AU2005200500A1 - Bracket - Google Patents

Description

04-02-2005 18:16 FROW- 04-2-00 1615 FRM-T-627 P.007/024

F-TOO

RepUitW3-2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address fivr Service: Invention Tils: ruw Australia Pty Ltd of 29 Henley Road, flandenong, Victoria 3175 Australia Alan Rearon DAVIES COLLISON CAVE. Palnt Attomeys, of I Nicholson Street, Melbourne 1 Victoria 3000, Australia "'Bracket"o Details of Associated Provisional Applilcation No(s): 2004900528 The following statemnent is a fuill deScription of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us, Q.OM USg~ 126447 -W 440 COMS ID No: 8DM -01106758 Received by P1 Australia: lime 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 10:16 FROM- T-627 P.008/024 F-795 0-1- ,_0

BRACKET

The present invention relates to the mounting of components such as window frames, doors jarmbs and the like into openings, for example openings in walls in house o construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to mounting brackets for use Sin fixing such components into openings.

oWhen fitting a component, such as a window frame, into an opening in a wall of a house, a 0, carpenter is required to lift the window frame into the opening provided in the wall frame ofthe dwelling. The window frame must be adjusted before fixing; it must be plumbed and straightened and then fixed into position, allowing brick work or any other extrnal cladding to be fitted to the outside and plasterboard or any other internal cladding to be fixed to the inside. After this has taken place the architraves are then fitted to the inside of the window frame, finishing the installation.

Nails can be used to mount the frame within the opening of the wall. However, using nails, generally the nail is placed through the component and into the supporting structure, which leads to the requirement of punching, filling and painting of the frame after fitting.

Additionally, the installation of most windows and doors using nails is a two-person operation, with one person being required to hold the window or door, while the other measures the required positioning to allow for an internal lining to be fitted after securing the window or door, and thereafter secures it within the opening.

Brackets can be used in the fixing of components into openings in bodies such as walls of houses. While such brackets can allow mounting nails to be placed through the bracket, rather than through the frame, there is stilt a requirement for mcasurement of the positioning of the frame, relative to the opening in the body, and fixing is still a two-person operation.

The above discussion of background art is included to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any aspect of the background was COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 18:16 FROM- T-627 P.009024 F-795 0' -2- Sknown or part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere at the priority date of any one of the claims of this specification.

ITt is an object of the present invention to provide a bracket for use in mounting a component to a structure defining an opening, which overcomes or alleviates one or more o of the above drawbacks.

0 0 Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided A bracket for mounting a first component in an opening defned by a second component, the bracket having a first section for attachment to a surface of the first component, a second section for attachment to a surface of the second component, the second section being disposed at an angle to the first section, and a third section which forms a positioning gauge for positioning the bracket on the surface of the first component such that when the first and second components are attached to the bracket, surfaces of the first and second components are offsct by a predetermined distance.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket for mounting a first component in an opening defined by a second component, the bracket having a first section for attachment to a surface of the first component, a second section for attachment to a surface of the second component, the second section being disposed at an angle to the first section, and a third section which forms a positioning gauge for positioning the bracket on the surface of the first component such that when the first and second components are attached to the bracket, an edge of the surface of the first component is offet to the surface of the second component by a predetermined distance.

A bracket according to the invention advantageously is easily and accurately positioned on the surface of the first component, by the third gauge section, and once connected to both components, the components are offset by a predetermined amount provided by the bracket. Where the bracket is first connected to the first component, the provision of the COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-005 WIT1 FROM-C T-627 P.010/024 F-79T -3- 4 positioning gauge facilitates the initial positioning of the bracket for connection thereof and the use of that gauge allows that component to be fitted in the required position relative to the other component without measuring the required offset of thai component relative to the other component. Alternatively, the bracket is first connected to the second component and the first component moved into a position so that the positioning gauge S positions the bracket on the surface of the first component allowing the required offset to be obtained without measuring the offset 0 Accordingly, the bracket allows the component to be fitted to the other component without being held in position while such measurements are made. This facilitales single person installation. Use of brackets according to the invention can also assist in preventing one component which is to be mounted in an opening of another component from falling or passing through the opening, because in some embodiments once a bracket is fixed in position on one of the components, the second section of the bracket can be arranged to engage the other component as it is fitted into the opening, to prevent farther passage of the component through the opening.

