Connection of a truss to a structural component in the assembly of a building structure

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of assembling a building structure in which a truss is connected to a structural component, the method comprising effecting correct relative positioning of the truss and component and fixing together the truss and component with at least one fastener, wherein: one of the truss and component comprises a member within which, prior to the positioning being effected, the or each fastener and / or a respective hole arranged to receive it extend(s), and the fixing together of the truss and component comprises advancing the or each fastener, within the member or received in the respective hole, into the other of the truss and component; or there is provided a member within which the or each fastener and / or a respective hole arranged to receive it extends, and the fixing together of the truss and component comprises, with the member secured to one of the truss and component, advancing the or each fastener, within the member or received in the respective hole, into the other of the truss and component.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Australian Patent Application No. 2018901878, filed May 28, 2018, and Australian Patent Application No. 2019203622, filed May 23, 2019.Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to connection of a truss to a structural component in the assembly of a building structure. One aspect of the invention has particular, though not exclusive, application to fixing of a member of a roof truss to another member in the assembly of the structure. The invention is particularly, though not exclusively, suited to construction of timber frame buildings.Background

[0003] Assembly of a structural framework of a building, particularly a timber framework, typically involves brackets installed so as to interconnect components in the framework. In one exemplary known arrangement, shown in Figure 1, a timber roof truss R is secured to a timber top plate T of a wall frame via a bracket B secured against the truss R and top plate T via fasteners F (typically comprising nails or screws) received through the bracket B. Alternatively, conventional brackets used to interconnect members of the framework may be configured with teeth which are driven into the members to secure the bracket to the members.

[0004] A reason for using brackets, rather than merely screws or nails, to interconnect the components in the framework is that the positioning of the brackets can be sighted after the interconnections are effected, so that there can be some degree of confidence as to the integrity of the interconnections. However, installer skill is critical for correct bracket location and fixing, and whilst appropriate location of the brackets may be able to be confirmed by visual inspection after assembly, adequacy of the fastening of the brackets to the components to which they are attached during assembly often cannot be.

[0005] In conventional assembly methods, heavy reliance must be placed on installer skill and diligence for the purposes of ensuring reliable interconnection of the components in the framework.

[0006] Prior patent document WO2018048905A1 describes an example of a method of assembling a building structure in which a truss is connected to a structural component. The method comprises effecting abutment between the truss and component and fixing together the abutting truss and component with at least one fastener which has been pre-applied to one of the truss and the component. The or each pre-applied fastener is arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the abutting truss and component before the fixing together of the truss and component.Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a building structure in which a truss is connected to a structural component as defined in claim 1. The method comprises effecting correct relative positioning of the truss and component and fixing together the truss and component with at least one fastener, wherein there is provided a block within which the or each fastener extends, and the fixing together of the truss and component comprises: with the block secured to the truss, positioning the truss relative to the component whereby an exposed tip of at least one said fastener is received into a surface the component or into a recess in said surface such that it precludes translational displacement of the truss in a plane parallel to the surface; then advancing the or each fastener, within the block, into the component thereby driving the or each fastener into the component to fix the truss and the component together; wherein the provided block is secured against a side face of the truss, whereby the or each fastener is arranged outside a plane of the truss when the truss and component are fixed together by the fastener(s).

[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention, advantageously, enable the adequacy of the application of the fastener(s) to said one of the truss and component-received by a block applied thereto - to be assured.

[0009] Moreover, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the integrity of the connection between the truss and component - owing to the correct relative positioning of the two - can be assured.

[0010] Preferably, securing of the block to the truss comprises aligning a datum on the block with a datum on the truss and thence fixing the block to the truss.

[0011] The datum on either or each of the truss and block may be defined by an end thereof. The datum on either or each of the truss and block may be defined by a marker thereon.

[0012] The block is secured to the truss by at least one fastener. Preferably, the or each fastener to secure the block to the truss comprises a through fastener. Preferably, the or each through fastener comprises a screw, bolt or nail.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, securing of the block to the truss comprises advancing the or each through fastener through a respective hole in said block and / or a respective hole in the truss.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a said datum on the block is defined by: a said fastener for securing the block to the, pre-applied to the block; or a said respective hole in the block, for receiving such a fastener.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a said datum on the truss is defined by: a said fastener for securing the block to the, pre-applied to the truss; or a said respective hole the truss for receiving such a fastener.

[0016] In the invention, the block is secured to the truss prior to the positioning being effected.

[0017] Preferably, the securing of the block against said side face is such that at least one said fastener aligns, along an axis perpendicular to said plane, with a location within said plane at which application of that fastener instead through the truss, to fix the truss and component together, is precluded. Said location may lie within an element of the truss, which element may be a web of the truss, such as an end web. The truss may be a truncated truss at a lateral end of which the web is arranged.

[0018] Preferably, the positioning of the truss comprises lowering the truss, and the or each tip projects from the block in a direction having a downward component so as to be received into the surface or recess as a result of the lowering.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the positioning of the truss comprises tilting or rotation of the truss whereby the receipt of the or each tip into said surface or recess is effected. The tilting or rotation of the truss may be about a generally horizontal axis. The truss may rest against the component during the tilting or rotation thereof.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, after the tip of the or each fastener is received in said surface or recess, the truss is moved such that that tip contacts said other of the truss and the component at a location where the fastener is to be driven thereinto to fix the truss and component together, whereupon said correct relative positioning is effected, and thence so driven.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each fastener comprises a shaft, which is driven into the component when the truss and component are fixed together, and a narrow leading end portion, on which said tip is defined, which is narrower than said shaft and which is received into the surface or recess when said tip is received into the surface or recess, the narrow leading end portion having an exterior face extending around it which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, whereby, when said portion has been received into the surface or recess, loading on the fastener which is perpendicular to said axis forces said exterior face against material in the component such that there is little or no force component parallel to the axis exerted on the fastener or the component resulting from the loading.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said tip is pointy, or convergent in a direction from a trailing end of the fastener to a leading end of the fastener, whereby receipt thereof into the surface or recess is facilitated.

[0023] In the invention, the or each tip is received into said surface to preclude said translational displacement. The or each tip may penetrates component so as to be received into said surface to preclude said translational displacement. The or each tip may be received into a said recess, in said surface to preclude said translational displacement, which recess may be defined by a hole in the component. The or each recess may be at a said location.

[0024] The or each fastener is one which extends in said block prior to the correct relative positioning being effected, whereby it is pre-applied to said one of the truss and the component,

[0025] Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the truss and component before the fixing together of the truss and component.

[0026] Preferably, in that embodiment, a leading end of the or each fastener is set back from or only just touching a surface of the component upon said correct relative positioning being effected, and advancing that fastener comprises displacing the leading end thereof past or through the surface such that it is received in the component.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, effecting the correcting relative positioning comprises effecting abutment between the truss and component. Said abutment may be between said component and either or each of a bottom chord and a top chord of the truss.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the block and the truss have faces of the same width or depth and the method includes effecting abutment between the faces and aligning the abutting faces widthways or depthways, whereby the block and the truss are aligned during the securing of the block to the truss.

[0029] Preferably, the block is of timber.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said block is secured to a bottom chord of the truss.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said block is secured to a top chord of the truss.

[0032] Preferably, the connection of the truss to the component is such that the truss is supported by the component in the building structure.

[0033] Preferably, effecting the abutment between, or the correct positioning of, the truss and component comprises positioning said one of the truss and component against the other when said other is in situ.

[0034] Preferably, effecting said abutment or correct relative positioning comprises lowering the truss onto the component. Alternatively, effecting said abutment or correct relative positioning may comprise effecting relative sideways movement between the truss and component, such as by moving said truss sideways.

[0035] The truss may be a standard truss, valley truss, saddle truss, hip truss, jack truss, creeper truss or truncated girder truss.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the component comprises a wall structure. The wall structure may define part of an internal wall in the building structure and / or define part of an external wall in the building structure. Preferably, the wall structure comprises a frame and said abutment is between the truss and a block of the frame.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the wall structure comprises a frame and said fixing comprises directly interconnecting the truss and a block of the frame via the fastener(s).

[0038] The component may comprise another truss.

[0039] Herein is also disclosed (but not claimed) a building structure formed via a method as defined above.

[0040] Herein is also disclosed (but not claimed) a truss for use as the truss in a method as defined above, to which the or each said block is secured, or within said block of which the or each fastener and / or a said respective hole arranged to receive it extend(s).

[0041] Herein is also disclosed (but not claimed) a block, securable to said one of the truss and component in a method as defined above, so as to define the block therein, within which block the or each fastener or respective hole arranged to receive it extends.

