AU721899B2 - Suspended brick wall beam system - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 385297

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Industrial Galvanizers 312 Pacific Highway Hexham New South Wales

AUSTRALIA

Corporation Pty. Ltd.

Go22 ceft Soltlons 4y Ld 2322 5o Mc&So e0qo +U f odt9A Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: John Robinson and Andrew Kirk.

Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South ales, 2000, Australia Suspended Brick Wall Beam System Invention Title: ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL [31] Application No(s) P02214 APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country

AU

[321 Application Date 9 September 1996 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 Suspended Brick Wall Beam System Field of the Invention The following invention relates to a suspended brick wall beam system. More particularly, through not exclusively, the invention relates to a system used to support brick veneer walls off the ground in the construction of brick veneer dwellings without the requirement fro conventional concrete foundations, footings or a concrete slab poured directly onto the ground.

Known method of constructing full brick and brick veneer dwellings requires the wall systems to come into intimate contact with the ground. Thus white ant and drainage problems prevail.

The construction of such dwellings is a time consuming process which is labour intensive and requires special tools and skills.

0o". ~Also, known construction methods involve a high level of disturbance to the natural ground.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide an improved building system.

i Disclosure of the Invention •There is disclosed herein a support structure for a building comprising: a pair of steel piles embedded into or supported upon a ground surface so as to extend upwardly therefrom, a wall support beam extending substantially horizontally between each pile and attached thereto by means of a pair of beam support brackets, each bracket being vertically, adjustably affixed to a respective one of said piles, each beam support bracket comprising a member or members through which said respective pile passes, PA and a respective floor support member secured to each pile.

Preferably the floor support member comprises a bracket which is vertically, adjustably affixed to the pile above the beam support bracket.

Preferably the beam support brackets comprise a ledge or platform upon which the wall support beam rests.

Preferably the beam support bracket comprises a latching bar and the wall support beam comprises a lip engageable with the latching bar so as to laterally restrain the wall support beam.

Preferably the beam support brackets each comprise a hollow tubular member surrounding the pile.

Preferably the floor support brackets each comprise a hollow tubular member surrounding the pile.

Preferably each beam support bracket comprises a tapped aperture through to ~which a threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener, upon rotation thereof, being 15 adapted to bear against the pile so as to secure the respective beam support bracket thereto.

Preferably the floor support brackets comprise a tapped aperture through which a threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener, upon rotation thereof, being adapted to bear against the pile so as to secure the respective floor support bracket thereto.

S 2 t Preferably each beam support bracket has associated therewith an adjustment plate adapted to secure the support beam to the respective support bracket.

Preferably the adjustment plate comprises a slot through which a threaded fastener passing through the beam support bracket can pass so as to allow positional adjustment of the adjustment plate with respect to the beam support bracket.

Preferably the slot extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wall support beam.

As an alternative to hollow tubular members, each beam support bracket can be affixed to the respective steel pile by means of a U-bolt or U-bolts extending around the pile, the U-bolt or bolts being connected to the respective bracket.

S Preferably a shear stud extends from the beam support bracket through a hole Sin the steel pile.

There is further disclosed herein a wall beam support bracket comprising a member or members adapted to surround a pile in affixing the bracket to the pile, the bracket further comprising a ledge adapted to support a wall beam and a latching bar adapted to engage with the wall beam so as to restrain lateral movement thereof Preferably the member is a hollow tubular member.

Alternatively, the member is a U-bolt.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a brick veneer dwelling, Fig. 2A is a schematic elevational view of a wall beam internal corner support bracket, 2B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 2A, Fig. 3A is a schematic elevational view of a wall beam outside corner support bracket, Fig. 3B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 3A, Fig. 4A is a schematic elevational view of a wall beam through bracket, ig. 4B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 4A, 20 Fig. 5A is a schematic elevational view of an outside corner cap bracket, Fig. 5B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. Fig. 6A is a schematic elevational view of an inside corner cap bracket, Fig. 6B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 6A, 7A is a schematic elevational view of a through cap bracket, Fig. 7B is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 7A,' Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a wall support beam, Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of another wall support beam, Fig. 10 is a schematic end elevational view of a wall beam through-bracket, Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. Fig. 12 is a schematic end elevational view of a wall beam internal corner bracket, Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is a schematic front elevational view of a wall beam external corner bracket, and Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view of the bracket of Fig. 14.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a brick veneer dwelling supported by a support structure 10. Support structure 10 comprises a plurality of piles 11 which are typically, though not exclusively hollow circular galvanised steel piles of either the screw, driven or concrete footing supported type.

10 However, it should be appreciated that square cross sections or cross sections of any other shape can be used. For example, the piles 11 could be of the form of an H beam.

