Wedge-clamped flange joint

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A primary object of the present inventions is to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional jointing methods.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel jointing method for flanged members by pressing the mated flanges of the members against each other by utilizing moments of force provided by lever action.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel jointing technique by which a uniform compressive force is applied throughout the mating surfaces of the flanges to be jointed.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel jointing technique by which it is possible to realize a dual fluid seal of the jointed portion.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a jointing device which is effective to achieve the above objects as well as to reinforce the resultant articles.
The present invention by which the above objects can be achieved resides in utilization of at least one beam body and at least one wedge.
The beam body is composed of a pair of parallel members and a fulcrum member which connects the parallel members with each other and concurrently serves as a distributed fulcrum.
The beam body is generally H-shape in cross section and is of desired length.
Therefore, the present beam body can be considered as an elongated body formed with an upper groove and a lower groove throughout, the partition between the grooves being the fulcrum member.
Contact surfaces of flanges of members to be jointed are mated and a first groove of the beam body is fitted over the mated flanges.
A wedge is inserted into the other or second groove to thereby widen the width thereof and hence provide a pinching action on the first groove so that the mated flanges are intimately contacted with each other by side walls of the first groove.
The material forming the beam body and the material forming the members to be jointed need not necessarily be metal but may be any material having sufficient resiliency and rigidity to satisfy the various requirements to be described later