E04C3/00

Structural member assemblies, beams, and support structures comprising same

A beam can comprise a plurality of steel channel members that extend along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of steel channel members can cooperate to define an interior volume that is configured to receive concrete therein. The plurality of steel channel members can comprise a first C-shaped channel member defining a channel therein and having first and second flanges. The channel of the first C-shaped channel member can define a portion of an outer boundary of the interior volume. The first and second flanges can extend into the interior volume. A plurality of internally projecting members can be spaced along the longitudinal axis. The plurality of internally projecting members can extend into the interior volume from a steel channel member of the plurality of steel channel members. A strap can extend across the interior volume so that when the interior volume is filled with concrete, the strap engages the concrete.

SHAPEABLE BUNDLES OF SLIDABLY-INTERLOCKED EXTRUSIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL OR OTHER CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS
20200080307 · 2020-03-12 ·

Flexible extrusions of selected die patterns may be slid or snapped together to create bundles of slidably-interlocked extrusions that may be used to create structural components for architectural and a plurality of other construction purposes. Components such as standard rectangular construction beams, arches, domes, architectural trees, cylinders, molds, puzzling mazes, furniture, rollercoaster track, and other applications are illustrated and described in embodiments herein. Bundles of slidably-interlocked extrusions may be formed into a straight beam, bent into an arch, or twisted into other forms as desired. Bundles of slidably-interlocked extrusions may for example, comprise subsets of different length bundles of extrusions that may extend the length create long-span support beams or that may branch away at an angle from the starting beam to form a treelike structure.

Moment-resisting frames and kits for assembling the same
10584477 · 2020-03-10 · ·

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to moment-resisting frames, kits for assembling such moment-resisting frames, and methods of repairing such moment-resisting frames. In an embodiment, a moment-resisting frame includes a beam connected to a column using a moment-resisting connection. The moment-resisting connection may include at least one exterior doubler plate (EDP) that is connected to the column and two or more connectors that are connected to both the beam and the EDP. In some embodiments, the moment-resisting frame may require less welding than conventional beam-to-column connections. Additionally or alternatively, such a moment-resisting frame may eliminate the need for components typically used in conventional beam-to-column connections (e.g., continuity plates).

Door beam
10562087 · 2020-02-18 · ·

A door beam including an aluminum alloy extrusion extended in a longitudinal direction and having a pair of webs and a pair of flanges to be positioned on an inside and an outside in a vehicle width direction. The pair of webs connect the pair of flanges at joint portions of each of the pair of webs such that the pair of webs and the pair of flanges form a closed cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and each of the pair of webs has a welded portion in a vicinity of a neutral axis passing through a centroid of the closed cross section and parallel to the pair of flanges.

Sustainable Perforated Flat-bar Connection System
20200040579 · 2020-02-06 ·

A mechanical utility invention created in the interest of the construction industry. The Sustainable Flat-bar Connection System to be used with the member beam of the parent application, U.S. Pat. No. 15/703,993. The sustainable connection system is reusable, can be temporary or permanent, can be used on all sides of the beam at once, can join plural beams congruently, and replaces conventional counterparts; strong ties, metal straps, screws and nails. It creates economy in waste compared to it's conventional counterparts, in that they often become damaged and unusable after disconnection and are then discarded in landfills. It can be utilized to join bulky construction materials together in a lamination style, in a post and beam configuration, and to create an apex between two member beams. The disconnection utility from member beams without the loss of integrity or damage to the system or the member beam making them both largely sustainable.

Deck framing system

A deck framing system includes a ledger that has a joist support wall, a web wall extending perpendicularly from the joist support wall, and an overhang wall extending perpendicularly from the web wall and disposed parallel to the joist support wall. Each of a plurality of joist support brackets is configured to be coupled to the web wall of the ledger and includes at least one ledger attachment wing and a joist support portion that includes a pair of opposed lateral walls and a bracket web wall. Each of a plurality of joists includes at least one lateral wall and a deck support wall that extend from the at least one lateral wall. The at least one lateral wall is configured to be secured to one of the opposed lateral walls of the joist support portion.

Composite structural member for a building structure

A composite structural member for a building structure comprises a first elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region and a second elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region. The second end region of the first elongate portion is connected to the first end region of the second elongate portion so that the composite structural member provided thereby is substantially longer than either of the first and second elongate portions. The first elongate portion may comprise a first member suited for resisting high magnitude forces and the second elongate portion may be a second member, less well suited for resisting high forces but having lower cost per unit length. The composite structural member may be a rafter, especially a rafter of a portal frame.

Quad-chord truss and platform containing same

A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. Each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are swivelly attached to the chord pairs to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to connector members of beams which may extend perpendicular to a parallel pair of the trusses and attached thereto. The laid trusses and beams is overlaid with sheets of corrugated sheet metal which overlap each other along their adjacent edges. While standing on a sheet of laid sheet metal adjacent ends of an already laid pair of trusses, another truss can be held adjacent the edge of the sheet metal for attaching an end of the other truss along only one side so that it can then be swung outwardly into a position wherein the other end of the other truss can also be attached to rigidly connect the trusses end-to-end.

Bistable Collapsible Tubular Mast Boom
20200011057 · 2020-01-09 ·

Various embodiments provide for bistable collapsible tubular mast (Bi-CTM) booms. Various embodiments provide CTM booms that may be bistable in nature, thereby achieving intrinsic benefits bistability may bring. Bistability may be achieved in various embodiments through specific combinations of the thin-shell cross-section geometry and the composite laminate selected for each thin-shell segment Additionally, in various embodiments, the thin-shell geometry of each boom half may be different. Various embodiments may include combinations of circular, ellipsoidal, or parabolic segments that form each shell.

Deformable structures

A deformable device has an extended state, a flattened state, and a rolled state if a beam, where a stiffness and strength of the deformable beam or hinge in the extended state is greater than a different stiffness and strength of the deformable beam or hinge in the flattened state. An end face cross section includes a main C curved member which defines an about circular shape of an arc ranging between about a quarter arc and a substantially full circle. A periodic C curved member defines at least two about C shaped curves. The periodic C curved member has a first periodic C curved member end mechanically coupled to the first main C curved member end, and a second periodic C curved member end mechanically coupled to the second main C curved member end. A deformable device with a V shaped member is also described.