Abstract:
A vertical support grid system, such as is used in the construction industry, to particularly provide elevated support for concrete forms and the like, includes vertically extending legs, cross-bracing diagonally spanning the distance between the legs, and tie-bars horizontally spanning the distance between the legs. A bracketing mechanism is provided which allows the quick and easy securement of the cross-braces and tie-bars to the legs at any desired location on the legs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to vertical support systems for use in construction, and in particular to provide elevated support for concrete forms, scaffolding, and the like, and specifically pertains to a bracketing mechanism which allows for quick and easy attachment of cross-bracing and tie-bars to legs of the support system. 
     Vertical support systems, such as scaffolding, have long been used to provide access to various levels of an ongoing construction project. However, present scaffolding systems are generally fixed in the manner in which they can be set up. There is little or no room for variation in the set up of the support or scaffolding system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a support system which provides a great deal of flexibility in the manner in which the system is erected. 
     Another object is to provide a bracket that greatly facilitates the attachment of cross-bracing and tie-bars to legs of the support system. 
     Another object is to provide such a bracket which may be secured to the leg at any position along its length. 
     Another object is to provide a system that can be quickly dismantled. 
     Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
     In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a vertical support grid system is provided. The grid system includes vertically extending legs, cross-bracing diagonally spanning the distance between said legs, and tie-bars horizontally spanning the distance between said legs. A bracket secures the tie-bars and cross-bracing to the legs. The bracket includes a bracket connector having first and second generally U-shaped mating halves. Each half has a web and a pair of legs defining pin holes extending from opposite ends of the web. At least one of the halves has an arm extending from its web in a direction opposite from the connector legs. The bracket is secured to the grid legs at a desired location by a pin extending through the first and second connector leg pin holes and the grid legs. The connector arms receive the tie-bars and the cross-bracings to connect them to the grid legs. 
     To vertically stack beams, to make the grid support legs, one of the connector halves is longer than the other and a third generally U-shaped portion matable with the longer half is provided. The longer half and the third U-shaped portion define a tube which receives the stacked beams to produce the grid legs. The longer half and the third portion are secured to said pair of vertically stacked beam. 
     A plate may be secured to the web of one of the connector halves to be placed over an end of the grid leg. 
     One of the connector halves may include a pair of vertically extending ears defining a channel therebetween and an internally threaded block spanning the channel at a top of the ears, allowing the bracket to receive a threaded bolt for leveling a load. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagramatic side elevational view of a grid support system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of a bracket of the support system used for attaching cross-bars to legs of the support system; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of the bracket modified to secure tie-bars to the legs; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the bracket modified for use as a leveler on top of the legs; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the bracket modified for use as a base plate; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the bracket modified to secure additional bracing to the legs; and 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the bracket modified to splice two lengths of material together. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an illustrative embodiment of a grid support system of the present invention. Grid 1 includes a plurality of vertical legs 3 which stand on a base 5. Base 5 sits on the ground 7. A plurality of diagonal cross-beams 9 and tie-bars 11 extend between legs 3 to provide support to the system 1. A plurality of brackets 13 are used to secure cross-beams 9 and tie-bars 11 to the legs. Brackets 13 may be modified, as will be explained below, to perform other functions as well. 
     Bracket 13 includes two matable halves 15 which are identical. Each half includes a web 17 and two parallel legs 19 extending perpendicularly from web 17. Legs 19 include aligned holes 21 which receives a pin 23. An arm 25 extends outwardly from web 17 and has a hole 27 which receives a cotter pin 29. See FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     To secure bracket 13 to leg 3, a hole is formed in the leg at any desired location. Bracket halves 15 are then placed around leg 3 so as to form a box around leg 3. Bracket leg holes 21 are lined up with each other, and aligned with the hole formed in leg 3. Pin 23 is then inserted through the holes, and a cotter pin 31 is placed through a hole in pin 23 to secure pin 23 in place. Pin 23 thus securely holds bracket 13 to leg 3. As will be apparent, bracket 13 may be secured to any desired portion of the leg 3. Thus, support system 1 has a great deal of flexibility in the manner in which it can be assembled. 
     To secure cross-bars 9, a hole is formed at the end of the cross-bar through which arm 25 can extend. The arm in this application will be extending laterally. Arm 25 is sufficiently long so that hole 27 is exposed and cotter pin 29 is inserted in hole 27, securing cross-bar 9 to bracket 13. In this manner of connection, cross-bar 9 can pivot with respect to bracket 13, providing flexibility in the construction of the support system 1. 
     Turning to FIG. 3, to secure tie-bar 11 to legs 3, a bracket 13a is used having a first half 15 and a second half 31. Half 31 is substantially the same as half 15, but does not have arm 25. Bracket 13a is secured to leg 3 in the same manner as bracket 13. To secure tie-bar 11 to bracket 13a, it is welded or otherwise secured to web 17a of bracket half 31. Bracket half 31 could have an opening formed in web 17a through which tie-bar 11 would extend, allowing tie-bar 11 to be secured to bracket 13a using a nut. As is apparent, the only half necessary to secure tie-bar 11 to bracket 13a is half 31 and bracket half 31 can be used by itself. When bracket half 15 is used in conjunction with bracket half 31, a cross-bar and tie-bar can be secured to substantially the same place on leg 3 quickly and easily. 
     Turning to FIG. 4, the basic bracket can be modified to perform a leveling function. As shown, bracket 13b has a bracket half 41 provided with a plate 43 secured to web 17b, as can be more clearly seen in FIG. 5. A pair of spaced vertically extending members 45 are secured to the opposite side of the plate 43 to have flat surfaces facing each other. Members 45 are preferably generally U-shaped to provide structural strength to the members. A nut 47 is secured between members 45 at an upper portion of the members. Nut 47 receives a threaded bolt 49. (See FIG. 1) Bracket half 41 is secured to either the top or bottom of leg 3, with web 17b covering the end of the leg. Bracket half 41 can thus be used to provide a leveling function, either of the support system itself, or of a load carried by the support system. As can be appreciated, because bracket half 41 is applied over the top of the leg, it can be used with one or both of bracket halves 15 and 31. 
     Turning again to FIG. 5, a bracket half 51 is shown. Bracket half 51 is bracket half 41 less members 45 and nut 47, and includes only plate 43 secured to web 17b. Like bracket half 41, bracket half 51 can be secured to the end of legs 3 to provide a base when base 5 is uneven and leveling is not necessary. 
     In FIG. 6, the basic bracket half has been modified as at 61 to include a threaded arm 63 secured to web 17c to secure cross-beams to the bracket. This may be used to secure heavier cross-beams, such as a wood stripping tie 65 to the bracket. A nut 67 is threaded on to arm 65 to secure tie 65 to the bracket. This configuration can also be used to secure cross-beam 9 to the bracket. 
     In FIG. 7, a splice 71 is shown. Splice 71 can be used to vertically stack beams 73 to form elongated segments, such as a leg 3. Splice 71 includes a two halves 75, each of which has a web 77 and legs 79 extending perpendicularly from web 77. Legs 77 have holes 81 to receive pin 23. To connect beams 73, beams 73 are placed end-to-end, and splice halves 75 are placed therearound. Nails or other fastening means are used to secure splice 71 to the beams. By forming a hole in the spliced beams, the leg may be used in conjunction with one of the other bracket halves, such as bracket half 15. To avoid the need to form a hole in beams 73 after they are spliced together, the two beams may be spaced from each other a distance sufficient to accommodate the passage of pin 23 between the legs. 
     As can be seen, my support system provides a plurality of bracket halves which may be used in combinations of two, three, or even four, providing great flexibility in the manner in which a support system is constructed. 
     Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. These variations are merely illustrative.