GB2624410A

GB2624410A - A connection assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2624410A
Application number: GB2217135.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michel Craig
Original assignee: Paragon Prot Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Paragon Prot Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-16
Filing date: 2022-11-16
Publication date: 2024-05-22
Also published as: GB202217135D0

Abstract

A first component 50 comprising at least one elongate male connector member. The male connector member comprised of four side walls 61-64 being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section. wherein the outer face of at least a first side wall 61 is provided with a longitudinal channel 90, and the outer face of at least a second side wall, opposite to the first side wall, is provided with a mounting member 95 protruding outwardly from the second side wall. A second component comprises at least one elongate female connector member, comprising of four side walls being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the inner face of at least a first side wall is provided with a longitudinal ridge 140. Wherein the male connector is received in the female connector in a certain orientation but the ridge does not contact the channel. Also claimed is a support structure.

Description

A CONNECTION ASSEMBLY

FIELD

The present invention relates to a connection assembly for a support structure, and a support structure including the connection assembly.

BACKGROUND

Square hollow section (SHS), also known as cold or hot formed square hollow section, has long been used to form construction elements. An SHS element comprises four side walls, each side wall arranged substantially perpendicular to its neighbouring side walls, to form a square or rectangular cross section. An SHS element offers rigidity and has a relatively high second moment of area relative to the volume and mass of material. Since an SHS element is hollow, it weighs significantly less than a solid element of the same outer dimensions. SHS elements are often formed of metal, particularly steel.

It is known to form an SHS element by forming a sheet of planar stock material. The sheet is folded along a set of parallel lines, so to form the four side walls of the SHS element. Consequently, two opposing edges of the planar stock material are brought towards each other so as to be arranged adjacent one another, to form a butt joint. The butt joint is generally formed away from one of the four corners of the SHS element. The butt joint may be substantially equidistant between two adjacent corners. The SHS element is finished by welding along the butt joint, to form a weld seam. The welding process may deposit welding material along the butt joint, such that the weld seam is proud of the planar surface of the side walls adjacent the butt joint. The weld seam may protrude in both directions (inwardly and outwardly) along the butt joint. At least one side of the weld seam may be machined, to reduce the extent of protrusion. While it is relatively straightforward to machine the weld seam protruding outwardly from the SHS element, it may be too difficult to access and/or machine the weld seam which protrudes inwardly from the SHS element, particularly if the SHS section is relatively elongate/long. Consequently, an inwardly protruding weld seam may have to be tolerated on SHS elements.

To form a support structure from a plurality of structural elements, one (male) structural element comprised of SHS may be at least partially received in another (female) structural element comprised of SHS. Multiple SHS lengths may be joined together to form a longer structure. It is generally desired to receive the male element in the female element without any substantial interference. Preferably, the male element is received in the female element with a clearance fit. More preferably, the male element is received in the female element with a transition fit. However, to account for manufacturing tolerances, and/or that the SHS element may have debris on its surfaces (particularly when having been stored on a construction site), a certain amount of play between the male element and the female element may have to be tolerated., in order to reliably avoid any interference during assembly.

Additionally, any inwardly protruding weld seam on the female element may foul against the outer surface of the male element. Since the extent of protrusion of the weld seam may differ along the length of the element, and/or differ between elements due to wide manufacturing tolerances, the outer dimensions of the male member may need to be made substantially smaller than the inner dimensions of the female member to account for the maximum variability of the weld seam.

Consequently, this introduces play into an assembly comprising a male and female member, which may not offer the structural strength/rigidity required.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a connection assembly for a support structure comprising.

a first component comprising at least one elongate male connector member, the male connector member comprised of four side walls being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the outer face of at least a first side wall is provided with a longitudinal channel, and the outer face of at least a second side wall, opposite to the first side wall, is provided with a mounting member protruding outwardly from the second side wall, a second component comprising at least one elongate female connector member, the female connector member comprised of four side walls being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the inner face of at least a first side wall is provided with a longitudinal ridge, wherein the longitudinal channel is configured such that the male connector member can be slidably received in the female connector member in a predetermined orientation, in which the longitudinal ridge is received in, but does not contact, the longitudinal channel.

In at least one embodiment, the male and female connector members each have a substantially square cross-section.

