Joints and connections – Articulated members – Pivoted
Patent
1983-09-30
1986-12-02
Husar, Cornelius J.
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Pivoted
403362, 403171, 403328, 248160, F16D 112
Patent
active
046261230
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a connector for tubular bars and attachment members in a space framework. For example, a framework in which it is desired to connect a number of hollow poles such as scaffold poles together at a single node.
In one known arrangement a tubular bar is connected to a spherical attachment connector having a series of tapped holes by means of a screw connection. The screw connection is welded to the tubular bar and is provided with a screw which engages a hole in the attachment connector. This arrangement suffers a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it is not possible to remove the connector from the tubular bar and secondly, the connector can be attached to the attachment connector in only one orientation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for tubular bars and attachment members in a space framework which may be readily attached and detached from a tubular member.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a connector which can be attached to an attachment member in a variety of orientations, in each attachment position.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a system having a number of independently adjustable connectors at each attachment member.
According to the invention a connector for tubular bars and attachment members in a space framework comprises a generally cylindrical body portion adapted to engage a tubular bar, a snap fit assembly for locating the connector with respect to the tubular bar, an engagement means adapted to engage an attachment member, the engagement means being connected to the body portion through an adjustable swivel joint, and releasable locking means for locking the swivel joint.
The engagement means preferably comprises a screw-threaded member arranged to engage a tapped hole in an attachment member. Alternatively, the engagement means may be a tapped hole and the attachment member may have a number of screw-threaded members protruding from its surface.
Preferably, the snap fit assembly is lockable. The swivel joint may comprise a ball and socket joint with the screw threaded member projecting from the ball, or it may comprise an assembly which allows the screw-threaded member to rotate about two mutually perpendicular axes simultaneously, with respect to the body portion.
The body portion may comprise two similar halves moulded from an aluminium alloy. The locking means may comprise a bolt arranged to draw the two halves together in order to lock the swivel joint or, in the case of a ball and socket joint, the locking means may comprise a pair of wedges which, when screwed together are adapted to engage the ball. A reinforcing collar may surround the two halves of the body in the region of the socket.
The invention also extends to a combination of such a connector with an attachment member in the form of a generally spherical member having a series of symmetrically arranged tapped holes.
As will be seen, using connectors in accordance with the invention, a number of tubular bars may be connected together at their ends at an attachment member at variable angles to one another, to form a space framework of almost any desired shape and configuration. Furthermore, the framework may be easily assembled by means of the snap fitting action and arranged into the correct orientation before being locked in position. The snap-fit assemblies can then be locked to render the framework even more rigid.
Finally, the framework can easily be dismantled by unlocking and releasing the snap-fit assemblies. If the swivel-joints and attachment members are not dismantled, the structure may be re-assembled in the same form as prior to dismantling without the necessity to re-adjust the orientations of the tubular members. Alternatively, if only the swivel-joints are unlocked, the structure may be folded up without the necessity to dismantle.
Although in all the constructions shown, the connector connects tubular bars to attachment members, the connector according to the invention can be used to attach the bars direc
REFERENCES:
patent: 1822389 (1931-09-01), Blakeley
patent: 2029532 (1936-02-01), Karcher
patent: 3356394 (1967-12-01), Chamayou
patent: 3472539 (1969-10-01), Fenwick
patent: 3632147 (1972-01-01), Finger
patent: 3789562 (1974-02-01), DeChicchis et al.
patent: 4461439 (1984-07-01), Rose
Fischetti Joseph A.
Husar Cornelius J.
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