Composite concrete slab and steel joist construction

Claim 1

In a composite open-web steel joist and concrete slab construction, the combination comprising, an open-web joist member having a zig-zag bent metal webbing member and top and bottom chords, said zig-zag webbing member having a substantially uniformly spaced series of upper extending apex portions with respect to and along which said top chord is affixed, a plurality of shear members extending upwardly of said top chord at said portions, a heavy corrugated solid sheet-like metal formwork member having substantially flat bottom and top portions received in seating engagement upon said joist top chord and having a plurality of apertures therein for the through passage of said upwardly-extending shear members, wedge means for rigidly securing said apex portions with respect to said corrugated metal formwork member including a cooperating bottom leg portion to close apertures in said metal formwork member to prevent the escape of poured concrete therefrom, and a poured-in-place concrete slab upon said formwork member and encasing said upwardly-extending shear members, means wherein said top chord is displaced somewhat downwardly of the upper ends of said apex portions and rigidly secured to said webbing member constituting said apex portions as shear members in said composite steel joist and concrete slab construction, said wedge means comprising an angularly bent piece of sheet metal including an upwardly extending leg having tapered edge portions supported by said bottom leg portion defining a substantially triangular shaped cross-section wedge means.