BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an improved reinforcing ridge for structural construction
materials. In particular, this invention relates to a reinforcing ridge formed in
a length of rigid material with first and second unjoined edges.
[0002] The difficulties of building structures out of man-made materials are many. A major
difficulty is making the material rigid enough to resist compression, torsion and
bending. In the field of metal housing, for example, lengths of sheet metal are formed
into rectangular beams of various lengths and subsequently joined together. The prior
art metal beams, when formed into rectangular shapes, dealt with the unjoined edges
in one of two ways. Sometimes the unjoined edges were left unjoined so that open space
existed. This is an inexpensive way to form a metal beam. Unfortunately, beams formed
in this manner are not structurally strong in that they are easily deformed. The second
way that the prior art handles the unjoined edges is to screw or weld them together.
This results in a much more structurally sound man-made beam but dramatically increases
the cost.
[0003] Additionally, either of the prior art solutions to the problem of the unjoined edges
results in a man-made beam that is difficult and time-consuming, and therefore costly,
to join with other beams. Currently, man-made materials such as these are joined together
by screws and bolts individually attached in a labor-intensive manner. Thus, there
is a need in the art for providing a reinforcing ridge in rigid material that not
only deals with the problem of satisfactorily joining the unjoined edges but also
results in a man-made structure that supports the use of automatic joining devices,
such as pneumatic guns and screws. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to
provide an improved reinforcing ridge system in man-made materials, such as metal
tubing, that simply and inexpensively joins the unjoined edges without the use of
screws and simultaneously results in a structure that supports the use of automatic
joining devices.
SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, in a length of rigid material with first and second unjoined edges,
the reinforcing ridge of the present invention includes a short extension connected
to the first unjoined edge. A long extension is connected to the second unjoined edge.
A connection locking slot is formed in the long extension and conformed to just receive
and retain the short section when the unjoined edges are brought together. In a further
embodiment of the invention, the short and long extensions have front and back faces.
The long extension front face, in this embodiment, is conformed to cover the short
extension front face and partially cover the short extension back face.
[0005] In a further embodiment, the rigid material is formed into a rectangle with the reinforcing
ridge in one side and at least one reinforcing rib in a side facing the reinforcing
ridge. In a still further embodiment, the invention includes at least one reinforcing
rib in a side facing the reinforcing ridge and at least one strength indent in a side
adjacent to the reinforcing ridge. Other preferred embodiments include two reinforcing
ribs; two strength indents; two pairs of strength indents; and combinations thereof.
[0006] A method of joining two unjoined edges in a length of rigid material is also disclosed.
In a preferred embodiment, the method includes forming a short extension in the first
unjoined edge and a long extension in the second unjoined edge. Thereafter the first
and second unjoined edges are brought together and the long extension is bent over
the short extension forming a connection locking slot so that the first and second
unjoined edges are joined together and form a reinforcing ridge. Other embodiments
of the method of the invention include forming at least one reinforcing rib in a side
facing the reinforcing ridge. Additional preferred embodiments include providing at
least one strength indent in a side adjacent to the reinforcing ridge. Additional
methods disclose preferred embodiments of various combinations of the reinforcing
ridge and reinforcing ribs and strength indents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more
fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,
the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side section view of a preferred embodiment of the reinforcing ridge
of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a side section view of a preferred embodiment with two reinforcing ribs
and two strength indents; and
FIGURE 3 is a side section view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
with two reinforcing ribs and two pairs of strength indents.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example
in FIGURES 1-3. With specific reference to FIGURE 1, the reinforcing ridge 10 of the
present invention includes a length of rigid material 12. Length of rigid material
12 has a short extension 14 connected to a first unjoined edge 16. Length of rigid
material 12 further includes long extension 18 connected to second unjoined edge 20.
As illustrated in FIGURE 1, long extension 18 is first brought into contact with short
extension 14 in an extended position as illustrated by the dotted broken lines. Thereafter,
long extension 18, in a preferred embodiment, is bent over short extension 14 and
forms a connection locking slot 22 into and within which the short extension 14 is
retained. Connection locking slot 22 obviously may be made before joining edges 16
and 20. In such a case, connection locking slot 22 may be formed to just accept short
extension 14 so that short extension 14 is forced to fit into, and is held by, locking
slot 22. Obviously in either case locking slot 22 may be further compressed or crimped
to ensure a tighter connection if desired.
[0009] Reinforcing ridge 10 simply and inexpensively joins unjoined edge 16 with unjoined
edge 20 without the need of welding, screws, bolts or the like. An important resulting
advantage from reinforcing ridge 10 is that, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, an automatic
joining device such as a pneumatic gun shooting nails 24, for example, can be utilized
without collapsing rigid material 12. FIGURE 1 shows nail 24 as having been shot through
two sides, 23 and 25, of rigid material 12. Obviously, the usual intended purpose
is to join rigid material 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, with another section of
rigid material 12, not shown. Assuming the second section of rigid material 12 also
includes reinforcing ridge 10, the results are the same. That is, the sides, 23 and
25, of rigid material 12 are reinforced by reinforcing ridge 10 so as to resist collapse
and enable use of an automatic joining device. Obviously the advantage of the invention
are not limited to the use of a nail gun but also easily accommodate other automatic
joining methods such as screws, for example.
[0010] FIGURE 1 also illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, at least one reinforcing rib 26 is formed in a side, 27, opposite the
reinforcing ridge 10. FIGURE 1 shows a pair of reinforcing ribs 26 formed in the corners
of the side 27 opposite the reinforcing ridge 10. The applicant has found that reinforcing
ribs 26 also enhance the ability of the invention to resist collapse and thereby further
facilitate the use of automatic joining devices.
[0011] In the field of construction with the use of man-made materials, a common material
is sheet metal. FIGURE 1 shows a length of rigid material 12, such as sheet metal,
formed into a rectangular shape with four sides, 23, 25, 27, and 29. Obviously, as
further illustrated hereafter, any appropriate building shape may be adapted to the
invention including but not limited to triangular and round shapes for example.
[0012] Referring now to FIGURE 2, another preferred embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated. In this embodiment, length of rigid material 12 is formed into an
extended rectangular shape. The rectangular shape shown in FIGURE 2 includes reinforcing
ridge 10 and a pair of reinforcing ribs 26. Additionally, however, FIGURE 2 includes
at least one strength indent 28 in side 23 and/or side 25. Applicant has determined
that the use of one or more strength indents 28 further prevents collapse of the rigid
material when used with automatic joining devices and enables the material to resist
compression and twisting moments.
[0013] Referring now to FIGURE 3, another preferred embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated. In this embodiment, the length of rigid material 12 is again formed
into an extended rectangular shape. The rectangular shape shown in FIGURE 3 includes
reinforcing ridge 10, at least one reinforcing rib 26 and two pairs of strength indents
28. As with FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3 shows that strength indents 28 are located in a side,
23 or 25, adjacent to reinforcing ridge 10. That is, strength indents 28 are located
between reinforcing ridge 10 and reinforcing ribs 26 on the joining sides of the rectangle.
[0014] A major problem with prior art metal construction forms, again, is that in either
the open unjoined condition or the welded condition, they are subject to collapse
and more costly to produce. Applicant's metal forms are stronger and may be joined
together by automatic devices, such as pneumatic guns so that 20 to 30 percent less
metal is used in building a structure. Further, the combination of at least one reinforcing
rib 26 and/or at least one strength indent 28 in combination with the reinforcing
ridge 10 of the present invention results in a significantly stronger metal form.
This is true no matter what gauge material is used, i.e. 16, 18, and 20 gauge or the
like. In the construction industry for example, the construction of a truss includes
tension web and compression web members. Applicant's invention results in a rigid
web member which is much better able to resist compression. Therefore, Applicant's
invention results in a reduction of the number of compression web members required
in the construction of a truss. In truss system applications, the invention is preferably
intended for use in the well-known Gus. Truss System and referred to as the Gus Truss
Reinforced Truss Web.
[0015] Referring again to FIGURE 1, the structure of the invention is reviewed with some
additional detail. It should be appreciated that short extension 14 and long extension
18 have a front face 30 and a back face 32. When first unjoined edge 18 is brought
next to second unjoined edge 20 the front face 30 of long extension 18 generally covers
the front face 30 of short section 14. As shown in FIGURE 1, at this point long extension
18 is parallel to short section 30 as shown by the dotted lines. At some point, either
before or after being brought next to each other, long extension 18 is bent over forming
a connection locking slot 22 that covers some portion of the back face 32 of short
extension 14. In a preferred embodiment, the front face 30 of long extension 18 covers
approximately one-half of the back face 32 of short extension 14 when the two unjoined
edges are brought together and short extension 14 is captured within connection locking
slot 22.
[0016] The method of forming reinforcing ridge 10 in a preferred embodiment requires the
positioning of first unjoined edge 16 adjacent to second unjoined edge 20 so that
the front face 30 of long extension 18 meets with the front face 30 of short extension
14. In regard to forming, Applicant's invention enables rolled/machine forming of
reinforcing ridge 10, so that no additional handling, crimping or the like is required
to securely join the unjoined edges. At that point, long extension 18 is bent over
short extension 14, forming connection locking slot 22, and resulting in reinforcing
ridge 10. Obviously, connection locking slot 22 may be formed before bringing long
extension 18 next to short extension 14. Other preferred methods include forming at
least one reinforcing rib 26 in side 27 opposite the reinforcing ridge 10. Still further
preferred methods include forming strength indents 28 in the sides, 23 and 25, adjacent
to reinforcing ridge 10.
[0017] As is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, once reinforcing ridge 10 is
created, multiple sections of rigid material 12 may be joined together using automatic
joining devices as previously discussed. This alone greatly reduces the cost of structures
made of man-made materials. The addition of reinforcing ribs 26 and/or strength indents
28 further increase the usability and versatility and affordability of structures
made from man-made materials.
[0018] While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments
thereof, it should be understood that there may be other embodiments which fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
1. In a length of rigid material with first and second unjoined edges, a reinforcing
ridge comprising:
(a) a short extension connected to said first unjoined edge;
(b) a long extension connected to said second unjoined edge; and
(c) a connection locking slot in said long extension conformed to just receive and
retain said short section when said unjoined edges are brought together.
2. The invention of Claim 1 further comprising:
(a) front and back faces on said short and long extensions; and
(b) said long extension front face conformed to generally cover said short extension
front face and partially cover said short extension back face.
3. The invention of Claim 2 wherein said long extension is approximately twice as long
as said short section and said long extension generally covers all of the front face
of said short extension and approximately one-half of the back face of said short
extension.
4. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said rigid material forms a rectangle with said reinforcing
ridge in one side and at least one reinforcing rib in a side facing said reinforcing
ridge.
5. The invention of Claim 4 further comprising two reinforcing ribs.
6. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said rigid material forms a rectangle with said reinforcing
ridge in one side and at least one reinforcing rib in a side facing said reinforcing
ridge and at least one strength indent in a side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
7. The invention of Claim 6 further comprising two strength indents, one strength indent
in each side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
8. The invention of Claim 6 further comprising a pair of strength indents, two strength
indents in each side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
9. The invention of Claim 6 further comprising a pair of reinforcing ribs in a side facing
said reinforcing ridge.
10. The invention of Claim 6 further comprising a pair of reinforcing ribs in a side facing
said reinforcing ridge and a pair of strength indents, one strength indent in each
side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
11. The invention of Claim 6 further comprising a pair of reinforcing ribs in a side facing
said reinforcing ridge and two pairs of strength indents, one pair of strength indents
in each side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
12. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said rigid material is sheet metal.
13. In a length of rigid material with first and second unjoined edges, a method of joining
said edges and forming a reinforcing ridge comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a short extension in said first unjoined edge;
(b) forming a long extension in said second unjoined edge; and
(c) bringing said first and second unjoined edges together and bending said long extension
over said short extension and forming a connection locking slot so that said first
and second unjoined edges are joined together and form said reinforcing ridge.
14. The method of Claim 13 further comprising the steps of forming said short and long
extensions with front and back faces so that when said unjoined edges are joined together,
and the front face of said long extension generally covers the front face of said
short extension and partially covers the back face of said short extension.
15. The method of Claim 14 further comprising the step of forming said long extension
so that it is approximately twice as long as said short extension and generally covers
the front face of said short extension and approximately one-half of the back face
of said short extension when said unjoined edges are brought together.
16. The method of Claim 13 further comprising the steps of:
(a) forming said rigid material into a rectangular shape with said reinforcing ridge
in one side; and
(b) forming at least one reinforcing rib in a side facing said reinforcing ridge.
17. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of forming two reinforcing ribs
in the side facing said reinforcing ridge.
18. The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of forming at least one strength
indent in a side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
19. The method of Claim 18 further comprising the step of forming a pair of strength indents,
one in each side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.
20. The method of Claim 18 further comprising the step of forming two pairs of strength
indents, one pair in each side adjacent to said reinforcing ridge.