As the invention has principally been developed for use in fitting windows or doors in wall openings, the invention will be further described in relation to that application.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the first component is a window or door jamb or surround, while the second component is a wall or stud. In this arrangement, the first bracket section typically will be perpendicular to the second bracket section, while the third bracket section extends substantially in the plane of the first section. The third section is operable to cooperate with an edge of the jamb to which the bracket is to be attached and that cooperation facilitates correct positioning of the first section for connection to the jamb, so that the correct offset can be provided. The length of the third section determines the actual offset such that use of the bracket allows the jamb and wall or stud to be fixed together by the bracket with the predetermined offset equivalent substantially to the distance between the jamb edge and the join between the first and second bracket sections and with the second section in engagement with the wall or stud, there being no gap between the second section and the wall or stud despite the offset.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:17 FROM- T-627 P.011/024 0 O -4- Preferably. the first and second sections are substantially planar. More preferably the first and second sections are substantially mutually perpendicular. Where the sections are planar, this allows the bracket to engage flush with component surfaces which likewise O 5 will usually be planar.

c Preferably, the third section extends substantially in the same plane as the first section.

O This allows the third section to abut the same side of a component as the first section.

O More preferably, the third section is a flat tab extending from the first section.

Alternatively, an end of the third section is bent out of the general plane of the third section to form a lip to engage an edge of the first surface. This bent end section of the bracket can be formed as a short lip, to engage about the edge of a cross-sectionally square or rectangular component. That engagement acts as a stop for positioning the bracket relative to a surface of a component to which the first section of the bracket is to be attached.

Preferably, the first section is directly connected to the second section. In the case of a bracket made from a single piece of matial, a flat starting workpiece is bent into the first and second sections and with the third section extending from the bend. This allows the offset to be easily determined before the bracket is used, for example, where brackets having diffrent offsets are available. This actually is an important aspect of the invention, as it is possible by the invention to produce a range of brackets which provide different offset amounts, whereby the installation personnel select the appropriate bracket for the particular installation. More preferably, the second section extends substantially perpendicular to the first section.

Preferably, the bracket is shaped to aid in preventing the first component from passing completely through the opening once the bracket is attached to one of the first or second components and positioned within the opening. Usually at least four brackets attached to the opposite sides of a window or door jamb will facilitate this. This aids a single installer of the component by having it restrained against passage completely through the opening by the brackets while the brackets are fastened to the second of the components.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:17 FROMI- T-827 P.B12/024 F-795 Preferably, the bracket includes at least one rib extending partially into the first and second sections to resist deformation of the angle in the bracket between the first and second sections. Where the bracket is made from a single piece of metal these ribs extend around o 5 the bend between the first and second sections. The ribs can be embossed into the metal o before it is bent to form the first and second sections.

o Preforably, the bracket is a single piece of material. More preferably, the bracket may be 0'J bent into shape from a flat piece of metal, or may be cast into shape. Altemativcly, the bracket may be made of several parts joined together, e.g. by heating, welding or the like.

The bracket is preferably made from metal, such as galvanised tin sheet, but may also be formed from plastics or other composite materials, in which case it could be formed in any suitable way, such as by inj action mounding or extrusion.

Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a bracket according to a first embodiment of the invention from a first perspective; Figure 2 shows the bracket of figure 1 from a second perspective; Figure 3 shows the bracket of figures 1 and 2 when attached to a component; and Figure 4 shows the bracket of figures 1 to 3 when attached to a component and a body.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:18 FROM- T-627 P.013/024 -6- Detailed descriution of embodiments of the invention 0 Figure 1 shows a bracket 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. T.'he bracket 10 comprises a first Rection or member 11, a second section or member 12, and a third section, which in the present embodiment is tab 13. In the present embodiment, all o thrce sections arc substantially planar and have substantially planar surfaces, i.e. the first 0q section includes a first substantially planar surface, the second section includes a o substantially planar second surface and a third section includes a substaialy planar third 0 surface. The first and second sections 11, 12 are substantially perpendicular and are connected. The tab 13 extends from the join of the first and second sections 11, 12 substantially in the plane of the first section 11.

The bracket 10 is formed from a single flat piece of metal. The first and second sections 11, 12 are joined at corner or bend 14. The tab 13 is formed by cutting a 'U shape into the metal before bending. The bracket 10 is then bent at the fourth, uncut, side of the U' such that the tab 13 does not bend relative to the first section 1 at the bend 14, but remains substantially in the plane of the first section I 1. The tab 13 could alternatively be formed in any other suitable manner, such as stamping, punching or pinching of the metal.

