US3589089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structural beam for ceiling suspension system
Assignee: Eastern Products Corp
•
Filing: 1969-10-20
•
Granted: 1971-06-29
•
Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A structural beam member comprising a pair of elongated metal strips disposed in side-by-side abutting relationship to form an upstanding web, an elongated rib joining the top of the strips, and an elongated flange extending laterally from each side of the base of the web, so that the beam has substantially an inverted tee cross section. The web portion includes an expansion relief space of generally rectangular configuration. The margins of the expansion relief space, parallel to the longitudinal axes of the flange and rib portions, have opposed cutout triangular notches extending into the web and rib portions. A strap of the web portion longitudinally spans the expansion relief space. The width of the web strap tapers inwardly from both ends so that the web strap is narrowest at its middle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J Kedel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:54
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/065; E04B9/067; E04B9/068; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/92; E04B1/94; E04B1/941; E04B1/943; E04B1/944; E04B9/08; E04C; E04C3/00; E04C3/02; E04C3/04; E04C3/08; E04C3/09; E04C2003/0404; E04C2003/0408; E04C2003/0413; E04C2003/0426; E04C2003/043; E04C2003/0443; E04C2003/046; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A beam for use in a fire-retarding structural system, comprising a rib portion, a horizontal flange portion, and an upstanding web portion which joins the rib portion to the flange portion, the web portion having an opening forming an expansion relief space, the space being positioned intermediate the ends of the beam, the expansion relief space having a length taken along the length of the beam selected to accommodate anticipated axial expansion of the web portion upon exposure to a fire to thereby prevent twisting of such web portion and the expansion relief space including an upper and a lower margin, the web portion having triangular notches extending from the lower margin to a point above the flange portion, the web and the rib portion having triangular notches extending from the upper margin of the expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a web strap which bridges the expansion relief space, the web strap having an inward taper such that it is narrowest at its middle, whereby the flange portion buckles downwardly, the rib portion buckles upwardly, and the web strap buckles outwardly when the beam is exposed to fire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A beam for use in a fire-retarding structural system, comprising a rib portion, a horizontal flange portion, and an upstanding web portion which joins the rib portion to the flange portion, the web portion having an opening forming an expansion relief space, the space being positioned intermediate the ends of the beam, the expansion relief space having a length taken along the length of the beam selected to accommodate anticipated axial expansion of the web portion upon exposure to a fire to thereby prevent twisting of such web portion and the expansion relief space including an upper and a lower margin, the web portion having triangular notches extending from the lower margin to a point above the flange portion, the web and the rib portion having triangular notches extending from the upper margin of the expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a web strap which bridges the expansion relief space, the web strap having an inward taper such that it is narrowest at its middle, whereby the flange portion buckles downwardly, the rib portion buckles upwardly, and the web strap buckles outwardly when the beam is exposed to fire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A beam for use in a fire-retarding structural system comprising a rib portion, an elongated flange portion, and an upstanding web portion joining the flange and rib portions, the web portion including an opening forming a generally rectangular expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a first margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange portion and located near the flange portion and a second margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rib portion and located near the rib portion, the first and second margins having opposed cutout triangular notches extending into the web and rib portions, the web having a strap portion longitudinally spanning the relief space, the width of the strap tapering inwardly from both ends such that said strap is narrowest at its middle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
A beam for use in a fire-retarding structural system comprising a rib portion, an elongated flange portion, and an upstanding web portion joining the flange and rib portions, the web portion including an opening forming a generally rectangular expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a first margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange portion and located near the flange portion and a second margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rib portion and located near the rib portion, the first and second margins having opposed cutout triangular notches extending into the web and rib portions, the web having a strap portion longitudinally spanning the relief space, the width of the strap tapering inwardly from both ends such that said strap is narrowest at its middle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A beam as set forth in claim 2 including fillets for joining the strap portion to the web portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A beam as set forth in claim 2 in which a pair of the opposed notches are vee shaped and longitudinally centered along the first and second margins of the expansion relief space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A beam as set forth in claim 4 in which the notches extending from the first margin extend toward the flange portion to a point above the flange portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A structural beam Member comprising a pair of elongated metal strips disposed in side by side abutting relationship to form an upstanding web, an elongated rib joining the top of the strips, and an elongated flange extending laterally from each side of the base of the web, the web portion including an opening of a generally rectangular configuration forming an expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a first margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rib portion and a second margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange portion, the first and second margins having cutout triangular notches extending into the rib and web portions, a strap of the web portion longitudinally spanning the expansion relief space, the width of the strap tapering inwardly from both ends such that the strap is narrowest at its middle, whereby the flange portion buckles downwardly, the rib portion buckles upwardly, and the strap buckles outwardly when the beam is exposed to fire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A structural beam Member comprising a pair of elongated metal strips disposed in side by side abutting relationship to form an upstanding web, an elongated rib joining the top of the strips, and an elongated flange extending laterally from each side of the base of the web, the web portion including an opening of a generally rectangular configuration forming an expansion relief space, the expansion relief space having a first margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rib portion and a second margin parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange portion, the first and second margins having cutout triangular notches extending into the rib and web portions, a strap of the web portion longitudinally spanning the expansion relief space, the width of the strap tapering inwardly from both ends such that the strap is narrowest at its middle, whereby the flange portion buckles downwardly, the rib portion buckles upwardly, and the strap buckles outwardly when the beam is exposed to fire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A beam as set forth in claim 6 in which a pair of the notches are vee shaped and located opposite each other at the longitudinal center of the expansion relief space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A beam as set forth in claim 6 in which the expansion relief space has four corners, the margins of the expansion relief space at each corner forming an acute angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A beam as set forth in claim 6 in which a portion of the web exists at all points between the notches extending from the lower margin of the expansion relief space and the flange portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A beam as set forth in claim 6 including fillets for joining the ends of the strap to the web portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |