Abstract:
A clamp for perpendicularly connecting two elongated members includes first and second interchangeable half clamps. The half clamps are placed in opposing relationship and tightened around the perpendicular junction of the two elongated members. In one embodiment, the clamp is designed to connect a beam (such as an I-beam) to a ridge (such as that found on a standing seam roof). In another embodiment the clamp is designed to connect two beams together.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     None 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains generally to clamps, and more particularly to a clamp which connects two elongated members together in perpendicular relationship. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In various industries there can be a need to connect two elongated members together in perpendicular relationship. For example, in the roofing industry standing seam roofs comprise a plurality of parallel upright ridges which form the joint between adjacent roof panels. If it is desired to connect a device such as a solar panel to the roof, a clamping means is required to perpendicularly connect a supporting beam between two or more roof ridges. Similarly, it is sometimes desired to connect two beams together. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a clamp for connecting two elongated members together in perpendicular relationship. In one embodiment of the present invention the clamp is designed to connect a beam (such as an I-beam) to a ridge (such as that found on a standing seam roof). In another embodiment the clamp is designed to connect two beams together. It may be appreciated however, that other applications are also possible. 
     The clamps of the present invention include two interchangeable half clamps, which are placed in opposing relationship and tightened around the perpendicular junction of the two elongated members. Since the two half clamps are interchangeable, and have the same form, fit, and function, manufacturing costs are reduced, and the installation process is simplified. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a clamp connects a beam to a ridge. The beam has a first flange and an opposite second flange, and the ridge has a first side, an opposite second side, and a width. The clamp includes a first half clamp which has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the first half clamp includes a first channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the first flange of the beam. The second end of the first half clamp includes a first jaw which is oriented perpendicular to the first channel. The clamp also includes a second half clamp which has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the second half clamp includes a second channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the second flange of the beam. The second end of the second half clamp includes a second jaw which is oriented perpendicular to the second channel. The first and second half clamps are positionable so that (1) the first channel of the first half clamp receives the first flange of the beam, and the second channel of the second half clamp receives the second flange of the beam, and (2) the first jaw of the first half clamp engages the first side of the ridge and the second jaw of the second half clamp engages the second side of the ridge. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the first and second half clamps have the same size and shape and are therefore interchangeable. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a tightener urges the first and second half clamps toward each until the clamp firmly locks the beam and ridge together. In an embodiment of the invention, the tightener is a bolt and nut. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the clamp can accommodate ridges of different widths. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a clamp connects a first beam to a second beam, the first beam having a first flange and an opposite second flange, the second beam having a first flange and an opposite second flange, and a width. The clamp includes a first half clamp having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the first half clamp includes a first channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the first flange of the first beam. The second end of the first half clamp includes a second channel which is shaped and dimension to receive the first flange of the second beam, wherein the second channel of the first half clamp is oriented perpendicular to the first channel of the first half clamp. The clamp also includes a second half clamp having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the second half clamp includes a first channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the second flange of the first beam. The second end of the second half clamp includes a second channel which is shaped and dimension to receive the second flange of the second beam, wherein the second channel of the second half clamp is oriented perpendicular to the first channel of the second half clamp. The first and second half clamps are positionable so that (1) the first channel of the first half clamp receives the first flange the first beam, and the first channel of the second half clamp receives the second flange of the first beam, and (2) the second channel of the first half clamp receives the first flange of the second beam, and the second channel of the second half clamp receives the second flange of the second beam. 
     Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a reduced perspective view of a standing seam roof; 
         FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of a ridge of the standing seam roof; 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevation view of a wider ridge; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmented top plan view of a beam; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmented side elevation view of the beam; 
         FIG. 6  is an end elevation view of the beam; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmented perspective view of the beam; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a half clamp for connecting a beam to a ridge in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 13  is first side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 14  is a second side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 15  is a third side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 16  is a fourth side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded top plan view of a clamp for connecting a beam to a ridge in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the clamp; 
         FIG. 20  is a fragmented perspective view of the clamp connecting a beam to a ridge; 
         FIG. 21  is a fragmented top plan view of the clamp connecting the beam to the ridge; 
         FIG. 22  is a fragmented side elevation view of the clamp connecting the beam to the ridge; 
         FIG. 23  is a fragmented end elevation view of the clamp connecting the beam to the ridge; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view of the clamp along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 26  is another cross sectional view of the clamp connecting a wider ridge to the beam; 
         FIG. 27  is a fragmented side elevation view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a top plan view of a half clamp for connecting a first beam to a second beam; 
         FIG. 29  is first side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 30  is a second side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 31  is a third side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 32  is a fourth side elevation view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 33  is a bottom plan view of the half clamp; 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded top plan view of a clamp for connecting the first beam to the second beam in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is an exploded perspective view of the clamp; 
         FIG. 36  is a fragmented perspective view of the clamp connecting the first beam to the second beam; 
         FIG. 37  is a fragmented top plan view of the clamp connecting the first beam to the second beam; 
         FIG. 38  is a fragmented side elevation view of the clamp connecting the first beam to the second beam; 
         FIG. 39  is a fragmented end elevation view of the clamp connecting the first beam to the second beam; 
         FIG. 40  is a fragmented top plan view of the clamp connecting the first beam to a wider second beam; 
         FIG. 41  is a fragmented side elevation view of the clamp shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a reduced perspective view of the clamp of  FIG. 20  connecting a beam to the ridge of a standing seam roof; 
         FIG. 43  is a perspective view the half clamp with a hexagonal nut-receiving mortise; 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of the half clamp with a hexagonal nut-receiving mortise; and, 
         FIG. 45  is a cross sectional view of a different embodiment of a cavity in the clamp. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a reduced perspective view of a standing seem roof  500 . Standing seam roof  500  includes a plurality of upright ridges  502  which comprise the junction of two adjacent roof panels  504 .  FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of ridge  502  of standing seam roof  500 . Ridge  502  has a first side  506 , an opposite second side  508 , and a width Wr.  FIG. 3  is an end elevation view of a wider ridge  502 , having a width WR which is greater than width Wr. It is noted that in some applications, ridge  502  can simply be a piece of sheet metal. 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7  are fragmented top elevation, side elevation, and perspective views respectively of a beam  600 , and  FIG. 6  is an end view of beam  600 . In the shown embodiment, beam  600  is an I-beam which has a first flange  602 , an opposite second flange  604 , and a width WB Also referring to  FIG. 42 , the clamp of the present invention connects beam  600  to ridges  502  of standing seam roof  500 . 
       FIGS. 8-17  shown multiple views of a half clamp for connecting beam  600  to ridge  502  in accordance with the present invention, the half clamp generally designated as  20  (refer also to  FIGS. 1-7 ). Half clamp  20  has a first end  22  and an opposite second end  24 . First end  22  includes a channel  26  shaped and dimensioned to receive the flange ( 602  or  604 ) of beam  600 . Second end  24  includes a jaw  28  which is oriented perpendicular to channel  26 . Half clamp  20  has a planar face  30  which forms a 45° angle with channel  26 . A cavity  32  is disposed in planar face  30 . Half clamp  20  has an aperture  34  which is disposed between channel  26  and jaw  28 , and opens into cavity  32 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , there are illustrated exploded top plan and perspective views respectively of a clamp for connecting beam  600  to ridge  502  (refer to  FIGS. 1-7 ) in accordance with the present invention, the clamp generally designated as  100 .  FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing clamp  100  connecting beam  600  to ridge  502 . It is noted that clamp  100  includes two half clamps  20 A and  20 B which are positioned in the shown opposing relationship. Also referring to  FIGS. 8-17 , clamp  100  includes a first half clamp  20 A having a first end and an opposite second end. First end of first half clamp  20 A includes a first channel  26 A which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  602  of beam  600 . Second end of first half clamp  20 A includes a first jaw  28 A, wherein first jaw  28 A is oriented perpendicular to first channel  26 A. Clamp  100  further includes a second half clamp  20 B having a first end and an opposite second end. First end of second half clamp  20 B includes a second channel  26 B which is shaped and dimensioned to receive second flange  604  of beam  600 . Second end of second half clamp  20 B includes a second jaw  28 B, wherein second jaw  28 B is oriented perpendicular to second channel  26 B. It is noted that the dashed lines in  FIGS. 18 and 19  represent the position of beam  600  with respect to clamp  100  (also refer to  FIGS. 20-23 ). It is further noted that first half clamp  20 A has a first shape and size, and that second half clamp  20 B has a second shape and size, and that the first shape and size is the same as the second shape and size. In other words, first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B are interchangeable. This feature facilitates both manufacture and installation since only one half clamp  20  design is required. 
