AU3021900A - Framing connector and framing system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 a a a.

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Application(s) No(s): DARRYL LEONARD SHARPE DARRYL LEONARD SHARPE

INTELLPRO

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 7, Reserve Bank Building 102 Adelaide Street BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 (GPO Box 1339, BRISBANE, 4001) FRAMING CONNECTOR AND FRAMING SYSTEM Australian Patent Application No. PQ0056 filed 29 April 1999.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: r| rJ 'q 2 FRAMING CONNECTOR AND FRAMING SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to framing connectors and a framing system incorporating the framing connectors.

Many different connection devices and systems are currently available for connecting framing members together. Such arrangements range from permanent arrangements such as welding of metal framing members together to nonpermanent arrangements or semi-permanent arrangements where framing members can be detached after connection. The non-permanent and semi-permanent arrangements are of varying complexity and effectiveness. Where framing members are connected at right angles to each other, some connection arrangements provide little support to the joint. Sometimes the connection arrangements are particularly weak when renders the stability of the assembled joint ineffective. Further in ooo.

known connection arrangements, the framing members are not usually supported 15 and still able to be adjusted at the joint prior to permanent connection AU-A-26312/92 describes a connector for joining the parts of a steel framed building. The connector consists of the first steel split sleeve welded to a second steel split sleeve at an appropriate angle for speeding building erections. These connectors offer no tolerance if frames are slightly out of alignment.

EP 094,781 describes a pressed steel connector for connecting posts and beams in a building. The connector has a box core and C-section flanges for the connection to C-section beams.

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3 Such connectors fail to simplify sufficiently the erection of buildings where much sliding adjustment is followed by temporary securing until the framing operation is completed where after the second securing operation follows.

The present invention aims to provide in one aspect an improved framing connector particularly suited to use in connecting framing members at right angles to each other and which allows adjustments between the framing members prior to final connection. The present invention in a further aspect aims to provide a framing system using the framing connectors of the invention. Other objects and

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advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention thus provides in one preferred aspect a framing connector for connecting a pair of frame members at predetermined angles to each S:o other, said connector having first and second Ilocating means for locating said frame members relative to each other, said locating means constraining said members 15 against lateral movement but allowing longitudinal sliding movement of said members whereby one said member may be slidably moved past the other said member, and said connector being adapted to receive securing means for securing said members to said connector and in a desired position relative to each other and said connector.

The locating means may be disposed in the same plane or set of planes. The locating means in one form may comprise channels for complementary receipt of the frame members whereby said frame members are slidable longitudinally along said channels but constrained against lateral movement. The securing means may secure through the walls of the channels, the frame members to the connector.

Further the channels are suitably open at each end whereby one member received in one channel may be slidably adjusted along said channel in a direction at right angles to the other said member. Corresponding walls of each channel may be coplanar and most suitably the channels have common walls.

In one form the channels are defined between a pair of substantially parallel webs which are of a substantially right angled triangle configuration and which define the opposite walls of the channels. The channels suitably extend along the S•respective right angled edges of the webs which are joined by flanges which form 10 the bases of the respective channels. The apex of the triangular webs and base flanges may be truncated to form an opening to allow the respective framing members to project therethrough, the opening being aligned with each channel.

In a further arrangement, the connector may include a locating means for a •go* further framing member to locate the further framing member in a position 'C 15 orthogonal to the other pair of framing members. The further locating means may comprise aligned openings in the opposite webs in which case the webs are not truncated at their apex. The triangular webs in addition to defining the channels for receiving the framing members also provides bracing support to the joint. For this purpose, fasteners are provided through the web to connect to the frame members in the channels. Typically the frame members are RHS members and the fasteners may comprise, rivets, bolts, screws or any other fastening devices.

If desired further framing members may be located between the webs and extend at any angle to the first pair of frame members.

In a further configuration, the locating means may be arranged at right angles to each other or an acute or obtuse angle to each other. Where the locating means comprise channels, the channels may be arranged at right angles or an acute or obtuse angle to each other. Where the channels are at right angles to each other, the corresponding side walls of the channels join each other. The corresponding outer walls of the channels may be provided with openings aligned with the other channel whereby the frame members may be slidably movable in each channel relative to the other frame member and through an aligned opening. The base flanges of the channels are suitably provided with openings at the corner of the 10 connector to permit a further frame member to be passed therethrough at right angles to the other frame members. The outer side walls of the channels suitably support the further frame member which lie against adjacent walls of the frame S:o member. The side walls of the channels are suitably of a triangular configuration •coo to provide bracing between the framing members.

15 Where the channels are at an obtuse or acute angle to each other, the respective channels are joined by a further channel section in which a further frame member may be received orthogonal to the first pair of frame members.