The end of the tab 13 distal to the bend 14 is bent out of the plane of the first section 11 and away from and into a plane substantially parallel to that of the second section 12. The distal end of the tab 13 is bent such that the section of the tab 13 in the plane of the second section 12 is small relative to the section in the plane of the first section 11. In the present embodiment, the distal bed is sufficient to provide a lip or flange 15 on the third section 13.

Figure 3 shows the bracket 10 together with a timber component 20 to which it is attached.

The component 20 is a section of a window jamb and while the component 20 could be other than a window jamb, it will be referred to as "jamb 20" hereinafter. The jamb 20 is rectangular in cross-section and has opposite sides 21 and extending between the sides 21 a surface 22. It will be readily appreciated that the jamb 20 as illustrated is elongate.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:18 FROM- T-627 P.014/024 F-T795

C)

The first section 11 of the bracket 10 has circular holes 16 (Figure 2) to allow attachment to the jamb 20. The bracket 10 is attached by driving screws, nails or the like through the holes 16 into one of the sides 21 of the jamb 20 and for this, the holes 16 are sizwed to snugly receive such fasteners. In an alternative embodiment, the holes may be fobrmed in a o different shape, such as elongate, so as to allow relative transverse movement of the fuirst 0S section 11 relative to the jamb 20 in a direction towards and away from the surface 22) o while the screws or nails are in place, but not tightened to secure the bracket 10 fuly.

0Y Prior to attachment of the bracket 10 to the jamb 20, the lip or flange 15 is hooked about the edge 18 of the jamb 20 between one side 21 and the surface 22 such that the edge 18 of the jamb 20 at the junctidon between the side 21 and the surface 22 is within the bend of the distal end of the tab 13 at the lip 15. This positioning ensures that the first section 11 is fixed at a predetermined distance D from the edge of the jamb 20. Such positioning advantageously removes the need fbr measurement of the position of attachment of the bracket 10 to the jamb 20 and the bracket 10 can be attached without pre-marking of the jamb Figure 3 also shows a body 30 which in the present embodiment is a wall stud or frame, such as is used iu a wall of a house. Alternatively, the body may be a wall itself The body will hereafter be referred to as a "stud 30". The stud 30 defines one edge or side of an opening into which the jamb 20 is to be mounted for construction of a window. The opening may alternatively be for a door. or the like.

When attached to the jamb 20, the second section 12 of the bracket 10 extends in a plane parallel to the surface 22; i.e. perpendicularly to the side 21 to which the first section 11 is attached. Alternatively, the second section may extend away from the first section at an angle other than peipendicular, for example, if the jamb 20 is to be fitted into an opening that extends at an acute or obtuse angle to the wall.

The second section 12 abuts the stud 30 when the jamb 20 is placed in the opening, so COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:18 FROM- T-62? P.015/2O4 F-795 0ach braket 10 abuts apat of a surface of the stud 30 to provide abutment oa braket 0N -8" on the stud 30 on bracket 10, ande of therefore the jamb 20, ensurelative that the jambstud 30 and preventing pass Spassage of he jamb 20 completely through the opening. Preferably, more than one bracketin.

o1By the invention, the jamb 20 can advantageously be nimanouvred into position by a single 0 person, and can then be held in the opening by that person, with the aid of the abutment of the second section 12 with the stud 3 and while the second section 12 is being attached to the stud Figure 4 shows the attachment of the bracket 10 to the stud 30 to mount the jamb 20 in the opening. The second section 12 of the bracket 10 is secured to a surface 31 of the stud which extends in a plane generally parallel to the surface 22 of the jamb 20 and attachment is made in a similar manner to the manner of securing the first section 11 of the bracket to the jamb 20, typically by screws or nails. The stud 30 abuts the opposite side of the first section 11 to that in surface contact with the side 21 of the jamb 20, with the bend 14 in engagement with the edge 32 of the stud 30. The second section 12 has elongate slots 17 to allow adjustment of the relative separation of the jamb 20 and stud 30 when such screws or nails are in place, but are not yet fully tightened to secure the bracket 10 illy to the surface 31. In the present embodiment the slots 17 extend in the direction of lengthwise extent of the second section 12. However, they equally may extend in a different orientation. Alternatively, the slots 17 may be replaced by a plurality of aligned holes so that adjustment can be by selection of an appropriate hole, or only one hole or one set of holes may be provided, which do not allow relative adjustment of the bracket and body after screws or the like are placed through the bracket into the body.

Advantageously, the jamb 20 may be accurately positioned and secured relative to the opening by working on one side of the stud 30 only.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Dale 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:18 PRO*I,- T-627 P.016/024 )The provisim of the flange 15 of the tab 13 to engage the edge 18 of the jamb 20 provides a predetermined setback of the bend 14 of the bracket 10 from the edge 18 of the jamb when the bracket is attached to the jamb 20. Consequently. this setback also ensurcs a predetermined offset of the surface 31 of the stud 30 from the surface 22 of the jamb by abutment of the surface 31 and the second section 12. The setback is equal to the distance o D of the tab 13.

o Alternatively, the tab 13 may be provided without a bend to form the flange 15. In this 0 case, the bracket 10 could be mounted on the jamb 20 such that the end of the tab 13 is fluh with the edge 18. In this case, the predetermined setback would simply be the length of the tab 13.

The predetermined setback allows, for example, the jamb 20 to be positioned relative to the stud 30 so that an internal lining can be attached to the internal wall of a house, over the surface 31 of the stud 30, with the surface 22 of the janb 20 flush with the surface of the internal lining. Tn that case, the distance D will be equal to the thickness of the tab 13 plus the thickness of the internal lining. Alternatively, where the predetermined setback is extemal, it allows the external surface 22 (opposite to the internal surface 22) to be flush with an external surface attached to the stud 30. Advantageously, the setback is automatically obtained by use of the tab 13 as discussed above and does not require measuremenL A second embodiment of the invention includes one or more strengthening ribs, preferably two, extending around the bend 14 between the first section 11 md second section 12, which extend partially into the first and second sections (11, 12) on the acute angle side of the bracket 10. The ribs can be embossed into the metal befbre it is bent to form the first and second sections. The ribs provide extra stregthf to the bracket against deformation.

In the presently described embodiments the three sections 11, 12, 13 arc formed from a single piece of material. However, the three sections 11, 12, 13 could be parts of three or more separate members, joined together to form the bracket 10 of the present invention, COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 16:19 FROM- T-627 P.017/024 F-7E9 and the present invention also includes such multiple member brackets. In the case of multiple member brackets, references to bends can be interchanged with references to joins and/or corers.

The bracket of the present invention has been dcscribed above purely by way of example and modifications will present themselves to the person skilled in the art and arc within the scope and spirit of the invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04

Claims (6)

1. 04-02-2005 16:19 FROM- T-827 P.018/024 F-795 ~-11- THE CLANMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A bracket for mounting a first component in an opening defined by a second component, the bracket having: o K first section for attachment to a surfic of the first component; S a second section for attachment to a surface of the second component, the second c-i section being disposed at an angle to the first section; and o a third section which forms a positioning gauge for positioning the bracket on the 0 surface of the first component such that when the first and second components are attached to the bracket, surfaces of the first and second components arc offset by a predetermined distance. 2. A. bracket for mounting a first component in an opening defined by a second component, the bracket having: a first section for attachment to a surface of the first component; a second section for attachment to a surface of the second component, the second section being disposed at an angle to the first section; and a third section which forms a positioning gauge for positioning the bracket on the surface of the first component such that when the first and second components are attached to the bracket, an edge of the surface of the first component is offset to the surface of the second component by a predetermined distance. 3. A bracket according to any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second sections are substantially planar. 4. A bracket according to claim 3, wherein the third section extends substantially in the same plane as the first section. COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04 04-02-2005 18:19 FROM" T-827 P.019/024 F-79 0 0N -12- A bracket according to claim 4, wherein the third section is a flat tab extending from the first section. O
2. 6. A bracket according to claim 4, wherein an end of the third section is bent out of the general plane of the third section to form a lip to engage an edge of the first 0 surface. o 7- A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first section is directly 0 connected to the second section.
3. 8. A bracket according to claim 7, wherein the second section extends substantially perpendicular to the first section.
4. 9. A bracket according to claim any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the bracket includes is at least one rib extending partially into the first and second sections to resist deformation of the angle in the bracket between the first and second sections. A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bracket is made from a single piece of material.
5. 11. A bracket according to claim 10. wherein the bracket is formed by bending a single piece of metal.
6. 12. A bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 4 fl day of FEBRUARY, 2005 ITW Australia Pty Ltd by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicants) COMS ID No: SBMI-01106758 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:18 Date 2005-02-04