US2097600A - Column structure - Google Patents

Description

Nov- 2, 1937. J. PAVLECKA 2,097,606

COLUMN STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 31,71934 INVENTOR l j@ ZW Patented Nov. 2, 17937V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE *A 'i COLUMN STRUCTURE John Pavlecka, Detroit, Mich.

Application December 31, 1934, Serial No.` '759,815

22 Claims.

pression, torsion, bending, or under any cornbination of these stresses.

A still further object is to provide a structure relatively slender and internally inaccessible that can be assembled with little or no riveting from a number of pre-fabricated elements.

Another object of my invention is to present a column or girder having a large section modulus and in which an exterior shell of sheet material is reinforced internally by a number of radial or arched webs forming a spar, and furthermore, in which both the shell and the spar are strengthened by a number of rigid struts incorporated into the sheet webbing and, preferably, made to hold the structure together in the manner disclosed herein further.

For accomplishing these and other objects I make use of the principle of interlocked` tubular cells or spars as disclosed in my original co-pending application Serial No. 651,494, filed January 13th, 1933, in which application I have presented several embodiments of the plane type of structure as distinguished from the present columnar type. Y

In the following description I propose to present several typical embodiments of the new columnar structure as illustrated in the drawing accompart thereof.

In the drawing, Y Fig. l is a transverse cross-section through a cylindrical column consisting of three identical cells and four struts.A 40 Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a round column or girder wherein four cells are conjoined into a unit by as many rigid struts.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a generally tri- Y panying this specification and forming an integral (Cl. 18S-38) the exterior webs of the cells being arched between the struts for greater stiffness. Y

Fig. 6 is a triangular embodiment in which Y. aow-,toc

three triangular cells are united Aby three triangular struts, and the exteriorwebs ofthe cells are corrugated for increased stiffness under load.

Referring jointly to'all the figures in the drawv ing, any one of the structures represented therein is integral of a relatively small number of indi- Vidual, tubular cells, all of YthemV alike if the" structure is to be symmetrical about at leastone axis; the cells are grouped centrally intoa closed and compact assembly of any geometrical or' irregular pattern in which each cell constitutes The cells are tubular elementsY ex tending the whole length of the column, and withY one sector.

what is hereinafter referred to as chord webs, v

tudinal sheath with the correspondingfapices of the associated cells; each cell will have two such apices adjacent its chord weband if desired, may have one or more of such apices in the'interior at the very center or thereabouts. In theA structure as assembled, rigid struts of suitable cross-sectionV are positioned one in each sheath formed by each n two contacting cells, these strutsproviding essen#- tial reinforcing elements inthe complete structure. sented in Figs. 1 to 6, these struts` are further utilized to hold the cells together, which is'acY In the preferred embodiments as Yreprefv complished by transverselyserrating the profiled l apex'portions of the cells, intermeshing the serrated apices of each two associated ,cellsy and@ Y' inserting a strut in eachsheath formed by the intermeshed apices.- l

The cells of which the variousstructures shown Y in the drawingv are integrated are fabricated vof sheet material such Vas steel, duralumin, etc.,` by bending or rolling up a stripof the material into any requiredtubular shape, and joining the edges V'by riveting or welding;the serrating of theA proled apcesiof the cells residesin cutting out ,l

alternate lengths of therapex portions to a pre.`

determined depth whereby the full apex portions associated cells. On assembly,the pre-fabricated cells arefabutted laterally so thatthe fulll apex portions of each pair of cells will be interme'shed '5.5.'

`comprises i four Y cells and lined up into a sheath into which a strut is thrust which interlocks the cells into unity.

It will be seen that in a structure of this conguration the struts take up a certain percentage of the stresses in any kind of loading, as does the exterior shell and the interior reinforcing webbing, and due to the disposition of the struts in the pattern of sheet material and due to the restraining hold that this material has on the struts, these elements cooperate in bracing each other against collapsing and thus jointly are able to sustain more load than they could carry individually.

The embodiments presented in the several iigures are distinguished by the samelba'sic construction, their shape and number of cells and struts being the principal variables.

Fig. 1 shows a cylindricalcolumn built up of three cells and four struts II. Each of the cells is characterized by the circular chord web, I, 2 and.3,.respectively, each of which constitutes an equal segment of the exterior shell of the column, and two radialwebs 4 and 5. The chord webs. I,.2 andrmeet the radial webs 4 and 5 in each cell .in two fapices and 'I on their underside, and the radial webs themselves meet each other .in the thirdapex 8 which, `in this particu- Vlar embodiment, falls in the center of the column.

Allthreeofthe apices .tV to 8 are profile grooved outwardlyinto a circular shape, Yand all are transversely serrated. Inembodiments of this character whereinmorethan two cells are inter-locked at the centen'the serrated apex portionsrof each cell v.are -a multiple of the length of the full ,apex portions, and are staggered lengthwise so kthat they will include the full .apex portions of thetwo or any'other number of associated cells. :The peripheral intermeshed apices-6 andl of .each twoassociated cells accommodate .the interlocking strut II, while the central .-apicesS of all the cells inthe pattern collectively. form a single sheath for .the strut I2.

.The radialwebs l! and 5. of each two adjoining cells combine to forma wall of double thickness in theinterior between the central strut` I2 :and -each..peripheral vstrut I I. .The closing edges v.ll Vand I0 in veach cell `are shown-as being seam or spot-welded `together .andlocated in one of the radial '.webs.

In contrast to this structure, the lone in Fig. 2

I3 to I6 and-four interlocking-struts I9,.there being no centralstrut and Aall of the struts I9 being locatedperipherally. The radial webs I1 .and I8. of Yeachtwoassociated cells meetat the apex 20,andwith the correspondingwebs Vof the other cells-for1na cross-.shaped spar kof double thickness in the interior, thestrutsflg vbeing positioned vat the outer extremities of this spar` in the Ysheaths 'formed by its .webs underneath the exterior "eachm'ell is 'characterized in that iits normally radial sides are 'blended "with la radius into a tsingle arched web 24, which web meets the outer chord web, 2l to 23 respectively, in two profiled Vapices-25 and26. The.' inner webs' 2li `are bowed away from the` chord webs 2I to'23so that in conjunction vwith each other these inner webs 24 `formfastar-shaped tubular spar; the struts 2'I which interlockeach two intermeshed cells are ,.peripherally.

cess into the interior of the structure.

most advantageously interposed between the outer extremities of this concave spar and the convex exterior shell of the column in the sheaths formed by the apices 25 and 26.

The interlocking struts 21 are represented in 5 this embodiment as being, by way of example, hollow rather Vthan solid as in the other iigures.

The embodiment in Fig. 4 shows a further development of the one of Fig. 1, residing in that a number of struts 32-four in this case--are dis- 10 posed around the center of the structure in addition to four other struts 35 that are positioned The cells in this structure are trapezoidal in shape with one inner web 36, one chord web 28 to 3I, respectively, and two radial 15 sides 33 and 34; assembled, the four cells form a rectangular pattern. All four apices 5I to 54 of each cell are'prole grooved outwardly and are transversely serrated whereby in the assembledrelation the inner webs 36 jointly form 20 --a-tubularvrectangular spar around the center fin that the chord webs 28 to 3I of the cells are perforated by flanged openings 3lv which feature materially increases the stiffness of the shell, reducesthe weight of the column and provides acqu Ken.) Another means for achieving additional rigidity of the thin walls is represented in Fig. 5; this is a generally rectangular column constituted of four substantially triangular cells which are interlocked with each other i-n their two apices 55 40 and 56 adjacent thek chord webs-38 to 4I, respectively. For purposes of greater stiffness under load the chord webs 38 to 4I'are arched inwardly between the interlockingY struts 43, which is in the direction opposite to that of the webs 2| to 23 in 45 Fig. 3, which latter webs are arched outwardly for the same purpose of imparting greater resistanc to the sheet material againstv buckling.

