Patent Application
20170233995
The field of this disclosure relates generally to connectors and, more particularly, to a connector for use in coupling together tubular support members in a building frame.
Many known building structures have a frame that includes a plurality of beams and a plurality of columns. When erecting a taller (e.g., multistory) building, it is necessary to include columns that extend from the ground upwards for multiple stories. However, it can be difficult to transport full-length columns to the building site, and rather typically such columns are transported in segments that are ultimately welded together at the building site. However, depending on the completed height of the building structure, it may be difficult to assemble such columns at the building site. Moreover, assembling such columns at the building site by welding together the column segments can be time consuming and costly.
In one aspect, a connector is provided. The connector includes a flange defining an opening. The connector also includes an insert having a plurality of plates. Each of the plates extends through the opening of the flange. The connector further includes an actuator coupling the insert to the flange. The plurality of plates are movable relative to the flange by operating the actuator.
In another aspect, a method of assembling a connector is provided. The method includes positioning an insert within an opening of a flange. The method also includes coupling the insert to the flange via an actuator. The insert has a plurality of plates that extend through the opening of the flange such that the plates are movable relative to the flange by operating the actuator.
In another aspect, a column for a moment-resisting frame is provided. The column includes a first hollow structural section (HSS) column segment and a second HSS column segment. The column also includes a connector coupling the first HSS column segment to the second HSS column segment. The connector includes a flange coupled between the HSS column segments and defining an opening. The connector also includes an insert having a plurality of plates that extend through the opening of the flange and into the HSS column segments such that the plates are spaced apart from one another. The connector further includes an actuator coupling the insert to the flange such that the plates are movably coupled to the actuator. The connector also includes a plurality of fasteners coupling the plates to the HSS column segments to prevent movement of the plates relative to the flange via the actuator.
The following detailed description illustrates connectors and methods of assembling the same by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description should enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the connectors, and the description describes several embodiments of connectors, including what is presently believed to be the best modes of making and using the connectors. An exemplary connector is described herein as being used to couple together support members in a building frame. However, it is contemplated that the connector has general application to a broad range of systems in a variety of fields other than frames of buildings.
In the exemplary embodiment, at least one column 104 of frame 102 includes a first column segment 108 and a second column segment 110 that are coupled together via a connector 112. More specifically, first column segment 108 has a first end 114 and a second end 116, and second column segment 110 similarly has a first end 118 and a second end 120. Column 104 is assembled onsite by coupling its associated first column segment 108 to its associated second column segment 110 at first end 114 and second end 120, respectively, using connector 112. Although first column segment 108 is illustrated as being coupled to a foundation 122 in the exemplary embodiment, first column segment 108 may not be coupled to foundation 122 in other embodiments (i.e., first column segment 108 may have any suitable position within frame 102, including a position that is elevated above foundation 122). Moreover, although second column segment 110 is illustrated as being lifted onto first column segment 108 using a crane 124 in the exemplary embodiment, second column segment 110 may be lifted onto first column segment 108 using any suitable method.
In the exemplary embodiment, first column segment 202 is defined by a pair of first side walls 208 and a pair of first end walls 210, each of which includes at least one first bolt hole 212 defined therein. First side walls 208 and first end walls 210 collectively define a first end surface 214 and a first inner surface 216 of first column segment 202. First inner surface 216 has a substantially rectangular cross-section at first end surface 214 (i.e., first inner surface 216 has four first inner corners 218 at first end surface 214, each first inner corner 218 being defined at the junction of a first side wall 208 and a first end wall 210). Likewise, in the exemplary embodiment, second column segment 204 has a pair of second side walls 220 and a pair of second end walls 222, each of which includes at least one second bolt hole 224 defined therein. Second side walls 220 and second end walls 222 collectively define a second end surface 226 and a second inner surface 228 of second column segment 204. Second inner surface 228 has a substantially rectangular cross-section at second end surface 226 (i.e., second inner surface 228 has four second inner corners 230 at second end surface 226, each second inner corner 230 being defined at the junction of a second side wall 220 and a second end wall 222). Notably, the substantially rectangular cross-section of first inner surface 216 at first end surface 214 is substantially the same size as the substantially rectangular cross-section of second inner surface 228 at second end surface 226. Although inner surfaces 216 and 228 of column segments 202 and 204, respectively, have cross-sections that are substantially rectangular and substantially the same size in the exemplary embodiment, inner surfaces 216 and 228 may have any suitable cross-sections in other embodiments. For example, at least one inner surface 216 and/or 228 may have a substantially square cross-section or a substantially circular cross-section, and/or inner surfaces 216 and 228 may not have cross-sections that are substantially the same size.
In the exemplary embodiment, connector 206 is a moment-resisting connector that includes a base (e.g., a flange 232), an insert 234, an actuator 236, and a housing 238 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, insert 234 has a first plate 256 and a second plate 258 that, when positioned within opening 250 of flange 232, extend through opening 250 along a longitudinal axis 260 that is oriented substantially perpendicular to flange 232. As such, first plate 256 and second plate 258 define a pair of axial seams, namely a first seam 262 and a second seam 264. In other embodiments, insert 234 may have any suitable number of plates defining any suitable number of seams that facilitates enabling connector 206 to function as described herein (e.g., insert 234 may have four plates and four associated seams in other embodiments).
In the exemplary embodiment, first plate 256 includes a first side member 266 and a first end member 268 that are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another and adjoin one another at a first outer corner 270 such that first plate 256 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. Notably, first side member 266 extends from first outer corner 270 to a first side edge 272, and first end member 268 extends from first outer corner 270 to a first end edge 274 such that first outer corner 270, first side edge 272, and first end edge 274 extend substantially parallel to axis 260. Moreover, first side member 266 has a plurality of first side bolt holes (e.g., an upper first side bolt hole 276 and a lower first side bolt hole 278), and first end member 268 has a plurality of first end bolt holes (e.g., an upper first end bolt hole 280 and a lower first end bolt hole 282). Likewise, second plate 258 includes a second side member 284 and a second end member 286 that are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another and adjoin one another at a second outer corner 288 such that second plate 258 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. Notably, second side member 284 extends from second outer corner 288 to a second side edge 290, and second end member 286 extends from second outer corner 288 to a second end edge 292 such that second outer corner 288, second side edge 290, and second end edge 292 extend substantially parallel to axis 260. Moreover, second side member 284 has a plurality of second side bolt holes (e.g., an upper second side bolt hole 294 and a lower second side bolt hole 296), and second end member 286 has a plurality of second end bolt holes (e.g., an upper second end bolt hole 298 and a lower second end bolt hole 300). In other embodiments, first plate 256 and second plate 258 may have any suitable cross-sectional shapes that facilitate enabling connector 206 to function as described herein. For example, first plate 256 and second plate 258 may have an arcuate cross-section such that first plate 256 does not have first outer corner 270 and such that second plate 258 does not have second outer corner 288.
In the exemplary embodiment, first plate 256 and second plate 258 are substantially the same size and shape (e.g., first side member 266 is substantially the same size and shape as second side member 284, and first end member 268 is substantially the same size and shape as second end member 286). Moreover, first plate 256 and second plate 258 are oriented relative to one another such that first plate 256 and second plate 258 define a passage 302 along axis 260. More specifically, first plate 256 and second plate 258 are oriented such that first side member 266 opposes second side member 284, such that first end member 268 opposes second end member 286, and such that first outer corner 270 points away from second outer corner 288. Thus, first plate 256 and second plate 258 are spaced apart at seams 262 and 264 such that passage 302 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed along axis 260. In other embodiments, plates 256 and 258 may have any suitable orientation relative to one another, and passage 302 may have any suitable shape that facilitates enabling connector 206 to function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, plates 256 and 258 are positionable within opening 250 of flange 232 such that upper bolt holes 276, 280, 294, and 298 are above flange 232, and such that lower bolt holes 278, 282, 296, and 300 are below flange 232. Moreover, plates 256 and 258 are adjustably coupled to flange 232 by actuator 236 such that plates 256 and 258 are movable toward and away from axis 260 (and, therefore, one another) within opening 250 by operating actuator 236. Actuator 236 is a pin-type actuator (e.g., a threaded bolt or set screw) in the exemplary embodiment, and actuator 236 is extendable through an unthreaded bore 304 of flange 232, through a threaded bore 305 of first plate 256 at outer corner 270, across passage 302, through a threaded bore 307 of second plate 258 at outer corner 288, and into an unthreaded pivot slot 306 of flange 232 such that a grip 308 of actuator 236 (e.g., a bolt head) is accessible on the exterior of (or is external to) flange 232 at bore 304. Additionally, actuator 236 has a set of first threads 310 that engage first plate 256 at threaded bore 305 and are oriented in a first direction (i.e., right-handed threads), and actuator 236 also has a set of second threads 312 that engage second plate 258 at threaded bore 307 and are oriented in a second direction opposite the first direction (i.e., left-handed threads). Notably, actuator 236 is not threaded inside bore 304 or pivot slot 306, such that when grip 308 is turned clockwise, plates 256 and 258 move away from one another along actuator 236 such that seams 262 and 264 become wider and passage 302 becomes larger. Conversely, when grip 308 is turned counterclockwise, plates 256 and 258 move toward one another along actuator 236 such that seams 262 and 264 become narrower and passage 302 becomes smaller. In other embodiments, connector 206 may have any suitable type of actuator 236 that facilitates adjusting the position of plates 256 and 258 within opening 250 in the manner described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, housing 238 (shown in
After connector 206 is seated on first column segment 202, second column segment 204 is then lowered onto connector 206 using crane 124 such that first plate 256 and second plate 258 are inserted into second column segment 204 and such that second end surface 226 of second column segment 204 is seated on top surface 243 of flange 232. More specifically, first plate 256 is inserted into second column segment 204 such that first side member 266 of first plate 256 is oriented substantially parallel with a second side wall 220 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto, and such that first end member 268 of first plate 256 is oriented substantially parallel with a second end wall 222 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto. Similarly, second plate 258 is inserted into second column segment 204 such that second side member 284 of second plate 258 is oriented substantially parallel with the other second side wall 220 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto, and such that second end member 286 of second plate 258 is oriented substantially parallel with the other second end wall 222 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto. Thus, upper first side bolt hole 276 and upper first end bolt hole 280 are each aligned with the second bolt hole 224 of its associated second side wall 220 and the second bolt hole 224 of its associated second end wall 222, respectively. Similarly, upper second side bolt hole 294 and upper second end bolt hole 298 are each aligned with the second bolt hole 224 of its associated second side wall 220 and the second bolt hole 224 of its associated second end wall 222, respectively.
With second column segment 204 seated on connector 206, grip 308 of actuator 236 is then turned clockwise (e.g., via a wrench or suitable power tool) such that first threads 310 drive first plate 256 away from second plate 258 to seat first side member 266 and first end member 268 of first plate 256 against first column segment 202 and second column segment 204. Conversely, second threads 312 drive second plate 258 away from first plate 256 to seat second side member 284 and second end member 286 of second plate 258 against first column segment 202 and second column segment 204. A plurality of fasteners (e.g., bolts 330 such as, for example, blind bolts) are then inserted into first bolt holes 212 to engage first plate 256 via bolt holes 278 and 282, and to engage second plate 258 via bolt holes 296 and 300. A plurality of bolts 330 are then inserted into second bolt holes 224 to engage first plate 256 via bolt holes 276 and 280, and to engage second plate 258 via bolt holes 294 and 298. Upon tightening bolts 330, first plate 256 and second plate 258 are prevented from moving along actuator 236 (even though plates 256 and 258 are movably coupled to actuator 236), and axial movement of first column segment 202 relative to second column segment 204 is also prevented. After bolts 330 are tightened, first housing portion 314 and second housing portion 316 are then seated on flange 232 such that first tab 318 and second tab 322 are seated against one another. Fasteners 328 are then inserted into the aligned first fastener apertures 320 and second fastener apertures 324 to couple with nuts 329 and fasten first housing portion 314 to second housing portion 316 such that housing 238 completely encloses flange 232, actuator 236, and bolts 330.
The methods and systems described herein facilitate erecting a moment-resisting frame at a building site. More specifically, the methods and systems facilitate coupling HSS column segments together onsite using a connector that is not welded to the HSS column segments. The methods and systems thereby facilitate eliminating the time that would otherwise be required to weld column segments to one another and/or to the connector. As such, the methods and systems facilitate transporting longer columns to a building site in segments and assembling the columns at the building site by coupling the associated column segments together using a moment-resisting connector that is strictly mechanical in nature. As such, the methods and systems facilitate reducing the time and cost associated with erecting a multistory, moment-resisting frame at a building site.
Exemplary embodiments of connectors and methods of assembling the same are described above in detail. The methods and systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the methods and systems may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, the methods and systems described herein may have other applications not limited to practice with frames of buildings, as described herein. Rather, the methods and systems described herein can be implemented and utilized in connection with various other industries.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
