BEAM

Abstract

A beam including a web with a longitudinal center line, and the web including at least a first row of plurality of apertures, in a longitudinal direction of the beam, said first row of plurality of apertures are arranged on a first longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line. A distance between centers of adjacent apertures satisfies the following condition: Dadjacent=1000 mm/(2*n), where Dadjacent is a distance between the centers of the adjacent apertures in the first row of the plurality of the apertures and n is a natural number.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to construction elements, and more particularly to beams used for temporary structures. The beam is modular and scalable and designed to metric measurement system.

BACKGROUND

Temporary structures during for example outdoor events should be light and easy to construct and disassemble while being strong and rigid enough to withhold external forces such as different weather condition and gravity of the construction.

Custom tailored solutions for temporary structures are often in demand. However, manufacturing and assembling such solutions may be costly and the custom-made structure may end up being used only once with no further need for the exact same structure.

Existing systems on market are not made to be interchangeable with each other. In different occasions and solutions, choice of the system is on the economical values, but also increasingly on the environmental values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

An object of the present invention is to provide solution for constructing a temporary structure easily, securely and adaptable to custom designs and requirements.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a beam having predetermined locations for apertures. Said beams can be connected to each other and tailored to different sizes and shapes. The beams are reusable, strong, and easy to assemble and disassemble.

Having predetermined locations for apertures enables use as a dock for external parts to be able to add different functions to same load bearing beams. Having a plurality of apertures according to the invention also provides a possibility for connection of different width of beams.

The invention has a strong connection to metric dimensions. It allows to build metric dimensions as inner, outer and progressing dimensions without external special components. They can be connected to each other with generic standard bolts and nuts. Beams in the core of this invention follow widely existing building regulations in European Union, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a beam according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the beam according to the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a beam according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the beam according to the embodiment in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5-7 show an exemplary metric cube with dimensions according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 8-10 show an exemplary metric cube with dimensions according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 11-13 show an exemplary metric cube with progressing dimensions according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14-15 show the connections between a series of three D_adjacent sizes from the selection followed by each other in size of the D_adjacent and bolt size according to some embodiments;

FIG. 16 shows an example of layouts from 2-row to 8 rows of apertures in selected D_adjacent in use with selected D_y,z according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention pertains to a beam. FIG. 1 shows a side view and FIG. 2 shoes a top view of the beam according to an embodiment. The beam is shaped as an I-beam. The beam can be formed from metal sheet material or composite material.

The beam comprises a web 1 which is illustrated as a vertical element in FIG. 1. The web 1 has a longitudinal center line C and comprises at least a first row 10 of plurality of apertures in a longitudinal direction of the beam. The first row 10 of plurality of apertures is arranged on a first longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line C. The plurality of apertures of the first row 10 may be substantially circular and may have substantially identical diameter. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of apertures may be non-circular or have nonidentical diameter, or both.

In FIG. 1 the plurality of apertures may be arranged evenly from a first transverse end to a second transverse end. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of apertures may be located only at a section of the beam, for instance, only on a left half of the beam or on a right half of the beam. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures may be located at the end sections of the beam so that the middle section is void of apertures, for instance, plurality of apertures may be located at one third section from both transverse ends of the beam.

In this context term “adjacent apertures” refers to neighbouring apertures of the same row of plurality of apertures. A distance between centers of adjacent apertures satisfies the following condition:

$D_{\mathrm{adjacent}}=1000\mathrm{mm}/\left(2*n\right),$

wherein D_adjacent is a distance between the centers of the adjacent apertures in the first row 10 of the plurality of the apertures and n is a natural number. The distance D_adjacent in relation to the natural number n is listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1
Distance Dadjacent in relation to the natural number n
Natural number n Dadjacent (mm)
1                500
2                250
3                166.67
4                125
5                100
6                83.33
7                71.43
8                62.5
9                55.56
10               50
11               45.45
12               41.67
13               38.46
14               35.71
15               33.33
16               31.25
17               29.41
18               27.78
19               26.32
20               25

Said natural number n is preferably 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16, wherein D_adjacent is respectively about 500 mm, 250 mm, 125 mm, 62.5 mm or 31.25 mm. Said natural number n is more preferably 4, 8 or 16, wherein D_adjacent is respectively about 125 mm, 62.5 mm or 31.25 mm.

A first and/or last aperture of the plurality of apertures may be located at 0.5*D_adjacent from the closest short edge of the beam. If the beam follows the aforementioned condition, it is possible to use it and the grid chosen according to the D_adjacent condition to implement the metric progression, inner dimension and outer dimension three-dimensionally.

Triples of smaller dimensions may also be functional according to

$D_{\mathrm{adjacent}}=3*1000\mathrm{mm}/\left(2*n\right),$

such as when n is 8, 4 or 2:

$3*62.5\mathrm{mm}=187.5\mathrm{mm}$ $3*125\mathrm{mm}=375\mathrm{mm}$ $3*250\mathrm{mm}=750\mathrm{mm}.$

Manufacturing lengths D_x of beams may be related to selected D_adjacent as follows: D_x=n multiplies of selected D_adjacent in use, wherein n is a natural number and is between 1 to 16. D_x may also be 4 times D_adjacent. Combinations of these lengths allow all lengths that can be divided by D_adjacent. However, if there is need to provide more specific lengths, they will be adjusted in special connection pieces.

The distances D_adjacent in relation to the natural number n with some selected numbers are listed in Table 2. The series of apertures may be realized in three-dimensional space in such a way that the theoretical lines of the grids intersect perpendicularly to X-axis according to the Y and Z coordinates and repeat according to the X, Y and Z axis as long as the surface area of the beam continues, and the apertures fits in it as a whole. The shape of the apertures may vary.

When length of the beam is illustrated on axis X (length), the beam may also have external dimensions D_y,z which satisfies the following condition on axis Y (height) or/and Z (width). However D_y,z may not be smaller than selected D_adjacent.

$D_{y,z}=1000\mathrm{mm},\mathrm{or}$ $D_{y,z}=1000\mathrm{mm}/\left(2*n\right),\mathrm{or}$ $D_{y,z}=1000\mathrm{mm}*2*n,$

• • wherein D_y,z is selection of width or/and height of the beam, and n is a natural number.
  • n is preferably 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32.

In another embodiment D_y,z satisfies the following condition:

$D_{y,z}=3*1000\mathrm{mm}/\left(2*n\right),$

• • wherein D_y,z is height or/and width of the beam, both independently and n is preferably 2 or 4, wherein D_x is about 750 mm or 375 mm.

Some examples of D_adjacent or D_x or D_y,z are given in table 2. Having values of D_y,z and values of D_adjacent used together may create a beam system that allows building inner, outer and progressing metric dimensions without external connectors. Columns 3-8 indicate how many preferable rows of the plurality of apertures may be when the D_y,z, and D_adjacent are chosen. For example, when n is 4 in D_y,z (125 mm) and n is 8 in D_adjacent (62.5 mm), the number of rows can be 2.

TABLE 2
Distance Dadjacent or Dx or Dy, z in relation to
the natural number n, with some selected numbers
n	In Dadjacent	64	32	16	8	4	2
in Dy, z	bolt size mm	M2	M4	M8	M16	M32	M64
	D(adjacent) in mm	7.812	15.625	31.25	62.5	125	250
—	Z/Y Hight/Width/
	number of plurality rows
32	15.625	mm	2	1
16	31.25	mm	4	2	1
8	62.5	mm		4	2	1
4	125	mm			4	2	1
3 × 62.5	187.5	mm			6	3
2	250	mm				4	2	1
3 × 125	375	mm				6	3
1	500	mm				8	4	2
3 × 250	750	mm				12	6	3
1	1000	mm				16	8	4
2	2000	mm				32	16	8

The other possible D_adjacent distances may be obtained by multiplying or dividing the previous numbers by two.

