Connector strip

Abstract

A building element connection and spacing device including a strip member ( 420 ) of substantially inextensible material, a connector ( 424 ) located at at least one longitudinal position on said member for providing a connection between orthogonal building elements ( 431, 450 ), and at least one index ( 439 ) at a longitudinal position on said member corresponding to an element spacing distance. In one form, a plurality of the devices are adapted to be laid end-to-end to provide a series of building element connections at fixed intervals, such as those between a wall frame top member ( 431 ) and a series of roof trusses, a bearer member ( 435 ) and floor joists ( 434 ) or between a wall frame bottom member ( 433 ) and uprights ( 432 ).

1 . A building element connection and spacing device including a member of substantially inextensible material, a connector located at at least one longitudinal position on said member for providing a connection between building elements, and at least one index at a longitudinal position on said member corresponding to an element spacing distance.  
   
   
       2 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 1  wherein said index is a second or further connector location.  
   
   
       3 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 2  wherein said member is a strip and a connector is attached to the strip at a first longitudinal position and at at least one further longitudinal position, the spacing between the connectors corresponding to the element spacing distance.  
   
   
       4 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 2  wherein said member is a strip and said connector is attached to the strip, and wherein, adjacent an end remote from the attached connector said strip is structured to provide for the location of the connector of a similar, subsequently located device such that the successive connectors so located are spaced by the element spacing distance.  
   
   
       5 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 1  wherein said a plurality of said connectors provide a substantially orthogonal connection between a first building element and a series of spaced-apart second building elements connected to said first building element.  
   
   
       6 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 5  wherein said first building element is top frame member of a wall frame and said second building elements are roof trusses.  
   
   
       7 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 6  wherein said element spacing distance is the spacing between successive roof trusses to be attached by means of the connectors to said wall top frame member.  
   
   
       8 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 5  wherein said first building element is horizontal wall frame member and said second building elements are vertical wall frame members.  
   
   
       9 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 5  wherein said first and second building elements are mutually perpendicular horizontal floor support members.  
   
   
       10 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 5  wherein said first building element is a horizontal building frame member and said series of spaced-apart second building elements are horizontal bottom members of a generally vertical building sub-structure.  
   
   
       11 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 10  wherein each connector includes connection flanges adapted to bear against a side and a top surface of said first building element and an upright flange adapted to bear against and locate a said second building element.  
   
   
       12 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 11  wherein said flanges have apertures for fasteners for securing said building elements to said connector to provide a structural connection between said building elements.  
   
   
       13 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 11  wherein said connectors include flanges adapted to bear against opposed sides of said first building element.  
   
   
       14 . A building element connection and spacing device according to  claim 13  wherein said connectors are substantially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of said device.  
   
   
       15 . A method of erecting a building frame including a first building element of a building frame and a series of spaced-apart second building elements connected to said first building element, including the steps of: 
 erecting a building frame portion including said first building element;    attaching to said first building element at least one building element connection and spacing device including a member of substantially inextensible material, a connector located at at least one longitudinal position on said member for providing a connection between first building element and a said second building element, and at least one index at a longitudinal position on said member corresponding to a second building element spacing distance;    attaching said second building element to said connector at said one longitudinal position;    locating a further similar connector at said index position;    attaching said further connector to said first building element; and    attaching a further second building element to said further connector.    
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said first building element is top frame member of a wall frame and said second building elements are roof trusses.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said element spacing distance is the spacing between successive roof trusses to be attached by means of the connectors to said wall top frame member.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said first building element is horizontal wall frame member and said second building elements are vertical wall frame members.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said first and second building elements are mutually perpendicular horizontal floor support members.  
   
   
       20 . A building frame including a first building element of a building frame and a series of spaced-apart second building elements connected to said first building element, erected by the method of  claim 15 .  
   
   
       21 . A building frame including a first building element of a building frame and a series of spaced-apart second building elements connected to said first building element, wherein said first and second building elements are connected by said connection and spacing devices.  
   
   
       22 . A building element connection and spacing device including a member of substantially inextensible material, a connector attachment location at at least one longitudinal position on said member, a connector adapted for attachment at said connector attachment location for providing a connection between building elements, and at least one index at a longitudinal position on said member corresponding to an element spacing distance.