CONNECTION MEANS

Abstract: Connection means connect a transverse girder (4a or 4b) to longitudinal girder means (3a or 3b). One end of the transverse girder (4a or 4b) is provided with a pin (6) extending at right-angles to the axis of the transverse girder, and the longitudinal girder means (3a or 3b) is provided with a plate (8) formed with upwardly-open slot (8a). The pin (6) is engageable within the slot (8a), and the pin and the slotted plate constitute the connection means.

Description: Connection Means This invention relates to connection means for connecting adjacent frame members of a building structure framework which, in use. supports a sheet material covering. The specification of our Patent Application GB 9923913.9 describes a building structure framework for supporting a sheet material covering, the framework comprising a main structure having a generally rectangular floor plan and being constituted by a plurality of generally parallel arches which extend at right-angles to an axis of symmetry of the floor plan, wherein each arch is constituted by a plurality of interconnected girders comprising a pair of leg girders for supporting the arch on a horizontal surface, and at least four identical main girders. The framework may also comprise an end section constituted by an arch and a plurality of arch sections, the arch of the end structure being positioned generally parallel to, and adjacent to, an arch of the main structure, and each of the arch sections being substantially identical to one half of an arch. The girders of the arches and the arch sections may be connected together, to provide lateral stiffness to the framework, with transverse girders, known as purlins. The girders constituting the arches, the arch members and the purlins are bolted together to provide a rigid framework on which the sheet material covering can be mounted. The use of bolts, particularly for connecting the purlins to the girders of the arches and the arch structures is disadvantageous, particularly where the building structure is used as a portable or temporary stage for open-air entertainment such as pop concerts, performances by travelling repertory companies, etc. This type of structure is preferably such that it can be erected and dismantled as rapidly as possible, and the provision of bolt connections does not facilitate such rapid erection and dismantling procedures. The present invention provides connection means for connecting a transverse girder to longitudinal girder means, one end of the transverse girder being provided with a pin extending at right-angles to the axis of the transverse girder, and the longitudinal girder means being provided with plate means formed with upwardly-open slot means, the pin being engageable within the slot means, and the pin and the slotted plate means constitutin x g& the connection means. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal girder means is constituted by two longitudinal girders connected together end-to-end. In this case, each longitudinal girder make carry a respective slotted plate, the slots of the two plates being aligned. Preferably, each slotted plate has respective slots at each end thereof, whereby respective transverse girders can be attached to the longitudinal girders from opposite sides thereof. In a preferred embodiment, each of the girders is a compound braced girder having front and rear booms connected together by cross braces. In this case, a respective pin is associated with each end of each of the booms of the transverse girder, and a respective pair of slotted plates is associated with two longitudinal girders. The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building structure framework; Figure 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the ringed portion A of Figure 1 , and shows two adjacent arch members connected to two purlins by connection means constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a view on the line III-III of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the connection means of Figures 2 and 3. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a building structure framework for use with a portable stage (not shown). The framework has a main section constituted by three parallel arches 1 and a D-shaped end section constituted by three arch sections 2. each of which is one half of an arch 1. The arches 1 and arch sections 2 are each constituted by a plurality of girders 3, adjacent girders being joined together end-to-end. Each of the girders 3 is a compound-braced girder, that is to say it has front and rear booms 3a and 3b braced together by means of braces 3c which criss-cross the two booms at angles of 45°. The girders of adjacent arches 1 and arch sections 2 are joined together by purlins 4, each of which is a compound braced girder having front and rear booms 4a and 4b braced together by means of braces 4c which criss-cross the two booms at angles of 45°. This type of building structure framework is described in greater detail in the specification of our UK Patent Application GB 9923913.9. Figures 2 to 4 show the interconnection between a pair of arch girders 3 and the purlins 4 which connect the corresponding arch to the two adjacent arches. The two front booms 3 a and rear booms 3 b of the arch girders 3 are connected together by respective knuckle pins 5. As shown best in Figure 2, the adjacent end portions of the two girders 3 are connected together by cross braces 3d which extend at right-angles to the booms 3a and 3b. Similarly, the adjacent end portions of the girders 4 are connected by cross braces 4d which extend at right-angles to the booms 4a and 4b of those girders. Each end of each of the purlin booms 4a and 4b is provided with a connection member constituted by a pin 6 supported by a pair of brackets 7 fixed to, and extending axially from, the associated boom end portion. As shown best in Figure 4, the cross braces 3d of the arch girders 3 to which a given purlin 4 is to be attached, are each provided with a connector plate 8 with the end portions of which are formed with hook-shaped recesses 8a. The recesses 8a are sized and shaped to receive the pin 6 of an associated purlin boom 4a or 4b. As shown best in Figure 4, the pin 6 associated with the boom 4a of a purlin 4 can be slotted into the recesses 8a of the two plates 8 fixed to the cross braces 3d of adjacent arch girders 3. In use, the pins 6 are held firmly within the recesses 8a by the force of gravity. As mentioned above, the arch sections 2 at the D-shaped end section are each identical to one half of an arch 1 of the main section. The purlins 4 of the end section are also fitted with pins 6 for engagement with hook-shaped recesses 8a provided in plates 8 fixed to the cross braces 3d of the associated girders 3. The shape of the recesses 8a is designed to accommodate the purlins 4 of either the main section or the D-shaped end section of the framework. It will be apparent that the building structure framework described above is considerably easier to erect and dismantle than known building structure frameworks of this type. This is because it is much simpler and quicker to connect the purlins 4 to the girders 3 by slotting the pins 6 into the recesses 8a, than it is to bolt the members together.

Claims: Claims 1. Connection means for connecting a transverse girder to longitudinal girder means, one end of the transverse girder being provided with a pin extending at right-angles to the axis of the transverse girder, and the longitudinal girder means being provided with plate means formed with upwardly-open slot means, the pin being engageable within the slot means, and the pin and the slotted plate means constituting the connection means. 2. Connection means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal girder means is constituted by two longitudinal girders connected together end-to-end. 3. Connection means as claimed in claim 2, wherein each longitudinal girder carries a respective slotted plate, the slots of the two plates being aligned. 4. Connection means as claimed in claim 3, wherein each slotted plate has respective slots at each end thereof, whereby respective transverse girders can be attached to the longitudinal girders from opposite sides thereof. 5. Connection means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the girders is a compound braced girder having front and rear booms connected together by cross braces. 6. Connection means as claimed in claim 5, wherein a respective pin is associated with each end of each of the booms of the transverse girder, and a respective pair of slotted plates is associated with two longitudinal girders.

Inventors: WEYMSS GEORGE, WEYMSS, GEORGE
Applicants: ORBIT UK SERVICES LTD, WEYMSS GEORGE, ORBIT (UK) SERVICES LIMITED, WEYMSS, GEORGE
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E04H15
IPC codes: E04B1, E04H15