Allen Key Clamps

Allen key clamps are a range of fittings that connect steel tubes together. They enable the construction of frames and railings where the clamps serve to interconnect the tube ends. They tend to be used for permanent or semi-permanent structures and there are some that can be bolted to hard surfaces such as walls, floors and ceilings.

Examples of projects where allen key clamps are often used include edge-protection on flat roofs, hand-rails on ramps and stairs, shopping trolley compounds, hanging rails in store rooms, sign-board mounts, climbing frames, and storage racking in warehouses.

Tubes are held in position with stainless steel grub screws that are tightened with an allen key or a ratchet key. If fully tightened using a ratchet key to a torque of 4.1kg/m (29ft/lb), the grub screw is capable of withstanding an applied slip load of 900kg.

Allen key clamps supplied by Orchard Hire & Sales are blackheart malleable iron castings manufactured to BS EN 1562:1997 using grade B32-10 material with a hot dipped galvanised finish to BS EN 1461:1999.

Allen key clamps and steel tubes are available from Orchard in all five standard sizes, relating to the outer diameter of the tube: a) 26.9mm, b) 33.7mm, c) 42.4mm, d) 48.3mm and e) 60.3mm. Sizes a, b & c take a 1/4" allen key. Sizes d & e take a 5/16" allen key.

Allen Key Clamp 119

Passthrough sleeve

Connects mid rails to uprights on a straight and level guard rail. Uprights must be precisely aligned at 90° to the cross rails.

Allen Key Clamp 176

Side outlet tee

Typically used at the top-centre of frame-like structures such as storage racking and climbing frames.

Allen Key Clamp 125

Right angle elbow

Connects top rail of a straight and level guard rail to an upright at 90°.

Allen Key Clamp 128

Three way corner

Connects two top rails at 90° to each other to a vertical corner post.

Allen Key Clamp 101

Short tee junction

Connects upright to top rail or mid rail to upright on straight and level railings.

Allen Key Clamp 116

Right angle elbow passthrough

Connects mid rails to uprights at a 90° corner post. In the other orientation, it fixes an intermediate horizontal tube to an outer rail in the top of a frame-like structure.

Allen Key Clamp 132

Base mount

Bolt to the floor to provide structural base plates for vertical posts. In guardrails, the fitting should be aligned with the bolt holes at 90° to the direction of the railing for maximum strength.

Allen Key Clamp 158

Long cross passthrough

An intersecting internal joint typically used in frame structures.

Allen Key Clamp 104

Long tee junction

Connects top rail to upright at 90°. Top rail tubes can be joined end to end inside.

Allen Key Clamp 143

Hand rail bracket

Typically for wall-mounting hand rails. Not suitable as a base mount for guard rails or dependent structures.

Allen Key Clamp 148

Short swivel tee

Used in pairs to create a horizontal hand rail corner at an angle between 85° & 235° off a vertical post.

Allen Key Clamp 131

Wall flange

Can be used to terminate a cross rail to a wall or as a base plate for non load-bearing structures eg. a bench.

Allen Key Clamp 170

mesh panel clip

Allen Key Clamp 124

Variable elbow

for creating an angled corner at 15° - 60°.

Allen Key Clamp 146

Side palm fixing

For mounting the upright tube of a guard rail as close as possible to a slope or staircase to minimise the gap.

Allen Key Clamp 149

Sleeve joint

Connects tubes end to end. Not a structural joint.

Allen Key Clamp 129

Variable angle short tee.

for creating an angled T-junction at 30° - 60°.

Allen Key Clamp 133

Plastic stop-end

Allen Key Clamp 169

Swivel base-plate

Bolts to the ground to provide a variable angle base plate up to 85°. Non-structural fitting, not to be used as a base plate for guard-rails or dependent structures and not designed to withstand lateral loadings.

Allen Key Clamp 138 and 140 in Combination

Gate Hinge

Clamp number 138 has a hole to receive the spigot of clamp number 140, which enables them to act as a hinge. Each clamp takes a vertical tube - one for the gate post and the other for the gate. For two hinges, you would therefore use two pairs of 138 & 140 clamp.

Allen Key Clamp 182

Chain hook

Hooks for hanging a chain barrier on upright posts.