MXPA00004197A - Beam clip - Google Patents

Abstract

A clip (20) for attachement to the end of a main beam (36) for a grid in a suspended ceiling. The beam has an inverted T cross section. The clip engages an identical clip (20') on the end of another main beam (36') to form an end to end connection. The clip (20) has a tongue (24) and channel (52) that engages with a tongue (24') and channel (52') in the other clip (20') of the connection.

Description

BEAM BRAKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fasteners connecting end beams, end to end, in a grid structure for a suspended ceiling.

INFORMATION ABOVE THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Suspended ceilings that have metal beams or slides that form grids to hold panels are well known. Said grids have main beams or corridors, and transverse or sliding beams that intersect. The beams are generally formed of flat metal sheets bent in an inverted "T" shape, but in some cases they are made of extruded metal, such as aluminum. The main beams are fixed end to end by connectors. The main beams are suspended from the structure roof using cables. The transverse beams are connected end to end through slots in the main beams and are supported by said main beams.

The main beams, which run parallel to each other, generally have a separation of 121.92 cm between them. The transverse beams are connected to the main beams to form either rectangular openings of 60.96 cm x 60.96 cm, or openings of 60.96 cm x 121.92 cm, which receive the panels that will be placed. Said main beams in a suspended ceiling are subjected mainly to tension, compression and bending stress, and occasionally to torsional forces. The function of the connectors that join the lengths usually of 3.65 m of longitudinal main beams is to maintain the adequate strength and alignment. Because the beam connections are end-to-end, the shoulders, net, and focus of each beam rest on the other, so the connector has little to resist during compression. Of course, the connector must keep the ends of the beams aligned. Sills to reduce stress in case of fire can be cut in the beam in an appropriate manner to provide compensation for expansion in case of fire, since they are not provided at the end of the beam. With respect to the tension or separation of the connection longitudinally, the connector is the only means to resist said tension in the connection. With respect to strength and bending, the connector, together with the beam ends, provides resistance to said bending. The connectors must withstand the occasional torsion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a pair of identical fasteners, each fixed to one end of a connector, which are coupled to one another, end to end, to close under pressure. The fasteners are attached to the ends of the beam by fasteners such as flat head rivets. Flanges extending along the upper and lower edges of a channel portion of the fastener at the rear thereof receive and protect a tongue portion from the opposite fastener. A spring bag in the fastener channel receives the tab of the fastener to hold the fasteners laterally together. A retainer on the front of each clip enters a cut adjacent to the spring bag by means of which the fasteners are prevented from separating during tension. The various fastener elements described above work together to resist the stresses to which the fastener is subjected. In summary, the flanges and tabs create a fishtail splice by overlapping connectors where (1) the connectors resist bending; (2) the seals and cuts prevent the separation longitudinally by tension, (3) the ends of the beams are kept aligned by the connector elements to resist compression, and (4) all the elements cooperate to create a splice that resists the torsion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partial isometric schematic view of the end of a main beam showing: a) an imaginary line fastener of the invention in position at the end of the beam; b) a fastener in solid lines in a schematic position away from the beam; and c) rivets that join the fastener to the beam in a schematic position. Figure 2 is a side view of the fastener showing the fastener attached to the end of the beam, with a portion of the beam separated, taken from the side of the beam that is away from the fastener and the side of the fastener opposite to that shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view similar to Figure 2, with another end of the fixed beam and fastener shown in Figure 2 and reproduced again in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a top section view taken in FIG. line 4-4 of figure 2. Figure 5 is a top section view taken on line 5-5 of figure 3. Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of the figure 2.

