GB2169678A - Securing a threaded member to a further member - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of providing a tube (10) (e.g. a building framework part) with a male or female threaded member (18; 38) comprises the steps of entrapping the threaded member (18; 38) in a recess (23; 43) in an entrapping member (16, 17; 35, 36), to prevent rotation of the insert (18; 38) relative to the entrapping member (15; 35), inserting each entrapping member (16, 17; 35, 36) into an opening (12) in the tube (10), and fixing the entrapping member (16, 17; 35, 36) against withdrawal by deforming the tube (10) into recesses (30; 50). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of providing a member with a male or female threaded insert This invention relates to a method of providing a member with a male or female threaded insert. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention has been devised for use in a building construction such as a wall or roof construction comprising a plurality of frame parts which extend side by side in spaced parallel relation, with an elongate member extending between an adjacent pair of frame parts, with cladding panels secured to the frame parts.

It is desirable in such building constructions to provide an elongate structural member which extends between and is secured to a pair of adjacent frame parts, to prevent bowing of the frame parts, and to otherwise add rigidity.

Frame parts in building constructions which are used to support cladding or roofing panels are especially prone to such bowing.

Elongate structural members are known for this purpose which comprise a male threaded projecting part welded at an end of the e ongate member, which projecting part is received in use, in a nut or other female threaded element we ded or otherwise secured to one of the frame parts, and a female threaded part at the other end, again secured by welding, which female threaded part is engaged by a projecting male threaded element welded or otherwise secured to the other frame part.

Welding the male or female threaded parts at the respective ends of the elongate member is obviously inconvenient and accordingly it is one object of the present invention to provide a new or improved method of providing a member with a male or female threaded insert.

Accordiny to one aspect of the invention we provide a method of providing a member having an opening therein, with a threaded insert comprising the steps of entrapping the insert in a recess in an entrapping member, the recess and the insert co-operating to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the entrapping member, inserting the entrapping member into the opening, and fixing the entrapping member to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member from the opening.

Thus there is no need to weld any male or female threaded part to or on the member, but merely to insert and fix the entrapping member in the opening.

The entrapping member may have a shank which is inserted into the opening, and a portion of the member near the opening, into which the entrapping member is inserted may be deformed after the entrapping member has been inserted into engagement with the shank to provide said fixing to prevent withdrawal of the member from the opening.

The shank of the entrapping member may have in an external surface thereof, a recess and said deforming step may include deforming said portion near to the opening, into said recess, to provide an even firmer resistance to withdrawal. Thus the entrapping member may be prevented not only from being withdrawn from the opening, but also from rotating relative to the member in which it is received.

The method is particularly applicable to providing a threaded insert in an elongate member, such as a tube, in which the opening is provided in an end thereof, in which case a portion of the wall of the e ongate member near to said end, may be deformed to fix said entrapping member.

The method is of course apo icable to providing either a male threaded or a female threaded insert in the opening, and where the member in which the threaded insert is provided, is an elongate member having an opening at either end or extending axially from one end to the other, said method may include the steps of providing the opening at one end of the member with a male threaded insert, and the opening at the other end of the member, with a female threaded insert.

The method may include the step of providing an opening from the recess in which the insert is entrapped, to an outer base of the entrapping member, through which either a male threaded part of the male threaded insert may pass, or through which a male threaded element may pass to engage with the female threaded part of the female threaded insert.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide an elongate member having an opening in an end thereof, and a threaded insert, the insert being entrapped in a recess in an entrapping member, the recess and insert co-operating to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the entrapping member, the entrapping member being received by and fixed in the opening of the elongate member to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member from the opening.

The threaded insert may have either a male or female threaded part. Where the insert has a male threaded part, the insert may comprise a bolt or the like having a head and a male threaded projecting part, the head being entrapped in the recess in the entrapping member and the male threaded projecting part passing through an opening which communicates with both the recess and an outer face of the entrapping member and projecting therefrom.

Where the insert has a female threaded part, the entrapping member may have an opening extending from an outer face thereof to the recess in which the insert is entrapped to provide a passage for a male threaded element to permit the male threaded element to engage with the female threaded part of the insert.

