Flangeless support structures
First Claim
1. A finger plate assembly for connecting two adjacent tubular sections of a tubular support structure, the finger plate assembly comprising:
- an outer finger plate;
an inner finger plate;
corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections butted at a point;
throughhole arrays on each finger plate, wherein each throughhole array provides connection to one of the two adjacent tubular sections;
a matching throughhole array located on the corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections; and
means to fasten the inner and outer finger plates to the adjacent tubular sections.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flangeless assembly for connecting tubular sections of a tubular support structure. A flangeless finger plate assembly connects adjacent tubular sections of a tubular support strucure. The finger plate assembly includes an outer finger plate, an inner finger plate, and corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular section butted at a point. Throughhole arrays are provided on each finger plate such that one throughhole array connects to a matching throughhole array on the corresponding end of the adjacent tubular section. Fastening means are provided to connect the inner and outer finger plates to the adjacent tubular sections according to the throughhole array.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A finger plate assembly for connecting two adjacent tubular sections of a tubular support structure, the finger plate assembly comprising:
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an outer finger plate; an inner finger plate; corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections butted at a point; throughhole arrays on each finger plate, wherein each throughhole array provides connection to one of the two adjacent tubular sections; a matching throughhole array located on the corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections; and means to fasten the inner and outer finger plates to the adjacent tubular sections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure, the flangeless joint comprising:
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two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure; a plurality of finger plate assemblies uniformly distributed around the periphery of the two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tubular support structure comprising:
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a plurality of tubular sections; and a plurality of flangeless joints employing finger plates assemblies for connecting adjacent tubular sections, the finger plate assemblies being uniformly distributed around the periphery of the adjacent tubular sections. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification