GB2133108A

GB2133108A - Structural jointing members

Info

Publication number: GB2133108A
Application number: GB08333291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-05
Filing date: 1983-12-14
Publication date: 1984-07-18
Also published as: DE3345370A1; AU2255883A; IT8324226A0; FR2538828A1; GB8333291D0

Abstract

A plurality of plates 1,2,3 are connected together, each plate defining a plurality of spigots 4. The plates are spaced apart by spacing means 10, and the spigots 1,3 are bent outward from the plane of the plate at an angle defined by the structural members which are to be connected to the spigots. A nut-and-bolt assembly 7 connects the plates and spacing means together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Structural jointing members This invention relates to structural jointing members and more particularly although not exclusively to jointing members for joining together at a common point the ends of a multiplicity of light structural members.

The structural members of space frames and like structural assemblages frequently need to be connected together at a common point. To this end, jointing members have been developed which comprise a plurality of spigots which project radially outwardly from a central point, each spigot adapted to have a structural member secured thereto. Conventionally because of their complexity of form, these jointing members are fabricated by moulding which is an expensive method of manufacture and which accordingly adds significantly to the cost of a completed framework.

It is an object of this invention to provide a jointing member of the aforementioned type which is both simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the invention there is provided a jointing member comprising a plurality of plates connected together, each plate defining a plurality of spigots.

Preferably at least some spigots may be bent out of the plane of the plate from which they are formed.

Further, there is provided for the axes of spigots of a plate to be coincident at a point on a central axis of the plate.

Preferably the plates are spaced apart by spacing means, The spacing means may have an axial hole passing therethrough adapted to receive a bolt, said bolt passing through the plates and spacing means to connect them together. The bolt may be coincident with the central axis.

Each plate may have a different number of spigots, the spigot being bent out of the plane of the plate to an angle defined by a structure wherein the jointing member is adapted to be incorporated. The spigots will be bent out of the plane at an angle of between 25 degrees and 65 degrees and preferably at an angle of 45 degrees.

The jointing member will preferably have a plurality of planes of symmetry passing therethrough.

Optionally, the jointing member may comprise three plates connected together through connection means, the operatively lower plate having spigots bent in a downward direction, the central plate being flat, and the operatively upper plate having spigots bent in an upward direction.

Further there is provided for the spigots to have structural member engaging formations associated therewith, and preferably for the formation to comprise holes to which structural members may attach in use.

An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the upper plate of a jointing member; and Figure 2 illustrates a sectional elevation of the jointing member along line A-A of Figure 1.

Referring to the illustrations, the jointing member comprises an upper plate 1, a central plate 2 and a lower plate 3. All three plates are punched from sheet metal, each plate defining six spigots 4 which project radially from a central axis 5 of the jointing member. The spigots on the upper plate have been bent out of the plane of the plate in an upward direction at an angle of 45 degrees to the original plane of the plate. The spigots on the central plate lie flush with the plane of that plate and the spigots on the lower plate have been bent at 45 degrees in a downward direction out of the original plane of the plate.

Each spigot has a hole 6 passing therethrough to which struts and ties of a structural frame may connect in use.

The three plates are connected together by means of a nut-and-bolt assembly 7, the bolt passing through an axial hole formed in each of the plates. The plates are spaced apart by means of spacers 10 which also have axial holes formed therein, the bolt passing through the axial holes of the spacers as well. The nut will preferably be a locking nut. It will be appreciated that structural members having suitable cross-section may be connected to spigots as illustrated in the drawings. It will be equally possible to form spigots having different shapes, which will connect to structural members using cooperant crosssections. Other suitable means of connecting the structural member to the spigots can be riveting, welding or like-joining means.

As shown in Figure 1, the spigots all radiate outwardly from the central axis 5. When loaded, the forces on the jointing member will all act through a point located on the central axis. There will thus be no region of high stress on the jointing member provided the jointing member is equally loaded from each direction. It is envisaged that the jointing member will be incorporated into a space frame or like structure the loading from the structural member being axial on each spigot.

It will be appreciated that it will be possible to vary the number of spigots formed from each plate. As shown in the diagram, each plate has six spigots formed therefrom, but it will be quite possible to have less spigots formed from each plate. it will also be possible to vary the number of plates which go to make up a single jointing member.

It will be appreciated that the jointing member as described has a plurality of planes of symmetry passing therethrough. These planes are indicated by numeral 8 in Figure 1. The symmetry of the assembly ensures that the minimum stresses are experienced by the jointing member during the loading of a framework or structure wherein the jointing member is used. Locating pins 9 which project from the plates into the spacers 7 increase the rigidity of the assembled jointing member.

There may be many variations to the abovedescribed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, as previously mentioned, the spigots and the number of plates used in this particular jointing member may be varied to suit the particular application for which the member is required. In addition, the actual shape of the spigots may be varied to suit the structural members adapted to connect thereto.

Other variations envisaged relate to the material from which the jointing member is to be formed.

In particular, it is envisaged that a synthetic jointing member may be used for connecting structural members of light frames. The means for the connection of plates can be any suitable means, and riveting or welding of the plates is particularly envisaged. It will be appreciated that the fabrication of the jointing members described will be relatively simple using machines and tools found in standard engineering workshops. No foundry or other apparatus is necessarily required in order to form the members.

Claims

1. A jointing member comprising a plurality of plates connected together, each plate defining a plurality of spigots.

2. A jointing member as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some spigots are bent out of the plane of the plate from which they are formed.

3. A jointing member as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the axes of the spigots of a plate are coincident at a point in the central axis of the jointing member.

4. A jointing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plates are spaced apart by spacing means.

5. A jointing member as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spacing means has an axial hole passing therethrough for receiving a bolt therethrough, the said bolt passing through the plates and spacing means to connect the jointing member together.

6. A jointing member as claimed in claim 5 wherein the bolt is coincident with the central axis of the jointing member.

7. A jointing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spigots are bent out of the plane of the plate wherefrom they are formed at an angle of 45 degrees to the original plane of the plate.

8. A jointing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the jointing member has a plurality of planes of symmetry passing therethrough.

9. A jointing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein three plates are connected together by connection means, the operatively low plate having the spigots bent in a downward direction, the central plate being flat, and the upper plate having spigots bent in an upward direction.

10. A jointing member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spigots have structural member engaging formations associated therewith.

11. A jointing member as claimed in claim 10 wherein the structural member engaging formations comprise holes passing through the spigot, adapted to have means passing therethrough to connect structural members thereto.

12. A jointing member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.