GB2264517A - Connector for e.g. building modules - Google Patents
Connector for e.g. building modules Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2264517A GB2264517A GB9301923A GB9301923A GB2264517A GB 2264517 A GB2264517 A GB 2264517A GB 9301923 A GB9301923 A GB 9301923A GB 9301923 A GB9301923 A GB 9301923A GB 2264517 A GB2264517 A GB 2264517A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- body portion
- connector
- grip members
- free end
- members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
- F16B7/02—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections with conical parts
- F16B7/025—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections with conical parts with the expansion of an element inside the tubes due to axial movement towards a wedge or conical element
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
- E04B1/58—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements
- E04B1/5825—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements with a closed cross-section
- E04B1/5831—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements with a closed cross-section of substantially rectangular form
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
- E04B1/24—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons the supporting parts consisting of metal
- E04B1/2403—Connection details of the elongated load-supporting parts
- E04B2001/2406—Connection nodes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
- E04B1/58—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements
- E04B1/5825—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements with a closed cross-section
- E04B2001/5856—Connections for building structures in general of bar-shaped building elements with a closed cross-section using the innerside thereof
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B13/00—Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose
- F16B13/04—Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front
- F16B13/06—Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front combined with expanding sleeve
- F16B13/063—Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front combined with expanding sleeve by the use of an expander
- F16B13/065—Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front combined with expanding sleeve by the use of an expander fastened by extracting the screw, nail or the like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)
Abstract
A connector for connecting tubular members together to form a geometrical array has a central body portion (10) with extending limbs (14). The limbs each have a fixed portion (16) dimensioned to fit within a tubular member and also have a wedge-shaped surface (18). The wedge- shaped surface is located on the free end of each limb and grip members (20) are located extending outwardly from the limb with angled faces bearing on the wedge-shaped surface. Screw threaded means (24) extending from the grip members through the body portion to the body portion, actuate the grip members engagement with the inner face of the tubular member. <IMAGE>
Description
CONNECTOR SYSTEM
This invention relates to a connector system for use in connecting tubular members together to form a geometrical array. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to interconnecting building modules framed with tubular steel.
It has previously been proposed to construct buildings from rectilinear modules of uniform size, each module having a peripheral frame of steel tube. In such an arrangement there is a need for a connector system which is simple and quick to use, and which gives good mechanical strength and reliability.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a connector for use in forming a structural connection between at least two tubular members, the connector comprising a central body portion which is generally hollow and has an opening affording access to its interior, and at least two limbs extending from the body portion for engagement with respective tubular members; each limb comprising a fixed portion secured at one end to the body portion and having a free end spaced therefrom, the fixed portion having a transverse cross-section dimensioned to fit closely within the tubular member, a wedge-shaped surface formed on said free end, at least two grip members located outwardly of said free end and each having an angled face bearing on said wedge-shaped surface, and screw-threaded means bearing on the grip members and extending into the body portion for actuation via said open face to force the grip members axially and outwardly into engagement with the inner face of the tubular member.
Preferably, the body portion is generally cubic in form and the limbs extend orthogonally from it.
Preferably, said free end is formed as a conical surface and the grip members comprise two, three or four equiangular wedges around the conical surface.
The screw-threaded member may conveniently comprise a tie bolt having a head bearing on the grip members via a thrust washer, and a nut bearing on an inner face of the body portion.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a partial side view of a connector
embodying the invention; and
Fig. 2 is a side view of a modified embodiment.
Referring to Fig. 1, a connector has a body portion 10 in the general form of a hollow cube, with five planar faces and an open face 12. A number of limbs 14 (in this embodiment, four) extend orthogonally from the body portion 10.
Each limb comprises a square-section tube 16 welded or otherwise secured to the body portion 10 at its inner end, and provided at its outer end with a conical surface 18. The limb further comprises a pair of grip members 20 having angled inner faces 22 bearing on the conical surface 18. A tie bolt 24 extends through the limb 14, its head seating on a thrust washer 26. A nut 28 is threadedly engaged with the tie bolt 24 to bear against the inner surface of the body portion 10.
The grip members may suitably be held on the assembly by a spring wire or other resilient band (not shown) engaged in circumferential grooves 30.
All the nuts 28 are accessible through the open face 12 of the body portion 10.
In use, the limb 14 is inserted in a square-section tubular member (not shown) to be connected, such that the tube 16 abuts the interior face of the tubular member and the end of the tubular member abuts the body portion 10. The nut 28 is then tightened to draw the tie bolt 24 towards it, thus forcing the grip members 20 outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the tubular member.
The connection can be disassembled by reversing this procedure.
The embodiment of Fig. 2 is similar, but the gripping members on each arm are in the form of four quadrants 20A of rather greater axial extent, and only three limbs 14 are present.
In another modification, not illustrated, a pair of connectors can have their central body portions secured together side-to-side to interconnect adjacent frameworks of tubular members.
Other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
Claims (5)
1. A connector for use in forming a structural
connection between at least two tubular members,
the connector comprising a central body portion
which is generally hollow and has an opening
affording access to its interior, and at least two
limbs extending from the body portion for
engagement with respective tubular members; each
limb comprising a fixed portion secured at one end
to the body portion and having a free end spaced
therefrom, the fixed portion having a transverse
cross-section dimensioned to fit closely within the
tubular member, a wedge-shaped surface formed on
said free end, at least two grip members located
outwardly of said free end and each having an
angled face bearing on said wedge-shaped surface,
and screw-threaded means bearing on the grip
members and extending into the body portion for
actuation via said open face to force the grip
members axially and outwardly into engagement with
the inner face of the tubular member.
2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the body
portion is generally cubic in form and the limbs
extend orthogonally from it.
3. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2,
wherein said free end is formed as a conical
surface and the grip members comprise two, three or
four equiangular wedges around the conical surface.
4. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the screw-threaded member may conveniently comprise
a tie bolt having a head bearing on the grip
members via a thrust washer, and a nut bearing
an inner face of the body portion.
5. A connector as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9301923A GB2264517A (en) | 1992-01-31 | 1993-02-01 | Connector for e.g. building modules |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929202047A GB9202047D0 (en) | 1992-01-31 | 1992-01-31 | Connector system |
| GB9301923A GB2264517A (en) | 1992-01-31 | 1993-02-01 | Connector for e.g. building modules |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9301923D0 GB9301923D0 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
| GB2264517A true GB2264517A (en) | 1993-09-01 |
Family
ID=26300236
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9301923A Withdrawn GB2264517A (en) | 1992-01-31 | 1993-02-01 | Connector for e.g. building modules |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2264517A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0628734A1 (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-12-14 | Hestex Systems B.V. | Fastening device for removably connecting a polygonal tube, particularly a tube with a rectangular profile |
| EP1050244A2 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 2000-11-08 | Angelo Odorico | Assembly joint for furniture frames |
| US20190257468A1 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2019-08-22 | Xylem Ip Management S.À R.L. | Guide rail assembly as well as guide rail holder |
| RU2789027C1 (en) * | 2022-07-14 | 2023-01-27 | Александр Александрович Зброжик | Node for connecting building elements |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0403852A2 (en) * | 1989-06-22 | 1990-12-27 | Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft | Corner joint for structures made of profiled pipes |
| EP0400345B1 (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1993-08-11 | Usm U. Schaerer Soehne Ag | Fixing element |
-
1993
- 1993-02-01 GB GB9301923A patent/GB2264517A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0400345B1 (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1993-08-11 | Usm U. Schaerer Soehne Ag | Fixing element |
| EP0403852A2 (en) * | 1989-06-22 | 1990-12-27 | Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft | Corner joint for structures made of profiled pipes |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0628734A1 (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-12-14 | Hestex Systems B.V. | Fastening device for removably connecting a polygonal tube, particularly a tube with a rectangular profile |
| EP1050244A2 (en) | 1999-02-23 | 2000-11-08 | Angelo Odorico | Assembly joint for furniture frames |
| US20190257468A1 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2019-08-22 | Xylem Ip Management S.À R.L. | Guide rail assembly as well as guide rail holder |
| RU2789027C1 (en) * | 2022-07-14 | 2023-01-27 | Александр Александрович Зброжик | Node for connecting building elements |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9301923D0 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |