Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CONNECTION APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
100011 The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for
connecting two
objects. For example, the apparatus and method may be used to connect objects
such as truss
sections to provide a single truss structure. Truss structures may be used to
support displays,
lighting systems, or sound systems for concerts, festivals, trade shows or in
theatres. Each time
they are used, truss structures are assembled from individual truss sections.
Once a concert,
festival, or trade show has concluded the truss structures are disassembled
and the truss sections
are transported to other venues or to storage facilities.
Background of the Invention
100021 Connection apparatus may be used in a variety of applications and
industries. In one
application, connection apparatus may be used to interconnect truss sections.
Truss sections may
be used in a variety of industries, including the entertainment industry,
where they are used for
the construction of truss structures for mounting lighting, cameras, displays,
and speaker
systems. Truss structures are commonly used in entertainment (and in
particular concert) venues
for this purpose.
100031 Although some means are needed to secure lighting, sound, camera, and
display
equipment for concerts, not all entertainment venues are equipped with such
means.
Accordingly, in some cases truss sections are transported to the venue and a
truss structure is
assembled on site. Because renting of a venue is costly, it is desirable for
truss structures to be
assembled and disassembled quickly to minimize rental costs. Assembling such a
truss structure
can be large and complex job.
100041 Truss structures are typically constructed by placing truss sections
adjacent to one
another and joining them together using connection apparatus. In order to form
a single unitary
whole, each truss section comprises means for connecting with other truss
assemblies. For
example, the connecting means may comprise a set of connection openings that
may be aligned
as between separate truss sections and through which connection hardware, such
as pins or bolts,
may be inserted to create firm connection points.
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100051 Truss sections are normally shipped out to venues from a central
storage facility or
possibly from a number of disparate storage facilities. Connection hardware
must be present at
the venue in order for the truss sections to be assembled.
100061 Connection hardware and fasteners are quite small relative to the truss
sections and as a
result may be stored separately from the truss sections. Alternatively, the
disassembler may
choose to attach the connection hardware to individual truss sections for
storage. However, there
is no guarantee that the connection hardware is stored in a consistent manner
such that truss
sections that are delivered to a sit arrive with an appropriate amount of
connection hardware. The
lack of appropriate connection hardware may lead to delays and increase in the
time required to
assemble the truss structure.
Brief Description of the Drawings
100071 The following drawings illustrate examples of the components of the
invention disclosed
herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are
substantially similar
can use other components that have a different appearance.
100081 Figure 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the connection
apparatus depicting a
first connection segment, a bolt with a T-shaped locking end and a second
connection segment.
100091 Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the first connection segment
shown in Figure 1
including, a bolt with a T-shaped locking end, washers, a nut and two
stoppers.
100101 Figure 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of a truss section depicting
an end thereof with
an attached first connection segment and a second connection segment.
100111 Figure 4 is an isometric view of a truss structure depicting two truss
sections, each
having mounted a first connection segment and a second connection segment and
further
depicting the first and second connection sections of the truss connection
apparatus in a locked
position.
100121 Figure 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure
2, further
illustrating a pin retainer 0-ring and beam retainer bolts.
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100131 Figure 6 is an exploded isometric view of a further embodiment of the
connection
apparatus.
100141 Figure 7 is an isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 6 showing the
bolt extending
through the first connection segment.
100151 Figure 8 is a further isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 7
showing the nut
threaded on the bolt, and the retainer ring on the end of the bolt.
100161 Figure 9 is a further isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 8
showing the bolt
extending through the first connection segment and the bolt pivoted on an
angle from Axis A.
100171 Figure 10 is a further isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 9
showing the first
connection segment and second connection segment in close proximity.
100181 Figure 11 is a further isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 10
showing the bolt
positioned parallel to Axis A and the locking end of the bolt being spaced
from the outer surface
of the second connection segment.
100101 Figure 12 is a further isometric view of the embodiment in Figure 11
showing the
locking end of the bolt being engaged with the securing means of the second
connection
segment.
100201 Figure 13 is an isometric view of a first connection segment and a
second connection
segment of Figure 6 attached to a truss section.
100211 Figure 14 is an isometric view of first connection segment and a second
connection
segment of Figure 6 attached to another truss section..
100221 Figure 15 is an isometric view of the truss section of Figure 13 and
the truss section of
Figure 14 in close proximity, and the bolts positioned on an angle from Axis
A.
100231 Figure 16 is a further isometric view of the truss structure in Figure
15 showing the bolts
positioned parallel with Axis A and the locking end of the bolt spaced apart
from the outer
surface of the second connection segment.
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100241 Figure 17 is a further isometric view of the truss structure of Figure
16 showing the
locking end of the bolt engaged with the securing means on the outer surface
of the second
connection segment.
10025] Figure 18 is an exploded isometric view of the first connection segment
and the rotatable
joint of Figure 6.
100261 Figure 19 is an isometric view of the first connection segment 80 and
the rotatable joint
108 of Figure 6.
100271 Figure 20 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
connection apparatus
depicting a first connection segment, second connection segment, bolt, and
nut.
100281 Figure 21 is a plan view of the second connection segment of the
embodiment shown in
Figure 20.
100291 Figure 22 is a side view of the second connection segment of the
embodiment shown in
Figure 21.
100301 Figure 23 is an isometric view of the bolt of the embodiment shown in
Figure 20.
Detailed Description
100311 The present invention relates to a connection apparatus and method to
allow efficient
assembly of structures.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a connection
apparatus that has a
first fastener. a threaded end, a locking end opposite the threaded end, and a
shaft between the
locking end and the threaded end. Also provided is a second fastener adapted
to receive the
threaded end of the first fastener. Also provided is a first connection
segment, the first
connection segment has a first opening dimensioned to receive the threaded end
and the shaft of
the first fastener, the first opening is further adapted to allow the first
fastener to pivot radially
within the opening between a first position and a second position, whereby the
first position is at
an angle relative to the second position. Also provided is a second connection
segment that has a
body. The body has a side opening adapted to receive the shaft of the first
fastener and allows the
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first fastener to pivot between the first position and the second position.
The second connection
segment also has an outer surface and a securing means on the outer surface
which is adapted to
fixably secure the locking end. When the first fastener extends through the
first connection
segment in the first position and the first and second connection segments are
aligned and
brought in proximity, the first fastener is aligned with the side opening of
the second connection
segment and outside the body of the second connection segment. When the first
fastener is in the
second position, the first fastener is inside the body of the second
connection segment. When the
second fastener is threaded and tightened to the threaded end of the first
fastener and the locking
end of the first fastener engages the outer surface of the body of the second
connection segment,
the first fastener is prevented from rotational or axial movement and the
first and second
connection segments are fixed relative to each other.
100331 In another aspect, the first opening of the first connection segment
has a rotatable joint,
the rotatable joint comprising an opening for receiving the first fastener.
When the first fastener
is received through the opening of the rotatable joint, the first fastener is
pivotable radially
between the first position and the second position.
100341 In a further aspect, the outer surface of the second connection segment
has a securing
means. When the second fastener is threaded and tightened to the threaded end
of the first
fastener and the locking end of the first fastener engages the securing means,
the first fastener is
prevented from rotational or axial movement and the first and second
connection segments are
fixed relative to each other.
100351 In yet a further aspect, the securing means has a cavity corresponding
in shape to the
locking end of the first fastener.
100361 In another aspect, the first fastener is a bolt and the second fastener
is a nut.
100371 In a further aspect, the threaded end of the first connection segment
has a stopper. The
stopper is wider than the inner diameter of the second fastener wherein the
second fastener is
prevented from removal from the first fastener.
100381 In yet a further aspect, the stopper is a retainer ring and wherein the
threaded end of the
first fastener further comprises a channel for receiving the retainer ring.
CA 2 98 71 7 6 2 01 7-1 1-30
100391 In another aspect, the locking end of the first fastener is dimensioned
such that it is
prevented from passing through the first opening of the first connection
segment.
100401 In a further aspect, the connection apparatus interconnects a first
object and a second
object. The first connection segment is integral with the first object, and
the second connection
segment is integral with the second object.
100411 In yet a further aspect, the first object is a first truss section and
the second object is a
second truss section.
100421 In an embodiment of the present invention, a truss section is provided
with at least one
first connection segment for connection to a corresponding second connection
segment on a
second truss section. Each of the at least one first connection segments
comprises an aperture
dimensioned to receive therethrough the threaded end and the shaft of a first
fastener. The
aperture is adapted to allow the first fastener to pivot radially within the
aperture between a first
position and a second position. The first position is at an angle relative to
the second position.
