U.S. patent application number 12/089913 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for joining system and use of this system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SB PRODUKSJON AS. Invention is credited to Svein Berg.
Application Number | 20080279620 12/089913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35428055 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080279620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berg; Svein |
November 13, 2008 |
Joining System and Use of this System
Abstract
The present invention relates to a joining system for joining
two elements (1, 2), for example a pillar and a beam in a building
construction, where a first part (3) of the joining system
comprises an outer box element (10) and at least one internal box
element (20) for insertion in the outer box element (10) comprising
a locking device for locking the internal box element (20) to the
outer box element (10) and a joining element (22) for cooperation
with a second part (4) of the joining system and where the second
part (4) of the joining system can be attached in the second (2, 1)
of the two elements that have to be joined, where the locking
device comprises a snap-in device that works in conjunction with
cut-outs (12) provided in the outer box element (10).
Inventors: |
Berg; Svein; (Isfjorden,
NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIAN D. ABEL
ONSAGERS AS, POSTBOKS 6963 ST. OLAVS PLASS
NORWAY
N-0130
NO
|
Assignee: |
SB PRODUKSJON AS
Andalsnes
NO
|
Family ID: |
35428055 |
Appl. No.: |
12/089913 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 13, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NO2006/000354 |
371 Date: |
April 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/178 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/042 20130101;
Y10T 403/349 20150115; E04B 1/215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/178 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/58 20060101
E04B001/58 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2005 |
NO |
20054709 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A joining system for joining two elements, for example a pillar
and a beam in a building construction, where a first part of the
joining system adapted for attachment in one of the two elements
during casting of the element, comprises an outer box element and
at least one internal box element for insertion in the outer box
element comprising a locking device for locking the internal box
element to the outer box element and a joining element for
cooperation with a second part of the joining system and where the
second part of the joining system can be attached in the second of
the two elements that have to be joined, characterized in that the
locking device comprises a snap-in device, cooperating with
cut-outs provided in the outer box element.
13. A first part of a joining system comprising an outer box
element adapted for attachment in one element during casting of the
element, comprising attachment devices for attaching reinforcing
elements, and an internal box element for insertion in the outer
box element comprising a locking device for locking the internal
box element to the outer box element and a joining element for
cooperation with a second part of the joining system, characterized
in that the locking device comprises a snap-in device, cooperating
with cut-outs provided in the outer box element.
14. A first part of a joining system according to claim 2,
characterized in that the snap-in device in the internal box
element comprises two through-going holes provided in two
oppositely directed lateral surfaces and a tubular piece provided
in the two through-going holes, wherein two locking pieces are
mounted in the tubular piece with an intermediate spring element,
where the locking pieces work in conjunction with cut-outs in the
outer box element.
15. A first part of a joining system according to claim 2,
characterized in that the cut-outs in the outer box element are in
the form of two through-going holes in two oppositely directed
sides of the outer box element with an externally mounted cap.
16. A first part of a joining system according to claim 2,
characterized in that the cut-outs in the outer box element are
internal grooves.
17. A first part of a joining system according to claim 3,
characterized in that the cut-outs in the outer box element and the
locking pieces in the snap-in device have corresponding cross
sectional shapes.
18. A first part of a joining system according to claims 2,
characterized in that the outer box element comprises four
surrounding sides and a rear side, thereby forming a partly closed
box with an open side facing out of the element wherein the
internal box element has to be mounted.
19. A first part of a joining system according to claims 2,
characterized in that the internal box element mounted in the outer
box element has a length that causes a portion to project a length
out of the outer box element, and the internal box element has a
joining element in the form of a plate element mounted on the
projecting portion of the internal box element.
20. A joining system according to claim 1, characterized in that
the second part of the joining system comprises a plate element
mounted on the part of the second element facing the first part,
where the plate element comprises a cut-out complementary to the
projecting portion of the internal box element of the first part of
the joining system.
21. The use of a joining system according to claim 1, where the
first part of the joining system is cast into a pillar.
22. The use of a joining system according to claim 1, where both
parts of the joining system are mounted in cast elements.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a joining system for
joining two elements, for example a pillar and a beam in a building
construction.
[0002] During the erection of building structures there is a need
to find a simple way of joining building elements that are
manufactured at another location, for example pillars and beams, in
order to form a framework for the building, or alternatively to
join step elements in a staircase or the like. Another issue is
that it should be possible to join these elements in a simple
manner, involving as little dangerous work as possible for the
personnel who have to join the elements. Another point is that the
joining operation should not be time-consuming and that the actual
elements that are to be joined should be easy to manufacture and
transport to the building site. A building component is easy to
transport and occupies least space during transport if it has as
few projecting parts as possible.
[0003] Several alternative solutions exist today for joining
elements. One example is described in the patent publications GB 1
400 595, describing a system where a box element which is open at
one side is cast into a concrete pillar and a corresponding box is
cast into an end edge of a beam. In the box in the beam, an
interior loose element is provided which, when pillar and beam are
joined, is moved by means of a fluid, partly out of the beam box
into the box in the pillar, thus forming a bridge element between
the parts. In this position the bridge element is locked by a rod
that is inserted into a through-going hole in the pillar, which
hole also passes through the box element in the pillar and the part
of the bridge element located in the pillar. In a similar manner a
rod is inserted in a hole passing transversely through the beam and
thereby also the box element in the beam and the part of the bridge
element located there. This solution has several disadvantages;
firstly the interior bridge element has to be inserted in one of
the boxes before the elements are lifted so that the openings on
the boxes are aligned with each other, whereupon the element has to
be moved so that it is disposed in both boxes. A further drawback
is connected with the accurate adjustment that is necessary in
order for the boxes to be aligned with each other followed by the
necessity of moving the bridge element in some way or other.
Moreover, several locking rods have to be inserted manually in
holes in the pillar and beam and the bridge element which thereby
also has to be correctly located relative to the box elements in
order for it to work. This solution is time-consuming, requires a
great deal of manual work at the joining location and is therefore
also a relatively dangerous solution for the personnel who have to
carry out the work. The solution also requires all the elements to
be correctly positioned in order to lock the system without any
self-adjustment.
[0004] The contractor Peikko.RTM. has a solution, a so-called PC
console, in its systems where a fastening element is cast into a
pillar so that it is in alignment with the pillar's outer surface.
To this fastening element which is cast into the pillar, an
intermediate piece and a foot part are secured by screw
connections. These parts are secured to the fastening part by screw
connections and this is done at the work site. The beams in this
system have a shoe part mounted on their end surfaces which works
in conjunction with the foot part secured to the pillar. With this
solution, however, it is relatively time-consuming to secure the
intermediate piece and the foot part to the fastening element with
screw connections and there are a relatively large number of parts
that have to be secured to one another at the installation
site.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution
which offers the same advantages as previously known solutions, but
in which in addition the joining process is easier and less
time-consuming and where there are fewer parts in the system.
[0006] The above-mentioned objects are achieved with a joining
system with the individual parts as indicated in the attached
claims and as described below.
[0007] According to the invention a joining system for joining two
elements, building elements, comprises two parts; a first part
which is mounted in one element and a second part which is mounted
in the second element. These parts work in conjunction in such a
manner that they interlock the elements in a simple fashion. The
elements that have to be joined may, for example, be a pillar and a
beam in a building construction. The elements may also be other
elements such as step elements and staircases. The elements may be
steel parts where the parts of the joining system are welded or
affixed in another way to the elements, but at least one of the
elements is preferably a cast element, for example of concrete, but
a composite or plastic element or another material that has to be
cast may also be envisaged.
[0008] A first part of the joining system for attaching to one of
the two elements comprises an outer box element comprising
attachment devices for attaching reinforcing elements, or
alternatively it is conceivable that these attachment devices are
devices for welding the box element to a metal part, or devices for
welding reinforcing elements. The box element may also have
different types of attachment devices for attaching different types
of reinforcement. The first part further comprises at least one
internal box element for insertion in the outer box element. The
internal box element comprises a locking device for locking the
internal box element relative to the outer box element and a
joining element for cooperation with a second part of the joining
system. The locking device preferably comprises a snap-in device,
cooperating with cut-outs provided in the outer box element, with
the result that the boxes are locked together in a very simple
manner, without, for example, the use of tools at the installation
site. In this way the internal box element is locked directly to
the external element by insertion in the external element, so that
it is in the correct position. A locking operation of this kind is
thereby achieved quickly with the minimum of manual work.
[0009] The outer box element is mounted in the first element, for
example by casting thereof, in such a manner that an open side of
the outer box element is aligned with the surface of the first
element. In this way the first element can be transported to the
building site without projecting parts. The internal box element
can also be inserted in the outer box element before the first
element is handled, lifted or raised at the building site in order
to form a part of the building construction, thereby also reducing
the risk to the personnel involved in the work.
[0010] The second part of the joining system comprises a plate
element mounted on the part of the second element facing the first
element, where the plate element comprises a cut-out complementary
to the joining element of the internal box element of the first
part of the joining system. In this way the second element may, for
example, be hoisted up and lowered over the joining element mounted
on the first element, and by means of this movement centred and
secured relative to the other element and thereby locked against
movement in a substantially horizontal plane.
[0011] In an embodiment the snap-in device mounted on the internal
box element comprises two through-going holes arranged in two
oppositely directed lateral surfaces and a tubular piece provided
in the two through-going holes, wherein there are provided in the
tubular piece two locking pieces with an intermediate spring
element, where the locking pieces work in conjunction with cut-outs
in the outer box element. Several variants of such a snap-in device
may be envisaged here, but what is important is that there are
elements in the internal box element that are pretensioned in order
to work in conjunction with cut-outs in the outer box element, or
alternatively the reverse case where locking elements prestressed
in the outer box element work in conjunction with cut-outs in the
internal box element. The case may also be envisaged where the
snap-in device has a one-sided snap-in device, with only one
element that works in conjunction with a cut-out in the outer box
element, or alternatively a four-sided snap-in device.
[0012] The cut-outs in the outer box element are preferably in the
form of two through-going holes in the box in two oppositely
directed sides of the outer box element with externally located
caps. These holes may be of any shape; round, oval, triangular,
etc. Alternatively, the cut-outs in the outer box element do not
need to be through-going, but only internal grooves. The function
of the caps is to prevent casting material in a casting process of
one element from infiltrating the outer box element located in the
casting mould for the one element before it is cast.
[0013] The cut-outs in the outer box element preferably have a
cross sectional shape corresponding to the locking pieces in the
snap-in device, but it is also conceivable for them to have a
different shape to make it easier to insert the internal box
element in the outer box element and lock them together.
[0014] In an embodiment the outer box element comprises four
surrounding sides, for example a piece of a box beam and a rear
side, for example a plate welded on to the piece of the box beam,
thus forming a partly closed box with one open side. When arranged
in an element, the open side of the outer box element is facing out
of the element, and the internal box element will be inserted into
this open side of the external element, and where the end edge of
the box element facing away from the rear plate is aligned with an
external surface of the element in which it is to be mounted.
[0015] The internal box element may also be composed of a box
element with four surrounding sides, for example a box beam with a
slightly smaller cross section than the outer box element. The
internal box element also has a length which is such that when it
is inserted in the outer box element it has a portion which
projects a length from the outer box element. The internal box
element also has a joining element in the form of a plate element
mounted on the projecting portion of the internal box element.
[0016] Other cross sectional shapes than square-shaped may of
course also be envisaged for the box beams and the invention is not
limited to a square shape. Several box elements may be arranged
inside one another, or alternatively two internal box elements
beside each other internally in an outer box element. In an
embodiment with a two-sided snap-in device, the outer box element
may comprise additional grooves that work in conjunction with
grooves on the internal box element in order to ensure that the
internal element is correctly inserted in the outer box element, if
it is essential for it to be inserted in a particular direction. If
the orientation of the internal box element is of no importance,
for example whether the locking device has locking elements on one
or two sides while the outer box element has cut-outs in all four
sides, the internal box element may be inserted with an arbitrary
orientation. Alternatively, the locking devices may have locking
elements on all four sides that work in conjunction with cut-outs
in all four surfaces of the outer box element.
[0017] The first part of the joining device may also comprise
devices which indicate whether the internal box element is locked
to the outer box element. These may be visual or sensory devices,
for example in the embodiment indicated, in a cut-out in a tubular
piece extending through the internal box element, thus permitting a
visual check whether the locking pieces have moved out into the
cut-outs in the outer box element.
[0018] It is also conceivable for the internal box element to
comprise devices that permit the internal and the outer box
elements to be released from each other again after locking, such
as for example in the embodiment indicated where there is a
withdrawal device located inside the internal box element, thus
enabling the locking pieces to be pulled into the internal box
element against the spring and out of engagement with the outer box
element. This may also be a device that can be used to facilitate
the insertion of the internal box element in the outer box element,
by enabling the locking pieces of the snap-in device to be
retracted so that they do not project outside the internal box
element when it has to be inserted in the outer box element. A
movable and/or removable external sleeve, for example, may also be
provided round the internal box element that holds the locking
elements in a retracted position until the locking pieces are
located at least partly inside the outer box element. This external
sleeve may be moved by the edge of the outer box element on
insertion of the internal box element into the outer box element or
it may be removed in a more manual fashion.
[0019] The joining system may be employed for joining two elements
or for joining several elements to one element, for example for
joining two or more beams to a pillar round the same point on the
pillar. In this case a first part of a joining system is provided,
for example an outer box element, at least two sides of the pillar.
In the preferred embodiment at least some of the reinforcing
elements in the cast part for these two outer box elements are
provided with attachment devices, for example a threaded portion,
at both ends and arranged in such a manner that the reinforcing
element is secured in attachment devices in the two box elements so
that these two box elements are secured to each other. The two
outer box elements are preferably arranged at two oppositely
directed sides of the pillar, but reinforcing elements may also be
envisaged that are bent at ninety degrees, and there may also be
three or four or more outer box elements secured to one another.
The reinforcing elements are preferably straight reinforcing rods
with threaded portions at both ends, so that it is easy to attach
the two outer box elements and obtain the correct distance between
them, with the result that they are in alignment with the external
surface of the element wherein they are to be cast. An alternative
scenario is that they are threaded at one end and comprise an
upset, a stop device or the like at the other end of the
reinforcing element or they may only be welded at the other
end.
[0020] The joining system is preferably employed in such a manner
that the first part of the joining system, with internal and outer
box elements, is cast into a pillar. The second part may be cast
into a beam or secured to a non-cast beam. An alternative
application is where both parts of the joining system are arranged
in cast elements. Cast elements here should be understood to mean
all types of cast elements, concrete, plastic, composite, etc. The
joining system may also be envisaged attached to other types of
elements than cast elements, for example welded to steel
structures.
[0021] The invention will now be explained by a non-limiting
explanatory embodiment, with reference to the attached drawings, in
which;
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a joining system according to the
invention employed for joining a pillar and a beam, viewed from the
side,
[0023] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a first part of the joining system in
FIG. 1, where FIG. 2A is a perspective view, FIG. 2B a view from
the side and FIG. 2C a partial sectional view along line A-A in
FIG. 2B,
[0024] FIGS. 3A-B illustrate an outer box element as illustrated in
FIG. 2, where FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a view
from in front into the box element,
[0025] FIGS. 4A-B illustrate an internal box element as illustrated
in FIG. 2, where FIG. 4B is a perspective view and FIG. 4A is a
rear view into the box element,
[0026] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate the second part of the joining system
in FIG. 1, where FIG. 5A is a view from the underside of the beam
and FIG. 5B is a view towards an end of the beam, and
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates two alternative methods of attaching a
first part of the joining system to a beam.
[0028] In the following explanation, reference is made to all the
figures, but where special figures are involved, this is
indicated.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a joining system according to the
invention for joining a beam 2 to a pillar 1, where the joining
system comprises a first part 3 mounted in the pillar 1 and a
second part 4 mounted in the beam 2. The individual elements will
be explained in more detail with reference to the other drawings.
The first part of the joining system is shown in more detail in
FIGS. 2A-C and the second part of the joining system is shown in
more detail in FIGS. 5A-B.
[0030] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first part 3 of the
joining system. The first part 3 comprises an outer box element 10
and an internal box element 20. The outer box element 10, which is
also illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B, where it is shown rotated 90
degrees relative to the variant shown in FIGS. 2A-C, and FIG. 3B
illustrate a side view of the outer box element viewed in the
direction into the box element 10, and rotated 90 degrees relative
to FIGS. 2A-C.
[0031] The outer box element 10 is composed of a box profile with
four lateral surfaces 14 as indicated in FIG. 3A, and a rear plate
15, as indicated in FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B. These form the partly
closed box element 10 which has an open side for insertion of the
internal box element 20. The outer box element 10 is terminated by
a termination edge 17, which will be aligned with a surface of the
element wherein it is cast, thereby preventing the formation of any
projecting parts. The outer box element 10 further comprises
attachment device 11 for the attachment of reinforcing elements 5,
employed when it is cast in an element. The attachment devices 11
are arranged at two opposite lateral surfaces 14 of the outer box
element 10 and have through-going holes 16, which in an embodiment
may have at least one internally threaded portion (not shown).
These attachment devices are usually welded to the lateral surfaces
14 of the box element 10. In a second variant the attachment
devices may also be composed of suitable portions of the lateral
surfaces of the box element for attaching reinforcement, for
example by welding. The box element 10, moreover, has cut-outs 12
in the side of a lateral surface facing into the box element
towards an opposite lateral surface. In the embodiment illustrated
in the figure there are two cut-outs 12 on two oppositely directed
lateral surfaces 14, which in turn are opposite the lateral
surfaces 14 to which the attachment devices 11 are fixed. A person
skilled in the art will appreciate that the solution explained
herein is not an absolutely essential configuration. The cut-outs
12 in the illustrated example pass through the lateral surfaces 14
and an external cap 13 is provided that covers the through-going
cut-outs on the outside of the box element 10 in order to prevent
casting material from flowing into the box element during
casting.
[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B the internal box element
20 has a length that causes it to project from the outer box
element 10 in an assembled position. To this projecting portion a
joining element in the form of a plate 22, whose area is greater
than the cross section of both the internal box element 20 and the
outer box element 10, is mounted on the internal box element 20,
which can be seen from FIG. 2C. The internal box element 20 further
comprises a locking device in the form of a snap-in locking device
which works in conjunction with the cut-outs 12 in the outer box
element 10. The locking device comprises two holes 23 which pass
through two lateral surfaces 21 of the internal box element 20.
Into these holes 23 is inserted a sleeve 24 that extends from one
hole 23 into the second 23. In the sleeve 24 are mounted two
locking elements 25 with an intermediate spring element 26 that
presses the locking pieces away from each other in the direction
out of the sleeve 24, and thereby also into the cut-out 12 in the
outer box element 10 and into abutment against the caps 13, best
illustrated in FIG. 2C. By this means locking of the internal box
element 20 to the outer box element 10 is achieved. The internal
box element 20 is advantageously open at the end that is to be
inserted into the outer box element 10, as can be seen from FIG. 4A
which illustrates the internal box element 20 viewed from the side
that is first inserted into the outer box element 10. In this
figure the sleeve 24 and the projecting locking elements 25 can
also be seen. Other snap-in locking devices may of course also be
envisaged.
[0033] The joining element in the form of the plate 22 may also be
provided with through-going holes 27 to the interior of the
internal box element 20. Two small holes 27 are illustrated in the
figures. These holes or a slightly larger hole may be provided in
the plate 22 either in order to inspect whether the locking device
is in a locked position, to install devices to enable the locking
elements to be pulled into a recessed position and/or to add
casting material to the interior of the internal box element while
casting together the elements that are to be joined.
[0034] The reinforcing elements with which the outer box element 10
is secured to the cast of the element may be provided with a
threaded portion 6 on an end that works in conjunction with the
internal threaded portion of the attachment devices 11 and at the
other end a stopper element 7 may be attached, as illustrated in
FIGS. 2A, 2B, so that it is securely attached to the cast.
Completely different types of reinforcing elements may of course
also be envisaged, since this is not a material part of the
invention, as a person skilled in the art will understand.
[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two views of an embodiment of the
second part of the joining device as illustrated in FIG. 1, mounted
on a beam. This second part of the joining device comprises a plate
element 30 which is mounted on an end of a beam 2. The plate
element 30 comprises a cut-out 31 which may possibly be provided
with small guide surfaces 32. A lead-in 35 is further provided in
the rear edge of the plate element 30.
[0036] When joining the two parts of the joining device, in this
case mounted on a pillar and a beam, the beam with the plate
element 30 will be lifted and lowered towards the joining element
22 (FIG. 2A) in the upper edge thereof. The beam with the plate
element are lowered so that the edge of the cut-out 31 remains
abutting against and around the part of the internal box element 20
that projects from the outer box element. In one portion therefore
the cut-out 31 is complementary to an external cross section of the
internal box element. The weight of the beam will press the edge of
the cut-out 31 in the plate element 30 against the internal box
element 20, thereby transferring forces. When the beam is lowered
into abutment, the joining element 22 of the internal box element
will be inserted in the cut-out 35 in the lower edge and rear edge
of the plate element 30. In this way the plate element 30 is
mounted between the joining element 22 and the surface of the
pillar. The joining element 22 is mounted between the beam and the
plate element 30. The shape of the cut-out 31 is also complementary
to that of the internal box element 20, thereby achieving an
alignment of the elements relative to each other. The arrangement
of the plate element 30 and the joining element 22 as described
above thereby also restricts the movement of the two elements
relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the beam,
and the shape of the cut-out 31 and the cross section of the
internal box element 20 restrict movement of the two elements
relative to each other across the longitudinal direction of the
beam.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates two possible methods of attachment of a
first part of a joining device according to the invention. In the
first example, a first part 3 is mounted in the pillar 1 with
reinforcing elements 5 with stopper elements 7 mounted on the end
of the reinforcing element 5 which projects "freely" into the
pillar 1. In the second example, two first parts 3 are mounted at
two opposite sides of the pillar 1 and reinforcing elements extend
from the attachment device 11 on one first part 3 to the attachment
device 11' on the second first part 3', thereby achieving a very
secure attachment of the parts 3, 3'.
[0038] The invention has now been explained by means of an
embodiment, but a number of variants and modifications of this
embodiment may, however, be envisaged which lie within the scope of
the invention as defined in the following claims. The attachment
device may be clean surfaces on the box element for welding points
for reinforcing rods, there may also be several mounted on the same
lateral surface or on several lateral surfaces. The cap covering
the through-going projections may, for example, be a
circumferential band or sleeve or other device that prevents
casting material from infiltrating the outer box element. Different
cross section variants may be envisaged for the internal box
element and the cut-out in the plate element, which still provide
good contact, force transfer and centering of the second part of
the joining device relative to the first part. It may also be
possible to secure outer box elements facing three or all four
edges of a square pillar or also a pillar of another shape, e.g.
round. In this case the open side of the outer box element may be
of a shape that is complementary to the outside of the pillar.
* * * * *