Abstract
A structural support system, such as, a scaffolding or a falsework comprising verticals (10) and horizontals (40) connected at node sections (120) at the verticals (10), each node section (120) comprising a locking device for joining horizontals (40) and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals (40) and the vertical (10), where the locking device is a cup pair comprising a bottom cup (20) held at a position on the verticals (10) and atop cup (30) moveably arranged on the verticals (10), where bladed ends of the horizontals (40) or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cup (20) part and top cup (30) part, providing a rigid connection. That is characterized in that parts of the structural support system intended to be held at a position on the verticals (10) are held by using one or more fastening means (50) and corresponding hole(s) (11, 25) in the parts and the verticals (10), the fastening means (50) being rigidly fixed by screwing a headed bolt into the vertical (10), providing a compressive vertical load in vertical and/or horizontal direction capacity of the lower cup via the bolt.
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. A structural support system, such as, but not limited to, a scaffolding or a falsework comprising verticals and horizontals connected at node sections at the verticals, where each node section comprises a locking device for joining horizontals and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals and or diagonals and the vertical, where the locking device is a cup pair comprising a bottom cup held at a position on the verticals and a top cup moveably arranged on the verticals, where bladed ends of the horizontals and/or diagonals are configured to be locked by bottom cup part and top cup part, providing a rigid connection, characterized in that parts of the structural support system intended to be held at a position on the verticals are held by using at least one fastener means and corresponding hole(s) in the parts and the verticals, the fastener means being rigidly fixed by screwing a headed bolt into the vertical, providing a compressive vertical load in vertical and/or horizontal direction capacity of the lower cup via the bolt.
19. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the bottom cup comprises a lower part, preferably of cylindrical form, an intermediate part, preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, an upper part preferably of cylindrical form.
20. The structural support system according to claim 19, where the bottom cup further comprises at least one hole for fastening means, preferably at the circumference of the lower part or the bottom cup, the diameter of the hole being larger than the diameter of a part of the fastening means e.g. a bolt intended to be in contact with the bottom cup.
21. The structural support system according to claim 20, wherein the hole(s) in the bottom cup is without threads.
22. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the bottom cup further comprises at least one drainage recess in the lower part of the bottom cup.
23. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the system further comprises a bottom cup guard.
24. The structural support system according to claim 23, where the bottom cup guard comprises a lower part, preferably of cylindrical form, and an upper part, preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly.
25. The structural support system according to claim 24, where the bottom cup guard further comprises at least one drainage recess at least in the lower part of the bottom cup guard, preferably with the same height and width as the drainage recess of the bottom cup.
26. The structural support system according to claim 23, where the bottom cup guard further comprises a flange at the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup guard, pointing inwards the bottom cup guard having a diameter with a tolerance in order to approximately face outer surface of the vertical.
27. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the horizontal comprises an elongated tube and a blade end with fins with an engaging tube, where the engaging tube and blade end are permanently connected and further being permanently connected to the elongated tube by applying glue to the connecting surfaces, where connecting surfaces is inner surface of the elongated tube and the outer surface of the engaging tube.
28. The structural support system according to claim 27, where the elongated tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped is thread onto the engaging tube, preferably semi-cylindrically shaped but might also be conical shaped, chamfered shaped or it might even be threaded for a threading connection between engaging tube and elongated tube.
29. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the installed bottom cup is covered with a bottom cup guard in order to protect the bottom cup, fastening means and bonding agent from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation.
30. The structural support system according to claim 29, where material used in the bottom cup guard is of a polymer, such as plastic or rubber.
31. The structural support system according to claim 18, where the horizontals are supported with extra support bracket in order to transfer forces between horizontals and the verticals, where the support bracket comprises two identical but mirrored shaped steel or aluminium plates in order to be able to grip around the horizontals and the verticals where the two plates are loosely connected with bolts, washers and nuts to be screwed together and tighten around the horizontals and verticals.
32. A method for mounting a node section on a vertical for use in a structural support system, where each node section is a locking device for connecting horizontals and/or diagonals with bladed ends arranged at ends of the horizontals with verticals, where the locking device is a cup comprising a bottom cup of metal material, preferably aluminium or steel held at a predetermined position on the verticals and a top cup of metal material, preferably aluminium, moveably connected to the verticals, characterized in that forming the vertical from extruded aluminium tubes, forming one or more radially orientated holes in the outer surface of the vertical surface, the surface of each hole preferably being threaded, positioning the holes in the bottom cup with the holes in the vertical and introducing a fastener means of steel into each of the holes via the holes in the bottom cup.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein a bottom cup guard threaded onto the vertical being raised towards the bottom cup until the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup guard aligns a free end of the lower part of the bottom cup, or until a surface of the flange of the bottom cup guard pointing in direction of the bottom cup is mating against the free end of the lower part of the bottom cup.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the bottom cup guard is being adjusted in position where drainage recesses in the bottom cup guard is being aligned with drainage recesses in the bottom cup.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0065] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
[0066] FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective of a locking system of prior art;
[0067] FIG. 2 shows schematically and in perspective a section of a typical scaffold built up with embodiments according to the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 3 shows schematically and in perspective a section of a heavy-duty support structure, e.g. falsework, used for supporting heavy duty steel girders or beams for formwork, used for supporting formwork for construction of bridges, or the like;
[0069] FIG. 4 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 5 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup guard used to protect the bottom cup and fastening means from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation;
[0071] FIG. 6a shows a vertical with preinstalled pairs of bottom cups and a top cups arranged at different levels and spaced along the vertical. FIG. 6b shows a detail A from FIG. 6a of the lower part of the vertical, showing one pair of a bottom cup and a top cup;
[0072] FIG. 7a shows schematically an exploded view, while FIG. 7b shows an assembled view of an embodiment of an assembly of the bottom cup, the top cup, as well as the bottom cup guard of the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 8a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of an embodiment of the bottom cup of a node using the dowel fastening method according to the present invention, while FIG. 8b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8a;
[0074] FIG. 9a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of another embodiment of the bottom cup using the dowel fastening method, while FIG. 9b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9b;
[0075] FIG. 10a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the bottom cup using the dowel pins and wedges according to the invention, while FIG. 10b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10a;
[0076] FIG. 11a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the bottom cup of the present invention, where the bottom cup comprises two identical but mirrored halves joined together, while FIG. 11b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11a;
[0077] FIG. 12a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of an embodiment for fixing a lug used for locking the top cup of the coupling system against upwards movement to the vertical; while FIG. 12b shows schematically and in perspective the embodiment shown in FIG. 12a, the unit being in an assembled state;
[0078] FIG. 13a shows schematically and in perspective an end of a horizontal and its end configuration in an exploded view, while FIG. 13b shows the horizontal end in an assembled state;
[0079] FIG. 14 shows in perspective an assembled node on a vertical, with one horizontal supported the support bracket, extending between the vertical below a node and a horizontal, the support bracket forming an angle with the horizontal and the vertical;
[0080] FIG. 15a shows schematically and in perspective an embodiment of the support bracket in an exploded state, while FIG. 15b shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 15a in an assembled state; and
[0081] FIG. 16a shows schematically and in perspective an exploded view of an embodiment of the bottom cup according to the invention including a bottom cup guard, while FIG. 16b shows schematically and in perspective an assembled view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT DISCLOSED IN THE DRAWINGS
[0082] The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention configured to be integrated in a structural support system such as a scaffolding or a falsework system. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the drawings should not be understood as a limitation to the scope of protection of the invention.
[0083] The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
[0084] Reference throughout the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0085] In general, the verticals are made of aluminium, and the elements forming the node or the wedges or the lugs of the embodiments described below, i.e. top and bottom cup and the dowels may be made either of forged aluminium or steel, unless otherwise specifically defined. In this manner, if bottom cup is made of steel, steel dowel pins and bottom cup may be welded together, or the dowel pins used may be glued, or press fitted with corresponding elements. In addition, or as an alternative, interconnected surfaces may also be glued.
[0086] FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective of a prior art node section 120 used for locking horizontals or the like in a prior art scaffolding system. The system is made of steel. Only a single node section 120 is shown. It should be noted, however that each vertical 10, which is delivered in standard lengths, are provided with node sections 120 shown in FIG. 1, preferably equally spaced apart in tube longitudinal direction. The system consists of a vertical 10 provided with a bottom cup 20, welded to the vertical 10. The bottom cup 20 defines an annular channel 21 (not shown in FIG. 1) around it, such annular channel 21 being open at its upper end. The lower part 22 of the wall of the bottom cup 20 is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the vertical 10 and terminates in a short upper part 24 of cylindrical form.
