U.S. patent application number 10/369893 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for elongated hollow member for suspending objects.
Invention is credited to Birnbaum, Ulrich.
Application Number | 20030159397 10/369893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27635248 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030159397 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Birnbaum, Ulrich |
August 28, 2003 |
Elongated hollow member for suspending objects
Abstract
An elongated hollow member for suspending objects is formed of
two first walls (1) running parallel to each other in the elongated
direction (L) and two second walls (2) disposed perpendicularly to
the first walls (1) and running in the elongated direction (L) with
a wall thickness (w). The second walls (2) and the first walls (1)
form a substantially rectangular cross-section having transverse
widths (h) and (b). In order to assure economical manufacturing of
the hollow member with a high torsional rigidity, the member has at
least one elongated web (5) running in the plane of at least one
second wall (2) and extending in the elongated direction (L) and
perpendicular to the first wall (1) and extending outwardly beyond
the corresponding first wall (1).
Inventors: |
Birnbaum, Ulrich;
(Kaufering, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID TOREN, ESQ.
SIDLEY, AUSTIN, BROWN & WOOD, LLP
787 SEVENTH AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10019-6018
US
|
Family ID: |
27635248 |
Appl. No.: |
10/369893 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/843 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 3/07 20130101; E04C
2003/0421 20130101; E04C 2003/043 20130101; E04C 2003/0465
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/733.2 ;
52/731.5; 52/731.9 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2002 |
DE |
102 07 625.1 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An elongated hollow member for suspending objects comprising a
pair of first walls (1) extending in the elongated direction and in
laterally spaced parallel relation and a pair of second walls (2)
arranged perpendicularly to said first walls (1) and extending in
the elongated direction and in laterally spaced parallel relation,
each said second walls (2) having a width (b) transverse to the
elongated direction and a wall thickness (w), said first walls (1)
and second walls (2) form a substantially rectangular
cross-sectional space (6), said hollow member has at least one web
(5) extending in the elongated direction projecting outwardly from
one of said first walls by a dimension (c) and located in a plane
of at least one said second wall (2).
2. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 1, where said
web (5) is formed of a material forming said first and second walls
(2) folded over upon itself and forming a fold open to said space
(6).
3. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 2, wherein
each of said pairs of second walls have at least one said elongated
web (5) arranged opposite to one another.
4. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said elongated webs (5) disposed opposite to one another are
parallel to one another and spaced apart by a dimension (a).
5. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
dimension (a) corresponds approximately to the width (b) and double
a width (c) of said web projecting outwardly from said first wall
(1).
6. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the
dimension (d) of the web (5) measured in a plane of said first
walls is in a range of two times to six times the wall thickness
(w) of said second wall (2).
7. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 6, wherein
said second walls (2) have a plurality of openings (7)
therethrough.
8. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 7, wherein
said first walls (1) each have a plurality of openings (7)
therethrough.
9. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 8, wherein at
least one said first wall has one of a bead or corrugation (8)
extending in the elongated direction.
10. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 9, wherein at
least one said second wall has one of a bead or corrugation (8)
extending in the elongated direction.
11. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 10, wherein
said one bead or corrugation (8) is formed by an inwardly recessed
portion of said first and second walls (1, 2).
12. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 11, where
said bead or corrugation has a dimension (hs) extending
transversely of the elongated direction.
13. An elongated hollow member, as set forth in claim 2, wherein
one said web is located at each corner of said space (6).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an elongated hollow member for
suspending objects having two first walls extending in the
elongated direction and parallel to each other and two parallel
second walls extending in the elongated direction and, having a
width arranged perpendicular to the elongated direction, wherein
the first walls and the second walls form a substantially
rectangular cross-section.
[0002] Elongated hollow members of the above type are used, for
example, for fastening loads, which can be fixed to the hollow
member using threaded rods. Furthermore, such hollow members are
used also for stiffening a floor or a wall.
[0003] Hollow members are generally known that have a substantially
rectangular cross-section with two side walls extending in the
elongated direction parallel to each other and two other walls
disposed perpendicularly to the side walls and running in the
elongated direction. Side walls and/or other walls have grooves
and/or recesses for fastening objects or a further member, in
particular a hollow member. In order to assure economical
manufacture of the hollow member, it is fabricated for example out
of one or a plurality of metal sheets.
[0004] The drawback in the case of known hollow members is that
they have insufficient torsional rigidity and, as a result, their
application is limited.
[0005] Furthermore, the drawback in the known hollow members is
that precise positioning of an object to be suspended is very
time-consuming, because positioning aids, in particular a stop
surface, are lacking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a
hollow member that is economical to manufacture having a
substantially rectangular cross-section and high torsional rigidity
as well as low intrinsic weight.
[0007] Such object is achieved by the invention in that the hollow
member has at least one elongated web running at the level or in
the plane of at least one second wall and whose height projects
over a first wall.
[0008] By virtue of the fact that at least one elongated web is
arranged on the hollow member, a high torsional rigidity is
assured. Furthermore, the elongated web can be used as a stop
surface for a part fastened to the hollow member. Preferably, the
elongated web has a uniform height extending perpendicularly to the
first wall, in order to make possible a simple and optimal
positioning of a part to be fastened or suspended. The
configuration of the elongated web(s) in the plane of the second
wall makes possible for example a flat contact of one or both
second walls with the elongated web(s) in a planar surface of
another hollow member according to the invention.
[0009] Preferably, the elongated web is formed by folding the
material, which is shaped open towards the inside space of the
hollow member and so assures economical manufacturing of the hollow
member. Advantageously, a metal sheeting is used for manufacturing
the hollow member, the sheeting having a wall thickness that
corresponds to that of the wall thickness of the second wall. The
folding of the material is, for example, formed by a single folding
or multiple folding of the metal sheeting.
[0010] In order provide aid for optimal positioning of a part to be
secured or suspended, both second walls each have at least one
elongated web that are arranged opposite to each other. The two
corresponding elongated webs provide a guide for one or a plurality
of other hollow members that can be connected with each other, for
example, using one or a plurality of fasteners.
[0011] Advantageously, the oppositely disposed elongated webs run
in the elongated direction parallel and at a distance from each
other, whereby the separation or spacing is preferably
approximately equal to the width of one first wall and of the
double height of one of the elongated webs, so as to provide
precise guiding for connecting one or a plurality of hollow members
according to the invention having a second wall with two
longitudinal webs in the plane of such second wall. If the hollow
member to be connected has only one elongated web in the plane of
one second wall, the spacing, too, of the opposing elongated webs
corresponds to the extension of the hollow member in the plane of
the corresponding second wall perpendicular to the elongated
direction. In this fashion, precise guiding is afforded.
[0012] By way of example, a first hollow member according to the
invention having a first wall between the two elongated webs
arranged opposite to each other abuts on the first walls
corresponding to the elongated webs. In that the width corresponds
to the spacing of the elongated webs, an optimal guiding of the
first hollow member transverse to the elongated direction of the
second hollow member is assured. Particularly in the case of
application of the hollow member according to the invention for
creating mounting systems, this configuration for guiding of hollow
members that are to be connected with each other has been shown to
be advantageous. In particular, the spacing of elongated webs
arranged opposite to each other provides high torsional rigidity in
the connection or connections, because the contacting elongated
webs prevent a twisting of the two hollow members against each
other.
[0013] Preferably the thickness of the elongated webs corresponds
to two to six times the wall thickness of the second wall in order
to provided a torsional rigidity corresponding to the hollow member
loads. Furthermore, such a dimensioning of the thickness of the
elongated webs assures an optimal relationship between the
intrinsic weight of the hollow member and the torsional
rigidity.
[0014] Advantageously, the second wall(s) has (have) a plurality of
recesses that, for example, provide a simple and economical
fastening possibility for a further part, such as, a further hollow
member. Naturally, other fastening possibilities are also possible
in lieu of bore holes such as welded threaded pins or eyelets, for
example.
[0015] Preferably the first and second walls each have a plurality
of recesses.
[0016] Advantageously, at least one first wall has a bead,
corrugation or stiffening recess running in the elongated
direction, in order to provide a guide independent of the elongated
web for a C-shaped mounting rail, for example.
[0017] In a further embodiment at least one second wall exhibits a
bead, corrugation or stiffening recess running in the elongated
direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The invention will now be more completely explained using an
exemplary embodiment with reference to the appended drawings,
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hollow member according to
the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines II-II
of the hollow member represented in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MEMBER INVENTION
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a hollow member according to the
invention having two first walls 1 running parallel to each other
in the elongated direction L and two second walls 2 disposed
perpendicular to the first walls 1 in the elongated direction L and
having a wall thickness w. The two first walls 1 and the two second
walls 2 form a substantially rectangular cross-section having a
height h and a width b. The hollow member is, for example, made of
one or a plurality of metal sheets with an essentially constant
wall thickness w.
[0022] The hollow member has in the plane 3 of the two second walls
2 at both elongated edges 4 an elongated web 5 extending in the
elongated direction L and perpendicularly to the first walls 1 and
projecting beyond the corresponding second wall 2 by a height c,
the elongated web 5 having a thickness d, as is can be seen
particularly in FIG. 2. For the formation of the elongated web 5,
the sheet metal part in the area of the elongated web 5 is folded
once so that it is confgured open to an inside space 6 formed by
the first walls and the second walls 2. This material folding has a
thickness d, which corresponds approximately to 3 times the wall
thickness w of the second wall 2 or the wall thickness w of the
sheet metal material. In order to assure versatile application of
the hollow member, the two outer walls 5a, 5b forming the elongated
web 5 extends parallel to each other and parallel to the
corresponding second wall 2.
[0023] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 1, the second walls 2
and the first walls 1 have a plurality of recesses, in particular
through holes 7, which are disposed successively uniformly over the
entire length or elongated direction of the hollow member.
Furthermore, both the first walls 1 and the second walls 2 each
have a bead, or corrugation recessed inwardly by a depth t and a
width running approximately centrally in the elongated direction L.
The depth t corresponds approximately to the wall thickness w of
the second wall 2 and the width hs of the bead or corrugation 8
corresponds approximately to 0.5 times the width b of the second
wall.
[0024] The height or width h of the cross-section of the hollow
section corresponds approximately to 1.2 times the width b of the
cross-section that is the width perpendicular to the width h.
Furthermore, the width b of the cross-section can correspond
approximately to the 6 times the dimension c of the longitudinal
web 5 extending outwardly from the first wall. The spacing a of two
elongated webs 5 arranged opposite to each other on a second wall 2
corresponds to the overall width b+c+c of the cross-section of the
hollow member, that is, the outside dimension between the outer
surfaces of the elongated webs 5.
* * * * *