Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
  • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
  • E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
  • E04C2/42—Gratings; Grid-like panels
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
  • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
  • E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
  • E04C2/42—Gratings; Grid-like panels
  • E04C2/428—Separate connecting means, e.g. connecting gratings to underlying structure
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F19/10—Built-in gratings, e.g. foot-scrapers

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a clamping system for removably fastening two items together, an upper one of which includes two, spaced, adjacent members and the lower one of which includes a ledge, lip or flange or at least some exposed undersurface, and more particularly relates to a clamping system for clamping standard grating down onto support beams made from angle iron, "I" beams or the like, removably fastening the grating to the support beam(s).
• threaded studs are fixedly secured to the beams by welding or shooting them in (ram set) .
• Saddle anchors (such as that illustrated in Figure 2) are then used to fasten the grating to the beam with the use of nuts threaded onto the studs or screws.
• the system of the present invention is easier and faster to install than any method now available to the industry. It eliminates the need for welding or attaching a stud by any means to the structural member, thereby eliminating the corrosion problems associated with grating attachment systems.
• the only tool needed in the system of the present invention is a nut or bolt driver, and the entire installation is accomplished from above the grating. There is no damage to the integrity of the steel in the structural member or to the paint system applied to the structural member.
• C clamps are also well known in the prior patents. Note for example the U.S. patents to Hachmann (1,233, 223, issued July 10, 1917) and Wing (3,425,681, issued February 4, 1969). Note also the clamp for hanging pipe and the like disclosed in the U.S. Kindorf patent (2,642,243, issued June 16, 1953), which utilizes a bolt extending down through the upper portion of a “C” clamp, fastening a pipe to an angle iron support, both of which are included within the interior to the "C” shape.
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a lower fastening element which can have a "C” shape, it does not in fact act like or is used as a “C” claim, which bears on the clamped element from both the top side as well as the bottom side.
• contact with the elements being clamped is only made on the underside of the "C” element, that is only in an upward direction.
• the present invention is directed to a simple, relatively inexpensive, relatively easily applied and unfastened, clamping system for clamping two items together, an upper one of which is made of spaced, adjacent members and the lower one of which includes a ledge type structure, for example that which might be formed from a flange or lip on an "I" beam or angle iron or the like, or to otherwise provide an exposed undersurface, and particularly such a clamping system which can be used to removably join together and fasten grating to support beams.
• the invention includes at least three elements- (1) an upper, winged fastening element; ( 2 ) a lower fastening element, which at least has an "L" shape and preferably a "C” shape; and (3) a bolt for bolting the two elements together.
• Both the upper and lower fastening elements can be made from appropriately cut out, metal sheet stock folded to form the necessary configurations for the two elements or can be made of solid extruded or cast material.
• the bolt extends through an opening in the central area of the upper fastening element and threadably engages a threaded orifice in the upper portion of the lower fastening element.
• the bolt When the bolt is tightened up, it draws the upper fastening element with its winged arms down towards the opposed boot of the "L" shape of the lower fastening element, the upper surface (s) of which is/are in engagement with the lower, undersurface of the ledge of the support beam.
• the inverted "U" shaped end portions of the upper fastening elements contacting the upper surfaces of the spaced members or ribs of the grating, the grating is thereby drawn down and held in fastening contact against the support beam between the upper and lower fastening elements.
• An appropriate number of the clamping systems are used, spaced about the grating, depending on the size of the grating, the number and location of available beams and the total amount of fastening force desired.
• the bolts of the various clamping systems need only to be loosened, allowing the lower "C" shaped elements to be moved sidewardly and up out of engagement with the support beam(s), allowing the grating to be freely moved upwardly.
• the clamping system of the present invention can be easily applied and removed and simply and economically manufactured. Additionally, the fastening elements produce a stable, reliable, four- point, spaced and opposed force system clamping the two items together.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention applied to the fastening of a section of standard grating (partially shown and partially cut away) to one of its support beams (partially shown), with the lower portion of the lower "C" shaped fastening element being shown in phantom line and being of solid construction.
• Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the three basic elements included in the preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention, using a second embodiment of the lower fastening element made from flat metal sheet stock folded to form two opposed, spaced but integrally formed "C" sections.
• Figure 3 is a side or end view of the preferred grating/beam application of Figure 1 but using the second embodiment of the lower "C" shaped fastening element illustrated in Figure 2, showing two of the rib members of the grating.
• Figure 4 is a plan view of the flat, metal stock from which the lower, "C" shaped fastening element of Figures 2 & 3 can be made, with the fold lines being shown by dashed lines.
