Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Patent
1991-07-29
1994-07-12
Scherbel, David A.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
52696, 52667, 403230, E04C 330
Patent
active
053276957
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to connector means, and more particularly, to tab and slot connector means by which a connection is made between two elements by inserting a tab formed on one element through a slot in the other, and thereafter deforming, for example bending over or twisting, that part of the fully inserted tab projecting beyond the other element to prevent the tab from withdrawing from the slot.
Tab and slot connector means of the above-indicated kind have a variety of applications, including the interconnection of small pressed metal components of various goods, for example toys, and the interconnection of much larger scale metal structural members such as those used as frame members in steel building frames. The invention has arisen from the development of steel building frame members, but it will be appreciated from the ensuing description that it may be applied to tab and slot connector means in other fields as well.
BACKGROUND ART
Steel framing systems for buildings may be assembled from structural members which are roll formed from steel strip and provided with tabs and slots so that they can be readily interfitted to form a strong frame.
The structural members may be factory produced on machinery which forms, punches and crops them to order for immediate supply and assembly into individually designed frames with virtually no wastage and with no need for stockpiling.
Machinery for production of such framing elements is disclosed in Australian Patent No. 570845 and pending Australian patent application no. 56949/90. A typical steel framing system using such elements is described in Australian Patent No. 484003. As disclosed therein, the frame is assembled by connecting structural members formed with projecting end tabs to further structural members formed with slots, by inserting the tabs through the slots of the further members and then folding the tabs laterally to prevent withdrawal.
Typically, the frame members may be produced as elongate channel-shaped members. These may have a pair of tabs projecting from each end and pairs of transverse slots punched in their connecting webs at regular intervals along their length, so that the tabs of one member can be passed through a pair of the transverse slots of a further adjoining member, at any one of a number of locations along the length of the further adjoining member. However, some of the frame members may have slots but no end tabs, and others may be formed with end tabs but no slots, for interconnection with the slotted members.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
While the manufacture of steel building frame members can be carried out very rapidly by computer controlled machinery, the actual assembly of frames must be done by hand. This is a relatively slow laborious operation, requiring maneuvering of quite heavy elements into accurate positions to align the tabs for insertion through the slots, and then bending of the tabs to secure the members together.
The present invention provides an improved tab and slot arrangement which greatly facilitates the insertion of the tabs through the slots and in particular reduces the problem of tab alignment on initial insertion.
According to the invention there is provided tab and slot connector means of the kind comprising a tab projecting from a first element and a slot piercing a second element to be connected to said first element by insertion of the tab through the slot and subsequent deformation of the tab to prevent its withdrawal from the slot, characterised in that: tab base, and in that elongate side faces, said side faces comprising opposed centre parts, each at least as long as the width of the tab tip, and opposed flanking parts on either side of the centre parts extending from the centre parts to the respective end faces, and in that the spacing between said centre parts is greater than the lengths of the end faces, whereby, in use, the tab tip can be inserted freely between said centre parts and, on its continued insertion, the tab is guided by said flanking parts into alignme
REFERENCES:
patent: 2386887 (1945-10-01), Eckel
patent: 3102610 (1963-09-01), Shelby, Jr.
patent: 3286416 (1966-11-01), Ashworth
patent: 3802147 (1974-04-01), O'Konski
patent: 4209265 (1980-06-01), Moehlenpah
Aubrey Beth A.
John Lysaght (Australia) Limited
Scherbel David A.
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