Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Patent
1989-08-08
1990-03-20
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
52730, 52584, 52464, E04C 330
Patent
active
049090119
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to elongate hollow structural members and is particularly although not exclusively applicable to structural members for framework in supporting equipment such as lighting or other electrical apparatus, display devices, screens and the like or for supporting canopies, roofing and/or walling.
GB-A No. 943411 discloses a structural member including two or more channel-sectioned members assembled so that the channels are substantially parallel and open toward a common central line to define a passage bounded by the pairs of adjacent flanges of the channel-section members. The channel-section members are secured together by a plurality of clamps spaced apart along the flanges and each engaging a pair of adjacent flanges. The clamps along the respective pair of adjacent flanges are staggered (i.e. no two opposing clamps are of the same lead) so that the clamps can be secured from outside the member. The strength of the structural member thus depends on the strength of the individual channel-section members.
The invention provides a hollow-section elongate structural member comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongate elements extending parallel to one another and a plurality of panels extending between and secured to the elongate members in spaced relation to form the hollow section with each elongate element having a pair of panel edges secured thereto, the panel edges have edge formations to be received by the respective elongate elements and each elongate element having an elongate open channel with a base and side walls, each edge formation of a panel being shaped to conform to a side wall and adjacent part of the base of a channel and a clamping member for each channel formed with a clamping base having a main part flanked by side faces to act in cooperation with the base and side walls of the channel to clamp the edge formation of a pair of panels therein and securing means for securing the clamping members to the channels.
Thus the flanges of the panels in the construction of the present invention are secured to the elongate channel elements throughout the length thereof by means of the clamping members to form a stiff connection between the panel edges throughout the length thereof. The construction thus provides a cohesive struction of the panels, channel elements and clamping members of far greater strength than the panels alone.
Preferably spacer means are provided between the base of the channel and clamping member to maintain a minimum distance between the clamping member and the base of the channel.
In one arrangement the spacer means may comprise an upstanding ridge extending along the length of the clamping member to limit the movement of the clamping member towards the base of the channel and the angled flanges of the panels may engage the base between the ridge and the respective sides of the channel.
The clamping member may be secured in the channel by screws or other releasable fixings extending through the elongate member to secure the clamping member in the channel.
In any of the above arrangements the side walls of the channel of each elongate element may diverge towards the mouth of the channel or may be parallel.
Also in any of the above arrangements each clamping member may be a hollow tubular section and spigots may be mounted in the hollow clamping members at one end of the hollow section to engage in and be secured in the tubular members of an adjacent hollow section for connecting two hollow sections together end to end.
In one arrangement according to the invention the structural member may comprise a pair of panels secured together in spaced face-to-face relationship by a pair of said elongate elements and clamping members to provide a "plank" form structural member.
In a further arrangement the member may comprise three elongate panels secured together by three elongate elements and respective clamping members to form a triangular cross-section structural member.
In a still further arrangement the member may comprise four panels and four elements with th
REFERENCES:
patent: 3304679 (1967-02-01), Benkin
patent: 3477752 (1969-11-01), Richter
patent: 4068437 (1978-01-01), Byxbe et al.
patent: 4184302 (1980-01-01), Gurewitsch et al.
patent: 4703603 (1987-11-01), Hills
Freeman Colin J.
Jarvis Corbett E.
Friedman Carl D.
Jeffers Albert L.
Mai Lan
Niewyk Anthony
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