Abstract:
The present invention relates to the connection of removable and replaceable equipment to a structural member. The invention is particularly advantageous in environments where there is vibration or movement, such as with a tractor-trailers, railroad freight containers, airplane or the like. The present invention provides a triple acting wedge boltless connector system for connecting a mounting member to a structural member. The boltless connector system of the present invention tends to tighten and more securely engage when subject to vibration or movement. Consequently, vibration does not loosen the boltless connection but instead makes the connection more secure. Thus, there is no need for threaded fasteners and washers. The present invention also facilitates easy removal of the equipment from the main structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a structural connector used to interconnect two structural members. Specifically, this invention relates to the connection of removable and replaceable equipment to a main structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Several methods and devices are known for connecting removable and replacement equipment. Previously such removable and replaceable equipment has been connected by threaded fasteners, such as bolt connector systems comprising bolts and the like, and spring type lock washers or nuts. Threaded fasteners are vulnerable to vibration and cyclic axial loading. Threaded fasteners tend to loosen, which perpetually reduces the spring pressure from the lock washers. When the spring pressure is lost, the threaded nut can rapidly separate from the threaded bolt. Bolts are difficult to replace in the field because equipment is often located in very close quarters. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the correct torque for the bolt type fasteners in the field. Additionally, these bolt connector systems tend to loosen when extensive vibration occurs resulting in the bolts coming loose and equipment becoming damaged. Vibration or shock causes the bolt to elongate and loosen the washer. Therefore, there is a need for a boltless connector that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a boltless connector that may be advantageously used in a wide variety of different environments. For example, the connector of the present invention may be used to secure removable and replaceable equipment, such as a storage device, to the main structure of a vehicle used for the transport of materials—vehicles and structures which may be subject to extensive vibration. Typical advantageous applications for the invention may be vehicles such as tractor-trailers, railroad freight containers, and the like. The present invention also relates to the easy and efficient securing and removal of the equipment using the boltless connector of the invention. Accordingly, to overcome the shortcomings of existing connector systems, the boltless connector system of the present invention provides a boltless connector for connecting and securing a member. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the boltless connector system is comprised of two main components which work together to secure a mounting member therebetween. In particular, a generally U-shaped mounting plate and a complimentary wedge are brought into engagement with each other, securely retaining a mounting member therebetween. The mounting plate may be secured to a structure by any conventional method, such as by welding, a bolted connection or other conventional technique. Once the mounting plate and the wedge are brought into engagement, they may be secured together with, for example, a cotter pin that passes through the body of the mounting plate and the wedge. 
     The mounting plate and the wedge are designed such that during vibration or movement, the mounting plate and the wedge tend to engage even more tightly, due to the relationship of the complimentary engagement surfaces between the two components. In particular, the mounting plate includes an engagement lip, a first leg with a groove and a second leg with a groove that respectively engages in a complimentary manner a wedge having an engagement edge, a first angled extension and a second angled extension. The angled nature of the engagement of the mounting plate with respect to the wedge advantageously tends to more tightly secure the engagement when vibration or other movement is encountered. In this regard, the present invention represents a substantial improvement over conventional and prior art connection techniques which typically tend to loosen when vibration or movement is encountered. Thus, in contrast to prior art designs, vibration and movement tend to enhance the securing effect of the connector of the present invention. 
     Moreover, the design of the invention is relatively simple, and the connector may clamp a mounting member relatively quickly and easily. Once the mounting member is disposed between the mounting plate and the wedge and the two elements are brought into general alignment, the assembly may be completely secured by tapping into a final position with a hammer and retained with a cotter pin or similar retaining member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main components according to one embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connector assembly of the present invention being used to secure a mounting member; 
     FIG. 3 is another perspective view illustrating how a mounting member may be retained by the connector assembly of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is another perspective view further illustrating how a mounting member may be retained by the connector assembly of the present invention. 
