Hinge connector
AssigneeAllied Tube & Conduit Corporation
InventorsViktor Krongauz, Gregg E. Dohm, Gulzar A. Qureshi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinged connector for joining a first structural member to a second structural member in a support structure, comprising first and second metal connector members each having a base portion for attachment to a respective structural member and a tab integral with the base portion. Each base portion includes an integral upset gusset welded to the tab of the respective connector member to add support to the tab and add stiffness to the connector member.
Claims17
A structure for supporting pipe or conduit in regions subject to seismic disturbance, comprising a plurality of structural members and a plurality of hinged connectors for joining respective ones of said structural members to one another, each connector comprising:
- first and second metal connectors members each comprising a base portion for attachment to a structural member, and a tab integral with said base portion;
- each said tab comprising an oblique portion adjoining its associated base portion and a longitudinal portion which extends longitudinally beyond its associated base portion, each said longitudinal portion having an opening therein;
- and
- a pivotal fastener extending through said openings and joining said tabs;
- each of said base portions including an integral bent gusset welded to its associated tab for adding support to its associated tab;
- each of said connector members being capable of being manufactured from a single integral strip of metal.
A hinged connector for joining a first structural member to a second structural member in a support structure for supporting pipe or conduit in regions subject to seismic disturbance, said connector comprising:
- a first metal connector member comprising a base portion for attachment to a first structural member, and a tab integral with said base portion, said tab comprising an oblique portion adjoining said base portion and a longitudinal portion which extends longitudinally beyond said base portion, said longitudinal portion having an opening therein;
- a second metal connector member comprising a base portion for attachment to a second structural member, and a tab integral with said base portion, said tab comprising an oblique portion adjoining said base portion and a longitudinal portion which extends longitudinally beyond said base portion, said longitudinal portion having an opening therein;
- and
- a fastener extending through said openings to join said tabs;
- each of said tabs being noncoplanar with its associated base portion;
- each of said base portions including an integral bent gusset for adding support to the tab integral with said base portion;
- each of said gussets being welded to its associated tab along an edge of said gusset;
- each of said connector members being capable of being manufactured from a single integral strip of metal.
In a system for enabling a first structural member and a second structural member to rotate in a structural plane around an axis of rotation perpendicular to said structural plane, an improved hinge comprising:
- a first sheet of material formed to define a first connector comprising
- a first portion of said first sheet intersecting said structural plane and defining a first section located on a first side of said structural plane and a second section located on a second side of said structural plane,
- a second portion of said first sheet through which said axis of rotation passes, said second portion defining a first end and a second end located adjacent said structural plane on a first side of said structural plane,
- a third portion of said first sheet connecting said first end of said second portion with said first section of said first portion, and
- a fourth portion of said first sheet connecting said first end of said second portion with said second section of said first portion;
- a second sheet of material formed to define a second connector comprising
- a first portion of said second sheet intersecting said structural plane and defining a first section located on the first side of said structural plane and a second section located on the second side of said structural plane,
- a second portion of said second sheet through which said axis of rotation passes, said second portion defining a first end and a second end located adjacent said structural plane on the second side of said structural plane,
- a third portion of said second sheet connecting said first end of said second portion with said first section of said first portion, and
- a fourth portion of said second sheet connecting said first end of said second portion with said second section of said first portion;
- a first fastener located between said first section and said second section of said first portion of said first sheet for fastening said first portion of said first sheet to said first structural member;
- a second fastener located between said first section and said second section of said first portion of said second sheet for fastening said first portion of said second sheet to said second structural member;
- and
- a third fastener rotatably connecting said second portion of said first sheet with said second portion of said second sheet so that said first and second connectors rotate around said axis of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.