Figure 7 is a top section view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Two fasteners 20 and 20 'each identical to the other, are used to form a beam connection 22 of the invention. The fastener 20 will be described with identification numbers. The bra 20 'will carry the same identification numbers with a premium notation ('). Each fastener 20 is generally rectangular and is formed, preferably by stamping, of relatively hard steel, which has elastic properties. The fastener can suitably have a thickness of 0.0381 cm, with a generally rectangular dimension of 2.22 cm by 3.81 cm. The punched holes 23 and 25 are located one above the other, and are formed in the approximate center of the fastener 20. A third hole, 26, which forms a triangle with the first two, is formed in the back of the fastener. The arrow 27 points to the back of the fastener. The flanges 28 and 30 are formed at the upper and lower edges of the back of the fastener 20, to form a channel 52. The flanges 28 and 30 are bent outwardly from what will be called the lateral external side of the fastener 20. For purposes of this explanation, location 32 represents the anterior portion of the fastener and location 33 the posterior portion. As seen in Figure 1, the face of the fastener 20 that is seen is the external side face 33, and the face of the fastener that is not seen, and that is sought to be supported on the net 35 of the grid beam 36, is will call the side net face 37 of the fastener 20. The fastener 20 has an upper part 38 and a lower part 40. A tongue 24 extends in a forward direction in the front part 32 of the fastener 20. As seen particularly in FIG. 1, the grid network 35 has a tray 41 or section in depression that is formed at the end of the beam 36. As is common with the "T" -shaped beams of rolled section, the grid beam 36 it is formed of a bent strip of flat metal, in a network 35 with a focus on the upper part and a flange 42 below. The net 35 is formed of two adjacent layers, as clearly seen in FIG. 1. The tray 41 is rectangular and of a size that slightly exceeds the rectangular dimension of the channel 52 of the fastener 20, only to fit the channel 52 of the fastener 20. in the tray and restrict the movement in the plane of the network. The tray 41 is pressed to a depth that depends on the thickness of the fastener 20. When the fastener 20 is attached to the net 35 in the depression tray 41 by flat head rivets 43 through pre-scored holes 23, 25 and 26 in the In tray 41, the lateral external face 31 of the fastener 20 will be in the vertical plane 45 extending between the layers in the network 35, which is the vertical central plane of the complete network 35. The trays 41 are formed in the network 35. at each end of each beam 36, so that the beams 36 and 36 'can be connected end-to-end by fasteners 20 and 20' of the invention. The trays 41 and 41 'are formed in the net 35 from opposite sides of the net 35 at each end of the beam 36 as seen in Fig. 7. The net of the beam 35 also has a notch cut in the form of " V "46 that is formed in the tray 41 as seen for example in Figure 1. This notch cut 46 receives a corresponding" V "shaped wedge projection of the fastener in the form of a rod 48 protruding from the fastener 20. in the lateral network face 37, and is in depression in the fastener on the lateral external side 31. This rod 48 fits in the notch cut 46 of the network 46 and serves to fix the fastener 20 in the network 46 together with the rivets 43. In front of the stem 48, the projection extends in the form of an extended circular portion that creates a lid 50 in a modified mushroom shape, and the rod 48 extends horizontally when the fastener 30 is placed on the roof, while mushroom-shaped lid 50 extends vertically. There is a rectangular cut 51 at the front of the lid 50, and an outwardly pressed stop 57 projects from the fastener 20 beyond the lateral outer face 31 of the fastener 20 at the front of the lid 50 adjacent to the cut 51 The retainer 57 has a pointed edge 58 that faces the back. The two flanges 28 and 30 that are on the upper and lower parts of the fastener 20 are bent outwardly from the outer side face 31 of the fastener 20 to form a rear channel 52. The flanges extend along the channel rear 52 of the fastener 20 in the part that is resting on the net 35. A spring bag 53 is formed on the fastener 20 in the channel 52, which faces forward and is bent at an angle away from the outer side face 31. back of the bag 53 has a portion 55 that is bent back towards the lateral side face 31. The bag 53 is attached to the outer face of the fastener on the fold line 56. The bag as a whole is stamped from the fastener plane 20, leaving a cutting portion 60 having a curved edge 61 pointing towards the rear. The two fasteners 20 and 20 ', each identical to the other, and each fixed to one end of each beam 36 and 36', are simply engaged by forcing one fastener 20 longitudinally into the other fastener 20 ', where the tab 24 of one fastener 20 engages the pouch 53 'of the other fastener 20'. The fasteners 20 and 20 'are forced towards each other. This is done by directing the tabs 24 and 24 'of each of the fasteners 20 and 20' to the bags 53 and 53 'that are in the other fasteners. This will join the lateral outer faces 31 and 31 'of the fasteners 30 and 30'. The tabs 24 and 24 'of each fastener will be centered and guided within the rear portion of the other fastener by the shoulders that are in the upper and lower parts of the fastener. The detents 57 and 57 'of each fastener 20 and 20' will initially run into the depressions of the rods 48 and 48 ', which will allow the faces 31 and 31' to be in contact with each other. As each fastener is brought forward with respect to the other, the lateral outer faces 31 and 31 'of the fasteners 20 and 20' will be forced slightly apart as the detents 57 and 57 ', allowing each fastener face to pass over the top. of the flat head rivets 43. As the fasteners advance toward each other, the tabs 24 and 24 'of the fasteners 20 and 20' continue to be guided by the upper and lower flanges of each fastener. The fasteners 20 and 20 'will eventually lock with each other when the catch 56 enters the cut 60', and the catch 57 'enters the cut 60, at which time the spring bags 53 and 53' of each fastener will carry faces 31 and 31 'back to the position in which they find one on top of the other. The engagement edge 58 on the retainer 57 will engage the edge 61 in the cutting portion 60, in a curved manner. In this position, the ends of the grid rims, nets, and foci will be supported one on top of the other. The connection is now complete, and each fastener is coupled with the other as follows: Laterally The fasteners 20 and 20 'will be supported from the lateral external face 31 to the lateral external face 31', in a support relationship, by the spring bag 53 'which engages the tongue 24, and the spring bag 53 which engages the tongue 24 '. The front end 32 of the tongue 24 will extend under the portion of the bag which, in a relaxed position, extends on the lateral side of the net. It is spring-loaded from this relaxed position to the thickness extension of the tongue 24, which must accommodate and fix. Because both tongues are fixed in opposite pockets, the fasteners are held securely against lateral separation.

