PT819200E - SERIES OF ACCESSORIES TO JOIN I OR U-BEAMS OR OTHER CROSS BEAMS OF BEAMS - Google Patents

Abstract

A series of fittings is provided for joining I or U-beams of composite materials for bearing structures in form of frames, lattice structures etc. Each joint between adjacent beams is formed by particular fittings of a U-shaped profile in cross section. The back of the U is of a width corresponding to the inner width between the flanges of the I or the U-beams. The flanges of these fittings present almost the same outer width as the inner width of the flanges of the I or the U-beams. When seen in the longitudinal direction, the particular fitting of each beam joint is formed by two members together forming the same angle as the adjacent beams of the beam joint. The resulting joining of structures is very fast compared to conventional joining of structures, and it presents nevertheless a high strength.

Description

85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ

DESCRIPTION "Series of accessories for joining I- or U-beams or other cross-sections of beams"

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a joining structure for a support structure, said joining structure comprising: a) profile members, such as, for example, I- or U-profiles, fiber-reinforced plastic, said profile elements having a profile body and two profile flanges projecting from the body so as to form a longitudinal channel defined by interior surfaces of said profile body and said profile flanges; b) an attachment for joining said profile elements at a given angle and having an accessory body and two attachment flanges projecting from the body of the attachment, defining the outer surfaces of said attachment body and said attachment flanges a which contour substantially corresponds to the channel of the profile elements; and c) securing means for securing the attachment member to the profile members, said attachment attachment comprising portions mutually defining said predetermined angle and being received in a respective channel of said profile members, the outer surface of the body of said attachment to the inner surface of the body of the profile elements.

The profile elements of the joint structure may be I- or U-profiles or profiles with other cross-sections and the joint structure may be used in the chemical industry, oil rigs, shipbuilding, water purification facilities, EMC tests, poles for railways, airports, etc.

Background Art US-A-5 210 990 discloses wood construction elements in the form of wood panels made of a composite wood material or a substitute of wood panels made of solid wood. This publication reveals

A method of attaching building elements which are perpendicular to each other by means of a box-shaped junction block. DE-A-847 068 discloses a method of joining by means of wedges which are engaged between the attachment pieces and the metal profiles. Such a joint can not be used to transfer a load at a very high moment because the wedges involve a tip load and are difficult to put into practice. The invention known from this publication is based on the fact that the material is ductile, which is not characteristic of fiber reinforced plastic materials, the so-called composite material. WO 85/01307, which is the most recent prior art and on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a joint structure for joining two steel members with I-profile and comprising a U-shaped accessory or plate in the channels of each profile element. The body of each accessory abuts the body of the I-shaped elements. However, it is not mentioned or indicated anywhere in the description that the flanges of the fittings engage tightly in the adjacent flanges of the I-shaped elements. Figs. 2, 10 and 11 illustrate that at least one of the flanges of the fitting is remote from the adjacent flange of the profile element. Without said tight engagement between the accessory flanges and the flanges of the profile members, the transverse forces acting transversely between the flanges can only be transferred between the attachment and the profile members through their bodies and not through their flanges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a joining structure as recited in the preamble of claim 1, which avoids the disadvantages of the known joining structures and allows the rapid mounting of support structures as compared to the conventional assembly of steel structures, with great resistance to the support structure, especially in the joints.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the outer collar surfaces of the attachment fit closely on the inner collar surfaces of the profile elements. The edges of the

85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ specific accessories thus engage the profile flanges when their bodies engage the profile bodies in such a way that the optimum contact surface is obtained and in such a way that the resistance of the flanges of a profile is transferred to the flanges in the fittings and subsequently transferred to the flanges of the other profile, and the resistance of the body of one profile is transferred to the body of the fittings and subsequently to the body of the other profile when the fittings have been fastened to the profiles by means of fastening means such as screws, pins, rivets, etc., or glue or a combination thereof.

