Beam flange clamp, structural beam joint with beam flange clamps and method for forming a structural beam joint

A method for forming a structural beam joint, the method comprising:

• abutting a first flange portion of a first structural beam to a second flange portion of a second structural beam, the second structural beam having an axis of extension being angled with respect to the axis of extension of the first structural beam and intersecting with the first structural beam;
• sandwiching the second flange portion between the first flange portion and a first gripping surface of a beam flange clamp, wherein the beam flange clamp comprises a clamp body having a first vise jaw portion, with the first gripping surface, and a second vise jaw portion, with a second gripping surface, the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface being oriented parallel to each other, and being offset in height by a predetermined clamping distance;
• introducing a fastening pin or bolt in a bolting hole formed through a bolting portion protruding from the second vise jaw portion, opposite the first vise jaw portion, of the clamp body;
• and
• tightening, using the fastening pin or bolt, the clamp body to the web portion of the first structural beam.

An aircraft comprising:

• a floor framework with interconnected structural beams, wherein the interconnected structural beams comprise a first structural beam, which comprises a web portion and at least one first flange portion, and a second structural beam, which comprises at least one second flange portion, and wherein the second structural beam has an axis of extension that is oriented at an angle relative to an axis of extension of the first structural beam, such that the second structural beam intersects with the first structural beam,
• wherein the interconnected structural beams are interconnected with structural beam joints, each of the structural beam joints comprising:
• at least one beam flange clamp comprising a clamp body, having:
• a first vise jaw portion with a first gripping surface;
• a second vise jaw portion with a second gripping surface, wherein the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface are oriented parallel to each other and are offset in height by a predetermined clamping distance;
• a bolting portion protruding from the second vise jaw portion, opposite the first vise jaw portion, and
• at least one bolting hole formed through the bolting portion;
• and
• at least one fastening pin or bolt inserted in the at least one bolting hole,
• wherein the at least one first flange portion abuts the at least one second flange portion, and
• wherein the at least one fastening pin or bolt is configured to tighten the clamp body to the web portion of the first structural beam, so that the clamp body sandwiches the at least one second flange portion between the at least one first flange portion and the first dripping surface of the at least one beam flange.