Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BUILDING FRAME STRUCTURE
Background and Summary of the Invention
This invention pertains to building frame structure, and more particularly to
unique
column, beam, cross-bracing and interconnect structures employable in such
structure. A
preferred embodiment of the invention, and a manner of practicing it, as well
as several
illustrated modifications, are illustrated and described herein.
Proposed, among other things, according to the invention is a new, elongate
column
structure which is formed from an assembly of plural, elongate, angle-iron-
like components
that are united by bolting them together through interposed spacers which help
to define the
final configuration of the column. In a preferred column embodiment of the
invention, four
such angle-iron-like components are employed, with each of these taking the
form, generally,
of an elongate, right-angle, angle-iron section of otherwise conventional
construction, and
with cross-like spacers (one or more) interposed and holding these components
apart. These
four elongate components are arranged in such a fashion that their legs
essentially radiate in a
star-like manner from the long axis of the assembled column. Each leg in each
angle-iron-
like component confrontingly faces one other leg in one adjacent such
component.
The angle-iron-like components and the spacer, or spacers, are nut-and-bolt
connected
to create a frictional interface between these elements. Depending upon the
tightness
employed in such connections, the level of frictional engagement can be
adjusted. The
assembled combination of angle-iron-like components and spacers forms a
generally cross-
shaped (transverse cross section) column assembly. Each column assembly is
also referred to
herein as a column structure, and as a column.
Given this type of column assembly, it will be apparent that there are spaces
or
recesses provided in the regions between confronting legs in an assembled
column. In a
building frame structure, and still referring to a preferred form of the
invention, these recesses
are employed to receive modified and inserted end regions (or extensions) of
the central webs
in elongate I-beams. These same recesses also receive the ends of cross-braces
which, in a
preferred embodiment, each take the form of flat metal bar stock. The modified
I-beams
result from removal of short portions of their upper and lower flanges to
create central-web
extensions. Bolt holes, or openings, that are provided appropriately in the
flanges in the
angle-iron-like components in a column, and as well as in the end central-web
extensions in a
beam, are employed with nut-and-bolt assemblies to complete an anchored
assembly between
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a column and a beam. In such a column/beam assembly, the column and beam
directly
engage one another through a frictional interface wherein the level of
frictional engagement
is nut-and-bolt adjustable.
With respect to such a column/beam interconnection, the lower-most opening
provided in an I-beam's web-end projection takes the form of an open-bottomed
hook which,
during quick, preliminary assembly of a frame structure, extends into the
open, or recessed,
region between flanges in a column. Under the influence of gravity, the
downwardly exposed
and facing hook catches and seats onto a preliminarily entered nut-and-bolt
assembly
wherein the bolt's shank extends across and spans the space between a pair of
flanges to act
as a catch on which this hook can seat and become gravity-set. Such seating
quickly
introduces preliminary stabilization in a frame being assembled, and also acts
to index the
proper relative positions of columns and beams.
Modifications to this preferred form of the invention are recognized, and are
possible
in certain applications. For example, columns might be formed with three
rather than four
elongate components. With respect to a column having just three such
components, the
included angles between legs in these elements, progressing circularly about
the column's
long axis, might be 120 -120 -120 , 135 -135 -90 , or 180 -90 -900.
Illustrations of these
arrangements, which are not exhaustive, are illustrated herein.
Another modification area involves the configuration and structure of a cross-
brace.
Such a configuration could, for example, take the form of a right-angle angle
iron, of a
tubular element, or of a welded assembly of a flat plate and an angle iron.
Illustrations of
theses configurations while not exhaustive, are also provided herein.
While different lengths of component-assembled columns can be made in
accordance
with the invention, such lengths being principally a matter of designer
choice, two different
column lengths are specifically shown and discussed herein. The principal one
of these
lengths characterizes a column having a length which is basically the height-
dimension of
two typical stories in a multi-story building. The other length characterizes
a column having
a length of approximately of one such story height. The individual columns are
stacked end-
for-end to create elongate upright column stacks that define an overall
building-frame height.
According to one interesting feature of the invention, where two stacked
columns abut
end-to-end, this abutment exists essentially at the location of one of the
floor heights intended
in the final building. At this location, and according to a special feature of
the present
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invention, a direct structural splice is created between such end-contacting,
stacked columns,
such a splice being established through the nut-and-bolt connected end
extension of the
central web in a beam. Thus, structural connections between beams and columns
act,
according to the invention, as connective splices or joints between adjacent,
stacked columns.
