Structural beam

Abstract

A composite wood/metal beam includes a metal support element having a vertical web and horizontal flanges which project from the top and bottom of the web. A plurality of studs which fit entirely between the flanges are attached to the support element. A wood member having the same length and width as the beam is attached to the flange at the top and bottom of the beam. Preferably, some of the studs are attached to the support element in a manner which allows them to be slid along the length of the beam.

1 . A beam for use in supporting a structural load, said beam having a pre-determined length, height and width, comprising: 
 (a) a metal support element having a vertical web with a top end and a bottom end and a pair of horizontal flanges, said flanges being oriented normal to said web, one of said flanges being located at the top end of said web and the other of said flanges being located at the bottom end of said web, said flanges extending outwardly from said web a predetermined distance;    (b) a wood member having a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of said beam, one of said wood members being attached to at least one of said flanges;    (c) a plurality of studs having a height such that they will fit snugly between said flanges and a thickness which is equal to said predetermined distance so that said studs are contained entirely between said flanges, and a width which is greater than said thickness, said studs being attached to said support element.    
     
     
         2 . The beam of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said studs is a sliding stud which is attached to said support element in a manner such that it is slidable along the length of said beam.  
     
     
         3 . The beam of  claim 1 , including C-shaped metal caps which are dimensioned to fit over said studs, one of said caps being attached to each of said studs.  
     
     
         4 . The beam of  claim 1  wherein said support member is a C-shaped channel.  
     
     
         5 . The beam of  claim 4  wherein said flange at the top end of said web has a downwardly projecting lip at the distal extremity thereof, and said flange at the bottom end of said web has an upwardly extending lip at the distal extremity thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The beam of  claim 2  wherein said support member is a C-shaped channel.  
     
     
         7 . The beam of  claim 6  wherein said flange at the top end of said web has a downwardly projecting lip at the distal extremity thereof, and said flange at the bottom end of said web has an upwardly projecting lip at the distal extremity thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The beam of  claim 7  wherein said lips are what attach said sliding studs to said beam.  
     
     
         9 . The beam of  claim 4 , including a plurality of spacer blocks which are substantially the same size as said studs, said spacer blocks being attached to said web, on the side thereof which is opposite the side said studs are attached, with the wider side thereof being in contact with said web.  
     
     
         10 . The beam of  claim 9 , including C-shaped metal caps which are dimensioned to fit over said spacer blocks, one of said caps being attached to each of said spacer blocks.  
     
     
         11 . The beam of  claim 10  wherein said wood member has a width which entirely covers said support element and said spacer blocks.  
     
     
         12 . The beam of  claim 1 , including a plurality of spacer blocks which are substantially the same size as said studs, said spacer blocks being attached to said web, on the side thereof which is opposite to the side said studs are attached, with the narrower side thereof being in contact with said web.  
     
     
         13 . The beam of  claim 2  wherein said support member is two C-shaped channels having back to back webs which are joined to one another.  
     
     
         14 . The beam of  claim 13  wherein said studs are located on both sides of said support members.  
     
     
         15 . The beam of  claim 14  wherein the flange at the top end of the web of each of said channels has a downwardly projecting lip at the distal extremity thereof, and the flange at the bottom end of the web of each of said channels has an upwardly extending lip.  
     
     
         16 . The beam of  claim 15  wherein said lips are what attach said sliding studs to said beam.  
     
     
         17 . The beam of  claim 13 , including C-shaped metal caps which are dimensioned to fit over said studs, one of said caps being attached to each of said studs.  
     
     
         18 . The beam of  claim 1  wherein said support member is an I-shaped channel.  
     
     
         19 . The beam of  claim 18  wherein said studs are located on each side of said I-shaped channel.  
     
     
         20 . The beam of  claim 19 , including C-shaped metal caps which are dimensioned to fit over said studs, one of said caps being attached to each of said studs.