Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a spacecraft panel includes printing a first skin and a second skin, spaced apart from the first skin. The method further includes printing a first truss structure connecting the first skin to the second skin.

Abstract: An expandable structure formed from a single piece of material is moveable between a stowed position and an extended position. The structure has a base and a plurality of support members integral with the base that move between a stowed position and an extended position. In the stowed position, the base and the plurality of support members are essentially a two dimensional shape. A biasing force makes the structure self-erecting and moves it to the extended position. In the extended position, the expandable structure has a hollow interior and a cross-section that is bounded by a closed path.

Abstract: A framing member incorporates a series of web slots along a portion of the member that are expanded through the process of manufacture. The expansion of the web slots creates voids and metal web elements in the webbed portion of the member, which can be a stud. The voids created during the expansion process can become the voids for running wiring, plumbing and heating ducts. The web elements can be designed to minimize thermal transmission from the exterior to the interior of a wall including the member, as well as provide adequate structure properties required from the structural member. The expanded slots allow the part to enlarge without increasing the amount of raw material and therefore substantially reducing the cost to manufacture.

Abstract: A framing member incorporates a series of web slots along a portion of the member that are expanded through the process of manufacture. The expansion of the web slots creates voids and metal web elements in the webbed portion of the member, which can be a stud. The voids created during the expansion process can become the voids for running wiring, plumbing and heating ducts. The web elements can be designed to minimize thermal transmission from the exterior to the interior of a wall including the member, as well as provide adequate structure properties required from the structural member. The expanded slots allow the part to enlarge without increasing the amount of raw material and therefore substantially reducing the cost to manufacture.

Abstract: A beam-like structural component (2) made up of individual parts connected to each other, comprising at least one flange (9) and at least one web (1), which structural component is easy to produce and exhibits high load-bearing capacity and torsional rigidity, is characterized in that the web (1) is formed by web members (6) extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the web (1), with web members (6) forming a linear longitudinal area (4, 5) extending across the length of the web (1) and with, in each case, two adjacent web members (6) extending toward different narrow edges (7, 8) of the flange (9) starting from the longitudinal area (4, 5) of the web (1) so that one web member (6) rests against the flange (9) with one side of the web (1) and the adjacent web member (6) rests against the flange (9) with the opposite side of the web (1) and the web members (6) exhibit the shape of an “S” (FIG. 1E).

Abstract: A metal truss comprises elongated top chord members connected to each other at their ends. A first elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members adjacent the free ends of the top chord members. A second elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members, or directly to the first bottom chord member via spacers, such that the second bottom chord member is spaced below the first bottom chord member. At least one web member is positioned between and interconnecting at least one top chord member and the first bottom chord member. One end of the web member is connected to the at least one top chord member and the other end of the web member is connected to the first bottom chord member.

Abstract: Expandable surfaces made from sheet materials with slits distributed on the surface of sheet material where the surfaces expand by application of force along or/and across the surface of sheet material. The unexpanded surfaces are flat sheets, or closed surfaces like cylinders, spheres, tubes, or custom-designed organic shapes marked with pre-formed or post-formed slit designs. The expanded surfaces can be single units or modules which can be attached to one another through various means. The sheet materials range from hard surfaces like metals, to softer materials like papers and plastics, or pliable materials like fabrics, rubbers, synthetic surfaces or bio-surfaces. The slits are arranged in patterns ranging from periodic, non-periodic to irregular designs. The slits can be straight, bent, curved or irregularly shaped with even or uneven spacing. Slitting can be achieved by digital cutting or punching devices like laser-cutting, water-jet cutting, digital punching, automated dies, etc.

Abstract: A multi-tiered building structure. The multi-tiered building structure includes a panel member having a pattern of cuts, a pattern of legs, and a pattern of tabs configured to move the panel member between a nonexpanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially stepped shape. The building structure also includes a support structure configured to accept at least one of the pattern of tabs of the panel member and maintain the panel member in the expanded position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cold formed joist that can be used in a variety of construction applications. The present cold formed joist consists of three elements, each formed from sheet metal: an upper chord, an intermediate web, and a lower web. These three elements can be produced in different dimensions. The upper chord further consists of a downwardly facing receiving channel adapted to receive the upper edge of the intermediate web, and two upwardly facing channels. The lower chord consists of an upwardly facing receiving channel that is adapted to receive the lower edge of the intermediate web.

Abstract: A multi-tiered building structure. The multi-tiered building structure includes a panel member having a pattern of cuts, a pattern of legs, and a pattern of tabs configured to move the panel member between a nonexpanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially flat shape, and an expanded position, wherein the panel member forms a substantially stepped shape. The building structure also includes a support structure configured to accept at least one of the pattern of tabs of the panel member and maintain the panel member in the expanded position.

Abstract: An expandable panel includes a generally planar panel portion, penetrated by several pluralities of spaced parallel cuts. The cuts include aligned sets of apertures and aligned sets of transverse gaps. The panel is expandable by pulling the sides apart, separating the panel along the cuts. The positioning of the apertures and gaps causes the panel portions defined between the parallel cuts to bend apart, defining front and back planes, to which sheathing, surface panels, or “skins,” can be attached. The panel can be locked in its open position by inserting connectors in adjacent aligned gaps.

Abstract: A metal construction member is disclosed in which the main body is fabricated from a high yield steel sheet which has a thickness dimension of about 0.015 inches to about 0.045 inches, and a yield strength of about 57 ksi to about 65 ksi, and has a cross sectional shape which imparts increased strength to the metal construction member.

