FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to connection fittings for a transportable shelter and methods for using connecting connection fittings for a transportable shelter.

BACKGROUND

Transportable shelters (e.g., a tent) are used in various situations. For example, a person may use a tent to go camping. In another example, military personnel often use transportable shelters for training or when stationed in a foreign country.

Transportable shelters often include various frame members that are configured to be connected together on site to create a frame for the transportable shelter. The frame members may be metal beams or tubes, and the frame members often include connection fittings that are configured to attach to the connection fittings of other frame members.

Most transportable shelters utilize an insert-connection system in which ends of frame members that have a smaller diameter (e.g., swage ends) are slid into the receiving end of another frame member. The connections in an insert-connection system are most commonly secured using a pinning system, which is comprised of a series of holes drilled into the frame members. The holes on the small diameter end of a frame member align with the holes of a receiving end of another frame member, such that a fastener can be placed into the holes of both the small diameter end and the receiving end of the frame member to connect the frame members to each other and prevent the small diameter end of a frame member from sliding out of a receiving end of another frame member. Transportable shelters utilizing an insert-connection system and a pinning system are often made from metals, requiring extrusions that have a swaged end or end connection to create the insert. In addition, the holes for the pinning system often requires drilling during fabrication of the frame members.

SUMMARY

An exemplary connection fitting for a frame of a transportable shelter includes a female connection fitting configured to be attached to a first interconnecting member of the frame, and a male connection fitting configured to be attached to a second interconnecting member of the frame. The female connection fitting includes a base and a channel extending through the base, and the male connection fitting includes a base and an extension extending from the base. When the female connection fitting is attached to the first interconnecting member and the male connection fitting is attached to the second interconnecting member, the extension of the male connection fitting is inserted into the channel of the female connection fitting to connect the first interconnecting member to the second interconnecting member.

An exemplary frame for a transportable shelter includes a first base member, a second base member, and a plurality of structural members. Each of the structural members includes a first end that is connectable to the first base member and a second end that is connectable to the second base member. In addition, each of the structural members includes at least two interconnecting members that extend between the first end and the second end of the structural member, in which the first interconnectable member is connectable to the second interconnecting member by a connection fitting. The connection fitting includes a female connection fitting and a male connection fitting. The female connection fitting is attached to the first interconnecting member and has a base and a channel extending through the base. The male connection fitting is attached to the second interconnecting member and has a base and an extension extending from the base. The extension of the male connection fitting is inserted into the channel of the female connection fitting to connect the first interconnecting member to the second interconnecting member.

Another exemplary embodiment of a connection fitting for a frame of a transportable shelter includes a crown connection fitting and a female connection fitting. The crown connection fitting has a base and a plurality of extensions extending from the base. The female connection fitting is configured to be attached to a beam member of the frame and has a base and a channel extending through the base. When the beam member is attached to the female connection fitting, the channel of the female connection fitting is placed over an extension of the crown connection fitting to connect the beam member to the crown connection fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a frame for a transportable shelter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bay for the frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a female connection fitting;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the female connection fitting of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the female connection fitting of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a male connection fitting;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the male connection fitting of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a connection between a first interconnecting member having a male connection fitting and a second interconnecting member having a female connection fitting;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the connection between the first interconnecting member and the second interconnecting member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an interconnecting member being attached to a connection fitting;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a connection between an exemplary embodiment of a crown fitting having male connection points and an exemplary embodiment of a female connection fitting; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connection between the crown fitting and female connection fitting of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Transportable shelters can be designed with various interconnectable members that are connected to create a frame of the shelter. A commonality of attachment methods is used to ease the difficulty of the connecting the interconnectable members during installation of the frame. Factors such as the speed and ease-of-use related to the connections greatly lengthen or reduce the overall installation time required due to the large amount of points that need to be connected. There exists a need for a standard structural support connection that is easy to use and fast, and that is also a secure connection that can endure the stresses associated with a long-term installation.

The connection fitting of the present application utilizes a dovetail design. The connection fitting has several advantages over current connections between members of a frame for a transportable shelter. For example, the insert-connection systems used by most transportable shelters allows for a small amount of movement or “give” in each connection between the frame members, which allows a smaller diameter end of a frame member to be slid into the receiving end of another frame member. As several connections between frame members exist for a frame of a transportable shelter, this amount of movement or “give” increases exponentially with each additional connection that is made for a transportable shelter. This movement in the connections reduces the stability of the frame for the transportable shelter. In contrast, the dovetail style fitting allows for a stable connection point, which, of its own volition, creates a connection that is less likely to disconnect on its own over time. This stable connection is partly due to the reduction of the angles of movement. That is, the stable connection is partly due to limiting the movement between the extension of a male connection fitting and the channel of female connection fitting. In addition, in various embodiments, the dovetail design can be used with fasteners (e.g., screws, pins, bolts, etc.), in which the bulk of the stresses created at the joint to be handled by the dovetail connection, rather than the fasteners. By using the dovetail connection, there will be negligible movement or “give” between frame members, which causes less stress to be applied to the fasteners.

Current transportable shelters utilizing insert-connection systems are made from metals and require extrusions that have a swaged end or end connection to create the insert for the frame members. The extruded members are difficult to transport and store when made to lengths for medium to large size structures. In addition, each end of the extruded frame members also require drilling for the pinning system holes, which requires the frame members to be manipulated multiple times during fabrication. In contrast, the connection fitting of the present application can be created using Computer Numerical Control (“CNC”) manufacturing, forging, casting, 3D printing, additive manufacturing. The disclosed connection fitting can also be made from extruded metals (e.g., aluminum, steel, composites, etc.) The connection fitting can be manufactured to a length where a length of the connection fitting corresponds to the height of the frame member to which the connection fitting will be attached. Once at length, the connection fitting can be machined/drilled in accordance with the desired dimensions for any channels, extensions, protrusions, apertures, or openings of the connection fitting. The above-mentioned manufacturing method makes it easy to manufacture the connection fittings to the specifications desired by a user.

Current transportable shelters utilizing insert-connection systems are less than ideal when a frame that has been designed has any sort of curvature to the frame members (e.g., Quonset huts, hoop structures, etc.) For such structures, the small diameter ends of the frame members tend not to have the same curvature as the receiving ends of the frame members, which makes it difficult to connect the frame members, and provides more stress to the pins supporting the connections between the frame members. As mentioned above, the manufacturing of the connection fitting disclosed in the present application makes it easy to manufacture the connection fittings to the specifications desired by a user, which makes it more advantageous than frame members having curvatures that do not match each other. In addition, frame members utilizing the disclosed connection fitting can be connected quickly and easily by inserting an extension of a male connection fitting into a channel of a female connection fitting and securing the extension in the channel with a fastener. The male and female connection fittings are prevented from over-extending or over-sliding by the connection of the connection fittings to the frame member. For example, when the frame member is an I-beam, the connection fittings are prevented from over-extending or over-sliding by the top flange of the beam).

In addition, for transportable shelters utilizing insert-connection systems, the entire frame is secured through the use of pins only, which means the breakage of a pin or a removal of a pin can result in the imminent failure of the frame because there is no additional force keeping the frame members together (without the installation of a shelter fabric or additional complete anchoring systems). As mentioned above, the dovetail design of the disclosed connection fitting allows the bulk of the stresses created at the joint to be handled by the dovetail connection, rather than the fasteners. By using the dovetail connection, there will be negligible movement or “give” between frame members, which causes less stress to be applied to the fasteners and less chance of failure of the frame due to failure of the fastener.

Prior to discussing the various embodiments, a review of the definitions of some exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure is appropriate. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning.

As described herein, when a frame for a transportable shelter is described as having “structural members,” “base members,” “interconnecting members,” and “purlins,” such terms are used to describe various members for the frame. Such terms, however, shall not be limited to the specific embodiments of the structures being described as “structural members,” “base members,” “interconnecting members,” or “purlins.” The terms “structural members,” “base members,” interconnecting members,” “purlins,” and any other similar term shall take any suitable meaning for describing a member, component, portion, or element of a frame for a transportable shelter.

As described herein, when one or more members are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the members or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary members. Also, as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” “element,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, purlin or portion, but can include an assembly of components, members, purlins, or portion.

In the embodiments discussed herein, the connection fittings of the present application are described for use with a frame for a transportable shelter. However, the connection fittings of the present application can be used in a variety of different applications. The present application provides multiple embodiments of connection fittings and frames for transportable shelters. Any feature or combination of features from each of the embodiments can be used with features or combinations of features of other embodiments.