The entrapping member may be made of plastics, in which case the threaded insert may be entrapped within the recess by moulding the plastics material of the member around the threaded insert. Where an opening is provided from the recess to the outer face of the entrapping member, this may be formed integrally or subsequently provided.

Preferably however, the entrapping member is made in two parts, which together define the recess, the two parts being assembled together with the insert in the recess. Again, the opening from the recess to the outer face thereof may be provided integrally with the two parts, or subsequently provided.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide an entrapping member comprising first and second parts assembled together along a plane, a recess provided by each of the first and second parts and opening from the first and second parts at said plane, a threaded insert received in and entrapped in the recess, the entrapping member comprising a shank the longitudinal axis of which lies in said plane, the shank being adapted to be received in an opening in a member, and fixed relative to the member, to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member and hence the threaded insert, from the opening.

Preferably, said plane is a central dividing plane and thus the first and second parts may be identical. However, if desired, the plane may be at other positions.

The recess in which the insert is entrapped may be of a substantially hexagona configuration in cross section transverse to said plane, to correspond with the usual hexagonal head of a bolt or a nut, and the recess may be of a length longitudinally of the insert, corresponding to a standard nut or bolt head thickness.

Of course, the threaded insert may be of any other constructions as required, in which case the recess would need to be of a configuration to prevent the threaded insert from rotating relative to the entrapping member.

The shank may have one or more external recesses into which material of a portion of the member near to said opening in which the shank is received, may be deformed, to fix the entrapping member in the opening. Alternatively, the entrapping member may have other formations with which corresponding formations of the member in which the shank is received may be engaged to fix the member relative to the opening.

Preferably, the entrapping member comprises, in addition to the shank, a body part with a shoulder between the shank and body part, the body part, in use, being external to said opening. Thus the body part of the entrapping member is prevented from being inserted into the opening. The body part may be arranged to engage another part such as a frame part in a building construction.

The entrapping member according to the third aspect of the invention has particular use in an elongate member according to the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a building construction comprising a plurality of frame parts extending side by side in spaced parallel relation, an elongate member, according to the second aspect of the invention, secured to each of an adjacent pair of the frame parts, the elongate member having a male threaded part of a male threaded insert projecting from one end, which part passes through one of the frame parts, and a female threaded part of a female threaded insert at the other end, which female threaded part receives a male threaded part projecting from the other frame part.

The projecting male threaded part of the elongate member may have received thereon, a female threaded element, such as a nut but preferably engages with a female threaded insert of a further elongate member in accordance with the second aspect of the invention positioned on the opposite side of the frame part through which the projecting part passes.

The male threaded element of said other frame part may comprise a male threaded element such as a bolt which passes through the other frame part, but preferably is a male threaded part of a male threaded insert of a still further elongate member in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, positioned on the opposite side of said other frame part.

Preferably the frame parts each comprise beams, such as 'I' shaped beams or sigma shaped beams, comprising a web having along each side thereof, a laterally extending flange, the elongate member being positioned alongside the webs of the beams.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of an elongate member having a threaded insert at each end in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the elongate member of Figure 1 assembled; FIGURE 3 is a side view partly in section of a building construction incorporating an elongate member as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, an elongate member 10 comprises a tube having a side wall 11, defining an opening 12 which extends axially from one end 13 to the other 14.

A first plastic entrapping member 15 to be provided in the end 13 of tube 10 comprises a first part 16 and a second part 17, which are arranged to be assembled together to entrap a threaded insert 18 therein.

Parts 16 and 17 are identical and each comprise a shank 20 and a body part 21, which are moulded integrally and form a shoulder 22 therebetween, Provided internally within the plastic member 15 is a recess 23, which recess 23 is of generally hexagonal shape in cross section and is arranged to receive a head 24 of threaded insert 18 which comprises a bolt. The threaded insert 18 further comprises a male threaded projecting part 25, which, when head 24 is received in recess 23, extends through an opening 26 in the plastic member 15 which extends from an outer face 27 thereof and projects therefrom.

