Patent US4366659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4366659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Construction member and connecting plate structure
Assignee: SMOOT A PARK
•
Filing: 1980-07-08
•
Granted: 1983-01-04
•
Expires: 2000-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A construction member includes an upper and lower chord joined together by a plurality of spacer plates positioned along the length of the chords. Struts are disposed to extend diagonally between the upper and lower chords and between each pair of adjacent spacer plates. The spacer plates include teeth for embedding into the chords and the struts to form a rigid and sturdy construction member.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith A. Jensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:35
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C3/00; E04C3/02; E04C3/29; E04C3/292; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A construction member comprising: an upper chord; a lower chord; a spacer plate or plurality of plates rigidly joining the upper and lower chords, each spacer plate positioned in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the chords and having upper and lower slots in its upper and lower edges respectively for receiving the upper and lower chords, a stem portion between the slots, and flanges at each side of the slots and stem portion and folded flush against the sides of the chords in a direction parallel to the axes of the chord; and one or more struts positioned to extend between the upper and lower chords from one spacer plate to an adjacent plate; wherein said spacer plates include teeth projecting from said flanges into the chords and struts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A construction member comprising: an upper chord; a lower chord; a spacer plate or plurality of plates rigidly joining the upper and lower chords, each spacer plate positioned in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the chords and having upper and lower slots in its upper and lower edges respectively for receiving the upper and lower chords, a stem portion between the slots, and flanges at each side of the slots and stem portion and folded flush against the sides of the chords in a direction parallel to the axes of the chord; and one or more struts positioned to extend between the upper and lower chords from one spacer plate to an adjacent plate; wherein said spacer plates include teeth projecting from said flanges into the chords and struts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
A construction member comprising: an upper chord; a lower chord; a spacer plate or plurality of plates rigidly joining the upper and lower chords, each spacer plate positioned in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the chords and having upper and lower slots in its upper and lower edges respectively for receiving the upper and lower chords, a stem portion between the slots, and flanges at each side of the slots and stem portion and folded flush against the sides of the chords in a direction parallel to the axes of the chords; and one or more rigid struts positioned to extend between the upper and lower chords from one spacer plate to an adjacent plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
A construction member comprising: an upper chord; a lower chord; a spacer plate or plurality of plates rigidly joining the upper and lower chords, each spacer plate positioned in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the chords and having upper and lower slots in its upper and lower edges respectively for receiving the upper and lower chords, a stem portion between the slots, and flanges at each side of the slots and stem portion and folded flush against the sides of the chords in a direction parallel to the axes of the chords; and one or more rigid struts positioned to extend between the upper and lower chords from one spacer plate to an adjacent plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A construction member as in claim 1 wherein said struts are positioned generally along the length of the chords.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A construction member as in claim 1 wherein said struts are disposed in a zig-zag fashion to extend alternately between the upper chord and a plate and the lower chord and next adjacent plate, and the lower chord and a plate and the upper chord and next adjacent plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A construction member as in claim 1 wherein said struts are disposed to be generally parallel to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A construction member as in claim 1 wherein the stem portions of the spacer plates each includes an opening at the top or bottom thereof for receiving the end of a strut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A construction member as in claim 6 wherein the ends of adjacent struts are positioned contiguously between the flanges of a spacer plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A construction member as in claim 1 wherein said flanges include extensions which project beyond the top and bottom surfaces of the upper and lower chords respectively and are folded flush to such surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A construction member as in claim 8 wherein said extensions include teeth which are embedded in the top and bottom surfaces of the upper and lower chords.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1649226A
Cited
US1688016A
Cited
DE841501C
Cited
GB1011093A
Cited
US3298151A
Cited
US3503173A
Cited
CH580727A5
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |