Mechanical coupling for mechanical and structural tubing

{
  "publication_number": "US10731776B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Mechanical coupling for mechanical and structural tubing",
  "abstract": "A coupling used to connect structural tubing includes segments surrounding a central space which receives the tubing. Teeth on an inner surface of the segments project toward the central space and form zones of deformation in the tubing upon engagement with the tubes' outer surfaces. Ends of the tubing abut one or more tongues on the inner surface, and observation apertures in the segments permit visual confirmation that the tubing is seated. Relief pockets on the inner surfaces of the segments receive portions of the tubing which deform outwardly. An insert may be present in the central space. The insert defines a space between itself and the inner surfaces of the segments which receives the tubing. The insert has relief channels which receive deformed regions of the tubing corresponding to the zones of deformation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pre-assembled coupling for joining construction tube elements together in end to end relationship, said coupling comprising: a plurality of segments connected end to end surrounding a central space, each said segment having attachment members at opposite ends thereof for adjustably connecting one segment to another, each said segment having an inner surface facing said central space; a unitary insert body positioned within said central space, said insert body having a first end adapted to be received within a first one of said tube elements, and a second end, oppositely disposed and adapted to be received within a second one of said tube elements, said first and second ends of said insert body defining respective spaces between said insert body and said inner surfaces of said segments for receiving said construction tube elements; a plurality of teeth positioned on said inner surface of each said segment, said teeth projecting toward said central space; a plurality of spacers positioned between said segments, said spacers maintaining said segments in spaced apart relation about said central space.",
    "2. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, wherein said attachment members comprise a plurality of fasteners extending between said segments, each said spacer surrounding at least a portion of a respective one of said fasteners.",
    "3. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 2, wherein said fasteners comprise nuts and bolts.",
    "4. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 2, wherein said attachment members include a plurality of lugs, each said lug defining a hole for receiving one of said fasteners.",
    "5. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said lugs on at least one of said segments comprises a pair of protrusions extending therefrom, and another of said lugs on another of said segments defines a recess adapted to receive said protrusions.",
    "6. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, wherein said spacers are adapted to maintain said segments in said spaced apart relation sufficient to permit said construction tube elements to be inserted into said central space.",
    "7. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, further comprising at least one observation aperture positioned in at least one of said segments.",
    "8. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, further comprising first and second relief pockets positioned at opposite ends of each said segment, each said relief pocket formed in said inner surface.",
    "9. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, wherein said insert body comprises a barrel having a cylindrical shape.",
    "10. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 9, wherein said barrel defines a bore.",
    "11. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 9, wherein said insert body comprises first and second locating tabs positioned diametrically opposite one another and projecting outwardly from said barrel.",
    "12. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 9 wherein said insert body comprises a flange extending circumferentially around said barrel.",
    "13. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 9, wherein said insert body defines a plurality of channels extending longitudinally along said barrel.",
    "14. The pre-assembled coupling according to claim 1, comprising no more than two of said segments.",
    "15. A coupling for joining construction tube elements, each said tube element having an end engageable with said coupling, said coupling comprising: a plurality of segments connected end to end surrounding a central space, each said segment having attachment members at opposite ends thereof for adjustably connecting one segment to another, each said segment having an inner surface facing said central space; a unitary insert body positioned within said central space, said insert body having a first end adapted to be received within a first one of said tube elements, and a second end, oppositely disposed and adapted to be received within a second one of said tube elements, said first and second ends of said insert body defining respective spaces between said insert body and said inner surfaces of said segments for receiving said construction tube elements; a plurality of teeth positioned on said inner surfaces of each of said segments, said teeth projecting toward said central space.",
    "16. The coupling according to claim 15, wherein said attachment members comprise a plurality of fasteners extending between said segments.",
    "17. The coupling according to claim 16, wherein said fasteners comprise nuts and bolts.",
    "18. The coupling according to claim 16, wherein said attachment members include a plurality of lugs, each said lug defining a hole for receiving one of said fasteners.",
    "19. The coupling according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said lugs on at least one of said segments comprises a pair of protrusions extending therefrom, and another of said lugs on another of said segments defines a recess adapted to receive said protrusions.",
    "20. The coupling according to claim 15, further comprising at least one observation aperture positioned in at least one of said segments.",
    "21. The coupling according to claim 15, further comprising first and second relief pockets positioned at opposite ends of each said segment, each said relief pocket formed in said inner surface.",
    "22. The coupling according to claim 15, wherein said insert body comprises a barrel having a cylindrical shape.",
    "23. The coupling according to claim 22, wherein said barrel defines a bore.",
    "24. The coupling according to claim 22, wherein said insert body comprises first and second locating tabs positioned diametrically opposite one another and projecting outwardly from said barrel.",
    "25. The coupling according to claim 22 wherein said insert body comprises a flange extending circumferentially around said barrel.",
    "26. The coupling according to claim 22, wherein said insert body defines a plurality of channels extending longitudinally along said barrel.",
    "27. The coupling according to claim 15, comprising no more than two of said segments."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to couplings for joining mechanical and structural tubing.\n\nHollow steel tubing in common geometric shapes, including rounds, squares, rectangles, and polygons (such as octagons), are used for the construction of a wide variety of structures, from industrial fencing and light-duty structures such as carports or recreational equipment, to buildings, towers, and trusses of all types. Such construction tubing, commonly called structural tubing or mechanical tubing (depending on the standards to which they comply), is also used for supports of all types, including for signs, solar panels, and solar racking. Use of construction tubing for any structure often requires connection of the individual construction tubing segments to each other, including where they are connected in a coaxial, in-line manner. Such connections are typically made by welding, which is time-consuming, and requires skilled welders to be available at the jobsite. Gusseted and bolted connections are also used; however, such connections still require welding of the gussets to the construction tubing at a fabrication facility, though the later field-assembly may be done with bolts. As many of the possible defects of a welded joint may not be visible to the naked eye, additional quality checks of welded joints, whether for gussets or for field welded connections, is often required. There is clearly an opportunity to improve the coaxial jointing of construction tubing by using a mechanical joint that does not require shop or field welding to complete the joint.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16L 3/1016",
    "F16B 7/0426",
    "F16L 17/04",
    "F16L 21/065",
    "F16L 21/08",
    "F16L 23/08",
    "F16L 3/1091",
    "F16L 3/127"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 7/04",
    "F16L 23/08",
    "F16L 3/10",
    "F16L 3/127"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Victaulic Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andrew M. Ciasulli",
    "Scott D. Madara"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-01-25",
  "publication_date": "2020-08-04",
  "grant_date": "2020-08-04",
  "priority_date": "2017-02-02",
  "application_number": "US-201815879939-A",
  "family_id": "62977721",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
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}