Clamp joint for truss struts - is U-shaped clamp with bent bolt clamping struts parallel or at right angles

摘要

The clamp is for assembling together, parallel or at right angles, the members of a light structure. It consists of a U section sheet metal clip (12), with holes (15) punched in the flanges for one transverse tube (2), and deep enough to carry another tube (3) at right angles and on top of the first tube. The end of one (14) flange is turned outwards and notched (16) to take a clamp bolt head (18a) whilst the other has an oval slot (17) for the bolt tip. The bolt is bent (18) to form a better bearing surface on the outer tube (3) and to match the outward bend of the flange ends. The form of bolt and flange causes the tubes to be clamped securely in contact with each other, whether mounted at right angles or parallel in the clamp. Many different clamp assemblies are given, all making use of the same principle, but permitting more complex joints with more tubes. The struts may be solid and non-circular.