[0087] The node section 120 also consist at its upper end of a top cup 30 which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the vertical 10 and also defines an annular channel (not shown in FIG. 1) around it, the annular channel being open at its lower end, the wall of the top cup 30 having a cylindrical upper part which fits loosely around the vertical 10 and a downwardly inclined lower part. At one side, the top cup 30 has a bulge 31, in which there is formed adjacent to the vertical 10, a vertical slot 32. The top face of the top cup 30 may be inclined upwardly from either side of the bulge 31 or continuously for a full 360 from one side, thus forming a wedge-shaped surface.
[0088] The vertical 10 has on one side thereof a lug 12, which is of such size that it can pass through the vertical slot 32 in the bulge 31 of the top cup 30. Thus, if the top cup 30 is turned to bring the lug 12 into line with the vertical slot 32, the top cup 30 can be moved up and down the vertical 10 past the lug 12.
[0089] A horizontal 40 is at each end provided with a blade end 41 provided with two diametrically opposed fins 42 (not shown). The fins 42 on each end of the horizontal 40 are pointing in the same direction. The end surface of the blade end 41 is curved, i.e. given a shape that is complimentary to the corresponding shape of the vertical 10.
[0090] For assembling a vertical 10 and a horizontal 40, the top cup 30 is in a position above the lug 12 on the vertical 10. A flanged coupling end (the horizontal's 40 blade end 41) is brought into position with one fin 42 positioned inside the open ended annular channel 21 in the bottom cup 20, also bringing the horizontal 40 into a position where it is perpendicular to the vertical 10. The top cup 30 is then lowered by bringing the vertical slot 32 in the top cup 30 in aligned position with the lug 12, whereupon the top cup 30 is lowered down past the lug 12 and around the upper fin 42. In this position, the inclined upper surface of the top cup 30 is positioned below the lower end of the lug 12. In order to lock the position of the horizontal 40, the top cup 30 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Due to the inclining surface of the top cup 30, when the top cup 30 is rotated in this position, the top cup 30 will act as a wedge against the lug 12, forcing the top cup 30 in the downwards direction, thus providing a secure locking engagement between the top cup 30, the blade end 41 and the vertical 10. In order to achieve rotational movement of the top cup 30, the top cup 30 is fitted with top cup lugs 33, spaced apart around the top cup 30, said top cup lugs 33 being intended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force the top cup 30 into a locking engagement. It should be noted that the blade ends 41, which are made of steel, are welded to the end of the horizontal 40.
[0091] FIG. 2 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a typical scaffold built up with embodiments according to the present invention. The scaffold may comprise of a number of verticals 10 arranged in spaced relation and interconnected by a number of horizontals 40. As indicated in the FIG. 2, the verticals 10 and the horizontals 40 are locked together by means of node sections 120. The node sections 120 disclosed are of a type that shall be described in more detail below. It should be noted that the scaffold may also be provided with accessories, such as bracings with brace ledge ends, brackets, base jacks, all adapted to form an integrated part of the node system described below. As indicated in FIG. 2, the horizontals 40 are assembled in a node section 120, i.e. two horizontals 40 being aligned arranged with an angle of 180 there between, while the third horizontal 40 is arranged orthogonally with the two aligned horizontals 40. It should be noted that other angles and another number of horizontals 40 adjoining in a node section 120 on a vertical 10 is also possible.
[0092] FIG. 3 shows schematically, principally and in perspective a view of a heavy-duty falsework support structure, for example usable for supporting heavy duty steel girders or beams for formwork, for example for supporting formwork for construction of bridges, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the falsework is made up of nine verticals 10 and a large number of horizontals 40, adjoined to the respective verticals 10. Dependent on type and size of falsework and the structure to be supported, the falsework may be made up of numerous verticals 10 and horizontals 40. In this respect, a typical joint may be made up of four adjoining horizontals 40, forming an angle of 90 between each. Again, the built-up of each node section 120, the method for fabricating the verticals and the method for assembling the system shall be described in further details below.
[0093] FIG. 4 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup 20 of one embodiment of the present invention. The bottom cup is made of metal material, preferably of aluminium, but may also be made of steel. A lower part 22 of the wall of the bottom cup 20 preferably forms a lower part 22 of a cylindrical form. An intermediate part 23 of the bottom cup 20 is preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly, while an upper part 24 of the bottom cup 20 preferably forms an upper part 24 of cylindrical form. Cut-outs in lower end of the bottom cup 20 are drainage recesses 26 for draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water, ice, etc. in the bottom cup 20. In order to fix the bottom cup 20 to a vertical 10 (not shown), at least one hole 25 for fastening means 50 (not shown), preferably at the lower part 22 of the bottom cup 20, are furnished at the bottom cup 20. Corresponding hole(s) 11 is furnished at the vertical 10. The holes 11 at the vertical are preferably susceptible to receive threaded fastening means 50.
