CLAMP FOR SECURING TOGETHER MULTIPLE SUPPORT PANELS FOR A STRUCTURE SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for building an indoor track system is disclosed. The system includes a clamp that includes two brackets and a fastener system configured to bring the brackets to each other to squeeze two end beams of two different frames towards each other. The array of frames are then connected to each other in a side-by-side arrangement and are configured to support a structure thereon, such as an indoor running track.

Claims

1. A system for building an indoor track system, the system comprising: a series of frames arranged horizontally, each frame comprising end beams, the series of frames comprising at least a first frame and a second frame laid side by side; a connection system to connect the series of frames together in a horizontal manner, the connection system comprising: a first bracket having a first receiving portion and configured to apply a first force to a first end beam of the first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of the second frame; a second bracket having a second receiving portion and configured to apply a second force to the second end beam of the second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and a fastener system configured to bring the first bracket towards the second bracket to squeeze the first end beam towards the second end beam; and a support system to support the connection system and the series of frames so that the series of frames are securely connected together and to allow a flooring to be laid on the securely connected series of frames.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a first piece of metal is attached to the first end beam and the receiving portion of the first bracket is configured to mate with the first piece of metal, and wherein a second piece of metal is attached to the second end beam and the receiving portion of the second bracket is configured to mate with the second piece of metal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener system is connected to the support system via a central supporting truss so that the first and second end beams are disposed on the central supporting truss.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection system further comprises a spacer disposed between the first and second end beams to space the first and second end beams from each other when being squeezed by the brackets.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a third bracket having a third receiving portion and configured to apply a third force to a third end beam of a third frame; a fourth bracket having a fourth receiving portion and configured to apply a fourth force to a fourth end beam of a fourth frame; and a fastener system configured to bring the third bracket towards the fourth bracket to squeeze the third end beam towards the fourth end beam wherein the first, second, third and fourth frames are aligned together to support a continuous surface thereon.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastener system comprises one or more fasteners which adjusts the force applied to at least one of the first and second brackets.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second brackets are shaped to have a curved portion to receive the first piece of metal and second piece of metal, respectively.

10. A method for building an indoor track system comprising a series of frames, a connection system and a support system, the method comprising: disposing a first end beam of a first frame beside of second end beam of a second frame so that the first and second frames are side by side horizontally; applying, via a first bracket, a first force to a first end beam of a first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of a second frame; applying, via a second bracket, a second force to a second end beam of the second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and bringing, via tightening of a fastener system, the first bracket towards the second bracket to squeeze the first end beam towards the second end beam.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: attaching a first piece of metal to the first end beam, wherein a receiving portion of the first bracket is configured to mate with the first piece of metal, and attaching a second piece of metal to the second end beam and the receiving portion of the second bracket is configured to mate with the second piece of metal.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: connecting the fastener system to the support system via a central supporting truss so that the first and second end beams are disposed on the central supporting truss.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: connecting a spacer between the first and second end beams in a was so as to space the first and second end beams from each other when being squeezed by the brackets.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: aligning the first frame, the second frame, a third frame and a fourth frames aligned together to support a continuous surface thereon providing a third bracket having a third receiving portion and configured to apply a third force to a third end beam of the third frame; providing a fourth bracket having a fourth receiving portion and configured to apply a fourth force to a fourth end beam of the fourth frame; and bringing, using a fastener system, the third bracket towards the fourth bracket to squeeze the third end beam towards the fourth end beam.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other.

16. A system for building an indoor track system, the system comprising: a foundation support; an a connection system that is supported by the foundation support and that is configured to connect a series of frames together in a horizontal manner, each frame comprising end beams, the connection system comprising: a first bracket having a first receiving portion and configured to apply a first force to a first end beam of a first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of the second frame; a second bracket having a second receiving portion and configured to apply a second force to the second end beam of a second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and a system configured to bring the first bracket towards the second bracket to force the first end beam towards the second end beam, wherein the series of frames are securely connected together so that flooring can be laid on the connected series of frames.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a running track application, according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a first portion of the running track of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a frame of the first portion of the running track of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a second portion of the running track of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a clamp system for a structural support system, according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a picture of an elevated indoor running track using the clamp system according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates the picture of FIG. 5 in greater detail according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of installing a clamp system, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present application is directed to a clamping system for clamping various structures, such as support structures. These support structures that couple be constructed with the use of the clamping systems of the present application may include: indoor running tracks, bleacher seating, other tracks, and any other system where multiple portions are attached in an array. As will be discussed herein, the clamping system can be used to install or assemble an indoor running track. Thus, while the clamping system is described herein using the exemplary indoor running track, it should be understood that the clamping system of the present application can be employed for other applications and the present invention should not be limited to indoor running tracks.

[0017] The present clamp system will now be described using the indoor running track application embodiment. To start, FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a running track 100, according to an embodiment. As illustrated, the indoor running track 100 is composed of a series or an array of frames that are each joined together or placed side-by-side. Once the frames are all installed using a plurality of the clamping systems, items may then be installed on top of the frames. For the indoor running track application, plywood (or some other flat surface items) may be placed on and secured to respective frames. In this regard, the frames are used as support for the track placed on top of the frames.