The general inventive concepts of the present application will now be described by referencing the following exemplary embodiments. The description with reference to the following exemplary embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a frame 100 for a transportable shelter includes a first base member 102, a second base member 104, a plurality of structural members 106a-g, and a plurality of purlins 108. A first end 205 (FIG. 2) of each structural member 106a-g is connected to the first base member 102, and a second end 207 (FIG. 2) of each structural member 106a-g is connected to the second base member 104. The purlins 108 attach a structural member 106a-g to an adjacent structural member and provide support to maintain the frame 100 in an upright position. The frame 100 may take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047 titled FRAME FOR A TRANSPORTABLE SHELTER, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The frame 100 includes a plurality of bays 110a-f, in which each bay 110 includes an adjacent pair of the structural members 106a-g that are attached by the first base member 102, the second base member 104, and a plurality of purlins 108. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the frame 100 includes six bays 110a-f. However, the frame 100 may be configured to include any suitable number of bays.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bay 110a for the frame 100 of FIG. 1 is shown. While the following description refers to bay 110a, it should be understood that the description also applies to bays 110b-f. In the illustrated embodiment, the bay 110a includes the structural member 106a and the structural member 106b, in which the structural members 106a,b are connected by the first base member 102, the second base member 104, and five purlins 108. In alternative embodiments, the structural member 106a and the structural member 106b may be connected by any suitable number of purlins 108 that maintains the bay 110 in an upright position, such as, for example, three purlins, four purlins, five purlins, six purlins, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 2, each structural member 106a,b includes six interconnecting members 212a-f. The interconnecting member 212a of each structural member connects to the first base member 102 at connection point A and the adjacent interconnecting member 212b at connection point B. The interconnecting member 212c connects to adjacent interconnecting member 212b at connection point C and to another adjacent interconnecting member 212d at connection point D. The interconnecting member 212e connects to adjacent interconnecting member 212d at connection point E and to another adjacent interconnecting member 212f at connection point F. The interconnecting member 212f connects to the second base member 104 at connection point G. The interconnecting members 212a, 212e may connect to a corresponding base member 102, 104 by any suitable means, such as, for example, any means described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047. The purlins 108 connect the structural member 106a to the structural member 106b. In the illustrated embodiment, a purlin 108 is connecting the structural members 106a,b at each of the connection points B-F. In alternative embodiments, the connections between the purlins 108 and the structural members 106a-g are located at connection points that are different than the connection points B-F between the interconnecting members 212a-f. The interconnecting members 212a-f may take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047 or the present application.

Each of the interconnecting members 212a-f can connect to the base members 102, 104 or another interconnecting member using a dovetail connection fitting 800 (FIG. 8). An exemplary embodiment of a dovetail connection fitting 800 includes a female connection fitting 300 (FIGS. 3-5) and a male connection fitting 600 (FIGS. 6-7). The female connection fitting 300 of one interconnecting member 212a-f is configured to attach to the male connection fitting 600 of another interconnecting member or a base member 102, 104 such that the connection between the interconnecting member and the other interconnecting member or the base member is secure and can endure the stresses associated with a long-term installation of a frame for a transportable shelter. In certain embodiments, the dovetail connection fitting 800 can be used as an alternative to the hinge assemblies described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, an exemplary embodiment of a female connection fitting 300 includes a base 302, one or more channels 304a-c extending through the base, a protrusion 306 extending from the base, and apertures 308 extending through the female connection fitting for attaching the female connection fitting to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104. Referring to FIG. 3, the female connection fitting has three channels 304a-c configured to receive an extension 614 (FIG. 6) of the male connection fitting 600. The female connection fitting 300 can, however, include any suitable number of channels, such as, for example, one channel, two channels, three channels, four channels, five channels, six channels, or more than 6 channels. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels 304a-c include an inlet 310 for receiving an extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600, in which the inlet has a width W. In addition, a portion of the channel 304 includes a width X. In various embodiments, the width X is larger than the width W.

