Abstract:
A family of beam cross-connections, including column/beam and beam/beam connections, between beams and columns in a building frame. Each connection within a cross-connection features (a) a pair of parallel-spaced, upright, planar plate components operatively associated with either a side of a column or a side of a beam, (b) an elongate, generally horizontal cross-connection beam including a generally upright, planar central web with an end which, with respect to a pair of such plate components, extends into the space that exists between those components, and (c) a structural relationship involving the plate components in a pair which accommodates (1) vertical-motion placement of a web end between the components, with (2) the automatic establishment thereby of correct relative, spatial, three-dimensional relationships and dispositions of the specific, associated column and/or beam elements so connected.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/655,516, filed Jan. 18, 2007, for “A Method of Fabricating a Building Frame Structure”, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/961,886, filed Oct. 9, 2004, for “Building Frame Structure”, which is a continuation from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/102,404, filed Mar. 18, 2002, for “Building Frame Structure”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,169 B2, granted Oct. 12, 2004. The entire content of this patent and these three prior applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to building frame structure, and more particularly to a unique column-to-beam direct connection, and additionally to several unique column and beam interconnections, employable in such a frame structure. Several preferred embodiments of the invention are thus shown and described herein. 
         [0003]    To clarify certain terminology which is employed herein, a “column/beam connection” is a single connection which exists adjacent one end of a beam, and between that beam end and a column. A “beam/beam connection” is a single connection which exists between the end of a beam and the side of a beam. A “column/column interconnection” refers to a pair of single “column/beam connections” (i.e., where a beam extends between and interconnects a pair of next-adjacent columns). A “column/beam interconnection” refers to an associated, single “column/beam connection”, and a single “beam/beam connection” (i.e., where a beam extends between and interconnects a column and a beam). A “beam/beam interconnection” refers to a pair of single “beam/beam connections” (i.e., where a beam extends between and interconnects a pair of next-adjacent beams. A “beam cross-connection” refers to any one of a “column/column interconnection”, a “column/beam interconnection”, and a “beam/beam interconnection”. Each beam cross-connection includes a single one of what is referred to herein as a cross-connection beam. 
         [0004]    Proposed among other things for use in relation to the invention, although many different forms may be employed, is an elongate column structure which is formed from an assembly of plural, elongate, angle-iron-like components that are united by bolting them together through interposed spacers which help to define the final configuration of the column. In a specific column arrangement shown herein, four such angle-iron-like components are employed, with each of these taking the form, generally, of an elongate, right-angle, angle-iron section of otherwise conventional construction, and with cross-like spacers (one or more) interposed and holding these components apart. These four elongate components are arranged in such a fashion that their legs, also referred to herein as spaced flanges, and as spaced, parallel planar plate components, essentially radiate in a star-like manner from the long axis of the assembled column. 
         [0005]    Each leg in each angle-iron-like component confrontingly faces one other leg in one adjacent such component. 
         [0006]    These spaced, confronting, parallel planar legs, or plate components, play a role as anchor points in the practice and use of the present invention. For example, and as will be seen from a review of the drawings herein, these plate components enable the specially prepared ends of beams (extending central web portions of beams) to be inserted for attachment to columns in a manner which permits straight downward beam lowering (under the influence of gravity) without requiring a forced lateral separation or splaying of otherwise prepositioned, properly laterally spaced, substantially vertical columns to accommodate this activity. Hooks formed in the undersides of such extending beam-end web portions catch pre-installed cross-bolts, or cross-pins, which span a pair of spaced, confronting plate components, and such catching results in automatic establishment of a proper relative spatial relationship between the thus preliminarily interconnected building-frame elements. 
         [0007]    The angle-iron-like components and the spacer, or spacers, in the column form shown herein and now being described, are nut-and-bolt connected to create a frictional interface between these elements. Depending upon the tightness employed in such connections, the level of frictional engagement can be adjusted. The assembled combination of angle-iron-like components and spacers forms a generally cross-shaped (transverse cross section) column assembly. Each column assembly is also referred to herein as a column structure, and as a column. 
         [0008]    Given this type of column assembly, it will be apparent that there are spaces or recesses (a spatial relationship) provided in the regions between confronting legs (plate components) in an assembled column. In a building frame structure, these recesses, and their associated spatial relationships, are employed, as was just generally outlined above, to receive (i.e., to provide clearance for) modified and inserted end regions (or extensions) of the central webs in elongate I-beams. These same recesses, as illustrated herein, also receive the ends of cross-braces which each takes the form of flat metal bar stock. The end-modified I-beams result from removal of short portions of their upper and lower flanges to create central-web extensions. 
         [0009]    Bolt holes, or openings, that are provided appropriately in the flanges in the angle-iron-like components in a column, and as well as in the end central-web extensions in a beam, are employed with nut-and-bolt cross-assemblies to complete an anchored connection between a column and a beam. In such a column/beam assembly (a connection), the column and beam directly engage one another through a frictional interface wherein the level of frictional engagement is nut-and-bolt adjustable. 
         [0010]    With respect to such a column/beam connection, and providing now a further elaboration, the lower-most opening provided in an I-beam&#39;s web-end projection takes the form of an open-bottomed hook which, during quick, preliminary assembly of a frame structure, extends into the open, or recessed, region between flanges in a column. Under the influence of gravity, the downwardly exposed and facing hook catches and seats onto a preliminarily entered nut-and-bolt assembly, wherein the bolt&#39;s shank extends across and spans the space between a pair of flanges to act as a catch on which this hook can seat and become gravity-set. Such seating quickly introduces preliminary stabilization in a frame being assembled, and (as already mentioned) also acts to index the proper relative positions of columns and beams. 
         [0011]    With this construction, and as can be seen in the drawings, an I-beam, importantly, can be lowered straight down under the influence of gravity into a proper seated position in a building frame. When so lowered, and as will also be seen, gravity seating of a beam in place produces precision and correct spatial alignment of the beam and of the frame components (plate components, columns and other beams) to which it is attached. This is an important feature of the present invention. 
         [0012]    Following seating of a beam in a condition where, as will be seen from description provided later herein, a downwardly facing hook-like slot in the end of a beam web freely receives the shank of a cross-bolt (of a nut-and-bolt assembly) which has been attached to, and which spans, the two spaced plate components in a pair of these components, another cross nut-and-bolt assembly is installed to anchor the beam end in place. 
         [0013]    As will further be seen, the invention features column/beam (outlined above) and beam/beam connections. In a beam/beam connection, the side of the central web in a beam is equipped with an attached pair of spaced, upright, parallel-planar plate components which extend laterally outwardly from the associated central web intermediate the opposite ends of the beam. These plate components furnish the same kind of vertical-motion-accommodating spatial clearance described above in relation to the mentioned angle-iron leg components (flanges). The prepared end of the central web in a beam is seated between such laterally extending plate components to establish an orthogonal relationship between two, thus-connected beams. With such an arrangement, vertical, or straight-down, lowering of a beam is employable conveniently to form such a beam/beam connection. Additionally, this structural arrangement, where two beam/beam connections are used collaboratively, enables vertical, or straight-down, lowering of a beam with its two, appropriately prepared ends, to interconnect, say, two, spaced, parallel, next-adjacent, horizontal beams which are already connected to columns. Such a beam/beam interconnection can be accomplished without there being any requirement for forced lateral separating of the two spaced, parallel beams in order to accommodate such a “cross-attachment” of and to another beam. 
         [0014]    Modifications to the preferred form of the invention are recognized, and are possible in certain applications. For example, columns might be formed with three rather than four elongate components. With respect to a column having just three such components, the included angles between legs in these elements, progressing circularly about the column&#39;s long axis, might be 120°-120°-120°, 135°-135°-90°, or 180°-90°-90°. Illustrations of these arrangements, which are not exhaustive, are illustrated herein. 
         [0015]    While different lengths of component-assembled columns can be made in accordance with the invention, such lengths being principally a matter of designer choice, two different column lengths are specifically shown and discussed herein. The principal one of these lengths characterizes a column having a length which is basically the height-dimension of two typical stories in a multi-story building. The other length characterizes a column having a length of approximately of one such story height. The individual columns are stacked end-for-end to create elongate upright column stacks that define an overall building-frame height. 
         [0016]    According to one interesting feature of the frame structure shown herein, where two stacked columns abut end-to-end, this abutment exists essentially at the location of one of the floor heights intended in the final building. At this location, interestingly, a direct structural splice is created between such end-contacting, stacked columns, such a splice being established through the nut-and-bolt connected end extension of the central web in a beam. Thus, structural connections between beams and columns may act as connective splices or joints between adjacent, stacked columns. The amount of tightness introduced into the splice-related nut-and-bolt assemblies controls the level of frictional engagement present there between beam and column. 
         [0017]    As will become apparent from the description in detail which follows below, taken along with the accompanying drawings, forces which are exerted and transmitted between columns and beams in a building structure formed in accordance with the present invention lie in upright planes which pass through the central longitudinal axes of the columns and beams. Accordingly, load management is, as is most desired, directed essentially centrally between adjacent connected components. 
         [0018]    On a side note of interest, the nut-and-bolt, frictional-interface connections existing in the regions of interconnection between elongate column components and spacers, and between beams and columns, allow for limited relative sliding motions between these elements under certain load-handling circumstances. Such motions are believed to enhance the load-management capabilities of a building frame structure, and furnish a certain helpful amount of energy dissipation in the form of non-damaging heat. 
         [0019]    The detailed description of the invention now given below, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will clearly bring out the special offerings and advantages of the several facets of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, stick-figure drawing illustrating portions of a building frame structure which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an upper-end, fragmentary view of one column which is employed in the building frame structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top axial view of the same column pictured fragmentarily in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 A and  5 B, inclusive, illustrate, in isolated manners, the assembled structure of a column spacer which is employed in the column of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and of the individual components which make up this spacer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, isometric view of a specifically configured I-beam which is employed according to the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary, isometric view of a specifically configured channel beam which also may be employed according to the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary drawing illustrating column/beam connections which exist between stacked columns and beams in the frame structure of  FIG. 1 , and between columns and diagonal cross-bracing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary detail illustrating a preliminary step in the assembly and splice-joining of a beam and a pair of stacked columns. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a larger-scale view illustrating, isometrically, roughly the same thing which is pictured in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a completed bridging splicing connection between two beams and a pair of stacked columns. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a view taken generally along the line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  presents a view which is very similar to that presented in  FIG. 9 , except that here what is shown is the connection between a beam and a column at a location vertically intermediate the ends of the column. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a view showing a base-plate structure which is employed at the lower ends of column stacks present in the building frame structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a fragmentary schematic view, somewhat like the view presented in  FIG. 2 , illustrating a feature of the invention which involves the capability of angle-iron-like components in a column to shift independently and longitudinally relative to one another, and also relative to a spacer (not shown) in this column. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are views which compare how a conventional rectangular tube-shaped column, and a cross-shaped column constructed in accordance with the present invention, differently accommodate the attachments thereto of internal wall structure in a building. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 18 and 19  are somewhat like  FIG. 3 , except that here what are shown are two different modified forms of an assembled, star-like cross-section column built in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 20  illustrates fragmentarily a beam/beam connection end of a beam/beam inter-connection. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate two different cross-sectional versions of modified forms of columns constructed in accordance with the invention. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 23-25 , inclusive, illustrate modified forms of cross-braces. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Turning attention now to the drawings, and referring first of all to  FIGS. 1-5B , inclusive, indicated generally at  21  in  FIG. 1  is a fragmentary portion of a multi-story building frame structure which has been constructed in accordance with the present invention. In frame structure  21 , four column stacks  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  are shown, each of which is made up of a plurality of end-two-end, splice-joined elongate columns that are constructed in accordance with the present invention. The phrase “column stack” is employed herein to refer to such plural, end-connected columns, and the word “column” is employed herein to designate a single column assembly which has been built in accordance with the invention. In order to illustrate certain characteristic versatility which is furnished by the invention, two different types of columns—double-story and single-story—are shown in these column stacks. 
         [0040]    Three columns in stack  22  are shown at  30 ,  32 ,  34 . As will shortly be more fully explained, the upper end  32   a  of column  32  is joined to the lower end of column  30 , and the lower end  32   b  of column  32  is joined to the upper end of column  34 . Columns  30  (shown only fragmentarily) and  32  are two-story columns (see length L), and column  34  is a single-story column herein (see length l). One more column is specifically labeled at  35  in  FIG. 1 . This column is essentially the same in construction as column  32 . 
         [0041]    Extending to form a column/column interconnection between, and joined to, the columns in the several column stacks pictured in  FIG. 1  are plural, horizontal beams, such as the three beams shown at  36 ,  38 ,  40 . The distances between next-adjacent ones of these three beams are the same, and have the spacing of one story-height in frame structure  21 . Beam  36  has its near end in  FIG. 1  splice-connected (still to be explained) via a column/beam connection to column stack  22  at the region of end-to-end joinder between columns  30 ,  32 . Via another column/beam connection, beam  38  has its near end in  FIG. 1  connected vertically centrally between the opposite (upper and lower) ends of column  32 . Beam  40  has its near end in  FIG. 1  connected, also through a column/beam connection, to the region of end-to-end joinder between columns  32 ,  34 . As will soon be explained, the manners in which the just-mentioned ends of beams  36 ,  40  are connected to columns in column stack  22  is somewhat different from the manner in which the near end of beam  38  in  FIG. 1  is connected centrally between the upper and lower ends of column  32 . 
         [0042]    Presented in  FIG. 1 , as can be seen, are plural, large, black dots. These dots represent the locations of spacers, or spacer structures, which form parts in the various columns that are employed in frame structure  21 . For example, shown at  42 ,  44  in  FIG. 1  are two black dots (spacers) which form part of column  32 . These two dots indicate the presence of spacers within column  32  at locations in structure  21  which are roughly midway between floors. Thus, dot  42  represents a spacer which is present in column  32  generally vertically centrally between beams  36 ,  38 . Dot  44 , and the spacer which it represents in column  32 , resides generally vertically centrally between beams  38 ,  40 . A black dot  45  represents a spacer which is present in single-story column  34 , generally vertically centrally between the upper and lower ends of column  34 . Clear, or open, circular dots in  FIG. 1  represent the end-to-end connections between vertically adjacent columns in the respective column stacks. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate somewhat more specifically the structure of column  32 , and thus also, the structures of many other ones of the various columns employed in the column stacks pictured in  FIG. 1 . Column  32  herein is formed with four, elongate, angle-iron-like components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . These angle-iron-like components substantially parallel one another, and also parallel the central long axis  32   c  of column  32 . Each of components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  has a right-angular cross-section formed by angularly intersecting legs, such as legs  46   a ,  46   b  in component  46 . These legs meet at an elongate, linear corner, such as corner  46   c . Corner  46   c  lies closely adjacent, and substantially parallel to, axis  32   c . These legs are also referred to herein as spaced, parallel-planar plate components, and the space between them is referred to herein as a vertically accessible, open-topped, beam-web receiving zone. 
         [0044]    As can be seen, column  32  has a generally cross-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, formed in such a fashion that the legs in the angle-iron-like components essentially radiate laterally outwardly (star-like) from axis  32   c . Each leg in each angle-iron-like component is spaced from, confrontive with, and generally parallel to one leg in a next-adjacent angle-iron-like component. 
         [0045]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the upper end region  32   a  in column  32  is furnished with aligned through-bores, such as through-bores  54  which are provided in flange  46   b . As will soon be explained, these through-bores are employed for the attachment of beams, such as beam  36 , and for splicing joinder to the underside of an overhead beam, such as beam  30 . Accordingly, through-bores  54  are also referred to herein as splice-accommodating structure. 
         [0046]    Provided at the locations of previously mentioned black dots  42 ,  44  in  FIG. 1  are cross-shaped, two-component spacers, such as spacer  42  which is variously shown in  FIGS. 3-5B , inclusive. Spacer  42  is formed from two like-configured components, one of which is shown isolated at  42   a  in  FIG. 5A , and other of which is shown isolated at  42   b  in  FIG. 5B . These spacer components are centrally notched so that they can be fit together as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the outward extensions of components  42   a ,  42   b  are provided with through-bores, such as bores  56  shown in component  42   b.    
         [0047]    Spacer  42  is placed generally longitudinally centrally between beams  36 ,  38 , and between the confronting legs of column components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . It is bolted there in place through appropriate nut-and-bolt assemblies, such as the assembly shown at  58  in  FIG. 3 , and through suitable accommodating through-bores (not shown) provided in the legs in components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . Spacer  44  is similarly positioned in column  32  vertically centrally between beams  38 ,  40 . When in place, the spacers space apart the angle-iron-like components in the column with what can be thought of as the centerlines of these spacers aligned with previously mentioned column axis  32   c . Preferably, the thickness of each of components  42   a ,  42   b  is about equal to the thickness of the central web portions of the beams which are employed in the building frame structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0048]    In each column, the angle-iron-like components, the spacer, or spacers which hold these apart, and the nut-and-bolt assemblies (and related through-bores) which bind all together, are toleranced in such a manner, that there is present in the region associated with each spacer a friction interface. This interface can allow for a certain small amount of relative longitudinal motion (along the long axes of the columns) between these elements. The amount of tightness introduced into the nut-and-bolt assemblies dictates the level of frictional engagement, which is thus selectable and adjustable. The significance of this feature of the invention will be more fully discussed shortly. 
         [0049]    An assembled column, like column  32 , thus takes the form of an assembly of four, right-angle, angle-iron-like components disposed as described and illustrated relative to one another, and held together through nut-and-bolt assemblies which clamp the angle-iron-like components onto the spacers, such as spacers  42 ,  44 . A consequence of this construction is that there are openings or recesses laterally outwardly facing along the length of column  32 , defined, in part, by the spacings which exist between the confronting legs in the angle-iron-like components. 
         [0050]    These recesses are employed herein to receive, as will below be described, the inserted extending end portions of the central webs in beams, such as beams  36 ,  38 ,  40 . 
         [0051]    Digressing for just a moment to  FIG. 15 , here, angle-iron-like components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  are represented fragmentarily as spaced elements. In  FIG. 15 , dashed lines  60 , and a dashed arrow  62 , show angle-iron-like component  48  slightly upwardly shifted from its solid outline position relative to the other three angle-iron-like components  46 ,  50 ,  52 . Similarly, dash-double-dot lines  64 , and dash-double-dot arrow  66 , illustrate upward shifting of angle-iron-like component  50  relative to components  46 ,  48 ,  52 . These moved positions for components  48 ,  50  are highly exaggerated in  FIG. 15 . This has been done to point out clearly a feature of the invention (mentioned earlier) which is that the tolerances that are built into the fastening regions between these angle-iron-like components and the spacers is such that, under severe loading conditions which produce bending of column  32 , the angle-iron-like components therein can actually shift slightly relative to one another so as to act somewhat as independent elements. Such shifting also creates frictional, energy-dissipating braking action in the regions where these elements contact one another. This capability of a column built in accordance with the present invention offers a column which can act as a heat energy dissipater to absorb shock loads to a building frame. 
         [0052]    Turning attention to now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  18  and  19 , and beginning with  FIG. 6 , here there is shown fragmentarily at  36  an end region of previously mentioned beam  36 . Beam  36  includes a central web  36   a , and upper and lower flanges  36   b ,  36   c , respectively. As can be seen, short portions of the end regions of flanges  36   b ,  36   c , have been removed to create and expose what is referred herein as an extension  36   d  in and from central web  36   a.    
         [0053]    Provided in extension  36   d  are three vertically spaced through-bores  36   e , and a downwardly facing through-bore-like hook  36   f . How this modified form of an otherwise conventional I-beam functions in the setting of the present invention will be described shortly. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  illustrates at  68  an alternative beam construction contemplated for use in and with respect to the present invention. Beam  68  has been formed from an otherwise conventional channel member having a central web  68   a , and upper and lower flanges  68   b ,  68   c , respectively. End portions of the upper and lower flanges have been removed as shown to create and expose an extension  68   d  from central web  68   a . Extension  68   d , like previously mentioned beam extension  36   d  in  FIG. 6 , includes three through-bores  68   e , and a through-bore-like hook  68   f . It will become very apparent shortly, without further direct discussion, how channel beam  68  can be used alternately with I-beam structure  36 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate modified forms of star-like-cross-section column construction contemplated by the present invention. In  FIG. 18  there is shown a column  70  which has a kind of three-sided configuration formed by angle-iron-like components  72 ,  74 ,  76 . Components  72 ,  74 ,  76  include paired, angularly intersecting, elongate legs, such as legs  72   a ,  72   b , which meet at an elongate linear corner, such as corner  72   c  that substantially parallels and is slightly spaced from the long axis  70   a  of column  70 . In the particular configuration shown in  FIG. 18 , the included angle in each of the three angle-iron-like components between the paired legs therein is about 120-degrees. 
         [0056]    Suitable spacer structures, like that shown at  78 , act between components  72 ,  74 ,  76  in column  70  in much the same manner that a spacer, like spacer  42 , acts between column components, such as components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  previously discussed. Joinder between spacer structures and angle-iron-like components is also similar to that previously described with respect to column  32 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 19 , there is shown generally at  80  yet another column structure which has a kind of three-way configuration somewhat like that pictured for column  70  in  FIG. 18 . In order to simplify matters herein, the same set of reference numerals employed for the several components pictured in  FIG. 18  for column  70  are also employed in similar locations and for similar components in column  80  in  FIG. 19 . The principal difference between column  80  and column  70  is that, in column  80 , the angularly intersecting legs in two of the angle-iron-like components possess an included angle of about 135-degrees, and the third angle-iron-like component has legs possessing an included angle of about 90-degrees. 
         [0058]    Shifting attention now to  FIGS. 8-12 , inclusive,  FIG. 8  illustrates, in much greater detail, that region within building structure  21  which includes columns  30 ,  32  and beams  36 ,  38 . In this figure, the columns and beams shown are fully assembled with respect to one another, with end region  36   d  in beam  36  generating an end-two-end splice between the adjacent ends of columns  30 ,  32 , and with the end region in beam  38  joined through nut-and-bolt assemblies to a region in column  32  which is generally longitudinally centrally between its opposite ends. One should recall that column  32  has a length which essentially spans the dimension of two stories in frame structure  21 . As can generally be seen in  FIG. 8 , a nut-and-bolt pattern which involves four nut-and-bolt assemblies is employed at the region of joinder between columns  30 ,  32  and beam  36 . In the region of joinder between column  32  and beam  38 , where no splice occurs between columns, the end of beam  36  is attached to legs in column components  46 ,  48  also utilizing a four nut-and-bolt pattern of nut-and-bolt assemblies. Thus, the attached end region in beam  36  includes three through-bores and a downwardly facing hook. Similarly the end region in beam  38  includes three through-bores and also a downwardly facing hook. 
         [0059]    Also pictured in  FIG. 8  is cross-bracing structure including a pair of bar-stock-configured cross-braces  82 ,  84 . These two cross-braces span the rectangular area which is bounded by beams  36 ,  38 , and by columns  32 ,  35 . The ends of the cross braces extend through and between the spaces/recesses provided between the legs in the angle-iron-like components, and are suitably anchored there as by nut-and-bolt assemblies generally located at the regions in  FIG. 8  shown at  86 ,  88 . Cross-braces  82 ,  84  essentially lie in a common plane shared with the long axes of beam  36 ,  38 , as well as with the long axis of column  32 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  illustrates the conditions of various components just prior to inter-connection of beam  36  with columns  30 ,  32 . In solid lines in  FIG. 9  the upper end of column  32  is prepared preliminarily with the presence of a nut-and-bolt assembly  90  wherein the shank (also referred to as a spanning device) of the bolt extends through the lower-most ones of the through-bores provided in angle-iron-like components  46 ,  48 , thus spanning completely between these two components. Column  30  does not yet occupy its solid outline position in  FIG. 9 , but rather may be poised and spaced upwardly in the dash-dot outline position pictured in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0061]    The end of beam  36  which includes central-web extension  36   d  is advanced toward the recess between angle-iron-like components  46 ,  48 , and, according to one manner of placement, or seating, is introduced by gravity into proper position as illustrated by curved arrow  92 . This involves insertion of extension  36   d  between components  46 ,  48 , and hooking, employing gravity, hook  36   f  onto the shank of the bolt in nut-and-bolt assembly  90 . 
         [0062]    According to another manner of placement, beam  36  can be lowered under the influence of gravity straight down into place as indicated by arrow  91 . It will be understood that the “arrow- 91 ” manner of beam seating, with both ends of beam  36  prepared with the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 9  for one end of this beam, will cause both ends of the beam to seat substantially simultaneously in place. When a beam becomes seated in either of the ways just described, such seating effectively results in the specific interconnected beam and column components coming into correct, precision spatial disposition in a building frame. 
         [0063]    Beam  36  is then oriented so that its long axis is substantially orthogonal with respect to the long axis of column  32 , and column  30  is lowered toward and into its solid outline position in  FIG. 9 . When this has taken place, appropriate line-up occurs between the through-bores provided in beam extension  36   d , in the upper end of column  32 , and in the lower end of column  30 , so as to permit the insertion and tightening of nut-and-bolt assemblies with respect to the other illustrated through-bores. 
         [0064]    This results in a completed assembly between columns  30 ,  32  and beam  36  in a condition where web extension  36   d  in beam  36  creates a splice between the adjacent ends of columns  30 ,  32 . This condition is clearly shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  FIG. 10  is also helpful in illustrating this condition, with this figure picturing the conditions of components just before lowering of overhead column  30  downwardly onto the upper end of column  32 . The various nut-and-bolt assemblies so employed to create a splicing interconnection between beam  36  and columns  30 ,  32  are appropriately tightened to establish the desired level of frictional interengagement which exists directly between the confronting surfaces of beam  36  and columns  30 ,  32 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 13 , which is similar to  FIG. 9 , illustrates somewhat the same processes of interconnection which may take place between beam  38  and the vertical mid-region of column  32 . An arrow  93  in  FIG. 13  shows this. Slightly curved-motion interconnection is shown by a curved arrow  95  (which is like curved arrow  92  in  FIG. 9 ). Straight down vertical seating is shown by an arrow  93 . 
         [0066]    Completing now a description of things shown in the various drawing figures,  FIG. 14  pictures at  94  a base-plate structure which is employed in frame structure  21  adjacent the bases of the different column stacks, such as column stack  22 . These base-plate structures effectively tie the stacks to the foundation (not specifically shown). Base-plate structure  94  includes a generally horizontal plate  96 , on the upper surface of which there is welded a cross-structure  98 . This cross-structure is essentially a replica of a spacer structure like that described for spacer  42 . The cross-structure receives the lower end of the lower-most column in stack  22 , with the confronting spaced legs of that column, at its lower end, receiving the cross-structure. Appropriate nut-and-bolt assemblies (not shown) anchor things in place at this base-plate structure. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate very schematically yet another facet of the present invention. Specifically what is shown in a comparative manner in these two figures is the difference which exists with respect to walls (having a thickness W) brought together at a corner within a building under circumstances with a conventional rectangular tube-like column ( FIG. 16 ) employed, and with a cross-shaped column ( FIG. 17 ) provided in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 16 , a conventional, hollow, rectangular, square-cross-section column  100  is pictured along with four interior walls structures  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . What one will here notice is that, if wall structures having generally the wall thicknesses pictured in  FIG. 17  are employed, the corners of column  100  protrude and are exposed. In order not to have these corners protrude, the wall thicknesses would have to be larger, and larger wall thicknesses translates into lesser usable floor space in a finished building. 
         [0069]    As can be seen in  FIG. 17 , where the cross-sectional transverse perimeter outline of column  32  is illustrated, these same wall structures  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  come together in a manner where the corners are not broken by the protrusion of any part of column  32 . 
         [0070]    In  FIG. 20  a beam/beam inter-connection (one end beam/beam connection only being shown, though two are, of course, simultaneously involved), also referred to herein as a beam cross-connection, is illustrated fragmentarily. The single-end beam/beam connection (one of the mentioned two) specifically shown in  FIG. 20  is one existing between a pair of orthogonally related beams  110 ,  112  which may form a part of the frame structure pictured at  21  in  FIG. 1 . Very specifically, a longitudinal central region in beam  110  has attached (by bolting) to opposite sides of its central web  110   a  two pairs of right-angle brackets (or parallel-planar, spaced plate components), such as the pair containing brackets  114 ,  116 . Brackets  114 ,  116  include spaced, parallel confronting legs  114   a ,  116   a , respectively, which are spaced apart (in the illustration now being described) with essentially the same spacing provided for the legs in previously discussed angle-iron-like components  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . 
         [0071]    A four through-bore pattern, including bores such as the two shown at  118 , is provided in legs  114   a ,  116   a . A nut-and-bolt assembly  120  is fitted into the lower-most opposing through-bores, with the shank of the bolt spanning the space between legs  114   a ,  116   a.    
         [0072]    The fragmentally visible but yet unattached, end of beam  112  is prepared with a matchingly through-bore central web extension  112   a , wherein the lower-most through-bore is actually a hook  112   b  which is like previously mentioned hook  36   f . Full attachment of beams  110 ,  112  is accomplished in somewhat the same manner described above for column-beam attachment (see vertical arrow  122  in  FIG. 20 ). 
         [0073]      FIG. 21  illustrates the cross section of a modified column  130  which, for elongate components, includes a flat plate  132 , and two right-angle angle-iron-like elements  134 ,  136 . One spacer structure associated with these elements is shown at  138 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 22  illustrates at  140  another modified-cross-section column including a channel member  142 , and two right-angle angle-iron-like components  144 ,  146 . A spacer for these components is shown at  148 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 23  shows a modified cross-brace construction  150  which is made up of the welded combination of a flat plate  152  and an angle iron  154 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 24  shows at  156  another modified form of a cross-brace, which here takes the shape of a conventional right-angle angle iron. 
         [0077]      FIG. 25  shows at  158  still another modified cross-brace form which has a rectilinear, tubular configuration. 
         [0078]    The special features of the present invention are thus fully illustrated and described. More specifically, fully illustrated and described herein is a unique beam cross-connection establishable variously between columns and beams, each such cross-connection employing, in pairs, different combinations of what have been referred to herein as beam/beam and column/beam connections. Variations and modifications are of course recognizably possible which will come within the spirit of the invention.