U.S. patent application number 09/874093 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for metal framing strut with coiled end portions.
Invention is credited to Waldrop, Billy B..
Application Number | 20020116893 09/874093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46277702 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020116893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waldrop, Billy B. |
August 29, 2002 |
Metal framing strut with coiled end portions
Abstract
A building strut of rectangular cylindrical construction has
four contiguous, axially directed side walls. A terminal end of one
or two of the four side walls is rolled into a coiled, retracted
position, exposing interior surfaces of the remaining adjacent side
wall terminal ends. These remaining terminal ends of the building
strut are then be formed into jogged-out positions for receiving a
second building strut in permanent engagement medially or at its
end.
Inventors: |
Waldrop, Billy B.;
(Anniston, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT
PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP ITTT
3151 AIRWAY AVE
SUITE K 105
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
46277702 |
Appl. No.: |
09/874093 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09874093 |
Jun 4, 2001 |
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09798466 |
Feb 27, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/843 ; 52/93.1;
52/93.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/249 20130101;
E04B 2001/2439 20130101; E04C 3/005 20130101; E04C 3/40 20130101;
E04B 2001/2487 20130101; E04B 2/7818 20130101; E04B 2001/2451
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/731.4 ;
52/93.1; 52/93.2; 52/731.2 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/30; E04B
007/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A building strut apparatus comprising a rectangular cylinder
having four contiguous, axially directed side walls, wherein a
terminal end of at least one of the four side walls is deformed
into a coiled, retracted or cut, and discarded position, exposing
an interior surface of the remaining adjacent side wall terminal
ends.
2. A first building strut apparatus comprising a rectangular
cylinder having four contiguous, axially directed side walls,
wherein an opposing pair of terminal ends of the four side walls
are deformed into a coiled, retracted corresponding positions,
exposing an interior surface of each of the two remaining adjacent
side wall terminal ends.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deformed side walls are
coiled into an interior of the cylinder.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deformed side walls are
coiled outwardly over opposing exterior surfaces of the
cylinder.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two remaining adjacent side
wall terminal ends are set in outwardly jogged, axially oriented
positions.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a second building
strut received within the outwardly jogged terminal ends of the
first building strut and fastened thereto.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to structural elements in
the building construction industry, and more particularly to a
framing strut apparatus with extension capability and terminations
of various types for advantages joining of elements.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0005] Houghton, Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,241 describes a
bridging unit comprising a pair of telescopically adjustable bars
of substantially U-shaped cross-section. The female bar includes a
longitudinal guide rib in its bight portion and further including
longitudinally spaced, outwardly pressed substantially
louver-shaped projections defining depressions in its opposed side
walls spaced from the free longitudinal edges thereof The female
bar still further having channels in the side walls extending from
the depressions to said longitudinal edges, substantially
louver-shaped dogs struck out from the side walls of the male
section and engageable selectively in and disengageable from the
depressions through the channels for releaseably securing the bars
in adjusted position. The male section having a longitudinal groove
in its bight portions slidably accommodating the rib, and guides
struck inwardly from the side walls of the female bar adjacent one
end thereof and engaged with the longitudinal edges of the male bar
for slidably securing same in the one end of the female bar.
[0006] Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 2,711,806 describes an expandable
supporting beam for use in building, comprising a plurality of
telescopic member including a central member and two end members,
each end member having an opening adjacent the outermost end
thereof, a bearing portion on each of the end members for
respective mounting on spaced supports, means for removing the
bearing portions from the supports and including dismounting bars,
each bar being provided with a recess facing a corresponding
opening; the bars being mounted for longitudinal sliding movement
in the outer ends of the end members and movable between
inoperative positions within the members and operative positions
extending beyond the ends of the end members to abut the supports
on which the members bear to force the respective bearing portions
from the supports, and means extending through an opening in one of
the end members into a recess in one of the bars for moving each of
the dismounter bars between the positions.
[0007] Short et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,743 describes a girder
comprising a pair of open-web I-beams, means, at longitudinally
spaced stations connecting adjacent flange edges of the beam in a
manner to secure the beams in spaced parallel relationship defining
a continuous passageway therebetween, bounded on its sides by the
respective webs of the beams and on its top and bottom by the
respective adjacent upper and lower flanges of said beams and said
connecting means, said adjacent flanges at the bottom of the
passageway defining a pair of spaced tracks there along, the
adjacent parallel flanges at the top of the passageway defining a
pair of tracks there along opposed to the lower tracks, a second
pair of open-web I-beams of lesser height and width than said
passageway in said first pair of I-beams, means securing the second
pair of I-beams in parallel relationship at the adjacent
corresponding edges of their upper and lower flanges, the second
pair of I-beams being retractable and extensible in the passageway
defined by said first pair of I-beams, opposed anti-friction roller
means between the first and second pair of I-beams, engageable
along the upper and lower pairs of tracks respectively for
centering the second pair of I-beams within the first pair of
I-beams, and for facilitating longitudinal telescoping movement of
said first and second pairs of I-beams, the roller means comprising
transverse bearing sleeves welded to the web of the second beam in
alignment, and axle extending through said sleeves, and individual
rollers on said axle outwardly of the web of the second pair of
I-beams in engagement with the flange of the first pair of I-beams,
and other of the individual rollers inwardly of the webs of the
second pair of I-beams in engagement with the flanges of the second
pair of I-beams.
