GB2033042A

GB2033042A - Connecting members for metal rails

Info

Publication number: GB2033042A
Application number: GB7843713A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FIRSTEEL METAL PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: FIRSTEEL METAL PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1978-11-08
Filing date: 1978-11-08
Publication date: 1980-05-14
Also published as: GB2033042B

Abstract

A connecting bracket for joining end-to-end two hollow T-shaped cross-section frame members (10), Fig. 11 (not shown), the bracket comprising a section with a vertical web (18), and laterally projecting offset flanges (19, 20, 21), two on one side, and the third on the other. Each flange has a longitudinal jamming rib (21) and the web (18) has a rib (23) of increasing thickness towards the centre (24). To form a joint the bracket is inserted into the ends of the two frame members. In a modification, Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown), the jamming rib in the central flange 20 is divided into two parts with two abutment pimples in between to hold the ends of the frame members apart. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connecting members for metal rails This invention relates to connecting members for rails or frame members formed from thin sheet metal and the invention is particularly applicable to rails of hollow angle or T-section having a web and a flange extending in perpendicular planes and each with a double wall providing a hollow, or partly hollow, interior.

Such frame members are conventionally used in the construction of suspended ceiling frameworks to support ceiling panels and also similar frameworks to support roofing or wall panels. Numerous different means for connecting such frame members together end-toend have been proposed but all suffer from various limitations and it is an object of the invention to provide an improved connecting member and connected rail assembly.

Broadly stated the invention consists in a connecting member for joining two longitudinal hollow angled frame members end-to-end, each of the frame members having a web and a flange extending in perpendicular planes and each with a double wall providing a hollow, or partly hollow, interior, the connecting member having two substantially flat flanges extending in perpendicular planes, at least one of the flanges being turned over, bent, corrugated or formed with projecting pimples or ribs to fit within the respective hollow parts of the frame members.

In the most preferred forms of the invention the connecting member is of T-section to engage with frame members of corresponding hollow T-section. Conveniently, the web of the T has a projecting flange on one side and an offset projecting flange on the other side, all stamped from a unitary metal plate.

In any case, it is preferred that the projections should be of increasing height or thickness towards the mid-point of the member.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the connecting member has spaced abutments, shoulders or steps designed to limit the engagement of the member with the two frame members, so as to hold the ends of the frame members spaced apart.

The invention also consists in a beam assembly or construction including two frame members of hollow T-section interconnected end-to-end by a connecting member as defined. In particular, the invention applies to a lattice framework for a suspended celing, roof or wall construction, including frame members as defined.

The invention may be performed in various ways and two specific embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a connecting member according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, Figure 3 is an end elevation, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same connecting member, Figure 5 is a perspective view partly exploded, illustrating the connecting member in position to form an end-to-end coupling, Figure 6 is a plan view of the second embodiment, Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof, Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating this form of connecting member in position to form a joint, and Figure 9 is a side elevation of the construction of Fig. 8.

In the first example of Figs. 1 to 4, the connecting member is designed to form an end-to-end joint between two longitudinal frame members, each of hollow T-section. As shown in Fig. 5, one of these frame members 10 has an upstanding web 11 with a downturned double flange 1 2 forming a part hollow web and the same strip of metal is folded over to form a hollow projecting flange 1 3 on one side with a further flange 14 on the opposite side having a doubled flange 1 5 along its outer edge, again forming a parthollow flange.

The connecting member is likewise of inverted T-section and has an upstanding metal web 1 8 with two flat parallel flanges 1 9 on one side and a third flat flange 20 on the opposite side, all in a common plane. The flanges 1 9 and 20 are offset as seen in Fig. 1 and can thus be stamped from a single piece of sheet metal. Each of the flanges 19, 20 has a projecting longitudinal rib 21 extending downwards below the flange proper and the upstanding web 1 8 has a longitudinal rib 23 projecting on one side. This rib 23 is of somewhat greater thickness towards its centre 24 for a purpose to be described. All the ribs are formed by pressing from the sheet metal.

It will also be noted that the corners 25 of the flanges are rounded or clipped to facilitate assembly.

To ass'emble a joint this connecting member is inserted into the end of one of the T.frame members until the end of the frame member reaches the vertical centre line 26. This is facilitated by the increasing height of the rib 23 towards its centre 24. The other frame member is then brought up over the exposed end of the connecting member to form the complete joint. The ribs 21, 23 are designed to fit closely within the hollow flanges and web of the frame members to form a tight line joint with little play.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, the connecting member is of basically the same form and like parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this case, however, the central projecting flange 20 is formed with two spaced ribs 21 a and between these ribs, on either side of the centre line, are a pair of projecting pimples 28. These are spaced apart at a distance of approximately 25 mm. The height of each pimple is somewhat greater than the height or thickness of the ribs 21 a and when the assembly is brought together as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the two pimples 28 act as limit stops to hold the ends of the frame members apart. This provides a form of "fire rating" expansion. If the frame member is exposed to high temperatures the expansion will override the limit stops and the ends of the two frame members can then move further towards each other. A gap between the two frame members on the opposite side of the connecting member may be closed by fitting an additional trim piece 30 as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, formed of a relatively soft metal such as aluminium which can be bent to shape and which will melt or drop out when exposed to flame temperatures.

Claims

1. A connecting member for joining two longitudinal hollow angled frame members end-to-end, each of the frame members having a web and a flange extending in perpendicular planes and each with a double wall providing a hollow, or partly hollow, interior, the connecting member having two substantially flat flanges extending in perpendicular planes, at least one of the flanges being turned over, bent, corrugated or formed with projections or ribs to fit within the respective hollow parts of the frame members.

2. A connecting member according to claim 1, of T-section, to engage with frame members of corresponding hollow T-section.

3. A connecting member according to claim 2, in which the web of the T has a projecting flange on one side and an offset projecting flange on the other side, all stamped from a unitary metal plate.

4. A connecting member according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the projections are of increasing height or thickness towards the mid-point of the member.

5. A connecting member according to any of the preceding claims, having spaced abutments, shoulders or steps designed to limit the engagement of the member with the two frame members, so as to hold the ends of the frame members spaced apart.

6. A connecting member substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A beam assembly or construction including two frame members of hollow Tsection interconnected end-to-end by a connecting member.

8. A lattice framework for a suspended ceiling, roof or wall construction, including a beam assembly according to claim 7.