EP0116772A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for a filter bank supporting latticework and method of assembling same
Assignee: Flanders Filters Inc
•
Filing: 1983-12-20
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2003-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A filter bank supporting latticework comprises a plurality of connectors (10,28,29) each of which has two, three or four extensions (12) radiating from a common central location. Each of the extensions (12) has a U-shaped cross sectional configuration so as to define a bottom wall and two opposite side walls. A threaded coupling member (18) is disposed at the central location of each four-extension connectors (10) for securing the connector to a supporting tie rod (19), and a protruberance (20) is disposed within each U-shaped extension at a predetermined distance from the central location. Adjacent connectors are adapted to be joined by an interconnecting channel (31,32) of predetermined length, with the ends of the channel being positioned within aligned extensions (12) of adjacent connectors, and with the ends of the channels (31,32) abutting the respective protruberances (20). A supporting latticework is thereby constructed which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas, and the length and width dimensions of each open area is automatically established. Each extension (12) of each connector further includes a transverse groove (22) extending about the inside surface thereof, and an aperture (24) extending through one of the walls and communicating with the groove. A caulking material may be forced through the aperture (24) after the interconnecting channel (31.32) is secured in the extension (12), and so that the caulking material is able to flow along the groove and form a seal between the extension and channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin John Quante
- 👤 Terry Wayne Cutler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:32
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/12; E04B9/14; B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/10; B01D46/12; F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and which is adapted for supporting a filter (40) or the like within each of the open areas to form a filter bank, characterised by a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10) with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, and indicator means (20) disposed in each of said U-shaped extensions at a predetermined distance from...said central location, means (19) engaging said coupling member (18) of each connector (10) and suspending each of the connectors from an overhead support, with the connectors being disposed at the corners of rectangular open areas, one of a first set of U-shaped channels (31) of common predetermined length being disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (18) along the length direction, with the ends of the channels being received,in respective extensions of the connectors and abutting the indicator means (20) therein, one of a second set of U-shaped channels (32) of common predetermined length being disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the width direction with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions of the connectors and abutting the indicator means (20) therein, and means (35) securing each of the channels (31,32) to each associated connector (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and which is adapted for supporting a filter (40) or the like within each of the open areas to form a filter bank, characterised by a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10) with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, and indicator means (20) disposed in each of said U-shaped extensions at a predetermined distance from...said central location, means (19) engaging said coupling member (18) of each connector (10) and suspending each of the connectors from an overhead support, with the connectors being disposed at the corners of rectangular open areas, one of a first set of U-shaped channels (31) of common predetermined length being disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (18) along the length direction, with the ends of the channels being received,in respective extensions of the connectors and abutting the indicator means (20) therein, one of a second set of U-shaped channels (32) of common predetermined length being disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the width direction with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions of the connectors and abutting the indicator means (20) therein, and means (35) securing each of the channels (31,32) to each associated connector (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A supporting latticework according to claim 1, characterised in that the indicator means comprises a protruberance (20) positioned within each extension (12) of each connector (10).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A supporting latticework according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each connector (10) includes a transverse groove (22) about the inside surface of each extension (12), and a caulking material (36) positioned within the groove and between the extension and channel (31,32).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
A supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and which is adapted for support- ingua filter (40) or the like within each of the open areas to form a filter bank, characterised by a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member .(18) disposed at said central location, and a transverse groove (22) extending about the inside surface of each extension, means (19) engaging the coupling member (18) of each connector and suspending each of the connectors from an overhead support, with the connectors being disposed at the corners of rectangular open areas, a U-shaped channel (31,32) disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along both the length and width directions, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors, means (35) securing each end of each channel (31,32) to its associated connector, and : a caulking material (36) positioned within each groove (22) of each extension and between the extension and channel to form a seal therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
189 words
A supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and which is adapted for support- ingua filter (40) or the like within each of the open areas to form a filter bank, characterised by a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member .(18) disposed at said central location, and a transverse groove (22) extending about the inside surface of each extension, means (19) engaging the coupling member (18) of each connector and suspending each of the connectors from an overhead support, with the connectors being disposed at the corners of rectangular open areas, a U-shaped channel (31,32) disposed between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along both the length and width directions, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors, means (35) securing each end of each channel (31,32) to its associated connector, and : a caulking material (36) positioned within each groove (22) of each extension and between the extension and channel to form a seal therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A supporting latticework according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that each extension (12) of each connector includes an aperture (24) through the wall thereof and communicating with the groove (22), with the aperture being adapted for permitting entry of the caulking material (36) into the groove after the channel has been secured to its associated connectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A supporting latticework according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the channels (31,32) and connectors (10) are disposed in a horizontal plane with their open sides directed upwardly, and in that the channels and connectors are substantially filled with a sealing fluid (38),
Claim 9
Independent Claim
370 words
