Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: BEAM-COLUMN CLAMP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to building construction, and in particular,
to a clamp for securing a beam to a column.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the building construction process, it is typically necessary at
some point to securely connect a beam to a column. One known beam to
column connection, particularly useful for securing metal beams to metal
columns, requires welding the beam to the column.
[0003] This prior art beam-column connection has numerous
disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is that the use of welding
equipment on construction sites creates a significant risk of fire. This in
turn
increases the cost of construction by increasing the cost of insurance.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a beam column connection
which does not require welding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an improved beam column
clamp which permits a beam to be secured to a column without welding.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for
clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus
comprises a base securable to the first end of the column, first and second
clamping members movably connected to the base, and a moving means for
moving the clamping members between a released position and a clamped
position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus for
clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus
comprises:
(i) a base defining a bore therein;
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(ii) first and second clamping members movably connected to the base,
wherein the first and second clamping members are movable between a
released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are
clamped to the beam;
(iii) first and second racks connected to the first and second clamping
members, respectively;
(iv) first and second pinions rotatably connected to the base, wherein the
first
pinion engages the first rack and the second pinion engages the second rack;
and
(v) a sprocket adapted for connection to the first end of the column, wherein
the sprocket is adapted to pass through the bore and engage the first and
second racks to secure the clamping members in the clamped position.
[0008] According to a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus for
clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus
comprises a base securable to the first end of the column, first and second
clamping members movably connected to the base, and a moving assembly
for moving the clamping members between a released position and a
clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of
the beam-column clamp according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment in the
clamped position;
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in the open position; and
Figure 5 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in the clamped position.
I I
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Figures 1 and 2 show a beam-column clamp apparatus 10 for
connecting a column 12 to a beam 14, according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The column may have a first end, such as upper end
42, and second end, such as lower end 44. The beam-column clamp 10 is
particularly suited for securing an I-beam or other beam having a flange 16 to
the column 12, which preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape.
[0011] Referring to Figure 1, the beam-column clamp 10 comprises a
preferably rectangular base 20, which includes upwardly depending opposing
sides 22a, 22b. A channel 24a, 24b is formed in each side 22a, 22b,
respectively. Two spaced apart pinions 26a, 26b are rotatably connected to
the base 20 in any suitable fashion. The base 20 includes a preferably
circular
central bore 28 located between the pinions 26a,b. Each pinion 26a, 26b
engages a corresponding rack 30a, 30b, respectively, for sliding movement of
the racks within the channels 24a, 24b. Each rack 30a, 30b is connected to a
corresponding clamping member 32a, 32b which has a hook-shaped distal
portion 34 to securely engage the lower flange 16 of the beam 14 (shown in
Fig. 2). Each clamping member 32a, 32b is secured to the corresponding
rack 30a, 30b in any suitable fashion, such as by threaded fasteners 31
received in threaded openings 33 in the clamping members 32a, 32b and
threaded openings 35 in the racks 30a, 30b.
[0012] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the beam-column clamp 10
includes a circular column plate 40 fitted within the inside diameter of the
upper end 42 of the column 12 in any suitable fashion. A locking member,
such as a sprocket 46, is secured to the column plate 40 in any suitable
fashion, such as by welding or fasteners. The sprocket 46 is sized to pass
through the circular bore 28 and engage the pinions 26a, 26b.
[0013] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the sprocket
46 may be secured to the upper end 42 of column 12 in any suitable fashion.
For example, the column plate may have any shape, such as a rectangle.
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The rectangular column plate may rest on top of the column 12 and be
secured to the column by welding.
[0014] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the lower end 44 of the column
12 includes a threaded opening 50 which receives an upper end of a threaded
adjustment rod 52. The lower end of the adjustment rod 52 is connected to a
foot plate 54. An adjustment nut 56 is secured to the adjustment rod 52.
[0015] The foot plate 54 has a plurality of holes 60 to receive fasteners
62 to secure the foot plate 54 to a surface, such as a foundation 70.
Preferably, the foot plate 54 has a curved or "dished" surface.
[0016] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention will now be described.
[0017] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the base 20 of the beam-column
clamp 10 is positioned below the lower flange 16 of the beam 14. The
clamping members 32a, 32b are moved into the open position (shown in Fig.
4). The clamping members 32a, 32b are then pushed together into the
clamped position, such that they engage the flange 16 of the beam 14. This
clamped position is best shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5.
[0018] Referring now to Figure 4, the inward movement of the clamping
members 32a, 32b causes the corresponding racks 30a, 30b to move inward
and the corresponding pinions 26a, 26b to rotate.
[0019] Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, the column 12 is then
positioned under the base 20 such that the circular bore 28 is lined up with
the
sprocket 46. The column 12 is raised such that the sprocket 46 passes
through the circular bore 28 and engages the pinions 26a, 26b. Because the
sprocket 46 is fixed in relation to the column plate 40, the pinions 26a, 26b
can no longer rotate without the column 12 also rotating.
[0020] Referring now to Figures 1-3, the threaded rod 52 is then turned
using the nut 56 until the foot plate 54 is in contact with the foundation 70.
The fasteners 62 are then used to secure the foot plate 54 to the foundation
70.
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[0021] Securing the foot plate 54 to the foundation 70 causes the
clamping members 32a, 32b to be locked in the clamped position.
Specifically, the threaded rod 52 is prevented from rotating because it is
secured to the foundation 70 at its lower end. The column 12 is prevented
from rotating relative to the threaded rod 52, because to do so would require
the column 12 to move vertically. The column 12 is prevented from moving
vertically because it is secured to the beam 14 at its upper end 42 by the
clamping members 32a, 32b. Consequently, the sprocket 46 is prevented
from rotating, thereby restricting the clamping members 32a, 32b from moving
out of the clamped position.
[0022] While the present invention as herein shown and described in
detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the
invention,
it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the
present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is
broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present
invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious
to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only
one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and
functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred
embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary
skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are
intended
to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a
device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by
the present invention, for it is to be encompassed by the present claims.