[0094] FIG. 5 shows schematically and in perspective a view of a bottom cup guard 110 used to protect the bottom cup 20 (not shown) and fastening means 50 (not shown) from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation. A lower part 111 of the bottom cup guard 110 forms a lower part 111 of preferably a cylindrical form. An upper part 112 of the bottom cup guard 110 forms an upper part 112 preferably inclined upwardly and outwardly. A free end of the lower part 111 of the bottom cup guard 110 preferably has a flange 113 orthogonal to the cylindrical form of the lower part 111 directed towards an axial axes of the bottom cup guard 110, having a diameter with a tolerance in order to approximately face the outer surface of the vertical 10 (not shown). Further the bottom cup guard 110 may be furnished with cut-outs in the lower end of the bottom cup guard 110 being drainage recesses 114 corresponding the recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 (not shown). The recesses 114 of the bottom cup guard 110, also serving as draining purposes as those recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 (not shown), preventing accumulation of water, ice etc. in the bottom cup 20 (not shown). The bottom cup guard 110 can be of for example a polymer, such as plastic or rubber. The bottom cup guard 110 can also serve as a marketing object, sporting for instance company logo or product name, and/or being in bright colour. The bottom cup guard 110 is made up of a single unit and may be applied an adhesive and attached to the bottom cup 20, thus providing permanent joining of the bottom cup guard 110 and the bottom cup 20.
[0095] FIG. 6a shows a vertical 10 with preinstalled pairs of bottom cups 20 and a top cups 30 arranged at different levels and spaced along the vertical 10, ready to be installed in a falsework, scaffold or the like and ready to receive bladed ends of horizontals 40 comprising in a falsework, scaffold or the like. The top cup 30 is made of metal material, preferably aluminium. The vertical 10 shows six pairs of bottom cups 20 and top cups 30, there may be fewer and there may be more, but each vertical 10 shall preferably comprise at least one pair of one bottom cup 20 and one top cup 30. At each end of the vertical 10 there are bolts going straight through the vertical with an accompanying nuts. These bolts and nuts are for connection to internal spigots used when stacking one vertical 10 on top of another when the structural support system moves vertically/grows upwards. FIG. 6b shows a detail A from FIG. 6a of the lower part of the vertical 10, showing one pair of a bottom cup 20 and a top cup 30. A bottom cup guard 110 (not shown) may also be preinstalled below each pair of bottom cups 20 and top cups 30 arranged at the vertical 10. A lug 12 is shown on the vertical 10 arranged above a pair of bottom cups 20 and top cups 30. An inclined helical surface 34 at the upper part of the top cup 30. In order to lock the horizontal 40 (not shown), the top cup 30 is rotated in order for top cup 30 to slide it's helical surface 34 towards the lug 12 forcing the top cup 30 in an downward direction. The lug 12 and the helical surface 34 acting as a wedge, providing a secure locking engagement.
[0096] FIG. 7a shows schematically an exploded view, while FIG. 7b shows an assembled view of an assembly of the bottom cup 20 and the top cup 30 of the present invention. At its upper end, the bottom cup 20 is configured to form an annular channel 21 around the vertical 10 when assembled and fixed to the vertical 10. The annular channel 21 is formed by the room between the vertical 10 and surface facing inwards and towards the vertical 10 of the intermediate part 23 and the upper part 24 of the bottom cup 20 as described above in the description of FIG. 4. In FIG. 7a is shown holes 11 in the vertical 10, there should be at least one hole 11, preferably two holes 11, and more preferably three holes 11. These holes 11 in the vertical 10 corresponds to the at least one hole 25 of the bottom cup 20. When the bottom cup 20 is lowered or raised in order for the at least one hole 25 in the bottom cup 20 to be at the level of the at least one hole 11 in the vertical 10, the bottom cup 20 should be adjusted to align the axis of the at least one hole 25 in the bottom cup 20 with the axis of the at least one hole in the vertical 10. Thus, when at least two holes 25 in the bottom cup 20, those holes should be distributed around it's circumferences with the same distribution/angle as the at least two holes 11 in the vertical 10 distributed around it's circumferences, the at least two holes 11 being in a common plane approximately orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the vertical 10. When the holes 11, 25 in the vertical 10 and the bottom cup 20 respectively, are aligned, at least one fastening means 50 may be threaded through the at least one hole 11, 25 of the vertical 10 and the bottom cup 20. The fastening means 50 may preferably be a cap-head socket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreaded bolts, with or without heads, or even pins or wedges. The fasting means 50 not fixing the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10, rather serving as support for the bottom cup 20 to rest on. The fixing of the at least one bolt 50 to the vertical 10 via the holes 25 in the bottom cup 20 provides a compressive vertical load capacity of the lower cup via the fastening means as opposed to a tightening of the fastening means between the bottom cup 20 and the vertical 10.
