Multi-Directional Structural Joint
A multi-directional structural joint for interconnecting the ends of tubular structural pipes that includes rigid perpendicularly intersecting planar plates the peripheral edges of which include a plurality of radially projecting connecting stubs for securing the terminal ends of tubular structural members.
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application, Ser. No. 13/213,317, entitled Multi-Directional Structural Joint, filed Aug. 19, 2011 and claims the priority benefit of said application Ser. No. 13/213,317, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a joint for interconnecting tubular structural members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTubular elements or pipes have advantages over other structural forms because of the load-transmitting qualities inherent in their circular cross section and their efficient strength to weight ratio. In the past the failure to employ them extensively in the construction of walls, trusses and truss-like structures was due to the lack of suitable connectors or coupling members for easily and efficiently joining their ends, especially when producing three dimensional frameworks. The object of the present invention is to provide a universal connection joint that enables quick, easy and efficient construction of tubular frameworks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe multi-directional universal structural joint of the present invention includes a base member that comprises intersecting perpendicular planar plates that support on their peripheral edges a plurality of radially disposed connector studs that are adapted for insertion into the hollow interior of tubular structural framing members (pipes) in either a planar or a three dimensional framework. The joint acts to interconnect a plurality of the tubular framing members in order to form a framework for any purpose, but is particularly suited for forming building walls and roof structures for emergency or temporary types of shelter.
One illustrative and exemplary version of the first embodiment of the multi-directional construction joint 2 of the present invention is shown in
The term “stud” is defined for purposes of this first embodiment of the inventive joint as a cylindrical dowel or tube having a length sufficient to establish a fixed connection with the base plate on which it is mounted and sufficient to establish purchase with the tubular member into which it is inserted or, in the case of a tube, as shown in
One of the many benefits and advantages of the structural joint of the present invention is its universality. As seen in
Referring to
Referring again to
Other configurations and forms of the connecting joint, as illustrated in
Fixation of the connection between the studs and the structural pipes may be by a press fit or the fix may be enhanced with glue or other type of fastening device. In any case the connection joint and its multiple variations, as described above, enables unskilled personnel to efficiently and quickly assemble a stable structure having interior and exterior walls and a roof that are ready for covering with any number of different types of construction material. The joint of the present invention enables economic and rapid construction of emergency housing units following natural disasters and provides means for economical housing in under privileged countries of the world.
A second and preferred form of the structural joint is shown in
The difference between the joints of the first and second embodiments is the configuration of the connecting studs. In the first embodiment the studs are shown to be cylindrical, that is, either tubular or solid, in the form of a dowel. In the preferred form, the connecting studs 40, 41, 42 and 43 are formed as a planar column radially projecting from the peripheral edge 44 of the plate and being co-planar with the plate and having a distal end portion and first and second lateral sides. The lateral aspect of the distal end 45 at the top of the stud forming column is sized and dimensioned to be equal to the inside diameter of the structural pipe 10 to which it is to be connected.
Among the eight connecting studs on each plate there are four different stud configurations. As will be explained in more detail subsequently, six of the studs contain transverse stabilizing wings 62 and 64. Two of the diametrically disposed studs 40 and 43 do not contain the transverse wings, however when the first plate 34 is interconnected to the second plate 36, by means of mating their respective radial slots 37, the complimentary studs 40 and 43 on the second plate form the equivalent of stabilizing wings for the studs 40 and 43 on the first plate, thus forming a cross that contacts four points on the inside surface of the pipe, as shown in
In order to provide for 45 degree connections, four of the studs 41 project a greater distance from the center of the plate than do the studs 40, 42 and 43 and thus have a slightly different base configuration where the stud intersects the periphery of the plate.
As seen in
The structural pipe 10 that engages a connecting stud is provided with diametrically opposed holes 54 and 55 that are positioned in the pipe so as to respectively receive the hooks 53 of the locking latches. The pipes that engage the complimentary studs 40 and 43 are provided with four diametrically disposed holes 54 and 55 in order to receive the four hooks 53 of the combined complimentary studs 40 and 43. As the pipe 10 is being forced over the stud to make the connection, the terminal end of the pipe contacts the sloping upper surface 56 of the hook 53 and cams the hook into the cut-out 57. When the holes 54 and 55 in the pipe appear at the level of the depressed hooks 53 the spring biased hooks spring into the respective holes in the pipe, thus locking the pipe in position on the stud. The pipe 10 may be removed from the stud by depressing each of the latching hooks out of their respective holes 54 and 55 and pulling the pipe off of the connecting stud.
As mentioned earlier, in order to improve on the stability of the pipe connection, each of the studs may be provided with a pair of transverse wings 62 and 64 that are disposed perpendicular to and disposed on each side of the connecting studs 41 and 42. In cross section at the distal end of the stud, the stud and the wings form a Greek cross, that is, a cross where the upright and the transverse beams are of equal length, as shown in
Further stabilization of the joint structure is provided by a pair of spaced apart ribs 67 that project from the surface of plate 34. The spacing between the ribs is equal to the thickness of plate 36. When the two plates are interconnected, as shown in
Claims
1. A multi-directional structural joint including,
- a base member comprising intersecting perpendicular planar plates where each of the plates terminate in a peripheral edge, and
- a plurality of spaced apart cylindrical studs, each having a longitudinal axis, and mounted radially on the peripheral edge of at least one of the plates where the longitudinal axis of each stud is coplanar with the plate on which it is mounted.
2. The joint of claim 1 where the longitudinal axes of antipodal studs are coincidental.
3. The joint of claim 1 where the longitudinal axes of at least two of the studs are mutually perpendicular.
4. The joint of claim 1 where the longitudinal axes of at least two of the studs are at 45° angles to one another.
5. The joint of claim 1 where the longitudinal axes of the studs intersect at a point.
6. The joint of claim 1 where the plates are polygonal in shape.
7. The joint of claim 1 where the plates are in the form of regular octagons.
8. A structural framework including,
- an interconnecting joint having a base member comprising intersecting perpendicular planar plates where each of the plates terminate in a peripheral edge, and
- a plurality of spaced apart connecting studs projecting radially from the peripheral edge of at least one of the plates, and
- at least one tubular structural component having an end portion adapted to receive a stud.
9. A multi-directional structural joint including,
- a base member comprising intersecting perpendicular planar plates where the peripheral edges of the plates include a plurality of radially projecting connecting stubs for securing the terminal ends of tubular structural members, each of said stubs comprising,
- a pair of first level edges for contact with diametrically opposed sections of the terminal peripheral end of the tubular member,
- a column co-planar with the plate and radially projecting from the peripheral edge of the plate and having a distal end portion and first and second lateral sides and first and second facing sides,
- a latch disposed on each of the said first and second lateral sides, each latch having a pivotal stem and a hook for locking engagement with diametrically opposed apertures in the tubular member proximate its terminal end.
10. The structural joint of claim 9 where the distal end portion of the column is sized and dimensioned to be equal to the inside diameter of the tubular structural member.
11. The structural joint of claim 9 and further including;
- a pair of co-planar stiffening wings, having distal and proximal ends, and projecting transversely from the respective first and second facing sides of at least one of the stud columns, each wing having a projecting lip at the proximal end of the wing which is co-planar with the first level ledges, for contacting diametrically opposed sections of the terminal peripheral end of the tubular member.
12. The structural joint of claim 11 where the lateral extension of the wings is equal to the inside diameter of the tubular structural member.
13. A multi-directional structural joint including,
- a base member comprising at least one planar plate, where the peripheral edges of the plate include at least one radially projecting co-planar connector stud for securing the terminal end of a tubular structural member where each stud includes,
- first and second lateral sides,
- first and second facing sides, and
- a pair of pivotal locking latches, each disposed on one of the first and second lateral sides of the connector stud and adapted for locking engagement with diametrically disposed holes in the side walls of the tubular member proximate its terminal end.
14. The structural joint of claim 13 and further including stabilizing means laterally projecting from the at least one connector stud for making contact with the inside surface of the tubular structural member.
15. The structural joint of claim 14 where the stabilizing means includes wings transversely disposed on the first and second facing sides of the connector stud.
16. The structural joint of claim 14 where the wings are disposed in a position perpendicular to the plane of the plate and each includes a projecting lip adapted for making contact with diametrically opposed sections of the peripheral edge of the end of the tubular member.
17. A structural joint for interconnecting tubular structural members comprising,
- a base member having perpendicularly intersecting planar plates each of which terminate in a peripheral edge, and
- a plurality of spaced apart connecting studs projecting radially from the peripheral edge of at least one of the plates, each of said studs adapted to receive a terminal end of a tubular structural member.
Type: Application
Filed: May 7, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 13, 2014
Inventor: Stuart A. Ohlson (Denver, CO)
Application Number: 13/888,814
International Classification: E04B 1/19 (20060101); E04C 3/00 (20060101);