Box beam structures and connections for beam-supported structures

Claim 2

A box beam adapted for fabrication in modular units for attachment to structural components comprising a box beam body having four sides in a box configuration and integral therewith, a flanged lug extending outwardly from the surface of at least one side and longitudinally of the box beam, the flanged lug being arranged in spaced sections, a connector engaging the flanged lug, and a structural component extending between spaced sections of the lug from one side to the other of the lug and held therein via the connector, the connector being a pin extending through an aperture in the body of the structural component and engaging one side of the flanged lug, and preventing withdrawal of the component from such engagement.

Claim 3

A box beam according to claim 1, having at least two parallel rowS of flanged lugs.

Claim 4

A box beam structure according to claim 1, in which the structural component is a cross support.

Claim 5

A box beam structure according to claim 1, in which the structural component is a track for a movable roof wheel assembly.

Claim 6

A box beam according to claim 1, in which the lug is right-angled.

Claim 7

A box beam according to claim 1, in which the lug is T-shaped.

Claim 8

A cross-supported box beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from qbout 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through the gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures for attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the pins having one straight end extending through the aper ture and one turned end extending from beneath the lugs for grapsing the pins to insert them through and remove them from the apertures.

Claim 9

A cross-supported box beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from qbout 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through the gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures for attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the pins having one straight end extending through the aper ture and one turned end extending from beneath the lugs for grapsing the pins to insert them through and remove them from the apertures.

Claim 10

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the lugs are arranged as parallel rows of longitudinally-extending beam sections, with the lugs in the form of right-angled or T-beams, and pairs of pins fitted between rows of lugs hold the cross supports against movement in the gaps in either direction.

Claim 11

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the beam supports are composed of modular box beam units.

Claim 12

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the beam supports are made of aluminum.

Claim 13

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the cross-supports are purlins which carry a track for a movable wall or roof structure.

Claim 14

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the cross supports are purlins which are designed to carry a roofing structure.

Claim 15

A cross-supported beam structure in accordance with claim 7, in which the gaps are in the form of narrow slots engaging the sides of the cross supports in a press fit.

Claim 16

A cross-supported beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from about 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures for attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the lugs being right-angled, and the pins fitting snugly in the corner of the right-angle.

Claim 17

A cross-supported beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from about 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures for attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the lugs being right-angled, and the pins fitting snugly in the corner of the right-angle.

Claim 18

A cross-supported beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from about 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through the gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures foR attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the lugs being T-shaped, and the pins fitting snugly in one or both corners of the T.

Claim 19

A cross-supported beam structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of box beam supports and a plurality of cross-supports at an angle of from about 45* to about 135* to the longitudinal axis of the beams; a plurality of lug sections on one side of a plurality of the box beam supports with gaps between adjacent lug sections, arranged so that gaps on box beams attached to cross-supports are in alignment; the cross-supports extending between and across the box beam supports through the gaps of box beam support lug sections to which they are attached; apertures through the body of the cross-supports beneath the lug sections at such gaps; and pins extending through the apertures foR attaching the cross-supports to the box beams via the lugs, the lugs being T-shaped, and the pins fitting snugly in one or both corners of the T.