Beam connector and method of installation thereof
View Patent ↗There is provided a securing mechanism for securing a strut portion to an I-beam, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of clamps, each including a gripping portion, a securing portion, an abutting portion and a fastener for applying tension on the clamps toward each other for moving the clamps toward each other. A kit thereof and a method of installing the securing mechanism are also contemplated in the present application.
1. A securing mechanism for securing a skirt securing device to an I-beam of a trailer, the securing mechanism comprising:
a pair of clamps adapted to be latched together to secure a trailer-contacting portion from the skirt securing device to the I-beam of the trailer, wherein the skirt securing device comprises a plurality of openings therein, the pair of clamps including a central axis when the pair of clamps is assembled in a latched configuration thereof; each clamp comprising
a gripping portion for securing a lower portion of the I-beam, the gripping portion including
an inclined portion including an end proximal to the central axis and an end distal to the central axis;
a first contacting portion connected, at a first end thereof, to the distal end of the inclined portion, the first contacting portion being disposed at an angle with the inclined portion and substantially parallel with the central axis; and
a second contacting portion connected, at a distal end thereof, to a second end of the first contacting portion and generally orthogonally disposed in respect with the first contacting portion and the central axis;
each clamp further comprising
a protruding member connected to a proximal end of the second contacting portion;
a securing portion connected, at a first end thereof, to the protruding member; and
an abutting portion connected to a second end of the securing member;
the securing mechanism further comprising
a fastener for moving the clamps toward each other, wherein, upon moving the clamps toward each other, the inclined portion contacting the I-beam is proximally moving the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion in an axial direction toward the I-beam for securing therebetween the trailer-contacting portion of the skirt securing device against the lower portion of the I-beam, wherein the protruding member and the abutting portion are substantially coplanar, wherein one of the clamps is inserted in the one of the plurality openings of the skirt securing device and the other clamp is inserted in another one of the plurality of openings of the skirt securing device.
2. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion comprises a fastener opening therein.
3. The securing mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the fastener is sized and designed for engaging the fastener opening and applying compression on the clamps toward each other, for moving the clamps toward each other.
4. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the abutting portions of the pair of clamps are contacting each other when the fastener is tightened.
5. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the protruding member includes a semi-cylindrical shape.
6. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the pair of clamps include steel.
7. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion comprises a spring for pushing against the pair of clamps.
8. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion comprises a bent therein for increasing a mechanical strength thereof.
9. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion comprises an elastic member for pushing the pair of clamps toward each other during assembly thereof.
10. The securing mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the securing portion comprises a spacer for installation between the pair of clamps for distancing the pair of clamps from each other.
11. A securing mechanism kit for securing a skirt securing device to an I-beam of a trailer, the securing mechanism kit comprising:
a pair of clamps adapted to be latched together to secure a trailer-contacting portion from the skirt securing device to the I-beam of the trailer, wherein the skirt securing device comprises a plurality of openings therein, the pair of clamps including a central axis when the pair of clamps is assembled in a latched configuration; each clamp comprising
a gripping portion for securing a lower portion of the I-beam, the gripping portion including
an inclined portion including an end proximal to the central axis and an end distal to the central axis;
a first contacting portion connected, at a first end thereof, to the distal end of the inclined portion, the first contacting portion being disposed at an angle with the inclined portion and substantially parallel with the central axis; and
a second contacting portion connected, at a distal end thereof, to a second end of the first contacting portion and generally orthogonally disposed in respect with the first contacting portion and the central axis;
each clamp further comprising
a protruding member connected to a proximal end of the second contacting portion;
a securing portion connected, at a first end thereof, to the protruding member; and
an abutting portion connected to a second end of the securing member;
the securing mechanism further comprising
a protruding member connected to a proximal end of the second contacting portion;
a fastener moving the clamps toward each other, wherein, upon moving the clamps toward each other, the inclined portion contacting the I-beam is proximally moving the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion in an axial direction toward the I-beam for securing therebetween the trailer-contacting portion of the skirt securing device against the lower portion of the I-beam, wherein the protruding member and the abutting portion are substantially coplanar, wherein one of the clamps is inserted in the one of the plurality openings of the skirt securing device and the other clamp is inserted in another one of the plurality of openings of the skirt securing device.
12. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the securing portion comprises a fastener opening therein.
13. The securing mechanism kit of claim 12 , wherein the fastener is sized and designed for engaging the fastener opening therein and applying compression the clamps toward each other for moving the clamps toward each other.
14. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the abutting portions of the pair of clamps are contacting each other when the fastener is tightened.
15. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the protruding member includes a semi-cylindrical shape.
16. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the pair of clamps include steel.
17. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the securing portion comprises a spring for pushing against the pair of clamps.
18. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the securing portion comprises a bent therein for increasing a mechanical strength thereof.
19. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the securing portion comprises an elastic member for pushing the pair of clamps toward each other during assembly thereof.
20. The securing mechanism kit of claim 11 , wherein the securing portion comprises a spacer for installation between the pair of clamps for distancing the pair of clamps from each other.