US3315994A - Coupling means for building frameworks, racks, scaffolds and the like - Google Patents

Description

Aprll 25, 1967 RIFKEN 3,315,994

COUPLING MEANS FOR BUILDING FRAMEWORKS. RACKS- SCAFFOLDS AND THE LIKE Filed June 26, 1964 1620 I B ZOZJJSLJ? fi e/z Y MAX R, Kama M United States Patent 3 315,994 COUPLING MEANS FOR BUILDING FRAME- WORKS, RACKS, SCAFFOLDS AND THE LIKE Louis L. Rifken, 122 S. Grove, Elgin, Ill. 60120 Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,163

. Claims. (Cl. 287-535) This invention relates to improvements in coupling means for building frameworks, racks, scaffolds, and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a coupling unit adapted to interlock and couple two or three framework members, pipes, or the like, in a positively locked position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling unit formed of a pair of members pivotally connected and pivotally adjustable, each of said members forming a socket for removably receiving a framework structure, with said members having means for forming a central socket to receive a framework structure positioned transversely of said first mentioned framework structures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling unit formed of a pair of pivotal members adjustable to form various desired angular positions so that the framework members may be coupled and clamped in any desired angular relationship. The coupling unit may couple two or three framework members.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

111 the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coupling unit of this invention, showing same coupling two tubular frame work members substantially at right angles to each other.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing same coupling three tubular members.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view partly in section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the members pivoted to a different angular relationship than that shown in FIG. 1 and coupling a pair of framework members, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the pivotal members, the other pivotal member being of identical construction.

The coupling unit generally indicated at 10 is formed of a pair of pivotal members 12 and 12 which are of identical construction. Each of said members is integrally formed, preferably of a sheet steel or sheet aluminum, which may be shaped by a die or forming member to the shape shown, so that each member has a generally U- shaped configuration in transverse section having spaced side walls 14 and 16 connected by the curved arcuate connecting wall 17. This forms a pocket or socket 19 and 19', respectively, in each member for each removably re ceiving a framework member or pipe P1 and P2. The side wall 14 continues outwardly to form an extension 18 of the side wall. The opposite side wall 16 also has an extensoin 20 formed as a continuation of the side Wall 16, however, said extension 20 is offset inwardly with respect to its side wall. The said opposed extensions 18 and 20 are inclined inwardly and each is provided with an opening 22 and 24, respectively, which openings are adapted to be alined. A shoulder 26 is formed in the side wall 16 by the otfset extension 20 and said shoulder forms a stop for engagement by the outer angular edge 28 of the adjacent extension, as will be described. The side walls 14 and 16 are each provided with a semicircular recess or cutout 30 and 32, respectively, on its forward edge. The

said recesses are aimed. The side wall 14 is provided with an inclined edge 34, and side wall 16 is provided with a similar inclined edge 36. The two identical members 12 and 12' are pivotally secured together, as will now be described.

The two members 12 and 12 are positioned relative to each other so that the inwardly offset extension 20 of one member is positioned adjacent the extension 18 of the other member. A transverse pin or connector 38 extends through the alined openings 22 and 24 of both members. The pin 38 has grooves 44] adjacent its opposite ends to receive locking washers 42. This pivota'lly secures the two members to each other. It will be seen that the two members can be adjusted relative to each other to change the angular relationship. The inward pivoting of the two members 12 and 12' with respect to each other is arrested when the inclined edges 34 and 36 abut each other, as shown in FIG. 1, in which position the pipes or framework members P1 and P2 would be at right angles to each other. The two members 12 and 12 may be pivoted in the opposite direction from that shown in FIG. 1 until the side edge 28 of the extension 18 of one member engages the shoulder 26 of the other member, which serves to stop the outward pivotal movement.

The transverse pin 38 is provided with a threaded bore 44 to accommodate a threaded bolt 46 which is adapted to extend through the threaded bore and to engage a framework or pipe member P3, as will be presently described. A clamping bar, generally indicated at 48, is secured to the threaded bolt 46. The clamping bar is likewise formed of a sheet spring shaped to the configuration shown in the drawings, so that it is of a generally U-shaped configuration in which the sides or legs 50 extend outwardly of the central portion and are curved outwardly to form a curved portion 52 and then are turned inwardly in a curved portion as at 54 and then are curved outwardly as at 56 to form outwardly turned edges 58.

The clamping bar 48 is provided with a central opening 60 in the central portion to accommodate a threaded bolt 46, the head 60 of which is positioned against a washer 62, which in turn rests against the central portion of the clamping bar. A helical spring 64 surrounds the bolt 46 and has one end positioned against the undersurface of the clamping bar with the opposite end of the spring resting against the transverse pin 38. The spring 64 tends normally to urge the clamping bar 4-8 in a direction away from the transverse pin 38. However, when the threaded bolt 46 is threaded inwardly into the transverse pin it moves the clamping bar inwardly into engagement with the framework members P1 and P2 for the purpose of clamping same. It will be seen that the spaced legs 5'0 of the clamping bar are positioned between the side walls 14 and 16 of the .two IIlBIllgbflI'S 12 and 12 and that the legs of the clamping bar engage the framework members P1 and P2 in clamping position.

When the two members 12 and 12' are positioned in the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the angled edges 34 and 36 abut each other, the two semi-circular openings 30 and 32 of the two side walls 14 .and 16 form a circular opening 66 which is alined with a similar circular opening in the opposite two side wall to form a pocket or socket 68 for removably receiving a framework member P3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two framework members P1 and P2 are held in clamping position, one framework member being perpendicular to the other. The clamping bar 48 has the outermost portion of its legs from the bend 54 to the outer end extending substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the framework members P1 and P2 which it engages with its outer edge 58, digging into and engaging the framework member. The members 12 and 12' are positioned so that the inclined edges 34 and 36 abut each other. The circular opening 66 formed by said members forms the pocket or socket for removably receiving framework member P3, the axis of which extends transversely to the axis of the pockets or sockets 19 and 19.

FIGS. 2 and show an arrangement in which one framework member P1 is perpendicular to the other framework member P2, with the legs of the clamping bar 48 engaging said framework members and with the third framework member P3 extending transversely of the framework members P1 and P2 and secured within the circular central socket 68 and held in place by engagement of the threaded bolt 46. It will be seen that in this arrangement the transversely extending framework member P3 is not in engagement with either of the other two framework members and does not depend upon its secured position by any engagement with the other two framework members. The central socket 68 formed by the two semi-circular cutouts encompasses the transversely extending framework member P3- and same is secured in such central socket by virtue of engagement with the threaded bolt 46.

The pivoting action of the two members 12 and 12' permits the pockets 19 and 19' to be positioned relative to each other in an unlimited number of angular positions other than perpendicular, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In these various angular positions the framework members are clamped in locked position, the clamping bar serving to prevent relative pivotal movement between members 12 and 12 while the clamping bar is in clamped position. Thus, after the members 12 and 12' are positioned in their desired angular relationship, the clamping bar 48 is moved inwardly through the bolt 46. The clamping bar will engage the framework members, locking the framework members in their sockets and simultaneously prevent any relative movement between members 12 and 12'. When the members 12 and 12' are positioned as shown in FIG. 6, the central socket formed by the semi-circular openings is not circular. This will permit it to accommodate a framework member of a larger diameter than that capable of being accommodated in the circular socket 68. It also permits the central socket to accommodate a piece of wood or a plank such as used in forming a sawhorse.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling unit comprising a pair of pivotal members pivotally secured together by pivot means, each said pivotal member having a socket, a framework member supported in each said socket, each said pivotal member having a generally semi-circular shaped recess with the semi-circular recesses forming a third socket for supportin g a framework member, the third socket extending transversely to the axes of the first two sockets, clamping means attached to said pivot means, said clamping means including at least two resilient members, each of the said first mentioned sockets receiving an end of one of said resilient members to engage the framework members in the first mentioned sockets to clamp said framework members in clamping position.

2. A structure defined in claim 1 in which the flexible spring clamp is secured to the pivot means by a member which engages the framework member in the third socket to clamp said framework member in clamping position.

3. A structure defined in claim 1 in which each of the pivotal members has a generally U-shaped configuration in cross-section to each hold a tubular framework memher.

4. A structure defined in claim 1 in which each of the pivotal members has spaced side walls connected by an arcuate connecting wall to hold tubular framework members.

5. A structure defined in claim 1 in which the pivotal members may be pivotally adjusted and secured in clamping position relative to each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,566,171 12/1925 Spurr 182-484 2,132,285 10/1938 Brown 182-186 2,941,618 6/1960 Larson 182F486 3,195,938 7/1965 Rifkin 2'87--54 3,216,752 11/1965 Rifkin 28754 CARL W. TOMLIN, Primal Examiner.

W. L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A COUPLING UNIT COMPRISING A PAIR OF PIVOTAL MEMBERS PIVOTALLY SECURED TOGETHER BY PIVOT MEANS, EACH SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER HAVING A SOCKET, A FRAMEWORK MEMBER SUPPORTED IN EACH SAID SOCKET, EACH SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER HAVING A GENERALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR SHAPED RECESS WITH THE SEMI-CIRCULAR RECESSES FORMING A THIRD SOCKET FOR SUPPORTING A FRAMEWORK MEMBER, THE THIRD SOCKET EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY TO THE AXES OF THE FIRST TWO SOCKETS, CLAMPING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID PIVOT MEANS, SAID CLAMPING MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO RESILIENT MEMBERS, EACH OF THE SAID FIRST MENTIONED SOCKETS RECEIVING AN END OF ONE OF SAID RESILIENT MEMBERS TO ENGAGE THE FRAMEWORK MEMBERS IN THE FIRST MENTIONED SOCKETS TO CLAMP SAID FRAMEWORK MEMBERS IN CLAMPING POSITION.

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