Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: A series of fittinqs for ioininq I or U-beams or other beam cross
sections
Technical Field
The invention relates to a series of fittings for joining I or U-beams or other
5 beam cross sections, such as for instance T, V, Z, H, C as well as particu-
lar types of beam profiles, such as for instance a hollow H-profile of com-
posite materials for bearing structures in form of frames, lattice structures
etc.
The individual fittings of the series of fittings are to be used for joining
10 single profiles of I or U-beams or other types of the above beam cross
sections for said bearing structures which are used within the chemical
industry, offshore, ship construction, water purifying plants, buildings for
EMC-test housings, masts for railways, airports etc.
Backqround Art
15 US-A-5,210,990 discloses wood construction members in form of wood
panels made of wood composite material or a replacement of wood panels
made of solid wood. This publication discloses a way of joining construc-
tion members which are perpendicularto one another by means of a box--
shaped splice block.
20 DE-A-847,068 discloses a joining method by means of wedges being
wedged up between the joining fittings and the metal profiles. Such a
joining cannot be used for transferring a large moment load because the
wedges involve a point load and are difficult to position in practice. The
invention known from this publication is based on the fact that the
25 material is ductile, which is not characteristic of fibre-reinforced plastic
materials, a so-called composite material.
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Brief Descri~tion of the Invention.
The object of the present invention is to provide such fittings which allow
a very fast joining of bearing structures compared to conventional joinings
5 of steel structures, whether said structures are welded or bolted, and
which simultaneously obtain a high strength.
This object is according to the invention obtained by each joint between
adjacent beams being formed by particular fittings of a cross-sectional
profile with a body and flanges fittingly following the body and flanges of
10 the beams on the inner and/or the outer side, and that the particular fit-
tings of each beam joint are shaped as two members when seen in the
longitudinal direction, said two members forming the same angle as the
adjacent beams of the beam joint.
The fittings can be attached to the composite profiles by way of bolting or
15 gluing or a combination thereof. The resulting strength is high because the
fittings cover the largest possible portion of the surface of the profile and
accordingly distribute the forces across the largest possible area. The latter
presents a decisive factor in connection with beams made of a composite
material because the capacity of such beams for resisting point loads is
20 poor. The cross sectional shape of the fittings is adapted to the shape of
the beams so as thereby to obtain a maximum contact surface for trans-
ferring the bending and the tractive/compressive forces, the shearing
stress, the torsional and the moment forces about both the weak and the
strong axis of the profile. In addition, the contact surface reduces the
25 point loads and provides self-supporting properties during the mounting
without the use of wedges etc. The shape of the fittings solves the pro-
blem of the expressed difference between the tensile and bending strength
versus the shearing stress. Finally, in connection with a glue joint, the
shape of the fittings ensure that the forces are transferred by means of a
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shearing stress either onto the body or on~o the flanges no matter which
direction the fittings are subjected to a ioad. The latter is essential to glue
joints because such joints can only absorb shearing stresses.
As indicated in claim 2, the fittings may be made of materials of a differing
5 thickness in the body and the flanges, respectively. Thus a demand often
applies for a larger thickness in the flanges than in the body due to the
prevailing force effects, but the opposite can sometimes be the case.
As indicated in claim 3, the fittings may be perforated in a pattern not
10 involving a reduction of the strength about the bolt openings. The purpose
of using a perforation in connection with the adhesive joint is that both a
mechanical and a chemical adhering is obtained between the fittings and
the profiles, whereby it is possible to visually check the position of the
glue. The perforation is used in connection with metals because the
15 weight of the structure is thereby reduced. Finally, the perforation allows
the use of self-cutting screws in case it is desired.The bolts used may be
ordinary machine bolts, carriage bolts, unbracco bolts with a countersunk
head, as well as self-cutting screws, button-head rivets, ordinary rivets
etc. Here it is possible merely to use a hand drill, and the joinings can
20 typically be carried out in less than 5 minutes.
As stated in claim 4, many different types of materials and material combi-
nations may be used for the individual fittings in response to the use.
Below fibre-reinforced plastics is mentioned in form of thermoset or ther-
moplast or fittings made of metal. Examples of a composite material in
25 form of fibre-reinforced thermoset are for instance polyesters, vinylesters,
bisphenoles, epoxy, phenoles, polyurethane etc. Examples of a composite
material in form of fibre-reinforced thermoplast are polypropylene, poly-
ethylene, acrylnitrilo-butadiene-styrene terpolymer, polyamide, polyethyl-
ene terephthalate and polyurethane. Examples of metals are steel, stain-
30 less steel, zinc, copper, magnesium etc.
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When the fittings are made of composite materials which are anisotropic
materials, the fibre orientation is often +/- 45~, 90~, 0~ in orderto obtain
an optimum shearing stress and torsional rigidity. Such fittings of compo-
site materials are moulded of thermoset or shaped from thermoplast.
5 As stated in claim 5, the individual fittings of a composite material may
comprise tear-off tape or tissue or a glue sheet in the surfaces facing the
beams so as to improve a glue joint. It is obvious, that such a glue joint
can be supplemented with another joint as stated above, such as a bolt
joint.
10 As stated in claim 6, both beams and fittings may be made of the same
material, which is often very advantageous with respect to the strength,
the resilience, the resistance, the isolation, the thermal expansion etc.
As stated in claim 7, the individual fittings may be manufactured either by
way of pultrusion, injection moulding, cold pressing, hot pressing, by hand
15 lay up etc.
As stated in claim 8, the individual fittings may for instance by way of
moulding be provided with drilling instructions for drilling holes for the bolt
joints or rivet joints etc.
According to the invention the fittings follow the angle of the joint, and all
20 angular sizes are possible both in connection with angles in the same
plane, cf. for instance Fig. 5, and in connection with obliquely falling or
rising angles, cf. for instance Fig. 10.
Brief DescriDtion of the Drawings.
The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the
25 accompanying drawings, in which
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Fig. 1 illustrates an l-beam lattice structure of composite material,
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a series of fittings accord-
ing to the invention to be used by the lattice structure of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3a illustrates a plane metal blank for the manufacture of an inner
5 corner fitting to be used at one of the four rectangular corners of Fig. 1, asshown at the angle between the l-beams 1 and 2 of Fig. 2,
Fig. 3b illustrates a corresponding plane blank as in Fig. 3a, but made of
a thermoplastic material, and shown before it is bent into a completed
rectangular inner corner fitting,
10 Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate an inner corner fitting ready-made from the
blank of Fig. 3t), or a corresponding corner fitting made of cast thermo-
plast, Fig. 5a being a perspective view thereof,
Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f illustrate half the inner rectangular corner fitting shown
in 4a, 4b and 4c which is to be used for half an l-beam structure or a T-
15 beam structure, Fig. 5b being a perspective view of the use said T-beam
structure,
Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the joining of two l-beams not forming a
corner by means of the corner joint of Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c,
Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams with the corner
20 fitting of Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f,
.
Fig. 5c is a perspective and an exploded view of the joint between two 1-
beams not forming a corner, said joint using two of the inner corner fit-
tings of Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c as well as a 0~ fitting as shown in Figs. 7a
and 7b,
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Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate an outer corner fitting (270~),
Figs. 7a and 7b illustrate an 0~ fitting,
Fig. 7c is a perspective view of the 0~ fitting of Figs. 7a and 7b arranged
in l-beams of composite material and used for joining two such l-beams,
5 Fig. 7d is a perspective and an exploded view of the joining of two 1-
beams of composite material by means of two 0~ fittings as shown in
Figs. 7a and 7b,
Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a 45~ fitting,
Fig. 8d is a perspective and an exploded view of a joint used in situ in the
10 middle of the lowermost l-beam 1 of Fig. 1 and between said l-beam 1 and
the two adjacent l-beams 6, 7 forming 45~ to their respective sides of the
above first l-beam 1,
Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c illustrate a 135~ inner fitting,
Fig. 9d is a perspective view of the 135~ joint between two l-beams of
15 composite material by means of the inner fitting of Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c,
Figs. 10a and 10b illustrate the joint between two l-beams forming an
angle of 135~ with one another, but in a plane perpendicular to the joining
plane of Fig. 9d, by means of a fitting moulded of thermoset,
Figs. 10c and 10d illustrate the joint between two T-beams forming an
20 angle of 135~ with one another like in Figs. 10a and 10b by means of a
fitting moulding of thermoset,
Fig. 11 a is a perspective view of the joint between two l-beams of com-
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posite material, which are in continuation of one another (0~) by means of
two fittings according to the invention, which together fittingly follow the
body and flanges of the l-beams,
Fig. 1 1 b is a perspective view of a corresponding joint as in Fig. 11 a, but
5 where the l-beams are perpendicular to one another and form a corner,
Fig. 11c is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams arranged
perpendicular to one another and forming a corner by means of two fit-
tings according to the invention, which together fittingly follow the body
and flange of said T-beams,
10 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the joint between two hollow H-profile
beams in continuation of one another (0~) by means of corresponding
fittings as in Fig. 1 1 a, and
Figs. 13a and 13b illustrate a 45~ joining of a through profile and an
adjacent T- profile, and Figs. 14a and 14b illustrate a 90~ joining of a
15 through profile and an adjacent l-profile.
Fig. 1 illustrates a lattice structure of l-beams of composite material. In the
Figure, the individual beams 1 to 7 are shaped as shown, the bodies of the
beams being indicated by means of dotted lines. A sectional view along
the line A-A of Fig. 1 illustrates the cross section of the beam. The illu-
20 strated lattice structure is 1.5 m in any direction. As shown, the beams 6and 7 form an angle of 90~, and together with the beam 1 they form
angles of 45~ to their respective sides.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the individual types of fittings and their
use in the lattice structure of Fig. 1.
25 Fig. 3a illustrates a plane rectangular metal blank with a perforated pat-
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tern, said metal blank being intended for the manufacture of a fitting
according to the invention. Notches 10, 1 1, 12, 13 are punched out from
the longitudinal edges 14, 15. These notches form angles of 45~ with a
central line 18 parallel to the short edges 16, 17.
5 The metal blank of fig. 3a comprises bending lines 19, 20 parallel to the
longitudinal edges and extending through the intersection of the notches
10, 1 1, 12, 13 with the central line 18.
A 90~ bending along the bending lines 19, 20 results in a profile of a U-
shaped cross section, said profile subsequently being bent 90~ around the
10 central line 18. Then the edges 10 and 1 1 are welded together with the
edges 12 and 13 which results in an inner corner joint to be used at one
of the four rectangular corners, such as in the corner between the l-beams
1 and 2 of Fig 1.
Fig. 3b illustrates a corresponding plane blank as in Fig. 3a, but made of
1~ a thermoplastic material, and shown before it is bent into a completed
rectangular inner corner fitting, The mating parts of Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b are
provided with the same reference numerals. It should be noted that no
notches are punched out in Fig. 3b like in Fig. 3a. Instead, slots 21, 22 are
provided parallel to the short edges 16, 17, said slots projecting from the
20 long edges until the bending lines 19, 20. When the thermoplast material
of Fig. 3b is bent about a line coinciding with the lines 21, 22, the exceed-
ing portions of the material at the flanges overlap one another and melt
together due to the heat supplied during the moulding process. It is ob-
vious that the blank shown in Fig. 3b of thermoplastic material can also be
25 provided with a perforated pattern as shown in connection with the the
metal blank of Fig. 3a.
Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate an inner corner fitting ready-made from the
blank of Fig. 3b. This fitting can also be a corner fitting moulded of
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thermoset.
Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f illustrate half the inner rectangular corner fitting shown
in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c. This fitting comprises thus only one flange and half
the body.
5 Fig. 5a is a perspective view of the joining of two l-beams 30 and 31 not
forming a corner by means of the corner fitting of Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c.
This corner fitting is designated 32 in Fig. 5a.
Fig. 5b is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams 33 and 34 by
means of a corner fitting 35 of the type shown in Figs. 4d, 4e and 4f.
10 Fig. 5c is a perspective and an exploded view of the joint between two 1-
beams 36 and 37. The l-beam 37 is at the end facing the l-beam 36 pro-
vided with a nose 45. This nose results from further portions of the
flanges of the l-beam being removed in such a manner that the body of the
l-beam no longer projects so as to enter between the flanges on the
15 I-beam 36. This is not a particular object of the invention, but it serves toreinforce the joining additionally. Two corner fittings 32 as shown in Fig.
5a as well as an 0~ fitting 38 are used for the joint. All the members are
made of the same type of composite material, and the joining is performed
by way of gluing followed by bolting as indicated by the bolts 39 and nuts
20 40 shown.
Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate an outer corner fitting 41, i.e. the bodies 42
and 43 of the two parts of the fitting form an angle about a "bending line"
44. This fitting can be manufactured directly by moulding of thermoset.
Then no actual bending is to be performed about the line 44.
25 Figs. 7a and 7b illustrate a 0~ fitting 38 used in the middle at the top of
Fig. 2 or Fig. 1, the same type of fitting being used on the inner side and
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the outer side for interconnecting the l-profiles of Fig.1 in the middle. Fig.
7c is a perspective view of the 0~ fitting of Figs. 7a and 7b arranged in 1-
beams of composite material for interconnecting two such l-beams. Corre-
spondingly, Fig. 7_ is a perspective and an exploded view of the joining of
5 I-beams of composite material by means of two 0~ fittings as shown in
Figs. 7a and 7b.
Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a 45~ fitting, and Fig. 8d is a perspective
and an exploded view of a joint between three l-beams by means of two
45~ fittings and a 90~ fitting as well as a 0~ fitting. This joint can for
10 instance be the joint shown in the middle of the l-beam of Fig. 1, where
said beam meets the two l-beams 6 and 7. Therefore the l-beams of Fig.
8d are designated in the same manner as the l-beams at the location in
question in Fig. 1. The joining is performed by means of a rectangular
fitting 32, two 45~ fittings 50 and a 0~ fitting 38. All these fittings can
15 for instance be made of a composite material of the same type, and the
fittings can either be moulded of thermoset or made of thermoplast. The
fittings fit tightly in the l-profiles in the manner described in claim 1. The
joining can be performed as a glue joining, and in order to improve the glue
joining the fittings can be provided with tear-off tape ensuring that the
20 glued surfaces are kept clean. Then the joint can be further reinforced by
means of the screws 39 and nuts 40 shown. As an alternative, the fittings
can be provided with a glue sheet in such a manner that after the tearing
off of the sheet the fittings comprise an uncovered glue surface on the
bodies and flanges facing the l-beams. For the drilling of holes for the
25 screws 39, this embodiment as well as all the other shown and described
embodiments can be provided with drilling instructions in form of small
recesses in the composite material of the fittings at the locations where
said holes are to be manufactured.
Figs. 9a, 9b and 9c illustrate a 135~ inner fitting 60, Fig. 9d being a
30 perspective view of said inner fitting. This fitting serves to join the two
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illustrated l-beams 61 and 62. On the opposite side of the joint of Fig. 9d
it is, of course, possible to attach a second fitting following the body and
the flanges of the l-beams in a corresponding manner.
Figs. 1 0a and 1 0b illustrate the joining of two l-beams 71 and 72 by
5 means of a fitting 70 in such a manner that here the beams form an angle
of 135~, but in a plane perpendicular to the joining plane of Fig. 9d. The
illustrated fitting 70 is preferably manufactured by way of moulding of
thermoset. Here too a corresponding fitting is provided on the opposite
side of the joint of the l-beams 71, 72.
10 Figs. 10c and 10d illustrate the joining of two T-beams 81 and 82 by
means of a fitting 80 essentially corresponding to half the fitting 70 of
Figs. 10a and 10b. This fitting is also preferably moulded of thermoset.
Fig. 1 1 a is a perspective view of the joining of two l-beams of composite
material. These two l-beams 91 and 100, respectively, are arranged in
15 continuation of one another, and they are joined by means of two identical
fittings 90 which together fittingly follow the body and flanges of the
beams, said two fittings being in contact in the line of symmetry of the
flanges of the beams 91, 92.
Fig. 1 1 b is a perspective view of a joining like the joining of Fig. 1 1 a, but
20 whereby l-beams 101 and 102 are perpendicular to one another and form
a corner. In this case the inner corner fitting 103 differs from the outer
corner fitting 104 in the manner illustrated.
Fig. 1 1 c is a perspective view of the joining of two T-beams 1 1 1 and 1 12
arranged perpendicular to one another and forming a corner by means of
25 two fittings 1 13 and 1 14, which together fittingly follow the body and the
flange of the T-beams.
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Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the joining of two particular profiles, viz.
two hollow H-profile beams 121 and 122 by means of corresponding
fittings 90 shown in Fig. 1 1 a.
Fig. 1 3 illustrates the joining of a through T-profile 131 and an adjacent T-
5 profile 132. This joining is performed by means of a fitting 80 of the typeshown in Figs. 10c and 10d, and such a fitting 80 is preferably arranged
on both sides of the T-profiles.
Fig. 14 illustrates a 90~ joint between a through l-profile 141 and an
adjacent l-profile 142. This joint is provided by means of a particularly
10 moulded fitting 140 preferably moulded of thermoset. This fitting 140
comprises a base member 143 and two U-shaped profile members 144
and 145 interspaced a distance corresponding to the body of the vertical
l-profile 142. This fitting is attached to the l-profiles in such a manner that
initially the fitting is pushed downwards over the vertical l-profile 143
15 whereafter the horizontal through l-profile 141 is placed on the base mem-
ber 143 which in turn is then attached to the horizontal through l-profile
141 by means of bolt connections optionally not until the joining has been
performed in advance by means of gluing.
