Apparatus for connecting two structures

Abstract

Apparatus ( 2 ) for connecting a building component to a brace component, said apparatus including a first member ( 4 ); a second member ( 6 ) integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the first member ( 4 ); retaining means ( 16 ) adapted to retain the building component; wherein further at least one of said first member ( 4 ) and said second member ( 6 ) is adapted to form a first connection to said building component; wherein at least one of said first member ( 4 ) and said second member ( 6 ) is adapted to form a second connection to said brace component; such that in the event of a disturbance to the building component whereby said first connection fails, said retaining means ( 16 ) retains the building component to prevent separation of the building component from the apparatus ( 2 ).

1 . Apparatus for connecting a building component to a brace component, said apparatus including:
 a first member;   a second member integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the first member;   retaining means adapted to retain the building component;   
       wherein further at least one of said first member and said second member is adapted to form a first connection to said building component; 
       wherein at least one of said first member and said second member is adapted to form a second connection to said brace component; 
       such that in the event of a disturbance to the building component whereby said first connection fails, said retaining means retains the building component to prevent separation of the building component from the apparatus. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first member has a depending portion that is secured to a part of the building component. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein after the apparatus initially contacts the building component, the apparatus is moved through a ninety degree rotation in order to be in a position to secure the apparatus to the building component at said first connection. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  further including a recess or receiving section for receiving the building component to enable the apparatus to move through said ninety degree rotation. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said recess or receiving section has a portion in said first member and a portion in said second member. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said retaining means is located on one or both of said first and second members. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said apparatus has a third member integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the first member, said third member enabling connection of the apparatus to another like apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the retaining means is located at a lower part of said second member such that after the apparatus is moved through said rotation and secured to the building component, said retaining means extends underneath and is orthogonal to said building component and is in frictional engagement with said building component, said building component extending through said recess or receiving section. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said building component is a top cross rail. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the retaining means is located at said depending portion of said first member. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein said depending portion is offset from said first member such that a curved section is defined that integrally joins said depending portion to the remainder of the first member. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said curved section is in contact with a first flange of a first leg of the building component and said depending portion is abutting against and affixed at said first connection to an outer side of said first leg. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the retaining means is further formed at a lower part of said second member such that said retaining means follows a profile of a second flange and associated second leg of the building component. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said retaining means includes a corner recess that receives and fits against said second flange. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said retaining means has a fold line in contact with an outer side of said second leg of the building component. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said fold line is created by a component extending orthogonal to said retaining means, said component affixed at a third connection to an outer side of said second leg of said building component. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein in the event of failure of either or both of the first and third connections, the profile of the retaining means abuts against an underneath portion of the first and second flanges to prevent complete separation of the building component from the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said building component is a furring channel.