Structural soffit restraint arrangements

Abstract

An arrangement for restraining a structure from a structural soffit has a connector (100) for connecting the structure to at least one of a vertical restraining post (121), angled bracing strut (123) and angled bracing tie (122). The connector (100) has a horizontal midsection (104) an upper bracing bracket (105) extending up from the horizontal midsection (104), the upper bracing bracket (105) having a pair of upright parallel restraining post-engaging flanges (106) extending from opposite sides of the horizontal midsection (104). A quadrant of angled brace-engaging tabs (107) extending upwardly and outwardly respectively from four sides of the horizontal midsection (104). A lower structure joiner (108) engages the structure.

1 . An arrangement for restraining a structure from an overhead structural soffit, the arrangement comprising:
 a connector ( 100 ) for connecting the structure to at least one of a vertical restraining post ( 121 ), angled bracing strut ( 123 ) and angled bracing tie ( 122 ), the connector ( 100 ) comprising:
 a horizontal midsection ( 104 ); 
 an upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) extending up from the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) comprising:
 a pair of upright parallel restraining post-engaging flanges ( 106 ) extending from opposite sides of the horizontal midsection ( 104 ); 
 a quadrant of angled brace-engaging tabs ( 107 ) extending upwardly and outwardly respectively from four sides of the horizontal midsection ( 104 ), 
 
 a lower structure joiner ( 108 ) which engages the structure, wherein: the upper bracing bracket and the lower structure joiner substantially coincide at the horizontal midsection ( 104 ); and 
 the post-engaging flanges ( 106 ), brace-engaging tabs ( 107 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) are all transversely biaxially symmetric with respect to a concentric focal point ( 130 ). 
   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) is formed by the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) comprising an upper horizontal plate ( 109 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprising a lower horizontal plate ( 110 ) and wherein the upper and lower horizontal plates ( 109 ), ( 110 ) are swivelably joined at a central pivot point coincident with the focal point. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the central pivot point is formed by at least one of the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprising a stud ( 136 ) which engages the horizontal plate ( 109 ) of the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) or horizontal plate ( 110 ) of the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) and which extends through a corresponding central aperture ( 137 ) of the other of the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ). 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal midsection is formed by a horizontal plate ( 112 ) and wherein the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) are integrally formed with the horizontal plate ( 112 ). 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises side plates ( 119 ) extending from opposite sides of the horizontal plate ( 112 ) between the post-engaging flanges ( 106 ). 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a suspended ceiling ( 113 ) comprising a plurality of ceiling panels ( 114 ) resting in a rectangular grid of interlocking inverted T-shaped ceiling runners ( 115 ), each runner ( 115 ) comprising lateral feet ( 116 ), a neck ( 117 ) and a widened head (118) and wherein the structure joiner ( 108 ) converges in from opposite edges of the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) to parallel side plates ( 119 ) which lie flat against either side of the neck ( 117 ). 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises an upper widened section ( 133 ) formed by angled sides ( 134 ) which angle in from the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) to the parallel side plates ( 119 ) and which defines a gap ( 135 ) therein to accommodate the head ( 118 ) of the runner ( 115 ) therein. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the lower structure joiner comprises stress relief perforations ( 176 ) at least one of between the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) and the angled sides ( 134 ) and along the horizontal midsection ( 104 ). 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a suspended ceiling ( 113 ) comprising a rectangular grid of structural ceiling rails ( 139 ) and wherein the arrangement comprises:
 a pair of connectors ( 100 A) connected to a respective pair of ceiling rails ( 139 ) by lower structure joiners ( 108 ) thereof;   an elongate strongback member ( 120 ) spanning between the pair of connectors ( 100 A);   a further connector ( 100 B) connecting the strongback member ( 120 ) to a vertical ceiling post ( 121 ) wherein a lower structure joiner ( 108 ) of the further connector ( 100 B) connects to the strongback member ( 120 ) at a point between the pair of connectors ( 100 A) and wherein the vertical restraining post ( 121 ) is connected between the-post-engaging flanges ( 106 ) of the further connector ( 100 B) and wherein the further connector ( 100 B) is braced with at least one angled bracing tie ( 122 ) and angled bracing strut ( 123 ) connected to angled brace-engaging tabs ( 107 ) of the further connector ( 100 B).   
     
