The present invention relates to a composite building member such as a stud that is reinforced with metal, steel, fiberglass, plastic or other reinforcing material.
The present invention entails a composite building member that is useful as a stud, joist, rafter or other structural or non-structural building component. In one embodiment, the composite building member is made up of concrete, wood fiber and fiberglass and includes a metal reinforcing structure embedded therein.
The present invention relates to a composite building member that is reinforced with metal, steel, fiberglass, plastic or other suitable material. The composite building member is a molded product that, in one embodiment, is made up of concrete (cement and sand), wood fiber and fiberglass. As noted above, a reinforcing structure is embedded in the molded building product. The resulting composite structure may be structural or non-structural in nature.
There are many uses for the composite building member discussed herein. The building member can be used as a stud, floor joist, ceiling joist, rafter, or any other component that is typically found in a wood building or structure or even found in a light steel frame structure. In one of the examples discussed herein, this new composite structure can be utilized to make component of a fence, including fence pickets and fence posts.
To form the molded product, the dry components, concrete, wood fiber and fiberglass are mixed with water or an aqueous solution. The resulting mixture is then placed in a mold after the reinforcing structure has been appropriately laid or positioned in the mold. A molding process ensues and this ultimately results in the production of a composite building member in accordance with the present invention.
Turning to the drawings,
The reinforcing structure for the exemplary stud can be constructed of metal, steel, fiberglass, plastic or other suitable materials that will lend an appreciable amount of strength to the stud. In the example disclosed herein, the reinforcing structure for the stud 20 is metal. There are various ways that an internal metal assembly or frame can be constructed and laid out in the stud.
In a preferred embodiment of the stud 20, it is beneficial to provide a nailing surface or plate 21 at opposite ends of the stud. Typically, this nailing structure will extend across the opposed ends of the stud 20. This will enable nails to be driven into this structure if required. In the case of the embodiment shown in
When the stud or other building component is reinforced with metal or steel, it is preferred to provide one or more utility passthroughs or openings 23 at various points along the length of the composite structure. This allows various utilities such as electric wiring, plumbing and a variety of other utilities to be threaded through these passthroughs without the need for drilling holes to accommodate these utilities. It should be pointed out that when these composite molded products are reinforced with metal or steel, they are not designed to be cut. In many cases, they are deemed structural members and should not be cut.
In the embodiment just discussed for the stud 20 and shown in
The stud, shown in
Turning to
The term “joist” means a load carrying member extending horizontally across a floor or ceiling structure of a building. The term “rafter” means an elongated load bearing member found in a roof structure.
The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing a building member such as a stud, joist or rafter. The basic process entails mixing concrete and wood fibers with water to form a composite slurry. In some embodiments, the mixture may include concrete, wood fiber and fiberglass. This mixture constitutes a composite slurry. A mold is prepared and the reinforcing structure is placed in the mold as oriented in the drawings. The composite slurry is poured into the mold, embedding the reinforcing structure in the process. The mold is allowed to cure and dry and the composite building member is removed from the mold.
There are many advantages to the composite building structure or member discussed herein. First, the structure is resistant to rust and corrosion. It is also resistant to termites and fireproof.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the following U.S. provisional application: application Ser. No. 62/372032 filed on Aug. 8, 2016. That application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62372032 | Aug 2016 | US |