The attachments may be fixed to the composite profiles by means of fixing by screws or glue or a combination of both. The resulting resistance is high because the accessories cover as much of the profile surface as possible and thus distribute forces across the largest possible area. The latter has a decisive factor in connection with profiles made of a composite material, because the ability of such profiles or beams to withstand tip loads is poor. The cross-sectional shape of the accessories is adapted to the shape of the profiles so as to obtain a maximum contact surface for transferring the bending and tensile / compressive forces, shear stress, torsional forces and momentum the weak axis and the strong axis of the profile. Additionally, the contact surface reduces tip loads and provides self-supporting properties during assembly without the use of wedges, etc. The shape of the fittings solves the problem of the difference referred to between the tensile and bending resistance versus the stress of court. Finally, in connection with a glue joint, the shape of the fittings ensures that the forces are transferred by means of a shear stress either to the body or to the flanges, regardless of the direction in which the fittings are subjected to a load. The latter is essential for glue joints because these joints can only absorb shear stresses.

As recited in claim 2, the body and the flanges of the fitting have different thicknesses. There is often demand for a wider thickness at the edges than in the body due to the prevailing forces, but the opposite may also happen.

As recited in claim 3, the fitting can be perforated in a pattern not involving a reduction of the resistance around the apertures

85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ 4 of the screws. The purpose of using a perforation in connection with glue joints is to achieve a mechanical and chemical adhesion between the fittings and the profiles, whereby it is possible to visually check the glue position. The drilling is used in connection with metals because the weight of the structure is thus reduced. Finally, the drilling allows the use of self-tapping screws if desired. The bolts used may be ordinary machine screws, carriage bolts, "unbracco" bolts with a conical head, as well as self-tapping screws, round head rivets, vulcan rivets, etc. Here only one manual drill can be used, and the joints can be run normally in less than 5 minutes.

As referred to in claim 4, depending on the use, many different types of materials and combinations of material for the fitting, such as fiber reinforced plastic in the form of hot consolidated plastic or thermoplastics and metal, may be used. Some examples of composite material in the form of fiber reinforced hot consolidated plastic are, for example, polyesters, vinyl esters, bisphenols, epoxy, phenols, polyurethane, etc. Some examples of a composite material in the form of fiber reinforced thermoplastics are polypropylenes, polyethylenes, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-thermopolymers, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane. Some examples of metals are steel, stainless steel, zinc, copper, magnesium, etc.

When the fittings are made of composite materials which are anisotropic materials, the orientation of the fiber is often +/- 45Â °, 90Â °, 0Â ° in order to obtain optimum shear stress and stiffness. These fittings made of composite material are molded from hot-melt plastic or formed from thermoplastic.

As recited in claim 5, the attachment is made of a composite material with a tear tape or fabric or a layer of glue on the surfaces facing the profile members in order to improve the glue bonding. It is obvious that such a bonding of glue can be complemented with another joint as mentioned above, such as a screw joint.

As recited in claim 6, the profiles and the fitting can be made of the same material, which is often disadvantageous with respect to strength, resilience, insulation, thermal expansion, etc.

As recited in claim 7, the attachment can be produced either by tensile extrusion, injection molding, cold pressing, hot pressing or manual laying.

As recited in claim 8, the fitting can be equipped, for example by means of molding, with drilling instructions for opening holes for screw joints or rivet joints.

Contrary to that disclosed in WO 85/01307, the fitting can engage the profiles on the entire surface of the accessories facing the profiles, interengaging at the ends of the profiles at the point of contact such that the compressive force in the profiles can be transferred by direct contact between the surfaces of the profiles and such that the profiles have a continuous appearance throughout the joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an I-beam truss structure made of a composite material; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example of a series of accessories to be used in the truss structure of Fig. 1; FIG. 3a shows a flat metal blank for the production of an interior corner fitting to be used in one of the four rectangular corners of Fig. 1, as shown in the angle between the beams in I 1 and 2 of Fig. 2; FIG. 3b shows a flat metal blank corresponding to that of Fig. 3a but made of a thermoplastic material and illustrated prior to being folded into a complete rectangular inner corner fitting; 6 85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ figs. 4a, 4b and 4c show a ready-to-use interior corner fitting from the blank of Fig. 3b, or a corresponding corner fitting made of molten thermoplastic, Fig. 5a is a perspective view thereof; Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f show half of the inner rectangular corner fitting shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c which will be used for half an I-beam structure or a T-beam structure, Fig. 5b is a perspective view of said T-beam structure; FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the joining of two I-beams which do not form a corner by means of a corner joint of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c; FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams with the corner fitting of FIGS. 4d, 4e and 4f; FIG. 5c is an exploded perspective view of the joint between two I-beams which do not form a comer, using said joint two of the inner corner fittings of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, as well as accessories at 0 ° as shown in Figs. 7a and 7b; Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c show an outer corner accessory (270 °); Figs. 7a and 7b show an attachment at 0 °; FIG. 7c is a perspective view of an accessory at 0 ° of FIGS. 7a and 7b placed on I-beams made of a composite material and used to join two of these I-beams; FIG. 7d is an exploded perspective view of the joining of two I-beams made of a composite material by means of two fittings at 0 ° as shown in Figs. 7a and 7b; Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c show an accessory at 45ø; FIG. 8d is an exploded perspective view of a locally used joint in the middle of the lowermost I-beam of Fig. 1 and between said beam in I 1 and the two

The adjacent I-beams 6, 7, at an angle of 45 ° with their respective sides of the above mentioned first I-beam; Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c show an interior fitting at 135ø; FIG. 9d is a perspective view of a 135 ° joint between two I-beams made of a composite material by means of an interior fitting of FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c; Figs. 10a and 10b show the joint between two I-beams making an angle of 135 ° with each other, but in a plane perpendicular to the plane of attachment of Fig. 9d by means of a hot molded plastic molded fitting; Figs. 10c and 10d illustrate the joint between two T-beams making an angle of 135 ° with one another as in Figs. 10a and 10b by means of a hot molded plastic molded fitting; FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a joint between two I-beams made of a composite material, which are one after the other (0o) by means of two fittings, which together follow the body and flanges of the I-beams; FIG. 11b is a perspective view of a corresponding joint as in Fig. 11a, but where the I-beams are perpendicular to each other and form a corner; FIG. 11c is a perspective view of the connection between two T-beams arranged perpendicular to one another and forming a corner by means of two fittings, which together follow the body and collar of said T-beams together; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the joint between two beams. (1 '), by means of corresponding fittings as in fig. 11a; and Γ " 85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ 8

Figs. 13a and 13b show a 45 ° joint of a continuous profile and an adjacent T-profile, and Figs. 14a and 14b illustrate a 90 ° joint by joining a continuous profile and an adjacent I-profile. FIG. 1 shows a lattice structure of I-beams made of a composite material. In the figure, the individual beams 1 to 7 have the shape as shown, with the beams bodies indicated by dashed lines. A sectional view along line A-A of Fig. 1 shows the cross-section of the beam. The illustrated truss structure is 1.5 m in each direction. As shown, the beams 6 and 7 form an angle of 90ø and, together with the beam 1, form 45ø angles to their respective sides. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the types of individual accessories and their use in the trellis structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 3a shows a rectangular flat metal blank with a perforated pattern, said metal blank being for producing an attachment to a joining structure according to the invention. The notches 10, 11, 12, 13 are punched from the longitudinal edges 14, 15. These notches form angles of 45 ° with a center line 18 parallel to the short edges 16, 17. The metal blank of Fig. 3a comprises fold lines 19, 20 parallel to the longitudinal edges and extending through the intersection of the notches 10, 11, 12, 13 with the center line 18.

A 90 ° folding along the fold lines 19, 20 gives rise to a profile having a U-shaped cross-section, said profile being subsequently folded 90 ° about the center line 18. The edges 10 and 11 are then welded in assembly to the edges 12 and 13 which gives rise to an inner corner joint to be used in one of the four rectangular corners, such as in the corner between the beams in I 1 and 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3b shows a corresponding flat blank such as in Fig. 3a but made of a thermoplastic material and illustrated prior to being folded into a complete rectangular inner corner fitting. The corresponding parts of Fig. 3a and fig. 3b have the same reference numerals. It should be noted that

85 588

There are punched notches in Fig. 3b as in Fig. 3a. Instead, the slits 21, 22 are provided parallel to the short edges 16, 17, the slits projecting from the long edges to the fold lines 19, 20. When the thermoplastic material of Fig. 3b is folded about a line coincident with lines 21, 22, the excess portions of the material on the beads overlap one another and melt together due to the heat supplied during the molding process. It is obvious that the blank shown in Fig. 3b made of thermoplastic material may also be provided with a perforated pattern as shown in connection with the metal blank of Fig. 3a.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show a ready-to-use interior corner fitting from the blank of Fig. 3b. This accessory can also be a hot molded plastic molded corner fitting.