Each of the parts 16 and 17 also have provided in a lower part of the shank 20 thereof, an external recess 30 for a use hereinafter described.

The leading end 31 of the shank is tapered to facilitate introduction of the shank 20 into the end 13 of the elongate member 10 and thus the two parts 16, 17, will be retained together.

It can be seen that as each part 16 and 17 is identical, that the recess 23 is defined by each of the parts 16 and 17 and opens at a central dividing plane P.

In use, the two parts 16 and 17, are assembled together, with the head 24 of the bolt 18 received in recess 23. Thus, the bolt 18 will be entrapped in the recess 23 and because the recess 23 is of a hexagonal shape corresponding generally to the configuration of the hexagonal head 24, and of an axial depth d generally corresponding to the depth 0' of head 14, the bolt 18 will be prevented from either moving axially relative to the plastic member 15, or from rotating relative thereto. If necessary, the two parts 16, 17, may be secured, for example, by adhesive.

Also in Figure 1, a further plastic entrapping member 35 is shown which also comprises two parts 36 and 37, which when assembled together, entrap a threaded insert comprising a hexagonal nut 38 which has a female threaded part 45 thereof.

Each part 36 and 37 has a shank 40 and a body part 41 defining a shoulder 42 therebetween. The two parts 36 and 37 together define an internal recess 43, which, like recess 23 of plastic member 15, is of generally hexagonal configuration in section, corresponding to the external configuration of nut 38, and having a depth I just slightly larger than the thickness I' of the nut 38.

Again, the two parts 36, 37, may be retained together when the shank 40 is received in end 14 of the tube 10.

Each of the parts 36 and 37, in the shank 40 thereof, provide external recesses 50 again for a reason hereinafter described.

The two parts 36 and 37 are again assembled together with a nut 38 in the recess 43 so that the nut becomes entrapped in the recess 43. It can be seen that an opening 36 extends from the recess 43 to an outer face 37 of the plastic member 35 to provide a passage for a male threaded element to pass therethrough and engage with the female threaded part 45 of the insert 38.

Referring now to Figure 2, the elongate member 10 is shown assembled with the plastic members 15 and 35. The shank 20 of the plastic entrapping member 15 is inserted in end 13 of the tube 10 whilst the body part 21 of plastic member 15 is external to the tube. The male threaded projecting part 25 of the male threaded insert 18 projects from the outer face 27 of the plastic member 15 and is engageable by correspondingly female threaded element.

To fix the plastic member 15 within the end 13 of the tube 10, a portion 52 of the tube 10 adjacent the opening 13 is deformed as shown at 53, inwardly, and consequently inwardly extending parts of portion 52 in the inside of the tube extend into the external recesses 30 provided in the shank 20 of the plastic member 15. Thus the plastic member 1 5 is prevented not only from axial withdrawal from the end 13 of the elongate member 10, but also the plastic member 15 is prevented from rotating relative to the tube 10.

The face 27 of the plastic member 15 is provided with a pair of grooves g, which facilitate keying of the member 1 5 in a jig, whilst portion 52 of the tube 10 is crimped.

In the other end 14 of the tube, the plastic entrapping member 35 is inserted. Again, the shank 40 of the plastic member 35 is received within the end 14 of the tube 10, whilst the body part 41 thereof is wholly external thereto. The plastic member 35 is, like member 15, prevented from axial withdrawal from the end 14 of the tube, and from rotation relative to the tube, by virtue of a portion 62 of the tube 10 adjacent the opening in the end 14 of the tube, being deformed inwardly as shown at 63 into the external recesses 50 provided in the shank 40 of the member 35.

Face 37 of the plastic member 35 has a formation f, again to facilitate keying of member 35 in a jig whilst portion 62 of the tube 10 is being crimped.

The nut 38 entrapped within the plastic member 35 is engageable by correspondingly male threaded element which is passed through opening 36 in the member 35.

Preferably, deforming of the portions 52 and 62 of the tube 10 at 53 and 63 is achieved by a crimping tool or the like in a jig, but could be achieved in any other manner. For example, the portions 52 and 62 of the tube 10 could be perforated and deformed inwardly into the recesses 30 and 50 respectively.

Referring now to Figure 3, the elongate member 10 of Figures 1 and 2, is shown in use in a building wall construction. The construction comprises a pair of frame parts 65 and 66 which each comprise a sigma shaped beam having a web 67, with a flange 68 ex tending laterally at each side thereof, the flanges 68 extending laterally in a common direction and each having an inturned lip 69 at the free end thereof. The web 67 has first planar portions 67a, 67b, a central planar portion 67c, and inclined portions 70 which join the planar portion 67c to the planar portions 67a and 67b.

The frame parts 65 and 66 are connected together by the transversly extending elongate member 10. The male threaded projecting part 25 passes through an opening in the planar portion 67c of the beam 65 and is engageable with a female threaded part of a female threaded insert of a further elongate member 10' positioned at the opposite side of webs 67, to the member 10. The body part 21 of the plastic member 15 is engaged with the planar portion 67c of web 67.

Alternatively, the male threaded projecting part 25 may be engaged with a nut, on the opposite side of the web 67, or any other female threaded element, such as an element welded or otherwise secured to web 67 on the same, or the opposite side of the web 67 to the member 10.

The body portion 41 of the plastic member 35 is engaged with the central planar part 67c of web 67 of beam 66 and a male threaded element comprising a male threaded projecting part of a still further elongate member 10" positioned on the opposite side of the planar portion 67c to the member 10 passes through an opening in the portion 67c, through passage 36 of the plastic member 35 and into engagement with a female threaded part 45 of the insert 38.

Alternatively, any other male threaded projecting part which engages with nut 38 may be used to secure the elongate member 10 to the beam 66. For example, a male threaded element may be welded or otherwise secured to the beam 66 if required, or the nut 38 may be engaged with a male threaded part com prising a bolt which passes through the web 67.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the plastic members 15 and 35 need not comprise two parts secured together as described, but the threaded insert i.e. either bolt 24 or nut 38 may be entrapped in a plastics member in any other manner. For example, the plastic material of the members 15 and 35 may be injection moulded around the threaded insert if required. In this event, where the insert is a nut such as nut 38, the passage 36 provided by the plastic member may be moulded integrally by introducing a further removable insert into the mould, or the passage 36 may be made subsequently, for example by drilling.

Although as described, the plastics mem bers 15 and 35 have been provided with ex ternal recesses 30; 50, respectively, into which the portions 52, 62 are deformed, if desired, plastics members 15 and 35 may be secured in the ends 13,14, respectively of the elongate member 10 in any other manner. For example, a friction fit may suffice, or adhesive may be used.

Where threaded inserts are provided which do not have a hexagonal head or body, the recess provided in the plastic member would need to be of an alternative configuration to prevent rotation of the inserts relative to the plastic members.

Where the plastic members 15 and 35 are provided in two parts, it is not essential for the two parts to be identical as with the plastics members 15 and 35 described, but in this event, the dividing plane along which the members are secured together need not be a central dividing plane. However it is essential for the part recesses in each of the plastic member parts to open at the adjoining face to permit introduction of the threaded insert.

Any rigid plastic, such as GRP plastic may be used.

However, in another embodiment, instead of the entrapping members 15 and 35 being made of plastic, any other suitable material could be used. For example, a suitable aluminium or other metal casting may be made, although plastic is preferred for reasons of convenience and economy.

In another arrangement, not shown, an elongate member need not have an opening extending axially therethrough, but could have an opening in each end, or at least one end, to receive a plastic member.

It will be appreciated that at least a threaded female element is required, as opposed to providing the plastic member directly with a female thread, to give adequate strength, particularly in a building construction application, although the invention has many other uses.

