Multi-Element Constructional Assembly For Joist Girders

Abstract

A construction system for joist girders, including a pair of bi-planar sheets of structural material, each bi-planar sheet having two alternating series of vertical segments, each segment of the series, in horizontal cross-section, defining a planar base parallel to a base of a successive vertical segment of the alternating series of vertical segments, the bases of each segment of the series integrally connected to each other by sidewalls. A pair of first longitudinal members define in transverse cross-section, a substantially U-shaped geometry, each longitudinal member being open-ended for horizontally enclosing and securing an upper or lower portion of each bi-planar sheet of the pair of bi-planar sheets. Several of second longitudinal members define, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of rectangle, the second longitudinal members vertically disposed between the pair of bi-planar sheets. At least two third longitudinal members define, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a rectangle, a portion of each third longitudinal member horizontally disposed inside at least one longitudinal member of the first longitudinal members.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a constructional joist girder having a corrugated central surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of light gauge metal as an element in a wall, floor or roof assembly has had only limited use, which has generally been that of end supports or foundation elements in a position transverse to the end of a support beam or the like. The same is reflected in such references as U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,727 (2001) to Butler, entitled Interlocking Corrugated Panel Wall Cast In-Situ.

The present invention recognizes the potential application of so-called light gauge metal, i.e., steel, aluminum or alloy metal having a gauge in a range of about 0.5 to about 18 mm. for the formation of a surface having a repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves, e.g., corrugations. Therein, such elements are employed as a center support means and truss substitute within a larger constructional assembly in the nature of an internal part of a floor or ceiling structure. The prior art does not, to the knowledge of the inventor, suggest such a constructional assembly or the use of corrugated light gauge steel in such a fashion.

The truss 16 of the U.S. Pub. Patent Appin. 2008/0141612 to Schierding is not a structure similar in function to that of the bi-planar sheet of my system. The '612 publication claims no feature comparable to my fasteners 210 (see FIG. 5) in which a substantially hollow longitudinally disposed upper elongate collar-like member is independently fastened to both a hollow re-enforcing member and the bi-planar sheet 105. As such, the sheet, a collar member and a hollow elongate re-enforcing member are mutually secured and are thereby maintained in close proximity to each other, minimizing the potential effect of any bending moments caused by air flow, wind or direct vertical impacts. That is, my fasteners function to diffuse or transfer shear forces from the center to the edges of the vertical substructure. In distinction, the structure of Schierding employs two distinct securement cavities, namely, an interior chamber and a region formed at ends of its leg members which are bent outwardly to lie against chords to support a second cavity for the meniscus along ends of the leg members by which a web apex 36 is held. As such, the re-enforcing element is separated from the apex by a considerable distance, referred to in Schierding as a throat portion. As such, any cross-force upon interior chamber or torque or bending moment upon the throat portion will weaken the structure. In fact, the throat portion constitutes a lever arm between the interior chamber and the ends of the legs of its chords.

In my system, apart from the differences in use, namely, that of a girder joist of a floor or ceiling versus that of a load-bearing wall, the opportunity for such bending moments of shear forces is minimized (see FIG. 5) in that the edges of a planar sheet extend well into the interior of a longitudinal collar enclosure in combination with the fastening from opposite directions of the open bottom of member to the edges of a bi-planar sheet by the fasteners and of the upper area of the enclosure to a re-enforcing member.

Stated otherwise, the system of Schierding does not define a unitary or integrated mechanical system in which each part co-acts in a structurally supportive way with its other parts. Further, given the undulating character of its web 16 of '612, there does not exist a continuous securement to the upper or lower edges of the upper interior chamber of the structure. This is factor why welds are necessary to secure the web to each chord. My structure, in distinction, provides a continuous interface of securement of the longitudinal enclosures to the bi-planar sheet in addition to the shear transfer function of the fasteners, discussed above. This structure alone provides a more predictable result than that obtainable by simply substituting the bi-planar surface of Palmer for the undulating web configuration of Schierding. That is, the distance of the re-enforcing element from the apex of web inherently degrades the stability of the system particularly if it were used with a corrugated geometry of the type of Palmer (U.S. Pat. No. 2,101,090) as a simple substitute for a web of a truss.

In economic terms, the girder structure of Schierding, however combined with Palmer, is not cost-effective for use in load bearing joist girder applications such as substructure of a wall or ceiling as is contemplated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A construction system for joist girders, including a pair of bi-planar sheets of structural material, each bi-planar sheet having two alternating series of vertical segments, each segment of the series, in horizontal cross-section, defining a planar base parallel to a base of a successive vertical segment of the alternating series of vertical segments, the bases of each segment of the series integrally connected to each other by sidewalls. A pair of first longitudinal members define in transverse cross-section, a substantially U-shaped geometry, each longitudinal member being open-ended for horizontally enclosing and securing an upper or lower portion of each bi-planar sheet of the pair of bi-planar sheets. Several of second longitudinal members define, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of rectangle, the second longitudinal members vertically disposed between the pair of bi-planar sheets. At least two third longitudinal members define, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a rectangle, a portion of each third longitudinal member horizontally disposed inside at least one longitudinal member of the first longitudinal members.

It is an object of the invention to provide a composite constructional assembly in which a corrugated surface of gauge metal thinner than 0.375 inch is secured between upper and lower elements of a material such as gauge metal and wood, with a corrugation pitch or depth of about 20 to about 450 mm.