     
         12 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the horizontal midsection ( 104 ) of the pair of connectors ( 100 A) is formed by the upper bracing bracket ( 105 ) of the pair of connectors ( 100 A) comprising an upper horizontal plate ( 109 ) and the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) of the pair of connectors ( 100 A) comprising a lower horizontal plate ( 110 ) and wherein the upper and lower horizontal plates ( 109 ), ( 110 ) are swivelably joined at a central pivot point and wherein the elongate strongback member ( 120 ) extends non-orthogonally between the respective pair of ceiling rails in transverse plane. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the strongback member ( 120 ) is affixed between the respective post-engaging flanges ( 106 ) of the pair of connectors ( 100 A). 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a partial-height partition wall comprising a partition wall top plate ( 125 ) and wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises a fastening stem ( 126 ) having a spacer sleeve ( 172 ) and a cavity anchor ( 127 ) inserted therethrough and wherein a lower distal end of the fastening stem ( 126 ) extends through the top plate ( 125 ) and wherein the cavity anchor ( 127 ) thereof engages under the top plate ( 125 ). 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a wide aperture ( 179 ) having a diameter substantially larger than that of the fastening stem ( 126 ) is formed within a ceiling board lying over the top plate and wherein the fastening stem ( 126 ) extends through the wide hole ( 179 ) and wherein the connector engages the top plate ( 125 ) such that there are no obstructions formed around the fastening stem ( 126 ) on an upper surface of the top plate ( 125 ). 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a pair of the brace-engaging tabs ( 107 ) are punched from the restraining post-engaging flanges ( 106 ). 
     
     
         22 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises side plates ( 119 ) extending from opposite sides of the horizontal plate ( 112 ) and wherein a pair of angled brace-engaging tabs ( 107 ) are punched from the lower structure joiner ( 108 ). 
     
     
         23 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ceiling ( 113 ) comprises top cross rails ( 140 ) and lower furring channels ( 141 ) and wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises side plates ( 143 ) defining a gap ( 145 ) therebetween to accommodate a top cross rail ( 140 ) of the top cross rails ( 140 ) therein. 
     
     
         34 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the side plates ( 143 ) comprise inwardly projecting V-shaped rails ( 144 ) which engage within indentations formed within sides of the top cross rail ( 140 ). 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ceiling ( 113 ) comprises top cross rails ( 140 ) and lower furring channels ( 141 ) and wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises side plates ( 148 ) which engage within a furring channel ( 141 ). 
     
     
         37 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the top plate ( 147 ) transitions to each side plate ( 148 ) to form a chamfer ( 154 ) that engages under inner sides of top rails ( 153 ) of the furring channel ( 141 ). 
     
     
         38 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein lower edges ( 155 ) of the side plates ( 148 ) transition inwardly. 
     
     
         39 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ceiling ( 113 ) comprises top cross rails ( 140 ) and lower furring channels ( 141 ) and wherein the lower structure joiner ( 108 ) comprises parallel side plates ( 150 ) that engage around a lower furring channel ( 141 ). 
     
     
         40 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the parallel side plates ( 150 ) deviate inwardly at bends ( 151 ) to define upper inner channels ( 152 ) which accommodate outer edges of the top rails ( 153 ) of the furring channel ( 141 ). 
     
     
         41 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein each parallel side plate ( 150 ) flares outwardly at a lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The arrangement as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the ceiling structural rails ( 139 ) comprise C-shaped channels ( 142 ) and wherein the strongback member ( 120 ) is C-shaped in cross section and wherein the-lower structure joiners ( 108 ) of the pair of connectors ( 100 A) engages a C-shaped channel ( 142 ). 
     
     
         44 - 50 . (canceled)