STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME
A structural assembly comprises a first extruded component having a length and a constant cross section. The cross section defines a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a wall of the first extruded component. An aperture extends through the wall between the first and second cavities. Second and third extruded components have respective lengths and constant cross sections. A first connector is positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component and extends into the second extruded component. A second connector is positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component and extends into the third extruded component. A fastener extends through the first connector, the aperture, and the second connector and is configured to secure the first and second connectors to the first extruded component.
The present invention relates to structures. More particularly, the invention relates to structures built with extruded components.
SUMMARYThe invention provides, in one embodiment, a structural assembly comprising a first extruded component having a length and a constant cross section. The cross section defines a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a wall of the first extruded component. An aperture extends through the wall between the first and second cavities. A second extruded component has a length and a constant cross section. A third extruded component has a length and a constant cross section. A first connector is positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component. The first connector extends into the second extruded component. A second connector is positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component. The second connector extends into the third extruded component. A fastener extends through the first connector, the aperture, and the second connector and is configured to secure the first and second connectors to the first extruded component.
The invention provides, in another embodiment, a method of assembling a structural assembly. A first leg of a first connector is positioned within a first cavity of a first extruded component. A first leg of a second connector is positioned within a second cavity of the first extruded component. A fastener extends through the first and second connectors, thereby fixing the connectors relative to the first extruded component. A second extruded component is positioned over a second leg of the first connector. A third extruded component is positioned over a second leg of the second connector. The second extruded component is fastened to the second leg of the first connector. The third extruded component is fastened to the second leg of the second connector. The first extruded component includes a constant cross section extending in a lengthwise direction. Positioning the second and third metal components over the second legs of the respective first and second connectors includes moving the second and third extruded components in the lengthwise direction of the first extruded component onto the respective second legs of the first and second connectors.
The invention provides, in yet another embodiment, an extruded component having a constant cross section along a length of the extruded component. The extruded component includes a first wall, a second wall, a first cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first wall, a second cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first and second walls, a third cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the second wall, a first fastener aperture in the first wall, and a second fastener aperture in the second wall. The second fastener aperture is aligned with the first fastener aperture. An axis defined by the first and second fastener apertures extends through the first, second, and third cavities.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
The building 10 further includes horizontal assemblies 38 that define floors and/or ceilings. The horizontal assemblies 38 include multiple extruded components 14 extending horizontally, parallel and perpendicular to one another. The floor includes floor panels 42 (e.g., plywood) that are positioned between the extruded components 14 to aid in forming the floor. In some embodiments, the building 10 may be multiple stories, where the ceiling of a lower floor further defines the floor of an upper floor. In some embodiments, a roof 46 may be dissimilar from a floor and formed of roof panels 50. As shown, the roof panels 50 are angled (e.g., 2 degrees) relative to the floor panels 42 to facilitate drainage.
In some embodiments, the building 10 may be a temporary structure that may be assembled for temporary events, disassembled into manageable assemblies or parts, and moved to a new venue or location. The building 10 may be modular or scalable by modifying or replacing some of the components or assemblies to modify the size, shape, or design of the building 10.
As an alternative to the joist arrangement shown in
Similar to the horizontal assembly 38, the vertical assembly 26 (that defines the wall) includes extruded components 14 arranged in a grid to define gaps or openings in which the wall panels 30 are supported. The same lengths of the extruded components 14 may be utilized for the vertical assembly 26 and the horizontal assembly 38, such that the walls panels 30 may be sized similarly to the floor panels 42. Alternatively, longer variations of the extruded components 14 may produce openings of different sizes for supporting different wall panels 30 (e.g., opaque walls, windows) and doors 34.
A cross-section of the extruded component 14 is shown in
A fourth wall 134 extends parallel to the third wall 126 between adjacent distal ends of the first and second walls 118, 122 to define and fully enclose the fourth cavity 114. No wall extends between the other pair of adjacent distal ends of the first and second walls 118, 122, such that an opening or slot 158 provides access to the second cavity 106 at locations along the length L1 of the extruded component 14. Any of the first, second, third, or fourth cavities 102, 106, 110, 114 can be utilized as wire conduits, for example, for concealing electrical wires.
