Structural support member with swaged male interface

Abstract

A connector for a structural column includes a male element of a first column segment. The male element includes a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures. The connector also includes a female element of a second column segment. The female element includes a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures. At least one of the female element and the male element is swaged such that the female inner surface of the female element is sized to receive the male outer surface of the male element such that each of the first fastener apertures aligns with a corresponding one of the second fastener apertures. The connector further includes a plurality of fasteners configured to be received in the aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures

1 . A connector for a structural column, said connector comprising:
 a male element of a first column segment, said male element comprising a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures, wherein said male outer surface of said male element is swaged to a reduced cross-section relative to a cross-section of a main body of the first column segment;   a female element of a second column segment, said female element comprising a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures, said female inner surface of said female element is sized to receive said male outer surface of said male element such that each of said first fastener apertures aligns with a corresponding one of said second fastener apertures; and   a plurality of fasteners configured to be received in said aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said connector is a moment-resisting connector. 
     
     
         3 . The connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said male element and said female element are substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said male element and said female element are substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said male element and said female element are dimensioned to yield a clearance fit. 
     
     
         6 . The connector in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said male element is integrally formed with thickened walls relative to the main body of the first column segment. 
     
     
         7 . A method of assembling a column for a frame of a building, said method comprising:
 positioning a second column segment with respect to a first column segment, wherein the first column segment includes a male element including a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures, wherein the male outer surface of the male element is swaged to a reduced cross-section relative to a cross-section of a main body of the first column segment, wherein the second column segment includes a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures, and wherein the female inner surface of the female element receives the male outer surface of the male element such that each of the first fastener apertures aligns with a corresponding one of the second fastener apertures; and   coupling the second column segment to the first column segment via a plurality of fasteners received in the aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures to form the assembled column.   
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein coupling the second column segment to the first column segment via the plurality of fasteners comprises forming a moment-resisting connector. 
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein positioning the second column segment with respect to the first column segment comprises positioning the male element and the female element that are each substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein positioning the second column segment with respect to the first column segment comprises positioning the male element and the female element that are each substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein positioning the second column segment with respect to the first column segment comprises receiving the male element within the female element in a clearance fit. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein positioning the second column segment with respect to the first column segment comprises positioning the male element having integrally formed thickened walls relative to the main body of the first column segment. 
     
     
         13 . A column for a moment-resisting frame, said column comprising:
 a first hollow structural section (HSS) column segment;   a second HSS column segment; and   a connector comprising:   an integrally formed male element of said first HSS column segment, said male element comprising a male outer surface and a plurality of first fastener apertures wherein said male outer surface of said male element is swaged to a reduced cross-section relative to a cross-section of a main body of said first HSS column segment;   an integrally formed female element of said second HSS column segment, said female element comprising a female inner surface and a plurality of second fastener apertures, said female inner surface of said female element receives said male outer surface of said male element such that each of said first fastener apertures is aligned with a corresponding one of said second fastener apertures; and   a plurality of fasteners received in said aligned pairs of first and second fastener apertures.   
     
     
         14 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said connector is a moment-resisting connector. 
     
     
         15 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said male element and said female element are substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said male element and said female element are substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said male element and said female element are dimensioned to yield a clearance fit. 
     
     
         18 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said male element is integrally formed with thickened walls relative to said main body of said first HSS column segment. 
     
     
         19 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said female element has an external cross-section that is substantially identical to an external cross-section of said main body of said first HSS column segment. 
     
     
         20 . The column in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said first HSS column segment and said second HSS column segment are coupled at said connector without welding.