U.S. patent application number 11/080191 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for structural framework having solid coupling.
Invention is credited to Si Chien Hung.
Application Number | 20060236640 11/080191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185399 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hung; Si Chien |
October 26, 2006 |
Structural framework having solid coupling
Abstract
A structural framework includes two frame members each having
one or more channels, and one or more lock devices each having two
mating member fitted and engaged into the channel of one of the
frame members, and a lock nut engaged into the channel of the other
frame member. Each of the mating members includes a
semi-cylindrical recess to form into a bore for the lock device. A
fastener is engaged in the recesses of the mating members, and
threaded with the lock nut, to secure the mating members of the
lock device and thus the frame member together. The frame members
may each include one or more juts for engaging with teeth extended
from the mating members or the lock nut.
Inventors: |
Hung; Si Chien; (Erlin Town,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
37185399 |
Appl. No.: |
11/080191 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/481.1 ;
52/781.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/187 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/481.1 ;
052/781.3 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/34 20060101
E04C002/34 |
Claims
1. A structural framework comprising: a first frame member and a
second frame member each including a channel formed therein, a lock
device including a first mating member and a second mating member
mated and engaged with each other, and fitted and engaged into said
channel of said first frame member, said first and said second
mating members each including a semi-cylindrical recess formed
therein, and said semi-cylindrical recesses of said first and said
second mating members being formed into a bore for said lock device
when said first and said second mating members are engaged with
each other, a fastener engaged in said semi-cylindrical recesses of
said first and said second mating members and said bore of said
lock device, and a lock nut engaged into said channel of said
second frame member and threaded with said fastener, to secure said
first and said second mating members of said lock device and thus
said first frame member to said second frame member.
2. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein,
and said second mating member includes at least one pin extended
therefrom, for engaging with said at least one cavity of said first
mating member, and for allowing said first and said second mating
members to be anchored and secured together.
3. The structural framework as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
second mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein,
and said first mating member includes at least one pin extended
therefrom, for engaging with said at least one cavity of said
second mating member, and for allowing said first and said second
mating members to be further anchored and secured together.
4. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon,
and said first frame member includes at least one jut extended
therefrom, for engaging with said teeth of said first mating
member, and for anchoring said first frame member and said first
mating member together.
5. The structural framework as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
first frame member includes a slot formed therein and communicating
with said channel thereof and defined between two flanges, and said
at least one jut of said first frame member is extended from either
of said flanges thereof.
6. The structural framework as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
second mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon,
and said first frame member includes at least one second jut
extended therefrom, for engaging with said teeth of said second
mating member, and for anchoring said first frame member and said
second mating member together.
7. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
lock nut includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and said
second frame member includes at least one jut extended therefrom,
for engaging with said teeth of said lock nut, and for anchoring
said second frame member and said lock nut together.
8. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first and said second mating members each includes an enlarged
notch formed therein, and communicating with said recess thereof,
and said fastener includes an enlarged head engaged in said
enlarged notches of said first and said second mating members.
9. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first frame member includes a first slot formed therein and
communicating with said channel thereof and defined between two
flanges, and said first mating member includes a protrusion
extended therefrom, and slidably engaged in said first slot of said
first frame member, and to stably guide said first mating member to
slide relative to said first frame member, and to allow said first
mating member to be seen by users.
10. The structural framework as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
first frame member includes a second slot formed therein and
communicating with said channel thereof, and said second mating
member includes a protrusion extended therefrom and slidably
engaged in said second slot of said first frame member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a structural framework, and
more particularly to a structural framework having a lock device
for easily and solidly securing beams or frame members
together.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical structural frameworks comprise a number of beams,
plates, panels, rods, columns, or other frame members that are
required to be secured or locked together to form a spatial
structural configuration. Normally, bolts or fasteners are directly
used to secure and lock the beams, the plates, the panels, the
rods, the columns, and the other frame members together.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,800 to Wissler discloses
one of the typical structural frameworks also comprising a number
of beams that are arranged to be secured or locked together with a
number of lock devices. However, the lock devices may be used to
anchor the beams together, but may not be used to solidly secure
the beams together.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,513,606 to Jones discloses another typical
structural framework also comprising a number of beams and panels
and posts and brackets and other frame members that may be secured
together with a junction box and a number of bolts or fasteners.
However, the bolts and fasteners will be engaged within the tiny
junction box and may not be easily rotated or driven by the
users.
[0007] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional structural
frameworks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a structural framework including a lock device for easily and
solidly securing beams or frame members together.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a structural framework comprising a first frame member and
a second frame member each including a channel formed therein, a
lock device including a first mating member and a second mating
member mated and engaged with each other, and fitted and engaged
into the channel of the first frame member, the first and the
second mating members each including a semi-cylindrical recess
formed therein, and the semi-cylindrical recesses of the first and
the second mating members being formed into a bore for the lock
device when the first and the second mating members are engaged
with each other, a fastener engaged in the semi-cylindrical
recesses of the first and the second mating members and the bore of
the lock device, and a lock nut engaged into the channel of the
second frame member and threaded with the fastener, to secure the
first and the second mating members of the lock device and thus the
first frame member to the second frame member.