FIGS. 4d, 4e and 4f show half of the rectangular inner corner fitting shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c. This accessory thus comprises only one collar and half of the body. FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a joint of two I-beams 30 and 31 which do not form a comer by means of the comer fitting of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c. This corner fitting is identified by 32 in FIG. 5a. FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams 33 and 34 by means of a corner fitting 35 of the type shown in Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f. FIG. 5c is an exploded perspective view of the joint between two I-beams 36 and 37. The I-beam 37 has, at its end facing the I-beam 36, a shoulder 45. This shoulder results from the fact that additional portions of the I- beams I-beams are removed in such a way that the I-beam body no longer projects to enter between the beams on the I-beam 36. This is not a specific object of the invention, but serves to further strengthen the unity. Two corner fittings 32 are used for the connection, as shown in Fig. 5a as well as an accessory at 0 ° to 38 °. All elements are made of the same type of composite material and the joint is performed by means of gluing followed by fastening by screws as indicated by the screws 39 and nuts 40 shown.

85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate an outer corner fitting 41, i.e. the bodies 42 and 43 of the two parts of the fitting form an angle around a "fold line" 44. This fitting can be made directly by plastic molding consolidated. There will thus be no folding around line 44.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show an attachment 38a used in the middle at the top of Fig. 2 or fig. 1, the same type of accessory being used on the inner side and outer side to interconnect in the middle the I-profiles of Fig. 1. Fig. 7c is a perspective view of an accessory at 0 ° of FIGS. 7a and 7b placed in I-beams made of composite material to interconnect two of these I-beams. Correspondingly, Fig. 7d is an exploded perspective view of the union of I-beams made of composite material by means of two fittings at 0 ° as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show an accessory at 45 °, and fig. 8d is an exploded perspective view of a joint between three I-beams by means of two accessories at 45 ° and a fitting at 90 °, as well as an attachment at 0 °. This joint may be, for example, the joint shown in the middle of the I-beam of Fig. 1, wherein said beam meets the two I-beams 6 and 7. Thus, the I-beams of Fig. 8d are designed in the same manner as the I-beams at the location in question of Fig. 1. The joint is performed by means of a rectangular fitting 32, two fittings 50 to 45ø and an accessory 38 at 0ø. All of these accessories may be made, for example, in a composite material of the same type, and the fittings may be molded from thermoset plastic or hot-set plastic. The fittings fit tightly in the I-sections in the manner described in claim 1. The attachment may be made as a glue joint and, in order to improve glue bonding, the accessories may be provided with tear tape ensuring that the glued surfaces are kept clean. The joint can then be further reinforced by bolt means 39 and nuts 40 shown. Alternatively the accessories may be equipped with a sheet of glue such that after tearing the sheet the accessories comprise a surface of glue discovered on the bodies and edges facing the I-beams. For opening the holes for the screws 39, this embodiment as well as all other embodiments illustrated and described may be equipped with perforations in the form of small recesses in the composite material of the fittings at the locations where said holes will be opened.

85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ

FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c show an interior fitting 60 to 135ø, Fig. 9d is a perspective view of said interior fitting. This attachment serves to join the two illustrated I-beams 61 and 62. On the opposite side of the joint of fig. 9d it is possible, of course, to connect a second fitting following the body and the beams of the I-beams correspondingly.

FIGS. 10a and 10b show the joining of two I-beams 71 and 72 by means of an attachment 70, such that the two beams here form an angle of 135 °, but in a plane perpendicular to the plane of attachment of Fig. 9d. The illustrated accessory 70 is preferably produced by means of hot consolidated plastic molding. A corresponding fitting is also provided on the opposite side of the joint of the I-beams 71, 72.

FIGS. 10c and 10d illustrate the joining of two T-beams 81 and 82 by means of an attachment 80 essentially corresponding to the half of the attachment 70 of Figs. 10a and 10b. This attachment is also molded, preferably, into hot consolidated plastic. FIG. 11a is a perspective view of the joining of two I-beams made of composite material. These two I-beams 91 and 100 are respectively positioned one after the other and are joined by two identical fittings 90 which engage the body and flanges of the beams together, the two beams being in contact with each other. line of symmetry of the bead flanges 91, 92. Fig. 11b is a perspective view of a joint similar to the joint of FIG. 11a, but wherein the beams at 1101 and 102 are perpendicular to each other and form a comer. In this case the inner corner fitting 103 differs from the other outer corner fitting 104 as shown. FIG. 11c is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams 111 and 112 positioned perpendicular to one another and forming a corner by two fittings 113 and 114, which together follow the body and the collar of the T-beams. 85 588 ΕΡ Ο 819 200 / ΡΤ Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the joining of two particular profiles, for example two hollow H-beams 121 and 122 by corresponding fittings 90 shown in Fig. 11 a. FIG. 13 shows the joining of a continuous T-shaped profile 131 and an adjacent T-profile 132. This connection is executed by means of an attachment 80 of the type shown in Figs. 10c and 10d, and such an attachment 80 is preferably disposed on both sides of the T-profiles. Fig. 14 shows a 90 ° joint between a continuous I-shaped profile 141 and an adjacent I-shaped profile 142. This connection is made by means of a specifically shaped fitting 140, preferably molded in hot-consolidated plastic. This attachment 140 comprises a base member 143 and two U-shaped members 144 and 145 spaced therebetween by a distance corresponding to the vertical I-shaped body 142. This attachment is connected to the I-profiles in such a way that initially the attachment is pushed down onto the vertical I-profile 143, whereupon the continuous I-profile 141 is placed in the base member 143 which, in turn, is then connected to the horizontal continuous profile 141 by means of screw connections optionally , not until the union has been performed before by gluing.

Lisboa, 20. AGQ. 2001

By FIBERLINE COMPOSITES A / S - THE OFFICIAL AGENT -

Eng. ° ANTÓNIO JOÃO DA CUNHA FERREIRA Ag. 0 (.Pr. Ind. Rua das Flores, 74 - 4 ° 1200-195 LISBOA

Claims (8)

A connecting structure for a support structure, said joint structure comprising: a) profile elements (1-7; 30; 31; 36; 37; 61; 62; 71; ; 72; 91; 92; 101; 102; 121,122), such as, for example, I- or U-profiles, in fiber reinforced plastic, said profile elements having a profile body and two profile flanges which project from the body so as to form a longitudinal channel defined by inner surfaces of said profile body and said profile flanges, b) a connecting fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113, 114) for joining said profile elements at an angle and having an accessory body and two accessory flanges projecting from the body of the accessory, defining the outer surfaces of said accessory body and said one accessory shoulders contour substantially corresponding to the channel of the profile elements; and (c) securing means (39, 40) for securing the attachment member to the profile members, said attachment attaches portions mutually defining said predetermined angle and being received in a respective channel of said profile members, abutting the outer surface of the body of said attachment member to the inner surface of the body of the profile elements, characterized in that the outer collar surfaces of the attachment attach closely to the inner collar surfaces of the profile elements. Joining structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the body and the flanges of the fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) are of different thicknesses. Attachment fittings according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) has a perforation pattern. Joining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) is made of selected material or combinations of material of a group comprising fiber-reinforced plastics in the form of hot-drawn or thermoplastic plastics, and metal. Joining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) is made of a composite material with a ribbon of tear or fabric or a layer of glue on the surface facing the profile members in order to improve the glue bonding. Joining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile elements (1-7; 30; 31; 36; 37; 61; 62; 71; 72; 91; 101; 102; 121; 122 ) and the accessory (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) are made of the same material in order to obtain the same material properties with respect to strength, resilience, thermal expansion, etc. Joining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; 113; 114) is made by a process selected from a group including tensile extrusion, injection molding, cold pressing, hot pressing and manual laying. Joining structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting (32; 41; 46; 50; 60; 70; 90; 103; 104; screw connections (39, 40) or rivet connections. Lisboa, 20. AGQ. 2001 By FIBERLINE COMPOSITES A / S - THE OFFICIAL AGENT - da cunha ferreira Ag. Of Pr. Ind. Rua das Flores, 74-4 ° 1200-195 LISBOA