GB2465489A

GB2465489A - Steel beam coupling

Info

Publication number: GB2465489A
Application number: GB0920463A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Justian Dilworth; Brian Hewitt
Original assignee: BHC Ltd
Current assignee: BHC Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-25
Filing date: 2009-11-23
Publication date: 2010-05-26
Also published as: GB0920463D0; GB0821511D0

Abstract

A coupling arrangement for handling structural steel beams. The coupling 61 comprises a pair of connector members (21, 23 Fig 4A), whereby each connector member comprises a head 25 with an aperture 27 to receive a lifting device and a leg 30, 43 which extends from the head and features a foot 31, 45. The coupling arrangement requires each foot of each connector to connect through a specified hole 65 in a surface of a beam 63. The apertures 27 of both connector members cooperate when attached to a lifting device and beam 63, whereby the feet are operatively retained in the holes. The lifting force applied by the lifting device forces the connector members into a rigid connection with one another and with the beam. Also defined are a connector member and a method of lifting using the connector members. Preferably a lower portion 33 of the head 25 of the connector member is a substantially straight edge which, in use, rests against the beam 63.

Description

1 A Coupling for Structural Steel

3 Introduction

The present invention relates to a coupling, lifting 6 member or bracket and in particular a lifting member for 7 use in lifting structural steel beams.

9 Background to the Invention

11 Structural steel is a construction material which 12 typically has a specific shape or cross section and 13 certain standards of chemical composition and strength.

14 Structural steel shape, size, composition, strength, storage, etc, is regulated in most industrialised 16 countries.

18 Structural steel members such as I-beams are shaped to be 19 very stiff Ln respect to their cross-sectional area.

Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an I-beam of 21 structural steel. In figure 1, the end portion of an I- 22 beam is shown and a plan view of a section of I-beam is 23 shown in figure 2. The beam comprises two substantially 24 flat surfaces 3 and 5 which are separated by a support 7 which extends along the length of the beam. The I-beam 26 further comprises a number of through holes 9 positioned 27 in pairs along the length of the I-beam. The holes allow 28 I-beams to be connected together and/or connected to 29 another part of a structure. * S * * S

* 31 Structural steel beams are used in a large variety of 32 locations where they are assembled into structures such *::. 33 as those forming retail developments, factories, schools *5* 1 and hospitals. Each of the beams can weigh several tons 2 and there is an obvious need to safely load the beams, 3 transport them to a site for assembly, unload the beams 4 and assemble them into a structure.

6 One example of the manner in which the beams may be 7 handled is shown in figures 3a and 3b. The bracket 11 8 comprises a first upright member 13 and a second 9 perpendicularly arranged member 15 which are connected together to form a T shape. The second member 15 has two 11 through holes 19 which are positioned in the bracket to 12 be connectable to the holes 9 of an I-beam 1. The first 13 member 13 also contains a hole 17 which is adapted to 14 receive a hook or other lifting device. In use, the bracket is bolted on to an I-beam and when erecting steel 16 beams a hook attached to a crane can be attached to the 17 bracket 11 and the beam lifted into position with minimum 18 effort. The use of this bracket improved the safety and 19 speed at which buildings could be erected.

21 However, in order to use this type of bracket for lifting 22 I-beams, it is necessary to securely bolt the bracket to 23 the I-beam, usually at its site of manufacture, 24 immediately prior to loading or as loading takes place.

Therefore, there are extra labour costs involved in 26 bolting and unbolting brackets. S...

*** 28 In addition, because the brackets are fixed to the beam : 29 many brackets are used per beam, therefore causing an increase in the cost of labour and materials associated *5 S 31 with transporting the beams. In addition, when the * 32 brackets are bolted on to a beam, beams cannot be stacked 33 on a transporter as easily as they might be if brackets 1 were not included because the brackets get in the way of 2 the I-Beams.

4 It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bracket which can amongst other things address 6 the problems identified herein.

8 Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present 11 invention there is provided a coupling for handling 12 structural steel beams, the coupling comprising: 13 a first connector member having a head with an aperture 14 for receiving a lifting device and a leg which extends downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of 16 connecting through a first hole in the top surface of a 17 member to be lifted; and 18 a second connector member having a head with an aperture 19 for receiving the lifting device and a leg which extends downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of 21 connecting through a second hole adjacent to the first 22 hole in the top surface of the member to be lifted, 23 wherein the apertures of the first and second connector 24 members are operatively connected when attached to the lifting device and beam or object to be lifted such that 26 the feet are operatively retained in the holes.

28 The lifting force applied by the lifting device forces 29 the connector members into a rigid connection with one . : 30 another and with the beam or object to be lifted. * 31 ***

* 32 Preferably, the feet point in opposing directions when 33 operatively connected to the holes. * S..

2 Preferably, the head and the leg of the connector members 3 are aligned with respect to one another such that when 4 the feet are positioned in the holes in the top surface of the member to be lifted, the heads of respective 6 connector members are in operative contact.

8 Preferably, the head and legs of the connector members 9 are offset with respect to one another.

11 In many cases, the holes in the top surface will be 12 aligned perpendicular to the length of the member.

14 Preferably, the head has a tapered lower portion.

16 Preferably, the tapered lower portion extends from below 17 the aperture towards the foot.

19 Preferably, the tapered lower portion of one of said connector members is shaped to accommodate the offset in 21 the other connector so as to ensure that a substantial 22 part of each head is in operative contact with the other, 23 in use.

Optionally the head is permanently connected to the 26 lifting device. In this case the coupling may be 27 permanently attached to a chain or other lifting piece *.** 28 which is operated by a crane or similar. 29

: 30 Preferably, the leg is attached to the lower portion of * 31 the head. * * 32 ** * * * * * ** * S..

1 Preferably the bottom most edge of the head comprises a 2 substantially straight edge which is substantially 3 perpendicular to the leg and rests upon the top of the 4 member to be lifted, in use.

6 Preferably, the head and leg are welded together.

8 Alternatively, the head and leg are integrally formed.

Preferably, the first connector is substantially a mirror 11 image of the second connector member.

13 In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there 14 is provided a connector member having a head with an aperture for receiving a lifting device and a leg which 16 extends downwards from the head and which has a foot 17 capable of connecting through a first hole in the top 18 surface of a member to be lifted.

Preferably, the head and legs of the connector member are 21 offset with respect to one another.

23 Preferably, the head has a tapered lower portion.

Preferably, the tapered lower portion extends from below 26 the aperture towards the foot. *.SS

..,. 28 Preferably, the tapered lower portion of one of said : 29 connector members is shaped to accommodate the offset in the other connector so as to ensure that a substantial * . 31 part of each head is in operative contact with the other, * 32 in use. *:*.

1 Preferably, the leg is attached to the lower portion of 2 the head.

4 Preferably the bottom most edge of the head comprises a substantially straight edge which is substantially 6 perpendicular to the leg and rests upon the top of the 7 member to be lifted, in use.

9 Preferably, the head and leg are welded together.

11 Alternatively, the head and leg are integrally formed.

13 Preferably, the connector member is designed for use with 14 a second connector member having a head with an aperture for receiving the lifting device and a leg which extends 16 downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of 17 connecting through a second hole adjacent to the first 18 hole in the top surface of the member to be lifted, 19 wherein the apertures of the first and second connector members are operatively connected when attached to the 21 lifting device such that the feet are operatively 22 retained in the holes.

24 In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for lifting an object which has a 26 pair of holes in its top surface, the holes being capable 27 of receiving connector members in accordance with the 28 first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the 29 steps of: fitting a first connector member through a first hole; 31 fitting a second connector member through a second hole * 32 such that the apertures of the first and second heads are S. *

S S S S *S

S *SS

S

1 aligned; and attaching a lifting device through the 2 apertures and lifting the object.

4 The lifting force applied by the lifting device forces the connector members into a rigid connection with one 6 another and with the beam or object to be lifted.

8 Brief Description of the Drawiflgs

The present invention will now be described by way of 11 example only with reference to the accompanying drawings 12 in which: 14 Figure 1 is an end-on view of an I-beam; 16 Figure 2 is a plan view of an I-beam; 18 Figure 3A is an end on view of a prior art connector and 19 figure 3B is a plan view of a prior art bracket; 21 Figure 4A shows a side view of a first connector member, 22 figure 4B shows a side view of a second connector member 23 and figure 4C shows an end view of the first connector 24 member; and 26 Figure 5 shows a connector in accordance with the present 27 invention having been inserted into holes in the top 28 surface of an I-beam. * *

Detailed Description of the Drawings

:.: 31 * 32 The present invention is designed to provide a quick, 33 easy and mechanically robust lifting device which allows

S S..

S

1 beams to be lifted efficiently and safely. Whilst it is 2 envisaged that the invention will be particularly useful 3 for lifting structural steel and in particular I-beams, 4 use of the invention for lifting and or retaining in place other items is possible.

7 Figure 4A shows a first connector member 23 and a second 8 connector member 35 which form coupling assembly 21.

9 First connector member 23 comprises a head 25 which contains an aperture 27 located towards the top of the 11 head and which is designed to receive a lifting device 12 such as a hook. The head 25 has a lower portion 28 which 13 extends from below the aperture 27 and is attached to the 14 leg 30 at one side. The other side of the lower portion 28 is a tapered edge which extends towards the bottom of 16 the connector member where it joins a flat edge referred 17 to as the heel 33 of the connector. The heel 33 provides 18 a surface which can sit on top of the member to be 19 lifted, in use.

21 In this example of the present invention, the leg 30 is 22 welded to the lower portion of the head and a foot 31 23 extends outwards from the leg as shown.

Figure 4B shows a second connector member 35 which 26 comprises a head 37 which contains an aperture 39 located 27 towards the top of the head and which is designed to * *** 28 receive a lifting device such as a hook. The head 37 has :: 29 a lower portion 44 which extends from below the aperture ** * 30 39 and is attached to the leg 43 at one side. The other 31 side of the lower portion 44 is a tapered edge 41 which *.* * 32 extends towards the bottom of the connector member where *** 33 it forms a flat surface referred to as the heel 47 of the

S S..

S

1 connector. As with the first connector member, the heel 2 47 provides a surface which can sit on top of the member 3 to be lifted, in use.

Figure 4C is a side view of the connector 23 as seen from 6 position A (figure 4A) which shows the offset 34 between 7 the head 25 and leg 27. The offset is present on each of 8 the connectors shown in figure 4A and 4B which allows the 9 connectors to overlap in an interlocking manner, in use.

11 Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the coupling 61 of the 12 present invention in use. The connector members shown in 13 figure 5 are identical to those shown in figures 4A and 14 4B, therefore the reference numerals used in figures 4A and 4B have been used in figure 5. In addition, the 16 coupling 61 is shown in operative contact with an I-beam 17 63 which has holes 65 through which the feet 31, 45 of 18 connector members 23 and 35 can be thread.

Where a beam or other object which has holes suitable for 21 connection to the coupling of the present invention is to 22 be lifted, the process of using the coupling in 23 accordance with the present invention is exemplified as 24 follows.

26 Firstly, an operative will present a pair of connector 27 members to the holes in the beam. The first connector * *** 28 member 23 and the second connector member 35 can be :w: 29 referred to as the left hand and right hand connectors respectively as these connectors are in essence mirror :: 31 images of one another. ** * 32 * S a a. e. a

S

1 After the left hand and right hand connector members 23, 2 35 have been presented to the beam, the feet 31, 45 of 3 the connector members are threaded through the respective 4 holes 65 in the beam such that the feet 31, 45 are facing in opposing directions from one another.

7 The heads 25 and 37 of the left hand and right hand 8 connector members 23, 35 are then rotated towards each 9 other whilst the feet remain engaged in the beam holes 65 until the apertures 27, 39 are overlapping and 11 substantially concentric. Additional rotation of the 12 heads is prevented by the offset of the legs 30, 43 which 13 forms an abutment against additional rotation and by the 14 heals 33, 47 which engage the top surface of the I-beam.

In addition, the offset allows the cooperating surfaces 16 51 and 49 of the left hand and right hand connector 17 members to be in operative contact and ensures that the 18 feet and legs of the respective connector members are 19 aligned when in use.

21 Once in position as described above, a hook is secured 22 through the apertures 27, 39 and the beam is lifted. The 23 lifting force applied by the hook forces the connector 24 members into a rigid connection with one another and with the beam or object to be lifted.

27 In another embodiment of the present invention the * .* .... 28 connectors of the coupling could be permanently attached :: 29 to a chain or the like by, for example, a permanent chain ** * 30 link instead of a removable hook. : 31

* 32 The present invention has a number of advantages over the

33 prior art including the following. S..

2 1. When erecting steel beams the hook attached to the 3 crane can be attached to the coupling and the beam 4 and lifted into position with minimum effort.

2. The speed at which beams can be assembled and loaded 6 has increased.

7 3. Less labour is required because the connectors of 8 the present invention do not need to be bolted and 9 unbolted, therefore, there is less cost.

4. Less labour is required in the factory in 11 fabrication when compared to other lifting systems 12 and less material is required because only a few 13 brackets are required per site, further reducing the 14 cost.

5. In addition, the left and right handedness of the 16 above embodiment of the invention will only properly 17 fit together and work in one configuration. This 18 greatly reduces the chance of operator error which 19 further improves safety.

