Patent Publication Number: US-2010107544-A1

Title: Bracket for spigot or telescoping type joints between members

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to brackets and panels and particularly to improved brackets and panels having good strength characteristics and minimal complexity allowing self-assembly. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Brackets, panels and brackets for securing panels are available in the marketplace and are quite common. 
     Panels have many different forms and the present invention is directed towards providing a panel with a series of members which are fixed in position extending in a first direction and which may have at least one member extending in a different direction in order to act as a bracing member. 
     Typical examples of panels similar to those of the present invention are decorative wooden slat panels used atop metal fences, lattice panels and other slatted panels used for decorative use or use as a selective barrier to allow air to flow through the panel and to prevent larger objects passing. 
     The panels of the prior art such as those described above are often formed prior to installation and are generally located and secured between a pair of support pillars or walls. The facing surfaces of the support pillars or walls are generally provided with an elongate groove or channel into which the edges of the panels are inserted (generally from above or below) and then the ends of the groove or channel are occluded to prevent the panel from being removed. 
     Edges of the panel have in the past been inserted into brackets for fixing the panel in position but these brackets have generally been cumbersome and not aesthetically pleasing. The brackets of the prior art have been used to engage the panel surround (where provided) or individual members of the panel. Where prior art brackets have engaged individual members of a panel, they have generally been provided as a tubular member into which an end of the panel member is inserted. This enlarges the end of the member and can sometimes result in a panel not being appropriate for the size of the opening into which it is supposed to fit. 
     Further to this, the pre-fabricated panels are often manufactured following a quotation for the panel and are thus a made-to-measure panel which are relatively precisely manufactured. For most panels of the prior art, the problem of fitting an oversized panel into an opening has resulted in on-the-spot alterations to the panel using a saw or similar cutting tool to decrease the size of the panel. For panels which are manufactured too small for the fixtures to secure, the solution is not as simple and generally involves construction of a fresh panel or the use of spacing members secured to the support pillars or walls to which the panel is then attached. 
     It is therefore an object to provide a bracket and a panel including a bracket that is simple and convenient to use and install as well as being a panel that allows a do-it-yourself construction by a relatively unskilled worker with a limited array of tools. 
     It will be clearly understood that if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a bracket and panel including same, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
     In one form, the invention resides in a panel having
         i. at least one locating bracket having
           a. a substantially C-shaped attachment portion having an opening along at least one sidewall and   b. a flange adapted to attach the at least one bracket relative to a surface,   
           ii. a plurality of first members disposed in a first direction,   iii. at least one second member disposed in a second direction, at least one side surface of at least one member being shaped to engage the C-shaped attachment portion of the locating bracket,
 
wherein at least a part of the C-shaped attachment portion is adapted to be coplanar with at least one side surface of the at least one member.
       

     In a second form, the invention resides in a method for assembling a panel, the panel having
         i. at least one locating bracket having
           a. a substantially C-shaped attachment portion having an opening along at least one sidewall and   b. a flange adapted to attach the at least one bracket relative to a surface,   
           ii. a plurality of first members disposed in a first direction,   iii. at least one second member disposed in a second direction, at least one side surface of at least one member being shaped to engage the C-shaped attachment portion of the bracket,
 
wherein the method includes the step of inserting the member into the C-shaped attachment portion until at least a part of the C-shaped attachment portion is coplanar with at least one side surface of the panel member and securing the bracket to the member.
       

     The panel of the invention is particularly well suited to use as a fence panel or inlay panel (such as an aesthetic or feature panel) for a fence or similar barrier. As such and without wishing to be limited, the panel formed according to the invention may be used as a gate panel (or feature panel in a gate), a detail or feature panel for a garage, carport, house or other structure, a patio barrier panel such as a railing or wall, a detail or feature panel for a roof gable or external window shade. The panel of the invention may alternatively find use as, or as a part of, a pergola, an internal shutter wall, balustrade (internal or external) or as decking. 
     It is particularly preferred that the panel be manufactured for sale in kit or modular form. As such, the panel should be particularly adapted for post-sale assembly in such a manner as to be easy to assemble for a person of average do-it-yourself skill. The panel of the invention is particularly well adapted to this application due to the manner in which the panel is assembled and mounted enables a product with a standard dimension to be manufactured and used in a space that is up to 300 mm larger in dimension quickly, simply and without custom manufacture. 
     The panel should be a barrier panel and according to a particularly preferred form, the panel will have slat members alternated with openings between the slats. However, when a solid barrier is required, without openings, the panel of the present invention is easily adapted to this form which can also be used as decking. 
     The panel of the invention can be manufactured of any material suitable for the purpose. However, preferred materials of construction are plastic and metal with a more preferred material being wood for its strength but also due to its aesthetic qualities. 
     According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the panel will include a series of members in the first direction and members in the second direction which fix the members in the first direction together and/or brace the members in the first direction. The panel will also usually include at least one and generally a plurality of brackets to secure the panel in position in or relative to an opening. 
     There are generally a plurality of first members arrayed in a first direction. Each of the first members will generally be slat members. The direction depends upon the desire of the user and therefore in use and after assembly, the first members may be oriented horizontally, vertically or angled. The first members will typically be elongate members. The actual length of the first members will typically depend upon the size of the barrier or panel required. 
     The slat members will typically have a rectangular cross-section. The corners of the rectangle may be smoothed to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Each slat member will also typically include a number of predrilled openings to allow for the use of fasteners, particularly if a hard, brittle material is used. The slats may be oriented such that the longer of the two dimensions is parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the second members or the shorter of the two dimensions may be parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the second members. The configuration may also be taken into account for strength purposes. 
     Importantly, the first members may be used as a top or bottom rail for the panel as well as slats. The top or bottom rail will generally be a border rail to tidy the appearance of the panel, to protect the ends of the members from water damage or to provide structural support to the panel. 
     The members may of course also be of any other cross-section required by a user or manufacturer of the panels. For example, a round member may be preferred by a consumer for aesthetic reasons. 
     There is at least one, and generally more than one, second member arrayed in a second direction. There will typically be a second member provided at each end of the panel and there may be one or more second members provided along the panel to provide stiffening or bracing to the panel. 
     The second members will typically be elongate members. The actual length of the second members will typically depend upon the size of the barrier or panel required. 
     As with the first members, each of the second members will generally be slat members. The slat members will typically have a rectangular cross-section. The corners of the rectangle may be smoothed to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Each slat member will also typically include a number of predrilled openings to allow for the use of fasteners, particularly if a hard, brittle material is used. 
     The second members provided at or adjacent the ends of the panel are preferably adapted to allow the use of the bracket to secure the panel in position. Preferably, the coplanar portion of the C-shaped attachment portion of the bracket and the first member which it engages faces the second member located at the ends of the panel. 
     Each member (first or second) will typically have one or more rebated sections. The location and configuration of the rebated sections will differ between the first and second members, but will preferably be correspondingly shaped to engage each other when the panel is assembled. 
     Each first member will typically include at least one, and generally a pair of, rebated portions at or adjacent each end of the first member. Each of the rebated portions will preferably be a shoulder rebate, or portion removed from a corner of the first member over a predetermined length of the first member. When a pair of rebated portions are provided on each end of the first member, the corner portions are preferably removed from corners on the same side of the first member and not diagonally opposite corners. A rebated portion may be formed at all four corners of each end of the first member, or further, a rebated portion may be provided such that each end is reduced in dimension in both directions; that is, the entire end portion of the first member may be reduced in size such that the C-shaped attachment portion surrounds the end portion of the first member and is flush with the unrebated portion of the first member. 
     The rebated portions of the first member may extend along the first member approximately 200 mm from each end, but suitably will extend approximately 75 mm inward. This allows positioning of a second member which may be approximately 42 mm wide, relative to the first members, with approximately 35 mm of overhang of the first member outwardly past the edge of the second member. In this instance, once the bracket is fitted to the first member, the second member will cover the rebated portions of the first member. The 35 mm overhang measurement may be amended. The rebated portions may form a raised tongue extension portion on each end of the first member between the rebated portions. The tongue extension portion will preferably be received between sidewalls of the C-shaped attachment portion. 
     There will typically be more than one rebated portion provided at the same end of the first members. Each end of the first member may be rebated to different depths and/or position to form a stepped profile at the end of the first member. In particular, the tongue extension portion formed by the rebating of the corners of the ends of the first members to form a primary rebate may be further rebated to provide at least one secondary rebated portion. The secondary rebated portion will typically be narrower and shallower than the primary rebated portion and is formed over a part only of the length of the primary rebated portion. Generally, there will be a secondary rebated portion provided for each primary rebated portion. 
     Preferably, the primary rebated portion or primary tongue is located adjacent the end of the first member and the secondary rebated portion or secondary tongue is located inboard of the primary tongue. When both primary and secondary tongues are provided on an end of the first member, the primary tongue will usually be an L-shaped tongue when viewed from the side with a base portion of the L-shaped tongue adjacent the end of the first member and an upright portion of the L-shaped tongue extending from the base portion and toward the opposite end of the first member. The secondary tongue may stop at the full-sized or unrebated portion of the first member. 
     Only some of the first members used to manufacture the panel of the invention may be configured in this manner, and the number of these will generally be determined according to the size of the panel desired. The first members with the rebated portions will typically be spaced apart over the panel dimension. Preferably, the rebated first members are adapted to facilitate the use of the brackets to secure the panel in location and other first members may be of constant cross-section. 
     First members may be provided with the primary and secondary tongues at only one end of the member and the remainder of the member may be of constant cross-section. Where not provided with the primary and secondary rebate, such as along the length of the first member between the ends or at ends simply not provided with the primary and secondary rebated portions, preferably the rebated portions may be provided at the corner edges similar to the formation of the primary tongue, but differ in that they preferably do not extend all the way to the end of the member. In this form, the rebated portions may be separated from the end of the first member by a full-size, unrebated portion. Where this type of rebated portion is provided, the depth of the rebated portions may be similar to that of the secondary tongue. These rebated portions may also be referred to as secondary tongue, for simplicity sake, even though no primary tongue is provided in conjunction with them. 
     Each of the rebated portions of the first member preferably has a predrilled hole or opening associated with the rebated portion. This will particularly be the case when hard and brittle materials are used for the member. 
     Each of the second members will also generally be slat members. The second members will typically be elongate members. The actual length of the second members will typically depend upon the size of the barrier or panel required. 
     The slat members will typically have a rectangular cross-section. The corners of the rectangle may be smoothed to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Each slat member will also typically include a number of predrilled openings to allow for the use of fasteners, particularly if a hard, brittle material is used. The slats may be oriented such that the longer of the two dimensions of the second member is parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the first members or the shorter of the two dimensions of the second member may be parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the first members. The configuration may also be taken into account for strength purposes. 
     Each of the second members used in the panel according to the invention will preferably include a plurality of rebated portions spaced over their length. Each rebated portion is particularly adapted to engage a secondary rebate or tongue provided on a first member to positively locate the first member relative to the second member. 
     Each secondary member preferably has the same configuration and spacing between the rebated portions to align the rebated portions and in turn, align the first member of the panel. 
     Each second member may include rebated portions in the end surfaces of the member in order to engage with the tongue portions of a first member when used as a top or bottom rail of the panel. Where provided, these rebated portions are preferably centrally located. 
     Again, each rebated portion preferably has a predrilled hole or opening associated with the rebated portion. The rebated portions of the second members are preferably sized and shaped to closely receive the corresponding tongue portion. 
     The panel of the invention includes at least one and generally multiple locating brackets, each locating bracket having a substantially C-shaped attachment portion with an opening along at least one sidewall and a flange adapted to attach the at least one bracket relative to a surface. Each bracket will typically be between 25 mm and up to 300 mm in length. 
     The brackets may be manufactured from any relatively light but strong material and preferred materials of construction are metal and plastic, although there may be some strength restrictions with the plastic models. Preferably, the brackets may be unitary but it is anticipated that the C-shaped portion and the flange may be formed separately and joined after forming. 
     Each bracket includes an attachment portion to facilitate attachment of a panel member, generally adapted to engage the primary tongue of the first member and the attachment portion is substantially C-shaped. The C-shaped portion is preferably defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall linking the two walls, with a longitudinal opening or absent sidewall, opposite the sidewall provided. The sidewall provided will typically be provided with an opening which may contribute to a reduction in material used in the bracket. 
     The C-shaped attachment portion is preferably sized to closely receive an end of the first member. The top and bottom walls of the C-shaped portion will typically each have a depending portion extending from at or adjacent the edge of the respective wall which is opposite the sidewall, as these portions may assist with the positioning and security of the first member. 
     Each of the depending portions and the sidewall will also generally include one or more openings to receive fasteners. 
     The C-shaped attachment portion will typically extend perpendicularly to the flange of the bracket, but it may be parallel to, or angled relative to, the flange in the alternative. 
     The flange to attach the bracket relative to a surface is normally a planar member or plate. The flange will generally be provided with an opening of the same cross-sectional shape as the end portion of the first member, particularly the rebated portions, in order that the end of the first member be allowed to pass through the flange if necessary. 
     The flange will usually be provided with attachment openings for attaching the bracket to the surface. Each of the attachment openings will preferably be further provided with an insert portion or member to allow smaller dimension fasteners to be used with a uniform sized opening providing increased utility in use. The insert members will preferably taper inwardly and be provided with a central aperture through which the fastener can extend. The insert member or any of the openings for the fasteners provided will typically have a depression for countersinking a head of the fastener. The insert member preferably reduces the cross-sectional size of the opening. 
     The rebate portions disclosed above with reference to the first members may also be provided on the second members so a bracket may be used with second members as well as, or instead of the first members. 
     One major advantage of providing a panel having rebated portions and brackets according to the invention and as described above is that the panel can be positioned in the opening by sliding the members further into or out of the brackets. Once a satisfactory position is achieved, fasteners can then be used to secure the members to the bracket. 
     The other advantageous functionality is that the configuration of the respective members and particularly the rebated portions provide a user with a vastly more simple to use system, particularly when assembling the panel as the rebates and tongues provide a system of positive location and ensures the correct positioning of the members relative to each other. 
     Alternatively, the bracket used may have an elongate extension portion instead of a C-shaped channel. In this embodiment, the members may be provided with an opening in the end surface to receive the extension portion resulting in a hidden fixture system. 
     In a third form, the invention resides in a fixture system to secure an elongate member relative to a support, the fixture system including an opening formed in an end face of the elongate member and a bracket adapted to be mounted to the support and having an elongate extension portion to be received at least partially in the opening in the end face. 
     In a fourth form, the invention resides in a two-part, self-locating joint for overlapping members, the joint having a first mortise part on a first overlapping member and a second tenon part on a second overlapping member such that the tenon part of the joint positively locates in the mortise part of the joint when the members overlap to ensure correct positioning. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bracket used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1  and laterally displaced from the member to which it attaches, illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 2  in position relative to the first member illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a panel according to a particularly preferred embodiment with the fasteners in exploded view and only one bracket used. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1  and laterally displaced from the member to which it attaches, illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 6  in position relative to the first member illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed close-up view of a first end of the first member illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed close-up view of a second end of the first member illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of both front and back sides of a second member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a bracket according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of the bracket as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the bracket as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the bracket as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  shows a variety of views of the bracket illustrated in  FIG. 12  with an insert portion according to a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a panel is provided. 
     The panel as illustrated in assembled form in  FIG. 5  has a plurality of first members  11  disposed in a first direction and a plurality of second members  12  disposed in a second direction. The panel also includes locating brackets  13 , best illustrated in  FIG. 1  or  2 , each locating bracket  13  having a substantially C-shaped attachment portion  14  having an opening  15  along a sidewall and a flange  16  adapted to attach the bracket  13  relative to a surface. At least one side surface of the first member  11  is shaped to engage the C-shaped attachment portion  14  of the locating bracket  13  such that part of the C-shaped attachment portion  14  is adapted to be coplanar with at least one side surface of the first member  11 . 
     The panel illustrated in  FIG. 5  has first members  11  in the form of slats alternated with openings between the slats. 
     According to the panel illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there are a plurality of first members  11  arrayed in a first direction. A first preferred embodiment of a first member  11  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . According to this embodiment, each of the first members  11  are elongate slat members. The first members  11  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 5  are oriented horizontally but direction depends upon the desire of the user. 
     The first slat members  11  have a rectangular cross-section with the corners of the rectangular slat members  11  smoothed to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The first slat members  11  are oriented such that the longer of the two dimensions is parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the second members  12 . 
     A first member  11  is also illustrated in  FIG. 5 , used as a top rail  17  for the panel as well as slats, albeit the top rail being positioned differently to the remainder of the first slat members  11 . The top rail  17  is used as a border rail mainly to protect the edges of the second members from water damage but also to tidy the appearance of the panel, and provided further structural support to the panel. 
     In the embodiment of the panel illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there is a second member  12  positioned in a second direction, although further second members  12  would be located across the panel. There will usually be a second member  12  provided at each end of the panel and also one or more second members  12  provided along the panel to provide stiffening or bracing to the panel. 
     The second members  12 , best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , are also elongate members whose length depends upon the size of the panel required. As with the first members  12 , each of the second members  12  are slat members. The second slat members  12  have a rectangular cross-section. Again, the corners of the rectangle are smoothed to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     The second members  12  are oriented such that the longer of the two dimensions of the second member  11  is parallel to the longer of the two dimensions of the first members. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the second members  12  provided at the ends of the panel are adapted to allow the use of the bracket  13  to secure the panel in position by engaging with the first member  11 . The coplanar portion of the C-shaped attachment portion  14  of the bracket  13  and the first member  11  with which it engages faces the second member  12  located at the ends of the panel but the bracket  13  does not prevent the abutment of the first  11  and second  12  members. 
     Each member (first  11  or second  12 ) has rebated sections. The location and configuration of the rebated sections differ between the first  11  and second  12  members but the rebated sections and any tongues formed by rebating on the first  11  and second  12  members are correspondingly shaped to engage each other when the panel is assembled. 
     According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each first member  11  includes a pair of rebated portions  18  at or adjacent each end of the first member  11 . Each of the rebated portions  18  is a shoulder rebate or a portion removed from a corner of the first member  11  over a predetermined length of the first member  11 . The rebated portions  18  are formed by removal of material from corners on the same side of the first member  11  and not diagonally opposite corners. 
     The rebated portions  18  of the first member  11  preferably extend along the first member approximately 75 mm from each end. The rebated portions  18  form a raised tongue  19  on each end of the first member  11  between the rebated portions  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the tongue  19  is received between sidewalls of the C-shaped attachment portion  14  of the bracket  13 . 
     The rebated portion  18  of the first member  11  extend approximately 75 mm inward. This allows positioning of the second member  12 , which is approximately 42 mm wide, relative to the first members  11 , with approximately 35 mm of overhang of the first member  11  outwardly past the edge of the second member  12 . In this instance, once the bracket  13  is fitted to the first member  11 , the second member  12  covers the rebated portions  18  of the first member  11 . According to an alternative embodiment of the first member  11 , illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , there may be more than one rebated portion provided at the same end of the first members  11 . According to this preferred embodiment, each end of the first member  11  has a pair of primary rebates  20  and a pair of secondary rebates  21  rebated to different depths and positions to form a stepped profile at the end of the first member  11 . 
     The formation of primary rebates  20  forms a primary tongue  22  and this primary tongue  22  is then further rebated to provide the secondary rebates  21 . It is the primary tongue  22  which engages with the opening in the sidewall of the C-shaped attachment portion  14  of the bracket  13  to secure the first member  11  to the bracket  13 . The secondary rebates  21  are narrower and shallower than the primary rebates  20  and are formed over a part only of the length of the primary rebates  20 . 