In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal ridge is a welding seam.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the male and female connector members is formed from a single sheet of substantially planar stock material, formed into said rectangular cross section.

In at least one embodiment, said single sheet has two opposing edges which, when formed into said rectangular cross section, are arranged adjacent one another.

In at least one embodiment, the adjacent edges are welded substantially along their length to create said longitudinal ridge comprised of a welding seam.

In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal channel is formed by plastically deforming the first side wall of the male connector member substantially along its longitudinal axis.

In at least one embodiment, each of the longitudinal channel and longitudinal ridge is/are located substantially centrally on the respective side wall.

In at least one embodiment, the first side wall of the male connector member is of substantially the same thickness along its length and width.

In at least one embodiment, the first side wall of the male connector member comprises a primary substantially planar section and a secondary substantially planar section, wherein the longitudinal channel is defined at the intersection of the primary and secondary planar sections.

In at least one embodiment, the depth of the longitude ridge is larger than then difference between an outer dimension of the male connector member and an internal dimension of the female connector member.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting member is configured for securement to a further structural element.

In at least one embodiment, the first component comprises two elongate male connector members, each of which is configured to be slidably received in the female connector member of a respective second component in a predefined orientation.

In at least one embodiment, the two elongate male connector members are axially misaligned with respect to one another.

The present invention further provides a support structure comprising at least one connection assembly according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE la shows a connection assembly for a support structure embodying the present invention; FIGURE lb shows a side view of the connection assembly of Figure la; FIGURE 1c shows a cross section of the connection assembly of Figure la; FIGURE 2a shows a cross section of a first component of the connection assembly of Figure la; FIGURE 2b shows a cross section of a second component of the connection assembly of Figure 1a; FIGURE 2c shows an exploded view of the connection assembly of Figure la; FIGURE 3 shows an isometric view of a first component of a connection assembly embodying the present invention; FIGURES 4a to 4d show various partial cross sections of a sidewall of a first component of a connection assembly embodying the present invention; FIGURE 5a shows a sheet of planar stock material which may form a component of a connection assembly embodying the present invention; FIGURE 5b shows the planar sheet of figure 5a during the forming process.

FIGURE Sc shows a cross section of the formed planar sheet from Figure 5a, to create a butt joint; FIGURE 5d illustrates a weld seam along the butt joint illustrated in Figure Sc; FIGURE 6a shows a first component of another connection assembly embodying the present invention; FIGURE 6b shows a cross section of the arrangement in figure 6a; FIGURE 7a shows a first component of another connection assembly embodying the present invention; FIGURE 7b shows a cross section of the arrangement showing in Figure 7a.

FIGURE 8 shows a support structure including a connection assembly 1 embodying the present invention; FIGURE 8A shows an enlarged view of part of Figure 8; and FIGURE 9 shows a cross section of a connection assembly embodying the present invention, adopting the first component illustrated in figure 4c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

With reference to Figures la to 1c, the present invention provides a connection assembly 1 for a support structure.

The connection assembly 1 comprises a first component 50 and a second component 100. A cross section of the first component 50 is shown if Figure 2a and a cross section of a second component 100 is shown in Figure 2b.

The first component 50 comprises at least one elongate male connector member 60. The male connecter member 60 is comprised of four side walls 61 to 64. The four side walls 61 to 64 are arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section. Consequently, each side wall 61 to 64 is arranged substantially perpendicularly to its neighbouring side wall 61 to 64. The cross section of the male connector member 60 may be substantially square.

Each side wall 61 to 64 has a respective outer face 71 to 74 and a respective inner face 81 to 84.

See Figure 2a.

A first side wall 61 is substantially parallel to the opposing (third) side wall 63. Likewise, a second side wall 62 is substantially parallel to a fourth side wall 64. The inner face 81 of the first wall 61 faces the inner face 83 of the third side wall 63.

The first side wall 61 and second side wall 62 meet one another along a corner 65. The second side wall 62 and the third side wall 63 meet along a corner 66. The third side wall 63 and fourth side wall 64 meet along a corner 67. The fourth sidewall 64 and first side wall 61 meet along a corner 68. The corners 65 to 68 are substantially right angles.

As shown in Figures la, lb, 2a and 2c, the outer face 71 of the first side wall 61 is further provided with a longitudinal channel 90.

In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal channel 90 is arranged substantially in the centre of the outer face 71 of the first side wall 61, such that it is equidistant from the corners 65 and 68. In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal channel 90 is substantially parallel to the corners 65 and 68. The longitudinal channel 90 may have substantially the same cross section along its length.

The first component 50 further comprises a mounting member 95 protruding outwardly from the third side wall 63. Consequently, the mounting member 95 is provided on the side wall 63 which is opposite to the side wall 61 comprising the longitudinal channel 90. The mounting member 95 protrudes outwardly, preferably perpendicularly, from the outer face 73 of the third side wall 63.

The connection assembly 1 further comprises a second component 100, shown in Figures 1a, lb, lc, 2b and 2c.

Generally, the second component 100 is structurally similar to the first component 50, in that it comprises at least one elongate connector member 110 having a rectangular cross section. The female connector member 110 comprises four side walls 111 to 114 arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section. Each of the side walls 111 to 114 of the second component 100 has a respective outer face 121 to 124 and a respective inner face 131 to 134. Structurally, the side walls 111 to 114 of the second component 100 are similar to the side walls 61 to 64 of the first component 50, and are similarly numbered for ease of reference. The inner face 131 of the first wall 111 of the second component 100 is provided with a longitudinal ridge 140, best shown in Figures lc and 2b.

The longitudinal channel 90 is configured such that the male connector member 60 can be slidably received in the female connector 110 in a predetermined orientation, in which the longitudinal ridge 140 is received in, but does not contact, the longitudinal channel 90. This is illustrated in the cross section in Figure lc. The longitudinal ridge 140 may have substantially the same cross section along its length.

The longitudinal channel 90 may be configured so as to accommodate any anticipated size of the longitudinal ridge 140. Consequently, the male connector member 60 may be receivable in the female connector member 110 with a clearance/transition fit. Consequently, any play in the connection assembly may be substantially reduced, while still allowing for manufacturing tolerances in shape and size of the longitudinal ridge 140.

In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal ridge 140 is a weld seam. Consequently, by providing a longitudinal channel 90 as claimed, the longitudinal ridge 140 comprising a weld seam may be accommodated within the dimensions of the longitudinal channel 90, even with the variations in the weld seam as discussed above.

As with the longitudinal channel 90, the longitudinal ridge 140 may be provided in the middle of the first side wall 111 of the second component 100. The longitudinal ridge 140 may be substantially equidistant from the corresponding corners 115 and 118.

When the male connector member 60 is received in the female connector member 110, the longitudinal ridge 140 may be substantially parallel with the longitudinal channel 90.

It will be appreciated that, consequently, the male connector member 60 is receivable in the female connector member 110 in a single orientation. That is to say that the first side wall 61 of the male connector member 60 is received adjacent to the first side wall 111 of the female connector member 110; the second side wall 62 of the male connector member 60 is received adjacent to the second side wall 112 of the female connector member 110; the third side wall 63 of the male connector member 60 is received adjacent to the third side wall 113 of the female connector member 110; and the fourth side wall 64 of the male connector member 60 is received adjacent to the fourth side wall 114 of the female connector member 110. If the first 50 and second 100 components were attempted to be connected in any other orientation, then the longitudinal ridge 140 may foul against the second 62, third 63 or fourth 64 side walls of the male connector member of the first component 50, which may prevent any sliding connection or even cause the assembly to jam.

An advantage of this arrangement is that it allows for a repeatable connection assembly 1 of known structural rigidity, since the longitudinal ridge 140 is repeatedly arranged in a known rotational location. In an embodiment where the longitudinal ridge 140 comprises a weld seam along a butt joint, the joint may provide an area of relative mechanical weakness. Accordingly, by ensuring it is positioned in the same place in any connection assembly allows for any variation in strength in the structure to be compensated for.

Moreover, because the mounting member 95 is provided on the side wall 63 opposite the side wall 61 in which the longitudinal channel 90 is provided, the orientation of the mounting member 95 is also repeatable for any connection assembly 1.

The mounting member 95 may be a substantially planar plate which protrudes perpendicularly from the third side 63 of the male connector member 60 of the first component 50. At least one aperture 96 may be provided in the mounting member 95, into which at least one fixing member, such as a bolt or other structural connector (such as the bracing member 200 shown in figure 8) may be received.

