Automatic take-up device and in-line coupler

• US 7,905,066 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company Incorporated (Simpson Manufacturing Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Proctor, Richard I., McGurty, Lisa M., Leek, William F., Pryor, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr.; Richard E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wendell; Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US11/697,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20080245004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 528/48, 528/49, 522/933, 522/95, 522/231, 525/731, 522/231.4, 522/91, 52/1, 403/111, 403/146, 403/149, 403/166, 403/229, 403/286, 403/292, 403/293, 403/296, 403/298, 411/536, 411/432, 411/433, 267/273, 267/275, 267/178, 267/179, 267/291, 267/154
• US Class Current: 52/223.14
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/26 the supporting parts consisting of wood
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/2688 self adjusting, e.g. for compensation of shrinkage
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3583 using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/165 Coaxial connection by means of sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32541 Rotatable members resiliently biased to one position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32827 Interposed spring means coaxial with pivot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/551 Externally bridged

Abstract

A tension connection for a building includes a first tension member, the first tension member being anchored at its distal end, a second tension member being anchored at its distal end; the first and second tension members being disposed in close proximity and connected by a coupler having a surrounding sleeve and a central bore with a thread, the coupler also being formed with a first rotational member being received in the central bore of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve; the first rotational member is connected to the surrounding sleeve, such that the rotational member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve. A torsion spring connects the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve; the torsion spring biasing the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve.

Claims

1. A connection (1), comprising:

a. a first elongated tension member (2) having a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4), the first elongated tension member (2) being anchored at the distal end (4);

b. a second elongated tension member (5) having a proximal end (6) and a distal end (7), the second elongated tension member (5) being anchored at the distal end (7), and the proximal ends (3 and 6) of the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5) being disposed in close proximity to each other;

c. a coupler (8) attached to the proximal ends (3 and 6) of the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5), connecting the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5) together, the coupler (8) comprising,

1. a surrounding sleeve (9), having a connection end (10) and a take-up end (11), and a central bore (12) wherein at least a portion of the central bore (12) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (13) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (13) is formed with a thread (14);

2. a first rotational member (15) having a proximal end (16) and a distal end (17), the first rotational member (15) being received in the central bore (12) of the surrounding sleeve (9) and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve (9), the first rotational member (15) having a substantially cylindrical outer surface (18) formed with a thread (19) that mates with the thread (14) of the cylindrical inner surface (13) of the surrounding sleeve (9) and is connected to the surrounding sleeve (9) only by the mating attachment of the thread (19) on the cylindrical outer surface (18) with the thread (14) of the surrounding sleeve (9), such that the first rotational member (15) can travel on the threads of the surrounding sleeve (9); and

3. a torsion spring (20) connecting the first rotational member (15) and the surrounding sleeve (9), the torsion spring (20) biasing the first rotational member (15) and the surrounding sleeve (9) in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member (15) can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve (9).

2. The connection (1) of claim 1, wherein the coupler (8) further comprises:

a locking clip (21) that is releasably attached to the coupler (8), the locking clip (21) holding the surrounding sleeve (9) and the first rotational member (15) in a selected relationship such that the first rotational member (15) cannot travel further into the surrounding sleeve (9) and thereby prevents the surrounding sleeve (9) and the first rotational member (15) from rotating under the influence of the torsion spring (20) and causing the coupler (8) to contract.

3. The connection (1) of claim 1, wherein:

the coupler (8) has a first end (22) and a second end (23), a first coupling aperture (24) at the first end (22) and a second coupling aperture (25) at the second end (23), the first elongated tension member (2) being inserted in the first coupling aperture (24) and the second elongated tension member (5) being inserted in the second coupling aperture (25).

4. The connection (1) of claim 3, wherein:

a. the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2) is at least partially formed with a thread (26) where the coupler (8) attaches to the first elongated tension member (2);

b. the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5) is at least partially formed with a thread (27) where the coupler (8) attaches to the second elongated tension member (5); and

c. the coupler (8) attaches to the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5) by means of a first internally threaded portion (28) accessible through the first coupling aperture (24) and a second internally threaded portion (29) accessible through the second coupling aperture (25) that mate with the threads (26 and 27) of the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5), respectively.

5. The connection (1) of claim 4, wherein:

the first rotational member (15) has a central cavity (30) and at least a portion of the central cavity (30) of the first rotational member (15) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (31) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (31) is formed with an internal thread (32).

6. The connection (1) of claim 5,

the internal thread (32) of the cylindrical inner surface (31) of the first rotational member (15) receives the thread (26) of the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2).

7. The connection (1) of claim 6, wherein:

the internal thread (19) of the first rotational member (15), near the proximal end (16) of the first rotational member (15), is disturbed so that it is not possible for the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2), traveling on the internal thread (19), to travel past a selected point (33) near the proximal end (16) of the first rotational member (15).

8. The connection (1) of claim 4, wherein:

a second end connection member (34) is received at least partially inside the central bore (12) of the surrounding sleeve (9) and is operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve (9).

9. The connection (1) of claim 8, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) has a proximal end (35) and a distal end (36), and a central cavity (37) wherein at least a portion of the central cavity (37) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (38) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (38) is formed with an internal thread (39).

10. The connection (1) of claim 9,

the internal thread (39) of the cylindrical inner surface (38) of the second end connection member (34) receives the thread (27) of the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5).

11. The connection (1) of claim 10, wherein:

the internal thread (39) of the second end connection member (34), near the proximal end (35) of the second end connection member (34), is disturbed so that it is not possible for the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5), traveling on the internal thread (39), to travel past a selected point (40) near the proximal end (35) of the internal thread (39).

12. The connection (1) of claim 8, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) is prevented from withdrawing from the connection end (10) of the surrounding sleeve (9) by a shoulder (41) on the surrounding sleeve (9).

