AU2023222841B1 - An Improved Modular SHS Joiner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular, reusable fitting for the connection of square hollow section (SHS) steel tubing, in a variety of configurations. Whist the arrangement of components varies, said fittings are generally characterised by having a shrunk SHS portion capable of fitting within the section being joined, held within a body constructed from full size SHS to provide a flush finish with the section being joined. Multiple Fittings may be combined to form a multitude of products suitable for many applications.

Description

AN IMPROVED MODULAR SHS JOINER TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to modular SHS joiners of all metal construction, configured in such a manner so as to allow the assembly of many different items from SHS steel. These fittings are particularly advantageous were traditional joining techniques such as welding are not practicable, or where materials are to be dissembled and reused, while yielding a finish visually similar to traditional welded joints.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Prior steel fittings for the connection of thin wall SHS (2mm or less in nominal wall thickness) tubing are generally incorporated into a 'kit' form, as shown in figure 12, where one end of the fittings connection is already fixed (welded) to a length of SHS, allowing some limited adjustability, making fittings suitable only for the construction of one, specific item.

[003] Furthermore, most existing modular ranges of connectors are constructed from plastics, such as those of figure 11, usually resulting in greatly reduced strength and service life of any items constructed from them.

[004] While some prior art joiners for SHS are of metal construction, such as those shown in figure 10, These joiners are not constructed from SHS, and as such do not offer a finish as close to traditional welded joints or with the same ease of assembly, or flexibility of use as the present invention. The construction of the fittings illustrated in figure 10 are by their nature more complex, heavier and costly than the present design and does not lend itself well to connection of thin wall SHS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention provides a fitting for the joining of SHS in a variety of applications, said fitting being of an all-metal construction and available in a number of configurations. Aforementioned fitting is characterised by having a compression shrunk portion of SHS tubing capable of sleeving within a corresponding full-size section of square hollow tubing. Shrunk portion is held within a fitting body constructed from full size SHS, giving a flush exterior finish.

[006] Fittings maybe constructed from material that is identical to what they may join

[007] Fittings may be arranged with spigots in line with one another

[008] Fittings may be arranged with spigots perpendicular to one another

[009] Fittings may comprise up to 6 individual spigots projecting in any direction.

[010] A joiner as claimed in claims I to 4 incorporating a bracket/s to allow for fixing of the item into substrates

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] A detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention will follow, byway of example only, with reference to the associated figures of the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a rendered isometric view of an embodiment of a 3 way joiner (1)

Figure 2 gives a more detailed isometric view of the shrunk section of SHS shown in figure 1

Figure 3 illustrates a section of shrunk SHS alongside a piece equal to the shrunk sections original dimensions

Figure 4 shows the custom built press in which the sections best illustrated in figure 2 are formed

Figure 5 gives a side on view of the flat weld surface of a joiner after finishing, ready to be coated

Figure 6 demonstrates the method of retaining the shrunk spigot (3) within the fitting body (2) by concealed welds (9) at the sections corners

Figure 7 shows a close-up view of a finished 3 way fitting 2

Figure 8 illustrates a range of fittings constructed using the shrunken spigots

Figure 9 depicts a steel stand assembled using the three way joiner (1) in conjunction with similar fittings, and lengths of SHS

Figure 10 offers a rendered view of a prior ART spigot joiner

Figure 11 shows an image of an existing plastic type SHS joiner

Figure 12 illustrates a kit type SHS joiner for the construction of a gate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[12] Illustrated in figures 1, 5, 7 and 8 are fittings for the construction of steel frames from lengths of standard sized SHS. In general terms, the fitting (1) has a body (2) constructed from standard sized SHS (4), within which is fixed a shrunk section of SHS (3). These protruding shrunk sections (3) form spigots that fit neatly within standard sized SHS (4). Spigot/s are generally arranged in-line or perpendicular to one another.

[13] The fitting (1) is of an all metal construction, and is fully welded (10) at all joins, to ensure maximum strength. These welds may be linished flat, (8) best demonstrated in figure , to give a smooth and uniform external finish.

[14] Shrunk SHS spigots (3) are formed by applying even pressure at four points simultaneously to the centre of standard SHS walls (6) by means of a custom made hydraulic pressing machine (7). While shrinking standard sized SHS allows these spigots to then fit within SHS equal to its own original dimensions, this process also allows the clearance required to prevent the seam (5) of the section to be slid over the spigot, from fowling in any orientation, improving the fittings ease of use.

[15] When housed in a body (2), Shrunk SHS Spigots (3) are retained in the fitting body (2) by means of concealed stitch welds to the sections comers (9), before being attached to other sections to form a completed fitting (1). Fittings may also include plates or brackets to facilitate fixing into substrates.

[16] The fitting (1) is preferably constructed from standard sizes of high strength, cold formed, SHS, these sections may be mild steel in primed or galvanised finishes or 300 series stainless steels. While the preferred wall thickness for production of these fittings is 1.6mm to 2mm it will be understood that the fitting (1) could also be constructed from section having increased wall thicknesses.

[17] As the fitting (1) may be used externally or in harmful environments, where welding (10) or grinding (8) has compromised the fittings protective coatings these may be restored by hot dip galvanising or cold galvanising as shown on the fittings of figure 8. Fittings may also be finished in powder coat. Generally, fittings are to have corrosion resistance at least equal to that of the sections they are intended to join.

[18] The use of the fitting (1) in applications were the steel frame is temporary or may require frequent alterations is particularly beneficial due to the fittings ease of repeated assembly/disassembly resultant of its modular reusable design, that is not as subject to degradation as plastic fittings, shown in figure 11.

[19] The construction of the fitting (1) of the embodiment described above advantageously provides a method of joining smaller SHS such as 25mm and 50mm with thinner side walls of 1.6mm or 2mm in thickness than could be performed by the prior art fitting of figure 10, and with significantly greater strength than plastic fittings, shown in figure 11. The present fitting is also available in a wide range of configurations as shown in figure 8, and offers lighter weight, but may be comparable in strength to the existing fitting of figure 11 in most applications. The present fittings also provide an economical means of joining SHS that is far more versatile than the existing kit design of figure 12. Additionally, a number of options for securing including TEK screws, drilling and bolting as well as tack or fully welding are possible with the present invention, depending on the application requirements.

[20] As The fitting (1) is constructed entirely of SHS, equivalent to that it will join, consistency of material is maintained, while also offering simplified construction when compared with existing designs such as those of figure 10 and 11. Additionally, the present fitting (1) gives a finish very similar to fully welded steel frames, see figure 9, without the need for on-site welding. Said Fitting (1), and others constructed by similar means as shown in figure 8, are extremely user friendly, requiring only basic skills and equipment to use successfully, and giving a superior finish and greater flexibility than prior designs of figures to 12.

[21] Illustrated in figure 9 is a steel stand constructed from the above fitting (1) along with similar fittings, T fitting (11), 25mm internal fixing plate (12) and external fixing boot (18) as well as lengths of SHS. This stand was constructed by the process described below.

[22] To construct the stand of figure 9 using SHS the following procedure of 12 steps may be used:

1. Cut 2 side rails (14), 4 end rails (15), 4 legs (16) and 25mm spreader (17) to length. (When making cuts care must be taken to ensure cuts are made square and lengths are accurate as this will affect the fit and stability of the frame); 2. Fit spigot A/B of the 3 way fittings (1) into end rails, forming two ends; 3. Fit spigot A/B of the 3 way fittings (1) into side rails, forming a square; 4. Place square frame down with spigots C of the 3 wayfittings (1) facing upwards; 5. Push legs onto spigots C; 6. Fit spigot B of T-fittings (11) into remaining end rails, forming two lower end assembly's; 7. Fit spigot A of T-fittings (11) into legs; 8. Install external fixing boots (18) to spigot C of T-fitting (11) (NOTE the use of a rubber mallet may be required to ensure that all fitting shoulders are hard up to the ends of the SHS and fully seated); 9. Pre drill and install TEK screws (13) or drill trough and bolt, at a distance of approximately 30mm in from the end of the SHS and centred on the SHS; 10. Invert stand to rest on feet of external fixing boot (18); 11. Insert 25mm internal fixing plates (12) into the 25mm SHS spreader (17), place centrally between lower end rails, fixing with four TEK screws (13) or bolts into lower end rails; 12. Install two TEK screws (13) or bolts and nuts approximately 30mm in from each end of the spreader and centralised on the SHS, to secure internal fixing plates (12) within the spreader (17);

[23] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, present embodiments and examples are to be considered only as illustrative representations of one possible embodiment of the present invention, and not as restrictive. As such, all foreseeable modifications recognizable by those skilled in the art are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (10)

1. A modular joiner for the connection of standard sizes of SHS in various configurations that may be readily disassembled, and reused, said joiner characterised by being of an all metal construction, having a body constructed from SHS equivalent in size to that which it is intended to join, from which protrude spigots formed from compression pressed and shrunk SHS, aforementioned spigots having finished dimensions such that they may be slid within corresponding standard sized SHS and secured to complete a joint.

2. A joiner as in claim 1, having spigots arranged in line with one another

3. A joiner as claimed in claim 1 or 2 where spigots are arranged perpendicular to one another

4. A joiner as claimed in claims 1-3 having spigots projecting in one or any combination of the X, Y or Z axis.

5. A joiner as claimed in claims 1 to 4 incorporating a bracket/s to allow for fixing of the item into substrates

6. A joiner as claimed in any of the claims I to 5 incorporating up to six spigots

7. A joiner as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims constructed from primed mild steel SHS

8. A joiner as claimed in claims 1 to 6 constructed from galvanised mild steel SHS

9. A joiner as claimed in claims 1 to 6 constructed from 3000 series stainless steel SHS

10. A joiner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, were said joiner is finished in a coloured powder coat