The amount of tightness introduced into the splice-related nut-and-bolt
assemblies controls
the level of frictional engagement present there between beam and column.
Another interesting feature of the invention involves a unique way for
introducing
vertical-plane cross-bracing in various upright rectangles of space that are
spanned by a pair
of vertically spaced beams, and by a pair of horizontally spaced columns.
While different
specific components can be used to act as cross-bracing structure, one form
that is
particularly useful, and which is illustrated herein, is that of conventional
steel flat bar stock
which crosses, and thus braces, such a space. Opposite ends of such bar stock
are bolted in
place in the recesses between confronting flanges of the angle-iron-like
components in the
columns.
As will become apparent from the description in detail which follows below,
taken
along with the accompanying drawings, forces which are exerted and transmitted
between
columns and beams in a building structure formed in accordance with the
present invention
lie in upright planes which pass through the central longitudinal axes of the
columns and
beams. Accordingly, load management is, as is most desired, directed
essentially centrally
between adjacent connected components. Forces transmitted through cross-
bracing elements
also essentially lie in these same planes.
The nut-and-bolt, frictional-interface connections proposed by the invention
for the
regions of interconnection between elongate column components and spacers, and
between
beams and columns, allow for limited relative sliding motions between these
elements under
certain load-handling circumstances. Such motions enhance the load-management
capabilities of a building frame structure, and furnish a certain helpful
amount of energy
dissipation in the form of non-damaging heat.
The detailed description of the invention now given below will clearly bring
out these
special offerings and advantages of the several facets of the present
invention.
One further arrangement proposed by the present invention involves a cross-
beam
connection between mid-regions of laterally next-adjacent horizontal beams.
Through-bore
brackets bolted to and through the central webs of adjacent beams, and having
some of the
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same features of the flange end regions in columns where
splices can be made, allow for installation of elongate
cross-beams which extend from beam-to-beam in locations that
are intermediate a pair of columns.
A further aspect of the invention provides a
method of installing an elongate beam between a pair of
nominally in-place, previously installed building-frame
elements which, before such beam installing, are spaced
apart by a substantially correct lateral distance, and where
the beam includes a generally planar, upright central web,
said method comprising establishing for each of such two
spaced elements a joined anchor point in the form of (a) a
pair of spaced, substantially parallel-planar plate
components which are spaced apart in a manner creating an
upright, generally planar, straight-down vertically
accessible, open-topped beam-web receiving zone having a
lateral width which is suitable for freely receiving the
thickness of such a beam's central web, and (b) a spanning
device extending between such plate components at a location
which is below the open top of the receiving zone, preparing
each of the opposite ends of such a beam's central web (a)
to be vertically clear so as to permit downward insertion of
the web end into a receiving zone of the character mentioned
and through the open top of that zone, and (b) to possess a
downwardly facing hook designed to catch and seat downwardly
by gravity against a spanning device of the type mentioned,
vertically lowering a prepared-web-end beam to cause its
prepared web ends to be inserted into the receiving zones
associated with the established anchoring points associated
with the two, spaced building-frame elements, with the hooks
in the prepared web ends catching and becoming seated on the
spanning devices associated with such anchor points, and
without requiring any appreciable increasing of the
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pre-lowering lateral spacing between the building-frame
elements, and by said vertically lowering, (a) causing the
lowered beam to become attached and interconnected by
gravity to the spaced building-frame elements, and (b)
creating a condition of gravity-stabilized, correctly
spatially organized interlock of the lowered beam and the
interconnected, spaced building-frame elements.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method of installing an
elongate I-beam between a pair of nominally in-place,
previously installed building-frame columns which, before
such beam installing, are spaced apart by a substantially
correct lateral distance, and where the beam includes a
generally planar, upright central web, said method
comprising establishing for and within each of such two
spaced columns (a) a pair of spaced, parallel-planar plate
components which function as anchor points, and which are
spaced apart in a manner creating an upright, generally
planar, straight-down vertically accessible, open-topped
beam-web receiving zone having a lateral width which is
suitable for freely receiving the thickness of such a beam's
central web, and (b) a spanning device extending between
such plate components at a location which is below the open
top of the receiving zone, preparing each of the opposite
ends of such a beam's central web (a) to be vertically clear
so as to permit downward insertion of the web end into a
receiving zone of the character mentioned and through the
open top of that zone, and (b) to possess a downwardly
facing hook designed to catch and seat downwardly by gravity
against a spanning device of the type mentioned, vertically
lowering a prepared-web-end beam to cause its prepared web
ends to be inserted into the receiving zones associated with
the established anchoring points associated with the two,
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spaced building-frame columns, with the hooks in the
prepared web ends catching and becoming seated on the
spanning devices associated with such anchor points, and
without requiring any appreciable increasing of the pre-
lowering, predetermined lateral spacing between the
building-frame columns, and by said vertically lowering, (a)
causing the lowered beam to become attached and
interconnected by gravity to the spaced building-frame
columns, and (b) creating a condition of gravity-stabilized,
correctly spatially organized interlock of the lowered beam
and the interconnected, spaced building-frame columns.
According to still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a column/column/I-beam
interconnection in a building frame comprising for each one
in a pair of next-adjacent, laterally spaced columns, (a) a
pair of parallel-spaced, upright, planar plate components
operatively associated with a side of the column, and (b) a
spanning device extending between the plate components, an
elongate, generally horizontal I-beam including a generally
upright, planar central web with opposite ends vertically
cleared of flanges, and including a downwardly facing hook,
which ends, with respect to said pairs of said plate
components, are configured to extend with downward vertical-
sliding clearance into the spaces which exist between said
components, whereby the hook at each I-beam end becomes
caught and engaged by gravity with the spanning device
adjacent that end.
According to yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an I-beam/I-beam/I-beam
interconnection in a building frame comprising for each one
in a pair of next-adjacent, laterally spaced I-beams, (a) a
pair of parallel-spaced, upright, planar plate components
operatively associated with facially confronting sides of
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these beams, and (b) a spanning device extending between the
plate components, an elongate, generally horizontal,
interconnect I-beam including a generally upright, planar
central web with opposite ends vertically cleared of
flanges, and including a downwardly facing hook, which ends,
with respect to said pairs of said plate components, are
configured to extend with downward vertical-sliding
clearance into the spaces which exist between said
components, whereby the hook at each I-beam end becomes
caught and engaged by gravity with the spanning device
adjacent that end.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a beam cross-connection between
a pair of spaced, nominally in-place, previously installed
building-frame elements having facially confronting sides,
each of which elements is either one of a column or a beam,
said cross-connection comprising for each one of those
building-frame elements (a) a pair of parallel-spaced,
upright, planar plate components operatively associated with
the elements' respective facially confronting sides, and (b)
a spanning device extending between the plate components, an
elongate, generally horizontal, cross-connection I-beam
including a generally upright, planar, central web with
opposite ends vertically cleared of flanges, and including a
downwardly facing hook, which ends, with respect to said
pairs of said plate components, are configured to extend
with downward vertical-sliding clearance into the spaces
which exist between said components in their respective
pairs, whereby the hook at each I-beam end becomes caught
and engaged by gravity with the spanning device adjacent
that end.
According to yet a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method of installing an
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elongate I-beam as a cross-connection between a pair of
nominally in-place, previously installed building-frame
elements which face one another, and which elements are
either one of a column or a beam, and which, further, before
such beam installing, are spaced apart by a substantially
correct lateral distance, and, still further, where the beam
includes a generally planar, upright, central web, said
method comprising for each element in the mentioned pair of
building-frame elements, in relation to their facing of one
another, establishing (a) a pair of spaced, parallel-planar
plate components which function as anchor points, and which
are spaced apart in a manner creating an upright, generally
planar, straight-down vertically accessible, open-topped
beam-web receiving zone having a lateral width which is
suitable for freely receiving the thickness of such a beam's
central web, and (b) a spanning device extending between
such plate components at a location which is below the open
top of the receiving zone, preparing each of the opposite
ends of such a beam's central web (a) to be vertically clear
of flanges so as to permit downward insertion of each web
end into a receiving zone of the character mentioned and
through the open top of that zone, and (b) to possess a
downwardly facing hook designed to catch and seat downwardly
by gravity against a spanning device of the type mentioned,
vertically lowering a prepared-web-end beam to cause its
prepared web ends to be inserted into the facing receiving
zones associated with the established anchoring points
associated with the two, spaced building-frame elements,
with the hooks in the prepared web ends catching and
becoming seated on the spanning devices associated with such
anchor points, and without requiring any appreciable
increasing of a pre-lowering lateral spacing between the two
building-frame elements, and by said vertical lowering, (a)
causing the lowered beam to become attached and
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interconnected by gravity to the spaced building-frame
elements, and (b) creating a condition of gravity-
stabilized, correctly spatially organized interlock through
I-beam cross-connections of the lowered beam and the
interconnected, spaced building-frame elements.
Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic, stick-figure drawing
illustrating portions of a building frame structure which
has been constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
Fig. 2 is an upper-end, fragmentary view of one
column which is constructed in accordance with the present
invention, and which is employed in the building frame
structure of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a top axial view of the same column
pictured fragmentarily in Fig. 2.
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.Figs. 4, 5A and 5B, inclusive, illustrate, in isolated manners, the assembled
structure
of a column spacer which is employed in the column of Figs. 2 and 3, and of
the individual
components which Make up this spacer.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a specifically configured I-beam
which is
employed according to the invention.
Fig. 7 is a fiagm.entary, isometric view of a specifically configured channel
beam
which also may be employed according to the invention.
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary drawing illustrating interconnections which exist
between
stacked columns and beams in the frame structure of Fig. 1, and between
columns and
to diagonal cross-bracing.
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail illustrating a preliminary step in the assembly
and
splice -j oinin.g of a beam and a pair of stacked columns.
Fig. 10 is a larger-scale view illustrating, isometrically, roughly the same
thing which
is pictured in Fig. 9.
1$ Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a completed splicing connection between two
beams and
a pair of stacked columns,
Fig. 12 is a view taken generally along the line 12-12 in Fig. 11.
Fig, 13 presents a view which is -very similar to that presented in Fig. 9,
except that
here what is shown is the interconnection between a beam and a column at a
location
20 vertically intermediate the ends of the column.
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Fig. 14 is a view showing a base-plate structure which is employed at the
lower ends
of column stacks present in the building frame structure of Fig. 1.
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary schematic view, somewhat like the view presented in
Fig. 2,
illustrating a feature of the invention which involves the capability of angle-
iron-like
5 components in a column to shift independently and longitudinally relative to
one another, and
also relative to a spacer (not shown) in this column.
Figs. 16 and 17 are views which compare how a conventional rectangular tube-
shaped
column, and a cross-shaped column constructed in accordance with the present
invention,
differently accommodate the attachments thereto of internal wall structure in
a building.
Figs. 18 and 19 are somewhat like Fig. 3, except that here what are shown are
two
different modified forms of an assembled, star-like cross-section column built
in accordance
with the present invention.
Fig. 20 illustrates fragmentarily an end of a cross-beam connection.
Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate two different cross-sectional versions of modified
forms of
columns constructed in accordance with the invention.
Figs. 23-25, inclusive, illustrate modified forms of cross-braces.
Detailed Description of, and Manner of Practicing, the Invention
Turning attention now to the drawings, and referring first of all to Figs. 1-
5B,
inclusive, indicated generally at 21 in Fig.1 is a fragmentary portion of a
multi-story building
frame structure which has been constructed in accordance with the present
invention. In
frame structure 21, four column stacks 22, 24, 26, 28 are shown, each of which
is made up of
a plurality of end-two-end, splice joined elongate columns that are
constructed in accordance
with the present invention. The phrase "column stack" is employed herein to
refer to such
plural, end-connected columns, and the word "column" is employed herein to
designate a
single column assembly which has been built in accordance with the invention.
In order to
illustrate one characteristic versatility which is furnished by the invention,
two different types
of columns - - double-story and single-story - - are shown in these column
stacks.
Three columns in stack 22 are shown at 30, 32, 34. As will shortly be more
fully
explained, the upper end 32a of column 32 is joined to the lower end of column
30, and the
lower end 32b of column. 32 is joined to the upper end of column 34. Columns
30 (shown
only fragmentarily) and 32 are two-story columns (see length L), and column 34
is a single-
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story column herein (see length 1). One more column is specifically labeled at
35 in Fig. 1.
This column is essentially the same in construction as column 32.
Extending between and joined to the columns in the several column stacks
pictured in
Fig. 1 are plural, horizontal beams, such as the three beams shown at 36, 38,
40. The
distances between next-adjacent ones of these three beams are the same, and
have the spacing
of one story-height in frame structure 21. Beam 36 has its near end in Fig. 1
splice-connected
(still to be explained) to column stack 22 at the region of end-to-end joinder
between columns
30, 32. Beam 38 has its near end in Fig. 1 connected vertically centrally
between the
opposite (upper and lower) ends of column 32. Beam 40 has its near end in Fig.
1 connected
to the region of end-to-end joinder between columns 32, 34. As will soon be
explained, the
manners in which the just-mentioned ends of beams 36, 40 are connected to
columns in
column stack 22 is somewhat different from the manner in which the near end of
beam 3 8 in
Fig. 1 is connected centrally between the upper and lower ends of column 32.
Presented in Fig. 1, as can be seen, are plural, large, black dots. These dots
represent
the locations of spacers, or spacer structures, which form parts in the
various columns that are
employed in frame structure 21. For example, shown at 42, 44 in Fig. 1 are two
black dots
(spacers) which form part of column 32. These two dots indicate the presence
of spacers
within column 32 at locations in structure 21 which are roughly midway between
floors.
Thus, dot 42 represents a spacer which is present in column 32 generally
vertically centrally
between beams 36, 38. Dot 44, and the spacer which it represents in column 32,
resides
generally vertically centrally between beams 38, 40. A black dot 45 represents
a spacer
which is present in single-story column 34, generally vertically centrally
between the upper
and lower ends of column 34. Clear, or open, circular dots in Fig. 1 represent
the end-to-end
connections between vertically adjacent columns in the respective column
stacks.
Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate somewhat more specifically the structure of column
32, and
thus also, the structures of many other ones of the various columns employed
in the column
stacks pictured in Fig. 1. Column 32 herein is formed with four, elongate,
angle-iron-like
components 46, 48, 50, 52. These angle-iron-like components substantially
parallel one
another, and also parallel the central long axis 32c of column 32. Each of
components 46, 48,
50, 52 has a right-angular cross-section formed by angularly intersecting
legs, such as legs
46a, 46b in component 46. These legs meet at an elongate, linear corner, such
as corner 46c.
Corner 46c lies closely adjacent, and substantially parallel to, axis 32c.
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As can be seen, column 32 has a generally cross-shaped transverse cross-
sectional
configuration, formed in such a fashion that the legs in the angle-iron-like
components
essentially radiate laterally outwardly (star-like) from axis 32c. Each leg in
each angle-iron-
like component is spaced from, confrontive with, and generally parallel to one
leg in a next-
adjacent angle-iron-like component.
As seen in Fig.2, the upper end region 32a in column 32 is furnished with
aligned
through-bores, such as through-bores 54 which are provided in flange 46b. As
will soon be
explained, these through-bores are employed for the attachment of beams, such
as beam 36,
and for splicing joinder to the underside of an overhead column, such as
column 30.
Provided at the locations of previously mentioned black dots 42, 44 in Fig. 1
are
cross-shaped, two-component spacers, such as spacer 42 which is variously
shown in Figs. 3-
5B, inclusive. Spacer 42 is formed from two like-configured components, one of
which is
shown isolated at 42a in Fig. 5A, and other of which is shown isolated at 42b
in Fig. 5B.
These spacer components are centrally notched so that they can be fit together
as shown in
Fig. 4, and the outward extensions of components 42a, 42b are provided with
through-bores,
such as bores 56 shown in component 42b.
Spacer 42 is placed generally longitudinally centrally between beams 36, 38,
and
between the confronting legs of column components 46, 48, 50, 52. It is bolted
there in place
through appropriate nut-and-bolt assemblies, such as the assembly shown at 58
in Fig. 3, and
through suitable accommodating through-bores (not shown) provided in the legs
in
components 46, 48, 50, 52. Spacer 44 is similarly positioned in column 32
vertically
centrally between beams 38, 40. When in place, the spacers space apart the
angle-iron-like
components in the column with what can be thought of as the centerlines of
these spacers
aligned with previously mentioned column axis 32c. Preferably, the thickness
of each of
components 42a, 42b is about equal to the thickness of the central web
portions of the beams
which are employed in the building frame structure of Fig. 1.
In each column, the angle-iron-like components, the spacer, or spacers which
hold
these apart, and the nut-and-bolt assemblies (and related through-bores) which
bind all
together, are toleranced in such a manner, that there is present in the region
associated with
each spacer a friction interface. This interface can allow for a certain small
amount of
relative longitudinal motion (along the long axes of the columns) between
these elements.
The amount of tightness introduced into the nut-and-bolt assemblies dictates
the level of
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frictional engagement, which is thus selectable and adjustable. The
significance of this
feature of the invention will be more fully discussed shortly.
