Multi-element constructional assembly
A constructional assembly includes a first rigid member, such as a wood beam or surface; a metallic surface having a repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves, one side of the surface secured to one side of the rigid member, and a second rigid member secured to an opposite side of the metallic surface. The repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves may employ a variety of geometries or corrugations, inclusive of patterns which are sinusoidal, trapezoidal, saw tooth, square wave, and triangular. This assembly is exceedingly stable, light, economical, and may be readily provided with internal apertures providing pre-formed passageways thru which electrical wiring, plumbing, air ducts, data lines and the like may be readily passed during the construction of a building.
1. Area of the Invention
The present invention relates to a constructional element with corrugated central surface.
2. Prior Art
Use of corrugated panels as an element in a wall or floor assembly has had only limited use, which has generally been that of end supports or foundation elements in a position transverse to the end of a support beam or the like. The same is reflected in such references as U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,727 (2001) to Butler, entitled Interlocking Corrugated Panel Wall Cast In-Situ.
The present invention recognizes the potential application of so-called narrow gauge steel, i.e., steel having a gauge in a range of about 1 to about 3 mm. for the formation of a surface having a repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves, e.g., corrugations. Therein, such elements are employed as a center support means and truss substitute within a larger constructional assembly in the nature of an internal part of a support panel of a larger structure. The prior art does not, to the knowledge of the inventor, suggest such a constructional assembly or the use of corrugated narrow gauge steel in such a fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe inventive constructional assembly comprises a first rigid member in the nature of a wood beam or sheet of plywood; a metallic surface formed of a material such as narrow gauge steel having a repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves therein, in which one side of said surface is secured to said first rigid members; and a second rigid member formed of a material such as wood, secured to an opposite side of said corrugated surface. The corrugations may take a variety of geometries including, without limitation, a sinusoidal pattern, trapezoidal pattern, saw tooth pattern, square wave pattern, or a pattern of triangular ridges and flat grooves.
It is an object of the invention to provide a composite constructional assembly in which a corrugated surface of a narrow gauge steel is secured between upper and lower elements of a material such as wood.
It is another object to provide a constructional assembly of the above type, said surface of corrugated narrow gauge steel may be provided with a plurality of holes or apertures sufficient to permit passage of wires and conduits therethrough.
It is a further object to provide an assembly that can form a wall, panel, or part of a ceiling and floor.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and claims appended herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 5 thru 8 are cross-sectional views showing various patterns of corrugations which may be employed in the practice of the invention.
With reference to the schematic view of
The present invention utilizes narrow gauge steel in a range of gauges between about 22 and about 14, that is, between about 1 and 3 millimeters, as a support and spacing surface between a first rigid member or surface, preferably a wood beam 54 or wood-like material, and a second oppositely disposed wood beam 56 or wood-like beam or surface. See
In FIGS. 5 to 8 are shown alternate xy plane cross-sections of the ridge-and-groove pattern shown in
With reference to
It is to be further appreciated that combinations of the above may be employed in a horizontal xy plane in selected locations within a structure to provide for pre-formed constructional conduits which electrical wiring, plumbing, air ducts, data lines and the like may be readily passed therethrough during the construction process.
While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
Claims
1. A constructional assembly comprising:
- (a) a first rigid member;
- (b) a metallic surface having a repetitive sequence of ridges and grooves therein, one side of said surface secured to said first rigid member; and
- (c) a second rigid member, said element secured to an opposite side of said surface.
2. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said surface comprises:
- a steel sheet having a gauge in a range of about 22 to about 14.
3. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves of said surface comprises a corrugated surface.
4. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves defines a sinusoidal pattern.
5. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves defines a trapezoidal pattern.
6. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves defines a saw tooth pattern.
7. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said ridges and grooves define a square wave pattern.
8. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves define a pattern of triangular ridges and flat grooves.
9. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves of said second surface comprises ridges having a width in a range of about 15 to 75 mm depths a range of 15 to 75 mm.
10. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 2, in which said sequence of ridges and grooves of said second surface comprises grooves having a depth in a range of about 15 to about 75 mm.
11. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 10, in which ridges and grooves of said surface include a plurality of transverse apertures having a greatest linear dimension in a range of about 50 to about 250 mm.
12. The constructional assembly as recited in claim 5, in which parallel opposing surfaces of said trapezoidal pattern are secured between said first and second members.
13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, in which said first members comprises part of a floor, and said second member comprises a part of a ceiling.
14. The assembly as recited in claim 12, in which said first and second members comprise respective sides of a wall of a building.
15. The assembly as recited in claim 14, in which said ridges and grooves of said second surface include a plurality of apertures having a greatest linear dimension in a range of about 50 to 250 mm,
- whereby electrical wiring, data lines, plumbing, air ducts and the like may be passed therethrough.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 27, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2006
Inventor: Lakdas Nanayakkara (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Application Number: 11/116,092
International Classification: E04F 13/04 (20060101); E04B 9/00 (20060101);