US20200040579A1

US20200040579A1 - Sustainable Perforated Flat-bar Connection System

Info

Publication number: US20200040579A1
Application number: US16/600,527
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine Inez Karstens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2019-10-13
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: US20200102750A1; US20190078331A1; US10501937B2; US20190271159A1; US20190338522A1; US20190301159A1; US20190301157A1; US20190271158A1

Abstract

A mechanical utility invention created in the interest of the construction industry. The Sustainable Flat-bar Connection System to be used with the member beam of the parent application, U.S. Pat. No. 15/703,993. The sustainable connection system is reusable, can be temporary or permanent, can be used on all sides of the beam at once, can join plural beams congruently, and replaces conventional counterparts; strong ties, metal straps, screws and nails. It creates economy in waste compared to it's conventional counterparts, in that they often become damaged and unusable after disconnection and are then discarded in landfills. It can be utilized to join bulky construction materials together in a lamination style, in a post and beam configuration, and to create an apex between two member beams. The disconnection utility from member beams without the loss of integrity or damage to the system or the member beam making them both largely sustainable.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention was created in the interest of the construction industry and as an alternative embodiment of a the connection system recited in the parent application U.S. Pat. No 15/703,993. In construction there are many instances where the need to build temporary structures is necessary; however the conventional fasteners for connecting beams and construction materials are permanent. Therefore, often times the structures are disassembled and discarded creating large amongst of waste in material and labor. Thus, the need arises for a more temporary fastener with the same strength as permanent fasteners, but with more versatile utility and sustainability. The invented reusable connection system gains the invented mechanical attributes, such as, attaching member beams and bulk construction materials together with little to no tools. Additionally, the mechanical attributes invented create gains in utilities in the following ways: Economy in knowledge of the art and science of the construction industry required to create usefulness, economy in blunt force, and or, user effort, economy in the number of fasteners required to connect two construction materials together, tools required to connect construction materials together, and most importantly, economy in waste; Thereby, making the fastener and the construction material reusable and creating a more sustainable way to connect materials.
A prior art approach is referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 010,405,657, which depicts a bracket kit for connection of two elongated rail members for attaching opposite ends of beam members. The method of abutting a first member beam to a second member beam. The prior art takes a much different approach to attaching to member beams in that it has a slide rail that slides over each beam to prevent it from sagging.
Yet, another prior art exists in U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,131, depicts interchangeable building components for assembling a single family house. Like the Sustainable Flat-bar Connection System it has components which may be released called snap locks. However, these components are specifically for connecting prefabricated wall units and is significantly different in design in that it appears to be a series of elongated snaps located at the bottom latitudinal length portion of a modular walls for snapping the wall into a receiving snap lock of a floor joist.
Another prior art found in U.S. Pat. No 9,228,342, depicts a system for attachment of extruded beams. Although, the object and function of the prior art is similar in that it is designed to make use of extruded beams in a simple and manner, this art is substantially different in shape. It relies on tongue and groove with heavy clamping parts, requires multiple bolts and compression to function and is not readily available for detachment as the Sustainable Flat-bar Connection System.
Additionally, of the similar search results found, none possessed the multi-functional utilities as the ones set forth in this document. Furthermore, none provided a readily available means for attachment of beams and construction materials without the use of additional fasteners such as bolts, T-slots and snap-cladding, or without the loss of reuse when the use seizes. Thus, a great need still exists for a reusable connection system such as the invented system set forth in this document; a reusable sustainable connection system, with readily available multi-functional capacities that may be used to connect beams and other construction materials with no tools, and disconnect at will; saving both the construction material and the fasteners.
The current conventional model of disposing of construction materials such as nails, brackets, and beams into landfills seizes when using the reusable Sustainable Connection System. Thus, none of the similar searches found art that offered, nor specifically identified, a multi-functional, reusable device with a sustainability factor.
Therefore, it is thus promoted in this document that a great need still exists for a mechanical method that solves the problem of sustainability, economy in materials, economy in tools necessary to fasten construction beams or materials together for usefulness, the economy of skilled labor that might be required in order to use or assemble structures, the economy of blunt force, the economy of connectivity with other building materials. Furthermore, there are instances in the construction industry when the building of structures whereby there is limited availability of items and resources to purchase items necessary to build in a conventional manner. Such as, limited access to tools, either by location or environment, and or limited number of persons available for skilled labor in erecting a structure. Additionally, often times there are structures no longer suitable for use where the materials are still good, if not for the fact of being destroyed during the disconnection process. Therefore, good materials go to waste and become part of landfills and create a larger unnecessary carbon footprint. Thus, the need arises for a method of fastening together beams and other construction materials that is capable of connectivity without permanence and with a recyclable life cycle reducing its carbon foot print.
It is the object of this invention to create a sustainable connection system that is substantially more sustainable and reusable than its' conventional non-sustainable counter parts. Thus, solving the problem of sustainability among construction beams and like materials.
It is also the object of this invention to create a connection system with components that requires little to no tools in order to regain use after disconnection. Thus, solving the problem of the economy of tools.
Additionally it is the object of this invention to make the member beams or material for which it will be attached sustainable as well. By offering a connection system that does not damage the beam or material when the use ends and therefore can be re-purposed for another use.
Often times a fasteners strength and structural integrity are compromised after disconnection, in that a nail pulled from a wooden or metal beam is often bent, and a bracket is often twisted, and more often than not both are unsuitable for reuse. Therefore, it is further the object of this invention to create a fastener that has connectivity and integrity of strength after disconnection, and therefore may be reused in another capacity. Rendering the connection system to its' full usefulness of a sustainable value.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A sustainable connection system with substantially more utility than its conventional counterparts, nails, screws, and brackets; in that the following attributes are achieved: sustainability, economy in materials, economy in tools necessary to fasten construction beams and materials together for usefulness, the economy of skilled labor that might be required in order to use or assemble structures, the economy of blunt force, the economy of connectivity with other building materials, detachable and inter-changeable with beams and other building materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings, descriptions, components, shapes, materials, and forms, set forth in this document, are intended for representational purposes only, and are provided to enhance clarity of the invention and are not to limit the claims. Furthermore, the drawings are not to scale, and in some cases exaggerated or reduced for clarity. Additionally, not all aspects of each component are illustrated in each drawing to allow space for clarity.

FIG. 1A shows two expandable sustainable member beams 10 from the parent application formed of the perforated flat-bar connection system 1.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of a segment 2 of the member beam, and the perforated flat-bar connection system 1.

FIG. 1C shows a side view of the top portion of two segments 2 of the member beam with the perforated flat-bar connection system 1, comprised of the perforated flat-bar 3, connector spikes 4, rails 5 and a slide bar 6, just prior to connection; And in brackets, an expanded view of the perforated flat-bar connection system 1; Created of: connector spike(s) 4, rail(s) 5, slide bar 6, slope(s) 7, and semi-circle sliding nut 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows two expandable sustainable member beams 10, fully expanded, where as the beams are connected together utilizing the sustainable perforated flat-bar connection system 1.
FIG. 1B shows a side view of a segment 2, comprised of the sustainable perforated flat-bar connection system 1, as recited forward in FIG. 1C.
FIG. 1C shows a side view of the top portions of two segments 2, where as comprising corners of the northern most edge of the segments 2 comprising of the perforated flat-bar connection system 1. The perforated flat-bar connection system 1 comprising the connector spike(s) 4, and a slide bar 6, attached to the rail(s) 5. The sustainable perforated flat-bar connection systems 1 of each segment 2 are placed in juxtaposed positions. The slide bar 6 of one segment 2 is pushed aside in order to receive the connector spike(s) 4 of the opposing segment 2. The connector spike(s) 4 slide upward on the rail(s) 5, allowing them to extend away from the segment 2 and threads through the perforated flat-bar 3 of the opposing segment 2. Once the connector spike(s) 4 are threaded into the opposing segment 2, the slide bar 6, from the first segment 2, is pushed back over the rail(s) 5, thus locking the connector spike(s) 4 and connecting the two expandable sustainable member beams 10 together; And in brackets, shows an enlarged detailed view of the major components of the sustainable perforated flat-bar connection system 1, where as comprised of the perforated flat-bar(s) 3, the perforations comprising slope(s) 7 pressed into the flat-bar 3 leading up to the hollow perforations, as to aid in guiding the connector spike(s) 4 upward, which are manufactured of, but not limited to, deformed rod and located on rail(s) 5 inside the perforated flat-bar connection system 1. When the user intervenes by pushing the semi-circle sliding nut(s) 8 along the rail(s) 5 in a latitudinal direction, the connector spike(s) 4 are pushed up through the slope(s) 7 and into the hollow perforations of the perforated flat-bar(s) 3. The connector spike(s) 3 position becomes upright and perpendicular to perforated flat-bar 3 allowing the connector spike(s) 4 to then be threaded by the user into the perforated flat-bar(s) 3 of a second segment 2. Thus, connecting the two expandable sustainable member beams 10. Also, connected to the rail(s) 5 is a slide bar 6; Once the connector spike(s) 4 from the first segment 2 is threaded into a second segment 2, the user pushes the slide bar 6 in front of the connector spike(s) 4 locking the connector spike(s) 4 in position. When release of the connection is desired, the user intervenes, and pulls the slide bar 6 in a reverse latitudinal motion away from the connector spike(s) 4. Thus, releasing the lock and disconnection of the connector spike(s) 4 is now possible.

Claims

1. A connection system for connecting 2 member beams or construction materials together that allow for disconnection and reuse, comprising;

perforated flat-bar, wherein having connector spikes located on sliding rails; wherein said spikes are pushed up through the perforations by semi-circle sliding nuts; wherein said flat-bar comprising:

slopes leading up to said perforations, aid in guiding said spikes upward until spikes reach a perpendicular position in relation to the the flat-bar; thereafter the spikes thread through said perforations of a second perforated flat-bar connection system located on a second member beam, thus connecting the two member beams; wherein also comprising:

a locking slide bar, located in front of the perforated flat-bar, the slide bar pushes away prior to threading the spikes, and pushes back into place after threading of the spikes to lock the spikes in place.