Method of Material Framing Using Cross-Threaded Members

Abstract

The invention relates to an advanced framing methodology that involves the assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing whereby each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members. The resulting assembly behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.

Claims

1. A framing methodology wherein the cross-threaded assembly of framing members of virtually any size or material type in a repetitive manner of varying spacing where each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below and alternating layers are fastened in any way that resists shear transfer between members, wherein sheer force resisting members are placed therebetween resulting in an assembly which behaves as a two-way structural system that can resist forces resulting from a variety of loading conditions.

2. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein angles between alternating cross-threaded member layers may be orthogonal or at any other angle other than parallel based on engineering and system design requirements.

3. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein framing members may be comprised of common building materials including, but not limited to wood, metals, plastics, concrete; or any known building materials that can withstand tensile, compressive and shear loads.

4. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein at least two framing members are used and wherein the number of members are multiplied or stacked without limit and based upon engineering designs, force and load requirements of a structure, and wherein the layering or cross-threading can be duplicated without limit to size or height of a structure.

5. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein sheer force resistant members may be solid blocks of the same or different materials as the layered members and which blocks are affixed between member layers to transfer the shear forces between the cross-threaded members in order to get the bending strength and structural capacity per a given design to carry a particular loading condition relative to that design.

6. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein fastening of layer members to resist shear forces between members and transfer loads can be accomplished by bonding members with adhesives, nails, screws, dowels, pins or similar fasteners, plated connections, welding cast or similarly bonded depending on member material and typical adhesion requirements of that material.

7. The framing methodology of claim 1 wherein cavities may be designed to exist between cross-threaded layers between alternating shear force resisting components which can allow other systems to occupy the cavities without compromising structural integrity of the system based on engineering design and allowance to penetrate shear force resisting systems, and wherein examples may be electrical wires, air ducting, or other internal indicia depending on the design and purpose of a structure utilizing the methodology.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention is described in further detail by reference to three (3) drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective of the CTM method.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the CTM method.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side (section) perspective of the CTM method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective of four layers of CTM members wherein each layer of members is laid at an angle to the layers above and/or below. In the illustrated embodiment it is important to note that the material of each member may be wood, metal, plastic, or essentially any structural building materials. By example we will say that the Figure demonstrates wood members making up the floor assembly of a structure.

[0017] Further to FIG. 1, the layering of members creates a cross-thread effect. In this embodiment, there are four CTM member layers. CTM member 10, illustrated here as the top layer of the material structure, is layered above and aligned with CTM member 20. CTM member 30 is layered above and aligned CTM layer 40, illustrated here as the bottom layer of the material structure. CTM layers 10 and 20 are at an angle to CTM layers 30 and 40, in this case, 90 degrees, and repeat across the structure, in this case, uniformly. Affixed between CTM members 10 and 20 using any attachment system that can transfer the resulting shear stresses 100 between the CTM members are sheer force resisting members 50. Similarly, sheer force resisting members also occur between CTM members 30 and 40. In this example, these members are located between alternate CTM member intersections, however the placement and number of these sheer force resisting members would be dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. In this example, two alternating layers will essentially be facing the same direction whether the structure is horizontal or vertical, with two layers alternating in the orthogonal direction. Alternating the layers creates a cross-threaded effect and connecting them with the sheer force resisting members results in a two-way structural system. When used as a floor or roof assembly, this allows for the elimination of dropped beams, headers, and other supporting members below the assembly as compared to other joist or truss systems. Further to FIG. 1, the load of the example structure section is illustrated by a load connection 60 as determined by engineering design, and load reaction at any chosen load bearing element 70, neither of which are specifically a part of the CTM system, but are necessary for its support.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the CTM method. In this Fig CTM member 10 and CTM member 30 are visible as placed above CTM members 20 and 40 respectively which are hidden in this view. Also hidden in view but illustrated by dashed lines are the sheer force resisting members affixed to the CTM members 50. In this Fig the size, spec and spacing of CTM members is generally illustrated at an orthogonal orientation with uniformly repeated members (80). As in FIG. 1 the load reaction at intersection CTM members is visible at the load bearing element 70 and naturally relates to the load connections 60 also as shown in FIG. 1. Again, the placement and number of the CTM members and the sheer force resisting members would be dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. It is important to again note that additional CTM members may be added in a similarly cross-threaded manner depending on engineering requirements. The method simply reproduces relating to design requirements.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side (section) perspective of the CTM method. Again, an illustration of the CTM members is shown in layered position. Members are layered as in FIG. 1 wherein CTM layers 10 and 20 are at an angle to CTM layers 30 and 40. Further to this Figure, the sheer force resisting members 50 are in placement and numbers as dictated by engineering design for a particular project to address anticipated load, moment, or deflection criteria. The load connection 60 is also as determined by engineering design. Fastening of CTM layer members to resist shear forces between members and transfer loads through Members with solid blocking between members 100 may be accomplished by, but not limited to, bonding to members with adhesives, being fastened to members with nails, screws, dowels, pins or similar fasteners, fastened to members with plated connections or welded, or cast or similarly bonded depending on member material.

[0020] Finally, cavities between CTM layers and shear force resisting components 90 allow for other systems to occupy without compromising structural integrity of CTM system based on engineering design and allowance to penetrate shear force resisting systems. Thus, electrical wiring, air ducting, insulating, among other systems are easily installed through the cavities between the CTM layers. The CTM method offers flexibility of design, conservation of materials and a stronger system providing true two-way system characteristics with no need for dropped beams. One and two-way cantilevers are possible without need for dropped beams or complex traditional framing methods. Multi-span framing of a CTM system across multiple columns is also possible without need for dropped beams or headers. Based on applied loading and engineering design of member geometry and specification, longer spans are achievable with less material than required in the present art.