       FIG. 19  shows that first half clamp  20 A has a first planar face  30 A which forms a 45° angle with first channel  26 A, and that second half clamp  20 B has a second planar face  30 B which forms a 45° angle with second channel  26 B. To form clamp  100 , first planar face  30 A and second planar face  30 B are turned toward each other as shown. 
     Clamp  100  further includes a tightener for urging first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B toward one another. In the shown embodiment, the tightener includes first half clamp  20 A having a first aperture  34 A disposed between first channel  26 A and first jaw  28 A. Second half clamp  20 B has a second aperture  34 B disposed between second channel  26  B and second jaw  28 B. The tightener further includes a bolt  36  which has a shank  38  which is shaped and dimensioned to pass through first  34 A and second  34 B apertures, and a nut  40  for threadably engaging bolt  36 . Shank  38  of bolt  36  passes through both first aperture  34 A and second aperture  34 B, nut  40  is connected to bolt  36 , and bolt  36  and nut  40  tightened, thereby causing first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B to be urged together. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 20-23 , there are illustrated fragmented perspective, top plan, side elevation, and end elevation views respectively of clamp  100  perpendicularly connecting beam  600  to ridge  502 . First  20 A and second  20 B half clamps are positionable so that (1) first channel  26 A of first half clamp  20 A receives first flange  602  of beam  600 , and second channel  26 B of second half clamp  20 B receives second flange  604  of beam  600 , and (2) first jaw  28 A of first half clamp  20 A engages first side  506  of ridge  502  and second jaw  28 B of second half clamp  20 B engages second side  508  of ridge  502 . Also referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19 , and  25 , when bolt  38  and nut  40  are tightened, first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B are urged together, thereby causing first channel  26 A and second channel  26 B to tighten around first  602  and second  604  flanges of beam  600  respectively, and first jaw  28 A and second jaw  28 B to tighten around first  506  and second  508  sides of ridge  502 . In this fashion beam  600  and ridge  502  are firmly connected together by clamp  100 , wherein beam  600  is perpendicular to ridge  502 . Also refer to  FIG. 42  for a view showing how clamp  100  connects beam  600  to the ridge  502  of a standing seam roof  500 . 
       FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 10 , showing half clamp  20 , cavity  32 , aperture  34 , and planar face  30 .  FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view of clamp  100  along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 22 . It is noted that the dashed lines in  FIG. 25  represent the position of beam  600  with respect to clamp  100  (also refer to  FIGS. 20-23 ). First half clamp  20 A has a first planar face  30 A, a first cavity  32 A disposed in first planar face  30 A, and aperture  34 A opening into first cavity  32 A. Similarly, second half clamp  20 B has a second planar face  30 B, a second cavity  32  B disposed in second planar face  30 B, and second aperture  34 B opening into second cavity  32 B. It is noted that in the installed configuration, first planar face  30 A is always parallel to second planar face  30 B. 
       FIG. 26  is another cross sectional view of clamp  100  connecting a wider (with respect to  FIGS. 20-23 ) ridge  502  to beam  600 , and  FIG. 27  is a fragmented side elevation view of clamp  100 , beam  600 , and wider ridge  502  as shown in  FIG. 26 . It is noted that cavities  32 A and  32 B permit shank  38  of bolt  36  to form a variable angle A with beam  600 , wherein angle A is defined by the width WR of ridge  502 . That is, cavities  32 A and  32 B allow bolt  36  to form a smaller angle A than the approximate 45° of  FIG. 25 . To accommodate a wider ridge  502 , it is noted that first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B must move further apart (in the direction of the arrows) along beam  600 , as compared to the narrower ridge  502  shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . Conversely, to accommodate a narrower ridge  502 , first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B must move closer together along beam  600 . This is a very useful feature of the present invention, and allows clamp  100  to be used with a variety of ridge  502  widths. 
