ARM CONNECTION FOR A STRUCTURAL MEMBER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention relates to structural members. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved arm connections for structural members such as electricity transmission and distribution posts that support electrical conductors on the surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Structural members such as electrical transmission poles have been used for decades to lay a high electrical conductor on the surface to cover great distances. The method has proven to be less expensive and consumes less time than laying underground electrical conductors where numerous obstructions are encountered and road rights are needed. The arms are connected to the structural members to keep the electrical conductors away from the structural member raised above the surface. The arms are also typically long and heavy since they must support the weight of multiple electrical conductors all the time and especially during storms. Ice can also accumulate in drivers and add even more weight to drivers and arms. Currently, the arms are welded to a support having a plurality of openings through each side. The support splices, on its internal surface, two continuous beams that extend through the center of the structural member and are welded to it. Each continuous osta also has a plurality of openings through
each side aligning with the openings in the U-shaped support. Once the openings of the supports and the continuous rods are aligned, the arms are connected on these structural members by the use of numerous long bolts. Contractors typically install the bolts while the structure lies on the floor. The numerous bolts are so long (typically 1.5 inches or greater in diameter), the continuous spliced studs and the arm supports are so thick (typically 2 inches or more) that the connection of the arm to the continuous ostas is a consumer of time and requires great strength. To tighten the bolts you need the use of larger torque wrenches that are used to tighten the bolts. The unusual size of the bolts makes them difficult to buy in the open market if one is lost. What's more, the number of bolts required to secure an arm connection takes a considerable amount of time. Finally, there may be insufficient separation so that the torsion keys are received inside the support, also delaying the securing of the arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention eliminates the above difficulties and disadvantages by providing a structural member having at least one arm connection. The arm connection includes a first continuous beam that extends laterally through the structural member and has a plurality of openings disposed therein. The first continuous bead is secured to the structural member by means of welding. A second continuous beam is adjacent to the first continuous beam and has a plurality of openings therein. The second continuous beam extends laterally through a structural member and is welded to it for securing. Although
discloses that the continuous beams extend laterally through the structural member, these can also be oriented in the vertical direction such that they extend longitudinally at least partially through the structure. In addition, the plurality of openings arranged in the first and second beams can be threaded to receive a threaded pin or bolt therein. At least one transverse reinforcement is connected between the first continuous beam and the second continuous beam for structural support. Preferably two transverse reinforcements are used and placed such that they are separated away from the structural member to allow easier welding of the continuous beams and / or transverse reinforcements. Alternatively, a plurality of ducts are joined between each of the plurality of openings of the first continuous beam and the second continuous beam for the structural support and to aid in the insertion of the plurality of pins. The plurality of conduits may be at least partially threaded to receive the bolt or rod therein. A plurality of pins is received through the plurality of openings in the first continuous beam and the plurality of openings in the second continuous beam which are axially aligned. Arranged at each end of the pins are the threaded bolts and nuts that retain the pins within the openings of the bracket / bracket. A cotter or hitch pin could also be used for the pins. An arm support engages the first continuous beam and the second beam continues through the plurality of pins such that each of the plurality of pins extends between the first continuous beam and the second continuous beam. Finally, an arm is secured to the arm support to suspend the electrical conductors on the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art arm connection for a structural member. Figure 2 is a plan view of a prior art arm connection for a structural member. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a prior art arm connection for a structural member. Figure 4 is a front elevated view of a continuous beam for a structural member of the present invention. Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a continuous beam for a structural member of the present invention. Figure 6 is a plan view of an arm connection for a structural member of the present invention. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an arm connection for a structural member of the present invention. Figure 8 is a high front view of an alternate embodiment of the continuous beam for a structural member of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF LAfS) PREFERENT MODALITY (S)
The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be discussed in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, which will be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the reference characters identical
