GB1602921A

GB1602921A - Elongate structural element

Info

Publication number: GB1602921A
Application number: GB1096678A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Winstone Ltd
Current assignee: Winstone Ltd
Priority date: 1978-03-20
Filing date: 1978-03-20
Publication date: 1981-11-18

Description

(54) AN ELONGATE STRUCTURAL ELEMENT (71) We. WINSTONE LINIITED, a New Zealand Company of 69 Queen Street, Auckland. New Zealand, do herebv declare the invention. for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed. to be particularly described in and by the íollow- ing statement:- This invention relates to an elongate structural element for use in building construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide an elongate structural element for use in buildings which is simple in manufacture and efficient in use.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to this invention there is provided an elongate structural element having a substantially 'U' shaped cross section with a base and upstanding side arms: at least one elongate reinforcing ridge being formed in the base of the element and extending inwardly within that area defined bv said base and upstanding arms: the upper ends of said arms being formed into flanges which extend outwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base: the ends of said flanges being deformed into elongate reinforcing ridges or channels: the elongate axes of said at least one elongate reinforcing ridge in said base and said reinforcing ridges or channels in said flanges being substantially parallel.

The invention will now be described bv way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric vie". of a structural element according to one tbrm of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a building structure incorporating elements of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of two structural elements and a connector therefor.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a further structural element and a connector therefor.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of a connection between a plurality of structural elements.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a connection between two structural elements.

Figure 7: is an exploded view of a further connection between a plurality of structural elements according to the present invention.

In the present invention the structural element is preferably formed of metal in the form of a steel material. Preferably the steel material is galvanised.

This is by way of example only however and other materials can be used.

The building element of the present invention can be formed in any suitable manner.

but is preferably constructed by roll forming which is carried out in a cold state.

The structural element I is of a substantially omega or top hat formation. It consists of a flattened and substantially "U" shaped section having a base 2 and side arms 3. The free ends or upper ends of the side arms 3 are turned outwardly into flanges 4 which extend outwardly at substantially right angles to the side members 3 but which are in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base.

The flanges are preferably formed or provided with indents, ridges or channels 5 therein such as for example indents or channels adjacent their free ends, which form reinforcing or stiffening.

The base 2 of the structural element has an indent or channel 6 therein which is substantially medially located and which imparts strength and rigidity to the element.

If desired more than one channel or ridge can be provided in the base and more than one indent or ridge can be provided in the flanges.

The sides 3 of the structural element I may be provided with a plurality of spaced apart holes 8 running therethrough and the holes 8 in each side 3 of the structural element I are preferably aligned one with the other.

These holes 8 permit the attachment of a plurality of structural elements 1. one to the other and to connectors and supports (as will be described hereinafter).

It will be appreciated that the substantially flattened "U" shaped structural element I having a base and side arms defines a channel type member.

It has been found that the structural element I of the present invention has particular advantage in being a straight forward and efficient structural element which has features of strength and rigidity and is therefore able to be used in building construction.

It is desirable where possible to interconnect the elements one to the other and suitable connectors are provided for this purpose.

Referring to figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. it will be seen that two structural members 10 and 11 are provided which are to be connected at right angles one to the other. A connector 12 in the form of a channel shaped connector having a base 13 and outwardly splayed arms 14 is provided, the connector having lobe portions 15 at the end of each outwardly splayed arm 14. Holes 16 are provided through each lobe 15 and through the base 13. In use, the base 13 of the connector 12 is fastened to the first element 10 by having a hole in the element aligned with the hole in the base and having suitable securing means such as nuts, bolts, or rivets (as at 17) passed therethrough. The lobes 15 are then engaged within or outside the sides 3 of the second element 11 so that the holes 16 in the lobes 15 align with the holes 8 in the sides 3.A suitable securing means such as a pin, rivet or, bolt (17) is then passed through aligned holes and secured in position. In this manner the elements 10 and 11 are secured one to the other at substantially right angles relative to one another.

Referring to figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, if it is desired to use an element 20 as an upright or side member in a construction, the element 20 can be embedded in a suitable concrete or other material and have reinforcing passing therethrough such as through the holes 8 so as to locate it in position. Alternatively if desired, a base member 22 can be attached to the concrete or secured to the ground in some suitable manner, the base member being of a substantially top hat configuration and having a channel 23 of substantially the same width as the channel of the element 20. The element 20 is then fitted over in a substantially friction type fit, the base element 22 so that the holes 23 in the side of the base align with the holes 8 in the side of the element 20.

Suitable securing means such as bolts, or rivets are then passed through aligned holes and the upright is secured in position. The flanges 4 of the element 20 also abut against the flanges 24 of the support and if desired holes can be provided in the surface of the flanges of the element to align with holes in the flanges of the support and again suitable securing means such as bolts, or rivets pass through aligned holes to secure the upright in position.

Referring now to figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

This drawing shows an exploded view of a connection such as that shown by way of letter A in figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. That is to say, there is an upright 30. connected to a horizontal beam 31 and an angled truss 32. The upright, beam and truss are all elements according to the present invention.

The upright is secured in position in any suitable manner; for example such as that described hereinbefore.

A suitable connector 35 is provided for connecting together the upright, the horizontal beam and the angled truss.

The connector 35 is preferably a "T" section having an elongate shaft 36 with a top or cross bar 37 at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The cross bar 37 and the shaft 36 have holes 38 therein.

In the present form of the invention two such "T" connectors are provided and lower portions 37a of the cross bars are located within or outside the sides 3 of the upright element 30 and are secured in position by having bolts, rivets and similar securing means passing through the aligned holes on either side of the elements and in the cross bars of the "T" connectors. In order to connect the horizontal element or beam 31 to the upright 30 and the connector 35, it is engaged with the shafts 36 of the "T" connectors by the shafts 36 engaging within the channel of the element 31 and the holes 38 in the shafts align with holes 8 in the sides of the element 31; suitable securing means are passed and secured therethrough.

This will then result in the upper sections 37b of the cross bars 37 extending outwardly from the connection between the upright 30 and the horizontal element 31. The angled truss element 32 can then be attached to the outward extending sections 37b of the cross bars 37 by engaging these sections within the channel of the angled truss element 32 and having the holes 38 in the "T" section connector aligned with holes 8 in the sides 3 of the element 32; suitable securing means being passed through the aligned holes.

A structure such as that indicated as at A in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings will then result.

Additional connectors can also be provided and can be attached to the side of the upright or horizontal elements. These connectors 40 are channel shaped and have a base 41 and angled sides 42, the sides adjacent one end being formed into lobes 43 through which holes 48 pass. The holes 48 in the lobes are preferably aligned. The base 41 also has holes 48 therein. Thus, if it is desired to connect a horizontal element to an upright element (such as 30 in figure 5), part way along the length thereof, such a connector 40 as shown in figure 5 is connected to a side 3 of the element 30, by having the holes 48 in the base 41 align with the holes 8 in the side 3 of the element 30 and having suitable securing means passed and secured through the aligned holes.The lobes 43 with aligned holes 48 are then inserted within the channel or outside of the channel of a horizontal element which is to extend outwardly from the element (such as outwardly at a right angle from the element 30 shown in figure 5), and the holes 48 in the lobes 43 and holes 8 in the sides 3 of the horizontal element align; suitable securing means are passed and secured therethrough so as to secure the elements in position relative to one another.

Referring now to figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. If it is desired to connect elements at a corner, a corner section; (for example such as shown in figure 6 of the accompanying drawings) can be provided and embedded in concrete or secured to the ground or base in some suitable manner. The elements 50 and 51 can then be located over the protruding portions 53 and 54 of a base 55 and the holes 8 in the sides of the elements 50 and 51 can be aligned with holes 58 in the protruding portions 53 and 54; suitable securing means such as bolts or, rivets can be passed through the aligned holes to secure the elements in a desired position relative to one another.

Referring now to figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, this is an exploded view of a connection in a structure such as indicated as B in figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

A horizontal element 60 is provied to which it is desired to attach two angled elements 61 and 62 so as to form a truss.

Suitable connecting lengths 63 and 64 with holes therein are provided and are connected at angles to the insides of the element 60 by the holes 68 in the connecting lengths being aligned with holes 8 in the horizontal element 60 and the angled elements 61 and 62.

Suitable securing means such as bolts or rivets are then passed and secured through the aligned holes and the desired connection being completed.

It should be appreciated therefore that the element can be used in any structure and connectors are provided for connecting the elements together in desired configurations.

Where the building element of the present invention is described as being attached to the ground or a base. it should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and the elements can be attached to each other, to suitable base supports. such as embedded in concrete or secured to conventional building bases, in any desired manner.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An elongate structural element having a substantially 'U' shaped cross section with a base and upstanding side arms; at least one elongate reinforcing ridge being formed in the base of the element and extending inwardly within that area defined by said base and upstanding arms; the upper ends of said arms being formed into flanges which extend outwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base; the ends of said flanges being deformed into elongate reinforcing ridges or channels; the elongate axes of said at least one elongate reinforcing ridge in said base and said reinforcing ridges or channels in said flanges being substantially parallel.

2. An elongate structural element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of holes is provided in each side of the element.

3. An elongate structural element substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. as shown in figure 5 is connected to a side 3 of the element 30, by having the holes 48 in the base 41 align with the holes 8 in the side 3 of the element 30 and having suitable securing means passed and secured through the aligned holes. The lobes 43 with aligned holes 48 are then inserted within the channel or outside of the channel of a horizontal element which is to extend outwardly from the element (such as outwardly at a right angle from the element 30 shown in figure 5), and the holes 48 in the lobes 43 and holes 8 in the sides 3 of the horizontal element align; suitable securing means are passed and secured therethrough so as to secure the elements in position relative to one another. Referring now to figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. If it is desired to connect elements at a corner, a corner section; (for example such as shown in figure 6 of the accompanying drawings) can be provided and embedded in concrete or secured to the ground or base in some suitable manner. The elements 50 and 51 can then be located over the protruding portions 53 and 54 of a base 55 and the holes 8 in the sides of the elements 50 and 51 can be aligned with holes 58 in the protruding portions 53 and 54; suitable securing means such as bolts or, rivets can be passed through the aligned holes to secure the elements in a desired position relative to one another. Referring now to figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, this is an exploded view of a connection in a structure such as indicated as B in figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. A horizontal element 60 is provied to which it is desired to attach two angled elements 61 and 62 so as to form a truss. Suitable connecting lengths 63 and 64 with holes therein are provided and are connected at angles to the insides of the element 60 by the holes 68 in the connecting lengths being aligned with holes 8 in the horizontal element 60 and the angled elements 61 and 62. Suitable securing means such as bolts or rivets are then passed and secured through the aligned holes and the desired connection being completed. It should be appreciated therefore that the element can be used in any structure and connectors are provided for connecting the elements together in desired configurations. Where the building element of the present invention is described as being attached to the ground or a base. it should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and the elements can be attached to each other, to suitable base supports. such as embedded in concrete or secured to conventional building bases, in any desired manner. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An elongate structural element having a substantially 'U' shaped cross section with a base and upstanding side arms; at least one elongate reinforcing ridge being formed in the base of the element and extending inwardly within that area defined by said base and upstanding arms; the upper ends of said arms being formed into flanges which extend outwardly therefrom in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base; the ends of said flanges being deformed into elongate reinforcing ridges or channels; the elongate axes of said at least one elongate reinforcing ridge in said base and said reinforcing ridges or channels in said flanges being substantially parallel.