Multi-piece attachment mounting clamp for trapezoidal rib profile panels

• US 7,703,256 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2004
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RMH Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Robert M.M. Haddock
• Inventors: Haddock, Robert M. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr.; Richard E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gilbert; William V
• Application Number:
  US10/823,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20050217203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,205 Days
• Field of Search: 525/841, 524/63, 52/24, 52/25, 52/26, 527/821, 525/45, 525/42, 525/43, 525/44, 525/46, 525/47, 526/98, 269/45, 269/239, 248/71, 248/226.11, 248/228.1, 248/228.5, 248/231.61, 403/168, 403/256, 403/388, 403/DIG.9
• US Class Current: 52/543
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/10 using pivoting jaws
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0004 Joining sheets, plates or panels in abutting relationship F16B5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A clamp (42) is mounted on a hollow rib (18) of a panel assembly (142). The clamp (42) includes a first clamping member (46) and a separate second clamping member (82). The first clamping member (42) includes a first section (50) that is disposed beyond a top wall (30) of the rib (18), and that includes an arcuately-shaped recess (58). The second clamping member (82) includes a convex, arcuately-shaped distal end (90) that is disposed within the recess (58) of the first clamping member (42) to allow the second clamping member (82) to pivot relative to the first clamping member (46) at least generally about the distal end (90) to secure the clamp (42) to the rib (18). An attachment (150) may be mounted on the clamp (42).

Claims

1. A clamp and panel assembly, comprising:

a panel assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected panels comprising a plurality of base sections and a plurality of ribs, wherein said plurality of base sections comprises first and second base sections, wherein said plurality of ribs are disposed in spaced relation and comprise a first rib disposed between said first and second base sections, wherein said first rib comprises a first sidewall that extends away from said first base section, as well as a second sidewall that extends away from said second base section; and

a clamp mounted on said first rib and comprising;

a first clamping member that engages said first sidewall of said first rib and that also extends beyond said first rib, wherein said first clamping member comprises a mounting flange in the form of a cantilever;

an attachment mounting fastener threadably engaged with said mounting flange;

a second clamping member that engages said second sidewall of said first rib and that also extends beyond said first rib, wherein said second clamping member is pivotable relative to said first clamping member, and wherein a first end of said second clamping member engages an underside of said mounting flange; and

a first fastener located beyond said first rib, associated with each of said first and second clamping members, and in addition to said attachment mounting fastener, wherein activation of said first fastener causes said second clamping member to pivot relative to said first clamping member at least generally about said first end such that said first and second clamping members each exert at least an inwardly-directed force on said first rib.

2. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of ribs are each hollow and substantially trapezoidal.

3. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a first reference plane is associated with said plurality of base sections;

said first and second clamping members are disposed on opposite sides of a second reference plane that is perpendicular to said first reference plane and that extends along a length dimension of said first rib;

said first clamping member further comprises first, second and third sections, wherein said first section is disposed beyond said first rib, is disposed at least generally parallel with said first reference plane, and comprises said mounting flange, wherein said second section extends from said first section toward said first reference plane in a first orientation relative to said second reference plane and is also disposed beyond said first rib, and wherein said third section extends from said second section toward said first reference plane in a second orientation relative to said second reference plane and engages said first sidewall of said first rib, wherein said first and second orientations are different; and

said second clamping member further comprises fourth and fifth sections, wherein said fourth section is disposed beyond said first rib and extends toward said first reference plane in a third orientation relative to said second reference plane, and wherein said fifth section extends from said fourth section toward said first reference plane in a fourth orientation relative to said second reference plane and engages said second sidewall of said first rib, wherein said third and fourth orientations are different, and wherein said fourth and fifth sections of said second clamping member are at least generally a mirror image of said second and third sections of said first clamping member.

4. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said underside of said mounting flange of said first clamping member comprises a recess that is concave and arcuately-shaped, and wherein said first end of said second clamping member comprises a first projection that is convex and arcuately-shaped, and further that is disposed in said recess of said first clamping member to provide a pivotal connection of said second clamping member to said first clamping member.

5. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said second sidewall comprises a second indentation on an exterior surface of said first rib, and wherein said second clamping member comprises a second head disposed in said second indentation.

6. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said first sidewall comprises a first indentation on said exterior surface of said first rib, and wherein said first clamping member comprises a first head disposed in said first indentation.

7. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said first sidewall is free of any indentations on said exterior surface of said first rib.

8. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said clamp further comprises a second fastener that extends through said first clamping member and through an aligned portion of said first sidewall of said first rib.

9. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment mounted on said first clamping member.

10. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said mounting flange of said first clamping member comprises a threaded bore, wherein said attachment mounting fastener extends through said attachment and at least into said threaded bore to mount said attachment to said first clamping member.

11. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said threaded bore extends completely through said mounting flange of said first clamping member, wherein said attachment mounting fastener extends completely through said threaded bore, and wherein said attachment mounting fastener lacks a nut for retaining said attachment mounting fastener on said first clamping member.

12. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

one of said first and second clamping members comprises a non-threaded bore, wherein the other of said first and second clamping members comprises a threaded bore, and wherein said first fastener extends through said non-threaded bore and at least into said threaded bore.

13. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said first fastener extends completely through each of said first and second clamping members, wherein said first fastener lacks a nut for retaining said first fastener relative to said first and second clamping members.

14. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

one of said first and second clamping members comprises a non-threaded slot, wherein the other of said first and second clamping members comprises a threaded bore, and wherein said first fastener extends through said non-threaded slot and at least into said threaded bore.

15. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an insert disposed within a hollow interior of said first rib, wherein said clamp is mounted on said first rib in overlying relation to said insert such that said first rib is disposed between said clamp and said insert.

16. A clamp and panel assembly, comprising:

a panel assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected panels comprising a plurality of base sections and a plurality of ribs, wherein said plurality of base sections comprises first and second base sections that are contained within a first reference plane, wherein said plurality of ribs are disposed in spaced relation and comprise a first rib disposed between said first and second base sections, wherein said first rib comprises a first sidewall that extends away from said first base section, a second sidewall that extends away from said second base section, and a top wall that interconnects said first and second sidewalls and that is disposed in spaced relation to said first and second base sections; and

a clamp mounted on said first rib and comprising;

a first clamping member comprising first, second, and third sections that are disposed in different orientations to each other, wherein said second section extends beyond said first rib in a direction that is away from said first reference plane that contains said first and second base sections such that said second section is positioned above said top wall of said first rib, wherein said third section extends from said second section in a direction of said first reference plane and engages said first sidewall of said first rib, wherein said first section of said first clamping member comprises a mounting flange in the form of a cantilever that extends from said second section of said first clamping member and further extends away from a second reference plane that is both orthogonal to said first reference plane and that extends along a length dimension of said first rib;

an attachment mounting fastener threadably engaged with said mounting flange;

a second clamping member comprising fourth and fifth sections that are disposed in different orientations to each other, wherein said fourth section extends beyond said first rib in a direction that is away from said first reference plane that contains said first and second base sections such that said fourth section is positioned above said top wall of said first rib, wherein said fifth section extends from said fourth section in a direction of said first reference plane and engages said second sidewall of said first rib, wherein said second clamping member is a separate piece from said first clamping member, wherein a first end of said fourth section of said second clamping member engages an underside of said mounting flange of said first clamping member that faces said first reference plane, and wherein said second and third sections of said first clamping member are orientated as a mirror image of said fourth and fifth sections of said second clamping member; and

a first fastener located beyond said first rib in a direction that is away from said first reference plane that contains said first and second base sections, that is associated with each of said first and second clamping members, and that is in addition to said attachment mounting fastener, wherein activation of said first fastener causes said first and second clamping members to each exert at least an inwardly-directed force on said first rib, and wherein said first fastener lacks a nut for retaining said first fastener relative to each of said first and second clamping members.

17. The clamp and panel assembly of claim 16,

wherein said second sidewall comprises a second indentation on an exterior surface of said first rib,

and wherein said second clamping member comprises a second head that is disposed in said second indentation on said second sidewall of said first rib.

18. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first sidewall comprises a first indentation on said exterior surface of said first rib, wherein said first clamping member further comprises a first head disposed in said first indentation.

19. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said first and second heads are each convexly-shaped.

20. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said first rib is hollow and substantially trapezoidal.

21. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said first sidewall comprises a first indentation on an exterior surface of said first rib, wherein said first clamping member further comprises a first head disposed in said first indentation.

22. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

activation of said first fastener causes said second clamping member to pivot relative to said first clamping member.

23. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said underside of said mounting flange of said first clamping member comprises a recess that is concave and arcuately-shaped, and wherein said first end of said second clamping member comprises a first projection that is convex and arcuately-shaped, and further that is disposed in said recess of said first clamping member, wherein said activation of said first fastener causes said second clamping member to move relative to said first clamping member at least generally about said first projection.

24. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein

said first sidewall is free of any indentation on an exterior surface of said first rib.

25. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said clamp further comprises a second fastener that extends through said first clamping member and through an aligned portion of said first sidewall.

26. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mounting flange is spaced further from said first reference plane that contains said first and second base sections than an uppermost extreme of said first rib.

27. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mounting flange is parallel with said first reference plane.

28. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first end of said second clamping member engages said underside of said mounting flange at a location that is spaced further from said first reference plane than an uppermost extreme of said first rib.

29. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first fastener extends through one of said first and second clamping members and is threadably engaged with the other of said first and second clamping members.

30. A clamp and panel assembly, comprising:

a panel assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected panels comprising a plurality of base sections and a plurality of ribs, wherein said plurality of base sections comprises first and second base sections, wherein said plurality of ribs are disposed in spaced relation and comprise a first rib disposed between said first and second base sections, wherein said first rib comprises a first sidewall that extends away from said first base section, as well as a second sidewall that extends away from said second base section; and

a clamp mounted on said first rib and comprising;

a first clamping member that engages said first sidewall of said first rib and comprises a first section that is disposed beyond said first rib, and wherein said first section comprises a mounting flange in the form of a cantilever;

an attachment mounting fastener threadably engaged with said mounting flange;

a second clamping member that engages said second sidewall of said first rib, that extends beyond said first rib, and that comprises a first end that engages an underside of said mounting flange of said first clamping member; and

a first fastener located beyond said first rib, associated with each of said first and second clamping members, and in addition to said attachment mounting fastener, wherein activation of said first fastener retains said first and second clamping members on said first rib, wherein;

a first reference plane is associated with said plurality of base sections;

said first and second clamping members are disposed on opposite sides of a second reference plane that is perpendicular to said first reference plane and that extends along a length dimension of said first rib;

said first clamping member further comprises second and third sections, wherein said first section is disposed at least generally parallel with said first reference plane, wherein said second section extends from said first section toward said first reference plane in a first orientation relative to said second reference plane and is also disposed beyond said first rib, and wherein said third section extends from said second section toward said first reference plane in a second orientation relative to said second reference plane and engages said first sidewall of said first rib, wherein said first and second orientations are different; and

said second clamping member further comprises fourth and fifth sections, wherein said fourth section is disposed beyond said first rib and extends toward said first reference plane in a third orientation relative to said second reference plane, and wherein said fifth section extends from said fourth section toward said first reference plane in a fourth orientation relative to said second reference plane and engages said second sidewall of said first rib, wherein said third and fourth orientations are different, and wherein said fourth and fifth sections of said second clamping member are at least generally a mirror image of said second and third sections of said first clamping member.

31. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said first fastener lacks a nut for retaining said first fastener relative to each of said first and second clamping members.

32. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said first section of said first clamping member is at least generally parallel with said first base section.

33. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said second sidewall comprises a second indentation on an exterior surface of said first rib, and wherein said second clamping member comprises a second head disposed in said second indentation.

34. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said first sidewall comprises a first indentation on said exterior surface of said first rib, and wherein said first clamping member comprises a first head disposed in said first indentation.

35. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said first sidewall is free of any indentations on said exterior surface of said first rib.

36. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 35, wherein:

said clamp further comprises a second fastener that extends through said first clamping member and through an aligned portion of said first sidewall of said first rib.

37. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, further comprising:

an attachment mounted on said first section of said first clamping member.

38. A clamp/panel-clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said attachment mounting fastener extends through said attachment and at least into a first threaded bore on said mounting flange to mount said attachment to said first section of said first clamping member.

39. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 38, wherein:

said first threaded bore extends completely through first section of said first clamping member, wherein said attachment mounting fastener extends completely through said first threaded bore, and wherein said first threaded fastener lacks a nut for retaining said first threaded fastener on said first clamping member.

40. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

one of said first and second clamping members comprises a non-threaded bore, wherein the other of said first and second clamping members comprises a threaded bore, and wherein said first fastener extends through said non-threaded bore and at least into said threaded bore.

41. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 40, wherein:

said first fastener extends completely through each of said first and second clamping members, wherein said first fastener lacks a nut for retaining said first fastener relative to said first and second clamping members.

42. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

one of said first and second clamping members comprises a non-threaded slot, wherein the other of said first and second clamping members comprises a threaded bore, and wherein said first fastener extends through said non-threaded slot and at least into said threaded bore.

43. A clamp and panel assembly, as claimed in claim 30, further comprising:

an insert disposed within a hollow interior of said first rib, wherein said clamp is mounted on said first rib in overlying relation to said insert such that said first rib is disposed between said clamp and said insert.