[0010] The first mating member includes at least one cavity formed
therein, and the second mating member includes at least one pin
extended therefrom, for engaging with the cavity of the first
mating member, and for allowing the first and the second mating
members to be anchored and secured together.
[0011] The second mating member includes at least one cavity formed
therein, and the first mating member includes at least one pin
extended therefrom, for engaging with the cavity of the second
mating member, and for allowing the first and the second mating
members to be further anchored and secured together.
[0012] The first mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed
thereon, and the first frame member includes at least one jut
extended therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the first mating
member, and for anchoring the first frame member and the first
mating member together.
[0013] The first frame member includes a slot formed therein and
communicating with the channel thereof and defined between two
flanges, and the jut of the first frame member is extended from
either of the flanges thereof.
[0014] The second mating member includes a plurality of teeth
formed thereon, and the first frame member includes at least one
second jut extended therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the
second mating member, and for anchoring the first frame member and
the second mating member together.
[0015] The lock nut includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon,
and the second frame member includes at least one jut extended
therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the lock nut, and for
anchoring the second frame member and the lock nut together. The
first and the second mating members each includes an enlarged notch
formed therein, and communicating with the recess thereof, and the
fastener includes an enlarged head engaged in the enlarged notches
of the first and the second mating members.
[0016] The first frame member includes a first slot formed therein
and communicating with the channel thereof and defined between two
flanges, and the first mating member includes a protrusion extended
therefrom, and slidably engaged in the first slot of the first
frame member, and to stably guide the first mating member to slide
relative to the first frame member, and to allow the first mating
member to be seen by users.
[0017] The first frame member includes a second slot formed therein
and communicating with the channel thereof, and the second mating
member includes a protrusion extended therefrom and slidably
engaged in the second slot of the first frame member.
[0018] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a structural
framework in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the structural
framework, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines
3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the
structural framework;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the structural
framework; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view showing a lock device of
the structural framework.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a
structural framework 10 in accordance with the present invention
comprises two or more frame members 11, 12, such as beams, plates,
panels, rods, posts, columns, brackets, or other frame members 11,
12 that are required to be secured or locked together to form a
spatial structural configuration. In the present invention, one or
more lock devices 20 as shown in FIG. 6 have been provided to
secure and lock the frame members 11, 12 together.
[0026] Each of the frame members 11, 12 includes one or more
channels 13 formed therein, and one or more narrower slots 14
formed therein and communicating with the channels 13 thereof and
defined between two flanges 15, and preferably includes one or more
projections or juts 16 extended into the channels 13 thereof. For
example, some of the projections or juts 16 may be extended into
the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12 from the flanges 15,
best shown in FIGS. 2-5.
[0027] The lock devices 20 each includes two mating members 21, 22
each having one or more cavities 23 formed therein, and/or one or
more projections or pin 24 extended therefrom, for engaging with
the corresponding cavities 23 of the other mating members 21, 22,
and thus for allowing the mating members 21, 22 to be anchored and
secured together. The mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20
thus anchored or secured together are preferably arranged to be
snugly fitted or engaged into either of the channels 13 of the
frame members 11, 12, with such as force-fitted engagements, best
shown in FIGS. 3, 4.
[0028] It is preferable that each of the mating members 21, 22 of
the lock devices 20 includes a swelling or protrusion 25 extended
therefrom, for slidably engaging in the corresponding slots 14 of
the frame members 11, 12, and for stably guiding the mating members
21, 22 to slide relative to the frame members 11, 12, and for
allowing the users to see the position of the mating members 21, 22
within the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.
[0029] Each of the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20
further includes a serrated surface or a number of teeth 26
extended therefrom, such as extended from the two side portions
thereof, for engaging with the corresponding projections or juts 16
of the frame members 11, 12, also best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, to
further solidly secure or retain or anchor the mating members 21,
22 in the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.
[0030] Each of the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20
further includes a semi-cylindrical recess 27 formed therein, and
the semi-cylindrical recesses 27 of the mating members 21, 22 may
be formed into a bore 27 for the lock devices 20, for receiving a
bolt or fasteners 30 therein, when the two mating members 21, 22
are engaged with each other or secured together. It is preferable
that the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 each further
includes an enlarged notch 28 formed therein, and communicating
with the recess 27 thereof, for receiving the enlarged head 31 of
the fastener 30.
[0031] The lock device 20 further includes a lock nut 32 slidably
engaged in either of the channels 13 of the other frame members 12,
and threaded with the fastener 30, in order to secure the frame
members 11, 12 together with the lock device 20. It is preferable
that the lock nut 32 also includes a serrated surface or a number
of teeth 33 extended therefrom, for engaging with the corresponding
projections or juts 16 of the frame members 11, 12 (FIG. 5), to
further solidly secure or retain or anchor the lock nut 32 in the
channels 13 of the other frame members 11, 12.
[0032] It is preferable that the lock device 20 may include one or
more pairs of mating members 21, 22 having different thickness or
heights, for allowing the mating members 21, 22 to be snugly fitted
or engaged into the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12 of
different depths or heights. The fasteners 30 may be easily engaged
into the semi-cylindrical recesses 27 of the mating members 21, 22
before or after the mating members 21, 22 have been engaged into
the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.
[0033] Accordingly, the structural framework in accordance with the
present invention includes a lock device for easily and solidly
securing beams or frame members together.
[0034] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *