ANGULAR FIXATION TOOL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fixation tool for the facilitation of the joining of structural elements such as building framework members (i.e., studs, crossbars, etc.) or sections of steel. The invention particularly relates to a tool that can fix structural elements at an angle to each other.

Background Art

Within the construction as well as the engineering industry, it is usual to use framework members of steel for various kinds of constructions such as, for instance, buildings. Steel sections of many different dimensions are found and they can also have different shapes such as, for instance, round section, U-section, square section, etc.

When two structural elements of steel having a square or another section are to be joined at an angle to each other, it is necessary to bring together the two structural elements with each other so that they are kept tightly and stably together while welding or another form of joining is effected.

At least two different types of design can be found. In one case, the short side of a framework member/section is joined to a long side of another framework member/section, whereat the desired angle between the workpieces may vary. In the other case, two framework members/sections are joined with the respective short sides thereof facing each other. Also in this case, the angle between the structural elements may vary, which normally means that they have been cut so that the section surfaces are mirror-inverted to each other whereby the abutment between them having all the necessary qualities to become tight.

The joining of two sections is either effected by welding or screwing. Upon welding, the workpieces are stabilized in a first phase, e.g., by spot welds in a suitable position. The mode of operation applied today in this phase usually means that the workpieces, the sections/framework members, are kept in place by means of screw clamps and clamping tools of different types, and often together with cleats or angle-irons adapted to the purpose. There is also one type of holding tools, so-called magnetic holders and magnetic fixtures, which, e.g., hold together two sections at a certain angle in relation to each other during the

first phase of the welding operation. When the workpieces have been fixed by the spot- welding, the support tools can be removed and the joint is welded in its entirety. In those cases the sections are joined by screws, the workpieces are stabilized in principle the same way as upon welding.

The magnetic holders that are available on the market today and that can be used in this phase of the work are lacking lateral guiding in the case, among others, when the workpieces have a square section, which may make the fitting in of the workpieces more difficult. Their direct contact surface against the workpieces consists of the side edges of the two relatively thin metal discs that surround the magnet. The slot that is formed between the metal discs may partly increase the contact surface when the workpieces have, e.g., a round section. No part of the contact surface, neither the edges of the surrounding metal discs nor the bottom of the slot, has been made from a material that increases the friction in the longitudinal direction of the holders. Therefore, the frictional force is limited, which entails that the tools cannot be loaded with particularly great weights or forces. Said tools are made with predetermined angles between the structural elements, often 90°and 45° or 90°, 60° and 30°. The tools are neither formed so that screw clamps or other clamping tools simply can be applied in order to, if required, increase their bearing capacity.

The problem of being able to fix workpieces during the first phase of the operation is the same irrespective of whether the additional structural element is to be applied vertically or horizontally or in other directions.

Different attempts have previously been made to design a tool that can facilitate the clamping of workpieces before welding.

A PCT application, PCT/SE2009/050334, previously filed by BreTools AB, demonstrates a tool intended for joining of structural elements that are to be joined at an angle to each other. However, the tool is only intended for a single fixed, and right, angle.

JP2001040878 discloses a fixing plate provided with a magnet, which allows the fixing plate to be applied temporarily against a steel section against which another section can be fixed and attached by the support of the fixing plate. The disclosed fixing plate differs structurally from the present invention and has, due to the design thereof, a very specific and limited application area. The magnet is controlled by a change-over switch, which indicates that it also requires electrical power to operate, which is a considerable disadvantage.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to demonstrate a device that facilitates and simplifies the work of generally joining building framework members and sections of steel.

An additional object of the invention is that the tool should be easy to use, i.e., to mount and dismount.

An additional object of the invention is that the tool, at least in its basic design, should be inexpensive to manufacture and use.

According to the invention, these and additional objects and advantages are attained by a device according to the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a fixation tool for the fastening of structural elements, such as, e.g., framework members and sections of steel, to each other as well as a method for the joining of the structural elements using the fixation tool.

The invention consists of a fixation tool that is intended to quickly and simply be applicable temporarily against a framework member or section of metal in order to give support to an additional framework member or section intended to be mounted at an angle to the first one. The joining of the framework members/sections is effected by welding, screwing or another similar method.

The present invention is a simple and completely mechanical design without electromagnets, change-over switches, etc., and which thereby is easy for the user to carry with him/her and use on the desired location. The tool according to the invention is very simple to handle and provides an excellent outcome of the work.

One aspect of the invention is to afford a device that facilitates and simplifies the work of, in a first phase, fixing the structural elements next to each other, whereupon, in a second phase, the joining can be completed.

The invention is characterized in that it comprises two rectangular plates each of which having a side upturned at a right angle and united to each other in one short side of the respective plate by a hinge and having, in the respective plate and upturned side, installed permanent magnets so that at first one half of the tool can be applied against a structural

element and fix the same in the intended position by the magnetic attraction as well as the frictional force that is formed by the attraction of the magnets and the friction between the plate, with the upturned side thereof, and the structural element, whereupon a second structural element can be fixed in the intended location to the first one by means of the other plate and the upturned side thereof and the corresponding forces formed between the plate, with the upturned side thereof, and the structural element. The respective one short side of the upturned sides is obliquely cut so that the branches of the tool should be foldable inward toward each other in a suitable extent, e.g., so that the branches in one end position forms an angle of 90° with each other.

