Decking clamp and method of making the same

Details Decking clamp and method of making the same Decking clamp and method of making the same

2000-01-26

2001-07-10

Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)

Work holders

Relatively movable jaws

Means to actuate jaw

C269S248000, C269S251000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06257565

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to underhung roof systems and, more specifically, to the decking clamps used in securing ceiling panels to the ceiling support structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, there is a myriad of decking clamps available to the installer for use in the hanging of underhung roof systems. The underhung roof systems are assembled by placing ceiling panels alongside one another in a side-by-side relationship. The edges of the panels have upstanding legs that run along the length of each panel. The legs have interlockable flanges that are sized to allow the leg of one panel to fit inside the leg of an adjacent panel such that the edges of adjacent panels overlap one another.
The panels with joined legs are hung from the ceiling support structure, which typically includes I-beams, in a perpendicular manner relative to the length of the I-beams. Each time the length of a pair of joined legs intersects with an I-beam, a decking clamp may be used to secure the panels to the I-beam.
Known decking clamps are substantially C-shaped so that the combined legs of adjacent panels, along with the flanged portion of the I-beam, may be inserted into the opening of the clamp. Each clamp includes a threaded channel through an upper portion of the clamp that is sized for receiving a bolt. Once the legs of the panels and the flanged portion of the I-beam are inside the clamp, the bolt is tightened down onto the I-beam and panels.
The C-shaped clamp may be made in a number of ways. Typically, however, the best way to make such clamps is any way which permits the manufacturer to make the clamp with the minimum number of steps in the minimum amount of time. If a manufacturer could eliminate a step in the manufacturing process, considerable expense and time could be saved so that countless more clamps could be made. Typically, decking clamps are made in a progressive die by stamping out a clamp blank similar to that shown in FIG.
1
.
It is known to those skilled in the art to provide threading in the channel of the clamp. The threading is created on a portion of the clamp blank by an off-line procedure after the clamp blank is removed from the die. The threading is then used to receive and retain a corresponding threaded bolt. However, other techniques have been attempted to manufacture clamps without threading to reduce the number of stages and amount of time required to manufacture a clamp.
For example, in an attempt to eliminate the off-line threading procedure, the present inventors attempted to include an additional stage in the stamping die to create a pair of misaligned seams
20
on a clamp blank
22
as shown in FIG.
2
. As shown in
FIG. 3
, the clamp blank was rolled onto itself, in a manner known in the industry, to create a retention channel
24
between the two opposed sides of the clamp blank
22
. By rolling the clamp blank
22
, the portion of the clamp blank defined between the seams becomes bowed and defines a circumferential portion
26
of the channel as best shown in
FIG. 4. A
self-threading bolt (not shown) was then inserted into the channel
24
against the circumferential portion
26
of the clamp blank
22
by using a high torque drill press. As a result of driving the self-threading bolt through the channel
24
, threads (not shown) were created on the channel
24
including the circumferential portion
26
.
However, it was often difficult to drive the self-threading bolt into the channel
24
in an accurate and easy manner. Moreover, once the fastener had been driven into the channel, it was difficult to tighten down onto the I-Beam and panels. Also, once the decking clamp had been tapped with the self-threading fastener, the threads were permanently placed on the clamp. Thus, if the threads become damaged or misaligned, the clamp could no longer be used and must be discarded.
Therefore, there is a need in the clamp manufacturing industry for an improved clamp which may be manufactured in the fewest possible number of steps and which may be more effectively used by underhung roof installers with considerable easy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above-identified problem by providing an improved decking clamp. The improved decking clamp may be manufactured in a fewer number of steps and may be more easily utilized by underhung roof installers.
Generally described, the decking clamp of the present invention includes a housing with an intermediately disposed cavity. The cavity has an offset periphery in the housing to define a first opening into the cavity. The clamp further includes a fastening retention channel in the housing and within the retention channel rests a removable thread. To use the clamp, a fastener is received in the retention channel and in the removable thread for narrowing the first opening around a portion of the ceiling panels and ceiling support structure.
In one aspect of the present invention, the clamp further includes a second opening in the housing that is laterally displaced from the second opening. The first and second openings communicate with the retention channel and the second opening is sized for receiving the removable thread.
More particularly described, the removable thread is preferably a threaded nut and the fastener is a bolt. When the nut is received and retained in the second opening, the nut is axially aligned with the retention channel to receive the bolt.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the more pertinent aspects and features of the present invention. These should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by modifying the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2949140 (1960-08-01), Larson
patent: 3147003 (1964-09-01), Johnson
patent: 4155206 (1979-05-01), Player
patent: 4417431 (1983-11-01), Commins et al.
patent: 4476659 (1984-10-01), Player
patent: 4543760 (1985-10-01), Burker et al.
patent: 4575983 (1986-03-01), Lott, Jr. et al.
patent: 4796403 (1989-01-01), Fulton et al.
patent: 5511354 (1996-04-01), Eidson

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