Roof truss stabiliser

Abstract

Roof truss stabiliser 10 comprising an elongate main beam 13 having first and second ends, an anchorage mount 16 having a first saddle 17 for securing to a wall or scaffolding and from which a first shaft 18 extends, a truss mount 11 having a second saddle 15 for securing to a roof truss and from which a second shaft 14 extends, a first coupling 12 having a first and second clamps to secure to respectively the main beam and first shaft, and a second coupling 50 having third and fourth clamps to secure to respectively the main beam and second shaft, the first and second couplings each comprising a pivot joint between their respective clamps, the clamps being releasably attachable and positionally adjustable along the length of the main beam and the shafts. End stops 19a, 19b, 20, 21 in the form of a welded collar, rim, or radial projections may project radially outward from the ends of the main beam and the shafts. The pivot joints may comprise a ball joint, swivel joint, or single axis or pivot joint. The saddles may comprise a C-shaped cross-sectional profile. the main beam and shafts may be hollow. The stabiliser may comprise steel. The stabiliser may be used during an initial stage of construction.

Description

Field of invention The present concept relates to a roof truss stabiliser device and in particular, although not exclusively, to a roof truss clamp configured to positionally stabilise and support a roof truss and / or other roof related architectural member at an initial stage of roof construction. Background Modern pitched roofs are typically constructed from individual timber roof trusses that are installed in position side-by-side to extend over and between the building walls. Commonly, the most challenging stage of constructing a roof is the initial positioning and stabilisation of the first roof truss. The initial truss is typically held by hand whilst a second truss is installed in position. Alternatively, an established practice is to nail a retaining beam to the first truss with a second end of the beam secured to timber joists or a part of the surrounding scaffolding. Once the second roof truss is installed in position side-by-side of the first, the truss pair are then stabilised by attaching a bridging timber crossbeam to form a stable two-part structure. Subsequent roof trusses may then be installed and secured in position by attachment to the assembled truss structure. However, stabilising the initial roof truss by hand or using non-specific timber beams and nails poses significant health and safety risks. In particular, accidents and fatalities resulting from these practices are common, in part due to wind shear forces at the roof and the less than secure temporary holding of the initial truss. Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus for roof truss stabilisation during assembly and particularly at the initial stages of construction. Summary of the Invention It is an objective of the present concept to provide a roof truss stabiliser specifically configured for the safe, convenient and reliable securement of a timber roof truss at a pitched roof structure during initial stages of construction. It is a further specific objective to provide a roof truss stabiliser device to be adjustably mounted at one end to a roof truss or other roof architectural member and at a second end to an anchorage structure such as an upper region of a building wall, architectural member (wood, masonry, concrete etc.) or surrounding scaffolding. It is a further specific objective to provide a stabilising device that may be adjustably mounted in position by a single person, quickly and reliably. Accordingly, the inventors provide a roof truss stabiliser device specifically adapted to positionally stabilise a roof truss or other roof architectural member forming part of a pitched roof structure during initial stages of roof construction. The present stabiliser device is particularly adapted to positionally stabilise the first roof truss as a second truss is mounted in position at the roof. The present device comprises an elongate main beam configured to extend between a first clamped position at a roof truss and a second clamped position at an anchorage structure such as a wall, architectural member or other support structure such as scaffolding. The angular orientation of the stabiliser device relative to the roof truss and / or the support structure is fully adjustable via the adjustable clamping action of the device at the first and second clamping positions along the length of the main beam and at the roof truss and support structure locations. According to a first aspect of the present aspect there is provided a roof truss stabiliser device comprising an elongate main beam having first and second lengthwise ends; an anchorage mount having a first saddle for securing the device to a wall structure or architectural member, and a first shaft extending from said saddle; a truss mount having a second saddle for securing the device to a roof truss or architectural member, and a second shaft extending from said saddle; a first coupling having a first clamp to secure to the main beam and a second clamp to secure to the first shaft, and a second coupling having a third clamp to secure to the main beam and a fourth clamp to secure to the second shaft, the first and second couplings each comprising a pivot joint positioned respectively between the first and second clamps and the third and fourth clamps to allow the first and second clamps and the third and fourth clamps to pivot about at least one axis relative to one another; wherein the first, second, third and fourth clamps are releasably attachable and positionally adjustable along the length of the main beam and the first and second shafts. Preferably, a length of the first and second shafts is less than a length of the main beam. More preferably, a length of the first and second shafts is in a range 2 to 30%, 2 to 20%, 2 to 10% or 4 to 10% of the main beam. Optionally, each of the first and second shafts are rigidly connected to and / or formed integrally with the respective first and second saddles. Optionally, the first and second shafts comprise hollow tubing that is welded to a region of the respective saddle. Advantageously, the present device further comprises an end stop projecting radially outward at or towards each lengthwise end of the main beam. Advantageously, the present device comprises a respective end stop projecting radially outward at or towards a lengthwise end of the first and second shafts. Preferably, the end stops at the main beam and / or each of the first and second shafts comprises a collar, rim or a plurality of radial projections. Optionally, the collar, rim or radial projections are welded to the main beam and / or each of the first and second shafts. Optionally, each pivot joint of the first and second couplings comprises any one or a combination of a ball joint; a swivel joint; a single axis pivot joint. Advantageously, the pivot joint provides a fully positionally adjustable device in which the main beam may extend at any orientation relative to the roof truss and support structure between which the main beam extends. This, together with the axial positional adjustment of the first and second couplings along the length of the main shaft and also the first and second shafts of the anchorage and truss mounts, provides a device with complete positional adjustability. Accordingly, the present device is capable of being anchored to many different locations and / or different types of surrounding structures (in both the horizontal and vertical plane relative to the rood truss) when clamping / bracing the first truss. Advantageously, the anchorage mount and the truss mount are adjustably and removably attachable to the main beam. Accordingly, the device in the first configuration is configured to extend between a roof truss and a wall of the building including both the anchorage mount and the truss mount. In a second configuration, the device may be anchored at scaffolding or other architectural members by the second coupling (third and fourth clamps only), with the first saddle removed. Optionally, the first and / or the second coupling each comprise a swivel coupler of the type typically associated with scaffolding fittings in which two opposed clamps are connected together via a pivot / swivel joint. Optionally, the first and / or second saddle comprises an end wall and at least a pair of positionally opposed sidewalls extending perpendicular or oblique from lateral side edges of the end wall. Optionally, the first and / or second saddle further comprises a screw or bolt adjustably mounted to extend through at least one of the sidewalls. Optionally, the first and / or second saddle comprises slots, holes or perforations. The present device may also comprise screws and / or bolts capable of being inserted through the slots, apertures or holes so as to secure the truss and anchorage mount in position at a truss and upper region of a building wall. As will be appreciated, it is common for a wooden baton to be secured to the upper region of a building wall and the present device is configurable to be attached at or towards one end of the main beam via anchorage onto the masonry and / or a wall beam (wooden wall plate). Optionally, the first and / or second saddle comprise a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile. Optionally, the end wall and the side walls of each saddle are formed integrally from the same piece of material. Optionally, the end wall and the side walls of each saddle are formed non-integrally and may be welded together to form a unitary body. Preferably, the first and / or second shafts do not extend into an interior region of the saddle. Preferably, the first and / or second shafts are welded and extend from the end wall of the first and / or second saddle. According to the present concept, the interior region of each respective saddle may be defined between the pair of saddles and the end wall at each saddle. Optionally, a distance by which the ends stop projects from an external surface of the main beam and / or the first and second shafts is less than a diameter or radius of the respective main beam and / or the first and second shafts. Optionally, said distance is in a range 10 to 90%, 15 to 70%, or 15 to 60% of a radius of the respective main beam and / or the first and second shafts. Preferably, the end stops each comprise a disc mechanically attached to the main beam and / or a respective first and / or second shaft. Preferably, the respective discs are attached by welding. Preferably, the main beam and first and second shafts are hollow along their respective lengths. Preferably, the device and in particular the main beam, the anchorage mount, the truss mount and / or the first and second couplings comprise a steel material. Such a configuration is an appropriate compromise to provide a lightweight device that is convenient for handling when mounting in position whilst also having the required strength to withstand loading forces in use that may be encountered due to wind shear or positional variations of the roof truss and / or surrounding structure and building. Brief description of drawings A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a roof truss stabiliser device according to a specific implementation of the present concept having a main beam, an anchorage mount and a truss mount; Figure 2 is a side view of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the device of figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the truss mount part of the stabiliser device of figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an anchorage mount part of the stabiliser device of figure i; Figure 7a is a perspective view of the device of figure 1 installed at a roof a building to positionally stabilise installation of a first roof truss as part of a pitched roof structure with the stabiliser device extending between the roof truss and an upper end of a wall of the building according to a first configuration of use; Figure 7b is a magnified perspective view of the wall anchorage part of the device of figure 7a installed at a roof a building to positionally stabilise installation of a first roof truss according to a first configuration of use; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1 installed at a roof a building to positionally stabilise installation of a first roof truss as part of a pitched roof structure with the stabiliser device extending between the roof truss and scaffolding positioned proximate to the roof structure according to a second configuration of use. Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention Referring to figures 1 to 4, roof truss stabiliser device 10 comprises a hollow elongate main beam 13. A roof truss mount indicated generally by reference 11 is adjustably mounted along the length of main beam 13 and an anchorage mount, indicated generally by reference 16, is also adjustably mounted along the length of main beam 13. According to the intended configuration and operation, truss mount 11 is adjustably mounted at or towards a first end of main beam 13 and anchorage mount 16 is releasably attachable at or towards a second end of main beam 13. Anchorage mount 16 comprises a first saddle 17 and a first hollow shaft 18 attached to and projecting from saddle 17. Similarly, truss mount 11 comprises a second saddle 15 and a second hollow shaft 14 attached to and extending from saddle 15. A pair of end stops 19a, 19b are positioned respectively at each lengthwise end of main beam 13 and a corresponding pair of end stops 20, 21 are positioned respectively at the free end of each of the first and second shafts 18, 14. Each of the end stops 19a, 19b, 20, 21, according to