Claims (27)

1. A method of providing a member having an opening there in, with a threaded insert comprising the step of entrapping the insert in a recess in on entrapping member, the recess and the insert co-operating to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the entrapping mem ber, inserting the entrapping member into the opening, and fixing the entrapping member to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member from the opening.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the entrapping member has a shank which is inserted into the opening, a portion of the member near the opening, into which the entrapping member is inserted being deformed after the entrapping member is inserted, into engagement with the shank to provide said fixing to prevent withdrawal of the member from the opening.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the shank of the entrapping member has, in an external surface thereof, a recess and the deforming step includes deforming said portion near ta the opening, into the recess.

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the elongate member, is a tube in which the opening is provided in an end thereof, a portion of the wall of the tube near the said end, being deformed.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the member is elongate and has an opening at each end or extending axially from one end to the other, the method including the steps of providing the opening at one end of the member with a male threaded insert, and the opening at the other end of the member, with a female threaded insert.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims which includes the step of providing an opening from the recess in which the insert is entrapped, to an outer face of the entrapping member, through which either a male threaded part of the insert, where a male threaded insert, may pass, or through which a male threaded element may pass to engage with a female threaded part of the insert, where the insert is female threaded.

7. A method of providing a member having an opening therein, with a threaded insert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accopanying drawings.

8. An elongate member having an opening in an end thereof, and a threaded insert, the insert being entrappd in a recess in an entrapping member, the recess and insert cooperating to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the entrapping member, the entrapping member being received by and fixed in the opening of the elongate member to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member from the opening.

9. A member according to claim 8 wherein the insert has a male threaded part, and comprises a bolt having a head and a male threaded projecting part, the head being entrapped in the recess in the entrapping member and the male threaded projecting part passing through an opening which communicates with both the recess and an outer face of the entrapping member, and projecting therefrom.

10. A member accoring to claim 8 wherein the insert has a female threaded part, the entrapping member having an opening extending from an outer face thereof to the recess in which the insert is entrapped to provide a passage for a male threaded element to permit the male threaded element to engage with the female threaded part of the insert.

11. A member according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the entrapping member is made of plastics.

12. A member according to claim 11 wherein the threaded insert is entrapped within the recess by moulding the plastics material of the member around the threaded insert.

13. A member according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the entrapping member is made in two parts, which together define the recess, the two parts being assembled together with the insert in the recess.

14. An elongate member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accopanying drawings.

15. An entrapping member comprising first and second parts assembled together along a plane, a recess provided by each of the first and second parts and opening from the first and second parts at said plane, a threaded insert received in and entrapped in the recess, the entrapping member comprising a shank the longitudinal axis of which lies in said plane, the shank being adapted to be received in an opening in a member, and fixed relative to the member, to prevent withdrawal of the entrapping member and hence the threaded insert, from the opening.

16. A member according to claim 15 wherein the plane is a central dividing plane.

17. A member according to claim 16 wherein the first and second parts are identical.

18. A member according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the recess in which the insert is entrapped is of a substantially hexagonal configuration in cross section transverse to said plane.

19. A member according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the shank has one or more external recesses into which material of a portion of the member near to the opening in which the shank is received, may be deformed, to fix the entrapping member in the opening.

20. A member according to claim 19 which further comprises a body part with a shoulder between the shank and body part, the body part, in use, being external to said opening.

21. An entrapping member according to any one of claims 15 to 20 for use in an elongate member according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

22. A bulding construction comprising a plurality of frame parts extending side by side in spaced parallel relation, an elongate member, according to any one of claims 8 to 14 secured to each of an adjacent pair of the frame parts, the elongate member having a male threaded part of a male threaded insert projecting from one end, which part passes through one of the frame parts, and a female threaded part of a female threaded insert at the other end, which female threaded part receives a male threaded part projectirig from the other frame part.

23. A construction according to claim 22 wherein the projecting male threaded part of the elongate member engages with a female threaded insert of a further elongate member in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 14 positioned on the opposite side of the frame part through which the projecting part passes.

24. A construction according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the male threaded element of said other frame part is a male threaded part of a male threaded insert of a still further elongate member in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 14 positioned on the opposite side of said other frame part.

25. A construction according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the frame parts each comprise beams comprising a web having along each side thereof, a laterally extending flange, the elongate member being positioned alongside the webs of the beams.

26. A building construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.