The rectangular plates and the respective upturned sides thereof are made from a nonmagnetic material, e.g., stainless steel or rigid plastic so that the magnetic fields formed by the magnets should not propagate into the plates and negatively affect the welding operation.

In an alternative embodiment, the fixation tool may be provided with an angle measurement member that also comprises a device that locks the tool at the desired angle. A disc, for instance circular, centred in the axial joint of the hinge is attached, welded or glued onto the underside of one branch of the fixation tool. The disc is graded so that the angle between the branches of the tool can be read against the obliquely cut short side of the movable branch, which points toward the centre of the hinge shaft. After the desired angle has been set, the disc is fixed to the movable branch by means of a metal screw or the like.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is defined a method for the fastening of structural elements such as steel framework members/sections. After the two structural elements having been cut into the desired angle, the fixation tool is placed against a first structural element connecting to the intended location of a second structural element. One branch of the fixation tool is attached to said first structural element by means of the magnets that have been installed in the plate of the fixation tool and the upturned side thereof, and is kept in position by the attractive force of the magnets and the frictional force between the plate of the fixation tool and the structural element. The other branch of the fixation tool is attached to the second structural element in a corresponding way and in the intended position in relation the first structural element, whereupon the structural elements can be joined in a first phase by spot-welding or by screws or the like, whereupon the fixation tool can be removed by simple hand grips and the joining be completed.

In case the tool having the alternative embodiment is used, the angle between the branches of the tool has been fixed in a first working stage, whereupon the method described above for the fastening of the structural element can be applied.

The fixation tool consists of two rectangular plates each of which having a side upturned at a right angle and united to each other in one short side of the respective plate by a hinge and having, in the respective plate and upturned side, installed magnets so that at first one half of the tool can be applied against a structural element and fix the same in the intended position by the magnetic attraction and the frictional force that are formed by the attraction of the magnets and the friction between the plate with the upturned side thereof and the structural element, whereupon a second structural element can be fixed in the intended location to the first one by means of the other plate and the upturned side thereof and the corresponding forces formed between the plate with the upturned side thereof and the structural element.

The plate with the upturned side thereof is preferably made from a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel or some type of rigid plastic. The magnets of permanent type installed in the respective plate and upturned side are fitted by screws in the plate for replaceability.

The invention facilitates the work of joining building framework members and steel sections by the fact that the work can be carried out faster and safer in relation to what is possible by means and tools hitherto known.

Additional features and advantages of the invention are seen in the following, more detailed, description of the invention as well as in the appended drawings and additional claims.

Brief List of Drawings

The invention is described in more detail below, in some preferred embodiment examples, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a fixation tool according to the invention in a basic design fixed to two structural elements that are to be joined at an angle to each other.

Figure 2 shows in perspective view the design of the angle fixation tool in more detail as seen from the side where the structural elements are fitted in.

Figure 3 shows the fixation tool according to Figure 2 as seen from the opposite side thereof.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the angle fixation tool, it is seen, on one hand, how the locking device has been formed, and on the other hand how the magnets are fitted and attached in the punched-out flaps of the plates of the tool. Description of Preferred Embodiments

Accordingly, Figure 1 shows a fixation tool according to the invention 1 in a basic design fixed to two structural elements 2, 3 that are to be joined. Each one of the two structural elements 2, 3 connects against a base plate 4, 5 having an installed magnet 6, 10 as well as against a side plate 8, 9 having an installed magnet 7, 11 where the side plate 8, 9 is upturned preferably at a right angle in relation to the base plate 4, 5. Each base plate 4, 5 and side plate 8, 9 form a branch 1a, 1b of the fixation tool 1. The side plates 8, 9 have an obliquely cut edge 19, 20 in the edges that are facing each other so that the fixation tool 1 can be angled for instance between 0° and 270° but the fixation tool 1 may naturally also be formed for other angle intervals. A joint 12, here a hinge, unites the base plates 4, 5 articulately with each other. The fitting in and fastening of the magnets 6, 7, 10, 11 in the base and side plates 4, 5, 8, 9 are described in more detail below.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the design of the fixation tool 1 , which here also has been provided with an angle measurement member 21 for setting of, as well as locking of, a certain desired angle between the branches 1a, b of the fixation tool 1. In the base plates 4, 5 and the side plates 8, 9, flaps 13, 14, 15, 16 have been punched out and folded out somewhat so that permanent magnets can be fitted and attached in the fixation tool 1 by screws and nuts. This is also seen from Figure 4. Figure 2 shows furthermore a design of the fixation tool 1 where the side plates 8, 9 in the respective outermost ends thereof have been extended somewhat in relation to the base plates 4, 5, whereupon the extended parts 17, 18 have been turned down essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 8, 9. Furthermore, the shaft 12a of the hinge 12 has been extended so that the fixation tool 1 can rest against a support relatively stably on the extended shaft 12a of the hinge and the turned-down parts 17, 18. In this way, the fitting in of the two structural elements 2, 3 that are to be joined in the fixation tool 1 is facilitated.