Figure 3 illustrates a first component 50 of a connection assembly 1 embodying the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the first component 50 comprises two elongate male connector members 60a, 60b, which extend away from one another. The mounting member 95 is provided substantially halfway along the first component 50, equidistant from the axial ends of each of the first male connector member 60a and second male connector 60b. Consequently, the first component 50 shown in Figure 3 is receivable in between two second components 100.

Accordingly, each of the male connector members 60a, 60b may be received in a respective female connector member 110 of a neighbouring second component. In this way, a longer structural element can be provided, by arranging a plurality of first components 50 and a plurality of second components 100 in a series/line. This is illustrated in figure 8.

The first component 50 shown in Figure 3 may be substantially straight, such that the first male connector member 60a is coaxial with the second male connector member 60b. In another embodiment, the two male connector members 60a, 60b may not be coaxial with one another, and may instead be angled with respect to one another. Nevertheless, so long as each male connector member 60a, 60 is substantially straight, it will be receivable in a corresponding female connector member 110. Consequently, such non-coaxial first components 50 may be used to form a support structure which is non-linear, for example substantially curved across a span.

Alternatively, or additionally, at least a part of the second component 100 may be curved and/or non-linear.

When providing a curved/non-linear support structure, an advantage of a connection assembly 1 embodying the present invention is that the mounting members 95 protrude inwardly from the arc of the curve. This allows for further structural and/or bracing members to be secured to the support structure. This shown in Figure 8a.

As illustrated in figure la, the longitudinal channel 90 may extend into the first side wall 61 of the first component 50. However, this is not essential. Figures 4a to 4d show various other embodiments of the longitudinal channel 90, which are all equally applicable and may be adopted with the arrangement shown in the other figures. Figure 9 illustrates a cross section of a connection assembly embodying the present invention, adopting the first component illustrated in figure 4c.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4a, the longitudinal channel 90a is formed by machining material away from the first side wall 61, such that the inner face 81 of the first side wall 61 is substantially planar. Consequently, the thickness of the first side wall 61 differs across the width of the side wall 61.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4b, the thickness of the side wall 61 is substantially the same across the width of the side wall 61. The longitudinal channel 90b is formed by plastically deforming the first side wall 61 of the male connector member 60 substantially along its longitudinal axis. As a result of the plastic deformation, the inner face 81 substantially conforms to the outer face 71 of the first side wall 61. Since nothing else may be received inside the male connector member 60 in use, the inward protrusion of the inner wall 81 may be of no consequence.

In the arrangement shown in figure 4c, the first side wall 61 is plastically deformed over more of its width. The first side wall 61 may comprise a primary substantially planar section 61a and a secondary substantially planar section 61b, wherein the longitudinal channel 90c is defined at the intersection of the primary 61a and secondary 61b planar sections.

Figure 4d shows an alternative arrangement to that shown in Figure 4a, wherein the inner face 81 is still substantially planar, and the longitudinal channel 90c is wider than the longitudinal channel 90a shown in Figure 4a.

In at least one embodiment, the depth of the longitude ridge 140 (i.e. the height of the top of the ridge from the face of the side wall) is larger than then difference between an outer dimension of the male connector member and an internal dimension of the female connector member. This is illustrated in figure lc. The depth of the longitude ridge 140 may be greater than the distance between the inner face 131 of the side wall 111 and the outer face 71 of the side wall 61.

Figures 6a and 6b show an alternative first component 150 of a connection assembly embodying the present invention. As with the arrangement shown in Figure la, the first component 150 comprises a male connector member 160. The male connector member 160 may be substantially the same as the male connector member 60 shown in Figure la (albeit that the end face is not substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the male connector member 150.

As with the first component 50 shown in Figure la, the first component 160 in Figure 6a comprises a mounting member 195 which protrudes outwardly from the side wall 163 opposite to the side wall 161 in which the longitudinal channel 190 is provided. As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the mounting member 195 comprises SHS elements which may receive, or be receive in, further structural elements.

Figures 7a and 7b show an alternative first component 250, comprising a mounting member 295 which protrudes outwardly from the side wall 263 opposite to the side wall 261 in which the longitudinal channel 290 is provided. The mounting member 295 may comprise a SHS element which may receive, or be receive in, further structural elements and/or one or more mounting plates securing to structural elements and/or constructions.

