Composite construction beam

Abstract

A composite construction beam comprising a first chord and a second chord connected by a web, wherein the first and second chords are made of wood or a wood product and the web is made of a material other than wood or a wood product such as polymer or aluminum. A method of constructing a composite beam includes forming a web from a material other than wood or a wood product and securing it to a first and second chords, which are made of wood or a wood product.

1 . A composite construction beam comprising a first chord and a second chord connected by a web, wherein the first and second chords are made of wood or a wood product and the web is made of a material other than wood or a wood product. 
   
   
       2 . The composite construction beam of  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises at least one aluminum wall that projects into and is attached to the first and second chords. 
   
   
       3 . The composite construction beam of  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises first and second aluminum side walls that project into and are attached to the first and second chords. 
   
   
       4 . The composite construction beam of  claim 3 , wherein the web additionally comprises an aluminum top wall and an aluminum bottom wall, wherein the top wall and bottom wall intersect the first and second side walls, enclosing a cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The composite construction beam of  claim 4 , wherein the top and bottom walls project from the first and second side walls and adjoin the first and second chords. 
   
   
       6 . The composite construction beam of  claim 3 , wherein the web additionally comprises one or more gussets or reinforcing beads located at the intersection of the side walls with the top wall, the bottom wall or both. 
   
   
       7 . The composite construction beam of  claim 4 , wherein the web is a unitary, extruded structure. 
   
   
       8 . A method of construction comprising utilizing a composite construction beam to support a structure, wherein the composite construction beam comprises a first chord and a second chord connected by a web, wherein the first and second chords are made of wood or a wood product and the web is made of a material other than wood or a wood product. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the web comprises at least one aluminum wall that projects into and is attached to the first and second chords. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the web comprises first and second aluminum side walls that project into and are attached to the first and second chords. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the web additionally comprises an aluminum top wall and an aluminum bottom wall, wherein the top wall and bottom wall intersect the first and second side walls, enclosing a cavity. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the top and bottom walls project from the first and second side walls and adjoin the first and second chords. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the web additionally comprises one or more gussets or reinforcing beads located at the intersection of the side walls with the top wall, the bottom wall or both. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the web is a unitary, extruded structure. 
   
   
       15 . A method of making a composite construction beam, the method comprising:
 forming a web of a material other than wood or wood products; and   securing the web to a first chord and a second chord made of wood or a wood product.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the web is aluminum. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the web is formed by extrusion. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the web is secured to the first and the second wood chords by pins, glue or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises first and second aluminum side walls that project into and are attached to the first and second chords. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the web additionally comprises an aluminum top wall and an aluminum bottom wall, wherein the top wall and bottom wall intersect the first and second side walls, enclosing a cavity. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the web additionally comprises one or more gussets or reinforcing beads located at the intersection of the side walls with the top wall, the bottom wall or both.