Stiffener for Connecting Beams and Columns

A device for using a C-Channel with threaded studs for strengthening and stiffening the connection joint between a beam and column that are constructed by combining two C-Channels. The present invention also relates to an alternate method or device for forming an enclosed column by connecting a Track and a C-Channel for strengthening and stiffening the connection joint between a beam and column with a Zee beam without welding.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/553,078, filed Aug. 31, 2017, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to structural supports. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of a C-Channel with threaded studs for strengthening and stiffening the connection joint between beams and columns that are constructed by combining two C-Channels. The present invention also relates to an alternate method of forming an enclosed column by connecting a Track and a C-Channel for strengthening and stiffening the connection joint between a beam and column with a Zee beam without welding.

2. Description of Related Art

Attaching a beam and column often requires that the connection joint be strengthened or stiffened. Strengthening and stiffening a connection joint often requires welding to connect in a piece of rebar or another additional support member. Also, connecting a Zee beam and column often requires welding. Welding is both a time consuming and expensive process. Accordingly, there is a need for a device that allows a connection to be made between beams and columns without welding in a connecting piece of rebar. There is also a need for a device that allows a connection to be made between a Zee beam and a column without welding. The device described in this patent application fulfills at least one of these needs or creates other utility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object to solve at least one of the disadvantages with other attempted solutions or to create other utility by providing a device or method to allow a connection joint between beams and columns that achieves the desired amount of strengthening and stiffening without welding in a connecting piece of rebar. It is also a principal object to provide a device that allows for a connection between a Zee beam and a column without welding.

The present invention generally relates to the use of a C-Channel with threaded studs for strengthening and stiffening the connection between a C-Channel beam and a column. The C-Channel with threaded studs is welded to another C-Channel beam with threaded studs to form either a column or beam. The resulting beam and column are then secured into place with a cover plate and connecting fasteners, such as nuts and optional washers to avoid the need for welding. The present invention also generally relates to forming an enclosed column or beam by connecting together a Track and a C-Channel without welding, where a resulting column and beam may further be connected with a Zee beam using a connecting fastener, such as screws to avoid the need for welding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a beam made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs that connects to a column made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs through the use of a cover plate and fasteners in which at least one of the embodiments of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 1B is a drawing of one-half of a beam or column showing a single C-Channel with connected threaded studs to detail the web, flanges and lips of the C-Channel, which allow the lips of a C-Channel to be welded to the lips of another C-Channel to form either a beam or column in which at least one of the embodiments of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is an overall view of a connection between a column and a beam that is strengthened and stiffened with a cover plate securing the C-Channel beam and C-Channel column with connected threaded studs in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view showing the connection between the column and beam with a cover plate and connected threaded studs in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the beam and column connection showing that the two C-Channels that form the beam, the two C-Channels that form the column, and the threaded studs that connect to both the lateral sides of both the beam and the column in which at least one of the embodiments of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative method to form an alternative column or beam from a Track and C-Channel, where the flanges of the Track overlap with the flanges of the C-Channel and screws are used to connect the flanges of the Track and C-Channel together in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative column or beam where the web of a Zee beam connects to a column and the flange of a Zee beam connects to a beam in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented.

FIG. 6A is a front view of the alternative column or beam where the web of a Zee beam connects to a column and the flange of a Zee beam connects to a beam in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented

FIG. 7 is an overview of two alternative columns connecting to a beam through the use of a Zee beam to form a structure in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to any particular embodiment described, which may vary. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of this invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to explain and provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is apparent that the present invention may be practiced without all of these specific details. Thus, all illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

In the following section, the present invention is described fully by referencing the details in the enclosed drawings, which illustrate certain embodiments of the invention. The numbers shown in this specification refer to the corresponding numbers in the enclosed drawings. The terminology used is to describe the particular embodiment shown and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The invention may also be embodied in many other forms in addition to the embodiments shown. Thus, the embodiments shown should not be construed as limiting, but rather, to allow a thorough and complete description of the disclosure that conveys the scope of the invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art in the field of this invention. Therefore, for the terms used herein, the singular forms “the,” “a,” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “and” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the terms “comprising” and “comprises” when used in this specification, identify specific steps, integers, operations, features, components, and elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other steps, operations, features, components, and elements. In addition, the features, components, and elements referenced may be exaggerated for clarity.

Unless otherwise defined, all scientific terms, technical terms, or other terms used herein have the same meaning as the term that is understood by one having ordinary skill in the art in the field of this invention. It is also understood that these terms, including their dictionary meaning, should be understood as having the meaning, which is consistent with their definitions in the related relevant art. In addition, the present disclosure is not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly stated so herein. Constructions or functions that are well known in the art may not be fully described in detail for brevity.

In describing the invention, it is understood that a number of steps and methods may be disclosed. Each of these may have individual benefit. Also, each may be used in conjunction with at least one or more of the disclosed steps and methods. Therefore, this description will refrain from stating each and every possible combination of the individual steps and methods for the sake of brevity. Regardless, the specification and related claims should be understood with the combinations that are entirely within the scope of the claims and inventions.

The disclosure in this invention are examples of how it may be implemented and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings or the description provided herein. All illustrations are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention will now be described by example in the following paragraphs by referencing the accompanying drawings, which represent embodiments and alternative embodiments.

The present invention relates to structural supports, and more specifically to the use of a C-Channel with threaded studs for strengthening and stiffening connections of beams and columns.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a beam 150 made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs 110 that connects to a column 100 made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs 110 through the use of a cover plate 130 and fasteners. As shown in FIG. 1, the threaded studs 110 of the C-Channel are inserted through holes that are drilled, punched, or otherwise placed in a cover plate 130 that connects to a column 100 and a beam 150, where the threaded studs 110 are secured in place with a nut and optional washers. The C-Channel with threaded studs 110 device increases the strength and stiffness of the beam 150 and column 100 connection without the need for welding in an additional supporting member, such as rebar, pipes, frames, or other components to strengthen the beam 150, column 100, or resulting connection. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the device comprises at least one beam 150, where the beam 150 comprising an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side with at least two studs 110 projecting outward. The beam 150 also has an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs 110 projecting outward. The medial side of the inner C-Channel and the medial side of the outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one mechanism to form a beam 150 with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end.

FIG. 1B is a drawing of one-half of a beam 150 or column 100 showing a C-Channel with connected threaded studs 110 to detail the web 10, flanges 20 and lips 30 of the C-Channel, which allow the lips of a C-Channel to be welded to another C-Channel to form either a beam 150 or column 100 in which at least one of the embodiments of this invention is implemented. As shown in FIG. 1B a C-Channel, when viewed from its cross-section, has a central vertical portion that is referred to as the web 10. Two horizontal portions that extend perpendicularly from the top and bottom of the web are referred to as the flanges 20. The two vertical portions that extend perpendicularly from the top and bottom of the flanges, which are shorter than the depth of the web, are referred to as the lips 30.

FIG. 2 is a far-away view of the connection shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the connection between a column 100 and a beam 150 that is strengthened and stiffened with a cover plate 130 and connected threaded studs 110. FIG. 2 also shows how the bottom end of the column 100 may be secured with either a spread footing 190 or a pier footing 200. In addition, FIG. 2 also shows a purlin 170 that may be attached on top of the beam 150 to support solar panels 160 or a roof.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of FIG. 1, which shows a front view of a beam 150 made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs 110 that connects to a column 100 made of two C-Channels with connected threaded studs 110 through the use of a cover plate 130 and fasteners. As shown in FIG. 3, the device has at least one cover plate 130, where the cover plate 130 comprises an upper end and a lower end wherein both the upper end and the lower end of said cover plate 130 have holes with a diameter equal or larger than the diameter of the studs 110 and located with the same spacing as the studs 110. The holes in the upper end of said cover plate 130 align with the studs 110 in the beam 150 and the holes in the lower end of said cover plate 130 align with the studs 110 in the column 100, so that the studs 110 may project through the holes on the cover plate 130.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 1 showing the beam 150 and column 100 connection showing that the two C-Channels that form the beam 150, the two C-Channels that form the column 100, and threaded studs 110 that are connected to both lateral sides of the beam 150 and column 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the device also has at least one column 100, where the column 100 comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs 110 projecting outward, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs 110 projecting outward, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one mechanism to form a column 100 with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the device has a multitude of fasteners attached to the end of the studs 110 to maintain the cover plate 130 in position, wherein the column 100 is securely fastened to the beam 150. The stud may be selected from a group consisting of a threaded stud, threaded rod, all-thread, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism. Similarly, the mechanism may be selected from a group consisting of a weld, crimp, adhesive, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

In at least one alternative embodiment, the device may have a beam 150 with a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of a square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular. Similarly, in at least one alternative embodiment, the device may have a column 100 with a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of a square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular.

A Track, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from its cross-section, has a central vertical portion that is referred to as the web 40. Two horizontal portions that extend perpendicularly from the top and bottom of the web are referred to as the Track flanges 50. The Track does not contain any lips. In at least one alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a Track 120 may be recessed into the inner and outer side of the top end of the column 100 to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members. Similarly, in at least one alternative embodiment, at least one Track may be recessed into the inner and outer side of the left end of the beam 150 to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members. Also, in at least one alternative embodiment, at least one Track may be recessed into the inner and outer side of the right end of the beam 150 to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative method to form a beam 150 or column 100, where the flanges of a Track overlap the flanges of a C-Channel and screws are used to connect the flanges of the Track and C-Channel together in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented. FIG. 5 shows an alternative column 100 and beam 150 construction for strengthening and stiffening a beam 150 and column 100 connection. This alternative construction comprises at least one beam 150 having a left end and a right end, at least one column 100 having a top end and the bottom end, and at least one Z-Beam 150, having an upper end, a center section, and a lower end. The upper end of said Z-Beam 150 connects to the left end of the beam 150 with at least one fastener and the center section of said Z-Beam 150 connects to the top end of the column 100 with at least one fastener.

This alternative construction has at least one beam 150 comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one fastener to form a beam 150 with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end.

This alternative construction also has at least one beam 150 comprising an inner C-Channel with a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer Track having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer Track are connected together with at least one fastener to form a beam 150 with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end.

In addition, this alternative construction has at least one column 100 comprising an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one fastener to form a column 100 with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative column 210, where the Track flanges 50 overlap the flanges 20 of the C-Channel. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the alternative column 210 is formed between a C-Channel and Track. The C-Channel is first oriented so that its web 10 is on the left-hand side. Next, the Track portion is first oriented so that the Track web 40 is on the right-hand side. The web of the Track 40 is slightly deeper than the web of the C-Channel, so that when the C-Channel and Track are pressed together, the Track flanges 50 remain to the outside of the flanges 10 of the C-Channel. Next, screws 90, nails or another fastening device are drilled from the outside top of the flanges of the Track and into the flanges of the C-Channel to connect the top flanges together. Similarly, screws, nails or other fastening devices are drilled from the outside bottom of the flanges of the Track and into the flanges of the C-Channel to connect the bottom flanges together. At this point, an enclosed column 100 is formed with the web 10 of the C-Channel on the left, the Track web 40 on the right, and overlapping flanges on the top and bottom, where the Track flanges 50 are on the outside, and the C-Channel flanges 20 are on the inside.

In at least one alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the method may have at least one Track 120, which is comprised of a web 40 and two flanges 50 as shown in FIG. 5, recessed into the inner and outer side of the top end of the column 100 to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

In another alternative embodiment, the method may have at least one Track recessed into the inner and outer side of the left end and the right end of the beam 150 to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative column 100 or beam 150 where the web of a Zee beam 150 connects to a column 100 and the flange of a Zee beam 150 connects to a beam 150. FIG. 6 is a side view of the alternative column 210, where the web of the Zee beam 180 connects to the alternative column 210. As shown in FIG. 6, to connect the Zee beam 180, which is also referred to as a Zee purlin 180, to the top end of the alternative column 210, the top flange 70 is placed over the top end of the alternative column 210, which is oriented vertically, so that the web of the Zee purlin 60 rests against the web of the C-Channel. Screws, nails or other fastening devices 90 are then drilled from the outside of the web of the Zee beam 180 and into the web of the C-Channel to connect the webs together.

FIG. 6A is a front view of the alternative column 210 where the web of a Zee beam 180 connects to a column 100 and the flange of a Zee beam 70 connects to a beam. A Zee beam 180, as shown in FIG. 6A, when viewed from its cross-section, has a central vertical portion that is referred to as the Zee web 60. Two horizontal portions that extend perpendicularly in opposite directions from the top and bottom of the web are referred to as the Zee flanges 70. The two vertical portions that extend perpendicularly from the top and bottom of the flanges, which are shorter than the depth of the web, are referred to as the Zee lips 80.

FIG. 7 is an overview of two alternative columns connecting to a beam through the use of a Zee beam to form a structure in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented. FIG. 7 shows a side view of two alternative columns 210, where the web of the Zee beam connects to a flange of each of the alternative columns 210 to form a structure in which at least one embodiment of this invention is implemented. As shown in FIG. 7, the Zee beam may be connected to the top of the alternative column 210. As discussed above, and as shown in FIG. 5 the web of the C-Channel is on the left-hand side, and the web of the Track 40 is on the right-hand side. On the top and bottom of the enclosed column 210, the Track flange 40 is on the outside and overlaps the C-Channel flanges 20 on the inside.

