Two-Way Architectural Structural System and Modular Support Member
An architectural structural system comprises a structural beam and a structural connector. The structural beam includes a first c-beam and a second c-beam adjacently disposed one in parallel to the other. Each of the c-beams has opposed first and second ends. The structural connector has a plurality of transverse blades with opposed faces, one of the plurality of blades being connectedly disposed between the first and second c-beams.
This Application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/900,184 filed Sep. 10, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,440 filed May 6, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,310,920 issued on Dec. 25, 2007, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to a modular architectural structural system and prefabricated modular building system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a repeatable structural system that offers two-way directional strength and support for an architectural structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSteel frame architectural structures such as buildings and the like have been constructed using either welded connections or bolted fittings between beams and columns to achieve an assembly capable of bracing structures against lateral loads. In such structures, steel beams and columns are arranged and fastened together using known engineering principles and practices to form the skeletal backbone of the structure.
The arrangement of the beams and columns is critical ensuring that the framework of beams and columns can support the stresses, strains and loads contemplated for the intended use of the structure. It is equally important to determine the manner in which such stresses, strains and loads are transferred from beam to beam, beam to column and column to foundation throughout the structure. Accordingly, much attention must also be given to the means by which beams and columns are connected in an architectural structure.
Many traditional connectors used in structural systems are “one-way” connectors, meaning that the connectors result in the structural components bearing or transferring loads only in a single direction. While such structures have enjoyed a great deal of success, the one-way systems do not facilitate maximum strength and support of the structure.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior architectural structural systems of this type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an architectural structural system and an overall prefabricated modular building system. The architectural structural system comprises a structural beam and a structural connector. The structural beam comprises a first c-beam and second c-beam adjacently disposed one in parallel to the other.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second c-beams are adjacently disposed one in parallel to the other, and are securably connected one to the other to create an I-beam. A slot is provided between the first and second c-beams to receive a connector therein.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a structural connector for an architectural structural system is provided. The structural connector comprises a blade having opposed first and second ends and opposed faces. Alternatively, the connector comprises a plurality of transverse blades having opposed faces. One of the blades is connectedly disposed between the first and second c-beams. According to both aspects, the blades are provided to be connectedly disposed between the first and second c-beams.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, another embodiment of a structural connector for an architectural structural system is provided. According to this aspect, the structural connector further includes a column adaptor. The column adaptor comprises a plurality of blades extending perpendicularly to the transverse blades proximate the juncture of the transverse blades.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a repeatable framework for an architectural structural system is provided. The repeatable framework comprises a plurality of connectors, a plurality of structural beams and a plurality of structural columns. According to this aspect of the invention each of the connectors comprises a beam adaptor and at least one column adaptor. The beam adaptor comprises a plurality of transverse blades having opposed faces. The column adaptors comprise a plurality of blades extending perpendicularly from the beam adaptor proximate the juncture of the transverse blades. Each of the structural beams comprises a pair of adjacently disposed c-beams connected at opposed ends by one the connectors. Each structural beam is in turn connected to another of the structural beams by another of the plurality of blades of a common structural connector. The columns each comprise a plurality of adjacently disposed elongated angled plates. Each column is connected at opposed ends to two of the plurality of structural beams by common connectors.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the repeatable framework can be assembled in a variety of ways to achieve the completed architectural structure. Structural members many be separately brought to a site and assembled. Alternatively, structural members may be remotely assembled in modules and subsequently transported to a desired site for construction of the architectural structure.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the repeatable framework includes a plurality of apertures in the c-beams. The apertures provide raceways for HVAC, electrical and plumbing.
According to another aspect of the present invention, floor and roof plates are attached to the top of the beams to provide a structural walking surface as well as concealing and, or sealing the area within the beams. Sub-floor or sub-roof plates may be attached to the beams to provide concealing and, or sealing the area within the beam.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the repeatable modules may be sealed to create an area for forced air to be used as a plenum box. Roof fascia may be provided to edge and conceal roofing material as well as any utilities/HVAC located on roof
These and other objects, advantages and aspects will be made apparent from the following description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. This disclosure is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
The present architectural structural system results in an efficient two-way, continuous structural action of the floor and the roof framing, and consequent two-way system for prefabricated roof and floor decks. These benefits arise as a result of utilizing structural modules that are inherently adaptable to cantilevers in at least two directions with no additional material, and which are adaptable to changes in surface elevations (e.g., to conform to site topography. The present invention is generally directed to an architectural structural system defined by a repeatable modular framework. Because a repeatable system is employed, a modular structural bay 9 can be brought to a predetermined site, and the structure can be fully assembled using prefabricated modules. Alternatively, the building may be fully assembled off-site with the same prefabricated modules and subsequently transported to a desired location.
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According to the present invention, all or parts of the building system can be pre-wired, plumbed, and set up for HVAC with minimal connections to be attached to infrastructure framework as a “plug in” building. As seen in
The structural columns 22 of the present invention are depicted in
As discussed above, the structural beams 10 and columns 22 of the overall structural framework are secured one to the other by a plurality of connectors 16, 16′. The connectors 16, 16′ not only provide means to attach the structural components (i.e., beams to beams, beams to columns and columns to foundation), but also facilitate the transfer of loads between beams 10, from beams 10 to columns 22, from above floor columns 22 to below floor columns (not shown), and from below floor columns 22 to the foundation 8. Accordingly, the connectors 16, 16′ provide structural integrity to the overall structural system by providing a pathway for loads to travel from component to component. Various embodiments of connectors 16, 16′ suitable for use with the present invention now will be described.
In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment shown in
The blade 26 of the connector 16 may be configured to accommodate connection of c-beams 12, 14 in either an orthogonal or non-orthogonal architectural structural system. For example, it is contemplated that the blade 26 be formed to an angle other than 90° (e.g., 60° or 45°) to accommodate a non-orthogonal architectural structural system (e.g., a triangle), or to 90° or 180° to accommodate an orthogonal structure. Generally, the connectors 16 are made from steel having a thickness of 0.50 inches to 2.0 inches. However, it is contemplated that the connectors 16 be made from any material and of varying thickness suitable for application of a particular structural system.
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The present invention may be used in connection with architectural structures being constructed at varying elevations. As shown in
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While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A structural connector comprising:
- a first transverse blade projecting outwardly from a juncture to a distal end and configured to connect to a first horizontal beam;
- a second transverse blade projecting outwardly from the juncture to a distal end and configured to connect to a second horizontal beam;
- a first lower vertical blade integrally connected to and extending downward from at least a lower portion of the first transverse blade and configured to connect to a first lower column member; and,
- a first upper vertical blade integrally connected to and extending upward from at least an upper portion of the first transverse blade and configured to connect to a first upper column member.
2. The structural connector of claim 1 wherein the first vertical blade is coplanar with the first transverse blade.
3. The structural connector of claim 2 further comprising:
- a second lower vertical blade integrally connected to and extending downward from a least a lower portion of the second transverse blade and configured to connect to a second lower column member.
4. The structural connector of claim 3 wherein the second vertical blade is coplanar with the second transverse blade.
5. The structural connector of claim 4 further comprising:
- a third transverse blade projecting outwardly from the juncture orthogonal to the first transverse blade to a distal end and configured to connect to a third horizontal beam.
6. The structural connector of claim 5 further comprising:
- a third lower vertical blade integrally connected to and extending downward from at least a lower portion of the third transverse blade and configured to connect to a third lower column member.
7. The structural connector of claim 6 wherein the third vertical blade is coplanar with the third transverse blade.
8. The structural connector of claim 7 further comprising:
- a fourth transverse blade projecting outwardly from the juncture orthogonal to the first transverse blade in a direction opposing the third transverse blade to a distal end and configured to connect to a fourth horizontal beam.
9. The structural connector of claim 8 further comprising:
- a fourth lower vertical blade integrally connected to and extending downward from at least a lower portion of the fourth transverse blade and configured to connect to a fourth lower column member.
10. The structural connector of claim 9 wherein the fourth lower vertical blade is coplanar with the fourth transverse blade.
11. A structural connector for connecting both horizontal beams and vertical columns in an architectural structural system comprising:
- first and second horizontal transverse blades projecting radially outward from a juncture, having opposed faces, and being connectable to horizontal beams;
- first and second lower vertical columnar blades having opposed faces with each lower vertical columnar blade being coplanar with the first and second horizontal transverses blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from a lower edge of a corresponding horizontal transverse blade; and,
- first and second upper vertical columnar blades having opposed faces with each upper vertical columnar blade being coplanar with the first and second horizontal transverses blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from an upper edge of a corresponding horizontal transverse blade.
12. The structural connector of claim 11 further comprising:
- a third horizontal transverse blade projecting radially outward from the juncture orthogonal to the first and second horizontal transverse blades to form a T-configuration.
13. The structural connector of claim 12 further comprising:
- a third lower vertical columnar blade being coplanar with the third horizontal transverse blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from a lower edge of the third transverse blade; and a third upper vertical columnar blade being coplanar with the third horizontal transverse blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from an upper edge of the third transverse blade.
14. The structural connector of claim 13 further comprising:
- a fourth horizontal transverse blade projecting radially outward from the juncture orthogonal to the first and second horizontal transverse blades and coplanar to the third horizontal blade to form an X-configuration.
15. The structural connector of claim 14 further comprising: and a fourth upper columnar blade being coplanar with the fourth horizontal transverse blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from an upper edge of the fourth transverse blade.
- a fourth lower columnar blade being coplanar with the fourth horizontal transverse blade and extending perpendicularly and vertically from a lower edge of the fourth transverse blade;
16. The structural connector of claim 11 wherein the first and second horizontal transverse blades each have a rectangular cross section.
17. A structural connector for connecting both horizontal beams and vertical columns in an architectural structural system comprising:
- first, second and third horizontal transverse blades extending from a common juncture with each blade configured to connect to a horizontal beam; and,
- a first lower columnar blade coplanar with and extending from a lower edge of the first horizontal transverse blade and configured to connect to a lower column member; and,
- a first upper columnar blade coplanar with and extending from an upper edge of the first horizontal transverse blade and configured to connect to an upper column member.
18. The structural connector of claim 17 wherein the first, second and third horizontal transverse blades form a T-configuration.
19. The structural connector of claim 18 further comprising:
- a fourth horizontal transverse blade extending from the common juncture and configured to connect to a horizontal beam.
20. The structural connector of claim 19 wherein the first, second, third and fourth horizontal transverse blades form an X-configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 2, 2009
Publication Date: Jun 3, 2010
Inventor: David Hovey, JR. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/629,649
International Classification: E04C 3/30 (20060101); E04B 1/38 (20060101); E02D 27/42 (20060101); E04B 1/41 (20060101);