Patent Application
20060124698
The invention relates generally to mechanical couplings and, more particularly, to a mechanical device, and associated method, adapted for coupling together two truss structures.
Truss structures that are assembled for temporary purposes, as is common in the theatrical and entertainment industry, are typically coupled together using conventional bolt and nut fasteners, or forkend/spigotted connectors. A drawback with such techniques is that, due to the large number of joints that must be coupled together in a typical structure, it is generally very time-consuming, and hence very costly, to assemble such a structure. Furthermore, since such structures are, by their nature, temporary and must typically be disassembled a relatively short period of time subsequent to being assembled, substantial time must also be invested to decouple all such truss structures.
Thus, the need has arisen for devices and methods adapted for quickly and readily coupling together and decoupling truss structures.
The present invention, accordingly, provides a coupling device wherein a first truss may be coupled to a second truss by securing a male coupling portion of the coupling device to the first truss, and securing a female portion of the coupling device to the second truss. An extension of the male coupling portion is positioned within an opening of the female coupling portion. The extension is provided with a groove, and the female coupling portion is provided with a lever having a cam formed on it, such that the level may be rotated causing the cam to engage the groove and secure the male coupling portion to the female coupling portion, thereby securing together the first and second trusses.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. Additionally, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Furthermore, for the most part, details concerning trusses and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Referring to
Each of the trusses 102 and 104 comprise four longitudinal tubular members 108 and various lateral members 110 which may be arranged in any of a number of different ways, well known in the art, and therefore will not be discussed in further detail herein, except insofar as necessary to describe the present invention. The trusses 102 and 104 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), composite materials, and the like.
The female coupling portion 204 defines a shank 204a which is configured for fitting into a tubular portion 108 of the second truss 104. A receiver end 204b extends from the shank 204a, and defines an opening 204c which is sized for receiving the extension 202c of the male coupling portion 202, as described in further detail below. A lever 302 is configured for being pivotably secured, via a pin 304, to the receiver end 204b, and includes a cam portion 302a configured for engaging the groove 202d, as described in further detail below. The lever 302 preferably also includes a locking mechanism 304, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,540, to Meyer incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Alternate techniques may be employed to lock the lever 302 in place, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,647,075, 4,871,195, and 5,042,850, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Use of the present invention enables truss structures to be erected much more quickly than is possible using prior art techniques, resulting in substantial monetary savings.
It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the groove formed in the male coupling portion may be formed only as needed for enabling the cam member to engage the male coupling portion and secure same in the female coupling portion. The cross-section of the extension 202c may be non-circular, and rather be defined for example by a square cross-section. The male and female coupling portions may have hollow core portions to reduce weight of the coupling device 106. Ball and groove couplings, or pin and groove couplings, may used in place of the cam and groove coupling described herein.
Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
