An apparatus and assembly for connecting beams and like structural members is disclosed which is particularly advantageous for connecting two members which are moved laterally into place. The connector apparatus requires no relative longitudinal movement between the ends of the beams or members being connected to make a connection joint. The apparatus includes a receptacle member and a connector housing carried by opposed ends of the structural member being connected. A spring-loaded connector member is carried by the connector housing which may be released for extension and engagement into the receptacle member

Vontiesenhausen, G. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent [191 
von Tiesenhausen 
[i 11 4,38 1,583 
[451 May 3,1983 
[54] BEAM CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND 
[75] Inventor: Georg F. von Tiesenhausen, 
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as 
ASSEMBLY 
Huntsville, Ala. 
represented by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, Washington, D.C. 
[21] Appl. No.: 195,226 
[22] Filed: Oct. 8, 1980 
[5 11 Int. Cl.3 .............................................. A44B 21/00 
[52] US. C1. ....................................... 24/214; 244/159 
[58] Field of Search ........... 24/208 R, 213 R, 213 CS, 
24/214,230 AP, 255 R, 255 BS, 257; 244/159; 
403/405; 52/750 
[561 References Cited 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
1,807,293 5/1931 Keller ............................. 24/230 AP 
2,464,543 3/1949 Modrey ................................. 24/208 
4,186,465 2/1980 Manning .................... 24/230 AP X 
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 
996643 12/1951 France .................................. 24/213 
Primary Examiner-Robert P. Swiatek 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-L. D. Wofford, Jr.; J. R. 
Manning; J. H. Beumer 
[571 ABSTRACT 
Connector apparatus and assembly is disclosed for con- 
necting beams and the like structural members which is 
particularly advantageous for connecting two members 
together when moved laterally into place since the 
connector apparatus requires no relative longitudinal 
movement between the ends of the beams or members 
being connected to make a connection joint. The con- 
nector apparatus includes a receptacle member A and a 
connector housing B carried by opposed ends of the 
structural member being connected wherein a spring- 
loaded connector member C is carried by the connector 
housing B which may be released for extension and 
engagement into the receptacle member A. 
15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19830023624 2020-03-22T01:21:48+00:00Z
U.S. Patent M ~ Y  3, 1983 Sheet I of 2 4,381,583 
U.S. Patent May 3, 1983 Sheet 2 of 2 4,381,583 
/54 A7 
20 
1 
4,381,583 
c) 
BEAM CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND 
ASSEMBLY 
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION 5 
The invention described herein was made by an em- 
ployee of the United States Government and may be 
manufactured and used by or for the Government for 
governmental purposes without the payment of any 
royalties thereon or therefor. 10 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to connector apparatus and 
assembly for connecting the ends of beams and the like 
structural components. The invention is particularly l5 
advantageous in connecting structured beams together 
in space as part of large space platform assemblies for 
supporting later space missions. The connector appara- 
tus may also be utilized to connect parts and equipment 
Heretofore, conventional connector methods have 
been utilized in the assembly of structures in space such 
as the use of nuts and bolts and flanges However, these 
connections require significant manual work to engage 
and disengage. 25 
Other prior devices have used pyrotechniques to 
form connection between the ends of beams and like 
structural members. However, these techniques require 
the use of explosive charges sensitive to RF environ- 
ments which can be quite strong during orbital platform 30 
assembly operations rendering these techniques undesir- 
able. Furthermore, such a connection is permanent and 
cannot be separated without destruction of the connec- 
tion joint and do not provide for automatic alignment of 
the members. 35 
Accordingly, an important object of the present in- 
vention is to provide apparatus for connecting struc- 
tural members such as utilized in the construction of 
large assemblies orbiting in space which requires little 
Another important object of the present invention is 
to provide apparatus for connecting opposing ends of 
structural beams which provides reliability in alignment 
and positive connection. 
is to provide simple yet reliable apparatus for connect- 
ing opposing ends of structural beams and the like 
which affords quick connection and disconnection with 
no extra tools. 
is to provide apparatus for connecting free ends of 
structural beams and the like, particularly in space, 
which can accommodate compression, tension, and 
torque loads. 
is to provide apparatus for connecting free ends of 
structural beams and the like when moved laterally into 
place wherein the connector apparatus requires no rela- 
tive longitudinal movement between the ends of the 
beams or members being connected to make a connec- 60 
tion joint. 
to existing structures. 20 
or no manual labor and may be easily automated. 40 
Yet another important object of the present invention 45 
Yet another important object of the present invention 50 
Yet another important object of the present invention 55 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has been found that apparatus for connecting free 
ends of structural members such as beams can be had by 65 
providing a receptacle member carried by one free end 
and a housing member carried by the other free end by 
which a spring-loaded connector member is slidably 
L 
carried wherein the connector member includes prongs 
for engaging window openings in the receptacle. A 
guide plate guides a laterally moved beam into an axial, 
aligned position so that the connector member may be 
released for extension and engagement with the recep- 
tacle. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
The construction designed to' carry out the invention 
will be hereinafter described, t'ogether with other fea- 
tures thereof. 
The invention will be more readily understood from 
a reading of the following specification and by refer- 
ence to the accompanying drawings forming a part 
thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown 
and wherein: 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structural 
assembly utilizing connector apparatus according to the 
present invention for constructing an orbiting platform 
in space; 
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a structural beam mem- 
ber incorporating connector apparatus according to the 
invention. 
FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation illustrating connec- 
tion apparatus and joint constructed according to the 
invention; 
FIG. 4 is a cutaway partially sectional elevational 
view of connector apparatus constructed according to 
the invention; 
FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away elevation of connector 
apparatus according to the invention with connection 
being made therebetween; and 
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating connector 
apparatus according to the invention. 
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED 
EMBODIMENT 
The invention relates to the assembly of a connection 
joint between two structural members such as beams, 
particularly to the making and assembly of connection 
joints in structural systems in space. Planned large 
structures in space comprise individual lightweight 
beams of often considerable length and size. In the case 
of a satellite power system, the number to be linked is 
quite large and assembly time can be critical. 
Apparatus is disclosed for connecting free ends of 
structural components such as beams and the like which 
includes a first member A carried by a first of the free 
ends which has a receptacle, and a second member B 
carried by a second of the free ends having a housing. A 
plurality of spaced window openings are formed in the 
receptacle of the first member and a connector member 
C is slidably carried by the housing of the second mem- 
ber having prong means adapted for engagement within 
the window openings. The connector member has an 
extended position in which the prong means is engaged 
in the window openings. Lock means is provided for 
holding the connector member in a retracted position. 
An actuator means is provided for effecting movement 
of the connector member between the retracted posi- 
tion and extended position for making the joint connec- 
tion. 
As illustrated, a plurality of structural members 10 
are joined together so as to provide a frame 12 which 
may be part of a space platform assembly in space. Each 
framework 12 includes a plurality of structural members 
10 which are joined together by means of connector 
4,381,583 
3 4 
the interior of receptacle 20 by means of the force of 
compression spring 30. In this extended position within 
the receptacle, the handle arms 32 may be inserted in 
transverse notches 42 and thus locked in the extended 
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
The individual structural members may be joined, for 
example, by means of a hub 14 Which carries a plurality 
of connector receptacles A for making connection with 
respective connector housings B carried by structural 5 connected position. 
members 10. Each beam 10 is typically welded con- The assembly of the housing member B i s  completed 
struction which is preassembled before arriving in by a cap 44 which is threaded onto the back of the 
Space. The beams are positioned for interCOnneCtiOll, housing cylinder 24 and receives the rear coil of corn- 
for example, by the manipulator arms of a teleoperator pression spring 30. Member 44 also adapts for connec- 
vehicle 16 which may be remotely controlled from an 10 tion to the particular structural member being con- 
orbiting shuttle 18 as well as from an earth station. In nected in a conventional manner as does member 23 of 
this case, the actuation of connector member c may be first member A. Latch means for retaining the handle 
arms 32 within the notch means 40 and 42 is provided automated in a conventional manner. 
Referring in more detail to the drawings, cannection by carried On the exterior of the hous- apparatus according to the invention is illustrated as 15 ing cylinders 24 overlying the notch means. The handle 
including first member A which includes a receptacle and retained in their 20 having a plurality of window openings 22 formed 
therein. The receptacle 20 includes a conical tapering of the connector members A inlet 20a whose function will be described later. The 
housing A is preferably in the form of a cylinder 20 and B when a beam connected thereby is moved later- 
includes cylindrical housing is provided which is affxed and carried at one end to 
24 which &dably receives the connector member c connector member B. The distal end of the guide plate 
body 26 having prong means provided by a plurality of 25 guide Pin 54 carried on the exterior periphery of conical 
prongs 28 circumferentially spaced so as to correspond inlet 20. With the connector member B brought later- 
and align with window openings 22 for engagement ally over pin 54, the connector members will be in align- 
therein. A pair of spaced circumferential flanges 29 and ment whereby release of the connector member c re- 
2ga slidably position the connector member C within sults in penetration of the prongs within the receptacle 
the interior of cylindrical housing 24. Each prong 28 30 and window openings. 
includes a ramp portion 28a and a rear perpendicular The forward portion 28c of each prong 28 engages a 
engagement portion 28b. The sloping contour of the screw 58 carried by a release ring 60. Movement of ring 
ramp 28a terminates in a short flat portion 28c. 60 to the right causes screws 58 to slide up slope 28a 
The connector member C is spring-loaded in housing deflecting prongs 28 inwardly to clear opening 22 
member A by means of a compression spring 30 which 35 whereby withdrawal of the four prongs from the recep- 
accelerates longitudinal movement of the connector tacle 20 may be had. 
member C to an extended position where it is received The connection joint provided by connection be- 
in the receptacle 20 with prongs 28 engaged in respec- tween connection member A and B accommodates 
tive openings 22. In a preferred embodiment, four compression, tension, and torque loads. Compression 
prongs 28 and openings 22 are utilized. 40 loads are taken up by space 62 between the ends of 
The cross-sectional diameter of prongs 28 beginning prongs 28 and a recess ring 64 inside the receptacle. 
with ramp 28a iS larger than that Of the internal diame- Tension is accommodated by perpendicular faces 28b in 
ter of receptacle 20 so that during insertion, prongs 28 engagement with openings 22. Torque is taken up by 
deflect inwardly and then snap outwardly into openings the sides of prong ramp 28a in the window openings. 22. 45 Although openings 22 are slightly wider than prongs 
for effective movement Of the 'On- 28, the width difference is not enough to allow exces- 
nector member between a retracted position (FIG. 4) sive torque. 
of clips 
are clipped within the clip 
respective notches. 
To facilitate 
whereby the receptacle 20 has a circular cross-section. ally into place, which 's often the a guide plate 50 
The second member 
therein, The connector member C includes a cylindrical 50 includes an open-ended slot 52 which receives a 
Actuator 
and extended position (FIG* 5) is Provided by means of 
armS 32 carried by the 
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has 
been described using specific terms, such description is which connector The 
being fixed to a ring 34 which is slidably received 
around the cylinder 26 and positioned thereon between 
flange 29 and a rear cap 36 which is threaded to the 
interior diameter of the cylinder portion 26. The ring 
32 are carried by 50 for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood 
that changes and variations may be made without de- 
parting from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 
What is claimed is: 
may slide or rotate on the cylinder 26 for purposes as 55 
will be hereinafter described. A longitudinal groove 38 
handle arms 32 extend. Grooves 38 are formed diametri- 
Apparatus for connecting free ends Of a plurality Of 
structural components such as beams and the like 'Om- 
a first member adapted for being carried by a first of 
is formed in the side of housing 24 through which the 
cally opposed on each side of the housing 24 and the 
handle arms 32 are carried on the ring 34 and approxi- 60 
mately 180" from each other so as to extend through the 
grooves on respective sides of the housing. Lock means 
are provided by notches 40 formed in housing 24 trans- 
verse to and opening into the slot 38 such that when the 
handle arms 32 are received in the notches 40, longitudi- 65 
nal movement of the connector member C is prevented. 
By releasing handle arms 32 from notch 40, the con- 
nector member C i s  allowed to accelerate to the left into 
prising: 
said free ends having a receptacle; 
a second member adapted for being carried by a sec- 
ond of said free ends having a housing; 
a Plurality of spaced whdow openings formed in said 
receptacle of said first member; 
a connector member slidably carried by said housing 
of said second member having a plurality of prong 
means adapted for engagement within said window 
openings for resisting relative rotational move- 
ments between said first and second members; 
5 
4,381,583 
said connector member having an extended position cluded in said lock means for locking said handle means 
relative to said housing in which said prong means and connector member in said extended position. 
is engaged in said window openings; 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle 
for holding said connector member in a and prong means include a generally circular cross-sec- 
retracted position retracted longitudinally with 5 tion, said prong means having a cross-sectional diameter 
respect to said extended position; and larger than that of said receptacle. 
12. The apparatus of claim 1 including release means 
carried by said first member for moving said prong 
means out of engagement with said window openings. 
13. Apparatus for connecting free ends of a plurality 
of structural components such as beams and the like 
a first member adapted for being carried by a first of 
said free ends having a receptacle; 
a second member adapted for being carried by a sec- 
ond of said free ends having a housing; 
a plurality of spaced window openings formed in said 
receptacle of said first member; 
a connector member slidably carried by said housing 
of said second member having a plurality of prong 
means adapted for engagement within said window 
openings for connecting and preventing relative 
rotation between said first and second members; 
said connector member having an extended position 
relative to said housing, said prong means being 
engaged in said window openings in said extended 
position; 
lock means for holding said connector member in a 
longitudinally retracted position; 
actuator means for effecting movement of said con- 
nector member between said retracted and ex- 
tended positions; 
guide means adapted for interconnecting said first 
and second members in an aligned Position for 
connection with said connector member in said 
retracted position; and 
said receptacle of said first member including a ta- 
pered inlet facilitating insertion of said prong 
means. 
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said receptacle 
tion, said prong means having a cross-sectional diameter 
larger than that of said receptacle. 
15. The apparatus of laim 13 including release means 
carried by said first mber for moving said prong 
means out of engagement with said window openings. 
lock 
actuator means for effecting movement of said con- 
member between said retracted and ex- 
tended positions and connecting said members* 
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including guide means 
adapted for interconnecting said first and second mem- 
bers in an aligned position for connection with said 
connector member. 
includes a bridge plate having one end carried by one of 
said first and second members, means for connecting a 
distal end of said bridge plate to the other of said first 
and second members to interconnect said members in 
said aligned position. 
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle of 
said first member includes a tapered inlet facilitating 
insertion of said prong means. 
member is slidably received inside said housing of said 
second member. 
6.  The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said actuator 
means includes handle means carried by said connector 
member, a longitudinal groove formed in said housing 30 
through which said handle means extends, said lock 
means including transverse notch means formed in said 
housing and said groove for receiving said handle 
means, said handle means being rotatable into said notch 
means and out of said groove to lock said connector 35 
member against longitudinal movement. 
7. The apparatus of claim 6 including latch means for 
retaining said handle means in said notch means. 
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said actuator 4o 
means includes a spring biased to exert a force on said 
tion. 
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator 
means includes biasing means accelerating movement Of 45 
said connector member into said receptacle. 
10. The apparatus of claim 1 including handle means 
10 
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said guide means 15 
20 
5. The apparatus of 'Iaim wherein said connector 25 wherein said connector member is extended axially 
connector Inember for movement to said extended POsi- and prong means include a generally circular cross-sec- 
included in said actuator means, and notch means in- * * * * *  
50 
55 
60 
65 


Beam connector apparatus and assembly

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