Identical stepped wall portions 138 extend from each end of the first and second walls 118, 122. Each stepped wall portion 138 extends outward from a proximal end 142 at the first and second walls 118, 122 (i.e., away from the second and fourth cavities 106, 114) and at least partially defines one of the first or third cavities 102, 110. Each stepped wall portion 138 includes a first step 138A and a second step 138B. Each step 138A, 138B includes two wall portions (as shown, equal length wall portions) that extend perpendicular to one another to form a (vertical) rise and a (horizontal) run. For simplicity, focusing on the stepped wall portion 138 located in the lower right corner of
The stepped wall portions 138 that extend from each end of the first wall 118 extend toward one another such that the distal ends 146 of these stepped wall portions 118 are in facing relation to and aligned with one another and are nearer one another than the proximal ends 142. The distal ends 146 are additionally spaced apart from one another to define an opening or slot 154 therebetween. The opening 154 provides access to the first cavity 102 at locations along the length L1 of the extruded component 14.
Similarly, the stepped wall portions 138 that extend from each end of the second wall 122 extend toward one another such that the distal ends 146 of these stepped wall portions 138 are in facing relation to and aligned with one another and are nearer one another than the proximal ends 142. The distal ends 146 define an opening or slot 162 that provides access to the third cavity 110 at locations along the length L1 of the extruded component 14. Therefore, all of the first, second, and third cavities 102, 106, 110 are accessible, not only from an end of the extruded component 14, but also along the entire length L1 of the extruded component 14. As shown, the openings 154, 158, 162 each have a substantially equal width (e.g., 1.50 inches). The term “substantially” in this context is understood to account for standard manufacturing and production tolerances and deviations.
The stepped wall portions 138 further define a panel support notch or corner notch 150, a right-angle recess or indentation externally located (i.e., on an outside surface of the extruded component 14) at each corner of the extruded component 150. As shown, the corner notch 150 is partially defined by the first and second steps 138A, 138B of the stepped wall portion 138. When the extruded components 14 are assembled into a frame or structure, a panel (e.g., wall panel 30, floor panel 42, roof panel 50, etc.) is positioned within the corner notches 150 such that the panel 30, 42, 50 is flush with the extruded component 14 or otherwise recessed within the corner notch 150, yet still external to any of the four cavities 102, 106, 110, 114.
The first wall 118 includes a plurality of fastener apertures 166 (e.g., circular apertures, slots, etc.) connecting the first cavity 102 to the second cavity 106. Similarly, the second wall 122 includes a plurality of fastener apertures 170 connecting the second cavity 106 to the third cavity 110. As shown in
The first leg 178 of the connector 18 includes a first or upper aperture 186 that extends through the first leg 178 of the connector 18 in a direction perpendicular to the length L3 of the second leg 182. The first leg 178 further includes a second or lower aperture 190 that extends parallel to the upper aperture 186. The second leg 182 extends from the first leg 178 at a position between the upper and lower apertures 186, 190. The upper and lower apertures 186, 190 are sized and spaced apart similar to the fastener apertures 166, 170 in the extruded component 14.
The first leg of the connector 18 further includes a first or upper slot 194 and a second or lower slot 198 that extend through the first leg 178 of the connector 18. Each of the slots 194, 198 extend in a direction parallel to the length L3 of the second leg 182 and parallel to one another. The upper and lower slots 194, 198 extend perpendicular to and intersect the upper and lower apertures 186, 190, respectively. The slots 194, 198 have a width similar to the diameter of the apertures 186, 190. The slots 194, 198 extend through the lengthwise or distal ends of the first leg 198. In a laminated bracket having layers, utilizing slots 194, 198 that extend through the layered boundaries in place of apertures reduces the areas of low surface contact between layers. In embodiments where the connector 18 is made of a non-laminated material, the slots 194, 198 may be replaced with apertures.
The second leg 182 of the connector 18 includes a plurality of apertures 206 extending along the length L3 of the second leg 182. As shown, the apertures 206 are sized and spaced apart similar to the apertures 166, 170 of the extruded component 14. The apertures 206 extend through the second leg 182 perpendicular to the lengths L2, L3 of the first and second legs 178, 182 of the connector 18 and parallel to the apertures 186, 190 in the first leg 178.