[0008] Kimball, U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,634 describes a tubular pole
that comprises a plurality of nonmetallic telescopic sections and
with the sections of the pole being of substantially identical
diameter for the major height of the pole, a metallic conductor
embedded within each of the sections and with the conductors having
outwardly and inwardly exposed portions whereby the conductors of
adjacent sections have in overlying frictional contact when the
sections are in telescoped relation to form a continuous electrical
conductor throughout the height of the pole, the conductors lying
wholly within the pole against external exposure when the sections
are assembled.
[0009] Young, U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,731 describes an extensible
column for supporting an overhead roof structure relative to a
floor slab or the like comprising, a pair of load-bearing tubes
each having a relatively thin cylindrical wall, cross members
joining said tubes rigidly in spaced parallel relationship, an
extensible stud having a relatively thin cylindrical wall
telescopically interfitting an endwise portion of each load-bearing
tube, each stud having a portion projecting outwardly beyond the
end of said load-bearing tube, an endwise portion of the stud being
flattened and providing an anchor plate projecting from the end
portion of the stud at right angles to the axis thereof, the anchor
plate being integral with the cylindrical wall of the stud, the
anchor plate having fold portions integral with the end of the
cylindrical wall of the stud and doubled over upon the anchor
plate, the fold portions extending outwardly and joined to the
outer edges of the anchor plate at opposite sides, the fold portion
providing a rigid connection adapting the anchor plate to resist
angular deflection relative to the stud, the end portion of each
load-bearing tube opposite the stud having an anchor plate
projecting therefrom at right angles to the axis of the
load-bearing tube, the column adapted to be interfitted in upright
position between the floor slab and roof structure with the studs
extended and with the anchor plates seated against the floor slab
and roof structure, and means for locking the extensible studs
relative to the load-bearing tubes, thereby adapting the column to
carry the weight load of the roof structure.
[0010] Black, U.S. Pat. No. 3,078,970 describes a section of a
sectional adjustable truss-type bridge joist, a prefabricated
section comprising, in combination, a linearly straight upper angle
iron, a complemental linearly straight lower angle iron parallel to
and spaced below the upper angle iron, the angle irons being of
duplicate cross-section and each including a vertical flange and a
horizontal flange, the vertical flanges being in a common plane,
the corresponding inner ends of the upper and lower angle irons
terminating together a flat-faced plate of a cross-sectional
thickness corresponding to the thickness of the vertical flanges of
the angle irons and interposed between and welded to the
cooperative lengthwise edges of the flanges, and a vertical
longitudinal edge of the plate being flush with the cooperating
terminal ends of the vertical flanges, the vertical flanges having
several bolt holes cooperating with the transverse end portions of
the plate, the end of the upper angle iron opposite to the locale
of the plate extending beyond the corresponding end of the lower
angle iron and being provided with L-shaped fixedly attached
cleats, the cleats providing bearing seats, and diagonal braces
connecting the upper and lower angle irons together.
[0011] Land, U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,795 describes a building wall
comprising first channel means secured to the building ceiling and
having downwardly depending spaced apart substantially parallel
flanges, second channel means secured to the building floor and
having upwardly extending spaced apart substantially parallel
flanges, the first channel means being disposed in cooperative
relation to the second channel means, a plurality of tubular
support elements interposed between the first and second channel
means in horizontally spaced generally parallel relation, the ends
of the support elements being disposed between the flanges of the
first and second channel means, each support element comprising an
elongated element into at least one end of which an extension
element is mounted in axially adjustable threaded relation, an
outer surface of each elongated element being in substantial
alignment with the outer surface of one flange of the first channel
means and with the outer surface of the corresponding flange of the
second channel means, a spacer block threadedly mounted on at least
one of the extension elements and normally disposed approximately
midway between the one end of the associated elongated element and
the associated channel means, the spacer block having an outer
surface in substantial alignment with the outer aligned surfaces of
the associated elongated element and flanges wall panel means
disposed adjacent the vertically aligned surface of said spacer
block, flanges, and tubular supports in flat abutting face
contacting relation and means for securing the wall panel means to
the adjacent aligned surfaces of the flanges, spacer block, and
tubular supports.
