STRUCTURE

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority to and the benefit of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2016903626, filed September 8, 2016 and Australian. Non- Provisional Patent Application No. 2017221792, filed August 30, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to connection of a structural component to at least one other structural component in the assembly of a building structure. One aspect of the invention has particular, though not exclusive, application to fixing of a roof member to another member in the assembly of the structure. Another aspect of the invention has application to fixing of a truss to another member in the assembly. The invention is particularly, though not exclusively, suited to construction of timber frame buildings.

BACKGROUND

Assembly of a structural framework of a building, particularly a timber framework, typically involves brackets installed so as to interconnect components in the framework. In one exemplary known arrangement, shown in Figure 1, a timber roof truss R is secured to a timber top plate T of a wall frame via a bracket B secured against the truss R and top plate T via fasteners F (typically comprising nails or screws) received through the bracket B. Alternatively, conventional brackets used to interconnect members of the framework may be configured with teeth which are driven into the members to secure the bracket to the members.

A reason for using brackets, rather than merely screws or nails, to interconnect the components in the framework is that the positioning of the brackets can be sighted after the interconnections are effected, so that there can be some degree of confidence as to the integrity of the interconnections. However, installer skill is critical for correct bracket location and fixing, and whilst appropriate location of the brackets may be able to be confirmed by visual inspection after assembly, adequacy of the fastening of the brackets to the components to which they are attached during assembly often cannot be.

In conventional assembly methods, heavy reliance must be placed on installer skill and diligence for the purposes of ensuring reliable interconnection of the components in the framework.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a building structure in which a truss is connected to a structural component, the method comprising effecting abutment between the truss and component and fixing together the abutting truss and component with at least one fastener which has been pre- applied to one of the truss and the component, wherein the or each pre-applied fastener is arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the abutting truss and component before the fixing together of the truss and component.

The abutment will often be direct abutment (involving direct contact between the truss and component) but may, without departure from the first aspect, be indirect abutment (involving another component being sandwiched between the truss and the component). Preferably, the connection of the truss to the component is such that the truss is supported by the component in the building structure.

Preferably, effecting abutment between the truss and component comprises positioning said one of the truss and component against the other when said other is in situ.

Preferably, said fixing comprises advancing the or each fastener into the other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, advancing the or each fastener comprises driving that fastener into said other of the abutting truss and component. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the or each fastener is threaded and the driving thereof into said other of the abutting truss and component comprises screwing it into said other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener taps said other of the abutting truss and component during screwing thereof into said other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is a self-tapping screw. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the or each fastener comprises a nail and the driving thereof into said other of the abutting truss and component comprises knocking it into said other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, in either embodiment, a leading end of the or each fastener is set back from a surface of the other of the truss and component upon said abutment being effected, and advancing that fastener comprises displacing the leading end thereof past or through the surface such that it is received in said other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, in either embodiment, a leading end of the or each fastener is only just touching a surface of the other of the truss and component upon said abutment being effected, and advancing that fastener comprises displacing the leading end thereof past or through the surface such that it is received in said other of the abutting truss and component. Preferably, said other of the truss and component comprises at least one timber member and said fixing comprises advancing the or each fastener into the timber member(s). Preferably, said other of the truss and component comprises at least one timber member and said fixing comprises advancing the or each fastener into the timber member(s). Preferably, said one of the truss and component comprises at least one timber member, within which the or each pre-applied fastener extends prior to the abutment being effected.

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, said abutment is between a bottom chord of the truss and said component. Preferably, said one of the truss and component is said truss. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the or each fastener is pre-applied to a bottom chord of the truss.

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the or each fastener is pre-applied to a top chord of the truss. In one embodiment of the first aspect, effecting said abutment comprises lowering the truss onto the component. In another embodiment of the first aspect, said abutment is effected by relative sideways movement between the truss and component. Preferably, in the latter embodiment, said abutment is effected by moving said truss sideways such that it is received against said component.

The truss may be a standard truss, valley truss, saddle truss, hip truss, jack truss, creeper truss or truncated girder truss. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the component comprises a wall structure.

Preferably, the wall structure defines part of an internal wall in the building structure.

Preferably, the wall structure defines part of an external wall in the building structure.

Preferably, the wall structure comprises a frame and said abutment is between the truss and a member of the frame. Preferably, the wall structure comprises a frame and said fixing comprises directly interconnecting the truss and a member of the frame via the fastener(s).

