Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A lockable whale connector for connecting and aligning the intersecting projecting beam ends of concrete molding form framework sections or the like, said lockable whale connector comprising: a sheet metal body of L-shaped configuration having intersecting integral arms forming beam receiving channels of rectangular cross section, an eccentric operatively mounted to the side of each arm for frictional peripheral contact with the side of the beam embraced by said arm; whereby, rotation of each eccentric fictionally drives the beams axially within respective arms towards each other to effect proper alignment and positioning of the beams with respect to each other, while simultaneously pressing said beams against the sidewall of said arms opposite that carrying said eccentric.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A lockable whale connector for connecting and aligning the intersecting projecting beam ends of concrete molding form framework sections or the like, said lockable whale connector comprising: a sheet metal body of L-shaped configuration having intersecting integral arms forming beam receiving channels of rectangular cross section, an eccentric operatively mounted to the side of each arm for frictional peripheral contact with the side of the beam embraced by said arm; whereby, rotation of each eccentric fictionally drives the beams axially within respective arms towards each other to effect proper alignment and positioning of the beams with respect to each other, while simultaneously pressing said beams against the sidewall of said arms opposite that carrying said eccentric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: means for locking said eccentrics against rotation to prevent retrograde movement of the beam ends within respective guide arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each eccentric includes circumferentially spaced projections on the periphery of the same to insure frictional engagement between the said eccentric and said beam for respective arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein: each eccentric includes circumferentially spaced projections on the periphery of the same to insure frictional engagement between the said eccentric and said beam for respective arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for locking said eccentric against rotation to prevent retrograde movement of the beam ends within respective guide arms Comprises: a plurality of projections carried by the eccentric periphery at circumferentially spaced portions and a pivotable locking pawl mounted adjacent to said eccentric for pivoting about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of said eccentric and having a radial projection pivotal to a position between said projections, and wherein said radial projection of said locking pawl extends radially beyond the distance from the pivoted axis of the locking pawl to the periphery of the eccentric in a plane which includes the pivot axis of both said eccentric and said locking pawl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking pawl includes a second radial projection positioned to the side of the first projection away from the eccentric, and having a radius in excess of that of said first projection and acting as a thumb release for said locking pawl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein: each arm is U-shaped in configuration including a base supporting laterally spaced inside and outside sidewalls, said outside sidewalls being provided with an opening intermediate its ends, said base including an integral projecting portion overlying said outside sidewall opening and extending outwardly from said sidewalls and said eccentric and said locking pawl are pivotably mounted to said base projecting portion such that the rachet pins project inwardly of said opening during rotation of said eccentric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The lockable whale connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said eccentric includes a tapped and threaded hole extending inwardly from its periphery and an elongated rod having a threaded end is threadably received within said eccentric periphery hole and extends radially outward thereof away from said outside sidewall opening to permit manual rotation of said eccentric into beam locking position.