Secured to each pile 11 is one of a variety of wall beam support brackets.

Typically, these brackets are those embodied as 20, 30 and 40 in Figs. 2 to 4.

Supported by the respective brackets 20, 30, 40 and so as to span between respective piles 11 are wall support beams 80 or 90. These beams as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 S-can have a maximum length which depends on loadings and floor dimensions.

Typically, the span of each beam might be about 3.6 meters.

S.Situated above each wall beam support bracket 30, 40, 50 is one of a variety of cap brackets. Typically, though not exclusively, these cap brackets are embodied as 50, 60 and 70 in Figs. 5 to 7.

Whereas the wall beam 80 or 90 is adapted to support a brick veneer wall 13, the cap brackets are adapted to support a floor and internal wall frame structure 14.

With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, a wall beam internal corner bracket 20 is depicted. Bracket 20 comprises a hollow tubular member 16 adapted to surround the pier 11. Welded or otherwise attached to hollow tubular member 16 is a ledge 18. For rigidly securing the ledge 18 to the member 16, one or more webs 19 can be provided.

These webs are typically welded to the member 16 and ledge 18.

[N:\LIBLL100557:KEH Positioned above the ledge 18 and secured to the hollow member 16 by similar means is a latching bar or bars 17.

Welded to the hollow member 16 is a nut and bolt combination 15. An aperture extends through the wall of hollow member 16 such that the bolt can pass therethrough. Upon turning of the bolt, the end thereof bears against the external surface of the pile 11. Upon further tightening of the bolt, the pile 11 is deformed to prevent vertical movement of the wall beam support bracket thereon.

The wall beam bracket depicted in Figs. 2A and 2B is adapted to support respective ends of a pair of beams adjoining at an internal corner of a structure.

1o The brackets 30 and 40 are similar to bracket 20. Bracket 30 is adapted to support the ends of a pair of wall beams meeting at an outside corner of a structure.

Although not depicted, a nut and bolt combination 15 is also to be provided for .o°°o brackets 30 and Bracket 40 is a wall beam through-bracket adapted to support the ends of a pair 15 of co-linear end-to-end wall beams at a position along a wall of a structure. In each of the embodiments, a pair of latching bars 17 is provided.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, two alternative wall beams 80 and 90 are shown.

Each wall beam comprises a horizontal segment 83 each end of which is adapted to sit upon ledge 18 of one of the respective support brackets 20, 30 or Each beam also comprises a central web 82 connecting the lower horizontal portion 83 with an upper horizontal portion 81.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8, a lip 84 formed from a length of angle iron is welded to the underside of the upper horizontal portion 81. Lip 84 is adapted to cooperate with latching bar 17 so as to laterally restrain the wall beam with respect to the pile 11.

In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the lip 91 is integrally formed with the beam as depicted.

In Figs. 5 to 7 a number of alternative cap brackets are depicted.

[N:\LIBLLI00557:KEH In Figs. 5A and 5B an outside corner cap bracket 50 is depicted. The cap bracket 50 comprises a ledge 18, this time adapted to support a floor support beam.

The ledge 18 can be strengthened by means of webbing 19 as depicted. The ledge 18 extends in two directions radially of the hollow member 16 as shown. A nut and bolt combination 15 is provided in the hollow member 16 and serves to secure the member 16 to the pile 11 in a manner similar to that of the nut and bolt combination described above in reference to Fig. 2A.

Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate a further cap bracket 60, this time adapted for use at an inside corner of a dwelling. This bracket is substantially identical to that of Figs.

S 10o 5A and 5B however the shape of the ledge 18 differs slightly as shown.

A through cap bracket 70 depicted in Figs. 7A and 7B is similarly constructed though comprises a ledge 18 extending from diametrically opposed sides of the hollow member 16. The through cap bracket is adapted to support a floor structure, at a location somewhere along a straight wall.

15 Advantages of the above described invention are in efficient brick load carrying performance, easy level adjustment on site by means of the nut and bolt combinations 15, the easy attachment of the beams 80, 90 and the supporting of both the external brick veneer wall as well as the internal structure of the dwelling upon •common piles.

Alternative wall beam support brackets are shown in Figs. 10 to 15. In Figs.

and 11 there is schematically depicted a wall beam through-bracket 100 affixed to a pile 11. Support bracket 100 comprises a vertically extending leg 107 and a horizontally extending platform 108. Leg 107 is affixed to the pile 11 by means of a pair of U-bolts 102. A shear pin or stud 103 extends through the leg 107 into a hole drilled through the sidewall of pile 11. The shear pin 103 shares part of the vertical loading held by the wall beam through bracket 100. Passing through the horizontal platform 108 is a bolt 105. This bolt secures an adjustment plate 101 to the platform 108. The adjustment plate 101 comprises a slot 104 extending in a direction which is substantially normal to the longitudinal extent of the wall support beam 80,90. A lip (N:\LIBLLIOO557:KEH 106 is provided at the upper extremity of the adjustment plate 101 which passes over and around the upper lip of the wall support beam 80,90.

