Lightweight bridge structure and structural joint design

Abstract

A joint for a support structure comprises a first beam having a first channel defined therein and a second beam inserted through the first channel of the first beam. The exterior surfaces of the second beam are connected to edges of the first channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A terminus-supported structure comprising:
 a first elongate structural beam having a first channel formed therethrough substantially orthogonally to a long axis of said first elongate structural beam;   a second elongate structural beam having at least an insertion segment thereof that is sized and shaped for passage through and substantial occlusion of said first channel of said first elongate structural beam; and   wherein the respective, juxtaposed surfaces of said first and said second elongate structural beams, adjacent to the juxtaposition of said first channel and outer surfaces of said insertion segment of said second elongate structural beam are at least partially joined by welding.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said first elongate structural beam is of a hollow, conduit design, having at least first and second opposing conduit walls, and said first channel comprises complimentarily positioned openings through said first and second opposing conduit walls. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein said second elongate structural beam is of a hollow, conduit design. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate structural beams comprise rectangular steel tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the terminus supported structure comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         6 . A support structure, comprising:
 a plurality of beams defining the support structure;   a plurality of joints at intersection points of the plurality of beams within the support structure;   wherein the plurality of joints further comprises:
 a first beam of the plurality of beams having a first channel laterally defined therein; 
 a second beam of the plurality of beams inserted through the first channel of the first beam, wherein exterior surfaces of the second beam are connected to edges of the first channel. 
   
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of beams comprise rectangular steel tubes. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the first channel is defined by a first opening in a first side of the first beam and a second opening in a second opposing side of the first beam. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein the exterior surfaces of the second beam are welded to the edges of the first channel. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein the first channel is substantially orthogonal to a long axis of the first beam. 
     
     
         12 . A joint for a support structure, comprising:
 a first beam having a first channel laterally defined therein;   a second beam inserted through the first channel of the first beam, wherein exterior surfaces of the second beam are connected to edges of the first channel.   
     
     
         13 . The joint of  claim 12 , wherein the first beam and the second beam comprise rectangular steel tubes. 
     
     
         14 . The joint of  claim 12 , wherein the first beam and the second beam comprise rectangular tubes having a first and second opposing sides and a third and fourth opposing sides. 
     
     
         15 . The joint of  claim 14 , wherein the first channel is defined by a first opening in the first side of the first beam and a second opening in the second opposing side of the first beam. 
     
     
         16 . The joint of  claim 12 , wherein the exterior surfaces of the second beam are welded to the edges of the first channel. 
     
     
         17 . The joint of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         18 . The joint of  claim 12 , wherein the first channel is substantially orthogonal to a long axis of the first beam.