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US3717964A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Module frames

Assignee: Behring Corp
•
Filing: 1970-07-09
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-07-09
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Abstract

Abstract The method of making frames and frame units for modules of modular buildings includes steps of punching perimeter beams to form stops on the beams where cross-beams are to be located, and assembling the cross-beams with a pair of the perimeter beams by butting the ends of the cross-beams against corresponding stops to position the cross-beams without using jigs or fixtures to establish their positions. Retainers may be formed in the perimeter beams next to the stops to temporarily retain the cross-beams in place until they are welded to the perimter beams. In some frame units, the perimeter beams and cross-beams are metal channels, and the beams are assembled flange-to-flange and web-to-web. One weld is made to connect each abutting pair of flanges next to the webs, and another weld is made at a point separated farther from the webs so that the webs reinforce each other and the flanges reinforce each other. Cross-beams may also be welded to the stops on the perimeter beams. The invention includes the frame units, part of the strength and load handling capabilities of which are derived from particular arrangements of stops and welds.

Inventors

  • 👤 E Morton
  • 👤 V Brown
  • 👤 R Mora

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 09:02
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/348; E04B1/34815; E04B1/3483; E04B1/18; E04B1/24; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/76; E04B2/766; E04B2/767; E04B5/00; E04B5/02; E04B5/10; E04B1/2403; E04B2001/2436; E04B2001/2448; E04B2001/2457

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 225 words
A frame unit for a module of a modular building including in combination, a pair of metal perimeter beams in the form of channels which are parallel to each other and spaced apart by a cross-dimension of a frame unit, each of said perimeter beams having a plurality of tabs punched out from and integral with the channel web thereof and projecting between the channel flanges, said tabs being spaced all along the length of said perimeter beams and located at predetermined positions for cross-beams, a plurality of cross-beams in the form of channels spaced all along and extending between said perimeter beams parallel to each other and having ends butting against respective ones of said tabs to position the same, each of said cross-beams having the channel flanges thereof respectively abutting the channel flanges of said perimeter beams and the web thereof abutting the webs of said perimeter beams to form corners, and each abutting pair of flanges having a first spot weld joining the same at a corner next to the webs of said beams and a second spot weld joining the same at a point spaced diagonally along said pair of flanges from said corner so that the webs of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other and the flanges of Said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 225 words
A frame unit for a module of a modular building including in combination, a pair of metal perimeter beams in the form of channels which are parallel to each other and spaced apart by a cross-dimension of a frame unit, each of said perimeter beams having a plurality of tabs punched out from and integral with the channel web thereof and projecting between the channel flanges, said tabs being spaced all along the length of said perimeter beams and located at predetermined positions for cross-beams, a plurality of cross-beams in the form of channels spaced all along and extending between said perimeter beams parallel to each other and having ends butting against respective ones of said tabs to position the same, each of said cross-beams having the channel flanges thereof respectively abutting the channel flanges of said perimeter beams and the web thereof abutting the webs of said perimeter beams to form corners, and each abutting pair of flanges having a first spot weld joining the same at a corner next to the webs of said beams and a second spot weld joining the same at a point spaced diagonally along said pair of flanges from said corner so that the webs of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other and the flanges of Said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The frame unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the webs of said cross-beams are spot welded to said tabs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 244 words
A frame unit for a module of a modular building including in combination, a pair of angled metal perimeter beams which are parallel to each other and spaced apart by a cross-dimension of a frame unit, said perimeter beams having a web and at least one flange, each of said perimeter beams having a plurality of tabs integral therewith and projecting along a flange thereof, said tabs being spaced at intervals all along the length of said perimeter beams to provide stops for positioning cross-beams, a plurality of angled metal cross-beams spaced all along and extending between said perimeter beams parallel to each other, said cross-beams having a web and at least one flange, each of said cross-beams having the web thereof abutting a pair of said tabs on said perimeter beams and forming a corner with the webs of the perimeter beams, each cross-beam also having at least one flange thereof respectively fitting inside and abutting the flanges of said perimeter beams, and each abutting pair of flanges having a first spot weld interconnecting the same at a corner next to the webs of said beams and a second spot weld spaced diagonally along said pair of flanges from said first spot weld and separated farther than said first weld from the webs of said beams so that the webs of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other and the flanges of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 244 words
A frame unit for a module of a modular building including in combination, a pair of angled metal perimeter beams which are parallel to each other and spaced apart by a cross-dimension of a frame unit, said perimeter beams having a web and at least one flange, each of said perimeter beams having a plurality of tabs integral therewith and projecting along a flange thereof, said tabs being spaced at intervals all along the length of said perimeter beams to provide stops for positioning cross-beams, a plurality of angled metal cross-beams spaced all along and extending between said perimeter beams parallel to each other, said cross-beams having a web and at least one flange, each of said cross-beams having the web thereof abutting a pair of said tabs on said perimeter beams and forming a corner with the webs of the perimeter beams, each cross-beam also having at least one flange thereof respectively fitting inside and abutting the flanges of said perimeter beams, and each abutting pair of flanges having a first spot weld interconnecting the same at a corner next to the webs of said beams and a second spot weld spaced diagonally along said pair of flanges from said first spot weld and separated farther than said first weld from the webs of said beams so that the webs of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other and the flanges of said perimeter beams and said cross-beams reinforce each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The frame unit as claimed in claim 3 in which the ends of said cross-beams and said tabs have a spot weld connecting them together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 51 words
A box module for a modular building consisting of a plurality of frame units as claimed in claim 3 having the perimeter beams thereof welded together at corners to form the box module, the frame units including horizontal ceiling and floor frame units and a plurality of vertical side frame units.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-02-27 1976-08-28 1977-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-02-27 1980-08-28 1981-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-02-27 1984-08-28 1985-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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