Abstract: A metal truss comprises elongated top chord members connected to each other at their ends. A first elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members adjacent the free ends of the top chord members. A second elongated bottom chord member is connected at its ends to the top chord members, or directly to the first bottom chord member via spacers, such that the second bottom chord member is spaced below the first bottom chord member. At least one web member is positioned between and interconnecting at least one top chord member and the first bottom chord member. One end of the web member is connected to the at least one top chord member and the other end of the web member is connected to the first bottom chord member.

Abstract: Steel studs for use in construction having a web, main web openings through the web, a right angular flange formed on a free edge of the web, and depressions in the web and depression openings in the depressions. An alternate form of stud has a triangular tube structure along one edge of the web. Another form of stud has a discontinuous webs defining spaces between them. The main web openings may be circular or non-circular. The studs may be used in a composite construction panel having a thin panel of concrete material an embedment angled flange portion formed along the opposite edge of the web, an edge strip formed on the angled flange at an angle thereto; and, spaced apart angled flange openings formed in the angled flange for flow of concrete therethrough The studs form a reinforcing grid of sheet metal studs with embedment portions which are actually embedded into the concrete panel. In one embodiment two concrete panels may be secured to the studs in spaced relation to create a hollow structure.

Abstract: A framing member incorporates a series of web slots along a portion of the member that are expanded through the process of manufacture. The expansion of the web slots creates voids and metal web elements in the webbed portion of the member, which can be a stud. The voids created during the expansion process can become the voids for running wiring, plumbing and heating ducts. The web elements can be designed to minimize thermal transmission from the exterior to the interior of a wall including the member, as well as provide adequate structure properties required from the structural member. The expanded slots allow the part to enlarge without increasing the amount of raw material and therefore substantially reducing the cost to manufacture.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: A metal roof truss has a frame formed by metal frame members and a series of metal intermediate members secured at opposite ends to frame members by clinch locks. Each clinch lock is formed by forcing metal of one member through another member with consequent deformation of the other member to form a rivet-like projection.

Abstract: A three-dimensional metal structural assembly includes at least one composite strip having at least one transverse bend therein. The composite strip includes a web having a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of edge pieces attached to the longitudinal edges. Alternatively a plurality of straight composite strips may be attached together to form a structural element. The composite strip may be used in an almost limitless number of configurations to form such things as pallets, shelves and floor grates. In addition, straight composite strips may be used to form such structural elements as H-shaped beams or C-shaped beams.

Abstract: A U-shaped stackable truss for use in temporary, demountable construction for exhibition, display, and concert staging.

Abstract: A fabricated building including a pair of metal sidewalls positioned in an upright spaced apart relationship with a plurality of metal purlins engaged with an upper edge of one of the metal sidewalls so that the plurality of metal purlins extend between the metal sidewalls and maintain them in the upright position.

Abstract: A fabricated building including a pair of metal sidewalls positioned in an upright spaced apart relationship with a plurality of metal purlins engaged with an upper edge of one of the metal sidewalls so that the plurality of metal purlins extend between the metal sidewalls and maintain them in the upright position.

Abstract: An elongated metal structural member including an expanded metal web formed by severing a metal strip along a sinuous path forming a plurality of keystone-shaped tabs on each half, moving the two halves directly away from each other until outer corners of the tabs of one half overlap outer corners of the tabs of the other half, and affixing together the outer corners of one half with outer corners of the other half.

Abstract: A laterally stiffened, elongate, roll-formed metal stud, or equivalent structural member having a central web with alternating deformed and undeformed portions.

Abstract: A sheet metal structural member for use in the formation of a cast construction panel which member, in turn, comprises a sheet metal web defining a linear edge along one side, and a zig-zag edge along the other side, the zig-zag edge defining wider regions, and narrower regions between the wider regions, and the web extending in a generally triangular fashion from one narrower region through a wider region to the next narrower region, edge formations formed around the zig-zag edge portions of the web and, attachment devices at the apex of each of the wider portions of the web, which may be secured to a construction material. Also disclosed is a construction panel incorporating such structural members, and a method of fabricating such structural members in pairing, and a method of building construction utilizing such structural members.

Abstract: A structural assembly comprises a bar joist having ano utward flange along its base. Expanded metal lath is held in position agains the bars and above the flange by attachment clips. The attachment clips each comprise a U-shaped base which pinches the flange, a stem to hold the lath in place and a perpendicular end point which pokes through an opening in the lath to stabilize the clip. Finally, a thick layer of cementitious material adheres to the lath in the area of the bars and flange.

Abstract: A construction element of folded sheet material having a repetitive pattern of similarly shaped geometric figures. The tops of the figures lie in one plane and the troughs in a second parallel plane. Four tops are situated around one trough and are connected with it through four angled surfaces.

Abstract: A guard rail for use alongside a road or lane comprises two profiled side portions on opposite sides of the guard rail. Said side portions are joined by a gridlike web.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method of forming a truss or truss-like member which has spaced chords interconnected by inclined struts.The struts are formed by firstly forming a member of constant cross-sectional shape having a web joining the two chords and containing at least one thickened or stiffening portion extending for its length, forming parallel rows of slots with a stiffening portion between each row, the slots of the rows being staggered and overlapping one another, and the chords being moved apart so as to incline the struts formed by those lengths of the stiffening portion which lie between the overlapping portions of the slots, and also to elongate them.