[0097] A bottom cup guard 110 position on the vertical below the bottom cup 20 will be raised towards the bottom cup 20 until the free end of the lower part 111 of the bottom cup guard 110 aligns a free end of the lower part 22 of the bottom cup 20, or until an surface of the flange 113 of the bottom cup guard 110 pointing in direction of the bottom cup 20 is mating against the free end of the lower part 22 of the bottom cup 20. The recesses drainage 114 of the bottom cup guard 110 being positioned to align with the drainage recesses 26 of the bottom cup 20 and thereby the draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water, ice, etc. in the bottom cup 20 being fulfilled and protecting the bottom cup 20 and fastening means 50 from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation.
[0098] The top cup 30 is arranged above the bottom cup 20, the vertical 10 being in an upraised vertical position. A lug 12, preferably a cap-head socket bolt, but may also be any other suitable threaded or unthreaded bolts, with or without head, or even pins or wedges being arranged in a hole 13, threaded or unthreaded, in the vertical 10 preventing the top cup 30 for further movement upwards the vertical 10. When the bottom cup 20 is installed and the top cup 30 is installed and at it's uppermost position, preventing any further movement by means of the lug 12, the bottom cup 20 and top cup 30 is now ready to receive the bladed ends 41 of the horizontals 40 (not shown) comprising in the falsework, scaffold or the like. When the lower part of the bladed ends 41 of the horizontals 40 (not shown) is received by the bottom cup 20, the top cup 30 will thereafter be lowered towards the bottom cup 20 and rotated onto the upper part of the blade end 41, by rotating the top cup 30 comprising a helical surface 34 at its upper part against the lug 12, and thereby locking the horizontals 20 to the vertical 10 in a firm locking, but releasable, engagement. In order to achieve the rotational movement of the top cup 30, the top cup 30 is fitted with top cup lugs 33, spaced apart around the top cup 30, said top cup lugs 33 being intended to be hit by a hammer or a sledge in order to force the top cup 30 into the locking engagement.
[0099] FIG. 8a shows schematically an exploded view while FIG. 8b shows an assembled view of another embodiment of the bottom cup 20 made of steel, fixed to the vertical 10. At its upper end, the bottom cup 20 is configured to form an annular channel 21 around the vertical 10 when assembled and fixed to the vertical 10 in aluminium. The annular channel 21 is open at its upper end. The lower part 22 of the wall of the bottom cup 20 is inclined upwardly and outwardly, while the upper part 24 of the bottom cup 20 forms an upper part 24 of steel with a cylindrical form.
[0100] In order to fix the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10, holes 11 for fastening means 50, are pre-machined in the vertical 10 around its periphery at the same level, into which fastening means 50, preferably dowel pins of steel are fixed, protruding radially out of the vertical 10. The holes 11 in the verticals 10 are preferably pre-glued in order to permanently fix the dowel pins 50 to the vertical 10. The dowel pins 50 are evenly positioned around the entire circumference of the vertical 10, positioned at the same level. At its lower end surface, the bottom cup 20 is provided with a corresponding number of machined recesses 28 in bottom cup 20 to match the number of dowel pins 50 arranged around the circumference of the vertical 10.
[0101] It should be noted that the bottom cup 20 may be machined as a single, integrated unit, thread on to the vertical 10 for appropriate fixing, or the bottom cup 20 may be machined or formed as separate units and subsequently assembled around the vertical. The latter way of assembling will be described below.
