Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A multiplex joist system for building construction comprising a series of horizontally spaced substantially parallel and horizontal joists, each joist comprising generally horizontal upper and lower chords spaced apart vertically and with a metal webbing fixed therebetween, said upper and lower chords being in the form of hollow metal tubes, said chords and said webbing providing the structural strength and rigidity of said joists, a system of supply and return pipes for circulating a fluid, means for connecting said supply and return pipes to the chords of at least certain of said joists at spaced intervals whereby said chords are utilized as branch conduits for the fluid, said supply pipe being connected to one chord of each such joist while the return pipe is connected to the other chord thereof, each of said chords having a plurality of laterally projecting stub connecting devices for selectively establishing fluid carrying connections thereto, and a utilization device connected between the upper and lower chords of at least one such joist whereby the fluid will be circulated through said utilization device, said utilization device being connected to certain of said connecting devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A multiplex joist system for building construction comprising a series of horizontally spaced substantially parallel and horizontal joists, each joist comprising generally horizontal upper and lower chords spaced apart vertically and with a metal webbing fixed therebetween, said upper and lower chords being in the form of hollow metal tubes, said chords and said webbing providing the structural strength and rigidity of said joists, a system of supply and return pipes for circulating a fluid, means for connecting said supply and return pipes to the chords of at least certain of said joists at spaced intervals whereby said chords are utilized as branch conduits for the fluid, said supply pipe being connected to one chord of each such joist while the return pipe is connected to the other chord thereof, each of said chords having a plurality of laterally projecting stub connecting devices for selectively establishing fluid carrying connections thereto, and a utilization device connected between the upper and lower chords of at least one such joist whereby the fluid will be circulated through said utilization device, said utilization device being connected to certain of said connecting devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1, in which said utilization device comprises means for circulating air through said device while utilizing the fluid to change the temperature of the air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 1, in which said utilization device comprise means utilizing said fluid to achieve a cooling effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1, including means utilizing said fluid to achieve a heating effect.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, including electrical lines extending through the hollow tubular chords of certain of said joists.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 1, including electrical lines extending through the hollow tubular chords of certain of said joists, one chord of each such joist being utilized for electrical power lines while the other chord is utilized for electrical signal lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1, in which said webbing includes a hollow continuous tube for carrying fluids.