Beam joining apparatus

• US 4,344,716 A
• Filed: 12/08/1980
• Issued: 08/17/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FMC Corporation
• Original Assignee: FMC Corporation
• Inventors: Sigal, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): KUNDRAT, ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US06/214,158
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 403/312, 403/336, 403/338, 403/310, 403/335, 403/294, 403/314, 403/337, 403/13, 52/726
• US Class Current: 403/13
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/2403 Connection details of the elongated load-supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2448 Connections between open section profiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2457 Beam to beam connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/506 bolted or riveted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/1616 Position or guide means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5781 Bolted

Abstract

Apparatus for joining a pair of flanged beams in an end-to-end relationship includes a pair of end plates each welded to an end of a corresponding one of the flanged beams. Each of the end plates has a notch therein which is aligned with the notch in the other plate and the end plates juxtapose. A clamp having a body portion which mates with the notches in the end plates, and having a radial flange on each side of the body portion, is secured with the body portion in the notches. The radial flanges of the clamp presses against the end plates to lock the plates securely together.

Claims

1. Apparatus for joining a pair of flanged beams in an end-to-end relationship comprising:

a pair of end plates each having a pair of semi-circular notches therein;

means for connecting each of said end plates to an end of a corresponding one of said beams;

a pair of semicylindrical clamps each having a groove which mates with said notches in said pair of end plates, said clamps each having radial flanges on either side of said groove; and

means for securing one of each of said pair of semicylindrical clamps to the other of said pair of semicylindrical clamps with said groove of one of each of said pair of semicylindrical clamps in one of each of said notches of said pair of juxtaposed end plates with the outer edges of said flanges pressing against the outer edges of said end plates and with said radial flanges clamping said pair of end plates in a secure connection.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said clamps includes a plurality of bolts and means for connecting said bolts between a first of said clamps and a second of said clamps.

3. Apparatus for joining a pair of flanged beams in an end-to-end relationship comprising:

a pair of end plates each having a pair of semi-circular notches therein;

means for connecting each of said end plates to an end of a corresponding one of said beams;

a pair of semicylindrical clamps each having a groove which mates with said notches in said pair of end plates, said clamps each having radial flanges on either side of said groove; and

a plurality of bolts and means for connecting said bolts between a first of said clamps and a second of said clamps with said groove in said notches of said pair of juxtaposed end plates.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said end plates are each welded to the end of a corresponding one of said beams.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said clamps includes a tapered cam surface on each of said radial flanges, and wherein each of said cam surfaces presses against a corresponding one of said end plates to clamp said end plates together.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said end plates includes a tapered cam surface which mates with one of said cam surfaces on said clamp to press one of said end plates into a firm connection with the other of said end plates as said clamp moves radially into said notches in said end plates.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for axially aligning the ends of said beams when said end plates are juxtaposed.

8. Apparatus for joining a pair of flanged beams in an end-to-end relationship comprising:

a pair of end plates each having a pair of semi-circular notches therein;

means for connecting each of said end plates to an end of a corresponding one of said beams;

a pair of semicylindrical clamps each having a groove which mates with said notches in said pair of end plates, said clamps each having radial flanges on either side of said groove;

means for securing each of said clamps with said groove in the notches of a pair of juxtaposed end plates and with said radial flanges clamping said pair of end plates in a secure connection;

a tapered pin attached to one of said end plates; and

a bore in the other of said end plates for receiving said tapered pin to move said end plates into axial alignment as said end plates are moved toward each other.

9. Apparatus for joining a pair of I-shaped beams in and end-to-end relationship comprising:

a pair of generally rectangular end plates each having a pair of notches with one notch in each of the opposite edges of said plates;

means for connecting each of said end plates to an end of a corresponding one of said beams with said notches aligned with the open areas of said I-shaped beam ends;

a pair of clamps each having a groove portion which mates with said notches in said pair of end plates, said clamps each having radially extending flanges on both sides of said notches; and

means for securing each of said clamps with said groove portion in the notches of a pair of juxtaposed end plates with said radial flanges clamping said pair of end plates in a secure connection.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said clamps includes a tapered cam surface on each of said radial flanges, and wherein each of said cam surfaces presses against a surface of a corresponding one of said end plates to clamp said end plates together when said clamps are mounted in said notches of a pair of juxtaposed end plates.