| WO/2023/018970 | MODULAR WALL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE |
| WO/2006/137699 | A MUD-PLASTERED HOUSE |
ZEN VITTORIO DE (CA)
| US4514107A | 1985-04-30 | |||
| FR529952A | 1921-12-10 | |||
| FR506624A | 1920-08-26 | |||
| EP0320745A1 | 1989-06-21 | |||
| US4272930A | 1981-06-16 |
| 1. | ED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: Connector means for connecting a first hollow member to the end of a second hollow member, said connector means comprising an anchor member having an end extension, said anchor member being adapted for insertion into and securement in the end of the second hollow member,with said end extension projecting therefrom into the interior of the first hollow member when same is overlying the end of the second hollow member, a stop member movable into and out of a stop position extending transversely of said end extension adjacent the end thereof, a bifurcated wedge member adapted to be inserted into the first hollow member for straddling said end extension beneath said stop member and a spring member for interposing between said wedge member and said stop member when same is in the stop position. |
| 2. | A connector means as claimed in claim 2 in which a rigid washer is provided for introduction between said spring member and said stop member when same is in the stop position. |
| 3. | A connector means as claimed in claim 2 in which said bifurcated wedge member has a pair of spaced runners joined at the rear and presenting flat runner surfaces for sliding on the interior of the first hollow member, spaced inclined ramps extending rearwardly and upwardly from adjacent the front of said runners, said ramps being joined at the rear and connected to the rear of said runners by a wall projecting upwardly from the rear thereof, said ramps defining an anchor end extension receiving slot terminating adjacent to the rear thereof. SUBSTITUTE SHEET . |
| 4. | A connector means as claimed in claim 3 in which the upper surfaces of said ramps are serrated transversely of said slot. |
| 5. | A connector means as claimed in claim 4 in which said wedge member is provided with an upstanding flange spaced from the rear wall joining said ramp members. |
| 6. | A connector means as claimed in claim 5 in which the slot formed by said inclined ramp has an interference throat adjacent the inner end thereof to provide a snap action as said wedge member is advanced to cause said anchor end extension to pass therethrough. |
| 7. | A connector means as claimed in claim 5 in which said anchor end extension is Ushaped in cross section and said spring member has a Ushaped slot therein whereby said spring member is adapted to be sleeved onto said anchor end extension in a fixed orientation, said spring member having depending ends adapted to engage in said ramp serrations. |
| 8. | A connector means as claimed in claim 7 in which said washer member is formed with a Ushaped slot whereby said washer is adapted to be sleeved onto said anchor extension end over said spring member. |
| 9. | A connector means as claimed in claim 8 in which the upper end of said Ushaped anchor end extension has a pair of registering holes therein and said stop member is a pin member to be inserted through said holes in the stop position. |
| 10. | A connector means as claimed in claim 9 in which said anchor member is provided with means to limit anchor member insertion into the end of the second hollow member to be connected to the first hollow member and means for SUBSTITUTE SHEET. orienting the anchor member when inserted within the second hollow member. |
| 11. | Means for connecting a hollow roof member to a vertical hollow wall member having a cap member presenting a roof member bearing surface arrangement sloping upwardly inwardly of said wall member, said means comprising an anchor member for insertion into and securement in the hollow vertical wall member and having an end extension to project therefrom, said cap and hollow roof members having registering openings through which said anchor extension is adapted to extend to project into the interior of the hollow roof member, a stop member movable into and out of a stop position extending transversely of said end extension adjacent the end thereof, a bifurcated wedge member insertable into the hollow roof member for straddling said end extension beneath said stop member and a spring member for interposing between said wedge member and said stop member when same is in the stop position. |
| 12. | A connecting means as claimed in claim 11 in which the vertical hollow wall and roof members are extruded rectilinear members. |
| 13. | A connecting means as claimed in claim 12 in which said extruded members comprise a core substrate of thermoplastic material containing a reinforcing agent, and an outer thermoplastic skin bonded to said core. |
| 14. | A connecting means as claimed in claims 11, 12 or 13 in which said cap member comprises an injection molded member configured to seat on the top of said wall member. |
| 15. | A method of securing a hollow rectilinear roof member to a sloping surface having an opening therethrough presented at the top of a hollow wall member comprising securing an anchor having an end extension in the hollow wall member with said end extension projecting through said roof panel, sleeving a spring onto said end extension, securing a stop member to said end extension above said spring, and inserting a wedge member beneath said spring and riding on the inner surface of said roof member to effect clamping of said roof member to said sloping surface. |
| 16. | A method as claimed in claim 15 in which a washer is sleeved onto said end extension over said spring member before securing the stop member to the end extension. |
| 17. | As claimed in claim 16 in which said wedge member is bifurcated to present spaced arms to straddle said end extension and said wedge member is driven inwardly until said end extension reaches substantially the inner end of said wedge arms . |
| 18. | A method of securing a hollow rectilinear roof member having an opening in one wall thereof adjacent one end to a hollow vertical wall member comprising introducing an anchor member having a main body portion and an end extension into the vertical wall member with the end extension projecting above said wall member, introducing a cementitious material into said wall member to fix said anchor member therein, sleeving a wall cap member presenting a sloping bearing surface arragement over said anchor end extension, sealing said roof member on the bearing surface arrangement of said cap member with said anchor end extension projecting through said roof member wall opening into the interior of said roof member, sleeving a spring member onto said end extension, providing a stop above said spring member, introducing a wedge member into said roof member from said one end between said spring and the inner surface of said one wall, and driving said wedge inwardly to clamp said roof member against said cap bearing surface arrangement . SUBSTITUTE SHEET . |
| 19. | A cap for use in connecting a hollow roof member of rectilinear cross section to a hollow wall member of rectilinear cross section said cap comprising an injection molded member of cruciform shape having ledge flanges adjacent the bottom thereof for seating on top of a hollow wall member and locating arms below said ledge flanges to center said cap member in seated relation in the wall member, said cap member having a vertical central opening therethrough and presenting spaced sloping bearing surfaces at the top thereof at opposite sides of said opening. |
| 20. | A cap as claimed in claim 19 presenting four right angularly disposed arms forming said cruciform shape, said arms being hollow to form passageways therethrough. |
| 21. | Connector means for connecting a first hollow member to the upper end of a second upright hollow member, said connector means comprising a metal anchor member adapted to be secured within the upper end of the second member and having a end extension to project thereabove and into the interior of the first hollow member when same is overlying the end of the second hollow member, said anchor extension having a transverse passage therethrough adjacent the distal end thereof, a stop pin insertable through said transverse passage to extend outwardly on opposite sides of said anchor extension, and a wedge member formed from metal plate slidable beneath said pin and having an elongated slot to receive said anchor end extension and formed to present camming surfaces on opposite sides of said extension adapted on being advanced under said pin to exert a force acting to clamp the hollow members together . |
| 22. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 21 in which said wedge member presents means whereby it can be gripped for retraction from clamping position. SUBSTITUTE SHEET . |
| 23. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 22 in which said wedge member has a slot formation in the form of a cross, said wedge member being adapted to be sleeved over said anchor end extension and said pin when the arm portion of the wedge slot is in registration with said stop pin. |
| 24. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 22 in which said wedge member has spaced runners and a slotted ramp bridging said runners . |
| 25. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 24 including a spring for introduction between said slotted ramp and said pin. |
| 26. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 25 in which the upper surface of said ramp is serrated and said spring has depending ends to engage said serrations . |
| 27. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 21, 23 or 26 in which said anchor extension is Ushaped in crosssection and presents spaced aligned holes for receiving said stop pin. |
| 28. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 23 in which said anchor end extension is of Ucrosssection presenting spaced aligned holes for receiving said stop pin and said pin is fixed in said end extension and having the projecting portions thereof inclined to parallel the slope of the top of a vertical wall member to be connected to a sloping roof member. |
| 29. | Connector means as claimed in Claim 28 in which said wedge member has detents into which the said inclined pin ends are adapted to seat . SUBSTITUTE. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved method and means of connecting hollow members.
More particularly, it relates to a method and means for connecting one hollow member to the end of another hollow member with the connection being made internally of the first hollow member.
A particular application of the invention is the securement of a hollow roofing member to a hollow wall member in the erection of modular building structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In copending U.S. Application Serial No. 07/792,356, filed November 14th, 1991, there is disclosed a connection in the form of a wedge arrangement employing a tapered block for securing a hollow roof panel to a hollow wall member in a modular building structure.
In such connection, if the wedge is driven under too much force damage can occur and the connection cannot be released should it be required to replace the roof
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panel. If the wedge is driven too lightly, the connection may become loosened under shock or vibration . Further the connection can only be made through the open end of the hollow roof panel and not at intermediate points up the roof .
The present invention provides a connecting system and hardware therefor in which in each case a consistent wedging action can be obtained by unskilled workmen and the connection can be released if the connected member needs to be replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention the connecting means comprises a metal anchor member to be inserted into and secured in the end of a first hollow member such as a wall member with the anchor member having an end extension projecting out of the said hollow member and adapted to project through an opening into the interior of a second hollow member such as a roof member overlying the end of the first hollow member, said anchor end extension having a transverse passage therethrough, a stop member preferably in the form of a pin for insertion through said passage to project on opposite sides thereof, and a metal wedge member adapted to embrace said end extension on opposite sides thereof beneath said stop member and shaped to exert a clamping pressure when forced inwardly relative to said end extension to a stop position.
According to one form of the invention, said metal wedge member comprises a bifurcated wedge adapted to straddle said anchor end extension beneath said stop member, and a spring is provided for interposing between said wedge member and said stop member.
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According to this form of the invention, the bifurcated wedge member has spaced runners for sliding on the interior surface of the second hollow member, spaced ramps leading up from the front of the runners to a rear wall connecting the runners, and the spring is formed to be sleeved onto the anchor end extension beneath the stop.
Again, according to this form of the invention, the spaced ramps are serrated, the spring comprises a plate of spring material having downturned ends to engage in the ramp serrations, and a washer is provided to be sleeved onto the end extension and located between the spring plate and the stop member.
Again, according to this form of the invention, the wedge member has an upturned flange rearwardly of the inclined ramps to provide an engagement member to be gripped for retracting the wedge.
In another aspect of the invention, the wedge comprises a metal plate having a slot arrangement whereby said wedge is adapted to be sleeved over the end of said anchor extension and beneath the s * aid pin stop and to be advanced inwardly beneath said pin, said plate having a camming surface to effect a clamping action on the members to be connected as the wedge is advanced inwardly beneath the pin.
Further, the said wedge plate preferably is provided with detent means for cooperation with the stop pin with the plate in its innermost position and with a flange formation to form a gripping surface when it is desired to retract the wedge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a broken away perspective view of a building structure formed by interconnected hollow wall and ; roof panels for which the invention is particularly applicable.
Figure 2 is a broken away elevational view illustrating the manner of connecting the end of a hollow roof member to the upper end of a hollow wall member in accordance with one form of the invention.
Figure 3 is an enlarged part vertical sectional part elevational view showing the initiation of the wedge connection located internally of the hollow roof member preparatory to clamping the end of the roof member against the sloping surfaces presented at the upper end of the hollow wall member.
Figure 4 is a part sectional part plan view illustrating the wedge in locked clamping position.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of the connecting means of the invention in association with a corner wall cap for securing a hollow roof panel to the hollow wall member at the corner of a modular building.
Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the anchor member of the invention connecting means.
Figure 7 is a broken away elevational view showing the anchor member anchored by an anchor rod to the concrete base of the building.
