US1951811A - Composite beam structure - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1934.

A. H. SCHAFFERT COMPOSITE BEAM STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1931` 1 d kf' i nl!! www,

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Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITI-: STATES PATENT` GFFICE 1,951,811 COMPOSITE BEAM STRUCTURE Adolf H. Schaffert, Youngstown,

Ohio, assigner Application August s, 1931, serial No. 554,849

'7l Claims.

The elimination of squeaks in floors and like structures where metal beams are employed with wood or wood-like nailing strips has become a problem of serious import. Irrespective of the effectiveness of the seasoning of the strips there is a certain amount of expansion and contraction that takes place according to the moisture content of the air which has access to the structure. Thus for example in a residence where during the summer months the atmosphere at times becomes charged with moisture and the heating equipment is not in operation, a certain amount of absorption will take place which will expand the strips. And again when the fires are started in the fall, and during the winter the strips will again dry out and contract. This causes a certain amount of relative displacement, not only between the strips and the metal beams carrying them, but also between the strips and the overlying floors, so that one walking over the floor will cause a relative movement of the parts, resulting in the aforesaid objectionable squeaks. In addition to seasoning the strips, it has been found that moisture-proofing them is of some considerable assistance, but even this has not been found to be a complete solution of the problem.

The object of the present invention is to provide in combination with the metal beam and nailing strip, a composition that will substantially saturate the strips and will perform a double function. That is to say, it will make the strip substantially moisture-proof, and will also provide a permanent lubricant in the form of a lm that will be interposed between the strip and the metal, and indeed between the strip and the overlyingr licor, thus further eliminating the danger of squeaks developing through the relative movement of the associated parts.

One embodiment of the invention for carrying the above objects into effect is disclosed in the accompanying drawing and described in the following specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a skeleton joist carrying a nailing strip.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross sectional views illustrating the method of assembling the parts.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View on an enlarged scale of the nailing strip.

In the embodiment disclosed, the joist comprises a lower chord '7, an upper chord 8, and a web 56" 9 preferably formed of a rod or bar that is zigzag in form, with its knuckles 10 welded to the upper and lower chords.

The upper chord 8 is in the form of a channel bar having upstanding side flanges 11,` and in the embodiment shown provided with integrally inset lugs 12. This channel bar receives the lower portion of a nailing strip 13 which may be and preferably is of wood. In the formationA of the structure the side flanges 11 may be initially arranged in divergent relation as illustratedinligure 3, allowing the ready introduction of the nailing strip 13. The side anges are then pressed to a reversely or inwardly inclined relation and the lugs 12 are embedded in the sides of the strip.

The nailing strip 13 is initially made of seasoned wood, its moisture content being preferably brought to or below 8 percent. The strip is then saturated with a composition made up of a mixture by volume of the following ingredients:

Per cent Linseed oil 40 Spar varnish 20 Dryer 10 Naphtha 26 Paraiiin 2 If the strip is immersed in this mixture for a period of half an hour, it will be substantially penetrated by the same and become substantially moisture-proof. It is however, practically impossible within the expense required for commercial purposes to make the strip absolutely moisture-proof, and therefore there is bound to be some slight expansion and contraction due to the absorption of some amount of moisture, and notwithstanding the composition. This small amount of alteration I find is however materially taken care of by the fact that the paraffin content becomes a permanent lubricant and that a fine film is created on the surfaces of the strip. This lm is illustrated necessarily in an exaggerated form at 14. Apparently moreover the paraffin that is contained within the wood will have a tendency to work its way to the surface and thus create a constant supply. This film, being interposed not only between the metal and the wood but obviously also between the upper surface of the nailing strip and overlying flooring, serves to prevent squeaks and will be lasting in its character.

The composition therefore serves a dual function, in that it substantially waterproofs the strip and creates an effective body of lubricant, and acts as a non-hardening ingredient in the composition so that its lubricating function will continue for an indenitely long period.

Instead of paraiiin, other suitable waxes may be employed that will have a similar lubricating effeet. For example carnauba waX, Montan wax, stearic acid or tallow may be employed.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. A structural member comprising a metal beam, a nailing strip iixed to and supported by the beam and of a material to permit the entry of fasteners and absorb liquid, and a combined moisture-procling and lubricating composition absorbed by the nailing strip and acting as a lubricant between the strip and metal beam.

2. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, a nailing strip xedly secured in said channel, and a combined moisture proofing and lubricating composition incorporated with the nailing strip and providing a surface coat of lubricant between the strip and metal beam.

3. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, a nailing strip fixedly mounted in said channel, and a composition including a Wax, substantially saturating said beam, said composition acting as a moisture proofing agent and as a lubricant between the nailing strip and parts engaging the same.

el. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, a nailing strip in said channel, means for Xing the strip to the metal beam, and a composition including approximately 2 percent of wax, substantially saturating said beam, said composition acting as a moisture prooing agent and as a lubricant between the nailing strip and parts engaging the same.

5. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, a nailing strip secured in said channel, and a composition comprising linseed oil, varnish, dryer, naphtha and a wax, substantially saturating the nailing strip.

6. A substantially squeakless structural beam, including a metal body, a nailing strip carried thereby and in contact therewith, said strip being of a material to permit the entry of fasteners and absorb liquid, and a composition absorbed by said nailing strip and including non-hardening moisture proofing and lubricating materials.

7. A substantially squeakless structural beam including a metal body, a nailing strip carried thereby and in contact therewith, said strip being of a material to permit the entry of fasteners and absorb liquid, and a composition incorporated with said nailing strip and including a nonhardening moisture proofing and lubricating wax.

ADOLF H. SCI-IAFFERT.

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