[0042] The aforementioned abutment will often be direct abutment (involving direct contact between the truss and component) but may, without departure from the first aspect, be indirect abutment (involving another component being sandwiched between the truss and the component).Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043] The disclosure will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which figures 1-12D provide background examples and figures 13A-13D show details of a building structure assembled according to the method of the invention. In the drawings : Figure 1 shows a typical type of permanent connection between a roof truss and wall frame in a timber-frame building, as previously discussed; Figures 2A to 2C show successive stages in fixation of a roof truss to a wall frame top plate; Figures 3A to 3C show successive stages in the fabrication of the truss and pre-application of a fastener to affect the connection shown in Figure 2C; Figure 4 shows an additional fastener to strengthen the connection between the truss and top plate; Figures 5A to 5D depict initial stages of fixation of alternative forms of truss to the frame of an external wall; Figures 6A to 6E depict initial stages of fixation of alternative forms of truss to the frame of an internal wall in; Figures 7A to 7D show initial stages of fixation of alternative pairs of members; Figure 8 shows a configuration of the fastener used in preferred embodiments of the invention; Figures 9A to 9C show successive stages in fixation of a roof truss to a wall frame top plate; Figures 10A to 10D depict pre-fixation positioning of alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied; Figures 11A to 11E depict pre-fixation positioning of additional alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied; Figures 12A to 12D depict pre-fixation positioning of further alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied; Figure 13A shows a truss fixed to a wall frame by means of a block secured, via fasteners, to a bottom chord of the truss and a fastener extending through the block and into the wall frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13B shows a preassembly comprising the block and the fasteners mentioned in the above description of Figure 13A applied thereto; Figure 13C corresponds to Figure 13B and shows interior details of the preassembly; and Figure 13D corresponds to Figure 13A and shows interior details of the arrangement shown in Figure 13A. Detailed Description

[0044] Each of the preferred embodiments of the invention as defined by claim 1 involves locating, relative to one of a truss and a component which are to be fixed together in a building structure, at least one fastener to be used to effect the fixing together of the truss and component. Particular preferred embodiments involve the use of the fastener(s) firstly to maintain relative positions of the truss and structural component and thereafter to fix together the truss and structural component permanently. In the embodiments described and illustrated, the truss and structural component comprise timber members though the invention has application to members formed of other material, such as, for example, metal.

[0045] Shown in Figures 2A to 2C are successive stages of formation of a connection between a first building component, in the form of a roof truss 10, and a second component, in the form of a wall frame 20, in accordance with a first example outside the scope of the present invention. The truss 10 includes a top chord 11, a bottom chord 12 having a chamfered end 13 the inclined face of which abuts the underside of the top chord 11, and a nail plate 14 driven into side faces of the top chord 11 and bottom chord 12 so as to form a connection therebetween. The wall frame 20 includes a timber top plate 21 on which the truss 10 is to be supported and to which that truss is to be fixed by a fastener 30 which is pre-applied to the truss 10.

[0046] Successive stages in fabrication of the truss 10 and pre-application of the fastener 30 to it are shown in Figures 3A to 3C. Referring to Figure 3A, the top chord 11 is cut from a length of timber and, prior to connection of the top chord 11 to the bottom chord 12, a hole 15 is drilled through the top chord 11, such that it is perpendicular to parallel upper and lower faces of the top chord 11 and opens through those faces. The connection between the top chord 11 and bottom chord 12, comprising the nail plate 14, is thereafter formed, in a manner such that the lower end of the hole 15 is located within a resulting heel joint in the truss 10 and is occluded by the tapered end of the bottom chord 12. The screw 30 is thereafter inserted through the hole 15 and screwed into the end of the bottom chord 12 such that the tip thereof projects from the underside of that chord, as shown in Figure 3C. A screw 30 is likewise pre-applied to the truss 10 at a heel joint formed at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12, the configuration defined by the screw and truss at that end being the mirror image of that illustrated in Figure 3C (whereby the screws 30 are downwardly convergent in the plane of the truss 10).

