Joints and connections – Branched – Three or more radiating members
Patent
1994-01-06
1996-06-25
Knight, Anthony
Joints and connections
Branched
Three or more radiating members
403217, 403271, 403169, F16B 700, E04B 158, E04G 706
Patent
active
055294227
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a coupling for a modular construction system and a method for fabricating it.
BACKGROUND ART
A known modular construction system makes use of galvanised malleable iron fittings used to clamp intermediate parts and ends of tubes of heavy gauge water pipe. While the fittings are robust they are not visually attractive. They are also limited to tubes of nominal outside diameter which are not available in lighter gauges. The overall weight of a structure created by way of malleable iron fittings and water pipe is substantial as against one of similar size making use of thin walled tubing. The water pipe used with the malleable fittings is not suitable for certain finishes (such as chrome plate) and is not readily available in material such as stainless steel. This is a disadvantage as use of sheet and other forms of reflecting and/or bright finish material such as chromium plate and stainless steel tube are frequently used in connection with exhibition, display, and other visually significant applications where appearance is of major importance. In addition the peripheral clearance left between the end of a pipe and a fitting into which the tube passes is frequently not uniform so showing a degree of visual incongruity which can be unattractive, if not unacceptable, in a display situation.
In what follows reference is made to a coupling intended for use with circular section tubing. However tubing of other section shape can readily be used with couplings having cups of suitable complementary cross section able to receive the other section tubing. Consequently in what follows reference is made to outside diameter in relation to round section tubes and to major transverse dimension in relation to tubes of non-circular section.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling, for a modular construction system, whereby a tubular element is linked to another element, or is supported, characterised by:
1. at least one cup-shaped unit (P, 22, 41, 61, 81, 102) having an open end (16) and a reduced end (12); the open end (16) serving to receive an end (E) of a tubular element (T) to enable the end (E) to be pushed to a rest position (18) at the reduced end (12) of the cup-shaped unit (P), and locking means (30) enabling the tubular element (T) to be retained against further movement relative to the cup-shaped unit (P); the length (L') of the unit (P) being between one and one half and twice the outside diameter (D) of the tubular element (or of the major transverse dimension of the tubular element if it is of non-circular cross-section); and an aperture (13) at the reduced end (12) of the cup-shaped unit which is no more than one-half the maximum interior diameter (I) or maximum interior dimension of the cup-shaped unit (P);
2. the or each cup-shaped unit (P, 22, 41, 61, 81, 102) being linked to either: least part way through the tube unit (43); or cup-shaped unit (81) with a corresponding axis (84',82') of at least one other tube unit (80) or further cup-shaped unit (82).
According to a first preferred version of the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the locking means is a screw (30) adapted to be driven into frictional engagement with a tube end (E) of a tubular element (T) located in the cup-shaped unit, or a shear member adapted to be driven into positive engagement with a tubular element located in the cup-shaped unit (22, 41, 61, 81, 102).
According to a second preferred version of the present invention there is provided a coupling according to the first aspect or the first preferred version thereof characterised by a block unit (24,83), to which at least one cup-shaped unit (23,81) is coupled, connected to a further cup-shaped unit (22) or to a tube unit (84) by way of a pivot (C, 88) to enable angular alignment of the longitudinal axis (26,81') of the cup-shaped unit (23,81) to be varied relative to and secured in any one of at le
REFERENCES:
patent: 456527 (1891-07-01), Walmsley
patent: 2212455 (1940-08-01), Reed
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patent: 3797947 (1974-03-01), Foote
patent: 4473986 (1984-10-01), Zeigler
patent: 4579273 (1986-04-01), Dahmen et al.
patent: 4761929 (1988-08-01), Zeigler
patent: 4907907 (1990-03-01), Kreusel
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