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the component comprises a truss. In one embodiment of the first aspect, the method is such that the truss is connected to another structural component in the building structure, and includes effecting abutment between the truss and the other structural component at a location remote from said fastener(s) and fixing together the abutting truss and other component with at least one fastener ("other fastener") which has been pre-applied to one of the truss and the other component, the or each pre-applied other fastener being arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the abutting truss and other component before the fixing together of the abutting truss and other component. Preferably, said one of the truss and other component is said truss. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a building structure in which a first structural component is connected to a second structural component, the method comprising positioning the first component relative to the second component whereby an exposed tip of at least one fastener applied to one of the components is received into a surface of the other component or into a recess in said surface such that it precludes translational displacement of the first component in a plane parallel to the surface, and thereafter driving the or each fastener into the said other component to fix the components together.

In the second aspect, the or each fastener is preferably applied to the first component whereby said surface is a surface of the second component.

In the second aspect, the second component is preferably in situ during the positioning of the first component and driving of the or each fastener.

In the second aspect, the connection of the first component to second component is preferably such that the first component is supported by the second component in the building structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the positioning of the first component comprises lowering the first component and the or each tip is arranged so as to project from the first component in a direction having a downward component or to project from the second component in a direction having an upward component, so as to be received into the surface or recess as a result of the lowering.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the positioning of the first component comprises moving it sideways and the or each tip is arranged so as to project in a direction having a sideways component, so as to be received into said surface or recess as a result of the sideways movement of the first component.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the positioning of the first component comprises tilting or rotation of the first component whereby the receipt of the or each tip into said surface or recess is effected. Preferably, the tilting or rotation of the first component is about a generally horizontal axis. Preferably the first component rests against the second component during the tilting or rotation thereof.

In the second aspect, the or each fastener is preferably applied to said one component in a manner such that it passes through said one component.

In the second aspect, preferably the or each fastener is threaded and the driving thereof into said other component comprises screwing it into said other component. In the second aspect, the or each fastener preferably taps the other component during screwing thereof into said other component. Preferably, the or each fastener is a self- tapping screw.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the driving of the or each fastener comprises, before the screwing thereof, knocking or hammering it such that the tip thereof is at least partially embedded in said other component.

In one embodiment of the second aspect, the or each fastener comprises a nail and the driving thereof into said other component comprises knocking it into said other component.

Preferably, said other component comprises a timber member defining said surface. Alternatively, said other component may comprise a metal member. Preferably, said one component comprises a timber member from which the tip of the or each fastener projects.

Preferably, the or each fastener is applied to said one component such that the tip thereof protrudes from a surface of said one component which is to abut said surface of said other component in the building structure. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the first component is truss. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is applied to the truss such that the tip thereof protrudes from a member of the truss. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is applied to the second component and said surface is defined by a member of the truss. Preferably, in that embodiment, said member of the truss is a chord of the truss. The truss may be a standard truss, valley truss, saddle truss, hip truss, jack truss, creeper truss or truncated girder truss.

The first component may comprise a hip or jack extension member.

The first component may comprise a hip, jack or creeper, or a top chord of a hip, jack or creeper truss.

The first component may comprise a rafter or creeper.

The first component may comprise a roof member.

Preferably, the second component comprises a wall structure. The wall structure may define part of an internal or external wall in the building structure. Preferably, the wall structure comprises a frame having a member defining said surface. Preferably, the wall structure comprises a frame to which the or each fastener is applied such that an end thereof on which the tip is formed protrudes from a member of the frame, and said surface is defined by the first component. Preferably, said member of the frame is a top plate.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the second component comprises a truss. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is applied to the truss which the second component comprises, such that the tip thereof protrudes from a member of that truss. Preferably, in that embodiment, the or each fastener is applied to the second component and said surface is defined by a member of the truss which the second component comprises. Preferably, in that embodiment, said member of the truss which the second component comprises is a chord of that truss. The truss which the second component comprises may be, for example, a standard truss, valley truss, saddle truss, hip truss, jack truss, creeper truss or truncated girder truss. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, after the tip of the or each fastener is received in said surface or recess, the first member is moved such that that tip contacts said other member at a location where the fastener is to be driven into said other member to fix the members together, and thence so driven. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the or each fastener comprises a shaft, which is driven into said other component when the components are fixed together, and a narrow leading end portion, on which said tip is defined, which is narrower than said shaft and which is received into the surface or recess when said tip is received into the surface or recess, the narrow leading end portion having an exterior face extending around it which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, whereby, when said portion has been received into the surface or recess, loading on the fastener which is perpendicular to said axis forces said exterior face against material in said other component such that there is little or no force component parallel to the axis exerted on the fastener or other component resulting from the loading.

