointed beam that is moment, in plane, and out of plane,
force resistant.
[0022] In a
further aspect there is described a joint system for structural elements for a
building
construction, comprising
a first beam formed from at least two pieces of overlapping sheet steel to
define a closed
hollow cross-section,
a second beam having a hollow cross-section,
the first beam having at least two unitarily formed opposing extending
portions having a
distance between them to accommodate, when in a jointed condition, the second
beam therebetween,
the extending portions and the second beam each having a plurality of
corresponding,
when in a jointed condition, spaced apart holes to receive fasteners
therethrough, such that when in a
jointed and fastened condition the joint system provides a joint system that
is moment, in plane, and
out of plane, force resistant, and wherein the extending portions are formed
from at least one of the at
least two pieces of overlapping sheet steel that define the closed hollow
cross-section beam.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 5 -
[0023] In a further aspect there is described a method of forming a joint
system for structural
elements for a building construction, comprising
providing a first beam, extending in a first direction, of hollow cross-
section formed from a
first two pieces of sheet steel, the first two pieces of sheet steel
overlapping each other at least in part
to form the hollow cross-sectional, the hollow cross-sectional being fully
enclosed about the first
direction,
providing a second beam, extending in a second direction, of hollow cross-
section formed
from a second two pieces of sheet steel, the second two pieces of sheet steel
overlapping each other
at least in part to form the hollow cross-sectional, the hollow cross-
sectional being fully enclosed about
the second direction, the second beam having a first dimension perpendicular
to the second direction,
the first beam having integral unitary extensions of the hollow cross-
sectional that form two
parallel extensions, the two parallel extensions having a distance between
them substantially equal to
the first dimension of the second beam, the two parallel extension and the
remainder of the first two
pieces of sheet steel providing between them a complimentary pocket for the
second beam, the two
parallel extensions each having a first plurality of spaced apart holes
thereon to receive fasteners
therethrough,
the second beam having a second plurality of spaced apart holes on opposing
sides
thereof to receive the same fasteners therethrough, complimentary to the first
plurality,
locating the second beam into the complimentary pocket of the first beam, and
locating
fasteners through the first plurality of spaced apart holes, and second
plurality of spaced apart holes
provides a jointed beam that is moment, in plane, and out of plane, force
resistant.
[0024] In a further aspect there is described a method of manufacturing a
first beam to receive a
second beam, the second beam to extend in a second direction, the first beam
to extend in a first
direction, comprising
the first beam formed from two nested pieces of sheet steel, having at least
one end,
integral unitary extending portions of at least one of the two pieces of sheet
steel that form two parallel
opposing extending portions, the extending portions having a distance between
their inner facing
surfaces substantially equal to a first dimension of the second beam, the two
extending portions and
the remainder of the first two pieces of sheet steel providing between them a
complimentary pocket for
the second beam, the two extending portions each having a first plurality of
spaced apart holes
thereon to receive fasteners therethrough,
the second beam capable of being received by the second beam and fastened
thereto to
form a jointed beam that is moment, in plane, and out of plane, force
resistant.
[0025] In a further aspect there is described a kit of parts for forming a
joint between a second
beam and a first beam, comprising
a first beam, extending in a first direction, of hollow cross-section formed
from a first two
pieces of sheet steel, the first two pieces of sheet steel overlapping each
other at least in part to form
the hollow cross-sectional,
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 6 -
a second beam, extending in a second direction, of closed hollow cross-section
formed
from a second two pieces of sheet steel, the second two pieces of sheet steel
overlapping each other
at least in part to form the closed hollow cross-sectional, the second beam
having a first dimension
perpendicular to the second direction,
the first beam having two opposing extending portions unitarily formed by at
least one of
the second two pieces of steel, the extending portions having a distance
between them substantially
equal to the first dimension of the second beam, the extending portions and
the remainder of the first
two pieces of sheet steel providing between them a complimentary pocket for
the second beam, the
extending portions each having a first plurality of spaced apart holes thereon
to receive fasteners
therethrough,
the second beam having a second plurality of spaced apart holes on opposing
sides
thereof to receive the same fasteners therethrough, complimentary to the first
plurality,
a plurality of fasteners to engage between the first plurality of spaced apart
holes and their
corresponding second plurality of spaced apart holes,
such the second beam and the first beam may be fastened together using the
fasteners to
form a jointed beam that is moment, in plane, and out of plane, force
resistant.
[0026] In a further aspect there is described a joint system as described
herein with reference to
any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
[0027] In a further aspect there is described a method of forming a joint
system as described
herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
[0028] In a further aspect there is described a method of manufacturing a
first beam to receive a
second beam as described herein with reference to any one or more of the
accompanying drawings.