[0012] Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,562 describes an
extensible and contractible joist comprising an outer joist member
and an inner joist member disposed in telescopic relationship to
each other, the outer joist member comprising a top frame, a bottom
frame and side frame members defining a hollow frame construction,
the inner joist member having a top member, side members and
terminating at its bottom in a lateral projection, the inner joist
member being of a height less than the spacing between the top and
bottom frames of the outer joist member, but the top frame of the
outer joist member and the extended portion of the top member of
the inner joist member defining a generally continuous unobstructed
horizontal load bearing surface, overhanging projection means
carried by the bottom frame of the outer joist member at an end
thereof, the overhanging projection means overhanging the lateral
projection of the inner joist member permitting slidable movement
of the inner joist member relative to the outer joist member but
restricting upward movement of the inner joist member within the
outer joist member to space the top member of the inner joist
member a short distance below the top frame of the outer joist
member, and a plate carried by the bottom frame of the outer joist
member adjacent the overhanging projection means restricting
downward movement of the inner joist member within the outer joist
member to maintain the top member of the inner joist member in
substantially plane-parallel spaced relationship to the top frame
of the outer joist member, thereby to cause the inner joist member
in use to be loaded in tension at the juncture of the inner joist
member with the end of the outer joist member and to prevent the
application of crushing force from the outer joist member to the
top frame member of the inner joist member.
[0013] Hutchinson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,306 describes a method of
forming a pair of separably connected cooperating bracing members
comprising cutting out a pair of transverse diametrically opposed
slots from a long flat strip of metal intermediate the ends thereof
and leaving a narrow tongue separating the slots, the slots
communicating with the sides of the strip, the slots communicating
with the sides of the strip, the slots dividing the strip into
first and second end portions which are connected by the tongue,
forming at least one opening in the first end portion substantially
midway between the sides thereof capable of receiving the tongue,
forming the outer end of the strip into wood penetrating elements,
forming longitudinally extending rib adjacent one side of the first
end portion, forming a longitudinally extending rib on the second
end portion adjacent the same side of the strip as the first
mentioned rib, the ribs being in parallel relationship and lying on
opposite sides of and immediately adjacent to a common
longitudinally extending line, the ribs protruding from opposite
faces of the strip for subsequent engagement with each other,
transversely scoring the strip along the line of juncture between
the tongue and first end portion whereby the tongue can be severed
from the first end portion by pivotally moving the end portions
relative to one another about the weak joint, forming the first end
portion into a first channel whereby its rib is located on the side
wall of the channel and forming the second end portion into a
second channel which is slightly narrower than the first named
channel whereby the second channel can be telescopically seated in
the first channel and enclosed thereby, and whereby the second
named rib is located on the side wall of the second channel
corresponding to the side wall of the first channel upon which its
rib is located, the first named rib being closer to the side edge
of the strip than the second named rib whereby the first named rib
lies below and engages the second named rib when the channels are
in the telescoped relationship.
[0014] Kisovec, U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,223 describes an adjustable
framework member consisting of at least two longitudinally extended
parts including an outer carrier having a lower edge, an upper edge
and side walls which connect the lower edge and the upper edge, and
inner carrier telescopically received in said outer carrier with
vertical clearance between the two carriers, adjustable locking
means disposed inwardly of the end of the outer carrier for
displacing the inner end of the inner carrier upwardly with respect
to the outer carrier, and inwardly projecting fulcrum means located
below the lower surface of the upper edge of the outer carrier at a
point which lies outwardly of the locking means.
[0015] Rambelje, U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,996 describes a form
supporting girder comprising an end support piece disposed at the
ends thereof and having a load supporting support flange extending
longitudinally from the end at the uppermost point thereof, the
invention comprising a bearing rib transversely arranged at the
mid-portion of the end face of said piece, the rib extending
outwardly from the face a distance approximating the room necessary
for pinch bar insertion and having an enlarged end portion, a
bearing ridge downwardly extending from the bottom of the flange
and having a bearing face aligned with the enlarged end portion of
the bearing rib.
[0016] Rambelje, U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,639 describes and adjustable
cambered form-supporting girder for concrete construction
comprising a box-like section and an I-beam section slidable
lengthwise within the box-like section for adjustment of the length
of the girder, locking means for holding an outer end surface of
the I-beam section pressed against an inner surface of the box-like
section, the box-like section being constructed of a single
extruded member having opposed side walls and upper and lower walls
extending between the side walls, and at least one flange extending
lengthwise of the box-like section and projecting upwardly above
the upper wall, the upwardly projecting flange being higher toward
the center of the box-like section than toward the ends thereof to
produce a camber in the uppermost surface of the box-like section
without cambering such section as a whole.