Preferably, said tip is pointy, or convergent in a direction from a trailing end of the fastener to a leading end of the fastener, whereby receipt thereof into the surface or recess is facilitated. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the or each tip is received into said surface to preclude said translational displacement. The or each tip may penetrate said other member so as to be received into said surface to preclude said translational displacement. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the or each tip is received into a said recess in said surface to preclude said translational displacement. The recess may be defined by a hole in said other member. The recess may be at a said location.

Preferably, the method of the second aspect includes positioning the first component whereby, at a location remote from said fastener(s), an exposed tip of at least one further fastener applied to one of the first component and another structural component which is to form part of the building structure is received into a surface of the other of those two components or into a recess in that surface, such that it precludes translational displacement of the first component in a plane parallel to that surface, and thereafter driving the or each fastener into said other of said two components to fix said two components together. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said other structural component is said second component.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the building structure formed via a method as defined above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component for use as the first structural component in the method of the first aspect, to which said at least one fastener is applied, the tip(s) of the fastener(s) being exposed so as to be receivable into the surface of the second component or into a recess in said surface, upon the positioning of the first component relative to the second component, such that it precludes translational displacement of the first component in a plane parallel to the surface.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component for use as the second structural component in the method of the first aspect, to which said at least one fastener is applied, the tip(s) of the fastener(s) being exposed so as to be receivable into the surface of the first component or into a recess in said surface, upon the positioning of the first component relative to the second component, such that it precludes translational displacement of the first component in a plane parallel to the surface. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a truss for use as the truss in the method of the second aspect, to which said at least one fastener is pre- applied, the or each pre-applied fastener being arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the truss and component before the fixing together of the truss and component.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component for use as said structural component in the method of the second aspect, to which said at least one fastener is pre-applied, the or each pre-applied fastener being arranged so as not to preclude sliding between the truss and component before the fixing together of the truss and component.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a typical type of permanent connection between a roof truss and wall frame in a timber-frame building, as previously discussed;

Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C show successive stages in fixation of a roof truss to a wall frame top plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show successive stages in the fabrication of the truss and pre-application of a fastener to effect the connection shown in Figure 2C;

Figure 4 shows an additional fastener to strengthen the connection between the truss and top plate;

Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D depict initial stages of fixation of alternative forms of truss to the frame of an external wall in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E depict initial stages of fixation of alternative forms of truss to the frame of an internal wall in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D show initial stages of fixation of alternative pairs of members in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a configuration of the fastener used in preferred embodiments of the invention;

Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C show successive stages in fixation of a roof truss to a wall frame top plate in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 10A, 10B, IOC, and 10D depict pre-fixation positioning of alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 11A, 11B, 1 1C, 11D, and HE depict pre-fixation positioning of additional alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention; and

Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D depict pre-fixation positioning of further alternative trusses to which fasteners are pre-applied in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Each of the preferred embodiments of the invention involves pre-application of at least one fastener to a truss or structural component to which the truss is to be fixed, via the fastener(s), in a building structure. Particular preferred embodiments involve the use of the fastener(s) firstly to maintain relative positions of the truss and structural component and thereafter to fix together the truss and structural component permanently. In other of the preferred embodiments, pre-application of the fastener(s) is such that relative sliding between the truss and component, when brought together and before being fixed together, is permitted. In the embodiments described and illustrated, the truss and structural component comprise timber members though the invention has application to members formed of other material, such as, for example, metal.

Shown in Figures 2A to 2C are successive stages of formation of a connection between a first building component, in the form of a roof truss 10, and a second component, in the form of a wall frame 20, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The truss 10 includes a top chord 11, a bottom chord 12 having a chamfered end 13 the inclined face of which abuts the underside of the top chord 11, and a nail plate 14 driven into side faces of the top chord 1 1 and bottom chord 12 so as to form a connection therebetween. The wall frame 20 includes a timber top plate 21 on which the truss 10 is to be support and to which that truss is to be fixed by a fastener 30 which is pre-applied to the truss 10. Successive stages in fabrication of the truss 10 and pre-application of the fastener 30 to it are shown in Figures 3 A to 3C. Referring to Figure 3 A, the top chord 11 is cut from a length of timber and, prior to connection of the top chord 11 to the bottom chord 12, a hole 15 is drilled through the top chord 11, such that it is perpendicular to parallel upper and lower faces of the top chord 11 and opens through those faces. The connection between the top chord 11 and bottom chord 12, comprising the nail plate 14, is thereafter formed, in a manner such that the lower end of the hole 15 is located within a resulting heel joint in the truss 10 and is occluded by the tapered end of the bottom chord 12. The screw 30 is thereafter inserted through the hole 15 and screwed into the end of the bottom chord 12 such that the tip thereof projects from the underside of that chord, as shown in Figure 3C. A screw 30 is likewise pre-applied to the truss 10 at a heel joint formed at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12, the configuration defined by the screw and truss at that end being the mirror image of that illustrated in Figure 3C (whereby the screws 30 are downwardly convergent in the plane of the truss 10). Referring to Figure 2A, assembly of the building structure comprises lifting of the truss 10 over the wall frame 20 and lowering it such that the tip of the fastener 30 is received against the upper face of the top plate 21 and thus, under the weight of the truss 10, partially embeds in the top plate 21 in proximity to the location at which the fastener 30 is to be driven into the top plate 21. The tip of the aforementioned fastener 30 at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12 is likewise received against an upper face of the top plate 21 of a wall frame 20 which underlies the heel at the opposite end of the bottom chord 12, in proximity to the location at which it is to be driven into that top plate. Owing to the partial embedment of the fastener tips in the top plates 21, the fasteners 30 preclude translational displacement of the truss 10 in a plane parallel to the upper faces of those top plates. The position of each end of the truss 10 relative to the top plate underlying it is thus, advantageously, maintained without any fixing between the truss 10 and each wall frame 20 having yet been established. An installer at each end of the truss then ensures that the fastener tip at that end is located precisely at the point on the respective top plate at which it is to be driven into that top plate (if necessary, lifting the truss end and moving it to land the fastener tip at that location), then causes the fastener 30 to be forced downwardly either by allowing the respective truss end to drop, under the weight of the truss 10 or knocking the head of the respective fastener, e.g. with a hammer, such that the tip is driven into the top plate 21 at that location, whereby a temporary fixing between the respective truss end and the top plate on which it is supported is established with one truss end being correctly positioned on the top plate 21 supporting it, as shown in Figure 2B, and the opposite end likewise being correctly positioned on the top plate supporting it as would be shown by a mirror image of Figure 2B. Each screw 30 is then screwed into the respective top plate 21 whereby a permanent connection between the truss 10 and top plate 21 is effected, one of those connections being shown in Figure 2C and the other being consistent with a mirror image of that drawing. Advantageously, the installer at the respective truss end needs to visit the position at which the truss 10 is fixed to the respective top plate only once and, because the fastener 30 which he or she drives into the respective top plate 21 is held by the truss 10 (as shown in Figure 2A), he or she can locate both the respective truss end and fastener 30 at the appropriate position on the respective top plate 21 using only one hand, whereby safety and ease/speed of installation are increased.

Without departure from the invention, the truss 10 can be lowered onto the top plates 21 such that it rests on one of its sides on the top plates 21 (i.e. the plane of the truss is generally horizontal), and thereafter tilted up to bring the fastener tips into engagement with the top plates 21 as shown in Figure 2 A.

Referring to Figure 4, a further screw 30' may be employed at each truss-top plate connection, e.g. where the roof will be prone to relatively high uplift loads. The further fastener 30' can, like the fastener 30, be pre-applied (in which case the tip thereof will be exposed and level with the tip of the fastener 30, as shown in Figure 2 A, such that it likewise catches on the top plate 21 to provide horizontal restraint to the truss 10, or can be driven through the truss 10, and into the top plate 21, after the fastener 30 has been driven into the top plate 21.

The invention in one aspect has application to location and securement of various forms of truss, and indeed other structural components, to a support structure, which structure may comprise a wall frame as previously described or an alternative component, such as a truss. Figures 5 A to 5D show alternative exemplary trusses 10A to 10D, respectively, locatable and securable to a top plate 21 of an external wall frame via pre-applied fasteners 30 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. The fastener 30 may be skewed relative to the top plate as shown in Figure 5B or perpendicular to it, as shown in Figures 5A, 5C and 5D.