Furthermore, this alternative construction has at least one column comprising an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer Track having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer Track are connected together with at least one fastener to form a column with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end.

Moreover, this alternative construction may have a fastener selected from a group consisting of a threaded stud, threaded rod, all-thread, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

Also, this alternative construction may have a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a weld, crimp, adhesive, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism. In addition, this alternative construction may have a beam 150 with a cross-sectional area that is a square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, or non-circular. Furthermore, this alternative construction may have a column with a cross-sectional area that is square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, or non-circular.

The present invention also presents a method for strengthening and stiffening a beam 150 and column 100 connection. The method comprises (a) fabricating a beam 150 from two C-Channels having a medial side comprising a lip of the C-Channel and a lateral side comprising a web of the C-Channel, where the lip and the web are connected with a flange 20, by aligning the lips of the two C-Channels together, wherein welding is performed along a seam where the lips 30 and the flanges 20 of both C-Channels meet to form a beam 150 with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end; (b) obtaining a multitude of studs 110 having a first end and a second end; (c) welding the first end of at least two studs 110 perpendicularly to the inner side of the left end and the right end of the beam 150; (d) welding the first end of at least two studs 110 perpendicularly to the outer side of the left end and the right end of the beam 150; (e) fabricating a column 100 from two C-Channels having a medial side comprising a lip 30 of the C-Channel and a lateral side comprising a web 10 of the C-Channel, where the lip 30 and the web 10 are connected with a flange 20, by aligning the lips 30 of the two C-Channels together, wherein welding is performed along a seam where the lips 30 and the flanges 20 of both C-Channels meet to form a column 100 with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end; (f) welding the first end of at least two studs 110 perpendicularly to the inner side of the top end of the column 100; (g) welding the first end of at least two studs 110 perpendicularly to the outer side of the bottom end of the column 100; (h) drilling holes in a plate 130 to correspond to the diameter and location of the studs 110 on the outer side of the beam 150 and outer side of the column 100 to form an outer connecting plate 130; (i) drilling holes in a plate 130 to correspond to the diameter and location of the studs 110 on the inner side of the beam 150 and inner side of the column 100 to form an inner connecting plate 130; (j) erecting the column 100 in a general vertical orientation so that the top end of the column 100 is at a higher elevation than the bottom end of the column 100; (k) placing the beam 150 in a general horizontal orientation so that the left end of the beam 150 is above and in alignment with the top end of the column 100; (l) placing the left end of the beam 150 on top of the top end of the column 100 where the studs 110 on the outer side of the left end of the beam 150 are aligned with the studs 110 on the outer side of the top end of the column 100; (m) placing the outer connecting plate 130 so that the studs 110 on the outer side of the left end of the beam 150 and the studs 110 on the outer side of the top end of the column 100 protrude through the outer connecting plate 130; (n) securing the second end of all studs 110 on the outer side to maintain the outer connecting plate 130 in position; (o) placing the inner connecting plate 130 so that the studs 110 on the inner side of the left end of the beam 150 and the studs 110 on the inner side of the top end of the column 100 protrude through the inner connecting plate 130; and (p) securing the second end of all studs 110 on the inner side to maintain the inner connecting plate 130 in position.

All of these embodiments and the invention disclosed herein are intended to be within the scope herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the embodiments not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed. Also, the invention disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its at least one embodiment, embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A device for strengthening and stiffening a beam and column connection, the device comprising:

a. at least one beam, said beam comprising an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs projecting outward, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs projecting outward, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one mechanism to form a beam with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end;
b. at least one column, said column comprising an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs projecting outward, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side comprising at least two studs projecting outward, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one mechanism to form a column with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end;
c. at least one cover plate, said cover plate comprising an upper end and a lower end wherein both the upper end and the lower end of said cover plate have holes with a diameter equal or larger than the diameter of the studs and located with the same spacing as the studs; wherein the holes in the upper end of said cover plate align with the studs in the beam and the holes in the lower end of said cover plate align with the studs in the column wherein the studs may project through the holes on the cover plate; and
d. a multitude of fasteners attached to the end of the studs to maintain the cover plate in position, wherein the column is securely fastened to the beam.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the stud is selected from a group consisting of a threaded stud, threaded rod, all-thread, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a weld, crimp, adhesive, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one Track is recessed into the inner and outer side of the top end of the column to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one Track is recessed into the inner and outer side of the left end of the beam to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one Track is recessed into the inner and outer side of the right end of the beam to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the left end and the right end of the beam has a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the top end and the bottom end of the column has a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular.