the specific implementation, are formed as annular collars projecting radially from the respective main beam 13 and shafts 14, 18. Referring to figures 5 and 6, each of the respective saddles 17, 15 of the anchorage mount 16 and truss mount 11 comprise an end wall 22. A pair of laterally spaced and opposed sidewalls 23 extend from the lengthwise sides of each end wall 22. Sidewalls 23 are laterally spaced and opposed to one another so as to define an interior cavity region 31 for positioning over an upper end of a building wall and roof truss respectively. Interior 31, as defined by end walls 22 and sidewalls 23 provide each saddle 17, 15 with a C-shaped cross-sectional profile to fit over and about an end wall and roof truss respectively. According to the specific implementation, each saddle 15, 17 is formed from a metal plate that is bent into shape as illustrated in figures 5 and 6. First shaft 18 comprises a first lengthwise end attached to and positioned at end wall 22 and a respective second end 18b terminated by annular collar 21. Similarly, second shaft 14 comprises a first end 14a attached to and positioned at end wall 22 and a corresponding second end 14b terminated by annular collar 20. An elongate bolt / screw 30 is adjustably mounted at saddle 15 via an aperture in one of sidewalls 23. Adjustment of bolt / screw 30 through the sidewall 23 is effective to clamp saddle 15 to a roof truss when in use. Device 10 comprises a pair of couplings 12, 50 adapted to positionally secure each of the mounts 15, 16 at a clamped and fixed position along the length of main beam 13. Each of the couplings 12, 50 comprises a first clamp to secure to main beam 13 and a respective second clamp to secure respectively to each of the first and second shafts 18, 14. In particular, first clamp comprises a base 24 mounting at a first end elongate bolt 27 and at a second end pivotally mounting a swing arm 26. In use, swing arm 26 may be pivoted into clamping position to extend around main beam 13 with a free end of swing arm 26 secured in position at bolt 27 via nut 28. Similarly, each second clamp is configured to releasably clamp about each of the first and second shafts 18, 14 and comprises a base 29 mounting at a first end elongate bolt 27 and at a second end pivotally mounting a swing arm 25. The free end of swing arm 25 is adapted to engage and be releasably secured to bolt 27 via nut 28. Each of the pairs of clamps provided at each of the respective mounts 11, 16 are coupled together via a swivel joint. In particular, each of the bases 24, 29 are attached together via a pivot coupling to allow each of the clamps at each mount 11, 16 to rotate relative to one another about axes 52. According to further specific embodiments, the coupling joint between the clamps (for the main beam 13 and respective shaft 14, 18) may be provided as a ball, swivel or other movable joint having at least one rotational degree of freedom. Referring to figure 7a and 7b, and in a first configuration of use, the present stabiliser device is configured for attachment between a roof truss 40 and an upper region of a wall 39 of a building. In particular, it is common for a wooden baton to be secured to the upper end of the masonry wall 39. Anchorage mount 16 and in particular saddle 17 is configured for positioning over and about wooden baton 44. As illustrated in figure 6, saddle 17 comprises a plurality of holes 38 provided within end wall 22 and a plurality of holes 37 extending through sidewalls 23. Holes 37, 38 are configured to receive attachment screws to secure anchorage mount 16 in position at the upper region of wall 39 via baton 44. According to further implementations, holes 37, 38 may be formed also in the truss saddle 15 to receive a plurality of corresponding screws to secure the device 10 to a wooden roof truss. Such holes 37, 38 may be in addition or as alternatives to the single bolt / screw 30 of figure 5. According to further specific implementations, mount 16 and in particular saddle 17 may be equally adapted to fit directly onto masonry wall 39 using appropriate masonry screws inserted through holes 37, 38. In this configuration, both the anchorage mount 16 and truss mount 11 are adjustably clamped in position at respective ends of elongate main beam 13. In particular, anchorage mount 16 is positioned over and about an upper end face and sidewalls of baton 44 at building wall 39 via seating of the first saddle 17 onto the baton 44 at wall 39. At the opposite end of elongate main beam 13, truss mount 11, via saddle 15, is configured to sit over and about an inclined beam 41 of truss 40. Being comment to general truss construction, truss 40 also comprising parallel cross beams 42 to span the building roof cavity. In particular, the present stabiliser device is adapted for use with conventional wooden roof trusses commonly used for pitched roof construction. In the orientation of figure 7a, the present device 10 and in particular main beam 13 is angled upwardly to extend from its first anchored position at building wall 39 to the second clamped position at truss beam 41. During installation of the device 10 in the position and orientation of figure 7a and 7b, the respective nuts and bolts 27, 28 are loose to enable the device 10 to be moved into position over and about wall 39 (baton 44) and truss beam 41. Once the saddles 15, 17 are mounted in position as illustrated in figure 7a, nuts and bolts 27, 28 are tightened as well as truss bolt 30 to mount rigidly device 10 in fixed position at the inclined angle of figure 7a. To achieve a secured stabilisation of roof truss 40 at the roof cavity, a pair of the present stabilising devices 10 are attached to each respective lengthwise end of truss 40 so as to be mounted in position to extend from two opposed building walls 39. Accordingly, truss 40 is stabilised at each lengthwise end so as to be positionally secured in place whilst a second and further roof trusses are then mounted side-by-side at the roof cavity between end walls 39. The present stabiliser device 10 may be used according to a second mode and configuration illustrated in figure 8. The assembly and function of the device 10 according to the second mode is the same as described according to the first mode of figure 7a. However, in this second configuration, the anchorage saddle 17 is removed and the device 10 is secured to an auxiliary structure such as scaffolding 43. That is, the clamp adapted for clamping about first shaft 18 is instead adapted for clamping about an appropriately positioned scaffolding pole. The device 10 may then be secured in fixed position between 5 a region of scaffolding 43 and roof truss beam 41 so as to positionally stabilise roof truss 40 in a same manner as illustrated and described in figure 7a. One or a plurality of the present devices 10 may be secured to extend between truss 40 one or a plurality of scaffolding poles. 10

