Support structures formed from triangular elements

Abstract

A support structure for use in buildings, vehicle cargo holds, containers, and similar enclosures. The structure typically employs a plurality of triangular-shaped elements that form a low-profile structural support member. The structures may be may be formed from sheet material, such as galvanized steel or aluminum using cold roll-forming or bending (press brake) technology. Various embodiments may also be formed from metal or polymers using extrusion technology. These support structures are particularly well suited for applications in building walls or roof panelized systems as supporting elements.

1 . A support structure comprising:
 a first tubular member having a first generally triangular cross-section with a first face and an opposing first vertex;   a second tubular member having a second generally triangular cross-section with a second face and an opposing second vertex; wherein   the first face and the second face are disposed substantially on a common first plane and the first vertex and the second vertex are connected by a planar member, and wherein the first generally triangular cross-section and the second generally triangular cross-section are separated by only one substantially un-partitioned generally triangular space.   
   
   
       2 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the planar member is disposed on a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       3 . The support structure of  claim 2  wherein the support structure is a low-profile structure. 
   
   
       4 . The support structure of  claim 1  further comprising a space between the first face and the second face. 
   
   
       5 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the first cross-section and the second cross-section are substantially congruent. 
   
   
       6 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the structure is formed from a continuous folded sheet. 
   
   
       7 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the structure is formed as an extrusion. 
   
   
       8 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the first and second triangular cross-sections form substantially isosceles triangles. 
   
   
       9 . The support structure of  claim 1  wherein the first and second triangular cross-sections form substantially right triangles. 
   
   
       10 . A support structure formed from a continuous folded sheet having a first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a central portion between the first edge portion and the second edge portion, wherein the first edge portion comprises a first generally triangular cross-sectional tube having a first face and an opposing first vertex and the second edge portion forms a second generally triangular cross-sectional tube having a second face and an opposing second vertex, wherein the first face and the second face are disposed substantially on a common first plane and wherein the central portion forms a planar member that connects the first vertex and the second vertex, and wherein the first generally triangular cross-sectional tube and the second generally triangular cross-sectional tube are separated by only one substantially un-partitioned third generally triangular cross-sectional tube. 
   
   
       11 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the planar member is disposed on a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. 
   
   
       12 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the support structure is a low-profile structure. 
   
   
       13 . The support structure of  claim 10  further comprising a space between the first face and the second face. 
   
   
       14 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the first cross-section and the second cross-section are substantially congruent. 
   
   
       15 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the first and second triangular cross-sections form substantially isosceles triangles. 
   
   
       16 . The support structure of  claim 10  wherein the first and second triangular cross-sections form substantially right triangles. 
   
   
       17 . A support structure formed by a plurality of segments of material configured to form adjacent un-partitioned generally isosceles triangular tubular passageways each having a base, wherein the passageways are substantially congruent and the orientations of each of the adjacent passageways are inverted from each other so that the bases of the adjacent passageways are disposed on the opposite of two substantially parallel planes. 
   
   
       18 . The support structure of  claim 17  wherein the support structure is a low-profile structures. 
   
   
       19 . The support structure of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of segments of sheet material are formed from a continuous folded sheet. 
   
   
       20 . The support structure of  claim 17  wherein the structure is formed as an extrusion. 
   
   
       21 . A support structure comprising:
 a first generally triangular cross-section having a first face and an opposing first vertex formed by a first side and a second side wherein the second side is disposed at an angle that is substantially non-orthogonal to the first face;   a second generally triangular cross-section having second face that is orthogonal to the first face and a third side that is substantially orthogonal to the second face and wherein the third side joins the first vertex to the second face.   
   
   
       22 . The support structure of  claim 21  wherein the angle is substantially 45°.