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Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the positioning of the anchor member in the box connector in a gabled end wall at a point intermediate the height of the gable and showing a wall cap ready for assembly.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the end wall cap in position ready to receive a box connector forming part of the roof panel.
Figure 10 is a broken away perspective view of the wedge plate ready for assembly with the anchor and stop pin to secure the roof member and the wall cap to the top of the end wall gable in accordance with this aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates a building structure for which the present invention is particularly applicable. As illustrated, the structure has walls made up of prefabricated wall panels 1 joined at the corners by box connectors 2 and intermediate the corners by box connectors 2', prefabricated roof panels 3 ending in box connectors 4, at the edges of the roof and connected intermediate the roof edges by box connectors ' . The edges of the roof are finished by facia members 5. The wall and roof panels and the box connectors are of hollow rectilinear form and are adapted for interlocking connection.
Such a building structure is now practical with the wall panels 1, roof panels 3, and box connectors 2,2', 4 and 4 ' being extruded from thermoplastic material and, as illustrated in the enlarged view in Figure 3, being extruded to provide a reinforced thermoplastic substrate 6
having a co-extruded smooth skin 7 overlying the exposed surfaces of the substrate in accordance with the invention disclosed in copending Canadian Application Serial No. 2,070,079-3.
The wall and roof panels are of similar rectilinear configuration having internal webs 8 and end grooves 9 as illustrated in Figure 5. As illustrated in Figure 5,the corner box connector 2 is provided with wall extensions 10 terminating in inturned flanges 11 on adjacent sides 12 and 13 for engagement in the wall panel grooves 9 to form a corner interlock between the wall panels 1.
It will be understood that the connectors 2 ' and
4 1 will have similar wall extensions and locking flanges for connecting the wall panels in an aligned relationship rather than in a corner relationship.
It is desirable that the roof panels be mounted at a slope and, by way of example, the securement of a roof panel at the corner of the building structure will first be described. For this purpose, the wall member in the form of the interlocked corner box connector 2 has mounted on the upper end thereof a cap 14 presenting sloping roof panel bearing surfaces 15 and 16.
The cap preferably comprises an injection molded member adapted to seat down on the top of the corner box connector 2 as hereinafter more particularly described.
Intermediate the corners it will be understood the cap for providing the sloping roof panel bearing surfaces may comprise an elongated extruded member seating down on the top of the wall panels 1 and their box connectors 2 ' .
It will be understood that the building structure may be quickly assembled by interconnecting the wall and
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roof panels with their respective box connectors and cement or other material may be introduced into the hollow wall panels for permanency of the structure and the roof panels may contain insulation if desired.
In the particular context of a building structure such as described, the present invention provides an advantageous means of securing the roof panels to the capped wall panels to effect a controlled secure connection while affording a means of releasing the connection should the roof panel require replacement for any reason.
In this connection, there is provided an anchor member preferably formed of metal generally designated at 17 in Figure 6 provided with a generally flat main body 18 having upper arms 19 which extend parallel to each other in opposite directions and offset by the width of the body 18. The arms 19 are provided at their outer ends with outwardly projecting locating finger mounts 20 which are adapted to overlie the corners of the box connector 2 to provide a fixed vertical position for the anchor member when it is inserted into the box connector 2.
At the lower end, the anchor is provided with offset parallel orienting arms 21.
The arms 21 are offset substantially 90 degrees from the arms 19 and extend into the corners of the box connector 2 which are at 90 degrees to the corners over which the fingers 20 lie.
The anchor 17 is provided with an upper end extension 22 which is of U-cross section and is provided at its distal end with aligned pin receiving openings 23 in the opposite walls of the U.
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The main body of the anchor 18 is provided with a series of outturned locking tangs 24.
To effect the connection between a roof panel and a capped connector or wall member, as illustrated in Figure 5, the anchor member 17 is lowered into the connector 2 until the fingers 20 rest on top of the corners of connector 2 one finger at the corner of the building structure and the other at the opposite corner of the box connector 2. The anchor is oriented in this position and held in oriented position by the arms 21 extending into opposite corners of the box connector 2 at right angles to the corners over which the fingers lie . The orientation of the anchor is such that the open face of the U-extension 22 faces up the slope of the roof.
The anchor member 17 is then anchored in place in the connector 14 by introducing concrete or the like 25 into the connector 2 with the locking tangs 24 embedded in the concrete.
The cap 14 has a central opening 26 to allow it to be sleeved down over the upper end of the anchor 17 into its capping position with the U-shaped end extension 22 standing proud above the bearing surfaces 15 and 16 of the cap.
Cap 14 is provided with outturned ledges or flanges 27 adapted to rest on the upper edges of the box connector 2 and depending right angular arms 28 adapted to straddle the anchor fingers 20 and abut against the right angular walls of connector 2, it being understood that sufficient clearance with the concrete 25 will be provided for introduction of the locating and orienting connector arms 28.
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The cap 14 is of generally cruciform shape with the extending arms 29 thereof being hollow and carrying the ledge seats 27 at the lower ends thereof.
These cruciform arms are braced by horizontal triangular webs 30 which overlie the locating arms 28 and the anchor fingers 20.
By virtue of having the cruciform arms 29 hollow wiring may be sleeved therethrough if desired to run wiring around the roof line. Further, the arms 29 are cut away as at 31 and provided with apertured inwardly projecting fingers 32 to provide for an interlock with mating elements of a closure plate (not shown) .
The roof panel 3 to be secured to the top of the wall to seat on cap 14 has its box connector 4 provided with an opening 33 so that it can be lowered down over the anchor extension 22 to rest on the cap bearing surfaces 15 and 16.
Spring member 34, illustrated particularly in Figure 5, comprising a plate like member of spring steel or the like, having a central U-shaped slot 35, is then sleeved down over the U-shaped end of the anchor extension 22.
Spring member 34 has downwardly and outwardly turned projections 36 which when the spring is sleeved onto the extension 22 are oriented one facing the downward slope of the roof and the other facing the upward slope of the roof. A washer member 37 of steel or the like provided with a central U-slot 38 is then sleeved down on the U- shaped anchor end extension 22 to overlie the spring member 34. Washer 37 has reinforcing downturned edges 39 disposed in right angular relation to the downturned spring projections 36 and projecting downwardly on opposite sides
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of the spring member. A removeable pin 40 preferable of metal is then inserted through the apertures 23 at the upper end of the extension 22 to form a stop against upward movement of the spring and washer members .
The securement of the roof panel or member to the bearing surfaces of the wall cap is then effected by a bifurcated wedge member which may be formed as a metal stamping which is generally designated at 41 and shown particularly in Figure 5. The wedge member 41 has a pair of spaced runners 42 provided with reinforcing ribs 43 which are adapted to slide on the interior surface of the hollow box connector roof member 4.
Extending upwardly from the front of the runners
42 are spaced ramps 44 which are joined at their rear as at 45 and connected to the base 46 of the runners by the rear wall 47.
The base of the runners is extended rearwardly to an upturned flange 48 through which forces may be exerted to drive the wedge inwardly for locking engagement or withdraw it for unlocking engagement .
The upper surfaces of the ramps 44 and connecting surface 45 are serrated as at 49 and the slot 50 defined between the ramps 44 is slightly narrowed at 51 to provide a slight restriction to the passage of the anchor extension 22 therethrough giving the slot a keyhole appearance.
To effect the locking or clamping action between the hollow roof member 4 with the facia member 5 removed the roof member is sleeved over the anchor extension 22. Working up through the open lower end of the hollow member 4 the spring and washer are sleeved onto the extension 22 and the pin is put in place. The wedge 41 is then inserted
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into the open end of the roof member and beneath the spring member 34.
The wedge member is then pushed inwardly sliding on its runners on the interior surface of the roof member 4 with the ramps 44 straddling the extension 22. The inward movement of the wedge effects movement of the extension 22 up the slot 50.
The wedge is driven inwardly until it meets the interference at the slot restriction 51. On further movement, there is sufficient resiliency in the U-shaped extension 22 and the walls of slot 50 to allow the relative movement between the end extension 22 and the wedge to bring the wedge to the final position as illustrated in
Figure 4 while at the same time giving an audible click or snap as the slot restriction is passed. This click or snap is sufficient to alert the installer that the connection has been made with the proper clamping forces between the roof member 4 and the cap member 14.
The downturned ends or projections 36 of the spring member 34 locate in the serrations 49 to bar wedge movement under shocks or vibration.
To release the connection, pin 40 can be removed by means of ring 52 allowing the spring and washer to be sleeved upwardly on the extension 22 and the wedge removed by pulling on the wall 48.
While the anchor 17 embedded in the concrete filling the box connector 2 should provide sufficient anchorage against lifting of the roof panel under wind loading but if desired, as shown in Figure 7, the anchor member 17 may be further secured by an anchor rod 53 extending down into the concrete pad 54 on which the structure is adapted to be built and secured.
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Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the manner of securing the roof at an intermediate point or intermediate points up the gable of the building structure.
As illustrate in Figure 8, the anchor member 17 is arranged in an intermediate box connector 2 ' but oriented so the holes 23 thereof are aligned longitudinally of the wall.
In this case a pin 40" inserted through the openings 23 has its end portions 40" deformed to follow the slope of the gable .
It will be understood that the anchor 17 will be secured in position by pouring of concrete into the box connector 2 ' it occupies .
To provide a bearing surface for the roof structure there is provided an extruded end wall cap 55 having closed cells 56 and 57 extending longitudinally thereof and spaced walls 58 projecting downwardly therefrom to embrace opposite faces of the wall panels 1 and box connector 2 ' of the end wall gable when seated down on top thereof. The end wall cap 55 has an opening 55' through the underside thereof to receive the end extension 22 of the anchor and its pin 40' as the wall cap is seated down on top of the end wall of the building structure.
Further the end wall cap 55 has longitudinally extending chambers 59 on opposite sides thereof with the chambers being open to the sides as indicated at 60 with the edges of the open sides being turned inwardly at 61 to provide for locking engagement with a suitable mating closure member which may take the form of weather stripping, or other desired closure configuration. Above the chambers 59, the end wall cap 55 is provided at
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opposite sides thereof with longitudinally extending grooves 62 adapted to receive the inturned flanges 63 of the roof box connector 4 to securely interlock same. The box connector 4 is provided on its undersurface with an opening 64 to accept the pinned end 22 of the anchor with the pin 40' standing proud above the bottom surface of the box connector.
The outer wall 65 of the box connector 4 is cut away at 66 to expose the pinned end of the anchor and a registering notch 67 is cut into the outer lower flange 68 to allow for the insertion of the metal wedge plate 69. As illustrated in Figure 10, this wedge plate is provided with a slot arrangement 100 in the form of a cross and is slightly bent intermediate of its length and provided at one end with a handle flange 70.
It will be understood that the wedge plate 69 can be introduced into the box connector 4 with the lateral portion of the slotted cross registering with the pin 40' allowing the plate to be sleeved down over the end 22 of the anchor and over the pin 40' to a point beneath the pin and bearing on the undersurface of the box connector.
The wedge plate may then be pushed inwardly with the bend in the plate forming a camming surface to tighten the box connector down onto the end wall cap and onto the top of the gabled wall to provide an intermediate roof anchor.
Wedge plate 69 is also provided with holes or detents 71 on opposite sides of the slotted cross adjacent to the handle flange 70 into which the end portions 40" of the pin 40' may drop when the wedge plate is fully home.
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The handle flange 70 provides the means of extracting the wedge plate under a pulling force should it be desired to replace the roof structure.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention has been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in detail and application may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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