Lightweight high load capacity reinforced beam and method of making same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lightweight reinforced beam which utilizes a tendon system to provide tension on a rigid panel structural frame made from wood, wood composite, plastic or other material. An alternative embodiment uses a tendon system to provide tension on a precast form made from a castable material such as concrete by post tensioning a shielded tendon. This tendon, made from steel, carbon fiber or similar materials, will resist a load imposed on the reinforced beam and will support a large load relative to the weight of the tendon. Such a configuration would reduce the manpower and equipment necessary for placement and handling and transporting of such a beam, be easy and inexpensive to manufacture from a variety of materials and in a variety of lengths and sizes so as to be useful in a number of different load bearing situations, allow for post-tensioning of a shielded tendon thus shortening the length of time required for manufacture of the structure, and which would bear an equal or greater load than conventional solid beams at the point of greatest load demand thus providing for a safe, economical alternative to conventional solid beams for construction purposes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly comprising: 
 (a) at least two side beam member means;    (b) central spacer means and end spacer means for the purpose of spacing apart said side beam member means;    (c) fastening means for the purpose of securely attaching and holding in place said central spacer means, end spacer means, and side member means;    (d) tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring; and    (e) bearing plate means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said end spacer means and side member means.    
     
     
         2 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said side beam member means, central spacer means and end spacer means are constructed of natural materials.  
     
     
         3 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said natural materials includes wood.  
     
     
         4 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said side beam member means, central spacer means and end spacer means are constructed of non-natural materials.  
     
     
         5 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said non-natural materials includes steel.  
     
     
         6 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring, is a steel cable.  
     
     
         7 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said steel cable includes ends that are threaded.  
     
     
         8 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said threaded ends are anchored to said bearing plates by passing said threaded end through an aperture in said bearing plate and securing a nut to said threaded end.  
     
     
         9 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said bearing plate means are located in the upper one half portion of said end spacer means.  
     
     
         10 . A lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly comprising: 
 (a) at least two side beam member means;    (b) central floating beam member means for bearing a load, and lower triangular end spacer means for the purpose of spacing apart said side beam member means;    (c) fastening means for the purpose of securely attaching and holding in place said lower triangular end member means and sandwiching said central floating beam member means between said side beam member means such that said central floating beam member is allowed to move downwardly toward said triangular end member means;    (d) tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring; and    (e) cross bolt means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said side beam member means, whereby when a load force is applied to said beam assembly, said central floating beam member moves downwardly to contact said tendon means and thereby transfers the load force onto said tendon means.    
     
     
         11 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said side beam member means, central floating beam member, and lower triangular end spacer means are constructed of natural materials.  
     
     
         12 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein said natural materials includes wood.  
     
     
         13 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said side beam member means, central floating beam member, and lower triangular end spacer means are constructed of non-natural materials.  
     
     
         14 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said non-natural materials includes steel.  
     
     
         15 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring, is a steel cable or carbon fiber tendon.  
     
     
         16 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said steel cable includes ends that are looped.  
     
     
         17 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein said looped ends are anchored to said side beam member means by said cross bolt means.  
     
     
         18 . The lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said cross bolt means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said side beam member means are located in the upper one half portion of said side beam member means.  
     
     
         19 . A method for making a lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least two side beam members;    (b) providing central spacer means and end spacer means for the purpose of spacing apart said side beam member means;    (c) providing fastening means for the purpose of securely attaching and holding in place said central spacer means, end spacer means, and side member means;    (d) providing tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring; and    (e) providing bearing plate means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said end spacer means and side member means;    (f) passing said tendon means through said bearing plate means;    (g) anchoring said tendon means to said bearing plate means; and    (h) assembling said side beam member means, said central spacer means, said end spacer means, said tendon means and said bearing plate means, whereby when a load force is applied to said central spacer means that load force is transferred to said tendon means which is in turn supported by said end spacer means and said bearing plate means.    
     
     
         20 . The method for making a lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein said step of providing tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring includes providing a steel cable with at least one threaded end.  
     
     
         21 . The method for making a lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein said step of providing tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring includes providing a steel cable with looped ends.  
     
     
         22 . The method for making a lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein said step of providing bearing plate means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said end spacer means and side member means is omitted and replaced with the step of providing cross bolt means for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means ends to said side member means only.  
     
     
         23 . The method for making a lightweight high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein said step of providing central spacer means and end spacer means for the purpose of spacing apart said side beam member means is omitted and is replaced by the step of providing a central floating beam member means and triangular end spacer means for the purpose of supporting a load force and spacing apart said side beam member means.  
     
     
         24 . A solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly comprising: 
 (a) a solid beam member means;    (b) a centrally located curved hollow sheath means located within said solid beam member means;    (c) tendon means having two ends configured for secure anchoring; and    (e) bearing plate means located on the ends of said beam member means, located in the upper one-half portion of the end of said beam member means, for the purpose of securely attaching and anchoring said tendon means, whereby said tendon is placed within said sheath and curved downward to about the lower one-third of said beam member and securely anchored to said bearing plates such that said beam member may be post-tensioned and thereby capable of more rapid manufacture.    
     
     
         25 . The solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein said solid beam member is constructed of precast concrete.  
     
     
         26 . The solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein said hollow sheath means includes a corrosion inhibitor material.  
     
     
         27 . The solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the ends of said tendon are anchored and secured to said bearing plates by tendon anchoring means.  
     
     
         29 . The solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein said tendon means includes a steel cable or carbon fiber tendon.  
     
     
         30 . The solid precast high capacity reinforced beam assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein said tendo n ancho r means includes conventional cable grippers and anchor end plates or barrels.