AU2018100227A4 - Improvements in Joists - Google Patents

Abstract

-10 Abstract In an aspect, there is disclosed a stepped joist arrangement (10) for supporting a building structure. The stepped joist arrangement (10) includes a first upper horizontal member (12), a second upper horizontal member (14), a lower substantially continuous horizontal member (16), a support member arrangement (18) and one or more side plates (20). The first upper horizontal member (12) and a second upper horizontal member (14) are discontinuous and are vertically offset relative to one another so as to define a step (22). The one or more side plates (20) are adapted to be coupled to a side of the stepped joist arrangement (10) substantially spanning between the first and second upper horizontal members (12, 14) and the lower substantially continuous horizontal (16) member thereby spanning the step (22). coy

Description

Technical Field [001] The invention relates to a joist arrangement for supporting a building structure or the like, and in particular, a stepped joist arrangement.

Background [002] It is often desirable to extend the length of a structural member such as a joist. Accordingly, methods have been developed to couple two separate structural members end to end using a splice plate or other support member. A problem with this method is that the splice plate is subject to high stress and may sag.

[003] Steps are often required in buildings such as providing a step down between a floor level and lower floor level for a wet area like a balcony or a bathroom. Accordingly, the two separate structural members may be offset relative to one another and then coupled with a splice plate or other support member. The junction between the vertically offset separate structural members creates high stress at the join and splice plate that may result in sagging. Moreover, such joined offset separate structural members are not suitable to span long lengths or require increased reinforcement to do so.

[004] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary [005] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, a stepped joist arrangement including: a first upper horizontal member and a second upper horizontal member that are vertically offset relative to one another with the second upper horizontal member being elevated relative to the first upper horizontal member so as

-22018100227 21 Feb 2018 to define a step therebetween; a lower substantially continuous horizontal member extending substantially below the first and second upper horizontal members so as to span the step; a support member arrangement extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and the first and second upper horizontal members; and a first side plate adapted to be coupled to a side of the stepped joist arrangement substantially spanning between the first and second upper horizontal members and the lower substantially continuous horizontal member thereby spanning the step.

[006] In an aspect, the stepped joist arrangement includes a second side plate adapted to be coupled to an opposing side of the stepped joist arrangement between the first and second upper horizontal members and the lower substantially continuous horizontal member thereby spanning the step.

[007] In another aspect, the support member arrangement includes: a first substantially vertical member extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and a first end of the a first upper horizontal member, and a second substantially vertical member extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and a second end of the second upper horizontal member, the second substantially vertical member being relatively longer than the first substantially vertical member so as to define a height of the step.

[008] In yet another aspect, the stepped joist arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first side plate includes a vertical side portion and a top portion angled relative to the vertical side portion, the top portion being arranged to couple atop and span the step between the first and second upper horizontal members.

[009] In yet another aspect, the top portion includes a first surface arranged to couple atop the first upper horizontal member and a second surface arranged to couple atop the second upper horizontal member and a first side plate step between the first surface and the second surface.

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Brief Description of the Figures [0010] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a stepped joist arrangement;

[0012] Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the stepped joist arrangement;

[0013] Figure 3 is an end sectional view illustrating the stepped joist arrangement;

[0014] Figure 4 is a side view illustrating a side plate of the stepped joist arrangement;

[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the side plate of the stepped joist arrangement.

[0016] Figure 6 is a side detailed view illustrating a step between upper members of the stepped joist arrangement.

Detailed Description [0017] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a stepped joist arrangement 10 for supporting a building structure (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a building. The stepped joist arrangement 10 includes a first upper horizontal member 12, a second upper horizontal member 14, a lower substantially continuous horizontal member 16, a support member arrangement 18 and one or more side plates 20.

[0018] The first upper horizontal member 12 and a second upper horizontal member 14 are discontinuous and are vertically offset relative to one another with the second upper horizontal member 14 being elevated relative to the first upper horizontal

-42018100227 21 Feb 2018 member 12 so as to define a step 22 therebetween. The first and second upper horizontal members 12, 14 may be steel open C-sections joists or similar.

[0019] As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower substantially horizontal member 16 extends substantially below the first and second upper horizontal members 12, 14 so as to span below the step 22. Importantly, the lower substantially horizontal member 16 is continuous at least in the immediate vicinity of the step 22. In this example, the lower substantially horizontal member 16 is a single continuous member for the entire joist arrangement 10. The lower substantially horizontal member 16 may be a steel open C-sections joist or similar.

[0020] The support member arrangement 18 extends between the lower substantially horizontal member 16 and the first and second upper horizontal members, 12, 14. In this example, the support member arrangement 18 includes a plurality of members 24.

[0021] As shown best in Figure 3, the one or more side plates 20 include a first side plate 26 adapted to be coupled to a first side 30 of the stepped joist arrangement 10 and a second side plate 28 adapted to be coupled to a second side 32 of the stepped joist arrangement 10. The first and second side plates 26, 28 substantially span between the first and second upper horizontal members 12, 14 and the lower substantially horizontal member 16 thereby spanning the step 22.

[0022] As best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the one or more side plates 20 include a vertical side portion 34 and top portion 36 arranged to couple atop and span the step 22 between the first and second upper horizontal members 12, 14. The top portion 36 includes a lip arrangement 38 that provides a first surface 40 arranged to couple to the top surface 42 of the first upper horizontal member 12 and a second surface 44 arranged to couple to the second top surface 46 of the second upper horizontal member 14 and a side plate step 48 between the first and second surfaces 40, 44.

[0023] The height of the side plate step 48 is substantially the same as the height of the step 22. The side plates 26, 28 may be each formed from a single sheet of metal with a step cut therefrom, the lip arrangement 38 may then be folded perpendicular to the vertical side portion 34, as shown in Figure 4. The plate thickness in this example

-52018100227 21 Feb 2018 may be about 1.2mm, the lip arrangement 38 may be about 30mm and the step height may be up to about 70 to 100mm, although other suitable thicknesses and arrangements may be use.

[0024] A distance DI between the first upper horizontal member 12 and the lower substantially horizontal member 16 may be about 200mm to 400mm. A distance D2 between the second upper horizontal member 14 and the lower substantially horizontal member 16 may about 70mm to 100mm greater than DI. The step heights are therefore defined by D2-D1. The length of the plates 26, 28 - W1 and W2 on opposing sides of the step 22 are about 200mm or greater. Accordingly, the length of the plate Pl (W1 + W2) is therefore greater than the distances DI and D2, and may preferably be about twice of the heights, with Pl being, for example, greater than about 400mm.

[0025] As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lip arrangement 38 of the top portion 36 and the vertical side portion 34 may be secured with a fastener (not shown), such as a nail or otherwise secured, to the respective top surfaces 42, 46 and to the respective sides 13, 15 and 17 of the first upper horizontal member 12, second upper horizontal member 14 and lower substantially horizontal member 16. The plates 26, 28 may include apertures 60, and the upper horizontal member 12, the second upper horizontal member 14 and the lower substantially horizontal member 16 may include apertures 62 to correspond to the aperture 60 to allow the passage of the fastener to secure the plates 26, 28 thereto [0026] As best shown in Figure 6, the first upper horizontal member 12 includes a first top surface 42 and a first bottom surface 43, and the second upper horizontal member 14 includes a second top surface 46 and second bottom surface 47. In this example, the first top surface 42 is about at the same height as the second bottom surface 47 defining the height of the step 22 therebetween. However, other geometries may be used. The first upper horizontal member 12 and the second upper horizontal member 14 include adjacently arranged and vertically offset ends 50, 52. The first upper horizontal member 12, the second upper horizontal member 14 and lower substantially horizontal member 16 include respective sides 13, 15 and 17.

-62018100227 21 Feb 2018 [0027] The support member arrangement 18 includes a first substantially vertical member 54 extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member 16 and first end 50 of the a first upper horizontal member 12, and a second substantially vertical member 56 extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member 16 and the second end 52 of the second upper horizontal member 14.

[0028] The first and second substantially vertical members 54, 56 are generally parallel and abut one another. The second substantially vertical member 56 being relatively longer than the first substantially vertical member 54 so as to define the height of the step 22. The support member arrangement 18 may include further cross support members 58 that extend at about 45 degrees between the first and second upper horizontal member 12, 14 and the lower substantially horizontal member 16. The support member arrangement 18 members may also be steel C-section members.

[0029] The stepped joist arrangement 10 may be formed by welding or otherwise interconnecting the support member arrangement 18 between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member 16, and the first upper horizontal member 12 and the second upper horizontal member 14. The first and second side plates 26, 28 are then formed and affixed to opposing sides of the stepped joist arrangement 10 so as to bridge the step 22 and interconnect the first upper horizontal member 12 and the second upper horizontal member 14. The stepped joist arrangement 10 may then be utilised within a building structure or the like.

[0030] Advantageously, there has been described a stepped joist arrangement that includes a lower continuous member and two upper separate stepped members that are interconnected by side plates. Accordingly, the arrangement includes a lower continuous member and upper discontinuous stepped members within the one joist. Moreover, the side plates are arranged to cover at least part of tops of the two upper separate stepped members and at least partially cover the step.

[0031] The subject stepped joist arrangement removes the need for a packing member above joists when a step-in height occurs; alleviates difficulties and inefficiencies in the construction of flooring systems that include step down in the top of the chord;

-72018100227 21 Feb 2018 assist the transfer of stresses at step down locations and improves ability to span long lengths with step downs.

[0032] Further advantageously, the subject stepped joist arrangement allows use of one joist rather than the joining of multiple joists allows for more efficient construction, allows use of an upper discontinuous member to allow for the maximum joist depth and therefore the maximum stiffness; and the folded plate and continuous lower member allows for the transfer of stresses through the step; and increased stiffness, decreases the deflection in a member and allows for longer joist lengths to meet serviceability requirements.

[0033] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, terms such as horizontal, vertical, top and bottom are used to define the arrangement of integers and arrangements in an ordinary in use orientation for the purposes of clarity and are should not be taken to limit the integer to any particular orientation.

[0034] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0035] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0036] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0037] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

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Claims (2)

The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A stepped joist arrangement including:

a first upper horizontal member and a second upper horizontal member that are vertically offset relative to one another with the second upper horizontal member being elevated relative to the first upper horizontal member so as to define a step therebetween;

a lower substantially continuous horizontal member extending substantially below the first and second upper horizontal members so as to span the step;

a support member arrangement extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and the first and second upper horizontal members; and a first side plate adapted to be coupled to a side of the stepped joist arrangement substantially spanning between the first and second upper horizontal members and the lower substantially continuous horizontal member thereby spanning the step.

2. The stepped joist arrangement according to claim 1, including a second side plate adapted to be coupled to an opposing side of the stepped joist arrangement between the first and second upper horizontal members and the lower substantially continuous horizontal member thereby spanning the step.

3. The stepped joist arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support member arrangement includes:

a first substantially vertical member extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and a first end of the a first upper horizontal member, and a second substantially vertical member extending between the lower substantially continuous horizontal member and a second end of the second upper horizontal member, the second substantially vertical member being relatively longer than the first substantially vertical member so as to define a height of the step.

4. The stepped joist arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first side plate includes a vertical side portion and a top portion angled relative to

-92018100227 21 Feb 2018 the vertical side portion, the top portion being arranged to couple atop and span the step between the first and second upper horizontal members.

5. The stepped joist arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the top portion includes a first surface arranged to couple atop the first upper horizontal member and a second surface arranged to couple atop the second upper horizontal member and a first side plate step between the first surface and the second surface.

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