In a further form, the present invention provides a connector for connecting a first frame member or members substantially at right angles to one or a plurality of frame members, said connector including first and second planar members for sandwiching said one or plurality of frame members therebetween, and spigot means on at least one of said planar members and extending substantially at right angles to said planar member for receiving said first frame member. Suitable

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6 securing means may be provided for securing the planar members to said one or plurality of frame members and said further frame members to the spigot means.

Spigot means if provided on each planar member may be aligned to receive a single first frame member or separate first frame members on opposite sides of the connector.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a connector for connecting a first frame member at right angles to a further frame member or frame members, said connector including a channel having a base flange and opposite side flanges for receiving said further frame member or members and an opening 10 in said base flange for receiving said first frame member extending in use substantially at right angles to said further frame member or members.

The connectors as described above may be used in many different configurations for joining framing members at right angles or at other angles to each o*o.

other to form a frame of any desired form.

S• 15 In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a connector for connecting a first frame member to a further frame member, said connector including sleeve means adapted to at least partially surround said first frame member, and flange means extending from said sleeve means for connection to said second frame member. The sleeve means suitably includes walls complementary to the walls of said first frame member and said flange means may include a pair of spaced flanges between which said further frame member may be located and connected.

I I 7 When the aperture in the connector is formed by truncating bracing walls the connector may be slid down a vertical tube to a preliminary position. The connector tends to tilt under its own mass and remains at the selected position, even when a load such as a beam end is lifted onto it. This property is enhanced by arranging about 1 mm clearance between the aperture and the tube upon which it slides. The edge of the connector which contacts the load-bearing face of the tube may be hardened and/or sharpened.

The invention is expected to be of particular value in disaster relief where rapid construction of buildings may be required. Building frames constructed from *o 10 metal tubes joined by frame connectors may utilise as a cladding material, canvass, plastic siding, foam plastic slab, plywood and sheet metal. The invention is also suitable for provision of staging in mines, scaffolding and racking for timber and •.palleted loads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in opposite perspective views, a first form of connector according to the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the manner in which framing members may be connected by using the connectors of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 illustrates a joint formed using a modified form of connector similar to that of Figures 1 and 2;

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8 Figure 6 i llustrates in perspective view a further form of connector according to the invention; Figure 7 illustrates a typical use of the connector of Figure 6 in forming a joint; Figure 8 illustrates a further form of connector similar to the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 9 illustrates in underside view a use of the connector of Figure 8 in forming a joint; Figures 10 and 11 illustrate further joints formed using connectors in ooo• 10 accordance with embodiments of the present invention; Figure 12 illustrates a frame constructed using the framing connectors of the invention; Figure 13 illustrates yet a further embodiment of framing connector; and ••go Figures 14 and 15 illustrate in perspective and top view a joint formed using 15 the framing connector of Figure 13.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show the construction mode of the frame connector of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 19 shows a connector for frames disposed at 1200; Figure 20 shows a connector for frames disposed at 600; Figure 21 shows a connector for frames disposed at 450; Figures 22 and 23 show edge to face connection of frame members; Figure 24 shows round tube connection at 450; Figure 25 shows the construction mode of the connectors of Figure 24; 9 Figure 26 shows round tubes connected at 1200; Figure 27 shows tubes connected at 600; Figure 28 shows tubes connected at 1200; and Figures 29 to 31 shows a version for timber studs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a framing connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention for joining a pair of framing members at right angles to each other for example at the corner •of a frame. The connector 10is made of 30 swg mild steel and comprises a pair of logo 10 substantially right angled triangular planar webs 11 which are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart the width of framing members to be interconnected.

The webs 11 are joined along their right angled edges by flanges 12 so as to define channels 13 at right angles to each other for receipt of ends of respective framing members.

15 As shown each corner of the triangular webs is truncated so as to form at the .9 apex of the webs 11 an opening '14 through which a framing member may slide.

The respective webs 11 in addition include openings 15 along the channels 13 for accepting fasteners and a further row of openings 16 intermediate the channels 13.

In use and as shown in Figure 3 ends of respective framing members 17 and 18 may be received within the respective channels 13 so as to be disposed at right angels to each other. The framing member 17 extends at least partially through the opening 14 whilst the end of the other framing member 18 may be in abutment or substantial abutment with the member 17. As shown in Figure 4, the member 17 may be fully extended through the opening 14 so as to be slidably adjustable relative to the framing member 18 until I the desired position of the framing member 17 relative to the framing member 18 is reached.

Fasteners 19 are inserted through the openings 15 to secure the framing members 17 and 18 to the webs 11 and thus the connector 10. The fasteners 19 may comprise screws, rivets bolts or any other form of fastener. Similar fasteners may also be provided through the flanges 12. It wi ll be apparent that the webs 11 diagonally spanning the joint and being connected to the members 17 and 18 •provide bracing on either sides of the members 17 and 18 at the joint.

10 As shown also in Figure 3 a further framing member 20 may be located between the webs 11 to be secured in position by fasteners 19 through the row of openings 16. It will be appreciated that the framing member 20 may extend from the joint between the members 17 and 18 at any angle.

°Figure 5 illustrated a modified form of connector 21 similar to the connector 10 and in which like features have been given like numerals however in this case, the apex of the triangular webs 11 are not truncated as with the connector 10 but rather the webs 11 are provide adjacent the apex with aligned openings 22 which are of similar size to the cross section of a framing member 23 receivable therethrough. This connector 21 permits three framing members 17, 18 and 23 to be arranged orthogonally to each other and secured in position with fasteners 24 provided in the flanges 12 to extend into the framing member 23. It will be appreciated in this configuration that the ends of the members 17 and 18 are arranged adjacent the opening 22 so that a clear passage is provided through the connector 21.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is illustrated yet a further form of connector 24 according to the invention for connecting three mutually perpendicular members to each other. In this case the connector 24 includes a pair of legs 25 and 26 arranged substantially at right angles to each other and each defining a channel 27 and 28 for neatly locating and receiving an end of a framing member 29 and (see Figure The outer walls 31 and 32 of each channel 27 and 28 are provided •"with openings 33 and 34 respectively aligned with the other channel 28 and 27 10 respectively, the openings 33 and 34 being of substantially the same width as the channels 28 and 27 and of a height substantially the same as that of a frame member receivable in the channels 28 and 27. Thus a frame member 30 located in the channel 28 may be slidably moved through the opening 33 and similarly a •*go member 29 located in the other channel 27 may be slidably moved through the opening 34 as shown in Figure 7 (in the absence of the other frame member or where the other frame member 30 ends short of the opening 33 or 34).

The base flanges 35 and 36 of the channels 27 and 28 are truncated short of the corner of the connector 24 to form an opening 37 through which a further frame member 38 may pass, the frame member 38 having its outer faces against the outer webs 31 and 32 of the respective channels 27 and 28 and being substantially at right angles to the members 29 and 30. Both the outer webs 31 and 32 and the opposite inner webs 39 and 40 are of a triangular configuration to provide bracing to the joint. As in the above embodiments, the inner and outer webs 39 and 12 and 31 and 32 are provided with openings to receive fasteners 41 which extend into the respective frame members 29, 30 and 38 to secure the frame members to the connector 24. Further frame members 42 may also be provided between the webs 31 and 39 (or webs 32 and 40) and be secured between the webs at any angle desired in the structure.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a further form of connector 43 similar to the connector of Figures 6 and 7 and in which like components have been given like numerals. In this embodiment however, the legs 25 and 26 rather than being at "right angles to each other are arranged at an obtuse angle to each other. The legs 10 25 and 26 are joined by a small channel section defined by intermediate inner and outer webs 44 and 45 which join the webs 31 and 32, and 39 and 40 respectively.

A base flange 46 between the webs 44 and 45 joins the base flanges 35 and 36 and is provided with an opening 48 of substantially the same cross section as a frame member 49.

With the connector 43, a pair of members 50 and 51 may be received in the respective channels 27 and 28 of the legs 25 and 26 and secured by fasteners through the webs 31, 32, 39 and 40. The framing member 49 may be slid through the opening 48 to a desired position being supported as shown by the inner and outer webs 44 and 45. Fasteners through the webs 44 and 45 secure the framing member 49 in position. Of course the opening 48 may be eliminated and the member 48 simply extended from the base flange 46.

For joining a plurality of framing members in the same plane to each other and to a further framing member at right angles to the plurality of members, the 13 connector 50 in Figure 10 may be used. The connector 50 comprises a pair of facing plates or sheets 51 of substantially rectangular or square configuration.

Arranged centrally of each plate 51 is an outwardly extending hollow spigot 52.

A plurality of framing member 53 may be arranged between the plates 51 to extend generally radially from the central spigot 52. Fasteners are passed through the plates 51 to secure the plates 51 to the members 53. A further member or members 54 may be inserted into the spigots 52 to extend at right angles to the members 53, the member 54 being secured in position by fasteners through the spigot 52. A single member 54 may extend through both spigots 52 or separate members 54 10 may extend from each spigot. Of course, the members 53 may be arranged at any orientation between the plates 51 and any number of members 53 may be provided.

In the embodiment of Figure 11, the connector 55 is in the form of a channel defined by opposite webs 56 and 57 joined through a base flange 58, the channel having a cross section complementary to the frame members 59, 60 and 61 to be connected by the connector 58. The webs 56 and 57 are in the form of triangles whose bases are located at the junctions with the base flange 58. A central opening 62 is provided in the base flange 58 to receive the framing member 61.

The frame members 59 and 60 are aligned with each other and fasteners 62 secure the webs 56 and 57 to the members 59 and 60 adjacent the base flange 58.

The members 59 and 60 terminate short of the opening 62 to allow the member 61 to be located between the webs 56 and 57 and be slidably moved through the opening 62 until the desired position of the member 61 relative to the members 59 14 and 60 is reached after which the fasteners 63 may be used to secure the member 61 in position. The triangular configuration of the webs 56 and 57 ensures support and bracing of the member 61 to the members 59 and Figure 12 illustrates a typical application of the connectors described above to form a frame 64 for any purpose. The required connectors as indicated are chosen to suit the number and orientation of framing members to be joined at each joint. It will be appreciated that by using the connectors as described above, frames 64 of many different configurations may be constructed for any purpose desired.

.o Referring now to Figure 13 there is illustrated a simplified form of connector o 10 65 for use with framing members comprising a socket-like member formed of a pair of major flanges 66 joined substantially at right angles to each other and a pair of .o minor flanges 67 substantially at right angles to the major flanges 66. A pair of o substantially parallel joining flanges 68 extend from the minor flanges 67.

For joining a pair of frame members 69 and 70, the connector 65 is slidably 15 located about the member 69 such that the flanges 66 and 67 are juxtaposed with respective faces of the member 69. Fasteners 71 through the flanges 66 secure the connector 65 to the member 69 at a desired position therealong. The flanges 68 are located on either side of the member 70 and secured thereto by fasteners 72.

The member 70 of course may extend at any angle from the member 69.

The remaining Figures 14-28 show variations in the connector to provide frame bracing at different angles with tubes of square and round section.

When tube frames are assembled to connectors are oversized to take rough sawn and PAR stock. Alternatively, the connector is made of overlapping halves which are applied around the studs and joined by the fasteners which connect them to the studs The connectors described above are suitably press formed from sheet metal and are galvanised plated, passivated or treated in any other manner for corrosion resistant purposes. The connectors however may however be formed of any other materials. Whilst the connectors are shown in most cases to include pre-formed openings for accepting fasteners, the openings may be formed during the fastening process by drilling, piercing or self drilling or piercing fastener. The connectors are '*designed to suit the cross section of the frame members to which they are

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10 connected.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the ihr.

:::°invention as herein set forth in the appended claims.

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Claims (14)

1. A framing connector for connecting a pair of frame members at predetermined angles, said connector having first and second locating means capable of locating the frame members relative to each other, the locating means constraining said members against lateral movements but allowing longitudinal sliding movement of at least one of said members through and beyond the connector, said connector being adapted to receive securing means capable of fixing the positions of the members in relation to the connector and to each other. S.

2. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the locating means lie 10 in a common plane.

3. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the locating means gor comprises a channel which is open at both ends for each framing member and the channels have mutually parallel bracing walls. ••go

4. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein an aperture located at the confluence of the channels allows a frame member to slide beyond the connector.

A framing connector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the aperture is defined by truncation of the bracing walls.

6. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the channels are mutually connected by mutually parallel triangular bracing walls and there is an aperture in at least one of the bracing walls through which a frame member is slidable. 17

7. A framing connector as claimed in any one of Claims 3-6 wherein,the channels are disposed at framing angles suitable for roofed buildings.

8. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the aperture is located in a channel wall allowing the frame member to slide 90 o 0 to the axis of the channel.

9. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the connector comprises a pair of chaanels disposed at 900 forming a bracket which is L-shaped in plan, each channel being braced by a pair of mutually parallel triangular walls. ooeo

10. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 comprising a bracket made of a pair of mutually parallel polygonal plates with a central spigot extending 4S** "4 10 outwardly from at least one of the plates, substantially normal to the plane of the plate, the securing means being arranged to allow frame members to be fixed in a radial array.

11. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the channels have a cross-section which take round tubes. 15

12. A framing connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the connector body 0 is made of two metal halves welded along an axis which bisects the channels.

13. A framing connector constructed and adapted for use substantially herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or as modified by Figures 3 and 4, 6 and 7,8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 to

14. A framing connector constructed and adapted for use substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 16, 17 and 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, 24, 25 and 26, 27, 28 and 29 to 31. 18 DATED th iE 2 8 h day ef APRIL 2000 DARRYL LEONARD SHARPE By his Patent Attorneys INTELLPRO *0 see* 0