Load bearing beam having corrosion resistant cladding

• US 5,483,782 A
• Filed: 01/03/1994
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: M & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Donald M. Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Wynn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/176,986
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 52/730.1, 52/730.4, 52/731.2, 52/731.3, 52/731.7, 52/311.1, 52/729
• US Class Current: 52/836
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/06 of metal A47B13/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/145 Composite members, i.e. made up of several elements joined together
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0413 being built up from several parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/043 the hollow cross-section comprising at least one enclosed cavity
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0434 the open cross-section free of enclosed cavities
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0439 the cross-section comprising open parts and hollow parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/046 L- or T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2003/0469 triangular-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/07 at least partly of bent or otherwise deformed strip- or sheet-like material
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/29 built-up from parts of different material, i.e. composite structures

Abstract

Beam includes a V-shaped or T-shaped main load-bearing member, having an apex and a mouth spaced from the apex. A cladding member is disposed on the V-shaped main load-bearing member, covers the mouth thereof, and defines a support surface. In a preferred embodiment, the cladding member is stainless steel and the V-shaped main load-bearing member is galvanized steel.

Claims

1. A beam comprising:

a) a substantially V-shaped main load-bearing member;

b) said substantially V-shaped main load-bearing member including a left and a right leg;

c) a left flange disposed on said left leg and extending outwardly therefrom;

d) a right flange disposed on said right leg and extending outwardly therefrom;

e) an apex defined by said V-shaped main load-bearing member;

f) said apex joining said left and said right;

g) a mouth defined by said V-shaped load-bearing member, said mouth being spaced opposed from said apex; and

h) a cladding member disposed on said V-shaped main load-bearing member, defining a support surface, and substantially covering said mouth.

2. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said left flange is disposed in the vicinity of said mouth.

3. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said right flange is disposed in the vicinity of said mouth.

4. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said cladding member is a stainless steel.

5. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said V-shaped main load-bearing member is a carbon steel.

19. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said cladding member extends over only a portion of said left and right flanges.

20. A beam as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) said cladding member is attached to at least one of said left and right flanges.

6. A beam comprising:

a) a substantially T-shaped main load-bearing member;

b) said T-shaped load-bearing member including a left leg and a right leg;

c) a left flange disposed on said left leg and extending outwardly therefrom;

d) a right flange disposed on said right leg and extending outwardly therefrom;

e) a structural load-bearing member being separate from and disposed between said left leg and said right leg; and

f) a cladding member disposed on said T-shaped main load-bearing member, defining a support surface, and substantially covering said left flange and said right flange.

7. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein

a) said cladding member is a stainless steel.

8. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) a said T-shaped main load-bearing member is a carbon steel.

9. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) a lower cladding member is disposed on and substantially covers said left leg and right leg.

16. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) said left leg is integrally attached to said right leg.

17. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) said left leg and said right leg are a single piece of material.

18. A beam as defined in claim 6, wherein:

a) said left leg, said left flange, said right leg, and said right flange all are a single piece of material.

10. A beam comprising:

a) a substantially V-shaped main load-bearing member;

b) said substantially V-shaped main load-bearing member including a left and a right leg;

c) a left flange disposed on said left leg and extending outwardly therefrom; and

d) a right flange disposed on said right leg and extending outwardly therefrom;

e) an apex defined by said V-shaped main load-bearing member;

f) a mouth defined by said V-shaped load-bearing member, said mouth being spaced opposed from said apex;

g) a cladding member disposed on said V-shaped main load-bearing member, defining a support surface, and substantially covering said mouth; and

h) said cladding member extending over only a portion of said left and right flanges.

11. A beam as defined in claim 10, wherein:

a) said main load-bearing member is made of a first material; and

,

b) said cladding member is made of a second material.

12. A beam as defined in claim 11, wherein:

a) said first material is a carbon steel.

13. A beam as defined in claim 12, wherein:

a) said second material is a stainless steel.

14. A beam as defined in claim 11, wherein:

a) said second material is a stainless steel.

15. A beam as defined in claim 10, wherein:

a) said apex is substantially closed.