[0047] Referring to Figure 2A, assembly of the building structure comprises lifting of the truss 10 over the wall frame 20 and lowering it such that the tip of the fastener 30 is received against the upper face of the top plate 21 and thus, under the weight of the truss 10, partially embeds in the top plate 21 in proximity to the location at which the fastener 30 is to be driven into the top plate 21. The tip of the aforementioned fastener 30 at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12 is likewise received against an upper face of the top plate 21 of a wall frame 20 which underlies the heel at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12, in proximity to the location at which it is to be driven into that top plate. Owing to the partial embedment of the fastener tips in the top plates 21, the fasteners 30 preclude translational displacement of the truss 10 in a plane parallel to the upper faces of those top plates. The position of each end of the truss 10 relative to the top plate underlying it is thus, advantageously, maintained without any fixing between the truss 10 and each wall frame 20 having yet been established. An installer at each end of the truss then ensures that the fastener tip at that end is located precisely at the point on the respective top plate at which it is to be driven into that top plate (if necessary, lifting the truss end and moving it to land the fastener tip at that location), then causes the fastener 30 to be forced downwardly either by allowing the respective truss end to drop, under the weight of the truss 10 or knocking the head of the respective fastener, e.g. with a hammer, such that the tip is driven into the top plate 21 at that location, whereby a temporary fixing between the respective truss end and the top plate on which it is supported is established with one truss end being correctly positioned on the top plate 21 supporting it, as shown in Figure 2B, and the opposite end likewise being correctly positioned on the top plate supporting it as would be shown by a mirror image of Figure 2B. Each screw 30 is then screwed into the respective top plate 21 (and possibly thence a stud which the top plate overlies) whereby a permanent connection between the truss 10 and top plate 21 is effected, one of those connections being shown in Figure 2C and the other being consistent with a mirror image of that drawing. Advantageously, the installer at the respective truss end needs to visit the position at which the truss 10 is fixed to the respective top plate only once and, because the fastener 30 which he or she drives into the respective top plate 21 is held by the truss 10 (as shown in Figure 2A), he or she can locate both the respective truss end and fastener 30 at the appropriate position on the respective top plate 21 using only one hand, whereby safety and ease / speed of installation are increased.

[0048] The truss 10 can be lowered onto the top plates 21 such that it rests on one of its sides on the top plates 21 (i.e. the plane of the truss is generally horizontal), and thereafter tilted up to bring the fastener tips into engagement with the top plates 21 as shown in Figure 2A.

[0049] Referring to Figure 4, a further screw 30' may be employed at each truss-top plate connection, e.g. where the roof will be prone to relatively high uplift loads. The further fastener 30' can, like the fastener 30, be pre-applied (in which case the tip thereof will be exposed and level with the tip of the fastener 30, as shown in Figure 2A, such that it likewise catches on the top plate 21 to provide horizontal restraint to the truss 10, or can be driven through the truss 10, and into the top plate 21, after the fastener 30 has been driven into the top plate 21.

[0050] The disclosure in one aspect has application to location and securement of various forms of truss to a support structure, which structure may comprise a wall frame as previously described or an alternative component, such as a truss. Figures 5A to 5D show alternative exemplary trusses 10A to 10D, respectively, locatable and securable to a top plate 21 of an external wall frame via pre-applied fasteners 30 in accordance with examples outside the scope of the present invention. The fastener 30 may be skewed relative to the top plate as shown in Figure 5B or perpendicular to it, as shown in Figures 5A, 5C and 5D.

[0051] Figures 6A to 6E show exemplary alternative trusses 10E to 10I, respectively, which can be located and fastened to top plates 21 of internal walls in accordance with examples outside the scope of the present invention. Again, the fasteners 30 can be skewed, as shown in Figures 6A to 6D, or upright, as shown in Figure 6E. In addition, as also shown in Figure 6E, plural fasteners 30 may be employed whereby flush tips thereof dig into the top plate 21 when received thereagainst.

[0052] Referring to Figure 7A, in an alternative example outside the scope of the present invention, a truss 10' is located and fastened to a sloping top chord 40 of a standard truss. Referring to Figure 7B, in another example outside the scope of the present invention, a member 50, being a hip, jack or creeper or the top chord of a hip, jack or creeper truss, is located and secured to a top chord 60 of a truncated girder truss. Referring to Figure 7C, in a further example outside the scope of the present invention, a hip or jack extension 70 is located and secured to the top chord 80 of a truncated standard truss.

[0053] In any of the arrangements shown in Figures 5A to 5D, 6A to 6E and 7A to 7C, the member to which the fastener / s 30 is / are pre-applied can, be lowered or tilted up, as previously described, to cause the fastener tip(s) to dig into the structural component(s) to which the member is to be secured.