     In terms of use, a method for connecting a beam  600  to a ridge  502  includes: (refer to  FIGS. 1-27 ) 
     (a) providing a beam  600  having a first flange  602  and an opposite second flange  604 ; 
     (b) providing a ridge  502  having a first side  506 , an opposite second side  508 , and a width (Wr or WR); 
     (c) providing a clamp  100  for connecting beam  600  to ridge  502 , clamp  100  including;
         a first half clamp  20 A having a first end  22 A and an opposite second end  24 A;   first end  22 A of first half clamp  20 A including a first channel  26 A shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  602  of beam  600 ;   second end  24  of first half clamp  20 A including a first jaw  28 A, first jaw  28 A oriented perpendicular to first channel  26 A;   a second half clamp  20 B having a first end  22 B and an opposite second end  24 B;   first end  22 B of second half clamp  20 B including a second channel  26 B shaped and dimensioned to receive second flange  604  of beam  600 ;   second end  24 B of second half clamp  20 B including a second jaw  28 B, second jaw  28 B oriented perpendicular to second channel  26 B;   a tightener for urging first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B toward one another;       

     (d) positioning first  20 A and second half  20 B clamps so that (1) first channel  26 A of, first half clamp  26 B receives first flange  602 , and second channel  26 B of second half clamp  20 B receives second flange  604 , and (2) first jaw  28 A of first half clamp  20 A engages first side  506  of ridge  502  and second jaw  28 B of second half clamp  20 B engages second side  508  of ridge  502 ; and, 
     (e) using the tightener to urge first half clamp  20 A and second half clamp  20 B toward one another until beam  600  and ridge  502  are firmly connected together in perpendicular relationship. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  20 A having a first planar face  30 A which forms a 45° angle with first channel  26 A; 
     in step (c) second half clamp  20 B having a second planar face  30 B which forms a 45° angle with second channel  26 B; and, 
     in step (d), the positioning including causing first  30 A and second  30 B planar faces to be turned toward each other. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  20 A having a first shape and size; 
     in step (c), second half clamp  20 B having a second shape and size; and, 
     the first shape and size being the same as the second shape and size. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), the tightener including;
         first half clamp  20 A having a first aperture  34 A disposed between first channel  26 A and first jaw  28 A,   second half clamp  20 B having a second aperture  34 B disposed between second channel  26 B and second jaw  28 B,   a bolt  36  having a shank  38  which is shaped and dimensioned to pass through first  34 A and second  34 B apertures, and a nut  40  for threadably engaging bolt  36 ; and,       

     in step (d), passing shank  38  of bolt  36  through both first aperture  34 A and second aperture  34 B, connecting nut  40  to bolt  36 , and tightening bolt  36  and nut  40 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  20 A has a first planar face  30 A, a first cavity  32 A disposed in first planar face  30 A, first aperture  34 A opening into first cavity  32 A; 
     in step (c), second half clamp  20 B having a second planar face  30 B, a second cavity  32 B disposed in second planar face  30 B, second aperture  34 B opening into second cavity  32 B; and, 
     in step (c), first  32 A and second  32 B cavities permitting shank  38  of bolt  36  to form a variable angle A with beam  600 , angle A defined by the width of ridge  502  (Wr or WR). 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 28-33  there are illustrated multiple views of a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment comprises a half clamp for connecting a first beam  600  to a second beam  700 , the half clamp generally designated as  120  (refer also to  FIG. 36 ). In this embodiment, the half clamp has two flange-receiving channels, instead of one flange-receiving channel and one ridge-engaging jaw as in embodiment  100 . As shown in  FIG. 36 , first beam  600  has a first flange  602  and an opposite second flange  604 , and second beam  700  has a first flange  702 , an opposite second flange  704 , and a width WB. Also referring to  FIGS. 28-33 , half clamp  120  has a first end  122  and an opposite second end  124 . 