21 Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein 22 without deviating from the scope of the invention. S... * S *5*S

S

S..... * .

S * . . * *. S.. S. S * S* * SS *SS

Claims

1 CLAIMS 3 1. A coupling for handling structural steel beams, the 4 coupling comprising: a first connector member having a head with an aperture 6 for receiving a lifting device and a leg which extends 7 downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of 8 connecting through a first hole in the top surface of a 9 member to be lifted; and a second connector member having a head with an aperture 11 for receiving the lifting device and a leg which extends 12 downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of 13 connecting through a second hole adjacent to the first 14 hole in the top surface of the member to be lifted, wherein the apertures of the first and second connector 16 members are operatively connected when attached to the 17 lifting device and beam or object to be lifted such that 18 the feet are operatively retained in the holes.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lifting 21 force applied by the lifting device forces the connector 22 members into a rigid connection with one another and with 23 the beam or object to be lifted.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, 26 the feet of the first connector member and of the second 27 connector member point in opposing directions when S...28 operatively connected to the holes. :: 29* * 30

4. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim 31 wherein, the head and the leg of the first and second * 32 connector members are aligned with respect to one another *.: 33 such that when the feet are positioned in the holes in 1 the top surface of the member to be lifted, the heads of 2 respective connector members are in operative contact.4

5. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the head and legs of the connector members are 6 offset with respect to one another.8

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 wherein, the head 9 has a tapered lower portion.11

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 wherein, the 12 tapered lower portion extends from below the aperture 13 towards the foot.

8. A coupling as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein, 16 the tapered lower portion of one of said connector 17 members is shaped to accommodate the offset in the other 18 connector so as to ensure that a substantial part of each 19 head is in operative contact with the other, in use.21

9. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim 22 wherein, the head is permanently connected to the lifting 23 device.

10. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim 26 wherein, the leg is attached to the lower portion of the 27 head. *..* * S S...5:m: 29

11. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bottom most edge of lower portion of the head 31 comprises a substantially straight edge which is * 32 substantially perpendicular to the leg and rests upon the *. 33 top of the member to be lifted, in use.2

12. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim 3 wherein, the head and leg are welded together.

13. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 6 wherein, the head and leg are integrally formed.8

14. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim 9 wherein, the first connector is substantially a mirror image of the second connector member.12

15. A connector member having a head with an aperture 13 for receiving a lifting device and a leg which extends 14 downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of connecting through a first hole in the top surface of a 16 member to be lifted.18

16. A connector member as claimed in claim 15 wherein, 19 the head and legs of the connector member are offset with respect to one another.22

17. A connector as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 23 wherein, the head has a tapered lower portion.

18. A coupling as claimed in claim 17 wherein, the 26 tapered lower portion extends from below the aperture 27 towards the foot. * *:: 29

19. A coupling as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein, the tapered lower portion of one of said 31 connector members is shaped to accommodate the offset in *** * 32 the other connector so as to ensure that a substantial I. * * * * **S S..S1 part of each head is in operative contact with the other, 2 in use.4

20. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19 wherein, the head is permanently connected to the lifting 6 device.8

21. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20 9 wherein, the leg is attached to the lower portion of the head.12

22. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21 13 wherein, the bottom most edge of lower portion of the 14 head comprises a substantially straight edge which is substantially perpendicular to the leg and rests upon the 16 top of the member to be lifted, in use.18

23. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 22 19 wherein, the head and leg are welded together.21

24. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 23 22 wherein, the head and leg are integrally formed.24

25. A coupling as claimed in any of claims 15 to 24 wherein, the connector member is designed for use with a 26 second connector member having a head with an aperture 27 for receiving the lifting device and a leg which extends 0* ... 28 downwards from the head and which has a foot capable of :: 29 connecting through a second hole adjacent to the first hole in the top surface of the member to be lifted, :: 31 wherein the apertures of the first and second connector * 32 members are operatively connected when attached to the ** * * * * * a. a a1 lifting device such that the feet are operatively 2 retained in the holes.4

26. A method for lifting an object which has a pair of holes in its top surface, the holes being capable of 6 receiving connector members in accordance with the first 7 aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps 8 of: fitting a first connector member through a first 9 hole; fitting a second connector member through a second hole 11 such that the apertures of the first and second heads are 12 aligned; and attaching a lifting device through the 13 apertures and lifting the object. * S I...SS..... * S * S * * . * *. * S..S S* SSS S.S