[0102] When lowering bottom cup 20 down onto the dowel pins 50, the orientation of the bottom cup 20 is adjusted so as to enable recesses 28 in bottom cup 20 on the lower surface of the bottom cup 20 to rest on the corresponding dowel pins 50. If the vertical 10 is in an upright position, the bottom cup 20 is now resting on the dowel pins 50. The bottom cup 20 is permanently connected to the dowel pins 50, and thereby to the vertical 10, preferably through spot welds between bottom cup 20 and each dowel pin 50 and/or by applying glue to either dowel pins 50 and/or the machined recesses 28 in bottom cup 20, thus gluing the bottom cup 20 to the dowel pins 50. Cutouts in lower end of bottom cup 20 are drainage recesses 26 for draining purposes, preventing accumulation of water or ice in the bottom cup 20.
[0103] FIGS. 9a and 9b shows yet another embodiment of the bottom cup 20 of the view shown in FIG. 8, the only major difference being the height of the cylindrical part 15 of the bottom cup 20.
[0104] FIG. 10a shows schematically an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, while FIG. 10b shows an assembled view of the same embodiment of a bottom cup 20 according to the present invention. Apart for the differences described below, the shape, configuration, and function of the bottom cup 20 disclosed correspond to the shape, configuration and functions disclosed above in relation to FIGS. 8 and 9. According to this embodiment, upwards and inwards inclined wedges 70 are used for locking the bottom cup 20 to the vertical 10. Holes 11 for dowel pins 50 are pre-machined in the vertical 10 around its periphery, in which dowel pins 50 are placed and fixed, protruding out from the outer surface of the vertical 10. The holes 11 in the vertical 10 are preferably pre-glued, in order to permanently fix the dowel pins 50 to the vertical 10. Glue is applied to the dowel pins 50 protruding out of the outer surface of the vertical 10 and the wedges 70 provided with corresponding machined holes (not shown) to match the dowel pins 50, fixing the wedges 70 to the dowel pins 50 for a permanent fixture on the vertical 10. Correspondingly, the inner surface at the lower end of the bottom cup 20 is provided with complementary shaped recesses (not shown), configured to receive the wedges 70 and securing the correct position of the bottom cup 20 on the vertical 10. Alternatively, or supplementary, the mating surfaces of the wedges 7028 against the vertical 10 might be applied with glue. The bottom cup 20 thereafter slides down onto to the wedges 70 for a stiff and firm connection. After the bottom cup 20 is placed onto the wedges 70, welding may be applied between the bottom cup 20 and the wedges 70 in order to insure a fixed connection.
[0105] FIG. 11a shows schematically an exploded view of a yet another embodiment of the bottom cup of the present invention, while FIG. 11b shows an assembled view of the same embodiment of the bottom cup 20 according to the present invention. The bottom cup 20 comprises two identical, but mirrored, bottom cup halves 27, 27. Dowel pins 60 are used to connect both the two bottom cup halves 27, 27 together, and dowel pins 50 are at the same time connecting the two bottom cup halves 27, 27 together with the vertical 10. Pre-machined holes 29 in the mating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves 27, 27 and pre-machined holes 11 in the mating surfaces of the two bottom cup halves 27, 27 and the vertical 10 is applied with glue before dowel pins 29, 50 are inserted protruding out of the vertical 10 and one half 27, 27 of the bottom cup 20. Glue is filled in the remaining holes 11, 29. The bottom cup halves 27, 27 are then joined together with each other and at the same time with the vertical 10 for a permanent connection.
[0106] FIG. 8-10 shows cups in one piece, it is not restricted to be manufactured in one piece; it might in all embodiments as shown in FIG. 8-10 be manufactured in two pieces, joined together as described in FIG. 11, with or without dowel pins in combination with gluing and/or welding on joining surfaces, prior to being thread onto the vertical.
[0107] FIG. 12a shows schematically an exploded view of an embodiment of a lug 12 for locking of the top cup 30 of the present invention, while FIG. 12b shows the unit in an assembled state. Holes 13 are pre-machined in the vertical 10 in which dowel pins 130 are placed protruding out of the vertical 10, the holes 13 are preferably pre-glued, in order to permanently fix the dowel pins 130 to the vertical 10. Glue is applied to the dowel pins 130 and the face of lug 12, which shall be mated with the vertical 10, before the lug 12, with pre-machined holes to match the dowel pins 130 in the vertical 10, is placed onto the dowel pins 130 for a permanent connection. Stoppers 100, which might be dowel pins, shown at the top of the vertical 10 are mechanical stoppers preventing loose objects, such as the top cup 30, from falling off. The stoppers 100 are placed in pre-machined holes in the vertical 10 filled with glue.
[0108] FIGS. 13a and 13b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of the end piece of a horizontal 40 with an end piece on each end of an elongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40. The long elongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40 being of a light material, such as aluminium, is to be permanently connected to a connecting end piece comprising a blade end 41 with an engaging tube 81, being of a stronger material such as steel.
[0109] The blade end 41 of the end piece fits the shape of the vertical 10, the bottom cup 20 and top cup 30. The end piece's engaging tube 81 has a shape to fit within the elongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40. The outer surface of the engaging tube 81 of the connecting end piece being applied with glue before being treaded into the elongated tube 80 of the horizontal 40 for a permanent connection. The engaging tube 81 is preferably of a semi-cylindrical shape, but it might also take a conical shape, chamfered shape or it might be threaded for a threaded connection between engaging tube 81 and elongated tube 80.
[0110] FIG. 14 shows schematically an embodiment of an assembly of the coupling system of the present invention. Showing two horizontals 40, only end part shown, to be connected to the vertical 10 through first lowering one side of the blade end 41 into the preinstalled, permanent bottom cup 20 as described in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. A top cup 30 is thereafter lowered and rotated onto the other side of the blade end 41, by rotating the top cup 30 comprising a helical upper part against the lug 12 described in FIG. 12, and thereby locking the horizontals 40 to the vertical 10 in a firm but releasable connection. A support bracket 90 may be assembled between the vertical 10 and horizontal 40 in order to aid the transfer of loads between the horizontal 40 and the vertical 10 creating a stronger and more rigid connection between the horizontal 40 and the vertical 10. The support bracket 90 is configured to be securely fixed to the vertical 10 below the node section 120 and the horizontal 40 at a distance from the node section 120, thereby forming a strut or a brace. The support bracket 90 will be described in further details below, referring to FIGS. 15a and 15b.
[0111] FIGS. 15a and 15b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of the support bracket 90 mentioned in FIG. 14 comprising two identical but mirrored support bracket plates 91, 91, being shaped steel or aluminium plates, able to grip around both the horizontal 40 and the vertical 10. The two support bracket plates 91, 91 are loosely connected with bolts 93, washers 95 and nuts 96 before assembled in order to be fastened together and tightened around the horizontal 40 and the vertical 10. The bolts 93, which may be carriage bolts used with corresponding squared holes 94 in the support bracket plates 91, 91 in order to keep the bolts 933 in place while screwing the nuts 96 and tightening the parts together or loosening the parts, thereby eliminating the need of an extra holding-on tool while tightening of loosening of the parts.
[0112] FIGS. 16a and 16b shows an exploded and assembled view of an embodiment of a bottom cup guard 110 used to protect the bottom cup 20, dowel pins 50 and joining adhesive from mechanical impacts and environmental elements causing material degradation. The bottom cup guard 110 can be for instance of a polymer material such as plastic or rubber. The bottom cup guard 110 can also serve as a marketing object, sporting for instance company logo or product name, and/or being in bright colour. The bottom cup guard 110 is made up of a single unit and is applied an adhesive and attached to the bottom cup 20, thus providing permanent joining of the bottom cup guard 110 and the bottom cup 20.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 10 Vertical 11 Holes in the vertical 12 Lug on vertical 13 Hole for lug on vertical 20 Bottom cup 21 Annual channel 22 Lower part of the wall of the bottom cup 23 Intermediate part of the wall of the bottom cup 24 Upper part of the wall of the bottom cup 25 Hole in bottom cup 26 Drainage recess in bottom cup 27, 27 Bottom cup halves 28 Machined recesses in bottom cup 29 Holes in the mating surfaces of the bottom cup halves 30 Top cup 31 Top cup bulge 32 Vertical slot 33 Top cup lug 34 Helical surface 40 Horizontal 41 Blade end 42 Fins 50 Fastening means 60 Dowel pins for bottom cup halves 70 Wedges 80 Elongate tube 81 Inner tube 90 Support bracket 91, 91 Support bracket plate 92, 92 Clamping portion 93 Bolt 94 Squared hole 95 Washer 96 Nut 100 Stopper 110 Bottom cup guard 111 Lower part of the bottom cup guard 112 Upper part of the bottom cup guard 113 Flange of the bottom cup guard 114 Drainage recess in bottom cup guard 120 Node section 130 Dowel pins for lugs in vertical
