The field of the disclosure relates generally to connectors with swaged interfaces and, more particularly, to a connector with a swaged interface for joining 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 can be difficult to transport full-length columns to the building site, and it is common to instead transport each column in segments that are ultimately welded together at the building site. However, it can be time consuming and costly to weld column segments together at a building site.
In one aspect, a connector for a structural column is provided. The connector includes a male element of a first column segment. The male element includes a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures. The connector also includes a female element of a second column segment. The female element includes a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures. At least one of the female element and the male element is swaged such that the female inner surface of the female element is sized to receive the male outer surface of the male element such that each of the first fastener apertures aligns with a corresponding one of the second fastener apertures. The connector further includes a plurality of fasteners configured to be received in the aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures.
In another aspect, a method of assembling a column for a frame of a building is provided. The method includes positioning a second column segment with respect to a first column segment. The first column segment includes a male element including a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures. The second column segment includes a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures. At least one of the female element and the male element is swaged such that the female inner surface of the female element receives the male outer surface of the male element such that each of the first fastener apertures aligns with a corresponding one of the second fastener apertures. The method also includes coupling the second column segment to the first column segment via a plurality of fasteners received in the aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures to form the assembled column.
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 that includes an integrally formed male element of the first HSS column segment. The male element includes a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures. The connector also includes an integrally formed female element of the second HSS column segment. The female element includes a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures. At least one of the female element and the male element is swaged such that the female inner surface of the female element receives the male outer surface of the male element such that each of the first fastener apertures is aligned with a corresponding one of the second fastener apertures. The connector further includes a plurality of fasteners received in the aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures.
The following detailed description illustrates connectors with swaged interfaces 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 the connectors, including what is presently believed to be the best modes of making and using the connectors. An exemplary connector with a swaged interface is described herein as being used to couple together support members in a building frame. However, it is contemplated that a connector with a swaged interface has general application to a broad range of systems in a variety of fields other than frames of buildings.
In the exemplary embodiment, first column segment 202 has a pair of opposing male side walls 208 and a pair of opposing male end walls 210, each of which has at least one first fastener aperture 212. Male side walls 208 and male end walls 210 collectively define a male end surface 214 generally perpendicular to side walls 208 and 210, and a male outer surface 216. A male element 218 of first column segment 202 adjacent male end surface 214 partially defines connector 206. Male outer surface 216 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along male element 218 (i.e., male outer surface 216 has four first outer corners 220 along male element 218, each male outer corner 220 being defined at the junction of a male side wall 208 and a male end wall 210). Likewise, in the exemplary embodiment, second column segment 204 has a pair of opposing female side walls 222 and a pair of opposing female end walls 224, each of which has at least one second fastener aperture 226. Female side walls 222 and female end walls 224 collectively define a female end surface 228 generally perpendicular to side walls 222 and 224, and a female inner surface 230. A female element 232 of second column segment 204 adjacent female end surface 228 partially defines connector 206. Female inner surface 230 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along female element 232 (i.e., female inner surface 230 has four second inner corners 234 along female element 232, each female inner corner 234 being defined at the junction of a female side wall 222 and a female end wall 224).
In the exemplary embodiment, male outer surface 216 of male element 218 is sized and shaped to be received within female inner surface 230 of female element 232, such that male outer surface 216 interfaces with female inner surface 230 adjacent female end surface 228. Moreover, male element 218 is receivable within female element 232 such that first fastener apertures 212 are aligned with second fastener apertures 226. In some embodiments, male outer surface 216 and female inner surface 230 are dimensioned to yield an interference fit. In other embodiments, male outer surface 216 and female inner surface 230 are dimensioned to yield a clearance fit.
Although surfaces 216 and 230 of male and female elements 218 and 232, respectively, have cross-sections that are substantially rectangular and of substantially interfacing peripheries in the exemplary embodiment, in alternative embodiments, surfaces 216 and 230 have any suitable cross-sections that enable connector 206 to function as described herein. For example, at least one of surfaces 216 and 230 has a substantially circular cross-section. For another example, surfaces 216 and 230 have cross-sections that include other than substantially interfacing peripheries.
In the exemplary embodiment, at least one of male element 218 and female element 232 are formed using a swaging process. For example, male and/or female elements 218 and 232 are swaged using at least one of a cold-worked swaging process and a hot-working process. In one embodiment, male element 218 and/or female element 232 are formed via a tube swaging process. In another embodiment, male element 218 and female element 232 are formed using a rotary swagger. In some embodiments, male element 218 and/or female element 232 are swaged about an internal mandrel. In one embodiment, a mandrel with a selected surface finish is used to form female inner surface 230 and/or male outer surface 216 so that a coefficient of friction between female element 232 and male element 218 is increased when the elements are joined. In other embodiments, male element 218 and female element 232 are formed using any suitable swaging process that enables connector 206 to function as described herein.
In some embodiments, at least one of male element 218 and female element 232 are integrally formed with thickened walls relative to a main body of the respective column segment 202 and 204, for example to facilitate resistance to cracking at the bolt hole locations. In some such embodiments, at least one of male and female elements 218 and 232 are formed in a swaging process that results in a thickened element wall section relative to other portions of the respective column segments 202 and 204. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of male and female elements 218 and 232 are formed in any suitable process that results in a thickened element wall section. In an embodiment, the wall thickness of each of the male and female elements is increased in an amount that does not exceed twice a thickness of the parent wall thickness.
In the exemplary embodiment, male and female elements 218 and 232 are of substantially the same wall thickness. In other suitable embodiments, male and female elements 218 and 232 have any suitable wall thickness that enables connector 206 to function as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, female element 232 has an external cross-section that is substantially identical to an external cross-section of a main body of first column segment 202 (i.e., the portion of first column segment 202 below male element 218, with respect to the orientation shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, male element 218 and female element 232 of connector 206 are substantially the same length. In other suitable embodiments, male element 218 and female element 232 have any suitable length that facilitates their use as described herein.
To assemble column 200 onsite when erecting frame 102, first column segment 202 is coupled to a suitable base structure (e.g., foundation 122 or another support member of frame 102). Second column segment 204 is then lowered into position to form connector 206 using crane 124 such that male element 218 is inserted into female element 232 such that female element 232 of second column segment 204 is seated on top male element 218 of first column segment 202. More specifically, male element 218 is inserted into second column segment 204 such that each male side wall 208 is oriented substantially parallel with a female side wall 222 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto, and such that each male end wall 210 of first column segment 202 is oriented substantially parallel with a female end wall 224 of second column segment 204 in spaced relation thereto. Thus, each first fastener aperture 212 of its associated male side wall 208, and each first fastener aperture 212 of its associated male end wall 210, is aligned with the second fastener aperture 226 of its associated female side wall 222 and the second fastener aperture 226 of its associated female end wall 224, respectively.
With second column segment 204 seated on first column segment 202 the plurality of fasteners 316 (e.g., bolts such as, for example, blind bolts) are then inserted into female fastener apertures 226 of female element 232 to engage male element 218 via male fastener apertures 212. Upon tightening fasteners 316, male element 218 is prevented from moving relative to female element 232, and axial movement of first column segment 202 relative to second column segment 204 is also prevented. In some embodiments, no welding is required to complete the secure coupling of column 200 at connector 206.
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 with a swaged interface that is integral 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.
This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/375,759 filed Oct. 28, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US17/47337 | 8/17/2017 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62375759 | Oct 2016 | US |