Jack rafter connectors

Abstract

A jack rafter connector comprises a first part ( 70 ) insertable in a first hollow roof beam ( 7 ) and a second part ( 90 ) for attachment to the side of a second roof beam ( 4 ), said parts being mutually engageable to connect the first and second roof beams, one of which constitutes a jack rafter.

1 . A jack rafter connector comprising a first part insertable in a first hollow roof beam and a second part for attachment to the side of a second roof beam, said parts being mutually engageable to connect the first and second roof beams, one of which constitutes a jack rafter.  
   
   
       2 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one connector part has a slot and the other part has a spigot to fit the slot.  
   
   
       3 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the slot has a first dimension and a second dimension normal to and shorter than the first dimension.  
   
   
       4 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the spigot has an end plate of similar dimensions to the slot but orientated through 90° in its in use position relative to the slot, whereby the two parts can be engaged and rotated through 90° to connect the two parts and orientate the two roof beams correctly relative to each other.  
   
   
       5 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the slotted connector part is slidably insertable into a roof beam end and the spigot connector is attachable to the side of a roof beam.  
   
   
       6 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein screws or the like may be used to fix either or both of the connector parts to their respective roof beams.  
   
   
       7 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector part that is inserted into a roof beam has connecting formations at both ends.  
   
   
       8 . A jack rafter connector as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the end faces of said connector part are at different angles to each other, so that the connector part may be reversed to enable it to be used in forming jack rafter connections at two different preset angles.  
   
   
       9 . A jack rafter arrangement comprising first and second roof beams connected by a connector as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8 .  
   
   
       10 . A jack rafter arrangement, wherein first and second roof beams comprise a core profile of metal, a plastics member fitted to the core profile and providing at least one ledge for carrying an edge of a sheet of glazing material and a cap mountable on the plastics member for retaining the glazing sheet thereon.  
   
   
       11 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the core profile is a hollow extrusion and the plastics member is a sheath for the core profile.  
   
   
       12 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plastics member is mountable on top of the core profile.  
   
   
       13 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plastics member is a sliding fit or a snap fit on the top of the core profile.  
   
   
       14 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein reinforcement is provided internally of the core profile.  
   
   
       15 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement is in the form of steel profiles inserted into the core profile.  
   
   
       16 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein either or both of the core profile and the sheath are shaped to reduce direct contact between them.  
   
   
       17 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the sheath has on its inner spaced surface ribs or the like to provide the only lines of contact with the core profile in certain regions.  
   
   
       18 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein additionally or alternatively, the core profile bar has spaced feet or flanges that make end contact with the sheath.  
   
   
       19 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the core profile has a sectional profile of a trapezium having a narrow base and wider top.  
   
   
       20 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the sheath has a corresponding profile to that of the core profile.  
   
   
       21 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plastics member has a pair of ledges, one each side of a connection formation for attachment of the cap.  
   
   
       22 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein holes for the internal projections of the end cap are provided in the ledges.  
   
   
       23 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ledges have gasket material thereon for sealing against the underside of glazing material.  
   
   
       24 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       25 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the gasket material is fitted in grooves or the like in the ledges or bonded to or co-extruded onto the ledges.  
   
   
       26 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein between the ledges and the connection formation, the sheath has longitudinal channels to provide drainage passages in case of water penetration through the roof beam.  
   
   
       27 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the connection formation of the plastics member is in the form of a slot whose sides extend upwardly from the top of the sheath.  
   
   
       28 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the sides end with internal lips, whose top surfaces are chamfered for ease of entry of a connection formation of the cap.  
   
   
       29 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the cap has an, in use, depending connection formation having at least one pair of ribs thereon that can be pushed into the slot of the plastics member and retained there with glazing material sandwiched between the cap and the ledges of the plastics member.  
   
   
       30 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein two pairs of ribs are provided on the cap connection formation, so as to allow the cap to be fitted at two different heights relative to the plastics member to accommodate glazing materials of different thickness.  
   
   
       31 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the cap has a single pair of ribs and the slot of the plastics member has two pairs of internal barbs or the like to allow the cap to be fitted over two different thicknesses of glazing material.  
   
   
       32 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the cap is generally of T-section, the stem of the T providing the connection formation.  
   
   
       33 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the cross bar of the T-section has gasket material at ends thereof for sealing against the topside of glazing material.  
   
   
       34 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the gasket material is of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material.  
   
   
       35 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the gasket material is fitted in grooves or the like in the ends of the cap crossbar or bonded to or co-extruded onto the ends thereof.  
   
   
       36 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the cross bar of the cap is arcuate and ends thereof depend to meet the glazing material.  
   
   
       37 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , having anti-theft means.  
   
   
       38 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein, said anti-theft means is a clip or the like that can be positioned on the end of the cap to mask the slot or channel from insertion of a lifting tool.  
   
   
       39 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the clip or the like is generally U-shaped to fit either side of the slot or channel.  
   
   
       40 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein internally of the clip one or more barbs are provided for gripping the outer sides of the slot or channel or for locating in depression or holes provided in the sides of the slot or channel.  
   
   
       41 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the clip has flared ends to facilitate fitting thereof.  
   
   
       42 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the clip has a pair of lugs that extend from the closed end of the clip to overlie the top edges of the slot or channel sides, in order to prevent insertion of a lifting tool.  
   
   
       43 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , any one of  claims 10  to  42  having a flashing trim located under the caps of the jack rafter and the main roof beam.  
   
   
       44 . A jack rafter arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a spring clip is provided on the glazing bar of the jack rafter to retain the sheath thereon.  
   
   
       45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . (canceled)