Multi-purpose beam

Abstract

A multi-purpose beam for providing structural support to an assembly, an added measure of protection for conduits such as lines, hoses, and cables, and directs airflow. The inside of the beam has a number of cavities running the length of the beam created by a plurality of dividers. Within these cavities air can be circulated and conduits can be contained that transfer liquids, gases, and power. The shell of the beam and the dividers add a protective layer supporting the conduits and a plurality of openings allows for access ports that tap into the conduits at desirable locations along the length of the beam thus making what ever is conducted by the conduits available external to the multi-purpose beam.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-purpose beam comprising: 
 an elongated tubular like structural member having a cross section selected from one of the group comprising generally oval, circular, box, triangular, or polygonal or a combination thereof, an external periphery, a length, and at least one divider disposed within, and along the length of, the elongated tubular like structural member defining a plurality of cavities;    a plurality of openings extending from at least one cavity within the elongated tubular like structural member through the external periphery; and    at least one cavity being adapted to receive a conduit.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 1  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts electricity.  
     
     
         3 . The multi-purpose beam as in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that electricity is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 1  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts the flow of a liquid.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-purpose beam as in  claim 4 , further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the liquid is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 1  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts the flow of a gas.  
     
     
         7 . The multi-purpose beam as in  claim 6 , further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the gas is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         8 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 1  wherein at least one cavity is adapted to direct an airflow.  
     
     
         9 . A multi-purpose beam comprising: 
 an elongated tubular like structural member having a cross section selected from one of the group comprising generally oval, circular, box, triangular, or polygonal or a combination thereof, an external periphery, a length, and a plurality of dividers disposed within, and along the length of, the elongated tubular like structural member defining at least three cavities;    a plurality of openings extending from at least one cavity within the elongated tubular like structural member through the external periphery;    two adjoining cavities having a common divider and a plurality of holes extending from one cavity through the common divider into the other adjoining cavity; and    at least one cavity being adapted to receive a conduit.    
     
     
         10 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 9  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts electricity.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-purpose beam as in  claim 10  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that electricity is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         12 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 9  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts the flow of a liquid.  
     
     
         13 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  12  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the liquid is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 9  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit and the conduit conducts the flow of a gas.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  14  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the gas is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 9  wherein the cavities having adjoining holes conduct an airflow.  
     
     
         17 . A multi-purpose beam comprising: 
 an elongated tubular like structural member comprised of a plurality of hollow elongated shafts each having a cross section selected from one of the group comprising generally oval, circular, box, triangular, or polygonal or a combination thereof, a length, an external periphery, and at least one wall defining a cavity;    at least one wall of each shaft being adjacent to one wall of another shaft and the adjacent walls being fixedly attached to one another;    a plurality of openings extending from at least one cavity within a hollow elongated shaft through the external periphery;    at least one cavity being adapted to conduct an air flow; and    at least one cavity being adapted to receive a conduit.    
     
     
         18 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts electricity.  
     
     
         19 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  18  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that electricity is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         20 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts the flow of a liquid.  
     
     
         21 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  20  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the liquid is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         22 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts the flow of a gas.  
     
     
         23 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  22  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the gas is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         24 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  wherein at least one cavity directs an airflow.  
     
     
         25 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  further comprising at least three shafts wherein holes extend from one cavity through the fixedly attached adjacent walls to another cavity and said cavities connected by the holes are adapted to conduct an airflow.  
     
     
         25 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 17  further comprising at least one divider disposed within, and along the length of, at least one hollow elongated shaft defining a plurality of cavities and at least one cavity being adapted to receive a conduit.  
     
     
         26 . A multi-purpose beam comprising: 
 an elongated tubular like structural member comprised of a hollow elongated shaft having a cross section selected from one of the group comprising generally oval, circular, box, triangular, or polygonal or a combination thereof, a length, an external periphery, and at least one wall defining a hollow interior;    a skeletal structure wherein the hollow interior is adapted to receive the skeletal structure and the skeletal structure being displaced within the hollow interior is fixedly attached to the hollow elongated shaft and defines a plurality of cavities within the shaft;    a plurality of openings extending from at least one cavity as defined by the skeletal structure through the external periphery;    at least one cavity being adapted to conduct an air flow; and    at least one cavity being adapted to receive a conduit.    
     
     
         27 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 26  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts electricity.  
     
     
         28 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  27  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that electricity is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         29 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 26  wherein at least one cavity adapted to receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts the flow of a liquid.  
     
     
         30 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  29  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the liquid is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         31 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 26  wherein at least one cavity adapted to:,receive a conduit contains a conduit that conducts the flow of a gas.  
     
     
         32 . The multi-purpose beam as in claims  31  further comprising at least one access port wherein the access port connects through an opening to the conduit such that the gas is accessible through the access port.  
     
     
         33 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 26  wherein at least one cavity conduct an airflow.  
     
     
         34 . The multi-purpose beam according to  claim 26  wherein there are at least three cavities and a plurality of holes extending from one cavity through the skeletal structure into an adjacent cavity and said cavities being joined by the holes being adapted to conduct an airflow.  
     
     
         34 . A method of constructing a multi-purpose beam from at least one divider, at least one conduit, and a plurality of hollow elongated shafts having adjoining walls and a plurality of openings, comprising the steps of: 
 joining the shafts together at the adjoining walls;    securing at least one divider within the hollow shaft thus producing a plurality of cavities; and    inserting at least one conduit within a cavity.