Webbed structural tube
OwnerDavid W. Johnsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Construction utilizing composite pultrusion technology incorporates an internal web structure in the elongated members themselves, increasing the strength-to-weight ratio, while providing support for joint notches due to the strategic positioning of the webs. The joints themselves are modified to accommodate the exiting of one or two members from the joint at an oblique angle to provide more construction flexibility to make diagonal braces, for example. The improved techniques are incorporated into a power transmission tower which takes advantage of the electrical qualities inherent in composites to produce a mechanically and electrically strong tower.
Claims13
Structural member for use in an interlocking joint of similar structural members in which at least one notch is defined in some of said similar structural members to interlock to define said joint substantially rigidly, said structural member comprising:
- (a) an elongated hollow tubular shell;
- (b) at least one notch defined in said structural member;
- and,
- (c) at least one internal transverse reinforcing web substantially spanning the length of said tubular shell and at least in part defining a floor for said notch to support a member seated therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.