Longitudinally to resist compression Because the ends of the beams are supported in alignment and each end is cut square and held by the fastener against separation, the connection resists compression.

Longitudinally to resist tension The detents 57 and 57 'are supported laterally in cuts 60' and 60 by the spring bags 53 and 53 'so that the faces 31 and 31' can not be separated laterally. A hole 67 in the net 35 further allows the retainer to be fixed under the deviation of the spring bag 53. When the fasteners are held in the cut 60, they resist tension separation since the retainer 57 which points towards the part The back of the fastener 20 rests against a curved edge 61 of the cut and is in effect hooked. The detents can be removed from the bag by forcing back both spring bags 53 and 53 'with a lever tool, both at the same time. The connections can then be dismantled by reversing the assembly steps. The connection can also be dismantled by the following steps: 1) join, 2) twist and 3) separate.

Flex Each tab 24 and 24 'fits into the channels 52 and 52' of the other fastener, and is held laterally in the channel by the spring bags 53 and 53 'The fasteners 20 and 20' are fixed longitudinally one to the other as shown in FIG. explained earlier. By fitting the tabs and channels in this manner, a fishtail splice is created wherein the interconnected fasteners 20 and 20 'overlap the gasket of grid beams 36 and 36' and attach to the nets 35 and 35 'of the end beams a In order to connect beams 36 and 36 'from end to end. This fishplate effect can be seen particularly in Figures 3 and 5. Where the fasteners 20 and 21 'are used with grid beams having single thickness nets, including, extruded beams of, for example, aluminum, trays 41 and 41 'must be formed again in the net 35. The depth of the trays 41 and 41' must be such that when the fastener of the invention is fixed by the flat head rivets 43, the outer side faces 31 and 31 'of the fastener are in the vertical central plane 45 of the network 35.

Claims (7)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A connection for joining end-to-end grid beams, having an inverted "T" -shaped cross-section with a net and flanges, comprising: A) a pair of fasteners superimposed and each identical to the other, coupled one with the other, each fastener having: a) a side net face and a lateral side face, b) a front tongue, c) a back channel, d) a spring pocket in the channel opening and protruding from the face external lateral, e) a cut in the channel, and f) a retainer on the tongue protruding on the lateral external side; B) a tray depression formed in the net of each beam and, C) means for fixing the channel of each fastener to the end of each beam so that a) the tongue extends beyond and forward of the end of the beam and , b) the side network face in the fastener channel is supported on the tray that is in the beam end network, and c) the external side face of the fastener is substantially in the network of the vertical center plane of the network; characterized in that when the fasteners are overlapped and coupled with each other, a) the tab of each fastener is confined to the channel of the other fastener, b) the retainer on the tongue of each fastener engages the cut that is in the fastener. the channel of the other fastener, and c) the tongue of each fastener is fixed in the spring bag of the other fastener; by means of which the coupled fasteners form a joint around the ends of the beams, further characterized because a) the ends of the beams are aligned and in a supporting relationship, b) the beams of the beams are superimposed by each fastener , c) the fasteners are fastened, supported and superimposed on each other, and d) the fasteners are in the central vertical plane of the networks in trays off center at the ends of the beams.

2. The connection according to claim 1, further characterized in that the lateral external faces of the detents rest on a plane that is substantially the vertical central plane of the nets of each beam.

3. The connection according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fastener has a depression on the lateral external side having an anterior rod in the form of a wedge and a rear portion in the form of a cap in the form of a modified mushroom, further characterized in that the retainer in the other fastener, during the engagement of the fasteners, is first in the depression portion and is forced out of the wedge portion, by means of which the outer lateral faces are forced apart during the coupling before fully engaging when the lateral outer faces remain in a support relationship.

4. The connection according to claim 3, further characterized in that the lateral external faces are forced apart to avoid interference with the rivet fastening means.

5. - The connection according to claim 3, further characterized in that the cover portion of the depression prevents interference from the lateral external face with the rivet fastening means, when the fasteners are engaged.

6. The connection according to claim 3, further characterized in that the wedge depressions on the lateral external face form a projection on the lateral network face, the beam has a wedge cut on the end of the beam, and Clamping means maintain the wedge projection in the wedge cut.

7. A fishtail splice for overlaying a joint of grid beams of inverted "T" -shaped cross sections connecting the beams from end to end, further characterized because a) the fishplate is in the form of a pair of fasteners, each of which has an anterior tongue and a posterior channel, and further characterized in that the pair of fasteners overlap each other by a portion substantially of their length, and lock with each other, locking the tongue of each fastener in the tongue. channel of the other; b) the fishplate is in the vertical central plane of the beam nets; c) each beam has a network depression; and d) the fish is connected to the nets in the network depression by means of fixing elements.