GB2223289A - A joint system - Google Patents

A joint system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2223289A
GB2223289A GB8817748A GB8817748A GB2223289A GB 2223289 A GB2223289 A GB 2223289A GB 8817748 A GB8817748 A GB 8817748A GB 8817748 A GB8817748 A GB 8817748A GB 2223289 A GB2223289 A GB 2223289A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bolt
joint system
collar
annulus
connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8817748A
Other versions
GB2223289B (en
GB8817748D0 (en
Inventor
Koh Chong Ngang
Simon Chin Yun Fen
Phang Yok Piau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STANDARDS INST SINGAPORE
Original Assignee
STANDARDS INST SINGAPORE
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STANDARDS INST SINGAPORE filed Critical STANDARDS INST SINGAPORE
Priority to GB8817748A priority Critical patent/GB2223289B/en
Publication of GB8817748D0 publication Critical patent/GB8817748D0/en
Publication of GB2223289A publication Critical patent/GB2223289A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2223289B publication Critical patent/GB2223289B/en
Priority to SG99392A priority patent/SG99392G/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B1/1903—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B35/00—Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws
    • F16B35/04—Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws with specially-shaped head or shaft in order to fix the bolt on or in an object
    • F16B35/041—Specially-shaped shafts
    • F16B35/042—Specially-shaped shafts for retention or rotation by a tool, e.g. of polygonal cross-section
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B41/00—Measures against loss of bolts, nuts, or pins; Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins
    • F16B41/002—Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B7/00—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections
    • F16B7/18—Connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections using screw-thread elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/196—Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
  • Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)

Abstract

A space frame joint system connecting structural members (10) to connectors (9) comprises a bolt having a bolt head (11) and a shaft (2), an annulus (3) and a collar (4). Each of the annulus and the collar has the shaft passing therethrough and the annulus engages with the bolt head. The bolt is connected to the collar by a pin (7) and flat (8) such that the bolt and the collar turn together. The annulus is fixed eg welded, to a frame member (10) and the bolt is fixed to the connector (9) in forming a space frame. <IMAGE>

Description

A JOINT SYSTEM The present invention relates to a joint system and in particular, but not exclusively, to a joint system for a space frame.
Space frames can be defined as a three dimensional assembly of elements resisting loads acting on the frames. Most space frames include a skeleton frame constructed from steel due to its stength and lightness properties. Space frames are extensively used to cover large and obstructive areas such as sports stadiums, assembly halls, gymnasiums, shopping arcades, swimming pools, exhibition pavillions, hangers, churches and industrial buildings. Double layer grids, barrel vaults and domes are all examples of space frames. Furthermore space frames may be non-load bearing and in which case are primarily for decorative purposes.
Commonly known space frames are of double-layer or single-layer types. A double-layer space frame consists of top and bottom chord members, which may be longitudinal or lateral, and oblique web members being interconnected by a joint system. A single-layer space frame consists of chord members arranged in a hexagon and/or a pentagon being co-joined at a node or connector.
The most important component of a space frame is the joint system connecting the skeleton structural members to connectors. The structural strength and the cost of production of the joint system crucially affects the reliability and cost of the space frame.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a joint system for a multiple-layer or single-layer space frame which may be either load or non-load bearing. The joint system connects skeleton members which consist of circular tubes or other hollow sections to solid body connectors which have a plurality of threaded passages, thereby forming a space frame.
According to the present invention there is provided a joint system comprising a bolt having a bolt head and a shaft, an annulus, a collar, each of the annulus and the collar having the shaft therebetween and the annulus coupling with the bolt head, and means for connecting the bolt to the collar such that the bolt and the collar turn together.
By way of example, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a joint system according to the embodiment of the present invention coupling a skeleton member to a connector; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section through the plane X-X shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of three perpendicular views of the bolt according to the embodiment of the present invention: Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of two perpendicular views of an end cap; and Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view and two perpendicular cross sections of the collar according to the embodiment.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the joint system comprises a four major components: a bolt 2, an annulus in the form of an end cap 3, a collar 4 and a pin 7. The joint systems provides coupling between a skeleton member in the form of a tube 1 to a connector 9. The end cap 3 is provided with a passage sufficient to allow free movement of the bolt 2 which is slotted into the end cap. The end cap 3 is secured to the tube 1 by welding, adhesives or other means suitable for the securement at position 5. The end cap 3 acts as a bearing against the bolt head 11 when the joint system is under a tensile force. The bolt head 11 may have a circular, hexagonal or other shape. The bolt tail 12 is threaded. The collar 4, like the end cap 3, has a passage sufficient to allow free movement of the bolt 2 and enables the collar 4 to be slotted over the bolt 2.
As shown in Figure 3, the bolt 2 is provided with a flat groove 8 along the bolt shaft. The depth of the groove 8 is minimised to maximise the strength of the bolt 2 under tension. Preferably the depth of the groove 8 is equal to the radius of the pin 7 and the shape at the two ends of the groove 8 is rounded to reduce stress concentration.
Figure 4 illustrates the end cap 3 having a coaxial passage 13 sufficient to allow free movement of the bolt 2. The end cap 3 has an outer and an inner diameter.
The outer and inner diameter are equal to the outer and inner diameter of the tube 1 respectively. The end cap 3 is plugged into the tube 1 and secured by welding, adhesives or any other means at position 5 depending on the material of the respective parts and the strength required.
Figure 5 illustrates the collar 4 with tapered sides but having an internal diameter sufficient to allow free movement of the bolt 2. The sides of the collar 4 are provided with a number of key holes 6 which enable a tool (not shown) to turn the collar 4. The number of key holes 6 is preferably six and the size and shape of the holes is consistent with the size and shape of the tools key. A passage 14 is provided on the side of the collar 4 which allows the pin 7 to be inserted. The length of the pin 7 should be less than the length of the passage 14.
When the collar 4 is slotted onto the bolt 2, the pin 7 is inserted in the passage 14 and slides along the flat groove 8 of the bolt 2 to prevent the collar 4 from slipping off the bolt 2. The pin 7 holds the collar 4 and the bolt 2 together and also guides the bolt 2 to turn while turning the collar 4. The bolt 2 is screwed into the connector 9 which consists of a solid body having a plurality of right-hand threaded passages. The bolt 2 is screwed into the connector 9 by turning the collar 4 with the tool engaging the key holes 6. An opening 10 just above the end cap 3 on the side of the tube 1 is provided so as to allow another tool (not shown) to press the bolt head 11 so that the first thread of the bolt 2 can engage the threaded passage in the connector 9.
The joint system interconnects structural members to the connector at any angle to enable single or multiple layer grids, barrel vaults or domes to be constructed.
The joint system may be constructed from steel, stainless steel, aluminium, plastic and any materials consistent with the materials of the frame members and connectors.
When the joint system is under a compression force, the tapered end of the collar 4 bears against the connector 9 resisting the compression force. The thickness of this tapered end is designed according to the magnitude of the compression force.
The aforesaid description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1 A joint system comprising a bolt having a bolt head and a shaft, an annulus, a collar, each of the annulus and the collar having the shaft therebetween and the annulus coupling with the bolt head, and means for connecting the bolt to the collar such that the bolt and the collar turn together.
2. A joint system as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for connecting comprises a pin positioned between a flat portion along the length of the shaft of the pin and a hemispherical recess in the collar.
3. A joint system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the joint system provides coupling between a skeleton frame member and a connector.
4. A joint system as claimed in claim 3, in which the annulus is fixed to the skeleton frame member and the shaft of the bolt is fixed to the connector.
5. A joint system as claimed in claim 4, in which the annulus is welded to the skeleton frame member and the shaft of the bolt and the connector are provided with screwthreads thereby enabling the bolt to be screwed to the connector.
6. A joint system as claimed in claim 4 and claim 5, in which an opening is provided in the skeleton frame member to enable the bolt to be pressed towards the connector for fixing therewith.
7. A joint system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the collar is provided with a number of key holes for engaging with a key thereby facilitating the turning of the collar and bolt.
8. A space frame comprising one or more skeleton frame members1 one or more connectors and a joint system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for coupling each frame member to at least one connector.
9. A joint system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompaning drawings.
10. A joint system substantially as hereinbefore described.
GB8817748A 1988-07-26 1988-07-26 A joint system Expired - Fee Related GB2223289B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8817748A GB2223289B (en) 1988-07-26 1988-07-26 A joint system
SG99392A SG99392G (en) 1988-07-26 1992-09-29 A joint system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8817748A GB2223289B (en) 1988-07-26 1988-07-26 A joint system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8817748D0 GB8817748D0 (en) 1988-09-01
GB2223289A true GB2223289A (en) 1990-04-04
GB2223289B GB2223289B (en) 1992-09-02

Family

ID=10641103

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8817748A Expired - Fee Related GB2223289B (en) 1988-07-26 1988-07-26 A joint system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2223289B (en)
SG (1) SG99392G (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274142A (en) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-13 P T Rangka Ruang Joint for space frames
US5641236A (en) * 1994-04-13 1997-06-24 Karl-Heinz Schrader Coupling for joining tubes
EP1016794A2 (en) * 1997-10-28 2000-07-05 Sigrid Reelitz Threaded connection

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB596582A (en) * 1944-11-20 1948-01-07 Geo H Gascoigne Company Ltd Improvements relating to tube joints
GB1001812A (en) * 1962-02-07 1965-08-18 David Ashley Pears Improvements in scaffolding and like structures
GB2002482A (en) * 1977-08-13 1979-02-21 Mero Raumstruktur Gmbh & Co Screw connection between tubular bars and attachment connectors in space frameworks
US4371279A (en) * 1980-09-22 1983-02-01 John Prussen Structural joint
US4664550A (en) * 1984-03-17 1987-05-12 Jachmann Rolf Dieter Junction piece for releasably connecting rod-shaped elements with one another
GB2185798A (en) * 1986-01-25 1987-07-29 Umberto Confalanieri & C S R L Composite tubular structures
GB2195736A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-13 Jose Maria Javier Ga Inchaurbe Framework connections

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB596582A (en) * 1944-11-20 1948-01-07 Geo H Gascoigne Company Ltd Improvements relating to tube joints
GB1001812A (en) * 1962-02-07 1965-08-18 David Ashley Pears Improvements in scaffolding and like structures
GB2002482A (en) * 1977-08-13 1979-02-21 Mero Raumstruktur Gmbh & Co Screw connection between tubular bars and attachment connectors in space frameworks
US4371279A (en) * 1980-09-22 1983-02-01 John Prussen Structural joint
US4664550A (en) * 1984-03-17 1987-05-12 Jachmann Rolf Dieter Junction piece for releasably connecting rod-shaped elements with one another
GB2185798A (en) * 1986-01-25 1987-07-29 Umberto Confalanieri & C S R L Composite tubular structures
GB2195736A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-13 Jose Maria Javier Ga Inchaurbe Framework connections

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274142A (en) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-13 P T Rangka Ruang Joint for space frames
US5641236A (en) * 1994-04-13 1997-06-24 Karl-Heinz Schrader Coupling for joining tubes
EP1016794A2 (en) * 1997-10-28 2000-07-05 Sigrid Reelitz Threaded connection
EP1016794A3 (en) * 1997-10-28 2000-07-26 Sigrid Reelitz Threaded connection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SG99392G (en) 1992-12-24
GB2223289B (en) 1992-09-02
GB8817748D0 (en) 1988-09-01

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19960726