CA3161634A1 - Load-bearing extruded aluminium hollow square beam for the construction of temporary and permanent structures - Google Patents

Abstract

Extruded aluminium structural square beam, used for rapid construction of provisional or permanent structures. There are a plurality of access openings on each of the four sides of the square tube beams with a bolt hole pattern around each of the access openings. An access opening is formed on each of the end-plates which are welded onto ends of the aluminium square beam, with a bolt hole pattern around each access opening. The bolt hole patterns allow for a plurality of bolt and nuts to be fastened to a plurality of attachments and/or other aluminium square beams in a multitude of ways to provide structural support. Some examples of its application include but are not limited to: rapid construction of mezzanine floor, crane and hoist support structures, outdoor concert stage setup for platform and roof, film studio stage sets, large green screen frames, roof truss, large tent structures, gym equipment.

Description

LOAD-BEARING EXTRUDED ALUMINUM HOLLOW SQUARE BEAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT STRUCTURES
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates generally to extruded aluminium structural square beams, which are used for versatile and rapid construction of temporary or permanent structural support frames with minimal hand tools.
Background of The Invention:
Existing load-bearing structures in assembly of temporary structures are typically made from aluminium pipes which are cross-braced with welded aluminum rods or pipes, often called pipe trusses. Largely used for outdoor and indoor general entertainment setups such as concert stages and film stages.
The inconveniences of these systems are several, namely: a) the existing systems are only able to connect in one direction and require the use of additional clamps and special adaptors to allow for adjacent connections which creates limitations on the design of the structures, b) the Aluminum trusses vary in sizes and load capacity with are incompatible with one another, c) the cross-braced aluminum rods or pipes that are welded present many potential failure points and weakened base material state from the heat, and d) the trusses are bulky and due to their design are hard to carry and prone to damage if dropped accidentally. The assembly of these systems are cumbersome and require many different parts in order to offer versatile builds.
In light of the aforementioned there is a need for an improved system.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-04

-2-Summary of the Invention:
The object of the present invention is to provide a load-bearing structure comprised of extruded aluminium structural square beams in varying lengths to allow for the rapid construction of temporary and permanent structures.
The extruded aluminium structural square beam preferably includes an alloy aluminium that weighs approximately 1/3 weight of steel equivalent while retaining similar yield strength of steel. The extruded aluminium structural square beam has billet aluminium endplates welded on each end.
A plurality of access opening are formed on all four sides of the square beam.
A plurality of bolt holes on all four sides to allow fastening of other extruded aluminium structural square beams and/or miscellaneous components and accessories. The endplates are billet aluminum with a plurality of holes spaced evenly apart with a circular hole pattern to allow angular connections of other extruded aluminium structural square beams and/or miscellaneous components and accessories. A plurality of threaded nuts and bolts are used to secure two or more beams together. The endplates have large openings in the middle for hand access to allow for the fastening of the nuts and bolts and allow for the integration of the current system of aluminum pipes and trusses.
The extruded aluminum structural square beams, though strong, are light weight, compact, corrosion resistant for the outdoor elements, and can be used to form small to large structural skeletons of a building or structures that provide load-bearing capabilities.
The objects, advantages, benefits and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments and accompanying drawings Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-04

-3-Brief Description of the Drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extruded aluminium structural square beam in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an end view of the endplate that is welded onto both ends of the extruded aluminium structural square beam in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of "T" connection and angular angle connection on the endplate in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is side view showing two extruded aluminium structural square beams stacked together parallel for more increased load strength in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of two adjacent extruded aluminium structural square beams assembled to provide increased length in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the preferred Embodiments:
The present invention is an extruded aluminium structural square beam load-bearing system for the rapid construction of temporary and permanent structures. As discussed previously, the present invention consists of three main components, namely an extruded aluminum square beam and two billet aluminum endplates at each end.
With reference to the drawings, particularly FIG.1, there in a perspective view of a 6' length unit, which can range from 6" up to 10' in length. FIG.1 B, are bolt fastening holes, spaced 3" off center from one another. FIG.1 C are CNC machine cut hand access opening to allow access to bolt and nut fasteners, and function to lighten the weight of the invention without losing structural integrity. They also allow for the integration of the current system of aluminum pipes.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-04

-4-With reference to FIG.2 E is press fitted and welded to the extruded aluminium structural square beam to provide rigidity of the extruded aluminium structural square beam. FIG.2 B
shows 3" off center bolt holes, and the circular array or bolt holes allow angular connection .. while retaining 3" off center bolt hole spacing. FIG.2 D shows a large cut out to allow hand access and to lighten the weight of the invention and provide a natural handle.
With reference to FIG.3, all the X units are joined together with threaded bolt and nut fasteners using only hand tools. The plurality of holes spaced every 3" off-center allows for efficient and versatile construction of structures which can be attached together at a multitude of points and angles as long as the holes are concentric.
With reference to FIG.4, X can be bolted together side by side to form a double beam to provide more increased rigidity and load-bearing as needed.
With reference to FIG.5, X can be extended indefinitely in length, without losing structural integrity from the weld on the welded end-plate or bolt and nut fasters, by fastening each unit end-plate to end-plate with a plurality of nuts and bolts and treating it as a single unit.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-04

Claims (8)

LOAD-BEARING EXTRUDED ALUMINUM HOLLOW SQUARE BEAM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT STRUCTURES
The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or Privilege Is Claimed Are Defined As Follows:
l claim an extruded aluminium structural square beam comprised of:

1. 6" x 6" side walls or 9" x 9" side walls.

2. The length of a single unit of the extruded aluminium structural square beam is anywhere from 6" to 10' in length size.

3. There are a plurality of 3" off-center bolt holes used for nuts and bolts fastening throughout all four sides of the extruded aluminium structural square beam, including the end-plates welded on both ends of extruded aluminium structural square beam.

4. Any component, structure or extruded aluminium structural square beam that have matching singular bolt hole, or a plurality of 3" off-center spaced bolt holes can be attached on any of the four sides at any of the 3" bolt hole interval spacing of the extruded aluminium structural square beam with the use of either a single or plurality of nuts and bolts.

5. End-plates, that are welded to extruded aluminium structural square beam have circular bolt hole pattern that retains a plurality of 3" off-center at various angles to allow any component, structure that have a single or plurality of 3" off-center bolt hole or extruded aluminium structural square beam to be attached at the various angles using the matching single or plurality of 3" off-center bolt holes with bolts and nuts fastening.

6. There are a plurality of hand access cut outs between bolt holes on all four sides of the extruded aluminium structural square beam and on both endplates to allow hand access when fastening nuts and bolts by giving access to inside of extruded aluminium structural square beam.

7. The hand access cut-outs on all four sides of extruded aluminium structural square beam as well as on the end-plates reduce overall weight and provide a natural handle when carrying extruded aluminium structural square beams or securing them in place with straps or by other means.

8. Both ends of the extruded aluminium structural square beam have billet aluminium end-plates which is press fit before being welded to the extruded aluminium structural square beam for maximum structural integrity, shear and torsion rigidity.