A bracket and a masonry support system for supporting components of an external layer of a building

Abstract

A bracket 2 for use in a support system 1 suitable for supporting components of an external layer of a building comprises at least one flange 5, 6 having a flange coupling means operably couplable wit

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to support systems in the field of construction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Masonry support systems are utilised to support the weight of masonry components of an external layer of a building by transferring said weight back onto the main structure of the building. Masonry support systems also provide a horizontal movement joint in the form of a shelf angle on which bricks are supported and below which is provided a compressible material to permit movement of the support shelf and permit movement of the covering layer, or other components of an external layer of the building, below the shelf angle. Thereby, the masonry support system is able to accommodate differential movement of the structural components of the building and the components of the external layer. Typically, two brackets are provided secured to the shelf angle to support the shelf angle on the main structure of the building. Alternatively, one bracket, or more than two brackets, may be secured to the shelf angle, depending on the specific application. According to the prior art, the brackets are secured to the shelf angle by welding of the brackets to the shelf angle. Welding is a highly skilled and potentially hazardous task requiring specialised training and equipment, and unique safety precautions. This increases the overall complexity, time, and cost of assembly and installation of a masonry support system. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a solution to the problem of securing brackets to a shelf angle of a masonry support system. It is an object of the invention to obviate or mitigate the use of welding to secure brackets to a shelf angle of a masonry support system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a bracket for a masonry support system for supporting components of an external layer of a building on a main structure of the building, said bracket being securable to a masonry support shelf angle in use, wherein the bracket comprises at least one flange securable to an upstand of the masonry support shelf angle for securing the bracket to the masonry support shelf angle in use, wherein the at least one flange of the bracket comprises a mechanical fastening means receiving means alignable with a mechanical fastening means receiving means of the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle for receiving a mechanical fastening means for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the bracket is securable to a planar portion of the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle in a planar-abutting relationship when the at least one flange of the bracket is secured to the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle in use. The present invention also provides a bracket for a support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building, said bracket being securable to a support shelf for supporting the components of the layer of the building in use, wherein the bracket comprises at least one flange securable to an upstand of the support shelf for securing the bracket to the support shelf in use, wherein the at least one flange of the bracket comprises a flange coupling means operably couplable with a support shelf coupling means of the upstand of the support shelf for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the support shelf, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the bracket is securable to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf in a planar-abutting relationship when the at least one flange of the bracket is secured to the upstand of the support shelf in use. Advantageously, the planar portion of the at least one flange of the bracket provides a landing surface for the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf. The landing surface strengthens the attachment of the bracket to the support shelf by forming a planar-abutting connection between the flange of the bracket and the upstand of the support shelf. Further, the planar portion of the at least one flange and the planar portion of the upstand provides a planar area for coupling the flange to the upstand about their respective coupling means for example by adhering, bonding, gluing, or welding and / or by applying a mechanical fastening means to the coupling means of the bracket and the upstand for securing the two components together in use. Advantageously, when two brackets according to the previous statements of invention are secured side-by-side on a planar surface of the main structure of the building, for example a floor beam or slab, the planar portions of the flanges of the brackets are coplanar. This means that the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf is securable in a planar-abutting relationship to the planar portions of the flanges of the brackets. In this way, the planar portions of the at least one flange of the brackets provide coplanar landing surfaces for the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf which strengthens the attachment of the brackets to the support shelf by forming a planar abutting connection between the flanges of the brackets and the upstand of the support shelf. In a similar manner, when two brackets according to the previous statement of invention are secured side-by-side on the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf, the brackets are securable side-by-side on a planar surface of the main structure of the building. Ideally, the bracket comprises a plurality of flanges securable to an upstand of a support shelf for securing the bracket to the support shelf in use, wherein each flange of the bracket comprises a flange coupling means operably couplable with a support shelf coupling means of the upstand of the support shelf for securing the plurality of flanges to the support shelf, wherein a planar portion of each of the flanges of the bracket are coplanar, wherein the planar portion of each flange of the bracket is securable to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf in a planar-abutting relationship when each flange of the bracket is secured to the upstand of the support shelf in use. Advantageously, the planar portions of the flanges of the bracket provide multiple landing surfaces per bracket for the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf and multiple areas for