Connectors for roofs

Abstract

A ridge or wall plate end assembly for a hipped roof is disclosed in which panel-supporting elongate members of the hipped roof are connected to the ridge or wall plate end by connectors which are angularly adjustable to allow for the correction of pitch mismatches. Also disclosed is the coupling of an eaves beam forming part of the roof of a building structure, such as a conservatory, to the underlying building side wall by means of an intermediate connector thereby allowing eaves beam designs with a closed cross section to be readily fitted. The eaves beam and connector are coupled together in such a way as to avoid the need for a separate device such as a screw to render them captive to one another in use.

1 . A ridge beam or wall plate end assembly for a hipped roof in which at least one panel-supporting elongate member of the hipped roof is connected to the ridge beam or wall plate end by a connector which provides for roof pitch adjustment or variation at spaced locations relative to the axes of the elongate members, the connector comprising first and second parts which are respectively connected to the associated supporting member and ridge beam or wall plate end and are angularly adjustable relative to one another to allow roof pitch adjustment or variation at a first location, and the second connector part being pivotally connected to the ridge or wall plate end in a manner allowing pitch adjustment or variation at a second location.  
   
   
       2 . A connector for use in connecting panel-supporting bars to the ridge beam or wall plate end of a hipped roof to provide for roof pitch adjustment or variation, the connector comprising a first part for connection to the supporting bar and a second part provided with a formation by means of which the second part can be engaged with a mounting element associated with the ridge beam or wall plate end to provide a first location of roof pitch adjustment or variation, the first and second parts being angularly adjustable relative to one another at a location spaced from said formation thereby affording a second location of roof pitch adjustment or variation.  
   
   
       3 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the first and second connector parts are infinitely adjustable or are adjustable relative to one another in discrete steps.  
   
   
       4 . An connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the connector is provided with an arrangement or device for securing the desired angle of adjustment between said first and second parts once any mismatch has been corrected for.  
   
   
       5 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the connector includes an arrangement or device defining at least one predetermined angle of adjustment.  
   
   
       6 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the connector is designed so that when coupled to a respective supporting member, the location of angular adjustment between the first and second parts is located beyond the end of the supporting member.  
   
   
       7 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which: the first part is provided with a vertically disposed section which is designed to be positioned in overlapping relation with, and secured to, a generally vertical wall of the supporting member; and/or the second part terminates in a formation comprising a recess such as a hook-like formation by means of which it can be engaged with the mounting element.  
   
   
       8 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the connector is arranged to couple the associated panel-supporting member to the ridge beam or wall plate end through an arcuate member and in which the axis of angular adjustment between the connector parts is located between an end of the panel-supporting member and the arcuate member.  
   
   
       9 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1  in which the connector is provided with means for locating a sealing material, optionally in the form of one or more strips of sealing material, between the panel supported, in use, by a pair of panel supporting members and an overlying end cap associated with the ridge beam or wall plate end.  
   
   
       10 . A connector as claimed in  claim 9  in which the strip locating means is provided on the first part of the connector.  
   
   
       11 . A building structure in which an eaves beam of the roof is mounted at the top of a side wall of the building and is connected thereto by an intermediate connector underlying the base of the eaves beam and overlying the top of the building side wall, the intermediate connector being adapted to be rendered captive to the eaves beam in use without the need for a separate device or devices.  
   
   
       12 . A structure as claimed in  claim 11 , the intermediate connector and the eaves beam being provided with interfitting formations which allow the beam to be engaged with the connector by means of lateral relative movement.  
   
   
       13 . A structure as claimed in  claim 12  in which the formations comprise at least one channel on one component, e.g. the connector, and at least one lip on the other component, e.g. the eaves beam, for insertion into the channel.  
   
   
       14 . A structure as claimed in  claim 12  in which the arrangement of the formations is such that they co-operate to prevent or restrict lateral movement of the eaves beam in one direction (in use, outwardly of the building side wall) without necessarily preventing or restricting lateral movement of the eaves beam in the opposite direction.  
   
   
       15 . A structure as claimed in  claim 12  in which two or more sets of such formations are provided, one set being located adjacent an outer edge of the eaves beam (with respect to the building) and a second set located adjacent an inner edge of the eaves beam.  
   
   
       16 . A structure as claimed in  claim 12  in which the side wall comprises one or more window frames and/or door frames to which the eaves beam is connected by an intermediate connector and in which the intermediate connector is connected to frame components forming part of the side wall, e.g. an underlying window frame(s) and/or door frame(s), through the agency of elements enabling them to be coupled together with snap or press fit engagement, said elements optionally being integrally formed with the connector and frame member(s).  
   
   
       17 . A structure as claimed in  claim 16  in which said elements comprise formations projecting downwardly from the underside of the connector for snap fit or press fit engagement with formations projecting upwardly from the underlying frame component(s).  
   
   
       18 . A structure as claimed in  claim 11 , the intermediate connector being adapted to be coupled to the eaves beam by interfitting formations which allow the eaves beam and connector to be engaged by registering them in end to end relationship and sliding them relative to one another in the direction of elongation of the eaves beam.  
   
   
       19 . A structure as claimed in  claim 18  in which the formations include at least one channel or groove and an associated insertion portion slidably receivable in the channel or groove.  
   
   
       20 . A structure as claimed in  claim 18  in which at least one of said formations is generally L-shaped or T-shaped.  
   
   
       21 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2  in which the second connector part and the mounting element are provided with co-operating bearing surfaces which permit pivoting of the connector part in a generally vertical plane.  
   
   
       22 . A connector as claimed in  claim 21  in which the co-operating bearing surfaces allow the position of the second connector part to be adjusted angularly about the ridge beam or wall plate end.  
   
   
       23 . A connector as claimed in  claim 21  in which at least one of the bearing surfaces is of generally cylindrical configuration, at least in part.