US3877192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Assemblage of pieces of a metal frame
Assignee: Richier SA
•
Filing: 1973-05-15
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-05-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention concerns the assemblage of the elements of a dismountable metal frame, and more particularly a mast, such as a crane tower which has to be raised by successive superimposed elements or, on the contrary, dismounted. The assemblage devices must be designed in such a manner as to permit the transmission of the components of the stresses in several directions, that is to say in a mast the longitudinal stresses exerted on the uprights placed in prolongation of one another, and the transverse stresses, transmitted more particularly by the cross-braces and resulting from shearing stresses and torques. The assemblage device according to the invention comprises the combination of parts generally provided with connecting bolts, which receive the longitudinal stresses, and other parts, distinct from the preceding parts, intended for transmitting the transverse stresses, and preferably also for connecting the cross-braces to the uprights, these means projecting with respect to the surface of the joint on each of the pieces to be assembled, externally but tangentially to the perimeter of the said surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Metailler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:25
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C23/00; B66C23/18; B66C23/26; B66C23/28; B66C23/283; B66C23/286
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A generally vertical mast structure designed for end-to-end assembly of upright structural units on top of each other in mutual abutting relationship of the adjacent ends of two successive upright units, namely, the upper end of a first upright unit and the lower end of a second upright unit positioned immediately above said first upright unit and extending upwardly, said first and second upright units being fastened endwise to each other by associated bolting means which extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to said mast structure, wherein the improvement comprises the combination of: an end plate fastened with an upright unit end and flanging the same, said end plate having: i. a bearing face exposed to the adjacent end of the next successive upright unit to be engaged thereby for abutment in said longitudinal direction, and ii. exposed peripheral sides extending in a transverse direction with respect to said mast structure; and end ribs fastened with an upright unit end and having exposed protruding borders which project longitudinally beyond said end plate at said peripheral sides thereof past the adjacent end of the next vertically successive upright unit, said protruding borders of said end ribs positively engaging sidewise said next successive upright to abut the same against relative displacement in said transverse direction and taking up stresses in such transverse direction whereby said bolting means is relieved from such tranverse stresses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A generally vertical mast structure designed for end-to-end assembly of upright structural units on top of each other in mutual abutting relationship of the adjacent ends of two successive upright units, namely, the upper end of a first upright unit and the lower end of a second upright unit positioned immediately above said first upright unit and extending upwardly, said first and second upright units being fastened endwise to each other by associated bolting means which extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to said mast structure, wherein the improvement comprises the combination of: an end plate fastened with an upright unit end and flanging the same, said end plate having: i. a bearing face exposed to the adjacent end of the next successive upright unit to be engaged thereby for abutment in said longitudinal direction, and ii. exposed peripheral sides extending in a transverse direction with respect to said mast structure; and end ribs fastened with an upright unit end and having exposed protruding borders which project longitudinally beyond said end plate at said peripheral sides thereof past the adjacent end of the next vertically successive upright unit, said protruding borders of said end ribs positively engaging sidewise said next successive upright to abut the same against relative displacement in said transverse direction and taking up stresses in such transverse direction whereby said bolting means is relieved from such tranverse stresses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Mast structure as in claim 1, wherein said end plate comprises at least two adjacent rectilinear peripheral sides which are at an angle to each other and connected at an angular corner point, and said end ribs comprise protruding borders which project beyond said end plate at both said adjacent rectilinear sides thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
Mast structure as in claim 2, wherein said upright structural units comprisE coextensive upright elemental struts each having at least two adjacent planar outer faces which are at an angle to each other equal to that of said rectilinear sides and which are connected at respective straight edges, said rectilinear peripheral sides of said end plate and said planar outer faces of said elemental struts being flush with each other and coextensive, and said corner point of said end plate and said straight edges of said elemental struts being likewise colinear thereby forming together a smooth continuous dihedral rail which extends from top to bottom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
Mast structure as in claim 3, wherein each upright structural unit comprises a plurality of like upright elemental struts forming corner elements for said unit and provided with end plate and rib systems, and wherein said corner point of the respective end plates and said straight edges of respective elemental struts are directed towards the inside of said upright structural unit whereby said unit comprises inwardly thereof as many smooth continuous dihedral rails as it has upright elemental struts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Mast structure as in claim 4, wherein each upright structural unit further comprises bracing ties interconnecting said upright elemental struts, said bracing ties bearing against buttress sections of said end ribs spaced from said exposed protruding borders thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
Mast structure as in claim 2, wherein said first upright unit comprises at said upper end thereof a pair of end ribs having exposed protruding borders which project upwardly beyond said end plate at said adjacent rectilinear peripheral sides thereof respectively, and said second upright unit comprises likewise at said lower end thereof a further pair of end ribs having exposed protruding borders which project downwardly beyond said end plate at said same rectilinear peripheral sides thereof, respectively, each rib of one pair of said ribs being adjacent to a rib of the other pair of said ribs and associated with the same rectilinear peripheral side of said end plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Mast structure as in claim 6, wherein each of said pairs of end ribs forms a dihedral of substantially the same angle as the angle between said two adjacent rectilinear peripheral sides of said end plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Mast structure as in claim 6, wherein said end plate is fastened with said upper end of said first upright unit and has an upwardly exposed bearing surface engaged by said lower end of said second upright unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Mast structure as in claim 8, wherein said end plate has substantially horizontal rectilinear peripheral sides, and said end ribs have substantially vertical protruding borders associated with said horizontal sides.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |