Method and device for joining timber I-beams

Abstract

A method is described for joining the end of a first timber I-beam to the side of a second similar timber I-beam in wherein the end of the web of the first I-beam is fitted between the two side cheeks of a rigid channel member which is secured to the web by means of through fastenings such as bolts. The bridging section of the channel member has at least one stud protruding therefrom in line with the web of the I-beam to which it is secured, for securing to the web of the second transverse I-beam. A hole is formed in the web of the second I-beam through which the or each stud can pass, and the two beams are joined by fitting a closure member to the protruding end of the stud. The stud may be smooth and the closure member in the form of a push-fit washer, or may have a series of annular ridges over which the closure can be forced until it is trapped between the web and one of the ridges or more preferably the stud is threaded and the closure is a nut, typically a so-called lock nut. An alternative design of joining member comprises two parallel spaced apart plates having re-entrant bends which are welded or otherwise secured back to back so as to join the two plates into an integral unit, and beyond the re-entrant regions the plates are bent outwardly to form two aligned flanges for abutting the web of the second I-beam, and for securing thereto. In this design the re-entrant regions bridge the gap between the web of the second I-beam and the end of the web of the first, so that it is unnecessary to cut back the flanges of the first I-beam to achieve a snug fit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.