13. The connection (1) of claim 12, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) has a substantially cylindrical outer surface (42) where it is received within the surrounding sleeve (9) and the second end connection member (34) can freely rotate within the surrounding sleeve (9).

14. The connection (1) of claim 8, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) is completely received within the surrounding sleeve (9).

15. The connection (1) of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), having a connection end (44) and a take-up end (45), and a central bore (46) wherein at least a portion of the central bore (46) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (47) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (47) is formed with a thread (48);

b. the distal end (17) of the first rotational member (15) is received in the central bore (46) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) and is operatively connected to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), the first rotational member (15) has a substantially cylindrical outer surface (18) formed with a thread (19) that mates with the thread (48) of the cylindrical inner surface (47) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) and is connected to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) only by the mating attachment of the thread (19) on the cylindrical outer surface (18) with the thread (48) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), such that the first rotational member (15) can rotate in relation to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43); and

c. a second torsion spring (49) connecting the first rotational member (15) and the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), the torsion spring (49) biasing the first rotational member (15) and the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member (15) can be drawn into the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43).

16. The connection (1) of claim 15, wherein:

the coupler (8) has a first end (22) and a second end (23), a first coupling aperture (24) at the first end (22) and a second coupling aperture (25) at the second end (23), the first elongated tension member (2) being inserted in the first coupling aperture (24) and the second elongated tension member (5) being inserted in the second coupling aperture (25).

17. The connection (1) of claim 16, wherein:

a. the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2) is at least partially formed with a thread (26) where the coupler (8) attaches to the first elongated tension member (2);

b. the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5) is at least partially formed with a thread (27) where the coupler (8) attaches to the second elongated tension member (5); and

c. the coupler (8) attaches to the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5) by means of a first internally threaded portion (28) on the first coupling aperture (24) and a second internally threaded portion (29) on the second coupling aperture (25) that mate with the threads (26 and 27) of the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5), respectively.

18. The connection (1) of claim 17, wherein:

the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) is provided with a first end connection member (50), the first end connection member (50) having a central cavity (51) wherein at least a portion of the central cavity (51) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (52) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (52) is formed with an internal thread (53).

19. The connection (1) of claim 18,

the internal thread (53) of the cylindrical inner surface (52) of the first end connection member (50) receives the thread (26) of the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2).

20. The connection (1) of claim 17, wherein:

the surrounding sleeve (9) is provided with a second end connection member (34).

21. The connection (1) of claim 20, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) has a proximal end (35) and a distal end (36), and a central cavity (37) wherein at least a portion of the central cavity (37) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (38) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (38) is formed with an internal thread (39).

22. The connection (1) of claim 21,

the internal thread (39) of the cylindrical inner surface (38) of the second end connection member (34) receives the thread (27) of the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5).

23. The connection (1) of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) connected to the surrounding sleeve (9), the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) having a connection end (44) and a take-up end (45), and a central bore (46) wherein at least a portion of the central bore (46) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (47) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (47) is formed with a thread (48); and

b. a second rotational member (54) is received in the central bore (46) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) and is operatively connected to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), the second rotational member (54) has a substantially cylindrical outer surface (55) formed with a thread (56) that mates with the thread (48) of the cylindrical inner surface (47) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) and is connected to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43) only by the mating attachment of the thread (56) on the cylindrical outer surface (55) with the thread (48) of the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43), such that the second rotational member (54) can rotate in relation to the supplemental surrounding sleeve (43).

24. The connection (1) of claim 23, wherein:

the coupler (8) has a first end (22) and a second end (23), a first coupling aperture (24) at the first end (22) and a second coupling aperture (25) at the second end (23), the first elongated tension member (2) being inserted in the first coupling aperture (24) and the second elongated tension member (5) being inserted in the second coupling aperture (25).

25. The connection (1) of claim 23, wherein:

a. the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2) is at least partially formed with a thread (26) where the coupler (8) attaches to the first elongated tension member (2);

b. the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5) is at least partially formed with a thread (27) where the coupler (8) attaches to the second elongated tension member (5); and

c. the coupler (8) attaches to the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5) by means of internally threaded portions (28 and 29) on the first and second coupling apertures (24 and 25) that mate with the threads (26 and 27) of the first and second elongated tension members (2 and 5), respectively.

26. The connection (1) of claim 25, wherein:

the first rotational member (15) is provided with a first end connection member (50), the first end connection member (50) having a central cavity (51) wherein at least a portion of the central cavity (51) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (52) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (52) is formed with an internal thread (53).

27. The connection (1) of claim 26,

the internal thread (53) of the cylindrical inner surface (52) of the first end connection member (51) receives the thread (26) of the proximal end (3) of the first elongated tension member (2).

28. The connection (1) of claim 25, wherein:

the second rotational member (54) is provided with a second end connection member (34).

29. The connection (1) of claim 28, wherein:

the second end connection member (34) has a proximal end (35) and a distal end (36), and a central cavity (37) wherein at least a portion of the central cavity (37) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface (38) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface (38) is formed with an internal thread (39).

30. The connection (1) of claim 29,

the internal thread (39) of the cylindrical inner surface (38) of the second end connection member (34) receives the thread (27) of the proximal end (6) of the second elongated tension member (5).

31. The connection (1) of claim 1, wherein:

a. the distal end (4) of the first elongated tension member (2) is connected to a structural member (57) in a building (58).

32. The connection (1) of claim 31, wherein:

the building (58) has a structural frame (59) at least a portion of which is made from wood.

33. The connection (1) of claim 1, wherein:

said first rotational member (15) allows said surrounding sleeve (9) to rotate relative to said first rotational member (15).

34. The connection (1) of claim 1, wherein:

said first rotational member (15) rotates relative to said surrounding sleeve (9).