Fig.v 6 illustrates a structure comprising three generally obtuse-angled triangular cells which 50 have their two apices 51 yand 58 at the hypotenuse profiled into the shape of an equilateral triangle;

. in the assembly, the three cells themselves jointly compose an equilateral triangle. The apices 5'I and 58 are interlocked by the triangular struts 55 48, and between them in the interior the sides 49 and 55 of each two abuttingcells form a threepointed sp-ar. Inaddition to the characteristic triangular prole of the cells, struts and the whole -column, this embodiment is distinguished' in that 60 the exterior webs 45, 4S and 4T of the cells are longitudinally corrugated between the profiled apices 5'Iy and 58 in each cell for increased stiffness,ewhich feature can, obviously, be employed in any of the aforementioned structure for increas- ,ing their section modulus, and is not only alternative with that of arched webs as shown in Figsf3 and 5. for greater rigidity, but can be applied supplementarily with it.

Through the above embodiments I have' dis- 70 closed the 4scope of my invention, within which scope-and the scope of the claims appended hereto I have in purview not only the several basic structures shown, but an endless number of other patterns of any geometrical or` irregular shape. "Z5

terior shell and an interior spar, both of sheetY material, said spar having a number o-f webs confronting each other in pairs: between a number of extremities, and between said extremities and said shell each pair of webs forming' a sheath, and linear rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members. Y

3. A-column structure comprising, a closed exterior shell and an interior spar, both of sheet material, said spar having a number of webs meeting in pairs at a number of extremities, and between said extremities following curvilinear' paths, and between said extremities and said shell each pair of webs forming a sheath, and linear rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members.

4. A column structure comprising, a closed exterior shell and an interior tubular spar, both of sheet material, said spar having a number of webs converging from the center of the column in pairs toward a number of extremities, and between said extremities and said shell each pair of webs forming a sheath, and linear rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members.

5. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material grouped in laterally confronting relation to provide a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein, said cells having each two proled apice-s at said shell whereby each pair of associated cells will'jointlyvform a sheath thereat, rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members, and means for joining said cells together through the instrumentality of said struts.

6; A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material having each'at least two opposed sides and being grouped in laterally contacting relation whereby said sides of said cells will provide a vclosed exterior shell and an interior tubular spar therein, said cells having each two profiled apices at said shell wherebyV each pair of contacting cells will jointly form a sheath thereat, rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members, and means for joining Vsaid cells together thro-ugh the instrumentality of said struts.

7. A column comprising, a number of tubularV cells of sheet material having each a number of profiled apices and sides extending between them, said cells being grouped in laterally confronting relation whereby certain of said sides thereof will provide an exterior closed shell and others webbing of double sheet thickness therein, and said profiled apices of said cells will complement one another to form sheaths at said shell and in the interior thereof, rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members, and means for joining said cells together through the instrumentality of said struts.

8. A column structure comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having each one chord web and at least one side web meeting in a minimum of two well-defined apices, both of them at said chord web, said webs of said cells being formed with means for stiiening said sheet material thereof, said cells being grouped 'con- I tiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof will form a closed exterior shell and said side webs a reinforcing spar in said shell, said apices of said cells being outwardly profiled, transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, `and a number of struts, eachstrut interlocking two 'intermeshed apices. Y y

9. A columnstructure comprising, avplurality of individual tubular cells of sheet materialand a number of .linear stress members/said cells having each a number of sides meeting in apices and being grouped to form, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein, said apices of said cells being outwardly profiled and transversely serrated, and said sides between said apices being formed with means recessing from the plane thereof 'for stiffen'ing same, each two associated cells at said shell being intermeshed in said serrated apices thereof, each ofV said stress members interlocking two intermeshed apices. l 10. A column structure comprising, a plurality of individual tubular cells of sheet material and a number of vlinear stress members, said cells having each anumber of sides meeting in apices and being grouped to form, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein, *saidY apices of said cells being outwardly profiled and transversely serrated, and said sides between said apices being provided with flanged perforations for lightness and stiffness, each'two associated cells at said shell being intermeshedin said ser'- rated apices thereof, each of said stress members interlocking two intermeshed apices.