     The primary tongue  22  is located adjacent the end of the first member  11  and the secondary rebates form a secondary tongue  23  which is located inboard of the primary tongue  22 . When both primary  22  and secondary  23  tongues are provided on an end of the first member  11 , the primary tongue  22  is an L-shaped tongue when viewed from the side with a base portion of the L-shaped tongue adjacent the end of the first member and an upright portion of the L-shaped tongue extending from the base portion and toward the opposite end of the first member. The secondary tongue  23  stops at the full-sized or unrebated portion  24  of the first member  11 . 
     Where not provided with the primary  20  and secondary  21  rebate, such as along the length of the first member  11  between the ends or at ends simply not provided with the primary  20  and secondary  21  rebated portions, the rebated portions of the first members  11  are provided at the corner edges similar to the formation of the primary tongue  22  but differ in that they do not extend all the way to the end of the first member  11 . Rebated portions such as these are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 . 
     In this form, the rebated portions  18  are separated from the end of the first member  11  by a full-size, unrebated portion  24 . Where this type of rebated portion  18  is provided, the depth and width of the rebated portions  18  is similar to that of the secondary tongue  23 . 
     Each of the rebated portions of the first member  11  has a predrilled hole  25  associated with the tongue formed by the rebated portions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , each of the second members  12  used in the panel according to the invention includes a plurality of rebated portions  18  spaced over their length. Each rebated portion  18  is particularly adapted to engage a secondary tongue  23  provided on a first member  11  to positively locate the first member  11  relative to the second member  12 . 
     Each secondary member  12  has the same configuration and spacing between the rebated portions  18  to align the rebated portions  18  and in turn, align the first member  11  of the panel. 
     Each second member  11  includes rebated portions  18  in the end surfaces of the member in order to engage with the tongue portions  23  of a first member  11  when used as a top  17  or bottom rail of the panel. Where provided, these rebated portions  18  are centrally located. 
     Again, each rebated portion  18  has a predrilled hole  25  associated with the rebated portion  18 . 
     The panel of the invention includes multiple locating brackets  13 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Each bracket  13  is typically between 25 mm and 200 mm in length. 
     The brackets  13  may be manufactured from any relatively light but strong material and preferred materials of construction are metal and plastic, although there may be some strength restrictions with the plastic models. Preferably, the brackets  13  may be unitary but it is anticipated that the C-shaped portion  14  and the flange  16  may be formed separately and joined after forming. 
     Each bracket  13  includes an attachment portion  14  to facilitate attachment of a first member  11 , generally adapted to engage the primary tongue  22  of the first member  11  and the attachment portion  14  is substantially C-shaped. The C-shaped portion  14  is defined by a top wall  26 , a bottom wall  27  and a sidewall  28  linking the two walls, with a longitudinal opening  15  or absent sidewall opposite the sidewall  28  provided. The sidewall  28  is provided with an opening  29  which may contribute to a reduction in material used in the bracket  13 . 
     The C-shaped attachment portion  14  is sized to closely receive an end of the first member  11 . The top  26  and bottom  27  walls of the C-shaped portion  14  will typically each have a depending portion  30  extending from at, or adjacent to, the edge of the respective wall which is opposite the sidewall  28  to assist with the positioning and security of the first member  11 . 
     Each of the depending portions  30  and the sidewall  28  will also generally include one or more openings  31  to receive fasteners. 
     The C-shaped attachment portion  14  extends perpendicularly to the flange  16  of the bracket  13  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  but it may be parallel to the flange as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 to 15 . 
     The flange  16  to attach the bracket  13  relative to a surface is normally a planar member or plate. The flange  16  is provided with an opening  32  of the same cross-sectional shape as the end portion of the first member  11 , particularly the rebated portions, in order that the end of the first member  11  be allowed to pass through the flange  16  if necessary. 
     The flange  16  will usually be provided with attachment openings  33  for attaching the bracket  13  to the surface. Insert members are also illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
     In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.