     First end  122  includes a first channel  126  which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  602  of first beam  600 . Second end  124  includes a second channel  127  which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  702  of second beam  700 . Second channel  127  is oriented perpendicular (90°) to first channel  126 . Half clamp  120  has a planar face  130  which forms a 45° angle with first channel  126 , and also forms a 45° angle with second channel  127 , since first channel  126  and second channel  127  are perpendicular. A cavity  132  is disposed in planar face  130 . Half clamp  120  has an aperture  134  which is disposed between first channel  126  and second channel  127 , and opens into cavity  132 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , there are illustrated exploded top plan and perspective views respectively of a clamp for connecting first beam  600  to second beam  700  in accordance with the present invention, the clamp generally designated as  200 .  FIG. 36  is a perspective view showing clamp  200  connecting first beam  600  to second beam  700 . It is noted that clamp  200  includes two half clamps  120 A and  120 B which are positioned in the shown opposing relationship. Also referring to  FIGS. 28-33 , clamp  200  includes a first half clamp  120 A which has a first end and an opposite second end. First end of first half clamp  120 A includes a first channel  126 A which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  602  of first beam  600 . Second end of first half clamp  120 A includes a second channel  127 A which is shaped and dimension to receive first flange  702  of second beam  700 , wherein second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A is oriented perpendicular to first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A. Clamp  200  further includes a second half clamp  120 B which has a first end and an opposite second end. First end of second half clamp  120 B includes a first channel  126 B which is shaped and dimensioned to receive second flange  604  of first beam  600 . Second end of second half clamp  120 B includes a second channel  127 B which is shaped and dimension to receive second flange  704  of second beam  700 , wherein second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B oriented perpendicular to first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B. It is noted that the dashed lines in  FIG. 35  represent the position of beam  600  and beam  700  with respect to clamp  100  (also refer to  FIGS. 36-41 ). It is further noted that first half clamp  120 A has a first shape and size, and that second half clamp  120 B has a second shape and size, and that the first shape and size is the same as the second shape and size. In other words, first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B are interchangeable. This feature facilitates both manufacture and installation since only one half clamp  120  design is required. 
       FIG. 35  shows that first half clamp  120 A has a first planar face  130 A which forms a 45° angle with first channel  126 A, and that second half clamp  120 B has a second planar face  130 B which forms a 45° angle with second channel  126 B. To form clamp  200 , first planar face  130 A and second planar face  130 B are turned toward each other. 
     Clamp  200  further includes a tightener for urging first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B toward one another. In the shown embodiment, the tightener includes first half clamp  120 A having a first aperture  134 A disposed between first channel  126 A and second channel  127 A. Second half clamp  120 B has a second aperture  134 B disposed between first  126 B channel and second channel  127 B. A bolt  36  has a shank  38  which is shaped and dimensioned to pass through first  134 A and second apertures  134 B, and a nut  40  for threadably engaging bolt  36 . Shank  38  of bolt  36  passes through both first aperture  134 A and second aperture  134 B, nut  40  is connected to bolt  36 , and bolt  36  and nut  40  are tightened, thereby causing first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B to be urged together. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 36-39 , there are illustrated fragmented perspective, top plan, side elevation, and end elevation views respectively of clamp  200  perpendicularly connecting first beam  600  to second beam  700 . First  120 A and second  120 B half clamps are positionable so that (1) first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A receives first flange  602  of first beam  600 , and first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B receives second flange  604  of first beam  600 , and (2) second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A receives first flange  702  of second beam  700 , and second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B receives second flange  704  of second beam  700 . Also referring to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , when bolt  38  and nut  40  are tightened, first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B are urged together, thereby causing (1) first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A and first channel  126 B of second half claim  120 B to tighten around first  602  and second  604  flanges of first beam  600  respectively, and (2) second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A and second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B to tighten around first  702  and second  704  flanges of second beam  700  respectively. In this fashion first beam  600  and second beam  700  are firmly connected together by clamp  200 , wherein first beam  600  is perpendicular to second beam  700 . 
       FIG. 40  is a fragmented top plan view of clamp  200  connecting first beam  600  to a wider second beam  700 , and  FIG. 41  is a fragmented side elevation view of clamp  200  as shown in  FIG. 40 . Also referring to  FIGS. 28-35 , first half clamp  120 A has a first planar face  130 A, a first cavity  132 A disposed in first planar face  130 A, and first aperture  134 A opening into first cavity  132 A. Similarly, second half clamp  120 B has a second planar face  130 B, a second cavity  134 B disposed in second planar face  130 B, and second aperture  134 A opening into second cavity  134 B. Cavities  132 A and  132 B permit shank  38  of bolt  36  to form a variable angle A with first beam  600 , wherein angle A is defined by the width of second beam  700 . The variable angle A feature of clamp  200  is identical to that of clamp  100  as shown and described in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , and allows clamp  200  to be used with a variety of second beam  700  widths. To accommodate a wider second beam  700 , it is noted that first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B must move further apart (in the direction of the arrows) along first beam  600 , as compared to the narrower second beam  700  shown in  FIGS. 36-39 . Conversely, to accommodate a narrower second beam  700 , first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B must move closer together along beam  600 . 
     In terms of use, a method for connecting a first beam  600  to a second beam  700  includes: (refer to  FIGS. 4-7 , and  FIGS. 28-41 ) 
     (a) providing a first beam  600  having a first flange  602  and an opposite second flange  604 ; 
     (b) providing a second beam  700  having a first flange  702 , an opposite second flange  704 , and a width WB; 
     (c) providing a clamp  200  for connecting first beam  600  to second beam  700 , clamp  200  including;
         a first half clamp  120 A having a first end  122 A and an opposite second end  124 A;   first end  122 A of first half clamp  120 A including a first channel  126 A which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  602  of first beam  600 ;   second end  124  of first half clamp  120 A including a second channel  127 A which is shaped and dimensioned to receive first flange  702  of second beam  700 , second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A oriented perpendicular to first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A;   a second half clamp  120 B having a first end  122 B and an opposite second end  124 B;   first end  122 A of second half clamp  120 B including a first channel  126 B which is shaped and dimensioned to receive second flange  604  of first beam  600 ;   second end  124 B of second half clamp  120 B including a second channel  127 B which is shaped and dimension to receive second flange  704  of second beam  700 , second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B oriented perpendicular to first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B;   a tightener for urging first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B toward one another;       

     (d) positioning first  120 A and second  120 B half clamps so that (1) first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A receives first flange  602  of first beam  600 , and first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B receives second flange  604  of first beam  600 , and (2) second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A receives first flange  702  of second beam  700 , and second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B receives second flange  704  of second beam  700 ; 
     (e) using the tightener to urge first half clamp  120 A and second half clamp  120 B toward one another until first beam  600  and second beam  700  are firmly connected together in perpendicular relationship. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  120 A having a first planar face  130 A which forms a 45° angle with first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A; 
     in step (c) second half clamp  120 B having a second planar face  130 B which forms a 45° angle with first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B; and, 
     in step (d), the positioning including causing first  130 A and second  130 B planar faces to be turned toward each other. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  120 A having a first shape and size; 
     in step (c), second half clamp  120 B having a second shape and size; and, 
     the first shape and size being the same as the second shape and size. 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), the tightener including;
         first half clamp  120 A having a first aperture  134 A disposed between first channel  126 A of first half clamp  120 A and second channel  127 A of first half clamp  120 A,   second half clamp  120 B having a second aperture  134 B disposed between first channel  126 B of second half clamp  120 B and second channel  127 B of second half clamp  120 B,   a bolt  36  having a shank  38  which is shaped and dimensioned to pass through first  134 A and second  134 B apertures, and a nut  40  for threadably engaging bolt  40 ; and,       

     in step (d), passing shank  38  of bolt  36  through both first aperture  134 A and second aperture  134 B, connecting nut  40  to bolt  36 , and tightening bolt  36  and nut  40 . 
     The method further including: 
     in step (c), first half clamp  120 A having a first planar face  130 A, a first cavity  132 A disposed in first planar face  130 A, and first aperture  134 A opening into first cavity  132 A; 
     in step (c), second half clamp  120 B having a second planar face  130 B, a second cavity  132 B disposed in second planar face  130 B, and second aperture  134 B opening into second cavity  132 B; and, 
     in step (c), first  134 A and second  134 B cavities permitting shank  38  of bolt  36  to form a variable angle A with first beam  600 , angle A being defined by the width W of second beam  700 . 
       FIG. 42  is a reduced perspective view of clamp  100  of  FIG. 20  connecting beam  600  to ridge  502  of a standing seam roof  500 . It may be appreciated that another structure such as a solar panel could then be connected to beam  600 . 
       FIG. 43  is a perspective view of half clamp  20  with a hexagonal nut-receiving mortise  50  for receiving nut  40 . Nut-receiving mortise  50  facilitates the connection and tightening of the two half clamps. 
       FIG. 44  is a perspective view of half clamp  120  with a hexagonal nut-receiving mortise  150  for receiving nut  40 . 
       FIG. 45  is a cross sectional view of a different embodiment of cavity  32  or  132  in half clamp  20  or  120  respectively. 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.