Clamp for securing together multiple support panels for a structure system

Abstract

A system for building an indoor track system is disclosed. The system includes a clamp that includes two brackets and a fastener system configured to bring the brackets to each other to squeeze two end beams of two different frames towards each other. The array of frames are then connected to each other in a side-by-side arrangement and are configured to support a structure thereon, such as an indoor running track.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for building an indoor track system, the system comprising:
 a series of frames arranged horizontally, each frame comprising end beams, the series of frames comprising at least a first frame and a second frame laid side by side;   a connection system to connect the series of frames together in a horizontal manner, the connection system comprising:
 a first bracket having a first receiving portion and configured to apply a first force to a first end beam of the first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of the second frame; 
 a second bracket having a second receiving portion and configured to apply a second force to the second end beam of the second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and 
 a fastener system configured to bring the first bracket towards the second bracket to squeeze the first end beam towards the second end beam; and 
   a support system to support the connection system and the series of frames so that the series of frames are securely connected together and to allow a flooring to be laid on the securely connected series of frames.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first piece of metal is attached to the first end beam and the receiving portion of the first bracket is configured to mate with the first piece of metal, and wherein a second piece of metal is attached to the second end beam and the receiving portion of the second bracket is configured to mate with the second piece of metal. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener system is connected to the support system via a central supporting truss so that the first and second end beams are disposed on the central supporting truss. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection system further comprises a spacer disposed between the first and second end beams to space the first and second end beams from each other when being squeezed by the brackets. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third bracket having a third receiving portion and configured to apply a third force to a third end beam of a third frame;   a fourth bracket having a fourth receiving portion and configured to apply a fourth force to a fourth end beam of a fourth frame; and   a fastener system configured to bring the third bracket towards the fourth bracket to squeeze the third end beam towards the fourth end beam   wherein the first, second, third and fourth frames are aligned together to support a continuous surface thereon.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener system comprises one or more fasteners which adjusts the force applied to at least one of the first and second brackets. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second brackets are shaped to have a curved portion to receive the first piece of metal and second piece of metal, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . A method for building an indoor track system comprising a series of frames, a connection system and a support system, the method comprising:
 disposing a first end beam of a first frame beside of second end beam of a second frame so that the first and second frames are side by side horizontally;   applying, via a first bracket, a first force to a first end beam of a first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of a second frame;   applying, via a second bracket, a second force to a second end beam of the second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and   bringing, via tightening of a fastener system, the first bracket towards the second bracket to squeeze the first end beam towards the second end beam.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 attaching a first piece of metal to the first end beam, wherein a receiving portion of the first bracket is configured to mate with the first piece of metal, and   attaching a second piece of metal to the second end beam and the receiving portion of the second bracket is configured to mate with the second piece of metal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: connecting the fastener system to the support system via a central supporting truss so that the first and second end beams are disposed on the central supporting truss. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: connecting a spacer between the first and second end beams in a was so as to space the first and second end beams from each other when being squeezed by the brackets. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 aligning the first frame, the second frame, a third frame and a fourth frames aligned together to support a continuous surface thereon   providing a third bracket having a third receiving portion and configured to apply a third force to a third end beam of the third frame;   providing a fourth bracket having a fourth receiving portion and configured to apply a fourth force to a fourth end beam of the fourth frame; and   bringing, using a fastener system, the third bracket towards the fourth bracket to squeeze the third end beam towards the fourth end beam.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: the first and second forces are opposing each other and orthogonal to the first and second beams so that the first and second beams are pushed towards each other. 
     
     
         16 . A system for building an indoor track system, the system comprising:
 a foundation support; an   a connection system that is supported by the foundation support and that is configured to connect a series of frames together in a horizontal manner, each frame comprising end beams, the connection system comprising:
 a first bracket having a first receiving portion and configured to apply a first force to a first end beam of a first frame towards a first direction towards a second end beam of the second frame; 
 a second bracket having a second receiving portion and configured to apply a second force to the second end beam of a second frame towards a second direction towards the first end beam, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and 
 a system configured to bring the first bracket towards the second bracket to force the first end beam towards the second end beam, 
   wherein the series of frames are securely connected together so that flooring can be laid on the connected series of frames.