coupling the flanges to the upstand about their respective coupling means for example by adhering, bonding, gluing, or welding and / or by applying a mechanical fastening means to the coupling means of the bracket and the upstand for securing the two components together in use. This means that when two brackets are arranged side-by-side on a planar surface of a main structure of a building, the planar portions of the flanges of the first bracket and the planar portions of the flanges of the second bracket are coplanar for securing the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf in a planar-abutting relationship. In a similar manner, when two brackets according to the previous statement of invention are secured side-by-side on the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf, the brackets are securable side-by-side on a planar surface of the main structure of the building. By 'upstand' we mean a component of the support shelf which extends away from a shelf portion of the support shelf. The shelf portion is for supporting the components of the layer of the building thereon. We do not mean that the upstand is necessarily always extending in an upwards direction, i.e. meaning opposite to the force of gravity at all times. For example, an inverted support shelf may comprise the 'upstand' extending downwardly from the shelf portion and this may be required where the movement joint is in line with a top portion of the load-bearing / structural frame of the main structure of the building. Ideally, the layer of the building is an external layer of the building. Ideally, the support shelf is a support shelf angle. Ideally, the support system is a masonry support system. A masonry support system is suitable for supporting for example masonry bricks and / or blocks and / or slips and / or panels of slips. Ideally, the support shelf is a masonry support shelf angle. Ideally, the or each flange coupling means comprises a mechanical fastening means receiving means. Ideally, the or each mechanical fastening means receiving means comprise a through hole. Ideally, the or each mechanical fastening means receiving of the or each flange coupling means is alignable with a mechanical fastening means receiving of the or each support shelf coupling means for receiving a mechanical fastening means for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle. Ideally, the or each planar portion of the or each respective flange comprises a mechanical fastening means receiving means of the flange coupling means. Ideally, the bracket is securable to a main structure of a building. Ideally, the bracket comprises a planar back plate portion securable to a planar surface of a main structure of a building for securing the bracket to the main structure of the building. Ideally, the planar back plate portion is parallel to the planar portions of the or each flange. Advantageously, this means that the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf is securable to the bracket in a parallel relationship to a planar surface of a main structure of a building onto which the planar back plate portion is securable, advantageously forming an external layer of a building parallel to the internal structure of the building. Ideally, the planar back plate portion of the bracket comprises a fastening means receiving means alignable with a fastening means receiving means of a main structure of a building and / or a fastening means receiving means of a component securable to the main structure of the building. Ideally, a mechanical and / or chemical fastening means is receivable through each of the fastening means receiving means for securing the planar back plate portion to the main structure of the building for securing the bracket to the main structure of the building. By 'each of the fastening means receiving means' we mean the fastening means receiving means of the planar back plate portion of the bracket and the fastening means receiving means of the main structure of the building and / or the fastening means receiving means of a component securable to the main structure of the building. Ideally, the mechanical fastening means comprises a mechanical anchor. Ideally, the chemical fastening means comprises a chemical anchor. Ideally, the planar back plate portion of the bracket and a planar portion of a main structure of a building, or the component securable to the main structure of the building, are securable against one another in a planar abutting relationship. Ideally, the planar back plate portion of the bracket is formed at an opposing end of the bracket relative to the one or more flange of the bracket. Ideally, the bracket comprises a connecting portion wherein the connecting portion connects the planar back plate portion and the one or more flange of the bracket. Advantageously, the connecting portion allows the bracket to extend across a cavity and connects the support shelf to the main structure of the building via the one or more flanges and the planar back plate portion. Ideally, the connecting portion comprises two gusset plate portions spaced apart laterally. By 'laterally' we mean that the two gusset plate portions are located at opposing sides of the bracket when viewed in a direction parallel to a depthwise axis of the bracket. The depthwise axis of the bracket is an axis along which a depthwise dimension of the bracket is measurable. In use this is a dimension of the bracket which is extendable between a main structure of a building and components of an layer of a building. Ideally, the two gusset plate portions are extendable in a direction of a depthwise dimension of the bracket. The two gusset plate portions are extendable in a direction of a heightwise dimension of the bracket. The two gusset plate portions are side walls of the bracket. Ideally, the two gusset plate portions are formed in the bracket as mirror images of one another. Ideally, the connecting portion of the bracket comprises two side walls. Ideally, the two side walls of the bracket are parallel. Ideally, the two side walls extend from the planar back plate portion at opposing side edges of the back plate portion. Ideally, the two side walls extend from the planar back plate portion at opposing side edges of the back plate portion perpendicular to the planar back plate portion. Ideally, the or each flange extends from one or more opposing side portions of the bracket. Ideally, the or each flange extends from one or more opposing side walls of the bracket. Ideally, the or each flange extends from one or more opposing side walls of the bracket towards a centre of the bracket located between the two side walls. Ideally, the or each flange extends from one or more opposing side walls of the bracket away from a centre of the bracket located between the opposing side walls. Advantageously, the flanges extending away from the centre of the bracket located between the opposing side portions of the bracket allows the mechanical fastening means receiving means to be more spaced apart longitudinally in respect of the upstand of the support shelf when the one or more flanges are secured to the support shelf in use. By 'more spaced apart' we mean relative to the prior art wherein the edges of the side portions of the bracket extending towards the upstand of the shelf angle are welded to the shelf angle. Advantageously, this improves the capacity of a support system comprising the brackets previously described by more evenly distributing the support provided by the flanges of each bracket being secured to the upstand of the support shelf in use. By 'capacity' we mean load bearing capacity. Ideally, a flange of the bracket extends at a bend from a first edge portion of one of the side walls, wherein the side wall comprises a second edge portion opposing the first edge portion from which the flange extends, wherein the opposing edge portion is connected to a bend connecting the side wall and the planar back plate portion. A second flange of the bracket may be formed from a second side wall as a mirror image of the flange described in the previous statement of invention. By mirror image we mean a mirror image in a plane defined by heightwise and depthwise axes of the bracket. Ideally, the or each flange forms a wing or wings extending away from a centre of the bracket located between the opposing side walls. Advantageously, the wings provide bodies through which a mechanical fastener can be applied to secure the brackets and the shelf angle, thereby obviating the need for welding. Ideally, the or each flange of the bracket extends heightwise in respect of the bracket. By this we mean that the bracket has a heightwise dimension measurable along a heightwise axis and that the or each flange extends in the same direction as the heightwise axis. In other words, the or each flange extends in a vertical in use direction. Ideally, the or each flange of the bracket extends orthogonally in respect of a dimension of the bracket which is extendable between a main structure of a building and components of an layer of a building in use. By this we mean that the bracket has heightwise and depthwise dimensions measurable along heightwise and depthwise axes and that the or each flange extends in a direction orthogonal to both axes. This means that the or each flange is extendable in use longitudinally in respect of the planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf when the one or more flanges are secured to the support shelf in use. In other words, the or each flange extends in a horizontal in use direction. Ideally, the or each flange extending heightwise in respect of the bracket are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf when the or each flange is secured to the support shelf in use. By longitudinally extending edges we mean edges of the upstand which extend between opposing ends of the masonry support shelf angle. In use, the shelf angle is arranged so that the longitudinal dimension of the shelf angle is horizontal. Ideally, the planar portions of the or each flange of the bracket are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf at least 75% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand when the flange is secured to the support shelf in use. By a 'shortest distance' we mean a distance between points on the opposing longitudinally extending edges at the same longitudinal position thereof, i.e., measured perpendicular to the opposing longitudinally extending edges. In other words, the planar portion of the or each flange are extendable across at least 75% of the height of the upstand of the support shelf. Ideally, the planar portions of the or each flange of the bracket are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf at least 90% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand when the flange is secured to the support shelf in use. Ideally, the planar portions of the or each flange of the bracket are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf 100% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand when the flange is secured to the support shelf in use. Ideally, each of the side walls comprise free edge portions located between upper and lower ends of the bends connecting the flanges to the side walls and the bends connecting the side walls to the planar back plate portion. Ideally, a first of the plurality of flanges and the first of the two side walls are formed as a mirror image of a second of the plurality of flanges and a second of the two side walls. Ideally, opposing first and second free edge portions of the side walls are tapering edge portions, wherein the gusset plate portions taper towards the or each flange. Ideally, the mechanical fastening means receiving means of the or each flange of the bracket comprises at least one aperture. Ideally, the mechanical fastening means receiving means of the or each flange of the bracket comprises a plurality of apertures spaced apart in a body of the or each flange. The plurality of apertures may be uniformly distributed over an area of the planar portion of the or each flange of the bracket. Ideally, the bracket is formed from a single piece of material. Ideally, the or each flange, the two side walls, and the planar back plate portion are formed from a single piece of material, the bracket comprising bends connecting the planar back plate portion with the two side walls, and a bend connecting the side walls with respective flanges. Ideally, the bracket has a single substantially constant thickness of the or each flange, of the side walls and of the planar back plate portion. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building, the support system comprising at least one bracket and a support shelf, wherein the at least one bracket is securable to the support shelf by means of a flange coupling means at least one flange of the bracket operably couplable with a support shelf coupling means of an upstand of the support shelf for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the support shelf. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a masonry support system for supporting components of an external layer of a building on a main structure of the building, the masonry support system comprising at least one bracket and a masonry support shelf angle, wherein the at least one bracket is secured to the masonry support shelf angle by means of the at least one bracket comprising at least one flange secured to an upstand of a masonry support shelf angle, wherein the masonry support system comprises a mechanical fastening means applied to mechanical fastening means receiving means of the at least one flange of the at least one bracket and to mechanical fastening means receiving means of the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle aligned therewith, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the at least one bracket is secured to a planar portion of the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building, the support system comprising at least one bracket and a support shelf, wherein the at least one bracket is secured to the support shelf by means of the at least one bracket comprising at least one flange secured to an upstand of a support shelf, wherein the support system comprises a mechanical fastening means applied to mechanical fastening means receiving means of the at least one flange of the at least one bracket and to mechanical fastening means receiving means of the upstand of the support shelf aligned therewith, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the at least one bracket is secured to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf. Ideally, the support shelf comprises a shelf portion for supporting components of the layer of the building thereon. Ideally, the shelf portion and the upstand of the support shelf are connected to one another at a bend. Ideally, the upstand of the support shelf comprises two opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf. A first of the two opposing longitudinally extending edges is a free edge of the upstand. A second of the two opposing longitudinally extending edges is connected to a bend of the upstand connecting the upstand to a shelf portion of the support shelf. Ideally, the at least one bracket comprises a plurality of flanges according to any one or more of the preceding statements of invention. Ideally, the or each flange of the at least one bracket extends longitudinally in respect of the upstand of the support shelf and extends between longitudinally extending edges of the upstand of the support shelf. Ideally, the support system comprises two brackets secured to the support shelf having the same orientation. Ideally, the support system comprises two brackets secured to the support shelf in a manner spaced apart from one another longitudinally in respect of the support shelf. Ideally, the support system is a masonry support system suitable for supporting masonry bricks and / or blocks and / or slips and / or panels of slips. Ideally, the support shelf comprises through holes in the body of the shelf portion for supporting one or more brick slip panels underneath the shelf portion of the support shelf. These brick slip panels may be for forming a soffit feature of a building. The skilled person will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a single embodiment of a support arrangement according to the invention by way of example only BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a support system comprising two brackets according to the invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the support system comprising two brackets shown in figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the support system comprising two brackets shown in figures 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognise that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Referring to the drawings there is shown a support system 1 for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building (not shown). A bracket 2 is provided for the support system 1 for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building. In the figures 1 and 2 there is shown a second bracket 3 as part of the support system 1. The brackets 2, 3 are identically formed in some embodiments including the one shown in the drawings. For this reason, the structure of the brackets will be described with reference to one of the brackets 2, whereas the arrangement of the brackets 2, 3 in the support system 1 will be described with reference to both brackets 2, 3. The bracket 2 is securable to a support shelf 4. The bracket 2 comprises two flanges 5, 6 secured to an upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 which secures the bracket 2 to the support shelf 4 in use. The flanges 5, 6 of the bracket comprise apertures for receiving mechanical fastening means. Alternatively or additionally, welding or other suitable bonding method could be used between flanges 5, 6 and shelf 4. The apertures of the flanges 5, 6 for receiving mechanical fastening means are aligned with apertures of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 in use. The apertures of the flanges 5, 6 and the apertures of the upstand 7 of the shelf angle 4 are aligned and a mechanical fastening means in the form of a rivet 8 is applied through each of the apertures and operates to secure the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 to the upstand 7 of the shelf angle 4 in use. In figure 1, the apertures for receiving mechanical fastening means of the flanges 5, 6 are obscured by mechanical fastening means in the form of rivets 8. There are two apertures for receiving mechanical fastening means of the flanges 5, 6 per flange 5, 6 in the embodiments depicted, and a corresponding two apertures in each region of the upstand 7 of the shelf angle 4 alignable with the two flanges 5, 6. This means that apertures of the upstand 7 of the shelf angle 4 are separated by the same distance as apertures of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2. The upstand 7 of the shelf angle 4 comprises apertures spaced apart along the length of the upstand 7 aligned with the two brackets 2, 3. The support system 1 shown in the drawings is suited to straight building frameworks and flat layers such as flat building facades comprising external components secured back to straight floor beams. This is because support systems of the type of 1 can be secured in a straight line along the building frame / main structure in one or more rows. Although not shown in the drawings, the invention may be put into effect by providing a single bracket, of the type shown as brackets 2 or 3 in the figures, securable to a support shelf which is shorter than the angle 4 shown in the drawings. The single bracket (not shown) would in this embodiment be secured intermediate two longitudinal ends of the shelf angle in use, and may be secured equidistant from the two longitudinal ends of the shelf angle. In one example, the shelf angle would be the same length as a typical brick and this would allow for a curved layer of a building or for the construction of arches. This may still be achieved by using the embodiment shown in the drawings for building layers having a larger radius of curvature. The flanges 5, 6 comprise a planar portion. The planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 are coplanar in the bracket 2. This means that the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 are securable to a planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 in a planar-abutting relationship when the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 are secured to the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 in use. Advantageously, the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 provide a landing surface for the planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4. The landing surface strengthens the attachment of the bracket 2 to the support shelf 4 by forming a planar-abutting connection between the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 and the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4. Further, the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 provide a planar area in which a rivet 8 is applied to the apertures of both the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 and the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 for securing the two components together in use. As shown in figure 1, when two brackets 2, 3 being identically formed are aligned side-by-side, the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the brackets 2, 3 are coplanar. In this way, the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the brackets 2, 3 provide coplanar landing surfaces for the planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 which strengthens the attachment of the brackets 2, 3 to the support shelf 4 by forming a planar abutting connection between the flanges 5, 6 of the brackets 2, 3 and the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4. When the planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 is secured in a planar-abutting relationship to the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the brackets 2, 3, planar back plate portions 10 are also coplanar. Therefore, the planar back plate portions 10 are securable to a planar portion of a main structure of a building, such as a floor slab or beam. The flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 extend heightwise in respect of the bracket 2. By this we mean that the bracket 2 has a heightwise dimension measurable along a heightwise axis labelled Z (see figures 2 and 3), and that the flanges 5, 6 extend in the same direction as the heightwise axis Z. The flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 also extend orthogonally in respect of a heightwise dimension Z of the bracket and orthogonally in respect of a dimension of the bracket which is extendable between a main structure of a building and components of the layer of a building in use, labelled X. By this we mean that the bracket has heightwise and depthwise dimensions measurable along heightwise Z and depthwise axes X respectively and that the at least one flange extends in a direction orthogonal to both axes. This orthogonal axis is a widthwise axis labelled Y. The flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 extending in these two orthogonal directions means that the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 are planar areas which are themselves coplanar and configured to receive a planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4. The flanges 5, 6 extending heightwise in respect of the bracket 2 are sufficiently extended in the heightwise direction to extend over the height of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 when the flanges 5, 6 are secured to the support shelf 4 in use. The height of the support shelf 4 is the distance between opposing longitudinally extending edges of the upstand 7 of the support shelf, labelled 28 and 30 in figure 1. The planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 at least 75% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 when the flanges 5, 6 are secured to the support shelf 4 in use. By a 'shortest distance' we mean a distance between points on the opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 at the same longitudinal position thereof. The planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 at least 90% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 when the flanges 5, 6 are secured to the support shelf 4 in use. Ideally, the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 are extendable between opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 100% of a shortest distance between the opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 and 30 of the upstand 7 when the flanges 5, 6 are secured to the support shelf 4 in use. The flanges 5, 6 extending along the widthwise axis Y of the bracket 2 are extendable longitudinally in respect of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 when the flanges 5, 6 are secured to the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 in use. The flanges 5, 6 extend from opposing side edge portions 12,13 of the bracket 2. The flanges 5, 6 extend from opposing side edge walls 12,13 of the bracket 2. The flanges 5, 6 extend from opposing side edge walls 12,13 of the bracket 2 away from a centre of the bracket located between the side edge walls 12,13. By the centre of the bracket we mean the X axis as shown in figure 3. Advantageously, the flanges 5, 6 extending away from the centre of the bracket 2 located between the opposing side edge walls 12,13 of the bracket 2 allows the mechanical fastening means receiving means to be more spaced apart longitudinally in respect of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 when the one or more flanges 5, 6 are secured to the support shelf 4 in use. Advantageously, this improves the capacity of a support system 1 comprising the brackets 2, 3 by more evenly distributing the support provided by the flanges 6 of the brackets 2, 3 being secured to the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 in use. The flanges 5, 6 form wings 4 extending away from the centre of the bracket 2 located between the opposing side edge walls 12,13. Advantageously, the wings provide bodies through which a mechanical fastener 8 can be applied to secure the brackets 2, 3 and the shelf angle 4, thereby obviating the need for welding. The bracket 2 is securable to a main structure of a building. The bracket is securable to components of a main structure of a building, for example a structural steel