9. A device for strengthening and stiffening a beam and column connection, the device comprising:

a. at least one beam having a left end and a right end;
b. at least one column having a top end and the bottom end; and
c. at least one Z-Beam, having an upper end, a center section, and a lower end; wherein the upper end of said Z-Beam connects to the left end of the beam with at least one fastener and the center section of said Z-Beam connects to the top end of the column with at least one fastener.

10. The device of claim 9, where the at least one beam comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one fastener to form a beam with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end.

11. The device of claim 9, where the at least one beam comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer Track having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer Track are connected together with at least one fastener to form a beam with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end.

12. The device of claim 9, where the at least one column comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer C-Channel are connected together with at least one fastener to form a column with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end.

13. The device of claim 9, where the at least one column comprises an inner C-Channel having a medial side and a lateral side, and an outer Track having a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the medial side of said inner C-Channel and the medial side of said outer Track are connected together with at least one fastener to form a column with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of a threaded stud, threaded rod, all-thread, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a weld, crimp, adhesive, screw, key, pin, peg, rivet, cotter pin, nail, spike, bolt, staple, boss, clamp, clip, dowel, stake, hook, anchor, tie, ring, band, crimp, wedge, adhesive, or other connecting mechanism.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the left end and the right end of the beam has a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the top end and the bottom end of the column has a cross-sectional area selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, and non-circular.

18. A method for strengthening and stiffening a beam and column connection, the method comprising:

a. fabricating a beam from two C-Channels having a medial side comprising a lip of the C-Channel and a lateral side comprising a web of the C-Channel, where the lip and the web are connected with a flange, by aligning the lips of the two C-Channels together, wherein welding is performed along a seam where the lips and the flanges of both C-Channels meet to form a beam with an inner side and an outer side and a left end and a right end;
b. obtaining a multitude of studs having a first end and a second end;
c. welding the first end of at least two studs perpendicularly to the inner side of the left end and the right end of the beam;
d. welding the first end of at least two studs perpendicularly to the outer side of the left end and the right end of the beam;
e. fabricating a column from two C-Channels having a medial side comprising a lip of the C-Channel and a lateral side comprising a web of the C-Channel, where the lip and the web are connected with a flange, by aligning the lips of the two C-Channels together, wherein welding is performed along a seam where the lips and the flanges of both C-Channels meet to form a column with an inner side and an outer side and a top end and a bottom end;
f. welding the first end of at least two studs perpendicularly to the inner side of the top end of the column;
g. welding the first end of at least two studs perpendicularly to the outer side of the bottom end of the column;
h. drilling holes in a plate to correspond to the diameter and location of the studs on the outer side of the beam and outer side of the column to form an outer connecting plate;
i. drilling holes in a plate to correspond to the diameter and location of the studs on the inner side of the beam and inner side of the column to form an inner connecting plate;
j. erecting the column in a general vertical orientation so that the top end of the column is at a higher elevation than the bottom end of the column;
k. placing the beam in a general horizontal orientation so that the left end of the beam is above and in alignment with the top end of the column;
l. placing the left end of the beam on top of the top end of the column where the studs on the outer side of the left end of the beam are aligned with the studs on the outer side of the top end of the column;
m. placing the outer connecting plate so that the studs on the outer side of the left end of the beam and the studs on the outer side of the top end of the column protrude through the outer connecting plate;
n. securing the second end of all studs on the outer side to maintain the outer connecting plate in position;
o. placing the inner connecting plate so that the studs on the inner side of the left end of the beam and the studs on the inner side of the top end of the column protrude through the inner connecting plate; and
p. securing the second end of all studs on the inner side to maintain the inner connecting plate in position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one Track is recessed into the inner and outer side of the top end of the column to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one Track is recessed into the inner and outer side of the left end and the right end of the beam to provide a stronger and stiffer connection joint without the need for welding in rebar or otherwise attaching additional structural members.

Patent History
Publication number: 20190063057
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2018
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2019
Inventor: Robert Preddy (Martinez, CA)
Application Number: 16/119,996
Classifications
International Classification: E04B 1/24 (20060101); E04B 1/41 (20060101);