The three connectors 18 are aligned with one another (at the same height as one another) within the cavities 102, 106, 110 of the vertical extruded component 14A and are each further aligned with the apertures 166, 170 (
Once the three connectors 18 are aligned with the fastener apertures 166, 170, a fastener 250 (e.g., threaded fastener such as a bolt) is inserted into the first cavity 102, through the upper slot 194 of the first connector 18, through an aligned aperture 166 in the first wall 118 and into the second cavity 106, through the upper aperture 186 in the second connector 18, through an aligned aperture 170 in the second wall 122 into the third cavity 110, and through the upper slot 194 of the third connector 18.
A second fastener 250 may additionally be passed through the three connectors 18 and the vertical extruded component 14A. As shown, the second fastener 250 is inserted into the first cavity 102, through the lower slot 198 of the first connector 18, through an aligned aperture 166 in the first wall 118 and into the second cavity 106, through the lower aperture 190 in the second connector 18, through an aligned aperture 170 in the second wall 122 into the third cavity 110, and through the lower slot 198 of the third connector 18. A nut 254 may be used to further secure the fasteners 250 to the connectors 18 and vertical extruded component 14A.
With the three connectors 18 fastened to the vertical extruded component 14A, the horizontal extruded components 14B, 14C are slid, positioned, or dropped into place over the second legs 182 of the respective connectors 18. More specifically, each second leg 182 is positioned within the second cavity 106 of the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C, abutting the second leg 182 against the third wall 126 of the extruded component 14B, 14C. While the second legs 182 can be inserted into the second cavity 106 from an end of the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C, the second leg 182 can also preferably be inserted through the slot 158 that runs the length L1 of the extruded component 14B, 14C. Therefore, each horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C can be assembled to the vertical extruded component by dropping the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C over the second leg 182 of the connector 18. Permitting assembly in this orientation may ease assembly, especially between two vertical components 14A, where there is not a gap large enough to axially insert second legs 182 of the connectors 18 into the distal ends of the horizontal components 14B, 14C.
Once the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C is positioned over the second leg 182 of the connector 18, fasteners 258 are inserted through the apertures 206 of the second leg 182 and the apertures 166, 170 in the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C to secure the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C to the connector 18, and therefore secure the horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C to the vertical extruded component 14A. A nut 262 may be used to further secure each fastener 258 to the connector 18 and horizontal extruded component 14B, 14C.
If the first and second cavities 102, 106 of the vertical extruded component 14A support connectors 18 for a corner joint, rather than the second and third cavities 106, 110, each fastener 274 is inserted into the first cavity 102, through the respective slot 194, 198 of the connector 18 in the first cavity 102, through an aligned aperture 166 in the first wall 118 and into the second cavity 106, through the respective aperture 186, 190 in the second connector 18, and through an aligned aperture 170 in the second wall 122 into the third cavity 110.
In some embodiments, a central joint does not have a connector 18 positioned within the second cavity 106 of the vertical extruded component 14A. In this embodiment, a spacer 286 is positioned within the second cavity 106 such that when the fastener 250 is tightened, the vertical extruded component does not deflect or deform. In some embodiments, the spacer is a cylinder having a through-hole through which the fastener 250 passes to retain the spacer 286 relative to the fastener 250 within the second cavity 106.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A structural assembly comprising:
- a first extruded component having a length and a constant cross section, the cross section defining a first cavity and a second cavity separated by a wall of the first extruded component, an aperture extending through the wall between the first and second cavities;
- a second extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;
- a third extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;
- a first connector positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component, the first connector extending into the second extruded component;
- a second connector positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component, the second connector extending into the third extruded component;
- a fastener extending through the first connector, the aperture, and the second connector and configured to secure the first and second connectors to the first extruded component.
2. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, and third extruded components extend orthogonally relative to one another along their respective lengths.
3. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the second and third extruded components are collinear with one another along their respective lengths, and wherein the length of each of the second and third extruded components extends perpendicular to the length of the first extruded component.
4. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a first fastener, the structural assembly further comprising a second fastener extending through the first connector and the second extruded component to secure the first connector to the second extruded component, and a third fastener extending through the second connector and the third extruded component to secure the second connector to the third extruded component.
5. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall is a first wall and the aperture is a first aperture, and wherein the cross section of the first extruded component further comprises a third cavity separated from the second cavity by a second wall of the first extruded component, and wherein a second aperture extends through the second wall between the second and third cavities, the structural assembly further comprising:
- a fourth extruded component having a length and a constant cross section;
- a third connector positioned within the third cavity of the first extruded component, the third connector extending into the fourth extruded component;
- wherein the fastener extends through the first connector, the first aperture, the second connector, the second aperture, and the third connector, and
- wherein the fastener is configured to secure the first, second, and third connectors to the first extruded component.
6. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein the fourth extruded component extends parallel to the second extruded component along its length.
7. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein the fastener is a first fastener, the structural assembly further comprising a second fastener extending through the first connector and the second extruded component to secure the first connector to the second extruded component, a third fastener extending through the second connector and the third extruded component to secure the second connector to the third extruded component, and a fourth fastener extending through the third connector and the fourth extruded component to secure the third connector to the fourth extruded component.
8. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture.
9. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein the fastener sequentially extends through the first connector, the first aperture, the second connector, the second aperture, and the third connector.
10. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein the cross section of the first extruded component is identical to the cross section of the second, third, and fourth extruded components.
11. The structural assembly of claim 5, wherein each one of the first, second, and third connectors is identical.
12. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second connectors includes a first leg and a second leg extending perpendicular to the first leg, wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the first connector and the first leg of the second connector.
13. The structural assembly of claim 12, wherein the first leg of the first connector is positioned within the first cavity of the first extruded component and the second leg of the first connector extends into the second extruded component, and wherein the first leg of the second connector is positioned within the second cavity of the first extruded component and the second leg of the second connector extends into the third extruded component.
14. The structural assembly of claim 12, wherein the second leg extends from the first leg in a lengthwise direction, wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the first connector, parallel to the lengthwise direction of the second leg of the first connector, and wherein the fastener extends through the first leg of the second connector, perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the second leg of the second connector.
15. The structural assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second connectors is a laminated bracket.
16. The structural assembly of claim 15, wherein the fastener extends through a slot in the first connector and an aperture in the second connector.
17. A method of assembling a structural assembly, the method comprising:
- positioning a first leg of a first connector within a first cavity of a first extruded component;
- positioning a first leg of a second connector within a second cavity of the first extruded component;
- extending a fastener through the first and second connectors, thereby fixing the connectors relative to the first extruded component;
- positioning a second extruded component over a second leg of the first connector;
- positioning a third extruded component over a second leg of the second connector;
- fastening the second extruded component to the second leg of the first connector; and
- fastening the third extruded component to the second leg of the second connector,
- wherein the first extruded component includes a constant cross section extending in a lengthwise direction, and
- wherein positioning the second and third metal components over the second legs of the respective first and second connectors includes moving the second and third extruded components in the lengthwise direction of the first extruded component onto the respective legs of the first and second connectors.
18. An extruded component having a constant cross section along a length of the extruded component, the extruded component comprising:
- a first wall;
- a second wall;
- a first cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first wall;
- a second cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the first and second walls;
- a third cavity extending the length of the extruded component and at least partially defined by the second wall;
- a first fastener aperture in the first wall; and
- a second fastener aperture in the second wall, the second fastener aperture aligned with the first fastener aperture;
- wherein an axis defined by the first and second fastener apertures extends through the first, second, and third cavities.
19. The extruded component of claim 18, wherein each of the first, second, and third cavities includes a peripheral opening extending the length of the extruded component.
20. The extruded component of claim 19, wherein each of the peripheral openings has a width perpendicular to the length of the extruded component, the width of each of the peripheral openings being substantially equal.
21. The extruded component of claim 19, further comprising a panel support notch located at a corner of the extruded component.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 10, 2020
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2020
Inventors: Robert Lee Weber (Muskego, WI), James Vincent Requejo (Milwaukee, WI), Bradley Raymond Thomas (Wind Lake, WI), Gregory Richard Peterson (Hartland, WI)
Application Number: 16/739,747