It is another object to provide a joist girder assembly of the above type, said surface of corrugated narrow gauge steel may be provided with a plurality of holes or apertures sufficient to permit passage of utilities such as wires, conduits, and water lines therethrough.

It is a further object to provide a joist girder assembly that can form a vertical part of a ceiling and floor, including a joist portion thereof.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and claims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are two top assembly views of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the encircled portion of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and 7 are sectional views of FIG. 2 taken along Lines 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7 thereof.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the view of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 18 illustrate various views of an embodiment of the invention in which there is provided a construction system including two bi-planar sheets 505 and 507 which need not be equal in width or depth. Said embodiment of the invention further includes a hollow horizontal longitudinal member 300, as well as multiple hollow vertical members 500 which are particular to the instant invention. Both hollow tubes 300 and 500 define, in transverse cross-section, a polygonal geometry, inclusive of a rectangular geometry. An upper longitudinal metal track 520 defines a U-shape on three sides, and holds the horizontal upper ends of bi-planar sheets 505 and 507 when joined, this in the manner shown particularly in FIGS. 2 to 7. As may be noted in the assembly views of FIGS. 2 and 3 and, particularly, the enlarged region thereof shown in FIG. 7, all surfaces of hollow vertical members 500 are enclosed by the bi-planar geometry of sheets 505 and 507 when joined together by upper and lower metal tracks 520 and 525. See FIGS. 4-7,

As may be noted, horizontal member 300 entails a cut-away portion 301 (see FIGS. 1 and 8) which permits it to envelope the upper metal track 520. Further, as may be noted in views of FIGS. 5-7, screws 509 and 515, or equivalent fasteners, secure the respective front and back bi-planar sheets 505 and 507 to vertical tubes 500 and, similarly, are used (see FIGS. 4 and 5), to secure the bi-planer sheets 505/507 to the longitudinal tracks 520 and 525. The relationship between vertical tubular members 500, upper U-shaped longitudinal track 520, and bi-planer sheets of 505 and 507 may be seen with reference to vertical cross-sectional view of FIGS. 4-7. Therefore, there is set forth herein a construction system for a joist girder including a pair of bi-planar sheets of structural material 505 and 507, each bi-planar sheet having two alternating series 510 and 511 of vertical segments (see FIG. 1), each segment of the series, in horizontal cross-section, defining a virtual plane parallel to a virtual plane of a successive vertical segment of said alternating series 510/511 of vertical segments, said bases of each segment of said series integrally connected to each other by sidewalls 513 having a pitch as set forth above (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The system also includes a pair of said longitudinal members 520/525, defining in, transverse cross-section, a substantially U-shaped geometry (see FIGS. 4 and 5), each member being open-ended, for horizontally enclosing and securing an edge portion of each sheet of said pair of bi-planar sheets 505/507. Also included is a plurality of said vertical longitudinal members 500 (see FIG. 7) preferably defining, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a rectangle, each vertical member being disposed between said pair of bi-planar sheets. (See FIGS. 2 and 3.) Further included are said vertical longitudinal members 520 defining, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a rectangle, an upper portion of each member 500 disposed inside at least one horizontal longitudinal member 520 of said pair of longitudinal members 520/525

Shown in FIGS. 3-5 is the manner in which fasteners 509 secure horizontal channels 520/525 to corrugated sheets 505/507 and said sheets to vertical tubes 500. The number of vertical tubes 500 used per corrugated recess 511 of each sheet 505/507. FIGS. 6-7 show the manner of securement of tubes 300 to the upper regions of sheets 505/507, using fasteners 515. See FIG. 3.

While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.

Claims

1. A construction system, comprising: (a) a pair of bi-planar sheets of structural material, each bi-planar sheet having two alternating series of vertical segments, each segment of the series, in horizontal cross-section, defining a planar base parallel to a base of a successive vertical segment of said alternating series of vertical segments, said bases of each segment of said series integrally connected to each other by sidewalls;(b) a pair of first longitudinal members, defining in, transverse cross-section, a substantially U-shaped geometry, each longitudinal member being open-ended, for horizontally enclosing and securing a portion of respective upper and lower edges of each bi-planar sheet of said pair of bi-planar sheets;(c) a plurality of second longitudinal members, each second longitudinal member being vertically disposed between said pair of bi-planar sheets; and(d) a plurality of third longitudinal members defining, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a polygon, a portion of each third longitudinal member horizontally disposed inside at least one member of said pair of first longitudinal members.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, in which one of said a first longitudinal members of said pair of longitudinal members encloses and secures an upper portion of said pairs of bi-planar sheets.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, in which one longitudinal member of said pair of said longitudinal members horizontally encloses and secures a lower portion of said bi-planar sheet.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, in which a horizontal width of a base of a first series of vertical segments may differ from that of bases of said second series of vertical segments.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, in which at least one longitudinal member of said pair of first longitudinal members is horizontally secured to said portion of said bi-planar sheet via a plurality of metal fasteners or welds.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, in which at least a portion of said plurality of third longitudinal members comprise a solid member.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 comprising a construction system, having: said third longitudinal member defining, in transverse cross-section, a geometry of a tube sufficient to partially enclose and secure a portion of upper members of said pair of U-shaped first longitudinal members.