Connection arrangements

Abstract

A connecting arrangement for connecting hip rafters at the apex of a hipped roof comprises a plurality of hip rafter support members arranged sequentially around the apex of the roof. Each support member includes at least one outwardly extending member and a carrier member to carry the outwardly extending member. The outwardly extending members are pivotally attached to the carrier member. The outwardly extending member of each support member is adapted to support a respective hip rafter such that adjacent outwardly extending members on adjacent support members can support the same hip rafter.

1 . An arrangement for constructing a roof, the arrangement comprising: 
 a ridge beam having a main portion and a rotatable section on the main portion;    a plurality of hip rafter support members arranged sequentially adjacent one another around an end of the ridge beam, each support member comprising a carrier member and at least one outwardly extending member pivotally attached to the carrier member, wherein the carrier member of a first hip rafter support member is attached to the rotatable section;    a plurality of hip rafters arranged sequentially around the end of the ridge beam and supported by the hip rafter support members, each hip rafter comprising first and second parts pivotally mounted relative to each other, and each part being attachable to a respective one of the outwardly extending members;    wherein adjacent outwardly extending members of adjacent hip rafter support members can respectively support the first and second pivotal parts of the same hip rafter.    
     
     
         2 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outwardly extending member comprises a selected one of an arm and a tongue.  
     
     
         3 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outwardly extending member is pivotally attached to its carrier member such that, in use, the outwardly extending member can be pivotally moved in a plane substantially parallel to the section of the roof of which the respective support member forms a part.  
     
     
         4 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outwardly extending member engages the respective hip rafter and is received thereby.  
     
     
         5 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of hip rafter support members includes first and second hip rafter support members, the first support member including only one outwardly extending member and means to enable the first support member to be attached to said end of the ridge beam, and the second support member including a pair of outwardly extending members, spaced from each other on the carrier member.  
     
     
         6 . An arrangement according to  claim 5  further including two of said first support members and at least one of said second support members arranged between the two first support members.  
     
     
         7 . An arrangement according to  claim 6  including a plurality of said second support members, arranged between the two first support members.  
     
     
         8 . An arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein each outwardly extending member is in the form of a substantially flat plate, which is substantially rectangular and elongate.  
     
     
         9 . An arrangement according to  claim 5 , wherein the carrier member of each second support member comprises a substantially flat plate and is of substantially rectangular configuration.  
     
     
         10 . An arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein the outwardly extending members are attached to the respective carrier member at opposite edge regions of the carrier member.  
     
     
         11 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier member is provided with attachment elements to pivotally attach at least one outwardly extending member to the carrier member.  
     
     
         12 . An arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein each attachment element is in the form of a selected one a rib and a flange extending inwardly from the edge region of the carrier member, along one face thereof, two of said attachment elements being provided to attach each outwardly extending member to the carrier member.  
     
     
         13 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier member is provided with formations to allow an intermediate rafter to be attached thereto.  
     
     
         14 . An arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the formations are in the form of apertures to receive therein attachment means.  
     
     
         15 . A roof arrangement formed from the arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         16 . A rafter for use with an arrangement for constructing a roof, the rafter comprising a first elongate main portion and a rotatable section rotatably mounted on the main portion whereby a further member can be connected to the rotatable section at a desired extent of rotation of the rotatable section.  
     
     
         17 . A rafter according to  claim 16  wherein the rotatable section is elongate and extends along the main portion.  
     
     
         18 . A rafter according to  claim 16  wherein the main portion includes a holding arrangement for receiving and holding the rotatable section, and the rotatable section includes upper and lower parts to engage the holding arrangement to allow said rotation of the rotatable section.  
     
     
         19 . A rafter according to  claim 18  wherein the main portion includes upper and lower elongate wall members engaging the respective upper and lower parts of the rotatable section, the upper and lower parts being curved and presenting a convex face respectively to the upper and lower wall members to allow said rotation of the rotatable section.  
     
     
         20 . A rafter according to  claim 18  wherein the main portion includes two of said holding arrangements and a dividing wall extending therebetween and the rafter further including two of said rotatable sections, each being received and held by a respective one of said holding arrangements.  
     
     
         21 . A rafter according to  claim 16  in the form of a ridge rafter.  
     
     
         22 . A rafter according to  claim 16  wherein the rotatable section is in the form of a generally L-shaped elongate portion defining a channel.  
     
     
         23 . A rafter according to  claim 22  wherein the main portion and the rotatable section each include co-operating formations that co-operate with each other to rotatably secure the main portion to the rotatable section.  
     
     
         24 . A rafter according to  claim 23  wherein the co-operating formations comprise a channel and an elongate projection received in the channel.  
     
     
         25 . A rafter according to  claim 16  wherein the main portion and the rotatable section are rotatably attached to each other along a lower edge region of the main portion.  
     
     
         26 . A rafter according to  claim 16  wherein the main portion is generally in the form of a wall.  
     
     
         27 . A rafter according to  claim 16  including two of said rotatable sections rotatably mounted on the main portion on opposite sides thereof.  
     
     
         28 . A rafter according to  claim 16  in the form of a hip rafter.  
     
     
         29 . A ridge beam assembly for use in hip roofs or the like comprising; 
 a) an elongate main element having a spaced pair of elongate journaling spaces;    b) a spaced pair of journalled elements respectively positioned in the journaling spaces;    c) the journalled elements including surfaces adapted for receiving hip beam connection members and,    d) the journalled elements being further adapted for connection to such members.    
     
     
         30 . The assembly of  claim 29  wherein the elements are extrusions.  
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein each journalled element has a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the axis and relative to the main element.  
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 29  wherein each journalled element has a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about this axis and relative to the main element.  
     
     
         33 . The ridge beam assembly of  claim 29  further including; 
 a) a plurality of hip beam connection members connected to the journalled elements, and,  
 b) a plurality of interconnected hip beams pivotally connected to the connection members.