The corresponding second connection segment comprises a body, comprising a
side opening
adapted to receive the shaft of the first fastener and further adapted to
allow the first fastener to
pivot between the first position and the second position, and an outer surface
comprising a
securing means adapted to fixably secure the locking end of the first
fastener. When the first
fastener extends through the aperture of the first connection segment in the
first position and the
first and second connection segments are aligned and brought in proximity, the
first fastener is
aligned with the side opening of the second connection segment and outside the
body of the
second connection segment. When the first fastener is in the second position
inside the side
opening, the first fastener is inside the body of the second connection
segment. When the second
fastener is tightened to the threaded end of the first fastener and the
locking end of the first
fastener engages the outer surface of the body of the second connection
segment, the first
fastener is prevented from rotational or axial movement and the first and
second connection
segments are fixed relative to each other.
100431 In a further aspect, the aperture of the first connection segment of
the truss section further
comprises a rotatable joint which is rotatably fixed to the first connection
segment, the rotatable
joint comprising an aperture for receiving the first fastener. When the first
fastener is received
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through the aperture of the rotatable joint, the first fastener is pivotable
radially between the first
position and the second position.
100441 In yet a further aspect, the outer surface of the corresponding second
connection segment
comprises a securing means. When the second fastener is threaded and tightened
to the threaded
end of the first fastener and the locking end of the first fastener engages
the securing means, the
first fastener is prevented from rotational or axial movement and the first
and second connection
segments are fixed relative to each other.
100451 In another aspect, the securing means comprises a cavity substantially
corresponding in
shape to the locking end of the first fastener.
100461 In yet another aspect, the locking end of the first fastener is
dimensioned such that it is
prevented from passing through the aperture of the first connection segment.
100471 While the present invention is described below primarily in relation
truss sections and
truss structures, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
the present invention
may be used to interconnect other objects and structures.
100481 Reference will now be made to Figure 1, which provides an isometric
view of an
embodiment of the connection apparatus 10 of the present invention.
100491 The connection apparatus 10 comprises a first connection segment 20 and
a second
connection segment 30 and a bolt 40. The first connection segment 20 is
adapted so that it can be
securely attached to a first truss section (not shown in Figure 1) and
similarly, the second
connection segment 30 is adapted so that it can be attached to a second truss
section (not shown
in Figure 1). The first and second connection segments 20 and 30 can be
attached to truss
sections through a variety of means such as through welding, bolting, or
fastening. Also, first and
second connection segments 20 and 30 can be integral with a truss section. In
the present
embodiment, the first and second connection segments 20 and 30 are each
equipped with two
truss attachment holes 22 and 32, which correspond to holes in the truss (item
55 in Figure 3)
and are adapted to receive a bolt (not shown in Figure 1) for attachment to
the respective trusses.
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100501 The first connection segment 20 and second connection segment 30 can be
securely
connected together using bolt 40. Bolt 40 has a threaded end 41, a shaft 42
and a locking end 43.
In the embodiment of Figure 1 the locking end 43 is depicted as a T-shaped
portion comprising
a pair of protrusions 44 extending radially outwards from the shaft 42. The
locking end 43 need
not be configured as a T-shape and may be configured in other shapes suitable
for locking an
adjacent truss section. The locking end is provided with at least one
protrusion from the shaft
such that it can be received by and run through an opening in a second
connection segment, for
example borehole 31, while bolt 40 is in a first orientation. When the bolt 40
is rotated to a
second orientation, it is "locked" in that it can no longer be received by or
run through borehole
31. Moreover, the protrusions 44 are adapted to slot into a securing means 34
such that the bolt
40 may not be rotated when the locking end 43 is slotted into said securing
means 34. Once
slotted, the threaded nut 46 may be tightened to secure bolt 40 in place so as
to not allow
movement along the bolt's axis. The first and second connection segments (20
and 30) are thus
locked in place relative to one another until the nut 46 is loosened.
100511 The first connection segment 20 has an opening, for example borehole
21, dimensioned
to receive the shaft 42 of the bolt 40. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the
borehole 21 is
dimensioned such that the locking end 43 with protrusions 44 cannot pass
though the borehole
21, thus maintaining one end of the bolt 40 in the borehole 21 as long as nut
46 is on the threaded
end 41. The dimensions of borehole 21 can be more clearly seen in Figure 2 and
are further
described below.
