Pre-Stressed Structural Framing System

Abstract

The present invention discloses steel framing members for use in load bearing solar applications to reduce the amount of steel used by providing structural shapes that allow for more bending and torsion strength which allows for greater spans between posts and rafters to reduce the number of posts, rafters and concrete used. The structural shapes further allow for the elimination of angle braces and the elimination or reduced use of sag rods, knee braces and the associated fasteners. Multiple fastener locations on the same structural member assist further in bending and torsion strengths and allow for lighter gauge materials to be used to conserve materials. Minimizing or eliminating the number of posts, rafters, concrete, angle braces, sag rods, knee braces and fasteners also reduces the amount of equipment and labor used. The labor and material savings helps make solar applications less expensive and provides a lower carbon footprint to make the possibility of using them more attainable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pre-stressed structural framing system, said system comprising:
 a structural member, said structural member comprising,   a base;   a pair of webs configured to extend from said base, one from each end of said base, to form a triangular shape, wherein said webs extending to respective vertical flanges;   said vertical flanges having partial knock-outs wherein tabs are bent out to form platforms for solar panels to rest on and attach to via mechanical fastening devices; and   a plurality of fasteners adapted to prevent said webs from moving hence to provide extra torsion and bending strengths to said structural member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a mechanical force is applied to said base to create a bend in said base prior to clinching of said vertical flanges in order to capture a curved shape within said structural member thereby to provide a higher bending strength. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises at least one lower hole. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each web of said pair of webs further comprises at least one upper hole. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claims 1, 3  &  4 , wherein at least one fastener is positioned through said upper hole and said lower hole prior to mechanically fastening into a rafter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said webs provide a surface for hexagonal head of said fasteners to lay flat against so that said fasteners are unable to back out, providing a means to lock said fasteners in permanent position. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said structural member can be made in half the size by eliminating a portion of said base, one of said webs, one of said vertical flanges, and replacing them with a vertical web that extends perpendicularly from the middle of said base and terminates adjacent to end of said another vertical flange. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein two half sized structural members can be positioned or fastened to each other in a sequential manner so that the two halves become one full structural member offering greater flexural strength as a result of the combination of them. 
     
     
         9 . A pre-stressed structural framing system, said system comprising:
 a structural member, said structural member comprising,   a base;   a pair of webs, configured to extend from said base, one from each end of said base, to form a triangular shape, wherein said webs extending to respective short vertical flanges;   said short vertical flanges, configured to extend to lower arms wherein said lower arms are further extended to hems which then extend to upper arms which then extend to long vertical flanges to complete a partial I-Beam portion of said structural member;   an opening is formed therebetween said short vertical flanges, said lower arms, said upper arms, and said long vertical flanges; and   a plurality of fasteners adapted to prevent said webs from moving hence to provide extra torsion and bending strengths to said structural member.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said hems can be raised up in order for solar panels to slide over them with minimal amounts of friction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said webs are pushed down while said base is pushed up to close said long vertical flanges together in order to clinch all locations. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said opening can be used to attach cable or strapping at each end so that the middle of the cable or strapping is able to be fastened in the middle and at the bottom of said structural member in order to triangulate the cable or strapping in order to increase the bending strength of said structural member with minimal added materials. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said base further comprises at least one lower hole. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each web of said pair of webs further comprises at least one upper hole. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claims 9, 14  &  15 , wherein at least one fastener is positioned through said upper hole and said lower hole prior to mechanically fastening into a rafter. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said webs provide a surface for hexagonal head of said fasteners to lay flat against so that said fasteners are unable to back out because the apex between two flat portions of the hex head would need to overcome the push-back of said webs in order to rotate, providing a means to lock said fasteners in permanent position.