    
    
     While the invention is described and illustrated herein with respect to certain embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. It is intended that the invention covers all alternatives, modifications and equivalents falling within the scope and spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the boltless connector assembly  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the connector assembly  10  includes a generally U-shaped mounting plate  20 , having a mounting surface  25 . The mounting plate  20  may be secured to a structural member (not shown) through any conventional technique, such as by welding, bolting or otherwise. Such a structural member may be stationary or may be part of a vehicle such as a railroad car, airplane or trailer which may be subject to various vibrations and movement. The mounting plate  20  further includes an engagement lip  30  defining a closed edge of the mounting surface  25 . The engagement lip  30  includes an engagement surface  35  planarly displaced from or co-planar with the mounting surface  25 . The engagement lip  30  further includes a channel  40  disposed along the length of the engagement lip  30 . 
     The mounting plate  20  further includes a first leg  45  defining a first edge of the mounting surface  25 . The first leg  45  is disposed approximately perpendicular to the engagement lip  30 . The first leg  45  includes a groove  50  disposed distally to the engagement lip  30  and extending generally transverse to the axis of the first leg  45 . The mounting plate  20  further includes a second leg  55  defining a second edge of the mounting surface  25 . The second leg  55  is disposed approximately perpendicular to the engagement lip  30  and has a groove  60  disposed distally to the engagement lip  30  and extending generally transverse to the axis of the second leg  55 . 
     The connector assembly  10  further includes a complimentary generally trapezoidal-shaped wedge  70  having a free surface  75  and is adapted to engage the mounting plate  20 . The wedge  70  includes a first extension  80  that defines an angle  85  with respect to the free surface  75  at the distal end of the first extension  80 . The first extension  80  is complimentary to and is adapted to engage the groove  50  of the first leg  45  of the mounting plate  20 . The wedge  70  further includes a second extension  90  that defines an angle  95  with respect to the free surface  75  at the distal end of the second extension  90 . The second extension  90  is complimentary to and is adapted to engage the groove  60  of the second leg  55  of the mounting plate  20 . The wedge  50  further includes a generally sloped or angled engagement edge  100  disposed distally from the first  80  and second  90  extensions. The engagement edge  100  is adapted to be inserted into and retained within the channel  40  of the engagement lip  30  of the mounting plate  20  in a secure mating relationship in order to join the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70  together to form a secure connection. The connector assembly  10  of the invention may also include a cotter pin  120  or other retaining mechanism to maintain the relationship between the wedge  70  and the mounting plate  20 . As illustrated, a cotter pin  120  may be inserted into a hole  122  of the mounting plate  20  and extend through a complimentary hole  124  of the wedge  70 . In some cases, the hole  124  of the wedge  70  may be oblong shaped or slightly larger than the hole  122  of the mounting plate  20  in order to make insertion of the cotter pin  120  easier. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70  are engaged by moving the wedge  70  toward the mounting plate  20  in the direction of the arrow. The complimentary design of the wedge  70  causes the engagement edge  100 , the first extension  80  and the second extension  90  of the wedge  70  to engage, respectively, with the channel  40 , the groove  50  of the first leg  45  and the groove  60  of the second leg  55  of the mounting plate  20 . In addition, the cotter pin  120  or other retaining mechanism which extends through complimentary holes  122  and  124  of the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70  will prevent movement of the wedge  70  in a direction opposite the arrow with respect to the mounting plate  20 . 
     As may be appreciated from the illustration, the angled nature of the engagement of the engagement edge  100  of the wedge  70  with the channel  40  of the mounting plate  20  secures the wedge  70  with respect to the mounting plate  20  against movement in a longitudinal direction of the wedge  70  toward the engagement lip  30 , as well as against movement in a transverse direction of the wedge  70  with respect to the mounting plate  20  in the direction of the arrow. In addition, the angled nature of the engagement of the first extension  80  of the wedge  70  into the groove  50  of the first leg  45  of the mounting plate  20  as well as the angled nature of the engagement of the second extension  90  of the wedge  70  into the groove  60  of the second leg  55  of the mounting plate  20  secures the wedge  70  with respect to the mounting plate  20  against movement in a longitudinal direction of the wedge  70  away from the engagement lip  30  of the mounting plate  20 . Furthermore, in view of the angled nature of the engagement, vibration or movement of the assembly has a tendency to further tighten the engagement of the wedge  70  with respect to the mounting plate  20 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated the manner in which the boltless connector assembly  10  of the present invention may be utilized to securely clamp a mounting member  130  within the assembly  10 . As illustrated, the mounting plate  20  of the connector assembly  10  is securely attached to a structural member  140 , such as a beam. The mounting plate  20  may be attached to the structural member  140  by any conventional technique, such as by welding or bolting the mounting plate  20  to the structural member  140 . While the structural member  140  has been illustrated by way of example as a beam, it should be understood that the structural member may be any member to which the mounting plate  20  may be securely attached. 
     As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the wedge  70  is engaged with the mounting plate  20  and the cotter pin  120  is inserted into the holes  122 ,  124  of the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70 . Securely clamped between the wedge  70  and the mounting plate  20  is a portion of a mounting member  150 . In particular, a mounting member  130 , illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3 as a post element, includes at one end a generally flat portion that is adapted to fit between the wedge  70  and the mounting plate  20 . In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the connector assembly  10  advantageously securely retains the mounting member  130  even in situations where the assembly  10 , which is fixed to a structural member  140 , may experience significant vibration or movement. The nature of the angled engagement of the wedge  70  with respect to the mounting plate  20  actually operates to tighten the engagement under the effects of vibration or movement. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated the manner in which the various elements of the connector assembly  10  of the present invention may be assembled together with a mounting member  130  to securely clamp the mounting member  130  between the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70 . In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting member  130  includes at one end a generally flat member  150  that may be disposed between the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70 . To engage the assembly  10  with the mounting member  130 , the rectangular member  150  of the mounting member  130  is disposed under the wedge  70 . Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the wedge  70  and the mounting member  130  are moved together in the direction of the arrow such that the wedge  70  abuts against the stop plate  110  while the first extension  80 , the second extension  90  and the engagement edge  100  of the wedge  70  are respectively engaged with the groove  50 , and groove  60 , and the channel  40  of the mounting plate  20 , and the flat member  150  of the mounting member  130  is securely retained between the mounting surface  25  of the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70 . In order to align the wedge  70  and the mounting plate  20  when the rectangular member  150  of the mounting member is retained therebetween, it may be necessary to use a tool, such as a hammer, to tap the wedge  70  into position, so as to align the holes  122 ,  124  of the mounting plate  20  and the wedge  70  to allow insertion of the cotter pin  120 . 
     As illustrated and described in the foregoing, the engagement lip  30  defines a first acute angle with respect to the first leg  45  and the engagement edge  100  defines a second acute angle with respect to the first extension  80  such that when the wedge  70  is engaged in the mounting plate  20 , the first acute angle and the second acute angle are substantially aligned. The first extension  80  and the second extension  90  define an obtuse angle with respect to the free surface  75 , and grooves  50 ,  60  disposed in first and second legs  45 ,  55  define a third acute angle with respect to the mounting surface  25  such that when the wedge  70  is disposed in the mounting plate  20  the third acute angle and the obtuse angle are substantially aligned. In this regard, the boltless connector assembly  10  of the present invention provides essentially a triple-acting wedge system that advantageously tightens when subjected to vibration or movement. 
     As should be evident, the boltless connector assembly  10  can be made of any suitable material. Preferably, however, connector assembly  10  will be made from steel, a steel alloy or other rigid material capable of securely maintaining its structural integrity the when subjected to significant forces. The engagement lip  22  can be integrally formed on the mounting plate  20 , or may be attached to the mounting plate  20  by any other suitable means such as by welding.