FIXING TOOL

The present invention relates to a fixing tool for fastening of building framework members as well as a method for fastening of building framework members (i.e., studs, crossbars, etc.) using the fixing tool.

Within construction activities, in particular in house constructions of different types, framework constructions are used to a great extent, e.g., in the construction of internal and external walls. When a framework member is to be fixed between two other framework members, sills or corresponding building components, the construction worker in charge has to ensure, on one hand, that the end of a framework member that first is to be fixed is retained in the desired position when nailing or fastening by other means, and on the other hand that the other framework member end is kept reasonably immovable during the fastening. In most cases, this is a one-man work without special means being used except the construction worker's "free hand". The whole working moment is therefore characterized by a certain unsteadiness that often entails lack of quality, which turns up as displacements of the framework members, as well as a waste of time. Below, the procedure is denominated "the free-hand method".

In order to facilitate the execution of the working moment in question and to improve the quality of the workmanship, there is sometimes utilized support in the form of wooden blocks that are attached on those framework members to which another framework member is to be fastened. The supporting blocks can be fixed either by nailing, screwing or that screw clamps or other clamps fix the blocks. However, this means that the time-consumption for the attachment of a framework member increases substantially because of several working moments, and therefore this method is not of any particular use.

Other ways to solve the problems in the working moment in question may be to use angle-iron or building hardware of the type "beam shoes" instead of wooden blocks according to the above. Angle-iron as well as beam shoes require that nails, screws or clamps of some kind are used to be able to fix the support temporary to the framework member. Neither have these methods been successful in construction activities due to the increased time-consumption for the extra working moments, in comparison with "the freehand method". The problem is the same irrespective of whether the mounted framework member is to be attached vertically or horizontally or in other directions. The problem arises also if the angle between those framework members that are to be fasten together deviates from the perpendicular direction.

An aspect of the invention is thus to present a device that facilitates and simplifies the mounting of framework members to each other.

Accordingly, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plate attachable on a first framework member, one transverse edge of which plate has an

abutment member for supporting a second framework member that is intended to be fastened on the first framework member, and where the plate has fixing members engageable in said first framework member as well as a removal member for the removal of the plate when said second framework member is fastened to said first framework member. In the dependent claims, further embodiments of the present invention are defined.

Another aspect of the invention states a method for fastening of building framework members, wherein a fixing tool is placed on a first framework member connecting to the intended position of a second framework member. The fixing tool is fastened on said first framework member by the fact that the fixing members included in the fixing tool are driven into the surface of the first framework member, whereupon the second framework member resting against the abutment member of the fixing tool is fastened to said first framework member, whereupon the fixing tool is removed from said first framework member by applying a force to the removal member.

In the detailed description of embodiment examples of the invention following hereinafter, additional features and advantages of the same will be described, references being made to the included drawing figures, wherein

Fig. 1 shows a fixing tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention mounted on a first framework member to afford support to a second framework member that is to be fastened on the first framework member. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from below of a fixing tool of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a fixing tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention mounted on a first framework member to afford support to a second framework member that is to be fastened on the first framework member. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view from below of a fixing tool of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1 , there are shown a first framework member (base crossbar) 1 and a second framework member (connecting stud) 2 standing perpendicularly to the same for the fastening in the first framework member 1. In this case, the fastening is made by means of nails 3, but other fastening means are possible, such as screws. A first embodiment of a fixing tool 5, comprising a plate 6 lying on that surface of the first framework member that the second framework member 2 is to be fastened on, is mounted on the first framework member 1 with a first transverse edge 4 resting against the second framework member 2.

As is more clearly shown in Fig. 2, the first transverse edge 4 of the plate 6 is formed as a perpendicularly upturned portion 7 intended to bear against the second framework member 2. The second transverse edge of the plate 6 is formed with a removal member in the form of an upturned portion 8, angled less than 90°, preferably less than 45°

to the plate, intended to be the point of action when removing the fixing tool 5. The two longitudinal edges of the plate 6 are formed as perpendicularly turned-down portions 9 intended to partly surround the sides of the base crossbar 1. Each one of the turned-down longitudinal portions 9 has, at the first transverse side, a longitudinal extension 1 1 , which extension 11 also has an upwardly directed portion protruding above the upperside of the plate 6 intended to, together with the upturned portion 7, work as a support to the connecting stud in the fastening procedure.

Underneath the plate 6, i.e., the contact side to the base crossbar, there are arranged fixing members formed as triangular stubs 10 having downwardly directed tips. Said stubs 10 are cut out from the plate 6 and angled perpendicularly downward and triangular-shaped. Two stubs 10 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fixing tool and a stub 10 in the transverse direction thereof. Other configurations and also other numbers are possible.

