Patent ID: 6698155
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: E04C,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A building element for use as a column or beam, comprisinga profile extending lengthwise between first and second ends, said profile having a substantially uniform cross-section defined by a web, a pair of side flanges extending perpendicular to said web, and curved outer corners joining said side flanges to said web, respectively, said web having a constriction, a pair of planar segments disposed on opposite sides of said constriction, respectively, and curved inner corners joining said planar segments, respectively, to said constriction, said constriction extending from said inner corners to a curved base having an apex contained in a plane, said planar segments having outer surfaces, respectively, contained in a plane parallel to said plane of said apex, said side flanges extending from said outer corners, respectively, in the same direction as said constriction to terminate at side edges, respectively, said apex being centrally disposed between said side flanges, said side edges being contained in a plane parallel to said plane of said apex, said building element having an overall width between said plane of said planar segments and said plane of said side edges, said constriction having a width between said plane of said planar segments and said plane of said apex about &frac13; said overall width.