GB2119891A

GB2119891A - Joints for contiguous bars

Info

Publication number: GB2119891A
Application number: GB08311782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paolo Targetti
Original assignee: Targetti Sankey SpA
Current assignee: Targetti Sankey SpA
Priority date: 1982-05-07
Filing date: 1983-04-29
Publication date: 1983-11-23
Also published as: FR2526499A1; GB8311782D0; DE3313402A1; IT8211637V0

Abstract

A joint for connecting two bars, each of which has a grooved profile extension of reduced cross-section 5c. The grooved extensions fit into seats defined in two sleeve parts 7, 9 which are split along a longitudinal plane. Means 10 are provided for holding the two sleeve parts together so that the cross-section of the coupled sleeve parts is substantially the same as and continuous with the cross-section of the bars. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Joints for contiguous bars The present invention relates to joints for contiguous bars, particularly for use in network pipe and scaffolding type structures which are made up of bars of a continuous geometrical cross-section with a convex outline, for example bars of cylindrical, rectangular, square or equivalent section.

The present invention provides a joint for connecting two contiguous bars, each bar having an extension of reduced cross-section, which extension has a grooved profile, two sleeve parts which each define internal seatings shaped to engage the grooved profiles of said extensions, and means for coupling said sleeve parts together along a longitudinal plane to engage said extensions, the outer profile of said sleeve and said bars being substantially continuous.

Such a joint provides a connection which avoids the presence of projecting parts such as those necessary for flange connections.

The invention also includes an elongate member of uniform cross-section including two bars each having two ends arranged with one end of one bar facing one end of the other bar, each said one end having a transversely grooved projection of crosssection less than said uniform cross-section, a first sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for half the cross-section of both said transversely grooved projections, a second sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for the other half of the cross-sections of both said transversely grooved projections, and means for holding said longitudinal faces of said sleeve parts in abuttment, the outer profiles of said abutting sleeve parts and the holding means being substantially said uniform crosssection.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a pair of bars placed end to end and connected by means of the joint, in side view and part section; Figure 2 shows an exploded view with the components in cross-section along line ll-ll of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a section taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

As illustrated in the drawing, 1 and 3 denote two contiguous bars to be coupled. Each bar has at one end an insert 5 fixed in the bar and having a shaped extension. The extension has a grooved profile including conical neck part 5A in the form of a truncated cone and a cylindrical part 5B interrupted by an annular groove 5C. The extension has a cross-section smaller than that of bar 1 or 3.

Two semi-cylindrical sleeve parts 7 and 9 are substantially symmetrical relative to a longitudinal coupling plane of the parts. The two sleeve parts may be coupled by means of a screw with nut 10 which extends perpendicular to the coupling plane and the head of which is below the surface inside a seating provided for it in part 9. The screw may also extend transverse to the coupling plane. The outer profile of the coupled sleeve parts 7,9 and nut 10 substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the bars 1,3.

Each of the two parts 7 and 9 has a longitudinal flat coupling surface including two recesses 12 each shaped to correspond to half the cross-section of one of the extensions 5A, 5B, 5C, so as to form a seat for the extension. When the two sleeve parts 7 and 9 are coupled together two seats are formed which correspond exactly to the profiles of the two extensions.

In order to joint two bars, 1,3 the bars are disposed end to end and longitudinally spaced at a distance, in such a way that the respective extensions engage into the recesses 12 of one of the two sleeve parts, such as part 7. The other sleeve part is then engaged over the extensions, and the screw 10 used to hold the two parts 7 and 9 and the extensions held within them secure. In this way the joint is stabilized ridigly both axially and angularly between the two contiguous bars, while no projecting parts are to be found between the two bars.

Such a joint may be formed with bars of any suitable cross-section, e.g. rectangular or square as well as the illustrated circular cross-section.

Although the extensions 5A, 5B, 5C have been shown as parts of inserts 5, it will be appreciated the extensions may be formed integrally with the ends of the bars. Moreover, the extensions may be provided with various types of grooved profiles which engage within the seats of the sleeve parts.

The design of such profiles is limited only by the requirement that the extension should not be removable from the sleeve parts once these are coupled together.

It will also be appreciated that the extensions, inserts and bars may be hollow or solid as required.

1. A joint for connecting two contiguous bars, each bar having an extension of reduced crosssection, which extension has a grooved profile, two sleeve parts which each define internal seatings shaped to engage the grooved profiles of said extensions, and means for coupling said sleeve parts together along a longitudinal plane to engage said extensions, the outer profile of said sleeve and said bars being substantially continuous.