100521 Also depicted in Figure 1 is the second connection segment 30 which has
a borehole 31
dimensioned to receive the shaft 42 of the bolt 40. The borehole 31 must also
be dimensioned to
allow the locking end 43 to pass through the borehole 31 in a first
orientation but prevent it from
passing through when the bolt 40 is rotated to another orientation. The second
connection
segment 30 has an outer surface 33 comprising a securing means 34. In the
embodiment depicted
in Figure 1, securing means 34 is shaped as a linear slot and adapted to
receive protrusions 44 of
locking end 43 of bolt 40. Other shapes and dimensions may be provided as a
means of securing
the locking end 43 of bolt 40. Shaft 42 of bolt 40 must be of a sufficient
length to, at least, allow
the locking end 43 to pass through borehole 31 to the outer surface 33 for
interaction with
securing means 34 while allowing the threaded end 41 to protrude from borehole
21 on the outer
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surface 48 of the first connection segment 20 such that the nut 46 may be
threaded but not
tightened. When the locking end 43 of the bolt 40 passes through borehole 31,
it can be rotated to
an orientation where the pair of protrusions 44 prevent it from being able to
pass back through
the borehole 31. Figure 1 shows bolt 40 rotated to an orientation whereby
locking end 43 is not
be able to be received by borehole 31.
100531 In the embodiment of Figure 1 the securing means 34 takes the form of a
linear slot. The
slot 34 corresponds with the shape of the pair of protrusions 44 such that the
protrusions 44 fit
into the slot 34 as the nut 46 is tightened onto the threaded end 46 of the
bolt 40 and the bolt 40
is prevented from rotating to the first orientation by the edges of the slot
34 interacting with the
protrusions 44 on the locking end 43. Thus, one the nut 46 is tightened and
the protrusions 44 are
engaged with the securing means 34, the bolt 40 remains in place to secure the
truss sections.
The slot 34 depicted in Figure 1 is one embodiment of a securing means and
embodiments of
different shapes or sizes would perform similarly. Such other embodiments
could include a pair
of protrusions extending outwards from the outer surface 33 in a manner that
allows them to
secure the locking end 43 and prevent it from rotating.
100541 In an alternate embodiment from that depicted in Figure 1, the borehole
in the first
connection segment may be dimensioned to receive not only the shaft of the
bolt but also the
locking end. In this embodiment the bolt is not securely maintained within the
opening in the
first connection segment even when a nut is secured onto the threaded end.
While this
embodiment does not provide the advantage of maintaining the connection
hardware within the
first connection segment for ease of storage, it has the alternative advantage
that the first
connection segment and the second connection segment may be identical and thus
used
interchangeably. There would be fewer parts to manufacture and assembly may be
simplified as
there would be no need to align a first connection segment with a
complementary second
connection segment if they may both be used with either the locking end or the
threaded end of a
fastener.
100551 In a further embodiment, the opening in either the first or second
connection segment can
be equipped with a gasket. During operation, when the bolt is disposed within
the opening, the
gasket abuts the surface of the shaft of the bolt. In one embodiment, the
gasket may a rubber or
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plastic 0-ring. The gasket operates to fill the space between the opening and
the bolt, creating
friction that resists rotational or axial movement of the bolt. This prevents
the bolt fastener from
sliding freely within the first opening and provides for more controlled
operation and a more
secure connection between truss sections.
100561 Figure 2 is an isometric exploded view providing more detail of the
parts of the first
connection segment 20. Figure 2 shows bolt 40 prior to insertion into borehole
21. In this
embodiment, the inside of borehole 21 comprises a ridge 23 for receiving a
retaining means,
such as an 0-ring (which is shown in Figure 5 and labelled "Pin retainer 0
ring"). This retaining
means may be used to limit the amount that the bolt 40 slides within the
borehole 21 and may
help in reduce the likelihood of the bolt 40 inadvertently sliding out of the
borehole 21 during
assembly or disassembly of a truss structure, or while the various truss
components are in transit.
In this embodiment, the threaded end 42 will fit into borehole 21 but the
protrusions 44 of
locking end 43 prevent it from passing the whole way through. Once the
threaded end 42 is
received by borehole 21, the washers 45, nut 46 and stopper 47 can be secured
to the threaded
end 42 thus securing bolt 40 within borehole 21 such that bolt 40 can slide
the length of shaft 41
within borehole 21 but is retained by the protrusions 44 at locking end 43 and
nut 46 and stopper
47 at threaded end 42.
100571 Figure 2 shows bolt 40 rotated to an orientation whereby locking end 43
would be able to
be received by borehole 31 as shown in Figure 1.
100581 The threaded end 41 of bolt 40 may comprise a stopper 47 (depicted in
Figure 2).
Stopper 47 can prevent the bolt 40 from sliding out from the borehole 21, or
the nut 46 from
sliding off of the bolt 40 if unthreaded. The skilled person will appreciate
that providing a
stopper 47 provides at least the advantage of having the bolt 40 and all the
connection hardware
(nut, washers, etc.) securely captured by the first connection segment 20 such
that it is less likely
to get lost during assembly/disassembly, transit, or storage. In the
embodiment depicted in
Figure 2, stopper 47 comprises a pair of 0-rings which may be fitted on the
threaded end 41 of
bolt 40. In this embodiment, a retaining ridge 48 is provided for holding the
0-rings 47 in place.
100591 In certain circumstances, it may be preferable to allow bolt 40 to be
removed from the
first connection segment 20. This can be achieved by omitting the stopper 47
or providing a
CA 2987176 2017-11-30
removable stopper 47 from the threaded end 41, thus allowing the nut 46 to be
removed from the
bolt, and the bolt 40 to be removed from the borehole 21. This can also be
achieved through a
different configuration of the borehole 21 in the first connection segment 20
whereby it is
dimensioned to allow the locking end 43 to pass through the borehole 21 in one
orientation but
prevent locking end 46 from passing through when the bolt 40 is rotated to
another orientation.
100601 Figure 3 shows the end portion of truss section 50 with a first
connection segment 20 and
second connection segment 30 attached. Truss section 50 is made from four
tubes 51 connected
at each end by four end beams 52 to form a rectangular prism shape. The
embodiment shown in
Figure 3 has diagonal braces 53 to provide additional rigidity. Truss sections
come in many
shapes and sizes. The truss connection apparatus of the present invention can
be adapted to
connect truss sections of various different shaped tubes and beams to achieve
a truss structure of
the desired shape and strength depending on the specific application.
100611 As depicted in Figure 3, the end of truss section 50 is equipped with
four attachment
plates 54. Each attachment plate 54 has a hole 55 to allow for first or second
connection
segments 20 and 30 to be attached to the truss section 50. Holes 55 are
positioned and
dimensioned to correspond with the respective truss attachment holes 22 and 32
of the first and
second connection segments 20 and 30.
100621 Figure 4 depicts truss section 50 attached to a second truss section
60. Second truss
section 60 has similar structure as truss section 50 but is equipped with
first and second
connection segments 20 and 30 in a way that correspond with the first and
second connection
segments 20 and 30 of truss section 50. In particular, the first connection
segment 20 attached to
truss section 50 should be aligned with the second connection segment 30 of
truss section 60
such that the borehole 21 of first connection segment 20 aligns with the
borehole 31 of second
connection segment 30. The first connection segment 20 of truss section 60 is
similarly aligned
with its counterpart, second connection segment 30 of truss section 50. When
assembling a truss
structure, the ends of truss section 50 and second truss section 60 are
brought together and abut
against each other creating a close fit.
[00631 The truss sections depicted in Figures 3 and 4 are but one example and
the ends of the
truss sections can be adapted in many different ways to allow truss sections
to abut or interlock.
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100641 To assemble a truss structure using the truss connection apparatus, the
following method
may be used. If a first connection segment 20 does not already have a bolt 40
passing through
borehole 21, the threaded end 41 of bolt 40 is passed through borehole 21 of
first connection
segment 20. Washers 45, nut 46, and 0-rings 47 are then secured to the end of
bolt 40.
10065] The first truss connection segment 20 is attached to a truss section 50
while a second
connection segment 30 is secured to a second truss section 60. If the first
and second connection
segments (20 and 30) are integral with said truss sections, then this step is
not needed. The ends
of truss section 50 and second truss section 60 are then brought together such
that the ends of the
truss sections abut one another, and such that the borehole 21 of first
connection segment 20 and
borehole 31 of second connection segment 30 are aligned. The locking end 43 of
bolt 40 of the
first connection segment 20 can be inserted through the borehole 31 of the
second connection
segment 30. The bolt 40 must be inserted such that the protrusions 44 extend
past the outer
surface 33 of second connection segment 30, such that bolt 40 may be rotated.
Bolt 40 can then
be rotated to an orientation whereby it locking end 43 cannot be received by
borehole 31. As nut
46 is tightened, bolt 40 is put into tension and the protrusions 44 of locking
end 43 are drawn
into slot 34 to prevent rotation of bolt 40 back to an orientation whereby it
can be received by
borehole 31. As nut 46 is tightened to an appropriate torque on each bolt 40,
it creates a secure
connection between the respective first and second connection segments 20 and
30, which in turn
creates a secure connection between truss section 50 and second truss section
60.
100661 Truss sections can be shaped and dimensioned differently. The number
and placement of
truss connection apparatus 10 required to create an appropriate connection
will vary based on a
number of factors including the type, shape dimension, material and weight of
the truss section,
the loads that will be applied to the truss, the interface between trusses
being connected and the
overall geometry of the truss structure being assembled.
