Structural element
AssigneeComposit Wood Specialties Ltd.
InventorKarl H. W. Gregori
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structural element for use with a structural member has a longitudinally extending body. The body has a lower surface and opposed side flanges hanging down below the lower surface. The element may have one more extending hollow channels above the lower surface to assist in preventing moisture from passing beneath the structural element. The structural element is adapted to be positioned on top of an area of a structural member, such as a joist or beam. The structural element can be made from a composite wood material.
Claims39
A structural combination of a structural joist member and a structural element mounted on said structural member, said combination for use in supporting a structure, said structural joist member being made of solid wood, said structural joist member being capable of carrying the load of said structure without said structural element, said structural element being made of a composite wood and said structural element comprising:
- a longitudinally extending body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having opposed, spaced apart, downwardly depending side flanges extending below said lower surface, said body also having at least one longitudinally extending channel therein located between said upper surface and said lower surface;
- said structural element configured such that said lower surface is positioned above a first surface area of a structural member, said structural member having a pair of opposed side surfaces proximate said first surface area and each said side surface being oriented downward from said first surface area;
- said side flanges of said structural element being configured to be and being secured with one or more attachment members to the side surfaces of said structural member.
A method of repairing a damaged member made substantially from wood, with a repair element made from a composite wood, said damaged member having an upper surface that is at least partially damaged, and two opposed sides, said repair element comprising:
- a longitudinally extending body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having a pair of opposed, spaced apart, downward depending flanges extending below said lower surface;
- said upper surface of said longitudinally extending body being generally flat, and said lower surface being adapted to be positioned above said damaged member;
- said side flanges being adapted to be secured to the sides of said damaged member;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing said repair element in a position where said lower surface of said repair element is over the upper surface of said damaged member, with a flange of said repair element being positioned adjacent to each side surface of said damaged member;
- (b) securing said flanges of said repair element to the sides of said damaged member.
A method of protecting a structural member made substantially from wood with a structural element made from a composite wood, said structural member having an upper surface and two opposed side surfaces, said structural element comprising:
- a longitudinally extending body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having a pair of opposed, spaced apart, downward depending flanges extending below said lower surface;
- said lower surface being configured to be positioned to above a surface of said structural member;
- said side flanges being adapted to be secured to a side surface of said structural member:
- said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing said structural element in a position where said lower surface of said structural element is in an opposed relation to said surface of said structural member and with each flange of said structural element being adjacent to a side surface of said structural member, such that said lower surface is above said surface of said structural member;
- (b) securing said flanges to the side surfaces of said structural member to secure said structural element to said structural member.
A structural combination of a structural member, a structural element mounted on said structural member and a supported structure mounted on said structural element, said structural element comprising:
- a longitudinally extending body having a hollow longitudinally extending hollow channel defined between an upper wall portion having an upper surface and a lower wall portion having a lower surface, and said body having opposed, spaced apart, downwardly depending side flanges extending below said lower surface;
- said structural element configured such that said lower surface is positioned above a first surface area of said structural member, said structural member having a pair of opposed side surfaces proximate said first surface area and each said side surface being oriented downward from said first surface area;
- said side flanges of said structural element being configured to be and being secured with one or more attachment members to the side surfaces of said structural member;
- said supported structure being secured to said structural element by one or more attachment members, said attachment members penetrating through a portion of said supported structure and said upper portion of said structural element but not penetrating through said lower portion of said structural element.
A structural combination of a structural member and a structural element, said structural element comprising:
- a longitudinally extending body having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having opposed, spaced apart, downwardly depending side flanges extending below said lower surface;
- said structural element configured such that said lower surface is positioned above a first surface area of a structural member, said structural member having a pair of opposed side surfaces proximate said first surface area and each said side surface being oriented downward from said first surface area;
- said side flanges of said structural element being configured to be and being secured with one or more attachment members to the side surfaces of said structural member;
- and
- wherein said upper surface of said structural element is oriented at a different angle to the first surface of said structural member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.