US 5,864,998 A · Modular structural members · patentgrep

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Abstract

A plurality of extruded aluminum structural modules of selected different peripheral sizes are configured to be disposed in adjacent coacting positions so that a selected number of such modules assembled together form a peripherally enclosed modular structural member. Each module includes components of module positioning elements in the form of splines sizes and configured to coact with mating module positioning elements of the other structural modules to facilitate assembly of modules into a structural member. Force applying devices, such as HELICOILS are disposed to urge the module positioning elements together to insure the integrity of the assembled modular structural member. Each structural module further is configured with openings that may be threaded so that plates and the like may be attached to the member by threaded devices and elongated slots, such as "T" slots that receive and mount members, such as "T" bolts or nuts, through which other elements, components and devices may be carried by and mounted to the structural members. The structural members may be extended in length by staggered connection of modules or module sets and may be secured together by bolts or the like to form various constructions.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A modular structural member capable of supporting a load or loads;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structural modular means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coacting structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof;
and
(c) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning member to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member and its capability to support a load or loads at least a portion of which acts on the structural member in a direction perpendicular to said selected length thereof,
wherein said module positioning means includes a first positioning member carried by a first structural modular means and a second positioning member carried by second structural modular means, said first positioning member and said second positioning member coacting with each other when said first structural modular means and said second structural modular means are disposed in adjacent coacting positions,
wherein said first positioning member and said second positioning member each include at least a pair of positioning splines, said pair of positioning splines of said first positioning member and said pair of positioning splines of said second positioning member being of sizes, dispositions and configurations to coact with and mate with each other.

4 more elements

A modular structural member capable of supporting a load or loads;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structural modular means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coacting structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof;
and
(c) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning member to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member and its capability to support a load or loads at least a portion of which acts on the structural member in a direction perpendicular to said selected length thereof,
wherein said module positioning means includes a first positioning member carried by a first structural modular means and a second positioning member carried by second structural modular means, said first positioning member and said second positioning member coacting with each other when said first structural modular means and said second structural modular means are disposed in adjacent coacting positions,
wherein said first positioning member and said second positioning member each include at least a pair of positioning splines, said pair of positioning splines of said first positioning member and said pair of positioning splines of said second positioning member being of sizes, dispositions and configurations to coact with and mate with each other,
wherein said pairs of positioning splines are sized and configured to coacting only one mating position,
wherein said pairs of splines are sized and configured to be moved into mating position by movement of at least one pair of positioning splines with respect to the other pair of positioning splines in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengths of the respective positioning splines.

6 more elements

A modular structural member capable of supporting a load or loads;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structural modular means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coacting structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof;
and
(c) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning member to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member and its capability to support a load or loads at least a portion of which acts on the structural member in a direction perpendicular to said selected length thereof,
wherein said module positioning means includes a first positioning member carried by a first structural modular means and a second positioning member carried by second structural modular means, said first positioning member and said second positioning member coacting with each other when said first structural modular means and said second structural modular means are disposed in adjacent coacting positions,
wherein said first positioning member and said second positioning member each include at least a pair of positioning splines, said pair of positioning splines of said first positioning member and said pair of positioning splines of said second positioning member being of sizes, dispositions and configurations to coact with and mate with each other,
wherein said pairs of positioning splines are sized and configured to coact in only one mating position,
wherein said force applying means maintains a bias between said first positioning member and said second positioning member that maintains said pairs of positioning splines in said mating position.

6 more elements

A modular structural member capable of supporting a load or loads;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structural modular means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coacting structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof;
and
(c) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning member to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member and its capability to support a load or loads at least a portion of which acts on the structural member in a direction perpendicular to said selected length thereof,
wherein said module positioning means includes a first positioning member carried by a first structural modular means and a second positioning member carried by second structural modular means, said first positioning member and said second positioning member coacting with each other when said first structural modular means and said second structural modular means are disposed in adjacent coacting positions,
wherein said first positioning member and said second positioning member each include a plurality of positioning splines that are of a size, disposition and configuration such that said splines of said first positioning member mate with splines of second positioning member when said module means are disposed in side-by-side coacting positions;
said plurality of splines of said first positioning member including top lands and bottom lands with side walls therebetween and said plurality of splines of said second means also including top lands and bottom lands with side walls therebetween, and at least one spline and one bottom land are of a different but coacting size than others of said splines and bottom lands so that mating of said splines can only occur in one relative disposition thereof.

5 more elements

A modular structural member capable of supporting a load or loads;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structural modular means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coacting structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof;
and
(c) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning member to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member and its capability to support a load or loads at least a portion of which acts on the structural member in a direction perpendicular to said selected length thereof,
wherein said module positioning means includes a first positioning member carried by a first structural modular means and a second positioning member carried by second structural modular means, said first positioning member and said second positioning member coacting with each other when said first structural modular means and said second structural modular means are disposed in adjacent coacting positions,
wherein said first positioning member and said second positioning member each include a plurality of splines that are of a size, disposition and configuration such that said splines of said first positioning member mate with splines of said second positioning member when said module means are disposed in side-by-side coacting positions;
said plurality of splines of said first positioning member including top lands and bottom lands with side walls therebetween and said plurality of splines of said second positioning member also including top lands and bottom lands with side walls therebetween, and at least one spline and one bottom land are of a different but coacting size than others of said splines and bottom lands so that mating of said splines can only occur in one relative disposition thereof,
wherein said size, disposition and configuration of said splines are such that said side walls thereof are disposed at selected angles with respect to said top lands and bottom lands such that said side walls engage prior to said top lands being able to seat against said bottom lands.

6 more elements

A modular structural member;

comprising:
(a) a plurality of structural module means each of a selected length and peripheral configuration such that a predetermined number of said structured module means together, when disposed in adjacent side-by-side and coacting disposition, form a peripherally enclosed hollow tubular structural member;
(b) module positioning means disposed between adjacent and coating structural module means to facilitate said side-by-side coacting disposition thereof and extending the length of said structural module means;
(c) each said module positioning means for each structural modular means including a first positioning member carried by said structural module means along one side thereof and a second positioning member carried by said structural module means along another side thereof spaced from and parallel with said first side, such that said first positioning member is disposed to coact with a second positioning member of a module means when two module means are disposed in side-by-side coacting positions;
(d) said first positioning member extending along said entire side of said module means and said second positioning member extending along said entire another side of said module means;
(e) force applying means disposed for coaction with said module positioning means to maintain adjacent modules positioned for coaction with respect to each other and by doing so to maintain the integrity of the structural member;
(f) said force applying means including a plurality of resilient coiled inserts disposed along the length of said module positioning means and urging said first positioning member and said second positioning member into said coacting relationship.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/938,487Filed 31 Aug 1992 · continuation
Priority: 26 Dec 1989
Granted: 2 Feb 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

B66C 6/00
Girders, or track-supporting structures, specially adapted for cranes
E04B 1/24
Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons: the supporting parts consisting of metal
E04C 3/06
Of metal: with substantially solid, i.e. unapertured, web
E04C 3/32
Columns; Pillars; Struts: of metal

Family

Serial456,569Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Dec 1989
US 5,864,998 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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Citations

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