[0054] Finally, referring to Figure 7D, in yet another example outside the scope of the present invention, a rafter or creeper 90 is translationally displaced horizontally such that the tip of the fastener 30 applied to it, which tip projects generally sideways through an end face of the creeper, is received against a side face of a hip truss 100 and, under a maintained horizontal load applied axially through the rafter or creeper 90, partially embeds in the hip truss 100, thereby precluding translational displacement of the rafter or creeper 90 in a plane parallel to the truss side face, before being driven into the truss 100 such that the permanent fixing is formed. Alternatively, with the end of the rafter or creeper 90 to which the fastener 30 is resting against the side face of the truss 100, the rafter or creeper 90 can be rotated, about an upright axis through that end, such that the engagement between the fastener tip and truss side face is effected.

[0055] Referring to Figure 8, the fastener 30 in each embodiment of the invention and example disclosed herein comprises a threaded shaft 31, which is driven into the member 21 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 and a narrow leading end portion 32, on which a pointed tip 33 of the fastener is formed, the narrow leading end portion 32 having a side face 34 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the screw 30. The leading end portion 32 can be smooth or configured such that a thread is provided on the side face 34. The fastener 30 includes a tapered transition portion 35 between the shaft 31 and leading end portion 32. The narrowness of the leading end portion 32 gives rise to a high-pressure engagement between the tip / leading end and the member 21 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100, facilitating penetration of that member by the tip / leading end and thus assuring reliable anchorage to the member in a plane parallel to the face of the member against / into which the tip / leading end is received. Loading on the fastener 30 which is perpendicular to the axis forces the face 34 against material in the member 21 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 and, owing to the face 34 being parallel to that axis, there is, advantageously, no force component parallel to the axis exerted on the fastener or member 21 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 resulting from the loading, which component could tend to separate the tip 33 from the member 21 / 40 / 60 / 80 / 100 whereby the anchorage in the plane would be lost.

[0056] It will thus be appreciated that tips of fasteners 30 can protrude from faces of the members to which they are applied that are other than bottom / underside faces (e.g. side faces or end faces).

[0057] Also, in alternatives to the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 2A to 8, the / each fastener 30 is, instead of being applied to the member being installed / positioned so as to catch on and be driven into the member already in situ, applied to the member already in situ (having been pre-applied before installation of the in situ member) so as to catch on and be driven into the member being installed / positioned.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, including in particular such embodiments in which the member into which the fastener is to be driven comprises a metal member, the fastener tip, before the fastener is driven home, can, instead of penetrating the member (so as to be received into the surface thereof) be received into a recess formed in that surface, whereby the tip / leading end of the fastener will abut a side wall of the recess to preclude the translational displacement parallel to the surface. The recess may, for example, be defined by a hole (either a blind hole or through-hole) in the member, into which hole the fastener is then driven to effect the permanent fixing.

[0059] The examples described thus far are particularly beneficial where it is necessary to form a temporary fixing between the components which are ultimately to be permanently interconnected, as is often the case where one of the components, e.g. a roof truss, is lifted onto the other (which may be a wall frame) by crane so as to minimise crane time (which is typically expensive). In the case of these examples, the formation of the temporary fixing is either concomitant with positioning one of the two components against the other or is effected by such positioning and thereafter simply tapping the fastener(s), pre-applied to one of the components, to drive it a little further into the other component. Advantageously, these examples can eliminate a need to visit each connection point needs to be visited twice - first to establish the temporary fixing (typically established by toe nailing or skew nailing) and again to establish the permanent fixing. Each readily established temporary fixing achieved in the case of these examples enables the installer to visit another part of the component to which the / each fastener has been pre-applied and work on that other part (e.g. fix it in position), in so doing causing slippage / dislodgement of that component at the position of the temporary fixing, and thereafter to return to the temporary fixing and drive the fastener(s) home to effect the permanent fixing at the said position. Also advantageous is that the temporary and permanent fixings are effected with the same element (fastener 30).

[0060] In the description which follows, and the drawings which illustrate those examples, the same reference numerals will be used in respect of features the same as those in examples described thus far.

[0061] In each of the examples described below, pre-application of the fastener(s) is such that relative sliding between the truss and the component to which it is to be fixed is permitted when the truss and component are brought together but before they are fixed together.

[0062] Shown in Figures 9A to 9C are successive stages of formation of a connection between roof truss 10 and wall frame 20, in accordance with one alternative example outside the scope of the present invention. The fabrication of the truss 10 and pre-application of a respective screw 30 (preferably inserted in a preformed hole 15) at opposite heel joints thereof (one of which is illustrated) is precisely as described previously with reference to Figures 3A to 3C except that the tip of each screw is not exposed whereby, when the truss 10 is lowered onto the wall frame 20, the tip does not engage the top plate 21, and thus does not preclude sliding of the truss 10 on the top plate 21 when the former rests on the latter as shown in Figure 9B. Each heel joint, once located appropriately with respect to the respective top plate 21 on which it sits (e.g. by being slid over the top plate), is thereafter permanently secured in position by screwing the respective screw 30 into the respective top plate (and possibly thence into a stud which the top plate overlies), in the manner described previously with reference to Figure 2B, the resulting permanent connection being illustrated in Figure 9C.

[0063] Referring again to Figure 4, a further screw 30' may be pre-applied (preferably inserted in a preformed hole 15') at each heel joint such that there is formed an arrangement as shown in that drawing once the screws 30 and 30' have been driven into the top plate 21. In the present example, however, the tip of the further screw 30', like that of the screw 30, does not protrude beyond the lower face of the bottom chord 12 when the truss is landed on the top plate 21, whereby sliding of the truss over the top plate, to effect final adjustment of the position of the former relative to the latter is not precluded by the screw 30'.

[0064] Figures 10A to 10D show the trusses 10A to 10D, respectively, securable to top plate 21 via pre-applied fasteners in accordance with further alternative examples outside the scope of the present invention. In the case of these example, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners 30 likewise are not exposed, whereby sliding of the respective truss over the top plate onto which it is lowered, for the purposes of effecting final positioning of the former relative to the latter, is permitted.

[0065] Figures 11A to 11E show the trusses 10E to 10I, respectively, securable to top plate 21 via pre-applied fasteners in accordance with further alternative examples outside the scope of the present invention. In the case of these examples, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners 30 likewise are not exposed, whereby sliding of the respective truss over the top plate onto which it is lowered, for the purposes of effecting final positioning of the former relative to the latter, is permitted.

[0066] Referring to Figure 12A, in a further alternative example outside the scope of the present invention, truss 10' fastened to sloping top chord 40. Referring to Figure 12B, in another alternative example outside the scope of the present invention, member 50 is secured to top chord 60. Referring to Figure 12C, in a further alternative example outside the scope of the present invention, hip or jack extension 70 is secured to the top chord 80. Finally, referring to Figure 12D, in yet another alternative example outside the scope of the present invention, rafter or creeper 90 is translationally displaced horizontally such that the end face of the rafter or creeper 90 is received against the side face of the hip truss 100 and the fastener is thereafter driven into the truss 100 such that the permanent fixing between the rafter or creeper 90 and truss 100 is formed. In the case of these examples, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners likewise are not exposed, whereby relative sliding between the components being interconnected, to position one relative to the other, is permitted.

[0067] The examples described with reference to Figures 9A to 12D are beneficial where it is not necessary to form a temporary fixing between the components which are to be permanently interconnected. Advantageously, the ability to effect the relative sliding, described above, in each of these examples enables an installer to adjust the relative positions of the truss and other component after they are brought together without having to separate the truss and component (which could require considerable exertion by the installer, generally to lift one of the components).

[0068] In a respective variant of each of the examples described above with reference to Figures 9A to 12D, the hole(s) 15 / 15' preformed to receive the respective fastener(s) 30 / 30' is / are unoccupied by the fastener(s) while the correct positioning of the truss and component is effected; the fastener(s) is / are not introduced into the respective hole(s) to effect the fixing together of the truss and component until the correct positioning has been effected. Because the hole(s) will be correctly located once the correct positioning has been effected, there can be confidence or certainty that the fastener(s) will be correctly installed since the / each hole will guide the respective fastener while the latter is advanced, whereby that fastener is correctly positioned and orientated, e.g. when fully driven home.

[0069] In accordance with the invention, defined by the claims and including corresponding variants of the examples described above, the member within which the or each fastener and / or a respective hole arranged to receive it extends is not a member of the truss or the component but rather another member, and the fixing together of the truss and component comprises, with that other member secured to one of the truss and component, advancing the or each fastener, within the other member or received in the respective hole therein, into the other of the truss and component, said member being a block.