As can be seen, both the vertical position and the horizontal position of the support bracket 100 can be adjusted by means of slot 104 and shear pin 103. That is, the vertical position of the bracket 100 can be altered by drilling more holes through the side wall of the pile 11 and refitting the shear pin 103 thereto.

In Figs. 12 and 13 there is depicted a wall beam internal corner bracket 110.

Bracket 110 is secured to the pile 11 by means of U-bolts 102 and shear pin 103 as depicted. That is,, the bracket 110 also comprises a vertically extending leg 107 and a platform 108. The leg 107 has attached thereto the U-bolts 102 and shear pin 103 as per the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11. To the horizontal platform 108 there is affixed a pair of bolts 105. Each bolt 105 is associated with an adjustment plate 101 serving the same function of the plate of corresponding number in Figs. 10 and 11. By 1 adjustment of the plates 101 with respect to the bolts 105, the horizontal position of the 15 beams 80,90 can be adjusted in a direction substantially normal to their longitudinal extent.

In Figs. 14 and 15 there is schematically depicted a wall beam external corner bracket 120 similar to bracket 110, though this time including only a single bolt 105 cooperating with a pair of overlapping adjustment plates 101. The horizontal position of each beam 80,90 can be adjusted in a direction substantially normal to the direction of their respective longitudinal extents.

The vertical position of the brackets 110 and 120 can be adjusted by vertically repositioning the U-bolts and passing the shear stud 103 through another hole in the pile 11.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.

For example, the wall beam support brackets could be formed integrally with the wall beams.

IN:\LIBLL00557:KEH

Claims (13)

1. A support structure for a building, comprising: a pair of steel piles embedded into or supported upon a ground surface so as to extend upwardly therefrom, a wall support beam extending substantially horizontally between each pile and attached thereto by means of a pair of beam support brackets, each bracket being vertically, adjustably affixed to a respective one of said piles, each beam support bracket comprising a member or members through which said respective pile passes, and a respective floor support member secured to each pile.

2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the floor support member comprises a bracket which is vertically, adjustably affixed to the pile above the beam support 15 bracket. "e 3. The support structure of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the beam support brackets S. 55 comprise a ledge or platform upon which the wall support beam rests. q

4. The support structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beam support bracket comprises a latching bar and the wall support beam comprises a lip engageable with the latching bar so as to laterally restrain the wall support beam. The support structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beam support brackets each comprise a hollow tubular member surrounding the pile.

6. The support structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor support brackets each comprise a hollow tubular member surrounding the pile.

7. The support structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each beam support bracket comprises a tapped aperture through which a threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener, upon rotation thereof, being adapted to bear against the pile so as to secure the respective beam support bracket thereto.

8. The support structure of claim 6, wherein the floor support brackets comprise a tapped aperture through which a threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener, upon rotation thereof, being adapted to bear against the pile so as to secure the respective floor support bracket thereto.

9. The support structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each beam support bracket has associated therewith an adjustment plate adapted to secure the support beam to the respective support bracket. The support structure of claim 9, wherein the adjustment plate comprises a slot through which a threaded fastener passing through the beam support bracket can pass 15 so as to allow positional adjustment of the adjustment plate with respect to the beam support bracket.

11. The support structure of claim 10, wherein the slot extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wall support beam. S2 12. The support structure of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each beam support bracket is affixed to the respective steel pile by means of a U-bolt or U-bolts extending around the pile, the U-bolt or bolts being connected to the respective .bracket.

13. The support structure of claim 12, further comprising a shear stud extending from the beam support bracket through a hole in the steel pile.

14. A wall beam support bracket comprising a member or members adapted to surround a pile in affixing the bracket to the pile, the bracket further comprising a ledge adapted to support a wall beam and a latching bar adapted to engage with the wall beam so as to restrain lateral movement thereof. t o The wall beam support bracket of claim 14, wherein the member is a hollow tubular member.

16. The wall support bracket of claim 14, wherein the members are U-bolts.

17. A support structure for a building, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A wall beam support bracket, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 14th day of March 200 15 INDUSTRIAL GALVANIZERS CORPORATION PTY LTD, GOAEt1 ok-01OW& mTci.o Patent Attoreys for the Applcant: HALFORD CO let•