An insulative beam and method for its construction. The insulative beam includes two support channels formed from a sheet metal and a block of a plastic material shaped so that each of the two channels wraps at least partly around the block of plastic material. In some embodiments of the invention, the channels extend longitudinally beyond the block of plastic material. If desired to give additional strength to the ends of the insulative beam, the ends are reinforced with angles or channels that fit at the end of the block of plastic material and the angles or channels are welded to the support channels. In other embodiments, the reinforcement is supplied by vertical ribs formed in the web of the support channels. The location of the vertical ribs can be at the ends of the beam or at other areas that are otherwise weakened. Additional reinforcement can be provided by vertical supports within each of the channels. In a further preferred embodiment, the channels are further reinforced by rectangular tubes that run longitudinally along the corners of the channels. In a still further preferred embodiment, the support beam includes two angles with a rectangular tube placed at the corner of the angle and another rectangular tube attached at the upper end of the angle. To further strength the beam, copies of the beam can be placed together and welded so that they act together.
A brace structure includes a top plate of a wood-frame structure with a first plate vertically oriented on one side of the top plate and a second plate vertically oriented on the other side of the top plate. Two strips extend between the first edge and the second edge across the top plate. The strips include a space therebetween for passage of utility conduits. The plates have flanges for strength along the edges connecting the two strips. The plates also have fasteners therethrough and into the top plate.
This composite building stud combines two metal shapes, inner and outer, with an insulating material to form a composite structural member having excellent acoustical properties. The stud also has an insulating valve (R-value) greater than a similar metal member normally used as a stud in a residential structure. The composite also has a strength comparable to that of a similar steel member normally used as a stud in a residential structure. One shape encompasses the other shape. The composite structural member eliminates any direct metal connections and thus eliminates any thermal shorts that reduce the overall insulating value (R-value) of the composite member.
A method is provided for enabling an infrastructure, such as pipework or a bundle of electrical cables, to be passed directly through a wooden structural element without significantly weakening the structural element, rather than being routed around the structural element. A throughhole is provided in the structural element which extends between opposed sides. The method includes affixing to the wooden structural element a unitary reinforcement member including two spaced, parallel side plates joined together by a support plate. Each of the side plates has an opening therein as large as or larger than the throughhole. The reinforcement member is affixed to the wooden structural element by securing one of the side plates to each side of the structural element, with the opening of each of the side plates disposed so as to surround the throughhole. The side plates each include a pattern of fastener apertures and a plurality of fasteners penetrate through the fastener apertures into the wooden structural element so as to secure the reinforcement member in place.
A girder including a pair of C-shaped members secured together so as to form a hollow box. A number of reinforcing rods are secured within the C-shaped members. The reinforcing rods extend the respective lengths of the C-shaped members and are positioned side-by-side. A pierceable block is secured to at least one end of the hollow box. A pair of pierceable stringers are secured to the top and bottom of the hollow box. The pierceable block and stringers permit the girder to be secured within a building structure with conventional fasteners such as nails, screws and staples.
A composite hand rail for supporting and protecting pedestrians on steps and inclined surfaces. The rail is a composite comprising a shell having a wide slightly convex top surface extending downwardly and laterally to a convex sidewall before returning and flaring down to a smaller waist section. The shell has an interior cavity open to the bottom that can receive a core material. Preferably the shell is of cellular blended polyvinylchloride or styrene with a hardened skin formed by celuka processing. A simulated wood finish is applied to the shell by hot stamping or paint and print processes. Shells can be easily formed into spiral and curvilinear shapes by bending around a form or mandrel. The decorative wood finish bends with the shell thus enhancing the decorative wood finish appearance. A core is prefabricated to fit within the shell cavity. The core is fastened within the cavity by either adhesive or mechanical means. Once the core is in place, an elongated bottom cap having a positioning flange is assembled and fastened with adhesive or mechanical means over the cavity and core. The cap may be of the same material as the shell to enhance to wooden appearance of the assembly.