beam or concrete floor slab (not shown). The planar back plate portion 10 of the bracket 2 comprises a fastening means receiving means 20 alignable with a fastening means receiving means of a main structure of a building (not shown), wherein a mechanical and / or chemical fastening means is receivable through the fastening means receiving means 20 of the back plate portion and the fastening means receiving means of the main structure of the building for securing the planar back plate portion 10 to the main structure of the building for securing the bracket 2 to the main structure of the building. The fastening means receiving means of the main structure may be a cast in channel. The brackets 2, 3 may be secured to the main structure via one or more intermediate components (not shown) such as one or more shims. The planar back plate portion 10 of the bracket 2 and the planar portion of a main structure of a building are securable against one another in a planar abutting relationship. The planar back plate portion 10 of the bracket 2 is formed at an opposing end of the bracket 2 relative to the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2. The planar back plate portion 10 of the bracket 2 is parallel to the planar portions of the flanges 5, 6. Advantageously, this means that the planar portion of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 is securable to the bracket 2 in a parallel relationship to a planar surface of a main structure of a building onto which the planar back plate portion 10 is securable, advantageously forming a layer of a building parallel to the internal structure of the building. The bracket 2 comprises a connecting portion wherein the connecting portion connects the planar back plate portion 10 and the flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2. The connecting portion comprises two gusset plate portions 12,13 forming the two side walls 12,13 of the bracket 2. The gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are spaced apart laterally in the bracket 2. The two gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are extendable in a direction of a depthwise dimension of the bracket. This is the direction of axis X of figures 2 and 3. The two gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are extendable in a direction of a heightwise dimension of the bracket 2. This is the direction of axis Z of figures 2 and 3. Ideally, the two gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are formed in the bracket as mirror images of one another. The flanges 5, 6 of the bracket 2 extend at a bend 16 (see figure 2) from a first edge portion of the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13, wherein the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 comprise a second edge portion opposing the first edge portion from which the flanges 5, 6 extend, wherein the opposing edge portion is connected to a bend 18 connecting the gusset portions / side walls 12,13 and the planar back plate portion 10 (see figure 2). The gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 comprise first and second free edge portions 22, 24 located between upper and lower ends of the bends connecting the flanges 5, 6 to the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 and the bends connecting the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 to the planar back plate portion 10. A first of the flanges 4 and a first of the gusset plates / side walls 12 are formed as a mirror image of a second of the flanges 5 and a second of the gusset plates / side walls 13. The two gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are parallel. The two gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are planar. In use, the two gusset plate portions / side walls 12, 13 and the two flanges 5, 6 are vertically oriented. The planar back plate portion 10 is vertically oriented in use. The first and second free edge portions 22, 24 of the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 are tapering edge portions, wherein the gusset plate portions / side walls 12,13 taper towards the flanges 5, 6. The support system 1 according to the invention may comprise any number of brackets but in the embodiment depicted the support system 1 comprises two brackets 2, 3. Aperture 20 is rectangular. A washer (not shown) having a collar dimensioned larger than aperture 20 can be arranged in the aperture 20 and tightened by means of a screw to secure the washer against the parts of the planar back plate portion surrounding the aperture 20. Toothed lock washers are known to those skilled in the art. The support shelf 4 of the support system 1 comprises a shelf portion 26 for supporting components of a layer of a building thereon. The upstand 7 of the support shelf 4 comprises two opposing longitudinally extending edges 28, 30 of the upstand 7 of the support shelf 4. A first of the two opposing longitudinally extending edges 28 is a free edge of the upstand 7. A second of the two opposing longitudinally extending edges 30 is connected to a bend of the upstand 7 connecting the upstand 7 to the shelf portion 26 of the support shelf 4. The support system 1 comprises two brackets 2, 3 secured to the support shelf 4 in the same orientation. The support system 1 comprises two brackets 2, 3 secured to the support shelf 4 in a manner spaced apart from one another longitudinally in respect of the support shelf 4. The support system 1 comprises two brackets 2, 3 secured to the support shelf 4 at the same height in respect of the support shelf 4 on the upstand 7. The skilled person will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application. In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment. The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, 5 or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A bracket for a support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building, said bracket being securable to a support shelf for supporting the components of the layer of the building in use, wherein the bracket comprises at least one flange securable to an upstand of the support shelf for securing the bracket to the support shelf in use, wherein the at least one flange of the bracket comprises a flange coupling means operably couplable with a support shelf coupling means of the upstand of the support shelf for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the support shelf, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the bracket is securable to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf in a planar-abutting relationship when the at least one flange of the bracket is secured to the upstand of the support shelf in use.

2. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of flanges securable to an upstand of a support shelf for securing the bracket to the support shelf in use, wherein each flange of the bracket comprises a flange coupling means operably couplable with a support shelf coupling means of the upstand of the support shelf for securing the plurality of flanges to the support shelf, wherein a planar portion of each of the flanges of the bracket are coplanar, wherein the planar portion of each flange of the bracket is securable to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf in a planar-abutting relationship when each flange of the bracket is secured to the upstand of the support shelf in use.

3. A bracket according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each flange coupling means comprises a mechanical fastening means receiving means.

4. A bracket according to claim 3, wherein the or each mechanical fastening means receiving means comprises a through hole.

5. A bracket according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the or each mechanical fastening means receiving of the or each flange coupling means is alignable with a mechanical fastening means receiving of the or each support shelf coupling means for receiving a mechanical fastening means for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the masonry support shelf angle.

6. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises a planar back plate portion securable to a planar surface of a main structure of a building for securing the bracket to the main structure of the building.

7. A bracket according to claim 6, wherein the planar portion of the or each flange of the bracket is / are parallel with the planar back plate portion.

8. A bracket according to claim 7, wherein the planar back plate portion of the bracket is formed at an opposing end of the bracket relative to the one or more flange of the bracket.

9. A bracket according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the bracket comprises a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion connects the planar back plate portion and the one or more flange of the bracket.

10. A bracket according to claim 9, wherein the connecting portion comprises two gusset plate portions spaced apart laterally.

11. A bracket according to claim 9, wherein the connecting portion of the bracket comprises two side walls.

12. A bracket according to claim 11, wherein the two side walls are parallel.

13. A bracket according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the two side walls extend from the planar back plate portion at opposing side edges of the back plate portion.

14. A bracket according to any one of claims 11 or claim 13, wherein the two side walls extend from the planar back plate portion at opposing side edges of the back plate portion perpendicular to the planar back plate portion.

15. A bracket according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the or each flange extends from one of the side walls at an edge of the side wall opposite an edge of the side wall extending from the back plate portion.

16. A bracket according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the or each flange, the two side walls, and the planar back plate portion are formed from a single piece of material, the bracket comprising bends connecting the planar back plate portion with the two side walls, and a bend connecting the side walls with respective flanges.

17. A bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the mechanical fastening means receiving means of the or each flange of the bracket comprises a plurality of apertures spaced apart in a body of the or each flange.

18. A bracket according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of apertures are uniformly distributed over an area of the planar portion of the or each flange of the bracket.

19. A support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main structure of the building, the support system comprising at least one bracket and a support shelf, wherein the at least one bracket is securable to the support shelf by means of a flange coupling means at least one flange of the bracket operablycouplable with a support shelf coupling means of an upstand of the support shelf for securing the at least one flange of the bracket to the upstand of the support shelf.

20. A support system for supporting components of a layer of a building on a main 5 structure of the building, the support system comprising at least one bracket and asupport shelf, wherein the at least one bracket is secured to the support shelf by means of the at least one bracket comprising at least one flange secured to an upstand of a support shelf, wherein the support system comprises a mechanical fastening means applied to mechanical fastening means receiving means of the at 10 least one flange of the at least one bracket and to mechanical fastening meansreceiving means of the upstand of the support shelf aligned therewith, wherein a planar portion of the at least one flange of the at least one bracket is secured to a planar portion of the upstand of the support shelf.15

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