100671 Figures 6-19 illustrate a further embodiment of truss connection
apparatus 70.
100681 Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of truss connection apparatus 70.
The apparatus
comprises a first truss connection segment 80 a second truss connection
segment 90, and a first
fastener 100. In this embodiment, the first fastener is a bolt. The first
connection segment 80 is
adapted so that it can be securely attached to a first truss section (not
shown in Figure 6) and
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similarly, the second connection segment 90 is adapted so that it can be
attached to a second
truss section (not shown in Figure 6). The first and second connection
segments 80 and 90 can
be attached to truss sections through a variety of means such as through
welding, bolting, or
fastening. In this embodiment, the first and second connection segments 80 and
90 are each
respectively equipped with two truss attachment holes 82 and 92, which
correspond to holes in
the truss (items 131 and 132 in Figures 13 and 14) and are adapted to receive
a screw 84.
Screws 84 secure the first and second connection segments 80 and 90 to
respective trusses. Also,
first and second connection segments 80 and 90 can be integral with a truss
section (not
depicted).
100691 The first connection segment 80 and second connection segment 90 can be
securely
connected using bolt 100. Bolt 100 has a threaded end 101, a shaft 102 and a
locking end 103. In
the embodiment of Figure 6 the locking end 103 is depicted as an oblong shaped
flanged portion
extending radially outwards from the shaft 102. The locking end 103 need not
be configured as
an oblong shaped flange and may be configured in other shapes suitable for
locking an adjacent
truss section.
(00701 The oblong shaped flange portion of the locking end 103 is adapted to
slot into a securing
means 94 such that the bolt 100 is restricted from movement when the locking
end 103 is slotted
into said securing means 94 to restrict the bolt from rotational movement.
Once slotted, a
threaded nut 106 may be tightened to secure bolt 100 in place so as to
restrict movement along
the bolt's axis (Axis A). The first and second connection segments (80 and 90)
are thus locked in
place relative to one another until the nut 106 is loosened.
100711 The first connection segment 80 has a borehole 81, dimensioned to
receive the threaded
end of the shaft 102 of the bolt 100. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the
borehole 81 is
dimensioned such that the locking end 103 cannot pass though the borehole 81.
100721 The nut 104 is also dimensioned such that it cannot pass through the
borehole 81. Thus,
when the shaft 102 of bolt 100 is passed through the borehole 81, and the nut
106 is threaded to
the threaded end 101 of the bolt 100, the bolt 100 is captured by the borehole
81 and may not be
separated from the first connection segment 80 unless the nut 106 is taken off
of the bolt 100.
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Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of a threaded shaft and
a threaded nut is one
means for securing a first fastener to a second fastener, and that other means
may also be used.
100731 Also depicted in Figure 6 is the second connection segment 90 which has
a side opening
91. The width of the side opening 91 is dimensioned to receive the shaft 102
of the bolt 100. The
diameter of the locking end 103 is wider than the width of the side opening
91, thus preventing
the locking end 103 from passing through the side opening 91 in a direction
shown as Axis A in
Figure 6. The side opening 91 is preferably dimensioned to closely fit around
the shaft 102. The
second connection segment 90 has an outer surface 93 comprising a securing
means 94. In the
embodiment depicted in Figure 6, securing means 94 is shaped as an oblong
depression on the
surface of the second connection segment 90 and is adapted to receive locking
end 103 of bolt
100. Other shapes and dimensions may be provided as a means of securing the
locking end 103
of bolt 100. Other means may also be provided to secure the locking end 103 to
the first
connection segment 90.
100741 Shaft 102 is of a sufficient length to allow, when the apparatus is
assembled, the locking
end 103 to protrude from side opening 91 past the outer surface 93 for
interaction with securing
means 94 while allowing the threaded end 101 to protrude from borehole 81 on
the outer edge of
the first connection segment 80. When the shaft 102 is placed in the side
opening 91 the locking
end 103 prevents the bolt 100 from being able to pass back through the
borehole side opening 91
in a direction perpendicular to the side opening 91.
100751 In the embodiment of Figure 6 the securing means 94 takes the form of
an oblong
depression in the outer surface 93 of the second connection segment 90. The
oblong depression
generally corresponds with the shape of the locking end 103 such that it fits
into the oblong
depression 94 as the nut 104 is tightened onto the threaded end 101of the bolt
100. When the nut
104 is tightened, the bolt 40 is prevented from movement because of the edges
of the oblong
depression 94 interacting with the locking end 43. Thus, once the nut 104 is
tightened and the
locking end 103 is engaged with the securing means 94, the bolt 100 remains
fixed in place
relative to the first connection segment 80 and the second connection segment
90. The securing
means 94 depicted in Figure 6 is one embodiment of a securing means and
embodiments of
different shapes or sizes would perform similarly.
