Timber connectors and noggings

Abstract

A connector ( 20 ) for joining a timber member ( 10 ) to a second component has an end plate ( 21 ) for overlying an end face of the timber member ( 10 ), the end plate ( 21 ) having projecting prongs ( 27 ) for penetrating the end face of that member. The connector ( 20 ) has a first side tab ( 22 ) adjoining the end plate ( 21 ) along a first common edge whereby the first side tab ( 22 ) may be bent round ( 5 ) about that common edge to engage a first side face ( 11 ) of the timber member following engagement of the end plate with the timber member end face. The first side tab ( 22 ) has projecting teeth ( 30 ) for penetrating the first side face ( 11 ), the teeth ( 30 ) being curved along their length towards the end plate ( 21 ) of the connector ( 20 ). A second side tab ( 23 ) is similarly formed to the first side tab ( 22, 10 ) and adjoins the end plate ( 21 ) along a second common edge opposed to the first common edge, for bending round to engage a second side face ( 12 ) of the timber member.

1 . A connector for use in joining a first timber member to another component, wherein the first timber member has opposed first and second side faces and an end face extending between the first and second side faces said connector comprising: an end plate for overlying said end face of the first timber member and including projecting prongs for penetrating said end face, and a first side tab adjoining the end plate along a first common edge, the first side tab being arranged for bending round with respect to the end plate about said first common edge to engage the first side face of the first timber member following engagement of the end plate with said end face, the first side tab having projecting teeth for penetrating said first side face which teeth are curved along their length. 
   
   
       2 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the teeth of the first side tab are curved towards the end plate of the connector. 
   
   
       3 . A connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each tooth penetrates the first side face at a pre-set distance from said common edge and the radius of curvature of each tooth is different from said pre-set distance whereby the tooth is deformed as the tooth penetrates the first side face in the course of bending round the first side tab about said common edge to engage the first side face. 
   
   
       4 . A connector as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the effective radius of curvature of each tooth is smaller than said pre-set distance. 
   
   
       5 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each tooth is formed integrally with the first side tab by shearing out of the plane of the material defining the first side tab a tooth-shaped strip of the material but leaving one end thereof still connected to the first side tab. 
   
   
       6 . A connector as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the said one end of the tooth is furthest from the common edge. 
   
   
       7 . A connector as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the shearing operation includes a forming operation to define the curved profile of the tooth. 
   
   
       8 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each tooth is pointed at its free end. 
   
   
       9 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a second side tab similarly formed to the first side tab but adjoining the end plate along a second common edge opposed to the first common edge, said second side tab being arranged for bending round with respect to the end plate to engage a the second side face of the first timber member opposed to the first side face thereof, following engagement of the end plate with said end face.) 
   
   
       10 . A connector as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the connector includes a third side tab adjoining the end plate along a third common edge extending between the first and second common edges, said third side tab having projecting curved teeth and being arranged for bending round with respect to the end plate to engage a third side face of the timber member extending between said first and second side faces thereof, following engagement of the end plate with said end face. 
   
   
       11 . A connector as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the third side tab is similarly formed to the first and second side tabs. 
   
   
       12 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the projecting prongs of the end plate are formed by means of a circular punch driven through the material of the end plate thereby to form generally triangular, curved pointed prongs upstanding from a circular hole through the end plate. 
   
   
       13 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a further tab adjoining the end plate along a fourth common edge which further tab lies in the plane substantially normal to that of the end plate and is directed away from the projecting prongs thereof, to lie alongside a face of said another component for attachment thereto. 
   
   
       14 . A connector as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the further tab has projecting tines for penetrating said another component. 
   
   
       15 . A connector as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein each tine of the further tab is substantially linear. 
   
   
       16 . A connector as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein each tine of the further tab is sheared out of the material of the further tab and is formed to lie substantially normal thereto. 
   
   
       17 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an edge of at least one of the tabs thereof is folded over to penetrate a face of a timber member against which the tab lies. 
   
   
       18 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end plate is provided with attachment means for attaching the end plate to said another component. 
   
   
       19 . A connector as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of holes through which fasteners selected from screws, nails and like fasteners can be passed into said another component. 
   
   
       20 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said another component comprises a second timber member, the connector serving to connect the first timber member to a face of the second timber member. 
   
   
       21 . A connection between first and second timber members whenever effected with a connector as claimed in  claim 1 .