they are designated as elements by all views. In Figure 1 a typical structural member 10 is shown which is used in the transmission industry to suspend the electrical conductors on the surface through the arms 12 which are welded to a support of an arm 16, which is secured to the structural member 10. More particularly, as shown in figures 2 and 3, the arm support 16 is secured to a structural member 10 at the connection of the arm 14. During the installation of the field of the arms 12, the arm support 16 is placed so that it connects a first continuous beam 20 and a second continuous beam 22 and these are bolted together. This is achieved by the use of typically seventeen threaded bolts 28 and a nut 30 combinations which are inserted through the aligned openings 24 arranged in the arm support 16 and first and second continuous beams 20, 22, respectively. The large number of these bolts 28 and nuts 30 makes it easier for one or more to be lost during shipping or during the connection of arms 12. These bolts 28 are generally 1.5 inches in diameter and the large torque wrenches must be used. to adjust them. In addition, it is difficult to obtain that the large torque wrenches enter the arm connection 14 to adjust the bolts 28 from the inside of the arm connection 14. The present invention, as shown in Figures 4-8, eliminates the above difficulties and disadvantages by providing a structural member 10 having at least one arm connection 14, but preferably two arm connections 14. The arm connection 14 includes a first continuous beam 20 extending laterally through the structural member 10 and has a plurality of openings 24 disposed there, as best seen in Figure 5. The first continuous bead 20 is constructed of steel and preferably secured to the structural member 10 by welding. To install the first continuous beam 20 in the structural member 10,
laterally it separates the oval or rectangular openings that are cut into the structural member 10. The first continuous bead 20 is inserted through the openings so that it partially extends on another side of the structural member 10 and then the first continuous bead 20 is welded in both sides where it extends from the cut of the openings. A second continuous beam 22 is adjacent to the first continuous beam 20 and has a plurality of openings 24 arranged therein. The second continuous beam 22 extends laterally through the structural member 10. As the first beam continues 20, the second continuous beam 22 is constructed of steel and is welded to the structural member 10 for securing. To install the second continuous beam 22 in the structural member 10, laterally separate the oval or rectangular openings that are cut in the structural member 10. The second continuous beam 22 is inserted through the openings extending partially to either side of the structural member 10 and then the second continuous beam 22 is welded on both sides where it extends from the cutting openings. While it is disclosed that the continuous beams extend laterally through the structural member 10, these can also be oriented in a vertical direction so that they extend longitudinally at least partially through the structure. The continuous beams 20, 22 may also be of any general form. In addition, the plurality of openings 24 disposed in the first and second rods 20, 22 respectively, can be threaded to receive threaded bolts or pins therein. Turning now to Figure 4, at least one transverse reinforcement 34 is joined between the first continuous bead 20 and the second continuous bead 22 for structural support. Preferably a first transverse clamp 34 and a second one
transverse clamp 36 are used and welded between the first and second continuous beams 20-22 respectively. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first transverse clamp 34 and a second clamp 36 are positioned so that they are separated from the structural member 10 to allow easier welding of the continuous beams 20, 22 and / or the transverse reinforcements 34. , 36, which are also constructed of steel. The first transverse clamp 34 and the second transverse clamp 36 also do not extend to the distal ends of the first and second continuous beams 20, 22, respectively, and are positioned so as not to interfere with the openings 24 and the pins that are inserted. through this. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, a plurality of steel conduits 50 is joined between each of the plurality of openings 24 of the first continuous bead 20 and the second continuous bead 22 for structural support and assist in the insertion of a plurality of pins 40 as will be discussed later in detail. Specifically, the long pins 40 may be difficult to insert from an aperture in the first continuous beam 20 to an aperture aligned and spaced axially in the second continuous beam 22. Therefore, the conduits 50 provide for easy insertion of the pins 40 through these. The plurality of conduits 50 may be at least partially threaded to receive a threaded pin or rod therein. For example, instead of an elongated pin, a short threaded bolt is screwed into the conduits 50 when they are screwed internally. The arm support 16 then rests on these bolts and reaffirms the forces downwards. As stipulated above, a plurality of pins 40 are provided to establish and secure the connection of the arm 14 of the structural member 10. Arranged at each end of the pins are preferably threaded bolts 28 and nuts 30, which are one size standard and can
be easily tightened and replaced if one is lost during the delivery of the structural member 10 or during the installation of the arms 12 if it is thrown in a field or in the mud. An opening is provided at each end of the pins 40 to receive the bolts 28 therethrough. It is appreciated that a latching pin or latch could also be used in place of the elongated pins 40 of the present invention. An arm bracket 16, which is preferably U-shaped, is secured to the arm 12 through welding. The arm 12 preferably constructed of steel together with the support 16. The arm 12 suspends the electrical conductors on the surface so that the electrical conductors can be carried out along the spaces. The arm support 16 is coupled to the first continuous beam 20 and the second continuous beam 22 by the plurality of pins 40 so that each of the plurality of pins 40 extends between the first continuous beam 20 and the second continuous beam 40. Specifically, to establish the connection of the arm 14, the support 16 is aligned with the first and second continuous beams 20, 22, respectively, so that the openings of each are aligned. A pin 40 is received through one of the plurality of apertures 24 in the support 16, through an aperture aligned in the first continuous beam 20, through an aperture aligned in the second continuous beam 22, and then through of a similarly aligned aperture in the second continuous bead 22, and then through an aperture similarly aligned in the second continuous bead 22. Finally, the threaded bolts 28 and nuts 30 are tightened at each end on the pin 40. This is Repeat for each group of aligned openings to form the arm connection. The threaded bolts 28 and the nuts 30 retain the pins 40 within the connection of the arm 14 preventing the sliding of the pins 40 in the axial direction while the lower forces of the arm support 16 are reaffirmed in the pins 40.
Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that the invention can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes in shape, design, or arrangement can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the aforementioned description is considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.