11. A column structure comprising, a plurality of individual tubular cells ofV 'sheet material and a number` of linear stress members, said cells having each a number of sides meeting in apices and being grouped to form, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein, said` apices of said 'cells being outwardly profiled and transversely` serrated, and said 'sidesY being formed to recess from the plane of said'fwebbing for greater stiffness, each two associated 'cells'at said shell being intermeshed in said serrated apices thereof, each of said stress members interlocking two intermeshed apices.

12. A kcolumn comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord web and at least one side web meeting in a minimum of twofwell-defined apices, both of them at said chord web, said cells being grouped to form jointly a closed pattern wherein said chordV webs of said cells -constitute Van exteriorshell and said 'side webs provide a reinforcing spar in saidshell, the two apices of each cell at said chord web thereof being outwardly profiled and transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, and a number of struts, Veach strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

13. Acolumn comprising, a number of tubular in said shell, the two apices'of each cell at said A chord web thereof being outwardly profiled and transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the abutting cells, anda number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

14. A column comprising,` a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having each onerchord web and at least one side web meeting in a minimum of two well defined apices, both of them at said chord web, said chord webs of said cells being arched between said apices, said cells being grouped contiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof will form a closed exterior shell and said side webs a reinforcing spar in said shell, said apices of said cells being outwardly profiled, transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

l5. A column comprising, an exterior tubular shell and an interior spar, both of sheet material, said spar having double sheet webs and a number of extremities, a sheath formed by said webs between each of said extremities and said shell and one sheath formed by said webs in the center of'said spar, and a number of linear stress members inserted one in each sheath.

16. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material grouped into a closed pattern and extending lengthwise thereof, said Cells having each three apices profile grooved whereby each two abutting cells in said pattern will form jointly one sheath therebetween at the periphery .of said structure and all of said cells will form jointly one sheath in the center thereof, and a number of substantially rigid struts inserted one in each sheath.

17. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord web and two side Webs meeting in three apices, said cells being abutted one onto eachother laterally whereby said chord webs thereof will jointly form an exterior closed shell and said side webs will provideradial webs of double thickness in said shell, said cells having their two apices at the chord web and the third apex in the center of said structure outwardly profiled, transversely serrated, the two apices of each cell at said chord web thereofV being intermeshed with the apices of the abutting cells, said central apex of each cell having serrations so wide as to accommodate the full apex portions of the other cells in the structure, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices at said shell, and one strut interlocking all of said cells in the center.

18. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord web and one side web meeting in two apices,Y said chord web and said side web being arched away from each other,` said cells being grouped contiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof will provide 'a closed exterior Shell and said side webs a hollow reinforcing spar in said shell, said cells having the two apices thereof profile grooved, transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, a numberfof struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

19. A column comprising, an exterior tubular shell, an interior box spar and webbing connecting said spar with said shell, said shell, spar and webbing being of sheet material, plurality of sheaths formed by said webbing between said spar and said shell, and a number of linear stress members inserted one in each sheath.

20. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material grouped into a closed pattern and extending lengthwise thereof, said cells having each four apices profile grooved whereby each two abutting cells in said pattern will jointly form two sheaths therebetween, one sheath at the periphery of said structure and the other at the center thereof, and a number of substantially rigid struts inserted one in each sheath.

21. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, each celll having one' chordweb, one inner web and two side webs meeting in four apices, said cells being abutted laterally whereby said chord webs thereof will jointly form an exterior closed shell, said inner webs will provide a box spar in the center of said shell and said side webs will form radial walls of double thickness between said spar and said shell, said cells having their four apices outwardly profiled, transversely serrated and' intermeshed with the apices of the abutting cells at said shell and at said spar, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices,

22. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet material extending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having each one chord web and at least one side web meeting in a number of apices, said webs of said cells being formed with flanged perforations, said cells being grouped contiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof will form a 'closed exterior shell and said side webs a reinforcing spar in said shell, said apices of said cells being prof-lle grooved, transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

' JOHN PAVLECKA.

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