[0029] In a further aspect there is described a kit of parts for forming a
joint between a second
beam and a first beam as described herein with reference to any one or more of
the accompanying
drawings.
[0030] In a further aspect there is described a construction including a
joint system as described
herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
[0031] Any one or more of the following embodiments may relate to any of
the aspects described
herein or any combination thereof.
[0032] In one configuration the second beam is formed from at least two
pieces of overlapping
sheet steel to define a closed hollow cross-section.
[0033] In one configuration an extending portion is formed from at least
two of the two pieces of
overlapping sheet steel that define the closed hollow cross-section.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 7 -
[0034] In one configuration an extending portion is formed from both of the
first two pieces of
steel.
[0035] In one configuration the pieces of overlapping sheet steel are
formed into the respective
first and/or second beam by any one or more of
= roll forming,
= folding, or
= cold forming.
[0036] In one configuration the extending portions are cut into the second
one or two pieces of
steel prior to forming the first beam.
[0037] In one configuration the extending portions are formed by cutting
the first beam after the
first beam is formed into a closed hollow cross-sectional beam.
[0038] In one configuration two opposing extending portions are parallel to
each other.
[0039] In one configuration two opposing extending portions each present
planar inward facing
surfaces that in part define a complimentary pocket.
[0040] In one configuration a substantial length of the first and/or second
beam have an enclosed
cross-sectional.
[0041] In one configuration the first and second beams are of constant
cross-sectional along their
length.
[0042] In one configuration the closed hollow cross-sectional beam is of
rectangular or square
cross-sectional.
[0043] In one configuration the closed hollow cross-sectional beam is of
rectangular cross-
sectional.
[0044] In one configuration at least one of the extending portions includes
at least one reinforcing
rib formed onto the exterior surface of the extending portion.
[0045] In one configuration the one or more reinforcing ribs running
parallel to the main axis of the
first beam.
[0046] In one configuration the reinforcing ribs extend from the extending
portions into the body of
the first beam.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 8 -
[0047] In one configuration the second beam has threaded connections
complimentary to the
second plurality of spaced apart holes, inward of an external surface of the
second beam, to receive
and engage the fasteners there into.
[0048] In one configuration the second two pieces of sheet steel and first
two pieces of sheet steel
are between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm thick, and suitable ranges may be
selected from between
any of these values.
[0049] In one configuration second two pieces of sheet steel and first two
pieces of sheet steel are
about 6 mm thick.
[0050] In one configuration the closed hollow cross-sectional beam(s) are
formed from first and
second open cross-sectional beams that are nested, one inside the other.
[0051] In one configuration the first and second open cross-sectional beams
are held relative to
each other substantially by friction.
[0052] In one configuration there is at least some local deformation of the
first or second open
cross-sectional beams to hold the two relative to each other.
[0053] In one configuration the closed hollow cross-sectional has two
opposed vertical webs, and
two opposed horizontal flanges connecting therebetween.
[0054] In one configuration the first open cross-sectional beam forms a
first of the vertical webs
and part of a second of the vertical webs, and the second open cross-sectional
beam forms the
second vertical web, and part of the first vertical web, the first open cross-
sectional beam and the
second open cross-sectional beam both forming the two opposed horizontal
flanges.
[0055] In one configuration an open part of the complimentary pocket from
the closed hollow
cross-sectional is substantially closed off by a first blanking plate
[0056] In one configuration an open end of the second beam near the
complimentary pocket is
substantially closed off by a second blanking plate.
[0057] In one configuration the open part and open end are closed off by
plate steel 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 14, or 15 mm thick, and suitable ranges may be
selected from between any of
these values.
[0058] In one configuration the open part and open end are closed off by
plate steel about 10 mm
thick.
[0059] In one configuration the sheet steel of the first and second beam
are joined, to form the
respective first and second beam, by welding.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 9 -
[0060] In one configuration the open part and open end are closed off by
plate steel that is welded
to its respective beam sheet steel.
[0061] In one configuration there is no separate bracket between the second
beam and the first
beam.
[0062] In one configuration the two parallel extensions are formed from
sheet steel of the first
beam.
[0063] In one configuration the first and second beams are load-carrying
members of a portal
frame.
[0064] In one configuration the complimentary pocket is formed as part of
forming the first beam
and is not cut from the beam after it is formed.
[0065] In one configuration the complimentary pocket is formed from the
first beam by cutting the
first beam after it is formed.
