Patent Application
20070204549
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a construction system and, more particularly, to a construction system that utilizes pre-manufactured perforated modular structural members.
2. Description of Related Art
Various constructional elements and systems are known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,780 to Hammerschlag describes a construction system including structural members with premanufactured rows of holes. The system includes three different types of structural members that are a variety of sizes. The first type, referred to as posts, includes two lengthwise rows of holes through the sides. The holes of one row perpendicularly intersect the holes of the other row. The second type, referred to as beams, includes a single lengthwise row of holes through the side. The final type, referred to as diagonals, include holes that are equally spaced and are intended to brace structures. The three types of structural members can be used in combination to construct various types of structures including shelves, tables, and the like. However, the construction system described in the Hammershclag patent requires a variety of different fasteners thereby creating some difficulty during construction.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,969,867; 3,003,600; and 2,632,533, each to MacKenzie describe constructional elements with an L-shaped cross-section formed by two metal flanges joined at a right angle. Each flange includes at least one row of regularly-spaced holes extending longitudinally thereon. The holes are both circular and non-circular. The constructional elements may be configured to form a variety of structural units and frameworks. The constructional elements of the MacKenzie patents require a complex series of holes with different shapes and are, therefore, difficult and time consuming to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,426 to Chaudhary describes an elongated L-shaped metallic constructional element including a pair of angularly disposed flanges with at least one row of holes in each flange. The holes may be different sizes and shapes, including circular and oblong, and the flanges may be of the same or different widths and can contain one or several rows of holes. The constructional elements may be configured to form frameworks, racks, partitions, and other like structures. The constructional elements of the Chaudhary patent also require a somewhat complex series of holes with different shapes.
Accordingly, a need exists for a construction system that includes structural members that are precut to a variety of lengths and include a simple series of perforations thereby allowing the structural members to be easily and quickly assembled to form a desired structure.
The present invention is directed to a construction system including perforated modular structural members. The construction system includes three types of structural members.
A first type of structural member includes a first flange and a second flange merged at a right angle. Each flange has a first end and a second end. The first flange includes a row of circular apertures extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, a first oblong aperture at the first end and a second oblong aperture at the second end. The second flange includes a row of circular apertures extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end.
A second type of structural member includes a single flange having a first end and a second end with a row of circular apertures extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, a first oblong aperture at the first end and a second oblong aperture at the second end.
A third type of structural member includes a first flange and a second flange, each with a first end and a second end, merged at a right angle. At least one of the first end and second end is closed by a web perpendicular to both flanges. The first flange includes a row of circular apertures extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, a first oblong aperture at the first end and a second oblong aperture at the second end. The second flange includes a row of circular apertures extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The web may also include an aperture.
The structural members of the first type, the second type, and the third type are joinable together using fastening members passed through the circular and oblong apertures to form a structure. The oblong apertures may be arranged perpendicular to each other.
The structure may be shelves, tool racks, window boxes, animal pens, or floor stands. The fastening members may be bolts and nuts, sheet metal screws, toggle bolts, masonry anchors, or wood screws or the like.
The oblong apertures in each type of structural member are essential so as to provided nesting of the members when assembled.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.
The present invention is directed to a construction system utilizing modular perforated structural members. The construction system includes three different types of structural members that are precut to various lengths and include a plurality of apertures.
With reference to
Second flange 19 includes a first end 31 and a second end 33 with a plurality of circular apertures 35 extending longitudinal between ends 31 and 33. Each of the circular apertures are spaced an equal distance N apart.
The first type of structural member 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, copper, and the like.
Although
With reference to
The second type of structural member 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 may also be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, copper and the like.
Although
With reference to
Second flange 69 includes a first end 87 and a second end 89 with a plurality of circular apertures 91 extending longitudinal between ends 87 and 89. Each of the circular apertures are spaced an equal distance N apart.
The third type of structural member 63 and 65 may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, copper, and the like.
Although
With reference to
Fastening members 101 may be any suitable fastening member including, but not limited to, bolts and nuts, sheet metal screws, toggle bolts, masonry anchors, and wood screws.
While
With reference to
Throughout this specification reference has been made to circular apertures. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as other shapes for the apertures have been envisioned. For instance, the apertures may have a square or any other equilateral polygonal shape with more than four edges. Reference has also been made to oblong apertures which have been illustrated as having circular ends. This is also not to be construed as limiting the present invention as other shapes for the oblong apertures have been envisioned. For instance, the oblong apertures may be rectangular having one pair of larger parallel edges and one pair of shorter parallel edges.
While the present invention was described with reference to preferred embodiments of the construction system including perforated modular structural members, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention is defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced by their scope.
