Clamping device

Claim 1

In the combination of a pair of plate members to be secured together in generally end-to-end relation, and wherein each plate is provided with a flange portion disposed generally transverse to the disposition of the plates, and with flanges of adjacent plates disposed immediately adjacent each other, and wherein a clamping device is provided for connecting adjacent flanges together through holes in adjacent flanges against separating forces, the improvement comprising said clamping device including a lug adapted for disposition through holes in adjacent flanges and having a head thereon for engagement against one flange, said lug having a groove opening on one side surface thereof, and a pin adapted for insertion into said groove, with said lug and said pin being in cooperative engagement to define means for maximizing a clamping load applied to said lug by said pin with said maximizing means including surface-to-surface engagement between a groove surface most remote from said lug head and an adjacent surface of said pin, and with said remote groove surface terminating toward the plates in an edge disposed generally parallel thereto through the length of the groove, wherein at least one of said groove and said pin include tapered surface means for camming of said pin into said groove as the pin is inserted into the groove in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of the lug through the flange holes, including in the combination the plates and flanges, and wherein the holes are disposed through the flanges immediately adjacent said plates, wherein said holes and lug are generally of rectangular cross-section.