Structural column and process for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a column comprising a first elongate channel and a second elongate channel. In one aspect, the first elongate channel has a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom the front face of the web. The pair of flanges and the web define a trough. In one aspect, the second elongate channel also has a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom the front face of the web. In one aspect of the invention, the second elongate channel is affixed to the first elongate channel such that the front face of the web of the first elongate channel substantially faces the front face of the web of the second elongate channel, forming the column.

1 . A process for making a column for a rack comprising:
 providing a first elongate channel comprising a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom a front face of the web, wherein each longitudinal flange has a distal end, and wherein the flanges and web define a trough;   providing a second elongate channel comprising a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom a front face of the web, wherein each longitudinal flange has a distal end; and   affixing the second elongate channel to the first elongate channel such that the front face of the web of the first elongate channel substantially faces the front face of the web of the second elongate channel, wherein the web of the first elongate channel is spaced a predetermined distance from the web of the second elongate channel, and wherein the pair of longitudinal flanges on the second elongate channel is substantially deformable.   
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the distal ends of the longitudinal flanges on the second elongate channel is positioned substantially within the trough. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the distal ends of the longitudinal flanges on the second elongate channel are positioned substantially within the trough. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate channel is manufactured by cold-forming an elongate plate of structural steel. 
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the second elongate channel to the first elongate channel comprises welding a portion of each respective flange of the first elongate channel to a portion of the respective adjacent flange of the second elongate channel. 
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the welding step produces at least one bead of weld on a joint between respective flanges of the first and second elongate channels, and wherein each bead of weld extends outwardly away from a portion of the flange of the second elongate channel and does not extend past a plane defined by the distal end and a proximal end of the flange of the first elongate channel. 
   
   
       7 . A column manufactured by the process of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       8 . A column comprising:
 a first elongate channel comprising a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom a front face of the web, wherein each longitudinal flange has a distal end, and wherein the flanges and web define a trough;   a second elongate channel comprising a web and a pair of longitudinal flanges extending therefrom a front face of the web, wherein each longitudinal flange has a distal end, wherein the second elongate channel is affixed to the first elongate channel such that the front face of the web of the first elongate channel substantially faces the front face of the web of the second elongate channel, wherein the web of the first elongate channel is spaced a predetermined distance from the web of the second elongate channel, and wherein the distal ends of the longitudinal flanges on the second elongate channel are positioned substantially within the trough.   
   
   
       9 . The column of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of longitudinal flanges on the second elongate channel is substantially deformable, enabling them to be force fit into a portion of the trough. 
   
   
       10 . The column of  claim 8 , wherein the second elongate channel is manufactured by cold-forming an elongate plate of structural steel. 
   
   
       11 . The column of  claim 8 , wherein the first elongate channel is affixed to the second elongate channel by welding a portion of each respective flange of the first elongate channel to a portion of the respective adjacent flange of the second elongate channel. 
   
   
       12 . The column of  claim 11 , further comprising a bead of weld on a joint between respective flanges of the first and second elongate channels, and wherein each bead of weld extends outwardly away from a portion of the flange of the second elongate channel and does not extend past a plane defined by the distal end and a proximal end of the flange of the first elongate channel.