Claims

1. A roof truss stabiliser device comprising:an elongate main beam having first and second lengthwise ends;an anchorage mount having a first saddle for securing the device to a wall structure or architectural member, and a first shaft extending from said saddle;a truss mount having a second saddle for securing the device to a roof truss or architectural member, and a second shaft extending from said saddle;a first coupling having a first clamp to secure to the main beam and a second clamp to secure to the first shaft, and a second coupling having a third clamp to secure to the main beam and a fourth clamp to secure to the second shaft, the first and second couplings each comprising a pivot joint positioned respectively between the first and second clamps and the third and fourth clamps to allow the first and second clamps and the third and fourth clamps to pivot about at least one axis relative to one another;wherein the first, second, third and fourth clamps are releasably attachable and positionally adjustable along the length of the main beam and the first and second shafts.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a length of the first and second shafts is less than a length of the main beam.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the length of the first and second shafts is in a range 2 to 30%, 2 to 20%, 2 to 10% or 4 to 10% of the main beam.

4. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second shafts are rigidly connected to and / or formed integrally with the respective first and second saddles.

5. The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an end stop projecting radially outward at or towards each lengthwise end of the main beam.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a respective end stop projecting radially outward at or towards a lengthwise end of the first and second shafts.

7. The device as claimed 6 wherein the end stops at the main beam and / or each of the first and second shafts comprises a collar, rim or a plurality of radial projections.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the collar, rim or radial projections are welded to the main beam and / or each of the first and second shafts.

9. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each pivot joint of the first and second couplings comprises any one or a combination of:• a ball joint;• a swivel joint;• a single axis pivot joint.

10. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first and / or second saddle comprises an end wall and at least a pair of positionally opposed sidewalls extending perpendicular or oblique from lateral side edges of the end wall.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the first and / or second saddle further comprises a screw or bolt adjustably mounted to extend through at least one of the sidewalls.

12. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first and / or second saddle comprise a generally C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

13. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first and / or second shafts do not extend into an interior region of the saddle.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13 when dependant on claim 10 wherein the interior region is defined between end wall and sidewalls.

15. The device as claimed in any preceding claim when dependant on claim 6 wherein a distance by which the ends stop projects from an external surface of the main beam and / or the first and second shafts is less than a diameter or radius of the respective main beam and / or the first and second shafts.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said distance is in a range 10 to 90%, 15 to 70%, or 15 to 60% of a radius of the respective main beam and / or the first and second shafts.5 17. The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the main beam and first and second shafts are hollow along their respective lengths.

18. The device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a steel material.

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