Figure 2 shows also how the side plates 8, 9 have been obliquely cut in the respective short ends 19, 20 thereof facing each other so that the area for the angular setting of the fixation tool 1 gets an appropriate space. Furthermore, in one side plate 9, a flap 22 has been

punched out so that an angle measurement member 21 , here a circular graduated disc, which has been fixed to the side plate 8 and centred in the shaft 12a of the hinge 12, can run freely between the punched-out flap 22 and the side plate 9. The round disc may be graded so that the angle between the branches 1a, b of the fixation tool 1 can be read against the obliquely cut edge 20 of the plate 9.

In Figure 3, the fixation tool 1 is shown as seen from the opposite side, in relation to Figure 2. The branches 1a, b of the fixation tool 1 can be fixed at the angle that has been set by means of a locking member 24, here a screw that is screwed through the punched-out flap 22 and that locks the circular graduated disc against the side plate 9. The threaded hole, placed in the punched-out flap 22, can be provided in various ways e.g., by means of a nut 23 that is attached to the flap 22 over a hole drilled through the same.

Figure 4 shows partly in section, among other things, the design of the locking member 24. The figure also shows, partly in section, the design and the fastening of a magnetic element, a permanent magnet 11 , in the punched-out flap 16 of the side plate 9. The punched-out flap 16 has been bent/folded or formed so that the magnet 1 1 can be fitted in an embedded way by a screw 25 and nut 26 on the side of the side plate 9 that the structural elements 2, 3 abut against. The magnet 11 can, thanks to said design, easily be replaced when it no longer performs satisfactory. It is important that the magnet 1 1 can be applied in contact with the structural elements 2, 3 to get as good a clamping as possible. For this reason, the active surface of the magnet 11 is arranged flush with the surface of the side plate 9 or so that it protrudes past the surface of the side plate 9 some tenth of a millimetre. The magnet 11 may also be covered with a layer/envelope 27 of a rubber compound or another material that provides high coefficient of friction against the materials that the structural elements 2, 3, usually consist of and has then been fitted so that the outermost layer 27 thereof is entirely flush with, or protrudes somewhat outside the contact surface of the side plate 9 against the structural elements 2, 3. The magnet 11 may, for instance, protrude some or a few tenth of a millimetres outside the side plate 9. Instead of providing the magnets 6, 7, 10, 11 with a special layer affording friction, the base and side plates 4, 5, 7, 8 may be covered with such a one (not shown). The fastening of the permanent magnets 6, 7, 9 in the plates 4, 5, 8 is effected in the same way as the fastening of the magnet 11 in the side plate 9.

When the fixation tool 1 has been applied to a first structural element 3, the frictional force, which is formed, e.g., in the longitudinal direction between the structural element 3 and the underside of the fixation tool 1 , can carry significant weights and counteract forces that

originate from the weight of the structural element 2 that is to be joined to the structural element 3.

A further aspect of the invention indicates a method for the fastening of structural elements 2, 3, such as steel framework members/sections. In a first step, the structural elements 2, 3 are cut so that the desired angle between them can be obtained in the final joining, whereupon the fixation tool 1 is placed against the first structural element 2 in the area of the desired connection of the second structural element 3. One branch 1a of the fixation tool 1 is attached to said first structural element 2 by means of the magnets 6, 7 that have been installed in the base and side plates 4, 8 of the fixation tool 1 , and is kept in position by the attractive force of the magnets 6, 7 and the frictional force between the base and side plates 4, 8 of the fixation tool 1 and the structural element 2.

The other branch 1 b of the fixation tool 1 is attached to the second structural element 3 in a corresponding way and in the intended position in relation the first structural element 2, whereupon the structural elements 2, 3 can be joined in a first phase by spot-welding or by screws, whereupon the fixation tool 1 can be removed by simple hand grips and the joining be completed by welding the joint around or by additional screws strengthening the joining.

The design of the fixation tool 1 makes it possible, in special cases, to further strengthen the fixation of the tool to the structural elements 2, 3 by means of screw clamps. In certain cases, the alternative design of the fixation tool 1 having an angle measurement member 21 for setting the angle, and locking the angle, between the branches 1a, b of the fixation tool 1 , can also further facilitate the fitting in of the fixation tool 1 into the structural elements 2, 3.

The invention is naturally not limited to the embodiments mentioned above, but also other variants of the invention are possible and feasible within the scope of the general idea of the invention and the scope of protection of the subsequent claims.

Accordingly, the magnetic elements 6, 7, 10, 11 may consist of magnetic stripes or the like that are glued or applied in another way on the side of the plates 4, 5, 8, 9 that is facing the structural elements 2, 3. It is also feasible to apply a friction layer 27 of a material having high friction onto the proper plates 4, 5, 8, 9 on the side that is facing the structural elements 2, 3 in use. The friction layer 27 can be placed on the entire respective surface of the base or side plates 4, 5, 8, 9 or only on a part of their surface.