[0017] Bigalow, U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,001 describes a vertical column
and a base supporting the column, the base comprising a flat
stationary plate, a cover having an opening, means fixing the cover
to the plate in spaced relation there above, and a flat adjustable
plate supported on the stationary plate in the space between it and
the cover, the column being fixed to the adjustable plate and
extending through the opening, the opening being larger than the
cross-sectional dimensions of the column to enable adjustment of
the adjustable plate with respect to the stationary plate to rotate
the column and shift it horizontally in any direction, but smaller
than the adjustable plate, whereby the cover retains the adjustable
plate, the column remaining vertical throughout adjustments of the
adjustable plate.
[0018] Demeules et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,957 describes an
extensible joist comprising in combination: a main joist assembly
composed of a pair of longitudinally extended laterally spaced
elongated members, each elongated member having an outwardly
directed flange and a downwardly directed flange, a brace means
including an elongated element having alternate upward and downward
right angle bends, the elongated element having alternate right
angle bends located between and secured to the downwardly directed
flanges to divide the element into plurality of segments, a
longitudinally extended stress member positioned below the members
and secured to the brace means, and end piece having a generally
U-shaped configuration mounted on one end of the joist assembly for
longitudinal sliding movement thereon, the end piece comprising a
pair of end piece members positioned adjacent the outside of one
end of the downwardly directed flange of the elongated member at
the outer end thereof and a cross member connecting the outer ends
of the end piece members, each end piece member having an elongated
top surface engageable with the bottom surface of the adjacent
outwardly directed flange of the elongated member and a side
engageable with the outside of the adjacent downwardly directed
flange, the end piece members including opposed and aligned
longitudinally extended openings, and adjustable and releasable
fastening means extended through the openings between adjacent
segments of said brace means releaseably clamping the sides of the
end piece members into engagement with the downwardly directed
flanges, a single retaining means connected to the elongated
members longitudinally inwardly from the one end of the joist
assembly and extended downwardly therefrom between the end piece
members, the retaining means having a portion engaging the bottom
of the end piece members and holding the top surfaces of the end
piece members in engagement with the bottom surfaces of the
downwardly directed flanges.
[0019] Bolton, U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,425 describe a device including
threadably engaged telescoping members adapted to be extended into
engagement with spaced apart nonmetallic floor joists. One end of
the device has two pointed projections for penetrating a joist and
limiting the member from rotating while the other end has a single
pointed projection for penetrating a joist but permitting the
member to be rotated to extend the device.
[0020] McDonnell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,668 describes a
spring-loaded, adjustable stud, for a wall partition arrangement,
adapted to fit between a pair of channel members secured to a floor
and ceiling, comprising; a pair of channel elements arranged in
telescoping relation, and having spring means interconnecting said
channel elements and urging them away from each other and against
said channel members.
[0021] Mieyal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,127 describes a metal stud
assembly disclosing for use in either drywall construction or as
intermediate studs in demountable walls. The stud assembly includes
a U-shaped stud member and a U-shaped stud extension which
telescopes into one end of the stud member with a resilient-type of
interference fit which produces a controlled resistance to relative
axial movement and eliminates possible looseness. The stud
extension is provided with angulated tabs which snap into a
channel-shaped ceiling track to lock the stud extension therein.
The lower end of the stud fits into a channel-shaped floor track to
secure the lower end of the stud assembly in place. The stud
assembly is sufficiently flexible to allow the lower end to be
twisted through about 90 degree to position the narrow dimension
thereof crosswise with respect to the floor track for easy
insertion. After insertion, the stud assembly is returned to the
untwisted position to complete the installation.
[0022] Frigon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,251 describes An extendable pole
or mast is constructed from a plurality of nested pole sections
with each pole section is made from an initially flat sheet which
is roll formed into a rectangular, preferably square, cross section
element. A seam is formed by over lapping the edges of the sheet,
with the bulk of the seam being placed inwardly of the element.
Each of the inner sections includes its own seam and an offset of
sufficient size and depth to receive the seam and offset of outer
sections. The sheet material permits tabs to be cut or stamped into
outer walls of the outer sections in order to support an adjacent
inner pole section. Tabs are formed in each of the outer pole
sections. These tabs are biased to extend inwardly, against the
adjacent inner pole section. Tabs may be formed below the first tab
to provide a choice in the amount of extension of the pole.