Figures 6 A to 6E show exemplary alternative trusses 10E to 101, respectively, which can be located and fastened to top plates 21 of internal walls in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. Again, the fasteners 30 can be skewed, as shown in Figures 6A to 6D, or upright, as shown in Figure 6E. In addition, as also shown in Figure 6E, plural fasteners 30 may be employed whereby flush tips thereof dig into the top plate 21 when received thereagainst. Referring to Figure 7A, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, a truss 10' is located and fastened to a sloping top chord 40 of a standard truss. Referring to Figure 7B, in another embodiment of the invention, a member 50, being a hip, jack or creeper or the top chord of a hip, jack or creeper truss, is located and secured to a top chord 60 of a truncated girder truss. Referring to Figure 7C, in a further embodiment of the invention, a hip or jack extension 70 is located and secured to the top chord 80 of a truncated standard truss.

In any of the arrangements shown in Figures 5A to 5D, 6A to 6E and 7A to 7C, the member to which the fastener/s 30 is/are pre-applied can, be lowered or tilted up, as previously described, to cause the fastener tip(s) to dig into the structural component(s) to which the member is to be secured. Finally, referring to Figure 7D, in yet another embodiment of the invention, a rafter or creeper 90 is translationally displaced horizontally such that the tip of the fastener 30 applied to it, which tip projects generally sideways through an end face of the creeper, is received against a side face of a hip truss 100 and, under a maintained horizontal load applied axially through the rafter or creeper 90, partially embeds in the hip truss 100, thereby precluding translational displacement of the rafter or creeper 90 in a plane parallel to the truss side face, before being driven into the truss 100 such that the permanent fixing is formed. Alternatively, with the end of the rafter or creeper 90 to which the fastener 30 is resting against the side face of the truss 100, the rafter or creeper 90 can be rotated, about an upright axis through that end, such that the engagement between the fastener tip and truss side face is effected.

Referring to Figure 8, the fastener 30 in each embodiment comprises a threaded shaft 31, which is driven into the member 21/40/60/80/100 and a narrow leading end portion 32, on which a pointed tip 33 of the fastener is formed, the narrow leading end portion 32 having a side face 34 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the screw 30. The leading end portion 32 can be smooth or configured such that a thread is provided on the side face 34. The fastener 30 includes a tapered transition portion 35 between the shaft 31 and leading end portion 32. The narrowness of the leading end portion 32 gives rise to a high-pressure engagement between the tip/leading end and the member 21/40/60/80/100, facilitating penetration of that member by the tip/leading end and thus assuring reliable anchorage to the member in a plane parallel to the face of the member against/into which the tip/leading end is received. Loading on the fastener 30 which is perpendicular to the axis forces the face 34 against material in the member 21/40/60/80/100 and, owing to the face 34 being parallel to that axis, there is, advantageously, no force component parallel to the axis exerted on the fastener or member 21/40/60/80/100 resulting from the loading, which component could tend to separate the tip 33 from the member 21/40/60/80/100 whereby the anchorage in the plane would be lost. It will thus be appreciated that tips of fasteners 30 can, without departure from the invention, protrude from faces of the members to which they are applied that are other than bottom/underside faces (e.g. side faces or end faces). Also, in alternatives to the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 2A to 8, without departure from the invention, the/each fastener 30 is, instead of being applied to the member being installed/positioned so as to catch on and be driven into the member already in situ, applied to the member already in situ (having been pre-applied before installation of the in situ member) so as to catch on and be driven into the member being installed/positioned.

In alternative embodiments, including in particular such embodiments in which the member into which the fastener is to be driven comprises a metal member, the fastener tip, before the fastener is driven home, can, instead of penetrating the member (so as to be received into the surface thereof) be received into a recess formed in that surface, whereby the tip/leading end of the fastener will abut a side wall of the recess to preclude the translational displacement parallel to the surface. The recess may, for example, be defined by a hole (either a blind hole or through-hole) in the member, into which hole the fastener is then driven to effect the permanent fixing.

The embodiments described thus far are particularly beneficial where it is necessary to form a temporary fixing between the components which are ultimately to be permanently interconnected, as is often the case where one of the components, e.g. a roof truss, is lifted onto the other (which may be a wall frame) by crane so as to minimise crane time (which is typically expensive). In the case of these embodiments, the formation of the temporary fixing is either concomitant with positioning one of the two components against the other or is effected by such positioning and thereafter simply tapping the fastener(s), pre-applied to one of the components, to drive it a little further into the other component. Advantageously, these embodiments can eliminate a need to visit each connection point needs to be visited twice - first to establish the temporary fixing (typically established by toe nailing or skew nailing) and again to establish the permanent fixing. Each readily established temporary fixing achieved in the case of these embodiments enables the installer to visit another part of the component to which the/each fastener has been pre-applied and work on that other part (e.g. fix it in position), in so doing causing slippage/dislodgement of that component at the position of the temporary fixing, and thereafter to return to the temporary fixing and drive the fastener(s) home to effect the permanent fixing at the said position. Also advantageous is that the temporary and permanent fixings are effected with the same element (fastener 30). In the description of further embodiments of the invention which follows, and the drawings which illustrate those embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used in respect of features the same as those in embodiments described thus far.

In each of the embodiments described below, pre-application of the fastener(s) is such that relative sliding between the truss and the component to which it is to be fixed is permitted when the truss and component are brought together but before they are fixed together.

Shown in Figures 9A to 9C are successive stages of formation of connection between roof truss 10 and wall frame 20, in accordance with one alternative preferred embodiment of the invention. The fabrication of the truss 10 and pre-application of a respective screw 30 at opposite heel joints thereof (one of which is illustrated) is precisely as described previously with reference to Figures 3A to 3C except that the tip of each screw is not exposed whereby, when the truss 10 is lowered onto the wall frame 20, the tip does not engage the top plate 21, and thus does not preclude sliding of the truss 10 on the top plate 21 when the former rests on the latter as shown in Figure 9B. Each heel joint, once located appropriately with respect to the respective top plate 21 on which it sits (e.g. by being slid over the top plate), is thereafter permanently secured in position by screwing the respective screw 30 into the respective top plate, in the manner described previously with reference to Figure 2B, the resulting permanent connection being illustrated in Figure 9C. Referring again to Figure 4, a further screw 30' may be pre-applied at each heel joint such that there is formed an arrangement as shown in that drawing once the screws 30 and 30' have been driven into the top plate 21. In the present embodiment, however, the tip of the further screw 30', like that of the screw 30, does not protrude beyond the lower face of the bottom chord 12 when the truss is landed on the top plate 21, whereby sliding of the truss over the top plate, to effect final adjustment of the position of the former relative to the latter is not precluded by the screw 30' . Figures 10A to 10D show the trusses 10A to 10D, respectively, securable to top plate 21 via pre-applied fasteners in accordance with further alternative preferred embodiments of the invention. In the case of these embodiments, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners 30 likewise are not exposed, whereby sliding of the respective truss over the top plate onto which it is lowered, for the purposes of effecting final positioning of the former relative to the latter, is permitted.

Figures 11A to HE show the trusses 10E to 101, respectively, securable to top plate 21 via pre-applied fasteners in accordance with further alternative preferred embodiments of the invention. In the case of these embodiments, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners 30 likewise are not exposed, whereby sliding of the respective truss over the top plate onto which it is lowered, for the purposes of effecting final positioning of the former relative to the latter, is permitted.

Referring to Figure 12 A, in a further alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, truss 10' fastened to sloping top chord 40. Referring to Figure 12B, in another embodiment of the invention, member 50 is secured to top chord 60. Referring to Figure 12C, in a further embodiment of the invention, hip or jack extension 70 is secured to the top chord 80. Finally, referring to Figure 12D, in yet another embodiment of the invention, rafter or creeper 90 is translationally displaced horizontally such that the end face of the rafter or creeper 90 is received against the side face of the hip truss 100 and the fastener is thereafter driven into the truss 100 such that the permanent fixing between the rafter or creeper 90 and truss 100 is formed. In the case of these embodiments, the tips of the pre-applied fasteners likewise are not exposed, whereby relative sliding between the components being interconnected, to position one relative to the other, is permitted.

The embodiments described with reference to Figures 9 A to 12D are beneficial where it is not necessary to form a temporary fixing between the components which are to be permanently interconnected. Advantageously, the ability to effect the relative sliding, described above, in each of these embodiments enables an installer to adjust the relative positions of the truss and other component after they are brought together without having to separate the truss and component (which could require considerable exertion by the installer, generally to lift one of the components).

All of the embodiments described and illustrated, advantageously, enable there to be confidence in or assurance of the integrity of the structural connection, because the application of the fasteners to one of the two components being interconnected is a pre-application, carried out with accuracy and precision by a fabricator, preferably during or immediately subsequent to fabrication of said one component itself; the installer, other than having to ensure correct relative positioning of the components being connected, and that the fasteners are driven home following that positioning, has no input into the formation of the connection. Certification of the connection can thus be established easily; in particular, an inspector may be able to certify the connection merely by confirming visually that the fasteners have been driven fully into position (i.e. that the head of each screw is hard up against the component to which that screw has been pre-applied), there being no element other than the fastener(s) effecting each interconnection.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

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.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.