In Fig. 3, there are shown a first framework member (base crossbar) 1 and a second framework member (connecting stud) 2 standing perpendicularly to the same for the fastening in the first framework member 1. A second embodiment of a fixing tool according to the invention, comprising a rectangular plate 6 lying on that surface of the first framework member that the second framework member is to be fastened on, is mounted on the first framework member 1 with a first transverse edge 4 resting against the second framework member 2.

In Fig. 4, there is shown the fixing tool according to the second embodiment more clearly, in a view obliquely from below. As in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first transverse side of the plate 6 has a perpendicularly upturned portion 7. The second transverse side of the plate 6 is formed with two upturned portions 8, angled less than 90°, preferably less than 45° to the plate, intended to be the point of action when removing the fixing tool 5. Between the two upturned portions 8, there is arranged a turned-down sharp portion 12 having an angle of 90° to the plane of the plate. For certain dimensions, this turned-down sharp portion may be excluded. The two upturned portions 8 are then replaced by a continuous upturned portion. The two longitudinal sides of the plate 6 are formed with perpendicularly turned-down portions 9. Each one of the turned-down longitudinal portions 9 has, at the first transverse side, a longitudinal extension 11 , which extension 11 also has an upwardly directed portion protruding above the upperside of the plate 6 intended to work as a support to the connecting stud in the fastening procedure. In addition, the longitudinal portions 9 are formed with a cut-out longitudinal flap 13 that is folded-in less than 90° along a vertical folding line. The flap has three cut edges and the end edge is obliquely cut, i.e., deviates from the vertical line, and preferably forms an angle of 5-10° with the same. By this

design, the flaps do not only clamp up the fixing tool to the base crossbar upon the application, but also wedge it.

The function of the fixing tool 5 in the first embodiment thereof according to Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows. Either markings are made on the base crossbar 1 for the intended position of the connecting stud 2 and the fixing tool 5 is placed with the upturned portion 7 thereof on the first transverse side 4 connecting to this position, or the fixing tool 5 is placed on the base crossbar 1 with the upturned portion 7 thereof connecting to the connecting stud

2 placed in the intended position thereof. Next, the fixing members of the fixing tool 5 are driven into the surface of the base crossbar 1 by powerful strokes (for instance hammer strokes) that cause the stubs 10 to penetrate into the crossbar surface on which the connecting stud 2 is to be fastened. After that, the connecting stud 2 can rest against the upturned portion 7 and the upwardly directed portions of the extensions 11 of the turned- down longitudinal portions 9 of the fixing tool 5, which upturned portion 7 acts as abutment in the fastening of the connecting stud 2 to the base crossbar 1 by nails or screws fastened aslant. After the connecting stud 2 has been fastened to the base crossbar 1 , the fixing tool 5 is loosened and removed by applying an upwardly directed force to the lower side of the upturned portion 8 by means of, for instance, a hammer head.

The function of the fixing tool 5 in the second embodiment thereof according to Figs.

3 and 4 is similar to the one of the first embodiment. When the fixing tool 5 is driven down into the position thereof, the longitudinal flaps 13 penetrates into the side surface of the base crossbar 1. Hence, the flaps 13 correspond to the stubs 10 in the first embodiment and fix the fixing tool 5 in the position thereof during the phase of fastening the stud. By virtue of the design of the ends of the flaps 13, which deviates somewhat from the vertical line, the flaps do not only clamp up the fixing tool to the base crossbar upon the application, but also wedge it. The downwardly turned stub 12 has an extra securing effect when the fixing tool is in position.

The embodiments described above may be varied widely within the scope of the invention. The first embodiment may, for instance, be made with only one longitudinal turned- down portion 9 to allow the use in the case of larger and varying framework member widths. This embodiment may, in the same way as the second embodiment, have two upturned portions 8 angled less than 90° to the plate with a turned-down sharp portion 12 having an angle of 90° to the plane of the plate.

The stubs 10, the turned-down sharp portion 12 as well as the flaps 13 may, instead of being cut out from the fixing tool 5 and folded, be formed as stubs or tips of extra material that have been attached on the fixing tool. In addition, combinations of the two embodiments may be feasible.

The plate in Figs. 1—4 has also circular holes, intended to be usable to further secure the position of the tool on the base crossbar by nails, screws or other fastening elements during the work of fastening the connecting stud.

The design of the fixing tool according to the invention may naturally be carried out in many ways within the frame of the scope of the claims, and is not limited to the examples above.