With reference to figure 8, a support structure may be provided using a plurality of connection assemblies embodying the present invention. A support structure, which may support or form a part of a roof truss, may extend between two building structures 201. In the embodiment shown, one of the first components 150/250 as illustrated in figures 6a/7a are mounted to the building structure 201, and a second component 100 receives the male connector member 160/260 of the first component. Then, one of the first components 50 as illustrated in figures 1 -2 is received in the other end of the second component 100. Bracing member 200 may be secured between the mounting members 95 of two neighbouring first components 50, as shown in Figure 8a.

Figure 5 illustrates a method of forming a connector member of a connection assembly of the present invention. A sheet is folded along a set of parallel lines, 66 to 68, which form the four side walls 61 to 64 of the SHS section. Consequently, two opposing edges of the planar stock material are brought towards each other so as to be arranged adjacent one another, to form a butt joint. The butt joint is generally formed away from one of the four corners 65 to 68 of the SHS element. The butt joint may be substantially equidistant between two adjacent corners 65 to 68. The SHS element is finished by welding along the butt joint, to form a weld seam. As shown in figure 5d, the welding process may deposit welding material along the butt joint, such that the weld seam is proud of the planar surface of the side walls adjacent the butt joint. The weld seam may protrude in both directions (inwardly and outwardly) along the butt joint. At least one side of the weld seam may be machined, to reduce the extent of protrusion. While it is relatively straightforward to machine the weld seam protruding outwardly from the SHS element, it may be too difficult to access and machine the weld seam which protrudes inwardly from the SHS element, particularly if the SHS section is relatively elongate/long. Consequently, an inwardly protruding welding seam may have to be tolerated on SHS elements.

At least one side wall of the male connector member may comprise at least one aperture and at least one side wall of the female connector member may comprise at least one aperture. When assembled, the respective apertures may be aligned to receive a fixing device therethrough, to prevent separation and/or movement of the male connector member within the female connector member. The fixing device may comprise a screw, rivet, bolt and nut, etc. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein.

Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connection assembly for a support structure comprising: a first component comprising at least one elongate male connector member, the male connector member comprised of four side walls being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the outer face of at least a first side wall is provided with a longitudinal channel, and the outer face of at least a second side wall, opposite to the first side wall, is provided with a mounting member protruding outwardly from the second side wall, a second component comprising at least one elongate female connector member, the female connector member comprised of four side walls being arranged to define a substantially rectangular cross section, wherein the inner face of at least a first side wall is provided with a longitudinal ridge, wherein the longitudinal channel is configured such that the male connector member can be slidably received in the female connector member in a predetermined orientation, in which the longitudinal ridge is received in, but does not contact, the longitudinal channel.
2. A connection assembly according to claim 1, wherein the male and female connector members each have a substantially square cross-section.
3. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal ridge is a welding seam.
4. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the male and female connector members is formed from a single sheet of substantially planar stock material, formed into said rectangular cross section.
5. A connection assembly according to claim 4, wherein said single sheet has two opposing edges which, when formed into said rectangular cross section, are arranged adjacent one another.
6. A connection assembly according to claim 5, wherein the adjacent edges are welded substantially along their length to create said longitudinal ridge comprised of a welding seam.
7. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal channel is formed by plastically deforming the first side wall of the male connector member substantially along its longitudinal axis.
8. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the longitudinal channel and longitudinal ridge is/are located substantially centrally on the respective side wall.
9. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first side wall of the male connector member is of substantially the same thickness along its length and width.
10. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first side wall of the male connector member comprises a primary substantially planar section and a secondary substantially planar section, wherein the longitudinal channel is defined at the intersection of the primary and secondary planar sections.
11. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the longitude ridge is larger than then difference between an outer dimension of the male connector member and an internal dimension of the female connector member.
12. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting member is configured for securement to a further structural element.
13. A connection assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first component comprises two elongate male connector members, each of which is configured to be slidably received in the female connector member of a respective second component in a predefined orientation.
14. A connection assembly according to claim 13, wherein the two elongate male connector members are axially misaligned with respect to one another.
15. A support structure comprising at least one connection assembly according to any preceding claim.