[0018] Each of the frames and the clamping of the frames together will now be described. FIG. 2A illustrates a first portion 200 of the running track 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B illustrates a frame 201 of the first portion 200 of the running track of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2A, the indoor running track 100 includes multiple frames 201, 201, 201, 201 that are placed side-by-side and connected using the clamp system 400. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each frame includes a first end beam 206, a second end beam 207, and cross beams 208. As shown in FIG. 2A, when placing the frames side-by-side, a first end beam 206 of a first frame 201 is placed next to a second end beam 206 of a second frame 201. The assembly of the frames are discussed in more depth later herein.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a second portion 300 of the running track 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment. The second portion 300 is a portion that is around a bend of the indoor running track 100. As shown in FIG. 3, there are trusses 302 and 304 which are used to support the frames 201. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates a central supporting truss 210 extending longitudinally and being in the same direction as beams 206 and 207. The central support truss 210 is where the clamp system 400 is anchored. As shown, there are multiple clamp systems 400 used for each of the frames 201. For example, there may be a clamp systems 400 on a first frame 201 in each corner area of the first frame 201 so that there are four clamp systems 400, in some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a clamp system 400 for a structural support system, according to an embodiment. As shown, the clamp system 400 includes left and right brackets 202, and a fastener system 402 that connects a protrusion 406 extending from each of the first and second end beams 206, 207.

[0022] One protrusion 406 is located on a side of the first end beam 206 that is towards an interior area of the first frame 201 and on the same side of the first end beam 206 that is closest to the first bracket 202. Likewise, another protrusion 406 is located on a side of the second end beam 206 that is towards an interior area of the second frame 201 and on the same side of the second end beam 206 that is closest to the second bracket 202.

[0023] The protrusion 406 may be an integral part of the end beam 206, 207 but is part of the end beam that fits within a groove of the bracket 406, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the protrusion 406 may be a piece of stock metal that is attached to the end beam using any method, such as welding, fastener attachment, magnetic attachment, or the like. In one embodiment, the protrusion could be a fastener or other part that extends from the end beam 206, 207 (such as if a bolt extends through the end beam).

[0024] Regardless, the protrusion 406 is configured to fit into a corresponding receiving portion 409 of the bracket 202, such as a groove, curved portion, angled portion, or the like of the bracket 202 so that when the bracket is attached, the protrusion 406 mates the the receiving portion so that the bracket is securely attached to the end beam 206, 207 by use of the protrusion 406 and receiving portion 409 configuration.

[0025] The fastener system 402 may be any type of fastener or other device which is configured to apply a force to the bracket 202 to squeeze the end beam(s). As shown in FIG. 4, the fastener system 402 could be a bolt and nut system that includes a bolt 406 with a head 401, where the bolt 406 has threads that receives the nut 404. When the nut 404 is screwed onto the bolt 402, the brackets 202 both apply pressure toward each other so that the first end beam and second end beam are pushed toward each other.

[0026] It should be noted that multiple fastener systems could be used instead of just a single fastener system 402. For example, there could be one fastener system on one end 408 of the clamp system 400 and another fastener system on the other end 410 of the clamp system 400.

[0027] The fastener system 402 is attached through the central supporting truss 210 where the first and send end beams 206, 207 will be disposed on. The central supporting truss 210 runs under all of the frames and is a central supporting truss for the whole indoor track (or a large part of the track).

[0028] In some embodiments, the first end beam and second end beam are spaced from each other using a spacer 405 so that the first and second end beams are not on the very edge of the structures placed on top of the frames 201. However, this arrangement is not a requirement for the invention to work. Nonetheless, if a spacer 405 is used, the spacer may be a portion of the first or second end beams or may be an item attached to the end beams 206, 207 so that when the frames are installed, the spacers 405 are already present. It is noted that if a spacer is used, the spacer 405 should be placed close to the central supporting truss 210, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0029] The clamping system 400 works on both flat systems or elevated systems, FIG. 5 illustrates a picture of an elevated indoor running track using the clamp system 400 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates the picture of FIG. 5 in greater detail according to an embodiment. As shown the clamp system 400 is disposed on the central supporting truss 210 where a fastener system 402 is tightened to squeeze the first and second end beams 206, 207 of first and second frames 201, 201. The central supporting truss 210 is supported by trusses 304 which have different heights to make the system an elevated running track. Also, shown in FIGS. 5-6 is that the frames 201 have plywood placed thereon which can be attached to the first and second end beams 206, 207 to secure the running track 100 to the system 100.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of installing a clamp system, according to an embodiment. In block 602, a first section/frame 201 and a second section/frame 201 are placed side-by-side on top of a center beam (center supporting truss 210). As mentioned above, a spacer 405 may optionally be placed in between the first and second frames 206, 207. Also, a piece of stock is placed on each of the first end beam 206 and the second end beam 207.

[0031] As shown in block 604, a fastener system 402 is then connected through the central supporting truss 210 and two brackets 202 which are on positioned such that the first end beam 206 and the second end beam 207 are disposed in between the two brackets 202.

[0032] A receiving portion 409 of each of the brackets 202 is positioned to align with the protrusion 408 or a piece of stock, as provided in block 606.

[0033] In block 608, the fastener system 402 is then tightened thereby applying opposing forces to the first and second end beams 206, 207, respectively, so that the first and second end beams 206, 207 are squeezed toward each other. These forces then create a tight connection between the frames because the friction between the end beams 206/207 keeps the end beams from moving in a direction perpendicular from the clamp 400 and away from the central supporting beam 210.

[0034] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.