In-line frame connector assembly and system for large portable frameworks
View Patent ↗A frame connector assembly is adapted to releasably secure first and second frame members in line with one another. The connector assembly includes first and second expansion elements elastically interconnected. The second expansion element includes two hollow lobes joined by a web. When the connector assembly is received by the two frame members, threaded rotation of one or more threaded actuators forces the expansion elements apart and into engagement with opposing primary walls of the frame members. The threaded actuator also presses against the web, thereby causing resilient outward rotation of the lobes. This rotation results in compressive engagement between the outboard edges of the second expansion element and respective intermediate walls of the frame members. Thus, the connector assembly imposes locking forces to the frame members along two axes orthogonal to the main axis of the frame connector assembly. The expansion elements may have an identical extrusion cross-section.
1. A frame connector assembly for releasably rigidly joining a first frame member and a second frame member in-line with one another, said assembly comprising:
a main axis and first and second expansion elements joined to one another laterally thereof in elastically separable fashion, said first expansion element having a first outer face, said second expansion element having a second outer face disposed oppositely of said first outer face, said second expansion element having a pair of hollow lobe members each elongated along a respective lobe axis, said lobe members being connected to one another by way of a web portion therebetween, thereby defining a channel disposed inward of said second outer face, each said lobe member having an outboard edge; and
at least two actuator elements mounted in threaded association with said first expansion element and separated by an actuator distance along said main axis, each said actuator element having a tool engagement end and a web engagement end, said tool engagement ends being accessible through said first outer face, said web engagement end being pressingly associated with said web portion wherein threaded movement of said actuator elements in an expansion direction toward said second expansion element forces said first and second expansion elements apart from one another.
2. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first expansion element has a block mounting groove disposed oppositely of said first outer face, and said actuator elements are mounted in said threaded association by way of respective block elements retained within said block mounting groove.
3. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said block elements are comprised of a polymer molded with a respective female-threaded brass fitting therein.
4. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second expansion elements are comprised of Aluminum and have an identical extrusion cross-section.
5. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 1 whereas said elastic separability is provided by way of one or more spring elements.
6. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 5 whereas said one or more spring elements are formed of flat spring steel and are riveted to said expansion elements.
7. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuator distance is at least 150 mm.
8. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said frame connector assembly is at least 300 mm in length.
9. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said first frame member and second frame member each have a height and width of 120 mm.
10. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein
said first frame member has a first internal cavity defined by a pair of opposed first primary walls and a pair of opposed first intermediate walls extending therebetween, said second frame member has a second internal cavity defined by a pair of opposed second primary walls and a pair of opposed second intermediate walls extending therebetween;
said frame connector assembly has a dual-received configuration wherein respective segments of said frame connector assembly are simultaneously slidably received within said internal cavities and said first outer face is parallel to respective said first and second primary walls; and
when said frame connector assembly is in said dual-received configuration, continued said threaded movement of said actuator elements in said expansion direction results in compression between said outer walls and respective said primary walls, and opposing resilient rotation of said lobe members about their respective lobe axes.
11. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said opposing resilient rotation is configured to result in compressive engagement between said outboard edges and respective said intermediate walls.
12. A frame connector assembly for releasably rigidly joining a first frame member and a second frame member in-line with one another, said assembly comprising:
a main axis and first and second expansion elements joined to one another laterally thereof in elastically separable fashion, said first expansion element having a first outer face and a block mounting groove disposed oppositely thereof, said second expansion element having a second outer face disposed oppositely of said first outer face, said second expansion element having a pair of hollow lobe members each elongated along a respective lobe axis, said lobe members being connected to one another by way of a web portion therebetween, thereby defining a channel disposed inward of said second outer face, each said lobe member having an outboard edge;
at least two block elements retained within said block mounting groove; and
at least two actuator elements, each said actuator element being mounted in threaded association with said first expansion element by way of a respective said block element, said actuator elements being separated by an actuator distance along said main axis, each said actuator element having a tool engagement end and a web engagement end, said tool engagement ends being accessible through said first outer face, said web engagement end being pressingly associated with said web portion wherein threaded movement of said actuator elements in an expansion direction toward said second expansion element forces said first and second expansion elements apart from one another;
wherein said first and second expansion elements are comprised of Aluminum and have an identical extrusion cross-section.
13. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said block elements are comprised of a polymer molded with a respective female-threaded brass fitting therein.
14. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 12 whereas said elastic separability is provided by way of one or more spring elements formed of flat spring steel and riveted to said expansion elements.
15. A frame connector assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said frame connector assembly is at least 300 mm in length and said actuator distance is at least 150 mm.
16. An in-line frame connection system in which a frame connector assembly is in releasably rigid joining relationship between a first frame member and a second frame member, said system comprising:
a main axis and first and second expansion elements joined to one another laterally thereof in elastically separable fashion, said first expansion element having a first outer face, said second expansion element having a second outer face disposed oppositely of said first outer face, said second expansion element having a pair of hollow lobe members each elongated along a respective lobe axis, said lobe members being connected to one another by way of a web portion therebetween, thereby defining a channel disposed inward of said second outer face, each said lobe member having an outboard edge;
at least two actuator elements mounted in threaded association with said first expansion element and separated by an actuator distance along said main axis, each said actuator element having a tool engagement end and a web engagement end, said tool engagement ends being accessible through said first outer face, said web engagement end being pressingly associated with said web portion wherein threaded movement of said actuator elements in an expansion direction toward said second expansion element forces said first and second expansion elements to spread apart from one another;
said first frame member being elongated and having a first internal cavity defined by a pair of opposed first primary walls and a pair of opposed first intermediate walls extending therebetween, said second frame member being elongated and having a second internal cavity defined by a pair of opposed second primary walls and a pair of opposed second intermediate walls extending therebetween;
respective segments of said frame connector assembly being simultaneously received within said internal cavities and said first outer face being parallel to respective said first and second primary walls; and
said actuator elements applying sufficient pressing force to said web portion to cause compression between said outer walls and respective said primary walls, and opposing resilient rotation of said lobe members about their respective lobe axes, said opposing resilient rotation resulting in compressive engagement between said outboard edges and respective said intermediate walls.
17. An in-line frame connection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second expansion elements are comprised of Aluminum and have an identical extrusion cross-section.
18. An in-line frame connection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said first expansion element has a block mounting groove disposed oppositely of said first outer face, and said actuator elements are mounted in said threaded association by way of respective block elements retained within said block mounting groove, said block elements being comprised of a polymer molded with a respective female-threaded brass fitting therein.
19. An in-line frame connection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said elastic separability is provided by way of one or more spring elements formed of flat spring steel and riveted to said expansion elements.
20. An in-line frame connection system as defined in claim 16 wherein said frame connector assembly is at least 300 mm in length, said actuator distance is at least 150 mm and said first frame member and second frame member each have a height and width of 120 mm.