BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to connectors and, in particular, to connectors for joining two beams together.

[0002] The support structures form the basis for all other parts of a moving walkway or escalator. As such, the dimensional precision of the support structure is very important. Accordingly, to ensure the proper operation of the walkway or escalator, the support structure precision is ensured by manufacturing support means such as welding tables and assembly and alignment fixtures. In addition, all other components of the escalator or moving walkway (such as the track system, machine, balustrade and handrail drive) are attached to the support structure (also referred to herein as a truss).

[0003] Many support structures such as trusses for escalators and moving walkways are formed entirely of welded members. These members are typically assembled and welded together at a first location and then moved to a second location where they are used. The members are all typically structural steel connected by welded nodes. The welding operations are either performed manually by qualified and certified welders or automatically by welding robots. This leads to the fully assembled structure being transported from one location to another.

[0004] The cost of transporting a fully assembled truss, however, may far exceed the cost of transporting the truss in a partially assembled state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a two-part assembly for joining members together to form a structure is provided. The assembly of this aspect includes a first piece having first and second base widths and first and second top widths, the first base width being larger than the second base width and the first and second top widths, the second base width being larger than the second top width, the first piece being coupled to a first member. The assembly of this embodiment may also include a second piece having a recess formed therein, the recess having a third base width substantially the same as the first base width of the first piece, a fourth base width substantially the same as the second base width of the first piece, a third top width substantially the same as the first top width of the first piece, and a fourth top width substantially the same as the second top width of the first piece, the second piece being coupled to a second member.

[0006] Another aspect is directed to a truss structure that includes first and second outer walls, each outer wall including longitudinal members coupled together by connector members. This aspect also includes a transverse member extending from the first outer wall to the second outer wall, the transverse member coupling to a first connector member of the first outer wall and to a second connector member of the second outer wall. In this aspect, a first end of the transverse member (110) is coupled to a first piece having first and second base widths and first and second top widths where the first base width is larger than the second base width and the first and second top widths and the second base width is larger than the second top width. In addition, a first connector member is coupled to a second piece having a recess formed therein, the recess having a third base width substantially the same as the first base width of the first piece, a fourth base width substantially the same as the second base width of the first piece, a third top width substantially the same as the first top width of the first piece, and a fourth top width substantially the same as the second top width of the first piece and the first piece is removably coupled to the second piece.

[0007] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Fig. 2 shows a view of a the two-part assembly of the present invention with the two pieces mated together;

[0011] Fig. 3 is detailed view of a first piece of the two-part assembly of the present invention; and

[0012] Fig. 4 is detailed view of a second piece of the two-part assembly of the present invention.

[0013] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a two-part assembly that may be used to join two members together. The following description describes the present invention in the context of joining transverse member of a truss to outer portion of the truss. One of ordinary skill will readily realize, however, that the teachings herein may be applied in other contexts and the invention is not limited to use with a truss unless specifically required in a particular appended claim.

[0015] In one embodiment, the two-part assembly includes a first wedge piece that mates with a second inverse wedge piece. When these two pieces are fixedly attached to separate members, the two members may be securely mated to one another when the first and second wedge pieces are mated. As will become evident from the teachings herein, the pieces may be mated at a location where the truss or other structure is to be used. This may allow for the pieces to the truss or other structure to be transported in an other than fully assembled form. Such transportation may be more cost effective than the transportation of a fully assembled structure.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows an example of a support structure 100. The support structure 100 shown is a truss that may be used in a moving walkway or an elevator. Of course, this is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to application only to such trusses.

[0017] The support structure 100 includes a first outer wall 102 and a second outer wall 104. These outer walls 102 and 104 may include longitudinal members 106 that extend in first direction. The longitudinal members 106 may be coupled to one another by connecting members 108 that extend in a second direction. In one embodiment, the first and second directions are at right angles to one another.

[0018] In one embodiment, the longitudinal members 106 are welded to the connecting members 108. Accordingly, the entire first outer wall 102 and the second outer wall 104 may be constructed at a first location and transported to a second location.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first outer wall 102 and the second outer wall 104 may be joined together by one or more transverse members 110. In one embodiment, a first piece (not shown in FIG. 1) of the two-part assembly of the present invention is fixedly attached by welding, screws or other means of fastening to both of the outer walls 102, 104. In one embodiment, each connecting member 108 includes a first piece fixedly attached thereto. Of course, the first piece could be attached to other portions of the outer walls 102, 104.

[0020] Each transverse member 110 may include two second pieces (not shown in FIG. 1) fixedly attached thereto. As will be described in greater detail below, the first and second pieces may mate with each other to securely couple the transverse member 110 to the connecting members 108 of the first 102 and second 104 outer walls. In one embodiment, the first piece and the second piece may mate and securely couple the first and second outer walls together without welding. This may allow for the two outer walls 102, 104 to be coupled at the location where the structure is to be used, thus, allowing for the structure 100 to be transported in a less than fully assembled state.

[0021] The structure 100 may also include diagonal connectors 112 to provide additional support but these are not required.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows an example of the two-part assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The two-part assembly 200 may include a first piece 202 and a second piece 204. In one embodiment, the first piece 202 may be fixedly attached to a portion of an outer wall and the second piece 204 to a transverse member. In one embodiment, the first piece 202 may be fixedly attached to connecting member of the outer wall.

[0023] As shown, both the first piece 202 and the second piece 204 include holes 206 and 208, respectively, for use in attaching those pieces to other members, for example, by receiving a screw or other fastener. In alternative embodiments, first and second pieces 202, 204 may be attached to connecting and transverse members by other suitable means for attachment that do not require holes, such as, for example, welding.

[0024] In Fig. 2 the first piece 202 and the second piece 204 are shown as mated together. In a first direction, shown by arrow A, the first piece 202 may be slid apart from second piece 204. That is, if the second piece 204 (which is typically coupled to a transverse piece) is moved in the direction of arrow A while the first piece 202 is held still or moved in the opposite direction, the first piece 202 and the second piece 204 may be separated from each other. In other embodiments of the present invention, means for permanently or semi -permanently securing the first piece 202 and the second piece 204 together after they have been joined may be provided.

[0025] After the first piece 202 and the second piece 204 have been mated in the manner shown in Fig. 2, movement of both pieces in the direction indicated by arrow B will prevent the pieces from separating. [0026] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a first piece 202 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the first piece 202 includes a first face 302 and a second face 304. First face 302 has a base width of w2, and second face 304 has a base width of w3. First face 302 also has a top width shown as wl, and second face 304 has a top width w4. As shown in FIG. 3, base width w2 is greater than base width w3, and top width wl is greater than top width w4, such that the width of the first piece 202 is tapered from its first face 302 to its second face 304, as defined by slant edge 310. The width dimensions of first piece 202 also taper from its base to its top, in the direction shown by arrow C. In particular, the width of first face 302 tapers from base width w2 to top width wl, and the width of the second face 304 tapers from base width w3 to top width w4, as defined by outer edge 306.

[0027] In use, the second face 304 may directly or indirectly contact a member to be joined to another member. In one embodiment, the second face is connected to a connecting member of a truss.

[0028] The tapered edge of first face 302 aids in mating and aligning first piece 202 with the second piece 204 (as shown in Fig. 2). That is, the second piece 204 (Fig. 2) has a base opening with width dimensions that correspond to the base widths, w2 and w3, of the first piece 202. Thus, the narrower top end of first piece 202 easily slips into the base opening of the second piece 204 and the first piece 202 aligns with the second piece 204 as pressure is applied on the first piece 202 in the direction indicated by arrow C or as pressure is applied on the second piece 204 in the opposite direction.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows an example of a second piece 204 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second piece includes a first surface 402 and a second surface 404. In one embodiment, the first surface 402 may directly or indirectly contact a member to be joined to another member. In one embodiment, the first surface 402 may directly or indirectly contact a transverse member 110. [0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the second piece 204 may include holes 208 for securing it to a member by a screw or other fastener, or by similar means of attachment.

[0031] The second piece 204 may include a recess 406 for receiving a first piece 202 (as shown, for example, in Fig. 3). The orientation of the second piece 204 in Fig. 4 is the same as shown in Fig. 2.

[0032] In one embodiment, the recess 406 has a base width (measured along the first surface 402 of second piece 204) of w6, and a base width (measured along the second surface 404 of second piece 204) of w7. In the illustrative embodiment, w6 is greater than w7 such that the base width of recess 406 is tapered from first surface 402 to second surface 404, as defined by angled surface 410. The recess 406 has a top width (measured along the first surface 402 of the second piece 204) of w5 and a top width (measured along the second surface 404 of the second piece 204) of w8. The top width w5 may be greater than top width w8 of the recess 406 such that the top width of the recess 406 is also tapered from first surface 402 to second surface 404, also defined by angled surface 410.

[0033] In one embodiment, angle portion 410 has the same angle relative to the first face 402 at all points. Of course, other variations are possible.

[0034] The width dimensions of recess 406 also taper from its base to its top, corresponding to the taper in base to top width dimensions of first piece 202 described above. In particular, width of recess 406 along first face 402 tapers from base width w6 to top width w5, and the width of recess 406 along second face 404 tapers from base width w7 to top width w8.

[0035] The values of wl, w2, w3 and w4 may, in one embodiment, be the same or nearly the same as w5, w6, w7, and w8, respectively. Of course, variations in these width dimensions are within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] It shall be understood that the dual wedge design of the first piece 202 and the recess 406 of the second piece 204 allows small forces and moments to be transferred between the pieces. The pieces may be forged or shape-cut profiles. In one embodiment, they may be made of steel or other metal. In one embodiment, the pieces are formed of high strength steel in order to transfer larger forces and moments.

[0037] It shall also be understood that having prefabricated pieces may allow for component modularity and, thus, enable a material usage reduction and reduce assembly labor. In addition, the fact that members do not need to be welded together allows for reductions in shipping cost (as described above) and for reduction in assembly and disassembly.

[0038] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.