Abstract:
An apparatus for clamping a beam to a column is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base securable one end of the column, first and second clamping members movably connected to the base, and a rack-and-pinion assembly for moving the clamping members between a released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to building construction, and in particular, to a clamp for securing a beam to a column.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the building construction process, it is typically necessary at some point to securely connect a beam to a column. One known beam to column connection, particularly useful for securing metal beams to metal columns, requires welding the beam to the column.  
         [0003]     This prior art beam-column connection has numerous disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is that the use of welding equipment on construction sites creates a significant risk of fire. This in turn increases the cost of construction by increasing the cost of insurance.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, there is a need for a beam column connection which does not require welding.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides an improved beam column clamp which permits a beam to be secured to a column without welding.  
         [0006]     According to a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus comprises a base securable to the first end of the column, first and second clamping members movably connected to the base, and a moving means for moving the clamping members between a released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam.  
         [0007]     According to a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus comprises: 
    (i) a base defining a bore therein;     (ii) first and second clamping members movably connected to the base, wherein the first and second clamping members are movable between a released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam;     (iii) first and second racks connected to the first and second clamping members, respectively;     (iv) first and second pinions rotatably connected to the base, wherein the first pinion engages the first rack and the second pinion engages the second rack; and     (v) a sprocket adapted for connection to the first end of the column, wherein the sprocket is adapted to pass through the bore and engage the first and second racks to secure the clamping members in the clamped position.    
 
         [0013]     According to a third aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus comprises a base securable to the first end of the column, first and second clamping members movably connected to the base, and a moving assembly for moving the clamping members between a released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     In the accompanying drawings:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the beam-column clamp according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment in the clamped position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in the open position; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the preferred embodiment in the clamped position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a beam-column clamp apparatus  10  for connecting a column  12  to a beam  14 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The column may have a first end, such as upper end  42 , and second end, such as lower end  44 . The beam-column clamp  10  is particularly suited for securing an I-beam or other beam having a flange  16  to the column  12 , which preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the beam-column clamp  10  comprises a preferably rectangular base  20 , which includes upwardly depending opposing sides  22   a ,  22   b . A channel  24   a ,  24   b  is formed in each side  22   a ,  22   b , respectively. Two spaced apart pinions  26   a ,  26   b  are rotatably connected to the base  20  in any suitable fashion. The base  20  includes a preferably circular central bore  28  located between the pinions  26   a,b . Each pinion  26   a ,  26   b  engages a corresponding rack  30   a ,  30   b , respectively, for sliding movement of the racks within the channels  24   a ,  24   b . Each rack  30   a ,  30   b  is connected to a corresponding clamping member  32   a ,  32   b  which has a hook-shaped distal portion  34  to securely engage the lower flange  16  of the beam  14  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Each clamping member  32   a ,  32   b  is secured to the corresponding rack  30   a ,  30   b  in any suitable fashion, such as by threaded fasteners  31  received in threaded openings  33  in the clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  and threaded openings  35  in the racks  30   a ,  30   b.    
         [0022]     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the beam-column clamp  10  includes a circular column plate  40  fitted within the inside diameter of the upper end  42  of the column  12  in any suitable fashion. A locking member, such as a sprocket  46 , is secured to the column plate  40  in any suitable fashion, such as by welding or fasteners. The sprocket  46  is sized to pass through the circular bore  28  and engage the pinions  26   a ,  26   b.    
         [0023]     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the sprocket  46  may be secured to the upper end  42  of column  12  in any suitable fashion. For example, the column plate may have any shape, such as a rectangle. The rectangular column plate may rest on top of the column  12  and be secured to the column by welding.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , the lower end  44  of the column  12  includes a threaded opening  50  which receives an upper end of a threaded adjustment rod  52 . The lower end of the adjustment rod  52  is connected to a foot plate  54 . An adjustment nut  56  is secured to the adjustment rod  52 .  
         [0025]     The foot plate  54  has a plurality of holes  60  to receive fasteners  62  to secure the foot plate  54  to a surface, such as a foundation  70 . Preferably, the foot plate  54  has a curved or “dished” surface.  
         [0026]     The operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base  20  of the beam-column clamp  10  is positioned below the lower flange  16  of the beam  14 . The clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  are moved into the open position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). The clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  are then pushed together into the clamped position, such that they engage the flange  16  of the beam  14 . This clamped position is best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  5 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the inward movement of the clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  causes the corresponding racks  30   a ,  30   b  to move inward and the corresponding pinions  26   a ,  26   b  to rotate.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the column  12  is then positioned under the base  20  such that the circular bore  28  is lined up with the sprocket  46 . The column  12  is raised such that the sprocket  46  passes through the circular bore  28  and engages the pinions  26   a ,  26   b . Because the sprocket  46  is fixed in relation to the column plate  40 , the pinions  26   a ,  26   b  can no longer rotate without the column  12  also rotating.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the threaded rod  52  is then turned using the nut  56  until the foot plate  54  is in contact with the foundation  70 . The fasteners  62  are then used to secure the foot plate  54  to the foundation  70 .  
         [0031]     Securing the foot plate  54  to the foundation  70  causes the clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  to be locked in the clamped position. Specifically, the threaded rod  52  is prevented from rotating because it is secured to the foundation  70  at its lower end. The column  12  is prevented from rotating relative to the threaded rod  52 , because to do so would require the column  12  to move vertically. The column  12  is prevented from moving vertically because it is secured to the beam  14  at its upper end  42  by the clamping members  32   a ,  32   b . Consequently, the sprocket  46  is prevented from rotating, thereby restricting the clamping members  32   a ,  32   b  from moving out of the clamped position.  
         [0032]     While the present invention as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it is to be encompassed by the present claims.