[0023] Muller et al., EP 0625622, describes an extensible
structural support having an inner tube which is plugged
telescopically into an outer tube and is provided in the
longitudinal direction with a plurality of bores for receiving a
plug-in bolt which is intended for the length adjustment of the
structural support and, in the event of loading of the structural
support, is supported on the outer tube. According to the
invention, adjacent bores of the inner tube are arranged such that
they are offset, in the circumferential direction of the inner
tube, by a predetermined angular amount in each case. By virtue of
the bores being arranged such that they are offset at certain
angles, the invention makes it possible, for a structural support
with a predetermined nominal load-bearing capacity and with a
spacing between adjacent bores of the inner tube which is the same
as in the prior art, to reduce the wall thickness and/or the
diameter of the inner tube considerably, as a result of which
savings in materials and thus weight can be made for the structural
support, this having considerable advantages in terms of costs, in
particular as far as the mass production of such structural
supports is concerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0025] A building strut of rectangular cylindrical construction has
four contiguous, axially directed side walls. A terminal end of one
or two of the four side walls is deformed into a coiled, retracted
position, exposing an interior surface of the remaining adjacent
side wall terminal ends. These remaining terminal ends of the
building strut are then formed into jogged-out positions for
receiving a second building strut in permanent engagement medially
or at its end.
[0026] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
metal framing strut having advantages not taught by the prior
art.
[0027] Another objective is to provide such strut having a means
for being easily fastening to a second strut.
[0028] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of being easily adaptable to a broad application of
construction framing situations, as well for being inexpensively
mass produced in various metal gauges and using various fabrication
methods.
[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following, more detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present strut apparatus
invention as used in a building frame construction;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the strut apparatus as a flat sheet
prior to folding or roll forming into a cylindrical form; and
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof shown as formed with
axially extending ears;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof shown as formed with
laterally extending ears;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof showing portions rolled
inwardly with the two axially extending ears jogged outwardly;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof showing the joining of
two joists for forming a peaked roof;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof showing the joining of
two structural members joined at right angles;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view thereof showing the manner of
joining the terminal end of one member to a medial portion of a
second member; and
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof showing the end of a
member wherein one side is rolled outwardly and three sides are
undisturbed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The above described drawing FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the
invention, a strut apparatus for constructive use in the building
framing arts.
[0041] The present invention is a building strut 10, and as shown
in FIGS. 2-4, it may be made up from a flat sheet stock (FIG. 2)
folded along lines 90 so that strip 100" is brought into contact
with strip 100' and welded, or otherwise fastened into place as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 5, the building strut apparatus comprises a rectangular
cylinder having four contiguous, axially directed side walls 20,
30, 40 and 50 wherein one or more of the terminal ends 20E, 30E,
40E and 50E of the four side walls may be rolled into a coiled,
retracted position, exposing interior surfaces of the ends that
remain unrolled. The rolled ends may be coiled inwardly as in FIG.
5, or outwardly as in FIG. 9 where one terminal end is coiled
outwardly leaving the other three ends intact.
[0042] In the preferred embodiment, of FIG. 5, the building strut
apparatus 10, has four contiguous, axially directed side walls
20-50 as defined above. In this embodiment, an opposing pair of
terminal ends 20E and 40E, of the four side walls are rolled into
coils in retracted corresponding positions, exposing interior
surfaces of walls 30 and 50 at the two remaining adjacent side wall
terminal ends 30E and 50E respectively.
[0043] As also shown in FIG. 5, the two remaining adjacent side
wall terminal ends 30E and 50E are advantageously set in outwardly
jogged, axially directed positions. The outward displacement of
these ends 30E and 50E, is sufficient to bring the inside surfaces
of these ends into coplanarity with the corresponding surfaces of
these same walls so that a cylinder of the same size may be
inserted between the jogged ends. The present invention may further
comprise a second building strut 60 received within the outwardly
jogged terminal ends 30E and 50E of the first building strut 10 and
fastened thereto with any means for fastening such as screws,
rivets, bolts, and so on as would be placed at holes 12. Clearly,
the first and second struts 10, 60 may be joined as shown in FIGS.
6, 7 and 8 for various structural purposes known in the building
construction trades. In FIG. 6 the two struts are set as for
supporting a peaked ceiling. In FIG. 7 the two struts are set at
right angles as when used for bases, walls and such. In FIG. 8,
strut 10 acts as a supporting column for strut 60. Alternate
configurations are possible.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 a structure may be assembled using the
struts 10 in various configurations. The telescoping design enables
flexibility in the use of the attachment of the struts.
[0045] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims.
* * * * *