• Figures 5-7 are perspective, plan and end views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the upper winged element of the clamping system of the present invention, in which the upper winged element is made of solid material.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view from the side and bottom perspective of a third, preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention applied to the fastening of a section of standard grating (partially shown and partially cut away) to one of its support "I" beams (partially shown), with this embodiment being similar to that of Figures 2-4 but with the bridging portion being included at the top of the "C" shaped element and with the upper, winged shaped element being made from fiat stock with the circular, central area being stamped down into the center of the flat stock.
• Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front, top perspective of the clamping elements of the embodiment of Figure 8 joined together.
• the preferred application for the preferred embodiment of the clamping system 1 of the present invention is to secure a piece of standard grating 2 to one or more support beams 3 (one beam being illustrated) in a manner that allows it to be easily affixed, as well as easily removed when desired.
• grating 2 is made up of a series of parallel, spaced, adjacent, longitudinal members or ribs 21, three of which are shown in Figure 1.
• the metal grating 2 typically come in separate sections, each of which presents on its upper side a support surface having significant strength, allowing for example a number of people to walk upon the grating, while allowing light or air to pass through it.
• the metal ribs 21 are held together by a series of lateral connectors (not illustrated) to form a rigid unit usually with all parts welded to its connecting parts.
• Such grating is typically supported on a series of support beams 3 which can be in the form of for example angle iron (as illustrated) or "I" beams or the like.
• Such support beams 3 typically include a horizontally disposed ledge 31 forming a lip or flange, upon which the grating rests for support.
• the preferred embodiment of the clamping system 1 of the present invention includes three basic elements - the upper, saddle anchor fastening element 4, a "C" shaped, lower fastening element 5 or 5', and a bolting element 6.
• a washer 7 can also be included under the head 61 of the bolt 6, as illustrated in Figure 1.
• the saddle anchor 4 a piece of hardware already known in the art of grating fastening, includes a horizontally disposed, central area 41 with a centrally iocated, circular opening 42 in it (note Figure 2). At the ends of the saddle anchor 4 are two inverted "U” shaped portions forming half-loops 43. These half-loops 43 extend over and around in holding engagement two adjacent ribs 21 of the grating 2, as can best be seen in Figure 3.
• the "C” shaped, lower fastening element 5' includes a lower portion 51 and a mid portion 52, which together form an "L" shape, the boot of which is formed by the lower portion 51.
• the upper portion 53 then combines with the middle and lower portions 52, 51 to form the "C” shape.
• a tab portion 54 which extends across the two spaced “C” sections, has a centrally located, threaded orifice 55 in it.
• the bolting element 6 illustrated is a standard, off-the-shelf bolt having a head 61 and a threaded, cylindrical shaft or stem 62, whose male threads match the female threading of the orifice 55.
• the bolt 6 is inserted through the opening 42, which has a diameter greater than that of the shaft 62 but less than that of the circle defined by the lateral dimensions of the bolt head 61.
• the distal end of the threaded bolt shaft 62 is screwed into the threaded orifice 55, with a washer if desired included between the head of the bolt 61 and the upper surface of the central area 41.
• the upper surface 56 of the lower portion 51 of the lower fastening element 5 is positioned so that it extends under the ledge 31 and contacts its undersurface 32.
• the upper surface 56 of the lower portion 51 can have raised or roughened areas for enhanced gripping or biting power.
• the upper fastening element 4 is positioned over the lower fastening element 5/5' with the inverted "U" shaped portions 43 positioned over and in contact with the upper surfaces of two, adjacent grating ribs 21.
• the bolt 6 is then appropriately positioned and screwed down into the threaded orifice 55, drawing the "C” fastening element 5 up until the lower portion 51 is in firm, upwardly directed holding contact with the underside of the beam ledge 31, fastening the grating 2 down onto the upper surface 33 of the support beam 3, all as illustrated in Figure 3.
• each clamping system 1 When it is desired to remove the grating 2, the bolt 6 of each clamping system 1 is merely unscrewed, loosening the upper, saddle anchor 4 so that it can be moved up out of engagement with the ribs 21.
• the lower "C" shaped element 5/5' is then moved out of engagement with the ledge 31, which allows the clamping system 1 to be completely removed, which in turn allows the grating 2 to be freely picked up.
• the lower, "C” shaped fastening element 5' can be made from flat steel or other metal sheet stock by cutting out a piece having the configuration shown in Figure 4 and folding this sheet along the fold lines
• the two, soaced, opposed "C” shaped portions are formed integrally joined together by the black portion 57.
• the tab portion 54 is then folded up about fold line C until it extends across to the opposed "C” section and contacts the underside area 58, to which it can be affixed if desired by welding or the like.
• the fastening force on the tab portion 54 is directed upwardly, mere contact with the underside 58 of the upper portion (note Figure 2) is usually sufficiently reliable.
• the "C" shaped piece 5' thus formed produces a very rigid, strong fastening element.
• the "C" shaped sides 51-53 could be joined at their top sides by an integral section extending along for example the full length of the tops 53, which top section would include the threaded orifice 55, thus eliminating the bent-over tab 54 and the back-section or portion 57.
• this alternative embodiment could be made from flat stock and bent along fold lines at the top sections 53 to form the top integral bridging section having the orifice 55.
• FIG 8 Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 8 clamping standard grating 2 to an "I" beam support 3A, which has an upper ledge 31A.
• the "C" shape element includes two spaced “C” sides, each made up of portions 151, 152, 153 joined together at the ton sections 153 by bridging top section 154.
• the embodiment 5" is made from. flat stock bent at the upper sections 153 along fold lines A', B' to form the top 154.
• the upper fastening, anchor saddle 4 can be formed from an extended, fiat piece of steel or other metal sheet stock by merely folding up, over and down its ends to form the inverted "U" shaped portions 43.
• the upper winged element 40 can be made of extruded or cast/molder material, such as for example plastic or aluminum.
• the central portion 141 has a central hole or opening 142 for the bolt and two winged portions 143.
• the centrally located opening 142 is counter-sunk to accommodate the bolt head 61, producing a relatively smooth upper surface.
• the winged portions 143 have flat, "L” shaped undersides (note Figure 71 for contacting and holding the upper surfaces of the grating ribs.
• This configuration has the advantage of being able to clear or not contact any obstacles such as cross-bars that might exist between adjacent grating ribs.
• the saddle anchor 4 with its down-turned ends of the "U” shapes prevents the clamping system from being used at certain locations of some grating.
• the winged element 40 With the central portion 141 extending down between the ribs forming the "L" shapes with the undersides of the winged portions 143, the winged element 40 thus extends over and partially around the ribs on their inner sides, that is on one side of each rib.
• a third embodiment 140 of Figures 8 & 9 is the most preferred for the upper winged element (as well as for the "C” element 5"), in that it is in the form that has been commercialized.
• the upper winged element 140 is made from flat stock with the central circular area 241 stamped down into it.
• the upper winged element 141 includes the depressed central area 241 producing the "L" shaped side wing sections 243.
• a typical, exemplary clamping system 1 could include a "C" shaped element 5' made from ten gauge, one-eighth inch thick steel plate having an over-all width (51 + 57 + 51) of two and three quarters inches and a central width (52 + 57 + 52) of seven-eighths of an inch, and an over-all height (51 + 52 + 53) of one and an quarter inches and an interior height (52) of three quarters of an inch. This would accommodate flanges up to about five-eighths of an inch in thickness.
• the tab portion (54) could extend a half incn across witn a back-side width of three-eighths of an inch.
• the bolt 6 typically could be a quarter inch standard threaded machine bolt having an effective length a quarter inch less than the grating thickness (height of the ribs 21) .
• the upper fastening element 4 typically could be a shallow (eighth inch) standard, "off-the-shelf" saddle anchor.
• all these elements 40, 5 and 6 could be made of plastic, enhancing the non-corrosive aspects of the system.
• the clamping system of the present invention could be used to fasten other items together in which one item has at least two, spaced, adjacent members and the other item has an extended lip or flange or other underside surface to which the boot or lower portion 51 of the fastening element 5' (5) can engage in fastening or holding contact.
• the "C" shape for the lower fastening element 5/5' is preferred because it centers and balances out in a symmetrical fashion the four-point fastening force system, it could be made as an "L” shape in which a threaded orifice (analogous to 55) is included in the upwardly extended portion of the "L” shape.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)
• Forms Removed On Construction Sites Or Auxiliary Members Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=24839821

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (10)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 1986
  • 1986-02-14 JP JP61501487A patent/JPS62502348A/ja active Pending
  • 1986-02-14 WO PCT/US1986/000327 patent/WO1986005228A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1986-02-14 EP EP19860901640 patent/EP0215842A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1986-02-14 AU AU55419/86A patent/AU5541986A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1986-02-14 BR BR8605613A patent/BR8605613A/pt unknown
  • 1986-02-28 ZA ZA861514A patent/ZA861514B/xx unknown
  • 1986-10-28 KR KR1019860700749A patent/KR880700134A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1986-10-28 DK DK514286A patent/DK514286A/da not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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