STRUCTURAL CONNECTOR

Abstract

A structural connector comprising at least one spigot and at least one socket wherein at least a portion of the at least one spigot is tapered and at least a portion of the at least one socket is a complimentary tapered configuration.

Claims

1. A structural connector comprising at least one spigot and at least one socket wherein at least a portion of the at least one spigot is tapered and at least a portion of the at least one socket is a complimentary tapered configuration.

2. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the spigot is a cone, a frustum or is curved.

3. A structural connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein the curved tapered portion of the spigot is a dome.

4. A structural connector in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cone is a circular cone, an elliptical cone or a polyhedral cone.

5. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tapered portion of the spigot is frusto-conical and at least a portion of the socket is a complimentary frusto-conical configuration.

6. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector is provided with one socket adapted to receive one spigot.

7. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector is provided with two sockets adapted to receive two spigots.

8. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connector comprises at least one beam or a portion thereof, said at least one beam or a portion thereof extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the spigot and socket.

9. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the length of the spigot is between one and two times the maximum width of the column or beam connected to the spigot.

10. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spigot comprises an annular ridge at the end distal to the tapered portion to facilitate the connection of the spigot to a column or a beam.

11. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spigot comprises a thread at the end distal to the tapered portion to facilitate the connection of the spigot to a column or a beam.

12. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the socket comprises side walls adapted to engage at least a portion of the non-tapered portion of the corresponding spigot.

13. A structural connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the complimentary connection between the spigot and the socket provides a snug fit with an annular clearance between the spigot and the socket of less than 2 mm.

14. A structural connector in accordance with claim 13, wherein the annular clearance between the spigot and the socket is less than 1 mm.

15. A structural connector in accordance with claim 13, wherein the annular clearance between the spigot and the socket is less than 0.5 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular structure incorporating a plurality of connectors in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a side view of a connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a side view of a connector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] FIG. 4 is a side view of a connector in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a side view of a connector in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a cut away view of a spigot in in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0061] FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of a modular structure incorporating a plurality of connectors in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0063] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is amenable to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more steps or features.

[0064] FIG. 1 provides a representation of a three level structure 10 with dimensions of 6.76.510 m. Level 1 supports a feeder with a cantilevered extension 3.256.5 m; level 2 supports a feeder bin of 19 m.sup.3 and level 3 which supports a conveyer and associated head chute.

[0065] In FIG. 2, there is provided a cross section of a structural connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The structural connector 12 comprises a spigot 14 and a socket 16. The spigot 14 comprises a tapered portion 18 and a non-tapered portion 20. The socket 16 comprises a tapered portion 22 and a non-tapered portion 24.

[0066] In FIG. 3, there is provided a cross section of a structural connector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Like numerals in FIG. 3 denote like parts in FIG. 2. The structural connector 30 comprises a spigot 14 and a socket 16. The socket 16 comprises a side wall 32 adapted to engage at least a portion of the non-tapered portion 20 of the spigot 14.

[0067] In FIG. 4, there is provided a cross section of a structural connector in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Like numerals in FIG. 4 denote like parts in FIG. 2. The structural connector 40 comprises a spigot 14 and a socket 16. The spigot 14 comprises a tapered portion 42 and a non-tapered portion 44. The socket 16 comprises a tapered portion 46 and a non-tapered portion 48. The tapered portion 42 of the spigot 14 is in the form of a dome 50. The dome 50 is represented as a hemisphere of constant radius. It will be appreciated that it could be ellipsoid. The tapered portion 46 of the socket 16 is a complementary shaped spherical shape. The socket 16 comprises a side wall 32 adapted to engage at least a portion of the non-tapered portion 44 of the spigot 14.

[0068] In FIG. 5, there is provided a cross section of a structural connector in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The structural connector 70 comprises a first column spigot 72 and an opposed second column spigot 74, a first socket 76 and a second socket 78, and a beam 80. The first socket 76 and the second socket 78 are provided as one piece. The beam 80 is welded to an outer surface 82 of the connector 70. Welding of the column to the connector assists in the efficient transfer of bending and axial forces.

[0069] As seen in FIG. 5, the upper surface 84 of the first spigot 72 may abut the corresponding surface 86 of the second spigot 74. This abutment can carry the column compression and reduce stresses in the column.

[0070] An annular ring 88 is provided at the base of the spigot to facilitate connection to a column. The annular ring extends into the interior of the spigot and beyond the diameter as shown in FIG. 6. Where the spigot and the column are screwed together, the annular ring 88 would not be required.

[0071] The sockets are slightly shorter than the spigots, to ensure only bearing or friction is used at the sides and top of the connection, not at the base of the sockets.

[0072] Consider two tubular columns, telescoped together. When bending occurs at the join, a jamming effect due to friction provides a resistance to any tension (e.g. uplift) or compression that is applied. This combined axial force and bending moment occurs when horizontal loads from, for example, wind or seismic loading are applied to a frame structure. As the bending moment increases, the resistance between the two bodies creates a greater jamming effect due to the couple produced. Referring to the present invention, when a bending moment is induced within the beam and/or column, it will create a jamming effect in the connector and resist any axial forces (including uplift).

[0073] In use, there may be provided four cylindrical columns 100 loosely bolted to a concrete base plate 102 in the conventional manner (only one column being depicted in FIG. 7). The columns 100 have frusto-conical spigots 104 attached to their upper ends. Four connectors 106 with opposed sockets in accordance with the present invention are joined by conventional beams 108 to provide a floor 110. The four connectors 106 are spatially oriented in the same manner as the four columns 100 on the base plate 102. The floor 110 is lowered by crane onto the four columns 100 on the base plate 102. The tapering of the spigots advantageously provides for self centering of the connectors 106. Under its own weight, the floor 110 will install onto the columns on the base plate 102. If necessary, they may be further tapped into place. If the column 100 and the corresponding spigot 104 are threadably connected, it is possible to change the level of the floor 110 during installation.

[0074] Four further columns 112 (only one shown in FIG. 8), each with spigots at both ends 114, 116 are then lowered onto the four sockets 106. The process may be repeated as required. The uppermost floor 118 may have connectors 120 with only one socket 122 each. It will be appreciated that the system can be used with more than four columns. In a larger installation, the grid beams would be connected to the connectors and the entire floor lifted over the receiving columns. Alternatively, in some applications, only one column may be used, for example as a cantilever beam or column in a jib crane, light pole or a shelving bracket.

[0075] 3D printing of steel components is made possible using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), an additive manufacturing process. Components are built up, layer by layer, using a laser to selectively sinter (heat and fuse) a powdered metal into a solid part.

[0076] Table 1 shows the variety of stainless steels available to print. For the purpose of the specification, Stainless Steel Alloy 420 (SS 420) and Stainless Steel 17-4 (SS 17-4) was used within the analysis to ensure a conservative and non-conservative approach.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 2.1 3D Printed Stainless Steel Properties Mild Steel SS 17-4.sup.1 SS 316L.sup.2 SS 420.sup.3 300.sup.4 Yield Strength 730 475 427 300 (MPa) Ultimate Tensile 1041 538 496 430 Strength (MPa) Modulus pf 170 168 147 200 Elasticity (GPa) Elongation at 17 50 7 21 Break (%) Hardness 30 85 93 130 (HRC) (HRC) (HRC) (HBN) Description Excellent weld Excellent weld ability and ability, corrosion corrosion resistance and resistance; cost ductility. effective. .sup.1Stainless steel 17-4 (Stratasys) .sup.2Stainless steel 316L (Stratasys) .sup.3Stainless steel Alloy 420 (Shapeways) .sup.4300 Grade Mild Steel (DCT; BHN)

[0077] It has been identified that the benefits of the present invention compared to conventional installation are reduced erection times, the ability to pre-install equipment such as chutes and screens, and the reduction or even elimination of bracing members that can facilitate improved maintenance access.