Patent Application
20120305537
This invention relates generally to a method and system for securing a cross member to a tube, bar or channel. The invention involves a stronger and more secure connection between the tube and the cross member. More specifically, this invention involves inserting the cross member through the diameter of a tube and securing the cross member to the opposite end from which it is inserted of the tube to create a stronger and more secure attachment.
When securing a tube to a cross member, the strength and durability of the attachment may be important. Depending on the specific dimensions of the tube and the cross member, and depending on the amount of force that will be applied to the attachment, the attachment may fail if it is not strong enough.
Existing attachment techniques include welding or fastening the cross member to the exterior of the tube/bar/channel. When fastening, a hole is drilled in the exterior of the tube and a fastener is inserted through the exterior of the tube and is secured to a bolt on the inside of the tube. Both the welding technique and fastener technique provide load and tension strength, but both are weak against lateral or sheer forces, rotational forces and moment forces.
In view of the deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and system for securing a cross member to a tube that provides increased attachment strength, especially against lateral, sheer, rotational forces and moment forces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for securing a cross member to a tube, so that the point of attachment does not deform when force is applied to it.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for securing a cross member to a tube that is aesthetically pleasing and provides a clean look and feel.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for securing a support to a tube that is simple to install and replace.
In summary, provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method and system for securing a cross member to a tube. Two holes are drilled into the tube and the cross member is inserted through one hole, through the, center of the tube and into the second opposite hole. The cross member includes a head, an upper body and a lower body. The head and the upper body are inserted into the second opposite hole, where the head is welded or otherwise attached to the tube. Preferably, the lower body is detached from the upper body during attachment to the tube.
Once the upper body is attached to the tube, the lower body can easily be attached to the upper body to complete the cross member. The upper body includes a central projection and the lower body includes a receiving cavity, sized and shaped to receive the projection. The lower body further includes a screw hole and a screw. The screw is inserted through the screw hole and, when engaged, creates an interference fit between the screw, the central projection and an inner wall of the receiving cavity.
The above-described and other advantages and features of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings of which,
With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown in
As illustrated in
The assembled system is shown by the cross-section view of
The upper body 210 is preferably fixed to the tube T by welding the head 212 to the tube Tat the second hole 104. Once welded in place, the head 212 should fill the second hole 104 to create a junction point in the tube T. In the preferred method, the exterior of the tube T at the junction is polished to remove all visible traces of the second hole 104 having existed. In the preferred embodiment, the cross member 200 need not be welded or otherwise fixed to the first hole 102.
The upper body 210 further includes a central projection 216 extending opposite from head 212 and outward from the tube T (when connected). The lower body 220 includes a receiving cavity 222 sized and shaped to receive the central projection 216. In the preferred embodiment, the central projection 216 and the receiving cavity 222 are both cylindrical, though other shapes may be used.
The lower body 220 further includes a screw 230 that connects the lower body 220 to the upper body 210. In the preferred embodiment, the screw 230 pass through screw threads 224 and selectively engages the central projection 216 to create an interference fit between the screw 230, the central projection 216, and an inner wall 226 of the receiving cavity 222. Accordingly, when the screw 230 is tightened, the lower body 220 is secured to the upper body 210, and when the screw 230 is loosened, the lower body 220 is released from the upper body 210.
In a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in
In a third preferred embodiment, illustrated in
The above described system allows a user to affix the lower body 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 alone to a wall (not shown) and then affixing the upper body 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 to the tube T. The lower body 220, 320, 420, 520, 620 and the upper body 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 can then easily connect to each other, completing installation of the system.
The system/method of the present invention provides increased strength against sheer and rotational forces acting on the connection of the tube T and the cross member 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. In contrast to conventional single surface systems/methods, the present invention is less prone to deformity and is capable of supporting increased weight.
The accompanying drawings only illustrate several embodiments of a system and method for securing a cross member to a tube and their respective constituent parts, however, other types and styles are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiments and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