A method of assembling a supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and is adapted for supporting a filter (40) of the like within each of said openings, the length and width dimensions of the rectangular open areas being readily established within given design tolerances, characterised by the steps of providing a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, and a protruberance (20) fixedly disposed in each of said U-shaped extensions at a predetermined distance from said coupling member ( 1 8), suspending each of the connectors (10) from an overhead support, and including interconnecting a tie rod (19) with the coupling member (18) of each connector, and with the connectors being disposed at corners of the intended rectangular open areas of the latticework, providing a first set of U-shaped channels (31) each having a commpn predetermined length, and a second set of U-shaped channels (32) each having a common predetermined length, the length of each of the first set of channels being substantially equal to the distance between the protruberances (20) of the aligned extensions (12) of adjacent connectors along the length direction of the latticework when the connectors are spaced the designed distance in the length direction, and the length of each of the second set of channels being substantially equal to the.distance between the protruberances (20) of the aligned extensions (12) of adjacent connectors along the width direction of the latticework when the connectors are spaced the designed distance in the width direction, placing one of the first set of channels (31) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the length direction, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors and abutting the protruberances (20) therein, placing one of the second set of channels (32) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the width direction with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors and abutting the protruberances (20) therein, and securing each of the channels (31,32) to each associated connector.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
370 words
A method of assembling a supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and is adapted for supporting a filter (40) of the like within each of said openings, the length and width dimensions of the rectangular open areas being readily established within given design tolerances, characterised by the steps of providing a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a common central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, and a protruberance (20) fixedly disposed in each of said U-shaped extensions at a predetermined distance from said coupling member ( 1 8), suspending each of the connectors (10) from an overhead support, and including interconnecting a tie rod (19) with the coupling member (18) of each connector, and with the connectors being disposed at corners of the intended rectangular open areas of the latticework, providing a first set of U-shaped channels (31) each having a commpn predetermined length, and a second set of U-shaped channels (32) each having a common predetermined length, the length of each of the first set of channels being substantially equal to the distance between the protruberances (20) of the aligned extensions (12) of adjacent connectors along the length direction of the latticework when the connectors are spaced the designed distance in the length direction, and the length of each of the second set of channels being substantially equal to the.distance between the protruberances (20) of the aligned extensions (12) of adjacent connectors along the width direction of the latticework when the connectors are spaced the designed distance in the width direction, placing one of the first set of channels (31) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the length direction, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors and abutting the protruberances (20) therein, placing one of the second set of channels (32) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along the width direction with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors and abutting the protruberances (20) therein, and securing each of the channels (31,32) to each associated connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 7, characterised by the step of introducing a caulking material (36) intermediate each end of each channel (31,32) and its associated extension (12) to form a seal therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 8, characterised in that the caulking step is conducted subsequent to all of the channels having been secured to the associated connectors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that each connector (10) further includes a transverse groove (22) about the inside surface of each extension (12), and an aperture (24) through the wall of each extension of each connector which communicates with the groove, and further characterised in that the caulking step includes forcing caulking material (36) through the aperture (24) so that the caulking material flows along the groove and between the extension and channel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of assembling a supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and is adapted for supporting a filter (40) or the like within each of said openings, characterised by the steps of providing a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, a transverse groove (22) extending along the entire inside surface of each extension (12), and an aperture (24) through the wall of each extension and communicating with the groove, suspending each of the connectors (10) from an overhead support, and including interconnecting a tie rod (19) with the coupling member (18) of each connector, and with the connectors being disposed at corners of the intended rectangular open areas of the latticework, placing the channel (31,32) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along both the length and width directions, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors, securing each end of each channel to its associated connector, and then forcing a caulking material (36) through the aperture (24) of each extension (12) so that the caulking material flows along the groove (22) and between the extension (12) and channel (31,32).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of assembling a supporting latticework which defines a plurality of rectangular open areas and is adapted for supporting a filter (40) or the like within each of said openings, characterised by the steps of providing a plurality of generally X-shaped connectors (10), with each connector including four U-shaped extensions (12) radiating from a central location at right angles to each other, a coupling member (18) disposed at said central location, a transverse groove (22) extending along the entire inside surface of each extension (12), and an aperture (24) through the wall of each extension and communicating with the groove, suspending each of the connectors (10) from an overhead support, and including interconnecting a tie rod (19) with the coupling member (18) of each connector, and with the connectors being disposed at corners of the intended rectangular open areas of the latticework, placing the channel (31,32) between each adjacent pair of connectors (10) along both the length and width directions, with the ends of the channels being received in respective extensions (12) of the connectors, securing each end of each channel to its associated connector, and then forcing a caulking material (36) through the aperture (24) of each extension (12) so that the caulking material flows along the groove (22) and between the extension (12) and channel (31,32).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to any preceding claim 7 to 11, characterised in that the securing step is conducted subsequent to all of the channels having been placed between the connectors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to any preceding claim 7 to 12, characterised in that the securing step includes placing a fastener (35) between the end portion of each channel (31,32) and its associated extension (12).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3418915A
Cited
US4030518A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.