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100761 The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 also comprises a rotatable joint
108. First
connection segment 80 comprises an opening 89 on the outer surface 88. The
opening 89 is
dimensioned to receive the rotatable joint 108 in a close fitting fashion. The
rotatable joint 108
comprises pinholes 109 on an upper and a lower surface of the rotatable joint
108. The first
connection segment 80 also comprises pinholes 83 which may be aligned with the
pinholes 109
of the rotatable joint 108. When the rotatable joint 108 is fitted into
opening 89 and the pinholes
83 are aligned with pinholes 109, pins 107 may be inserted through both
pinholes in both the
rotatable joint 108 and the first connection segment 80 to secure the
rotatable joint 108 to the
first connection segment 80. When secured, the rotatable joint 108 is only
permitted to rotate
about pins 107 but is otherwise restricted from movement relative to the first
connection segment
80. Figures 18 and 19 are two additional perspective views of first connection
segment 80 and
rotatable joint 108. In Figure 18, the outer surface 88 and opening 89 of
first connection segment
80 are shown. A notch 85 may be provided to allow a tool (such as a
screwdriver or the like) to
lever the rotatable joint 108 out of the opening 89. Figure 19 illustrates how
the rotatable joint
108 fits into opening 89.
[0077] The rotatable joint 108 comprises a borehole 110 which is dimensioned
to receive the
threaded end 101 of bolt 100. When the bolt 100 is in the borehole 110, the
bolt 100 is restricted
to axial movement within the borehole 110.
100781 Washers 106 may be provided to prevent damage to the surface of the
first connection
segment 80 when the nut 104 is tightened on the bolt 100. Moreover, washers
106 are also used
to distribute the clamping force of the nut across the rotatable joint 108.
The washers 106 also
acts as a bearing surface for the nut to minimize binding when the nut 104 is
being tightened to
bolt 100.
100791 Retainer ring 105 may be provided to prevent the nut 104 from being
completely
unthreaded from the bolt 100. The retainer ring 105 is fixed to the bolt 100
after the nut 104 has
been threaded. The retainer ring 105 prevents the nut from being removed from
the bolt unless
the retainer ring 105 is first removed.
[00801 Figures 7-12 are further isometric views of the embodiment in Figure 6.
Figures 7-9
illustrate how the bolt 100 is secured to first connection segment 108. In
Figure 7, rotatable joint
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108 is received in opening 89 of first connection segment 80. The borehole 110
of the rotatable
joint 108 is aligned with the borehole 81 of first connection segment 80. Pins
107 rotatably fix
the rotatable joint 108 to the first connection segment 80 (not shown). Bolt
100 is received
through both borehole 81 of the first connection segment 80 and the borehole
110 of the rotatable
joint. In this drawing, washers 106 are slidably fitted to the threaded end
102 of bolt 100.
100811 In Figure 8, the nut 104 is threaded to the threaded end 101 of bolt
100. The retainer ring
105 has an opening on one side which allows it to be snap-fit to the end of
bolt 100. The retainer
ring 105 comprises teeth which forms an inner circumference. The inner
circumference of the
retainer ring is somewhat less than the circumference of the shaft 102 of bolt
100. Bolt 100
comprises a ridge 112. The retainer ring 105 is somewhat flexible. When the
opening of the
retainer ring 105 is placed adjacent to the ridge 112 of bolt 100, force may
be applied to snap-fit
the retainer ring 105 to bolt 100. The retainer ring 105 prevents the nut from
being separated
from the assembly when it is unthreaded from the threaded portion of bolt 100.
Other means for
preventing the nut from being separated may also be provided.
100821 Figure 9 illustrates how bolt 100 may swivel while it is captured in
first connection
segment 80.
100831 Figures 10-12 illustrate how the various parts of the embodiment shown
in Figure 6 are
assembled. When a first connection segment 80 and second connection segment 90
are brought
together for assembly (Figure 10), bolt 100 may be pivoted away from the
longitudinal Axis A
(shown in Figure 6). Bolt 100 is able to pivot due to the dimensions of
borehole 81, which is
preferably pie-shaped to allow one end of the borehole 81 to act as a pivot
point.
100841 Once the first connection segment 80 and second connection segment 90
are in close
proximity, bolt 100 may swivel towards and be parallel to longitudinal Axis A
(see Figure 11).
Once the bolt 100 is parallel to longitudinal Axis A, nut 104 may be tightened
onto bolt 100 such
that the locking end 103 of bolt 100 engages the securing means 94 of second
connection
segment 90 (see Figure 12).
100851 Figures 13-17 illustrate how the embodiment shown in Figure 6 is used
to interconnect a
pair of truss sections 130.
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100861 Figure 13 illustrates a first end of a truss section 130 which is
provided with a first
connection segment 80 and a second connection segment 90. In this embodiment,
truss section
130 is provided with four assembly attachment holes 131 and 132 for receiving
bolts 84. A pair
of assembly attachment holes are provided for each connection segment. To
attach a first
connection segment, the truss attachment holes 82 are aligned with the
assembly attachment
holes 131 and bolts 84 are passed through both truss attachment holes 82 and
assembly
attachment holes 131. The second connection segment is attached in the same
way by passing
bolts 84 through assembly attachment holes 132 and truss attachment holes 92.
Other means may
be used to attach the connection segments to a truss section 130. In another
embodiment,
connection segments may be integral with the truss section 130, or may be
built into the body of
truss section 130.
100871 When the assembly is not in use, the nut 104 may be tightened to bolt
100 such that the
bolt 100 is restricted from movement, such as shown in Figure 13. This
prevents the bolt 100
from movement while the truss segment is being moved or transported. The bolt
100 and nut 104
may be transported with the truss section 130 so that there is no separate
requirement to transport
or locate parts to assemble the truss segments once they have been moved or
transported. In this
way, all the equipment needed to assemble the truss is transported with the
truss segments.
[0088] Figure 14 illustrates a second end of a truss section 130 which is
provided with a first
connection segment 80 and a second connection segment 90. To assemble a truss
structure, truss
section 130 are attached end to end. A first connection segment 80 of a first
truss section 130 is
aligned with a second connection segment 90 of a second truss section 130.
Similarly, a second
connection segment 90 of a first truss section 130 is aligned with a first
connection segment 80
of a second truss section 130.
100891 Figure 15 illustrates a pair of truss sections 130 which are each
provided with the
connection segments illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, two pairs of
the assembly are
provided. Before the truss segments are brought together, nut 104 is
sufficiently loosened to
allow bolt 100 to swivel to a position diagonal to the length of the truss
segment (shown in
Figure 15) and away from opening 91 of the second connection segment 90. The
adjacent truss
sections 130 are positioned end to end and the connection segments of a first
truss section 130
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are aligned with their counterpart connection segments on a second truss
section 130. In Figure
16, bolts 100 are swivelled into opening 91 of the respective second
connection segments 90
such that bolts 100 are aligned through opening 91 of second connection
segment 90 and
borehole 81 of first connection segment 80. Once the bolt 100 is aligned, nut
104 is tightened to
secure locking end 103 of bolt 100 to the securing means 94 of the second
connection segment
90 (see Figure 17). The edges of the locking end 103 engage the walls of the
oblong depression
of the securing means 94 to prevent the bolt from rotating, particularly as
the nut 104 is being
tightened to the bolt 100.
100901 Figures 20-23 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention,
comprising a first
connection segment 220, a second connection segment 230, a first fastener 240
(for example, a
bolt) and a second fastener 250 (for example, a nut).
[00911 In this embodiment, second connection segment 230 comprises a hexagonal-
shaped
indentation 235 on the outer surface along the outer edge of opening 231. The
profile of the
opening 231 (shown in Figure 21, a plan view of the second connection segment
230) is also
hexagonal-shaped. In this embodiment, bolt 240 comprises a locking end 243, a
shaft 242, and a
threaded end 241 (threads not shown).The locking end 243 comprises an oblong
shaped flange
portion. Although depicted as oblong shape, the flange portion may be any
suitable shape for
ease of handling the bolt 240 provided that it is wider than the diameter of
the openings in both
the first and second connection segments.
100921 The bolt 240 further comprises a hexagonal-shaped projection 244
(illustrated in Figure
23) on the underside of the oblong shaped flange portion. In this embodiment,
the hexagonal-
shaped projection 244 of the bolt 240 mates with the hexagonal-shaped
indentation 235 of the
second connection segment 230. When the edges of the projections 244 engages
the edges of
indentations 235, the bolt 240 is prevented from rotational movement relative
to the second
connection segment 230.
[00931 Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above
and are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in order to be more clearly
understood, the above
description is made by way of example and is not meant to limit the scope of
the present
invention. It is contemplated that various modifications apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the
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art could be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is
to be determined
by the following claims.
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