2. Ajoint as claimed in claim 1, in which said coupling means includes a screw which extends substantially transverse to said longitudinal coupling plane.

3. Ajoint as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said bars are of circular, rectangular or square cross-section, and said sleeve parts are substantially symmetrical about said longitudinal coupling plane to define an outer profile of substantially the same section as said bars.

4. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said grooved profiles include at least one annular groove.

5. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said groove profiles include a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Joints for contiguous bars The present invention relates to joints for contiguous bars, particularly for use in network pipe and scaffolding type structures which are made up of bars of a continuous geometrical cross-section with a convex outline, for example bars of cylindrical, rectangular, square or equivalent section. The present invention provides a joint for connecting two contiguous bars, each bar having an extension of reduced cross-section, which extension has a grooved profile, two sleeve parts which each define internal seatings shaped to engage the grooved profiles of said extensions, and means for coupling said sleeve parts together along a longitudinal plane to engage said extensions, the outer profile of said sleeve and said bars being substantially continuous. Such a joint provides a connection which avoids the presence of projecting parts such as those necessary for flange connections. The invention also includes an elongate member of uniform cross-section including two bars each having two ends arranged with one end of one bar facing one end of the other bar, each said one end having a transversely grooved projection of crosssection less than said uniform cross-section, a first sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for half the cross-section of both said transversely grooved projections, a second sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for the other half of the cross-sections of both said transversely grooved projections, and means for holding said longitudinal faces of said sleeve parts in abuttment, the outer profiles of said abutting sleeve parts and the holding means being substantially said uniform crosssection. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a pair of bars placed end to end and connected by means of the joint, in side view and part section; Figure 2 shows an exploded view with the components in cross-section along line ll-ll of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a section taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1. As illustrated in the drawing, 1 and 3 denote two contiguous bars to be coupled. Each bar has at one end an insert 5 fixed in the bar and having a shaped extension. The extension has a grooved profile including conical neck part 5A in the form of a truncated cone and a cylindrical part 5B interrupted by an annular groove 5C. The extension has a cross-section smaller than that of bar 1 or 3. Two semi-cylindrical sleeve parts 7 and 9 are substantially symmetrical relative to a longitudinal coupling plane of the parts. The two sleeve parts may be coupled by means of a screw with nut 10 which extends perpendicular to the coupling plane and the head of which is below the surface inside a seating provided for it in part 9. The screw may also extend transverse to the coupling plane. The outer profile of the coupled sleeve parts 7,9 and nut 10 substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the bars 1,3. Each of the two parts 7 and 9 has a longitudinal flat coupling surface including two recesses 12 each shaped to correspond to half the cross-section of one of the extensions 5A, 5B, 5C, so as to form a seat for the extension. When the two sleeve parts 7 and 9 are coupled together two seats are formed which correspond exactly to the profiles of the two extensions. In order to joint two bars, 1,3 the bars are disposed end to end and longitudinally spaced at a distance, in such a way that the respective extensions engage into the recesses 12 of one of the two sleeve parts, such as part 7. The other sleeve part is then engaged over the extensions, and the screw 10 used to hold the two parts 7 and 9 and the extensions held within them secure. In this way the joint is stabilized ridigly both axially and angularly between the two contiguous bars, while no projecting parts are to be found between the two bars. Such a joint may be formed with bars of any suitable cross-section, e.g. rectangular or square as well as the illustrated circular cross-section. Although the extensions 5A, 5B, 5C have been shown as parts of inserts 5, it will be appreciated the extensions may be formed integrally with the ends of the bars. Moreover, the extensions may be provided with various types of grooved profiles which engage within the seats of the sleeve parts. The design of such profiles is limited only by the requirement that the extension should not be removable from the sleeve parts once these are coupled together. It will also be appreciated that the extensions, inserts and bars may be hollow or solid as required. CLAIMS

5. A joint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said groove profiles include a portion in the shape of a truncated cone joining the extension to said bar.

6. Ajoint as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said bars have hollowing ends, and said extensions are each provided as an insert engageable in said hollow ends of said bar.

7. An elongate member of uniform cross-section including two bars each having two ends arranged with one end of one bar facing one end of the other bar, each said one end having a transversely grooved projection of cross-section less than said uniform cross-section, a first sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for half the cross-section of both said transversely grooved projections, a second sleeve part having a profile including a longitudinal face defining a seat for the other half of the cross-sections of both said transversely grooved projections, and means for holding said longitudinal faces of said sleeve parts in abuttment, the outer profiles of said abutting sleeve parts and the holding means being substantially said uniform cross-section.

8. A joint for connecting two contiguous bars substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.