The diameter of the plurality of apertures of the first row 10 may be 19-30% of the progression of the D_adjacent, and especially 26-28% of the D_adjacent progression, and more especially 27.25% of the D_adjacent progression. Each D_adjacent can be connected to a D_adjacent of the same size smaller or larger than itself without additional parts other than bolts.

The web 1 may comprise a second row 20 of plurality of apertures to form a lattice in the web 1. The lattice in this context refers to a regular pattern formed of plurality of apertures in a two-dimensional plane. The second row 20 of plurality of apertures may be arranged on a second longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line C so the first row 10 of plurality of apertures and the second row 20 of plurality of apertures are parallel with each other. The first row 10 of plurality of apertures and the second row 20 of plurality of apertures may be at an equal distance away from the longitudinal center line C of the web 1. In FIG. 1, the lattice is formed as a square lattice, wherein the distance between the closest apertures is constant. In this context term “the closest apertures” refers to neighbouring apertures of the same row of plurality of apertures and the neighbouring apertures of the adjacent rows of plurality of apertures. However, in some embodiments the lattice may be formed as a rectangular lattice.

The plurality of apertures of the second row 20 may be substantially circular and may have substantially identical diameter. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of apertures of the second row 20 may be non-circular or have non-identical diameter, or both. In the FIG. 1, the apertures of the first row 10 and the second row 20 are identical, wherein the diameter is 16-18 mm, and preferably about 17 mm. However, when D_adjacent is about 62.5 mm or below, the diameter is preferably about 8 mm. In an alternative method of determination, the diameter of the plurality of apertures of the first row may be 10-33% of D_adjacent, preferably 20-33%.

The web 1 may further comprise a third row 30 of plurality of apertures on a third longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line C. The plurality of apertures of the third row 30 may be arranged between the first row 10 of plurality of apertures and the second row 20 of plurality of apertures, and preferably at the longitudinal center line C.

The plurality of apertures of the third row 30 may be substantially circular and having larger diameter than the plurality of apertures of the first row. The diameter of the plurality of apertures of the third row may be 40-46 mm, more preferably 43-44 mm, and most preferably about 43.2 mm. In an alternative method of determination, the diameter of the plurality of apertures of the third row may be less than 75% of D_adjacent, preferably 45-70% of D_adjacent, and more especially 52% or 69% of the D_adjacent.

The distance between the adjacent apertures of the plurality of apertures of the third row 30 may also satisfy the following condition:

$D_{\mathrm{adjacent}3}=1000\mathrm{mm}/\left(2*n\right),$

wherein D_adjacent3 is a distance between the centers of the adjacent apertures in the third row 30 of the plurality of the apertures and n is a natural number. Said natural number n is preferably 1, 2, 4 or 8, wherein D_adjacent3 is respectively about 500 mm, 250 mm, 125 mm or 62.5 mm. Said natural number n is more preferably 2 or 4, wherein D_adjacent3 is respectively about 250 mm or 125 mm. These apertures of the third row 30 may exist either on axis Y (height) or Z (width). If there is need on both axises, they should not have common location on X (length)-axis.

It allows to connect ½ size or 2:1 sized beam connection, where both beams are according to the invention. Larger apertures also give possibilities for axels, hydraulics etc. to be connected through beams.

The beam may be shaped as I- or H-beam as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, or the beam may be shaped as U- or L-beam, wherein the beam comprises at least one flange 2 comprising at least a first additional row 40 of plurality of apertures and a second additional row 50 of plurality of apertures, in the longitudinal direction of the beam. The flange 2 may be formed mechanically, for example by bending, casting or molding, or attached to the web 1 by welding. It also allows high quality structural summing of strength for beams when connected on top of each other as a result of the first additional row 40 and the second additional row 50. In this context the term “flange” may refer to any side perpendicular and connected to the web.

In some embodiments, the beam may comprise a second flange 3 similar to the first flange 2 and correspondingly comprising at least a first additional row of plurality of apertures and a second additional row of plurality of apertures, in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

The first and second additional rows 40, 50 of plurality of apertures may be arranged on respectively first and second additional longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line C, and the plurality of apertures of the first additional row 40 and the plurality of apertures of the second additional row 50 may be perpendicularly aligned with the plurality of apertures of the first row 10 and the plurality of apertures of the second row 20.

The plurality of apertures of the first additional row 40 and the plurality of apertures of the second additional row 50 may be substantially circular and having substantially identical diameter with the plurality of apertures of the first row 10. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of apertures may be non-circular or have non-identical diameter, or both.

In some embodiments, the at least one flange has a width which is equal to the height of the web, for example about 125 mm width and about 125 mm height.

In some embodiments, the distance between an aperture of the first row 10 and the closest aperture of the second row 20 is same as D_adjacent. In some embodiments, the distance between an aperture of the first additional row 40 and the closest aperture of the second additional row 50 is same as D_adjacent.

In some embodiments, the first row 10 of plurality of apertures may locate at 25% of the width of the web 1 or D_adjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the beam. In some embodiments, the second row 20 of plurality of apertures may locate at 25% of the width of the web 1 or D_adjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the beam.

In some embodiments, the first additional row 40 of plurality of apertures may locate at 25% of the width of the flange 2 or D_adjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the flange 2. In some embodiments, the second additional row 50 of plurality of apertures may locate at 25% of the width of the flange 2 or D_adjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the flange 2.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3-4 is very similar to the one explained in connection with FIGS. 1-2. Therefore, the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4 is in the following mainly explained by pointing out differences.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a hollow beam having a substantially rectangular cross-section. FIG. 4 shows a top view of the embodiment in FIG. 3. The hollow beam comprises two side webs 11 and a top flange 12 and a bottom flange 13 connecting each other from their longitudinal edges and forming the hollow beam with a rectangular cross-section.

In addition to the first, second and third row of the plurality of apertures 10, 20, 30, the side web 11 may comprise a fourth row 100 of plurality of apertures and a fifth row 200 of plurality of apertures.

In addition to the first and second additional row of plurality of apertures 40, 50, the top flange 12 may comprise a third additional row of plurality of apertures 300. The plurality of apertures of the third additional row 300 may be perpendicularly aligned with the plurality of apertures of the third row 30 of the side web 11.

Two side webs 11 may be identical. The top flange 12 and the bottom flange 13 may also be identical. In some embodiments, the side webs 11, top flange 12 and bottom flange 13 may be identical.

FIGS. 5-13 provide exemplary illustrative concepts according to some embodiments which are adapted to metric system. The dimensions illustrated in the Figures are examples for understanding the invention. FIGS. 5-7 show an inner metric cube of 1250 mm×1250 mm×1250 mm in perspective view (FIG. 5), side view (FIG. 6) and top view (FIG. 7). FIGS. 8-10 show an outer metric cube of 1000 mm×1000 mm×1000 mm in perspective view (FIG. 8), side view (FIG. 9) and top view (FIG. 10).

FIGS. 11-13 show a progressing metric cube dimension in perspective view (FIG. 11), partial side view (FIG. 12) and partial top view (FIG. 13).

FIGS. 14-15 provide an exemplary illustrative concept for the connections between a series of three D_adjacent sizes from the selection followed by each other in size of the D_adjacent and bolt size in perspective view (FIG. 14) and top view (FIG. 15) with dimensions in mm. The concept according to the invention allows using beams with different dimensions to interconnect with each other when the conditions for the D_adjacent are satisfied. As can be seen from the FIG. 14, the beam can also be a hollow beam with at least one of its four sides being the web.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary illustrative concept of a cube of layouts from 2-row to 8 rows of apertures in selected D_adjacent in use with selected D_y,z. As can be seen from the FIG. 16, the beam can also be a hollow cube with at least one of the six sides being the web.

A temporary structure may comprise multiple beams or sheets according to the invention, which are connected to each other with joints and/or fasteners, such as bolts or screws. Because of the plurality of apertures on the beam according to the invention, one can realize isometric division of the metric system in terms of external dimensions, internal dimensions and progresses. Choosing the metric system is convenient for customers because meter is a basic unit of measurement, and the metric system is easily adaptable for following standards, which is needed to assure safety of products.

The shape of the beam and the joints allow the structural connection of their load-bearing capacity, as well as the creation of different three-dimensional designs (truss, spaceroof, dome) by combining them with each other. In some temporary structures, joints are not necessary.

Panels or other surface structures are possible to attached onto the temporary structure without tailored special parts. The constructed structure is robust and easy to assemble and disassemble for the next application.

Possible applications or intended use include structural frames for buildings, structures, vehicles and bridges; various rails and sliding and steering systems they generate; frame systems for various equipment and mechanical machines; suspension and lifting beams, as well as resulting lift, hoist and crane solutions.

Further supplementary parts include sliding base, wheels and gears for various mechanical solutions and machine parts, connection brackets for standard connectors, reinforcement joints and extensions, guide fittings, reinforcing plates and ramps to increase load-bearing capacity or rigidity, accessories for attaching various wall and ceiling materials to the beams, seals and gasket seals, connections for lifting points, anchorages and branch outlets, adapters and fittings for well-established modular structural solutions in event technology (trusses, platform bases, tents, etc.), and adapter and connection solutions for well-established modular construction products in construction and industry (scaffolding, weather protection, molds, containers, elevators, etc.).

Claims

1. A beam comprising a web with a longitudinal center line, and the web comprising at least a first row of plurality of apertures, in a longitudinal direction of the beam, said first row of plurality of apertures are arranged on a first longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line, and a second row of plurality of apertures, the first row of plurality of apertures and the second row of plurality of apertures are parallel with each other, wherein the first row of plurality of apertures and the second row of plurality of apertures are at an equal distance away from the longitudinal center line,wherein a distance between centers of adjacent apertures satisfies the following condition:

2. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first row of the plurality of apertures is arranged at 25% of a width of the web or Dadjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the beam, and the second row of the plurality of apertures is arranged at 25% of the width of the web or Dadjacent/2 from the closest longitudinal edge of the beam.

3. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external dimension of the beam satisfies the following condition: Dx=n*Dadjacent, wherein Dx is length of the beam, and n is a natural number.

4. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein n is preferably 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16, and more preferably n is 2, 4 or 8.

5. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external dimension of the beam satisfies the following condition: Dy,z=3*1000 mm/(2*n), wherein Dy,z is height and width of the beam and n is preferably 2 or 4.

6. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures of the first row and the plurality of apertures of the second row are substantially circular and having substantially identical diameter.

7. The beam as claimed in claim 6, wherein the diameter of the plurality of apertures of the first row and the diameter of the plurality of apertures of the second row is 26-28% of Dadjacent, and preferably 27.25% of Dadjacent.

8. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web comprises a third row of plurality of apertures on a third longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line.

9. The beam as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of apertures of the third row are arranged between the first row of plurality of apertures and the second row of plurality of apertures, preferably at the longitudinal center line.

10. The beam as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of apertures of the third row are substantially circular and having larger diameter than the plurality of apertures of the first row.

11. The beam as claimed in claim 10, wherein the diameter of the plurality of apertures of the third row is 45-70% of Dadjacent, and more especially 52% or 69% of Dadjacent.

12. The beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam is shaped as I-, H-, U- or L-beam, or the beam is a hollow beam, wherein the beam comprises at least one flange comprising at least a first additional row of plurality of apertures and a second additional row of plurality of apertures, in the longitudinal direction of the beam, said first and second additional rows of plurality of apertures are arranged on respectively first and second additional longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal center line, andthe plurality of apertures of the first additional row and the plurality of apertures of the second additional row are perpendicularly aligned with the plurality of apertures of the first row and the plurality of apertures of the second row.

13. The beam as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures of the first additional row and the plurality of apertures of the second additional row are substantially circular and having substantially identical diameter with the plurality of apertures of the first row.

14. A temporary structure, wherein the temporary structure comprises at least two beams as claimed in claim 1, said beams are connected to each other with joints and/or fasteners.