[0066] In one configuration the extending portions are formed in the one or
two pieces of sheet
steel prior to forming the first beam.
[0067] In one configuration the extending portions are formed in the one or
two pieces of sheet
steel after the first beam is formed.
[0068] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.
[0069] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or
singular forms of the noun.
[0070] The term "comprising" as used in this specification means
"consisting at least in part of".
When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term,
the features, prefaced by
that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can
also be present. Related
terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same
manner.
[0071] It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein
(for example, 1 to 10)
also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for
example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4,
5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that
range (for example, 2 to 8,
1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 t04.7).
[0072] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,
elements and features
referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually
or collectively, and any or all
combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and
where specific integers are
mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this
invention relates, such known
equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 10 -
[0073] Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the
following description which
is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0074] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a column with one half of the
connection.
[0075] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a rafter with one half of the
connection, being
complimentary to that shown in Figure 1.
[0076] Figure 3 shows various configurations of open cross sectional steel
to form the closed
cross sectional beam as described.
[0077] Figure 4 shows in side isometric view of the connection as described
applied to a floor joist
and column.
[0078] Figure 5 shows in side isometric view of the connection as described
applied to a rafter and
column.
[0079] Figure 6 shows Section AA along line A-A from Figure 5.
[0080] Figure 7 shows a typical construction using steel sheet and the
potential locations of the
joint as described, for example as a floor joist and as a rafter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0081] Described is a joint system for structural elements for a building
construction, comprising a
first beam of closed hollow cross-section having a cutout in at least one side
of the beam to
accommodate a second beam within the cutout, and a fastening system to attach
both beams to each
other.
[0082] A joint 1 for a jointed beam is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The joint
1 may be used in the
construction of steel frame buildings as shown in Figure 7. For example, the
joint 1 may be used to
form the framework of a portal system, rafter system for a building, or any
other structural element.
[0083] The joint 1 is formed from a first beam 8 and a second beam 3. The
first beam extends in
a first direction 9 and the second beam 3 extends in a second direction 4. In
the assembly of the two
beams shown the second direction 4 and the first direction 9 are different,
and the joint 1 that is
formed is for example a knee joint where the first beam 8 is vertical or near
vertical and supports the
second beam which extends out from the first beam 3, to form, for example, a
rafter. However, in other
forms the second direction 4 and the first direction 9 may be the same,
whether vertical as a post, or
at an angle as a rafter, or horizontal as a joist.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
-11 -
[0084] The first beam 8 and the second beam 3 may be formed by any one of
roll forming, folding,
or other cold or hot forming techniques.
[0085] The first beam 8 and the second beam 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2
may be formed from
two separate pieces of steel: 10A and 10B, and 5A and 5B. Each piece of steel
may be formed as
separate open cross-sectional beams having at least one vertical web and at
least one horizontal web.
The pieces of steel may be formed together to form a hollow cross sectional
beam. As shown in
Figures 3A to 3F a range of configurations of steel web combinations could be
utilised. For example,
in Figure 3A each piece of steel includes two full horizontal webs and one
full vertical web. Each piece
of steel are mirror images of each other, although one is nested within the
other. The resultant beam
has a closed cross-section. Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional beam formed from
two separate pieces
of steel, each piece having a full vertical web and two full horizonal webs.
The two pieces of steel are
mirror images, with the cross-sectional beam formed by each piece of steel
having one horizontal web
located within the cross-section of the other piece of steel. Figure 30 shows
a cross-sectional beam
formed from two separate pieces of steel, each piece having a full vertical
web, two partial vertical
webs and two full horizonal webs. The two pieces of steel are nested in each
other to form the hollow
cross-sectional beam. Figure 3D shows a cross-sectional beam formed from two
separate pieces of
steel, each piece having two full vertical webs and one full horizonal web.
One of the pieces of steel is
fully nested in the other. Figure 3E shows a cross-sectional beam formed from
two separate pieces of
steel, each piece having two full vertical webs and one full horizonal web.
The pieces of steel are
mirror images of each other, each having one vertical web nested within the
cross section of the other
steel piece. Figure 3F shows a cross-sectional beam formed from two separate
pieces of steel, each
piece having one full vertical web and one partial vertical web and one full
horizonal web. The pieces
of steel are mirror images of each other, each having one vertical web nested
within the cross section
of the other steel piece.
[0086] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional beam formed from two separate
pieces of steel, each
piece having one full vertical web, one partial vertical web, and two full
horizonal webs. The pieces of
steel are mirror images of each other, each having one vertical web nested
within the cross section of
the other steel piece. In doing so the two open cross-sectional pieces of
steel form the beam 3 having
a closed cross-sectional shown in Figure 1. The resulting beam has a first
dimension 7 across the
webs as shown and is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional orthogonal
to the second direction. It
will be appreciate that the beam may be square or of other polygonal cross-
sectional as needed, and
potentially may be circular or ovoid.
[0087] As shown in Figure 2, the opposing sides 17 of the second beam 3
have a first plurality of
spaced apart holes 14, these holes in the preferred form a threaded to receive
a like threaded fastener
15. If the holes 14 themselves are not threaded then they may thread inserts
or similar to receive the
fasteners.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 12 -
[0088] To impart additional stiffness, or at least to prevent ingress of
vermin and similar, the end
of the second beam 3 may include a blanking plate 19 to close the end off.
[0089] The first beam 8, shown in Figure 1 similar to the second beam, is
formed from two second
pieces of steel 10A and 10B and may be formed of various cross sectional
shapes as described above
and shown in Figure 3. The open end of the hollow cross-section mean may be
closed with a blanking
plate 19 to enclose at least that end of the beam.
[0090] As shown in Figure 1, the first beam 8 comprise two extending
portions 11. These may be
formed unitary with the beam and are extensions of the two steel pieces 10A
and/or 10B. As shown in
Figure 1, the extending portions 11 are formed from both steel pieces 10A and
10B ¨ that is, one is
formed from steel piece 10A, and the opposing one is formed from steel piece
10B. The extending
portions may comprise reinforcing ribs 20 as shown in Figure 1. The
reinforcing ribs 20 may be
located on their external surface of the extending portions 11. The
reinforcing ribs 20 may be located
on the edge, or at least towards the edge, of the extending portions 11. The
ribs 20 may extend from
the free end of the extending portion down into the full enclosed beam
section. The planar inward
facing surfaces 18 of the extending portions may the first dimension 7 of the
second beam and are
complimentary to these opposing sides 17. In this way when the fasteners are
done up there is little
movement of the extending portions 11 to support and engage the second beam 3.
[0091] The extending portions 11 may extend a distance that substantially
matches the height of
the second beam 3. As shown in Figure 4 the lengths of the extending portions
11 extend a majority
of the height of the second beam. The extending portions 11 may extend at
least 75, 80, 85, 90 or
95% of the height of the second beam, and useful ranges may be selected
between any of these
values.
[0092] The extending portions 11 may be unitary with the two pieces of
steel 10A and 10B. They
may be formed by cuts in the sheet steel that forms the open cross-sectional
beams 24 prior to
forming the first beam 8, for example using a three dimensional machine in
flat form. The cuts are at
the correct angle to form the complimentary pocket 13 to support the second
beam 3.
[0093] Alternatively, lengths of beam may be made and then the
complimentary pocket 13 is cut
into the end of the beam section after forming to form the complimentary
pocket 13, for example, but
not limited to using a five axis robotic arm or similar and cutting tool. In
doing so the webs of the beam
are cut away at the correct angle and to form the support surface 25 to match
the second beam angle.
[0094] The free end of the hollow cross-sectional of the beam 8 may be
angled to match the angle
of incidence of the second beam 3 to the first beam as seen in Figure 3. This
provides clearance, but
also when closely matched will provide a support surface 25 to the facing
surface of the second beam
3. When keyed into place with the fasteners this may also provide resistance
against moments. The
result is a complimentary pocket 13 in the first beam 8 that can receive the
second beam 3.
CA 03234842 2024-04-08
WO 2023/079443 PCT/IB2022/060536
- 13 -
[0095] The extending portions 11 have the second plurality of spaced apart
holes 16 which are
complimentary to those of the second beam 3. When the second beam is located
in the
complimentary pocket 13, either with additional support, or by the support
surface, then the holes will
align and then fasteners 15 can be passed through the second plurality 16 and
engage with the first
plurality 14. If these are threaded fasteners then torqueing them up will form
the joint as shown in
Figure 4. In the preferred form these are hollow bolts as the threaded
connection.
[0096] The first two pieces of steel 5A and 5B and the second two pieces of
steel 10A and 10B
may be formed from sheet steel. The sheet steel may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
or 10 mm thick, and
useful ranges may be selected between any of these values. In one embodiment
the sheet steel is 6
mm thick. The blanking plate 19 may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14 or 15 mm thick, and
useful ranges may be selected between any of these values. In one
configuration the blanking plate is
mm thick.
[0097] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number
of illustrative
embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in form and
details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by
the appended claims. Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art without departing
from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to
the accompanying
drawings.