An assembled column, like column 32, thus takes the form of an assembly of
four,
right-angle, angle-iron-like components disposed as described- and illustrated
relative to one
another, and held together through nut-and-bolt assemblies which clamp the
angle-iron-like
components onto the spacers, such as spacers 42, 44. A consequence of this
construction is
that there are openings or recesses laterally outwardly facing along the
length of column 32,
defined, in part, by the spacings which exist between the confronting legs in
the angle-iron-
like components.
These recesses are employed herein to receive, as will below be described, the
extending end portions of the central webs in beams, such as beams 36, 38, 40.
Digressing for just a moment to Fig. 15, here, angle-iron-like components 46,
48, 50,
52 are represented fragmentarily as spaced elements. In Fig. 15, dashed lines
60, and a
dashed arrow 62, show angle-iron-like component 48 slightly upwardly shifted
from its solid
outline position relative to the other three angle-iron-like components 46,
50, 52. Similarly,
dash-double-dot lines 64, and dash-double-dot arrow 66, illustrate upward
shifting of angle-
iron-like component 50 relative to components 46, 48, 52. These moved
positions for
components 48, 50 are highly exaggerated in Fig. 15. This has been done to
point out clearly
a feature of the invention (mentioned earlier) which is that the tolerances
that are built into
the fastening regions between these angle-iron-like components and the spacers
is such that,
under severe loading conditions which produce bending of column 32, the angle-
iron-like
components therein can actually shift slightly relative to one another so as
to act somewhat as
independent elements. Such shifting also creates frictional, energy-
dissipating braking action
in the regions where these elements contact one another. This capability of a
column built in
accordance with the present invention offers a column which can act as a heat
energy
dissipater to absorb shock loads to a building frame.
Turning attention to now to. Figs. 6, 7, 18 and 19, and beginning with Figs.
6, here
there is shown fragmentarily at 36 an end region of previously mentioned beam
36. Beam 36
includes a central web 36a, and upper and lower flanges 36b, 36c,
respectively. As can be
seen, short portions of the end regions of flanges 36b, 36c, have been removed
to create and
expose what is referred herein as an extension 36d in and from central web
36a.
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Provided in extension 36d are three vertically spaced through-bores 36e, and a
downwardly facing through-bore-like hook 36f. How this modified form of an
otherwise
conventional I-beam functions in the setting of the present invention will be
described
shortly.
Fig. 7 illustrates at 68 an alternative beam construction contemplated for use
in and
with respect to the present invention. Beam 68 has been formed from an
otherwise
conventional channel member having a central web 68a, and upper and lower
flanges 68b,
68c, respectively. End portions of the upper and lower flanges have been
removed as shown
to create and expose an extension 68d from central web 68a. Extension 68d,
like previously
mentioned beam extension 36d in Fig. 6, includes three through-bores 68e, and
a through-
bore-like hook 68f. It will become very apparent shortly, without further
direct discussion,
how channel beam 68 can be used alternately with I-beam structure 36.
Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate modified forms of star-like-cross-section column
construction contemplated by the present invention. In Fig. 18 there is shown
a column 70
which has a kind of three-sided configuration formed by angle-iron-like
components 72, 74,
76. Components 72, 74, 76 include paired, angularly intersecting, elongate
legs, such as legs
72a, 72b, which meet at an elongate linear corner, such as corner 72c that
substantially
parallels and is slightly spaced from the long axis 70a of column70. In the
particular
configuration shown in Fig. 18, the included angle in each of the three angle-
iron-like
components between the paired legs therein is about 120-degrees.
Suitable spacer structures, like that shown at 78, act between components 72,
74, 76
in column 70 in much the same manner that a spacer, like spacer 42, acts
between column
components, such as components 46, 48, 50, 52 previously discussed. Joinder
between
spacer structures and angle-iron-like components is also similar to that
previously described
with respect to column 32.
In Fig.19, there is shown generally at 80 yet another column structure which
has a
kind of three-way configuration somewhat like that pictured for column 70 in
Fig. 18. In
order to simplify matters herein, the same set of reference numerals employed
for the several
components pictured in Fig. 18 for column 70 are also employed in similar
locations and for
similar components in column 80 in Fig. 19. The principal difference between
column 80
and column 70 is that, in column 80, the angularly intersecting legs in two of
the angle-iron-
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like components possess an included angle of about 135-degrees, and the third
angle-iron-like
component has legs possessing an included angle of about 90-degrees.
Shifting attention now to Figs 8-12, inclusive, Fig. 8 illustrates, in much
greater detail,
that region within building structure 21 which includes columns 30, 32 and
beams 36, 38. In
5 this figure, the columns and beams shown are fully assembled with respect to
one another,
with end region 36d in beam 36 generating an end-two-end splice between the
adjacent ends
of columns 30, 32, and with the end region in beam 38 joined through nut-and-
bolt
assemblies to a region in column 32 which is generally longitudinally
centrally between its
opposite ends. One should recall that column 32 has a length which essentially
spans the
10 dimension of two stories in frame structure 21. As can generally be seen in
Fig. 8, a nut-and-
bolt pattern which involves four nut-and-bolt assemblies is employed at the
region of joinder
between columns 30, 32 and beam 36. In the region of joinder between column 32
and beam
38, where no splice occurs between columns, the end of beam 36 is attached to
legs in
column components 46, 48 also utilizing a four nut-and-bolt pattern of nut-and-
bolt
assemblies. Thus, the attached end region in beam 36 includes three through-
bores and a
downwardly facing hook. Similarly the end region in beam 38 includes three
through-bores
and also a downwardly facing hook.
Also pictured in Fig. 8 is cross-bracing structure including a pair of bar-
stock-
configured cross-braces 82, 84. These two cross-braces span the rectangular
area which is
bounded by beams 36, 38, and by columns 32, 35. The ends of the cross braces
extend
through and between the spaces/recesses provided between the legs in the angle-
iron-like
components, and are suitably anchored there as by nut-and-bolt assemblies
generally located
at the regions in Fig. 8 shown at 86, 88. Cross-braces 82, 84 essentially lie
in a common
plane shared with the long axes of beam 36, 38, as well as with the long axis
of column 32.
Fig. 9 illustrates the conditions of various components just prior to inter-
connection of
beam 36 with columns 30, 32. In solid lines in Fig. 9 the upper end of column
32 is prepared
preliminarily with the presence of a nut-and-bolt assembly 90 wherein the
shank of the bolt
extends through the lower-most ones of the through-bores provided in angle-
iron-like
components 46, 48.. Column 30 does not yet occupy its solid outline position
in Fig. 9, but
rather may be poised and spaced upwardly in the dash-dot outline position
pictured in Fig. 9.
The end of beam 36 which includes central-web extension 36d is advanced toward
the
recess between angle-iron-like components 46, 48, and is introduced into
proper position as
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illustrated by curved arrow 92. This involves insertion of
extension 36d between components 46, 48, and hooking,
employing gravity, hook 36f onto the shank of the bolt in
nut-and-bolt assembly 90.
Beam 36 is then oriented so that its long axis is
substantially orthogonal with respect to the long axis of
column 32, and column 30 is lowered toward and into its
solid outline position in Fig. 9. When this has taken
place, appropriate line-up occurs between the through-bores
provided in beam extension 36d, in the upper end of column
32, and in the lower end of column 30, so as to permit the
insertion and tightening of nut-and-bolt assemblies with
respect to the other illustrated through-bores.
This results in a completed assembly between
columns 30, 32 and beam 36 in a condition where web
extension 36d in beam 36 creates a splice between the
adjacent ends of columns 30, 32. This condition is clearly
shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 10 is also helpful in
illustrating this condition, with this figure picturing the
conditions of components just before lowering of overhead
column 30 downwardly onto the upper end of column 32. The
various nut-and-bolt assemblies so employed to create a
splicing interconnection between beam 36 and columns 30, 32
are appropriately tightened to establish the desired level
of frictional interengagement which exists directly between
the confronting surfaces of beam 36 and columns 30, 32.
Fig. 13, which is similar to Fig. 9, illustrates
somewhat the same processes of interconnection that can take
place between beam 38 and the vertical mid-region of column
32. Curved-motion interconnection is shown by a curved
arrow 95 (which is like curved arrow 92 in Fig. 9).
Straight down vertical seating is shown by an arrow 93.
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11a
Completing now a description of things shown in the various drawing figures,
Fig, i 4
pictures at 94 a base-plate structure which is employed in frame structure 21
adjacent the
bases of the different column stacks, such as column stack 22. These base-
plate structures
effectively tie the stacks to the foundation (not specifically shown). Base-
plate structure 94
includes a generally horizontal plate 96, on the upper surface of which there
is welded a
cross-structure 98. This cross-structure is essentially a replica of a spacer
structure like that
described for spacer 42_ The cross-structure receives the lower end of the
lower-most column
in stack 22, with the confronting spaced legs of that column, at its lower
end, receiving the
cross-structure. Appropriate nut-and-bolt assemblies (not shown) anchor things
in place at
this base-plate structure.
Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate very schematically yet another facet of the present
invention.
Specifically what is shown in a comparative manner in these two figures is the
difference
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12
which exists with respect to walls (having a thickness W) brought together at
a corner within
a building under circumstances with a conventional rectangular tube-like
column (Fig. 16)
employed, and with a cross-shaped column (Fig. 17) provided in accordance with
the present
invention.
In Fig. 16, a conventional, hollow, rectangular, square-cross-section column
100 is
pictured along with four interior walls structures 102, 104, 106, 108. What
one will here
notice is that, if wall structures having generally the wall thicknesses
pictured in Fig. 17 are
employed, the corners of column 100 protrude and are exposed. In order not to
have these
corners protrude, the wall thicknesses would have to be larger, and larger
wall thicknesses
1o translates into lesser usable floor space in a finished building.
As can be seen in Fig. 17, where the cross-sectional transverse perimeter
outline of
column 32 is illustrated, these same wall structures 102, 104, 106, 108 come
together in a
manner where the corners are not broken by the protrusion of any part of
column 32.
In Fig. 20 a cross-beam connection (one end only) is illustrated fragmentarily
between
a pair of orthogonally related beams 110, 112 which may form a part of the
frame structure
pictured at 21 in Fig. 1. Very specifically, a longitudinal central region in
beam 110 has
attached (by bolting) to opposite sides of its central web 110a two pairs of
right-angle
brackets, such as the pair containing brackets 114, 116. Brackets 114, 116
include spaced,
parallel confronting legs 114a 116x, respectively, which are spaced-apart (in
the illustration
now being described) with essentially the same spacing provided for the legs
in previously
discussed angle-iron-like components 46, 48, 50, 52.
A four through-bore pattern, including bores such as the two shown at 118, is
provided in legs 114a, 116a. A nut-and-bolt assembly 120 is fitted into the
lower-most
opposing through-bores, with the shank of the bolt spanning the space between
legs 114a,
116a.
The fragmentally visible but yet unattached, end of beam 112 is prepared with
a
matchingly through-bore central web extension 112a, wherein the lower-most
through-bore is
actually a hook 112b which is like previously mentioned hook 36_f. Full
attachment of beams
110,112 is accomplished in somewhat the same manner described above for column-
beam
attachment.
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13
Fig. 21 illustrates the cross section of a modified column 130 which, for
elongate
components, includes a flat plate 132, and two right-angle angle-iron-like
elements 134,136.
One spacer structure associated with these elements is shown at 138.
Fig. 22 illustrates at 140 another modified-cross-section column including a
channel
member 142, and two right-angle angle-iron-like components 144,146. A spacer
for these
components is shown at 148.
Fig. 23 shows a modified cross-brace construction 150 which is made up of the
welded combination of a flat plate 152 and an angle iron 154.
Fig. 24 shows at 156 another modified form of a cross-brace, which here takes
the
shape of a conventional right-angle angle iron..
Fig. 25 shows at 158 still another modified cross-brace form which has a
rectilinear,
tubular configuration.
The special features of the present invention are thus fully illustrated and
described.
The column and beam components of the present invention, which can readily be
created
using standard structural cross sections, allow for extremely easy, intuitive
and unfailingly
accurate on-site assembly and construction. Nut-and-bolt interconnectors,
which are
essentially all that are required fully to assemble a building frame from
these components,
establish all necessary connections and joints without welding. Regions of
joinder between
columns and beams are promoted where end portions of beams create load-
managing splices
between vertically stacked, adjacent columns. Similar connections exist from
beam-to-beam.
Plural-element assembled columns, in various different producible
configurations, present
distinctly smaller gravitational footprints than do comparable gravitational
load-capacity
tubular columns. Interconnected columns, beams and cross-braces deliver and
handle loads
essentially in common upright planes containing their respective longitudinal
axes. Relative
motion, energy dissipating, frictional interconnections exist (a) within
columns, (b) between
columns, beams and cross-braces, and (c) from beam-to-beam to offer
appropriate and
forgiving responses to severe loads delivered to a building.