[0070] Referring to Figures 13A and 13D, which show embodiments of a building structure assembled by a method in accordance with the invention, a block 500, within which a fastener 30 is held and which defines the "other member", is secured to the bottom chord 12 of a truncated truss 10". More particularly, the block 500 and the bottom chord 12 are fixed together in side-by-side relation by spaced apart screws 300 received therethrough. Holes 315, each to receive a respective one of the screws 300, are preferably preformed in either or each of the bottom chord 12 and block 500.

[0071] Shown in Figures 13B and 13C is a preassembly 400 comprising the block 500 and the fasteners 30 and 300 held therewithin.

[0072] The effect of securing the block 500 against a side of the chord 12 is that the fastener 30 is arranged outside a plane of the truss 10" when the latter is secured to the wall frame 20 by the fastener 30. More particularly, the fastener 30 aligns, along an axis perpendicular to the plane, with a location within the plane at which application of that fastener instead through the truss is precluded, that location in this embodiment being occupied by the end web 16 (the vertical dimension of which is too great for the fastener 30 to be passed therethrough to secure the truss 10" to the top chord 21).

[0073] Correct location of the block 500 relative to the truss 10", which results in correct positioning of the fastener 30 to connect the truss 10" to the top plate 21 of wall frame 20, is effected by aligning a datum on the block 500, which may be defined by the laterally outer end 501 of the block 500, with a datum on the truss 10", which may be defined a heel point of the truss 10" formed by the bottom chord 12 and a web 16 of the truss 10" at a laterally outer end thereof. Alternatively, the datum on each of the block 500 and truss 10" can be defined by a respective said hole therein, and / or a fastener 300 therein, the datum hole / fastener(s) when aligned forming a visually discernible aperture for receiving the respective fastener 300 therethrough. The datum on either or each of the block 500 and truss 10" can, alternatively, be defined by a marker thereon.

[0074] Advantageously, the block 500 and bottom chord 12 have the same depth, whereby aligning them depthways (such that adjacent upper or lower faces thereof are flush) results in correct vertical positioning and rotational alignment of the block 500 relative to the chord 12. The block 500 and bottom chord 12 also have the same width.

[0075] The block 500 can be secured to the truss 10" either before or after the truss 10" is lifted atop the frame 20. However, it is generally preferable that it be so secured before the lifting of the truss 10" atop the frame 20, because there is then less work involved to secure the truss 10" to the frame 20 and the installer carrying out that work, which is at height, is thus subjected to less danger.

[0076] Moreover, the block 500 can be temporarily secured by the fasteners 300 to part (e.g. a web structure) of the truss 10", so as to be paired with that truss prior to / during delivery of the truss 10", among other trusses, to site, the position at which the block is so secured being such that the truss 10" can be stacked with the other trusses in a laid down orientation without the block 500 obstructing the stacking as it may do if the block 500 were secured in the final position on the truss 10" as shown in Figures 13A and 13D. That said, the block 500 can, wherever practicable, be secured in that final position prior to said delivery, whereby the amount of work required to fix the truss 10" to the frame 20 at site is reduced.

[0077] Preferably, referring to Figures 13B and 13C, the fasteners 30 and 300 are secured within the block 500, and more particularly within holes 15' and 315, respectively, preformed in the block 500 - i.e. the preassembly 400 is formed - prior to the securing of the block 500 to the chord 12, whereby a greater amount of the preparatory work for fixing the truss 10" to the frame 20 has been done in advance - e.g. in the assembly plant - and thus to a certifiable standard. However, the fastener 30 may be secured within the hole 15' after the securing of the block 500 to the chord 12 (which, as indicated above may be before or after the truss 10' is lifted atop the frame 20.

[0078] In the case where the fastener 30 is secured within the block 500, and the latter is secured to the truss 10" prior to positioning of the truss 10" atop the wall frame 20, the tip of the fastener 30 can be exposed so as to be received into a surface defined by the upper face of the top plate 21 (or a recess therein) so as to preclude translational displacement of the truss 10" in a plane parallel to the surface, prior to the driving home of that fastener once the final positioning of the truss 10" has been effected / confirmed.

[0079] In the case of each of the embodiments described herein with reference to the Figures, there is, advantageously, confidence in or assurance of the integrity of the structural connection, because of the pre-application of a fastener - either directly or indirectly - to one of the truss and the component, and / or the preformation of a hole - either in said one of the truss and the component or a member to be secured thereto - to receive such a fastener, the pre-application and / or preformation being carried out with accuracy and precision by a fabricator, possibly during or immediately subsequent to fabrication of said one component itself. The installer, other than having to ensure correct relative positioning of the components being connected, and that the fasteners, duly inserted in any holes arranged to receive them, are driven home following that positioning, has no input into the formation of the connection. Certification of the connection can thus be established easily; in particular, an inspector may be able to certify the connection merely by confirming visually that the fasteners have been driven fully into position (i.e. that the head of each screw is hard up against the component within which that screw is pre-secured, or within a preformed hole in which that screw, is received), there being no element other than the fastener(s) / block effecting each interconnection.

[0080] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0081] Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

[0082] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0083] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a building structure in which a truss (10") is connected to a structural component (20), the method comprising effecting correct relative positioning of the truss (10") and component (20) and fixing together the truss (10") and component (20) with at least one fastener (30), wherein there is provided a block (500) within which the or each fastener (30) extends, and the fixing together of the truss and component comprises: with the block (500) secured to the truss, positioning the truss (10") relative to the component (20) whereby an exposed tip (33) of at least one said fastener (30) is received into a surface the component (20) or into a recess in said surface such that it precludes translational displacement of the truss (10") in a plane parallel to the surface; then advancing the or each fastener (30), within the block (500) into the component (20) thereby driving the or each fastener (30) into the component (20) to fix the truss and the component together; wherein the provided block (500) is secured against a side face of the truss, whereby the or each fastener (30) is arranged outside a plane of the truss (10") when the truss and component are fixed together by the fastener(s) (30).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein securing of the provided block (500) to the truss (10") comprises aligning a datum on the block with a datum on the truss and thence fixing the block to the truss, and optionally wherein the datum on either or each of said one of the truss and said block is defined by an end (501) thereof or a marker thereon.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the provided block (500) is secured to the truss (10") by at least one fastener (300), and optionally wherein the or each fastener (300) to secure the block to the truss comprises a through fastener.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a said datum on the block (500) is defined by: a said fastener (300) for securing the provided block to the truss (10"), pre-applied to the provided block; or a said respective hole (315) in the block, for receiving such a fastener.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said datum on the truss (10") is defined by: a said fastener (300) for securing the provided block (500) to the truss, pre-applied to the truss; or a said respective hole (315) the truss for receiving such a fastener.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing of the provided block (500) against said side face is such that at least one said fastener (30) aligns, along an axis perpendicular to said plane, with a location within said plane at which application of that fastener instead through the truss (10"), to fix the truss and component together, is precluded, and optionally wherein said location lies within an element of the truss.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning of the truss (10") comprises lowering the truss, and the or each tip (33) projects from the block (500) in a direction having a downward component so as to be received into the surface or recess as a result of the lowering, and optionally wherein the positioning of the truss comprises tilting or rotation of the truss whereby the receipt of the or each tip into said surface or recess is affected.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 7 wherein, after the tip (33) of the or each fastener (30) is received in said surface or recess, the truss (10") is moved such that the tip contacts the component (20) at a location where the fastener is to be driven thereinto to fix the truss and component together, and thence so driven.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1, 7 or 8 wherein the or each fastener (30) comprises a shaft (31), which is driven into the component (20) when the truss and component are fixed together, and a narrow leading end (32) portion, on which said tip (33) is defined, which is narrower than said shaft and which is received into the surface or recess when said tip is received into the surface or recess, the narrow leading end portion having an exterior face (34) extending around it which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, whereby, when said portion has been received into the surface or recess, loading on the fastener which is perpendicular to said axis forces said exterior face against material in the component such that there is little or no force component parallel to the axis exerted on the fastener or the component resulting from the loading.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 7 to 9, wherein the or each tip (33) is received into said surface to preclude said translational displacement and / or wherein the or each tip is received into a said recess in said surface to preclude said translational displacement.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the provided block (500) and the truss (10") have faces of the same width or depth dimension and the method includes effecting abutment between the faces and aligning the abutting faces widthways or depthways, whereby the block and the truss are aligned during the securing of the block to the truss.

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