In the illustrated embodiment, a first channel 304a of the female connection fitting 300 is attached to an interconnecting member 212a-f (FIGS. 1 and 2) that is configured to receive to a male connection fitting 600 (FIG. 6) that is attached to another interconnecting member 212a-f (FIGS. 1 and 2) or a base member 102, 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to attach the interconnecting member to the other interconnecting member or the base member. In addition, the female connection fitting 300 includes a second channel 304b and a third channel 304c, which are configured to receive a male connection fitting 600 that is attached to a purlin 108. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, purlins 108 can attach structural members 106a-g at the connection points (e.g., connection points B, C, D, E, F) between the interconnecting members 212a-f, and the female connection fitting 300 includes channels 304b-c for receiving male connection fittings of the purlins for connecting the purlins 108 to the structural members 106a-g. In certain embodiments, the width W of the openings 310 for each of the channels 304a-c are identical, and the width X for each of the channels 304a-c are identical. In other embodiments, the width W and the width X for the first channel 304a is different than the width W and the width X for at least one of the second channel 304b and the third channel 304c.

The embodiment of the female connection fitting 300 shown in FIGS. 3-5 is configured to attach to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104 that takes the form of an I-beam (i.e., a beam having a web and two opposing flanges attached to the web). The apertures 308 allow for the insertion of a fastening member (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) for connecting the female connection fitting 300 to the flanges of an I-beam. The protrusion 306 houses an aperture 308 and is the contact point for a web of an I-beam when the female connection fitting 300 is attached to the I-beam. In alternative embodiments, the interconnecting members 212a-f and the base members 102, 104 may not take the form of an I-beam. For example, the interconnecting members 212a-f and the base members 102, 104 may take any other suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047. A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize the that the female connection fitting 300 can include various means and methods for connecting the female connection fitting 300 to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104 having any of these suitable forms. For example, the female connection 300 fitting can attach to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104 using fasteners and apertures, adhesive, welding, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in certain embodiments, the female connection fitting 300 includes openings 418 that intersect with the apertures 308, such that a fastener can be used to maintain another fastener in a desired position within the apertures 308. For example, screws or bolts can be inserted into the apertures 308 of the female connection fitting 300 to attach the female connection fitting to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104. In this situation, another fastener (e.g., a barrel fastener, a nut, etc.) is disposed within the openings 418 to maintain the screw or bolt within the apertures 308.

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the female connection fitting 300 can also include openings 420 that extend through the channels 304a-c. The openings 420 are configured to align with openings 722 (FIG. 7) of a male connection fitting 600 (FIG. 6) when the male connection fitting is attached to the female connection fitting 300. The openings 420 are also configured to receive a fastener (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.) to maintain the connection between the female connection fitting 300 and the male connection fitting 600.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an exemplary embodiment of a male connection fitting 600 includes a base 602, one or more extensions 614 extending from the base, a protrusion 624 extending from the base, and apertures 626 extending through the male connection fitting for attaching the male connection fitting to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104. Referring to FIG. 6, the male connection fitting has one extension 614 configured to be inserted into a channel 304a-c (FIGS. 3-5) of the female connection fitting 300. The male connection fitting 600 can, however, include any suitable number of extensions 614, such as, for example, one extension, two extensions, three extensions, four extensions, five extensions, six extensions, or more than 6 extensions. For example, in some embodiments, the male connection fitting 600 may include additional extensions 614 that are configured to attach to female connection members attached to a purlin 108 (FIGS. 1 and 2) such that the purlin can be connected to the structural members 106a-g (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the illustrated embodiment, the extension 614 has a width H at a connection 630 between the extension and the base 602, and the width of the extension increases to a maximum width Z that is larger than the width H. In certain embodiments, the portion of the extension having a width H is configured to align with the portion of a channel 304a-c (FIG. 3) of a female connection member 300 (FIG. 3) having a width W such that the extension can be inserted into the channel of the female connection member. In addition, in certain embodiments, the portion of the extension 614 having a width Z is configured to align with a portion of the channel 304a-c having a width X such that the extension can be inserted into the channel.

The embodiment of the male connection fitting 600 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is configured to attach to an interconnecting member 212a-f (FIGS. 1 and 2) or a base member 102, 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that takes the form of an I-beam (i.e., a beam having a web and two opposing flanges attached to the web). The apertures 626 allow for the insertion of a fastening member (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) for connecting the male connection fitting 600 to the flanges of an I-beam. The protrusion 624 houses an aperture 626 and is the contact point for a web of an I-beam when the male connection fitting 600 is attached to the I-beam. In alternative embodiments, the interconnecting members 212a-f and the base members 102, 104 may not take the form of an I-beam. For example, the interconnecting members 212a-f and the base members 102, 104 may take any other suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047. A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize the that the male connection fitting 600 can include various means and methods for connecting the male connection fitting 600 to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104 having any of these suitable forms. For example, the male connection fitting 600 can attach to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104 using fasteners and apertures, adhesive, welding, etc.

Referring to FIG. 7, in certain embodiments, the male connection fitting 600 includes openings 732 that intersect with the apertures 626, such that a fastener can be used to maintain another fastener in a desired position within the apertures 626. For example, screws or bolts can be inserted into the apertures 626 of the male connection fitting 600 to attach the male connection fitting to an interconnecting member 212a-f or a base member 102, 104. In this situation, another fastener (e.g., a barrel fastener, a nut, etc.) is disposed within the openings 732 to maintain the screw or bolt within the apertures 626.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the male connection fitting 600 can also include openings 722 that extend through the extension 614. The openings 722 are configured to align with openings 420 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of a female connection fitting 300 (FIG. 3) when the female connection fitting is attached to the male connection fitting 600. The openings 722 are also configured to receive a fastener (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.) to maintain the connection between the female connection fitting 300 and the male connection fitting 600.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an exemplary embodiment of a dovetail connection fitting 800 that includes a female connection fitting 300 (FIGS. 3-5) and a male connection fitting 600 (FIGS. 6 and 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the female connection fitting 300 is attached to an interconnecting member 801, and the male connection fitting 600 is attached to a second interconnecting member 803. The first and second interconnecting members 801, 803 are I-beams. For illustrative purposes of the connection between the dovetail connection fitting 800 and the interconnecting members 801, 803, only a single flange 809, 811 of each interconnecting member is shown, and the opposing flange and the web are not shown. The first and second interconnecting members 801, 803 can, however, take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047 or the present application. While FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a connection between two interconnecting members 801, 803, it should be understood that the dovetail connection fitting 800 can also be used to connect an interconnecting member to a base member. In addition, it should be understood that the dovetail connection fitting 800 can be used in any other suitable situation that requires connecting two members of a structure together.

The female connection fitting 300 is attached to a flange 809 of the first interconnecting member 801 by aligning the apertures 308 of the female connection fitting (as shown in FIG. 8) with openings 908 of the first interconnecting member 801 (as shown in FIG. 9) and inserting a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) through the apertures 308 and openings 908. In certain embodiments, the attachment between the female connection fitting 300 and the first interconnecting member 801 is maintained by inserting a fastener (e.g., a barrel fastener, a nut, etc.) into openings 418 (FIGS. 4 and 5), which intersect the apertures 308 and maintain a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) within the apertures 308 for attaching the female connection fitting to the first interconnecting member. In alternative embodiments, the female connection fitting 300 can be attached to the first interconnecting member 801 by adhesive, welding, etc.

The male connection fitting 600 is attached to a flange 811 of the second interconnecting member 803 by aligning the apertures 626 of the male connection fitting (as shown in FIG. 8) with openings 926 of the second interconnecting member 803 (as shown in FIG. 9) and inserting a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) through the apertures 626 and openings 926. In certain embodiments, the attachment between the male connection fitting 300 and the second interconnecting member 803 is maintained by inserting a fastener (e.g., a barrel fastener, a nut, etc.) into openings 732 (FIG. 7), which intersect the apertures 626 and maintain a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) within the apertures 626 for attaching the male connection fitting to the second interconnecting member. In alternative embodiments, the male connection fitting 600 can be attached to the second interconnecting member 803 by adhesive, welding, etc.

Referring to FIG. 8, the first interconnecting member 801 is attached to the second interconnecting member 803 by inserting the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 into the channel 304a of the female connection fitting 300. The extension 614 is inserted into an opening 440 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the channel 304a in a direction Y (as shown in FIG. 5). In certain embodiments, the female connection fitting 300 and the male connection fitting 600 are configured to have only a single direction of insertion. That is, the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 is configured to only be inserted into a single side of the channel 304a, and is prevented from being inserted into the other side of the channel 304a. In alternative embodiments, the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 can be inserted into either side of the channel 304a.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 is disposed in the channel 304a of the female connection fitting 300, the female connection fitting 300 and the male connection fitting 600 are prevented from moving laterally in a direction D. The prevention of lateral movement in the direction D is caused by the shape of the channels 304a-c of the female connection fitting 300 and the shape of the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 614. That is, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the width Z of the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 is larger than the width W of the opening 310 of the channel 304a, which prevents the extension 614 from being removed through the inlet 310 of the channel 304a. The prevention of removing the extension 614 of the male connection fitting 600 through the inlet 310 of the channel 304a of the female connection fitting 300 prevents the connection fitting from moving laterally in the direction D.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in certain embodiments, the female connection fitting 300 includes channels 304b-c what extend past the sides 805, 807 of the first interconnecting member 801. In certain embodiments, these channels 304b-c are configured to attach purlins 108 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having male connection fittings 600 to structural members 106a-g (FIGS. 1 and 2) for the frame 100 (FIG. 1) of a transportable shelter. The channel 304b extends past a first side 805 of the interconnecting member 801 and is configured to attach a purlin 108 to an adjacent structural member 106a-g, and the channel 304c extends past a second side 807 of the first interconnecting member 801 and is configured to attach a purlin 108 to another adjacent structural member 106a-g. In an alternative embodiment, the male connection fitting 600 includes additional extensions (not shown) that extend past the sides 805, 807 of the second interconnection member 803 for attaching purlins 108 having female connection fittings 300 to structural members 106a-g. While the dovetail connection fitting 800 is described with reference to interconnecting members for a frame 100 (FIG. 1) of a transportable shelter, it should be understood that the dovetail connection fitting 800 can be used in any other suitable situation that requires connecting two members of a structure together.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a male connection fitting 600 attached to an interconnecting member 901. The interconnecting member 901 is an I-beam. For illustrative purposes of the connection between the male connection fitting 600 and the interconnecting member 901, only a single flange 903 of the interconnecting member is shown, and the opposing flange and the web are not shown. The interconnecting member 901 can, however, take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047 or the present application. The male connection fitting 600 can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in the present application. While FIG. 10 illustrates a male connection fitting 600 attached to the interconnecting member 901, it should be understood that the same features can be used to connect a female connection fitting 300 (FIGS. 3-5) to interconnecting member 901.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the male connection fitting 600 includes openings 732 for connecting the male connection fitting 600 to the flange 903 of the interconnecting member 901. The male connection fitting 600 includes apertures 626 (FIGS. 6 and 7) that are aligned with openings 1026 (similar to openings 926 of the interconnecting member 803 in FIG. 9) of the flange 903. A fastener 1002 (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) is placed through an opening of the flange 903 and through an aperture 626 of the male connection fitting 600 to attach the male connection fitting to the flange of the interconnecting member 901. The male connection fitting 600 also includes openings 732 that intersect with the apertures 626 such that, when a fastener 1002 is placed through an aperture 626, a barrel fastener 1000 can be placed into the intersecting opening 732 to engage and secure the fastener 1002 in a desired position. The barrel fastener 1000 can take any suitable form, such as, for example, any form described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047. In alternative embodiments, any other fastener can be used to secure the fastener 1002 within an opening 732, such as, for example, a nut or any other suitable fastener.

While the illustrated embodiments show members for a frame being connected to other members of the frame using a dovetail connection fitting 800, it should be understood that some connections between members of a frame can also be made using alternative types of connections. For example, in some embodiments, the hinge assemblies described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/489,047 can be used to connect some members of a frame to each other, and the dovetail connection fitting 800 can be used to connect other members of the frame to each other. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, the hinge assemblies can be used to connect the interconnecting members 212a-f to adjacent interconnecting members 212a-f at connection points B-C and E-F, and to connect interconnecting members a,f to corresponding base members 102, 104 at connection points A and G, and the dovetail connection fitting 800 can be used to connect interconnecting members 212c,d to each other at connection point D. In alternative embodiments, any number of members for a frame can be connected using a hinge assembly, and any number of members for a frame can be connected using a dovetail connection fitting.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a dovetail connection fitting 1100 that includes a crown connection fitting 1101 and one or more female connection fittings 1103. The crown connection fitting 1101 includes a base member 1102 and a plurality of extensions 1114 extending from the base member 1102. The female connection fitting 1103 includes a base 1122 and a channel 1124 extending through the base member and configured to receive an extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting, and apertures 1126 extending through the base for attaching the female connection fitting to a beam member. The dovetail connection fitting 1100 is configured such that various female connection fittings 1103 can be attached to the extensions 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101. In certain embodiments, each female connection fitting 1103 is attached to a beam member (i.e., an I-beam), and the female connection fittings 1103 are used to attach the beam members to the crown connection fitting 1101. The female connection fittings 1103 can be attached to a beam member by any suitable means, such as, for example, any means provided in the present application. In the illustrated embodiment, the crown connection fitting 1101 includes eight extensions 1114, and a single female connection fitting 1103 is attached to one of the extensions 1114. The crown connection fitting 1101 can include any suitable number of extensions 1114, such as, for example, two or more extensions, three or more extensions, four or more extensions, five or more extensions, six or more extensions, seven or more extensions, eight or more extensions, 9 or more extensions, 10 or more extensions, etc. In addition, the crown connection fitting 1101 can be connected to as many female connection fittings 1103 as there are extensions 1114.

Referring to FIG. 11, the extensions 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 have a width H at a connection 1130 between the extension and the base 1102, and the width of the extension increases to a maximum width Z that is larger than the width H. The channel 1124 of each female connection fitting 1103 includes an opening 1128 having a width W, and the width of the channel increases from the opening to a width X that is larger than the width W. The female connection fitting 1103 is attached to the crown connection fitting 1103 by placing the channel 1124 of female connection fitting over an extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101. In certain embodiments, the channel 1124 of the female connection fitting 1103 is configured to only be placed over an extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 in a single direction. In alternative embodiments, the channel 1124 of the female connection fitting 1103 can be placed over an extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 in both directions.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 is disposed in the channel 1124 of the female connection fitting 1103, the female connection fitting 1103 and the crown connection fitting 1101 are prevented from moving laterally in a direction D. The prevention of lateral movement in the direction D is caused by the shape of the channel 1124 of the female connection fitting 1103 and the shape of the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101. That is, referring to FIG. 11, the width Z of the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 is larger than the width W of the opening 1128 of the channel 1124, which prevents the female connection fitting 1103 from being removed in a direction D. In certain embodiments, after the channel 1124 of the female connection fitting 1103 is placed over the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101, the female connection fitting 1103 is secured to the crown connection fitting 1101 by a fastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.). For example, referring to FIG. 12, the female connection fitting 1103 includes an opening 1132 that extends through the channel 1124, and the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting 1101 includes an opening (not shown) that extends through the extension and is aligned with the opening 1132 of the female connection fitting when the extension is disposed in the channel 1124. When the opening 1132 of the female connection fitting and the opening of the extension 1114 of the crown connection fitting are aligned, a fastener is placed through both the opening 1132 of the female connection fitting and the opening of the extension to secure the female connection fitting to the crown connection fitting.

Still referring to FIG. 12, in certain embodiments, the female connection fitting 1103 is configured to be attached to the crown connection fitting 1101 at any desired connection angle a. That is, in certain circumstances, the frame of a transportable shelter can include beam members being disposed at certain angles compared to other beam members of the frame, and, in these circumstances, the connection fitting 1100 can be used to connect the beam members at the desired angles. In the illustrated embodiment, an axis X is shown across a top surface 1241 of the crown connection fitting 1101, and another axis B is shown across a top surface 1243 of the base 1122 of the female connection fitting 1103. The connection between the crown connection fitting 1101 and the female connection fitting 1103 can be configured such that the angle a between the axis A and the axis B can be moved between various angles. In certain embodiments, the crown connection fitting 1101 is disposed at the highest point on a frame for a transportable shelter, and female connection fittings 1103 are attached the crown connection fitting 1101 to create a roof of the frame. In these embodiments, it is advantageous that the angle a can be adjusted because adjusting the angle a allows for an adjustment of the roof pitch for the roof of the frame. The dovetail connection fitting 1100 can be configured such that a roof pitch for the roof of a frame for a transportable shelter can be between about 1:12 inch and about 8:12 inch roof pitch, such as between about 2:12 inch and about 7:12 inch roof pitch, such as between about 3:12 inch and about 6:12 inch roof pitch, such as between about 4:12 inch and about 5:12 inch roof pitch.

While the illustrated embodiment shows a crown connection fitting 1101 having extensions 1114 that are connectable to a female connection fitting 1103, it should be understood that the crown fitting could include a plurality of channels that are connectable to male connection fittings having extensions that are configured to be disposed within the channels of the crown connection fitting.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on-may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions, even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.

Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated.

While various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.