Open framework, especially for building purposes

Claim 2

Open framework comprising upper and lower sets of coaxial vertical columns and horizontal girders belonging to two sets of parallel girders, the sets of girders being perpendicular with respect to each other and having junctions providing interconnections between two coaxial columns and up to four girders, in which the end of each column is provided with an outwardly proJection circumscribing transverse flange, the end of each girder belonging to a junction being disposed between the flanges of two coaxial columns with each set of parallel girders being staggered in such a way that in each junction a side face of each girder end forms one side of a rectangle and such that for junctions with less than four girder ends the missing ends are replaced by short girder sections for completing the rectangle.

Claim 3

Open framework according to claim 1 wherein said girders and girder sections are of U-shaped configuration with the closed part of the U facing the rectangle.

Claim 4

In a structural framework assembly, in combination: a first set of vertical columns disposed at one level and a second set of vertical columns disposed at a second level coaxial with corresponding columns of the first set, the columns of the two sets being positioned to define corners of rectangular areas; a plurality of horizontal girders interconnecting said columns along at least some of the boundaries of said rectangular areas; a flange plate secured to each of the upper ends of the first set of columns and a flange plate secured to each of the lower ends of the second set of columns, each flange plate having border portions projecting outwardly of its associated column; the ends of said girders being disposed between said border portions of the flange plates of coaxial columns such that at a place where four girders meet, their ends form a rectangular enclosure between the flange plates of the associated coaxial columns, and such that at other places where less than four girders meet, at least one side of such a rectangular enclosure is formed, and girder sections disposed between said border portions of the flange plates of the coaxial columns at said other places to complete the rectangular enclosures thereat; and fastener means connecting all of said girder ends and girder sections to their associated flange plates.

Claim 5

In a structural framework assembly, in combination: a first set of vertical columns disposed at one level and a second set of vertical columns disposed at a second level coaxial with corresponding columns of the first set, the columns of the two sets being positioned to define corners of rectangular areas; a plurality of horizontal girders interconnecting said columns along at least some of the boundaries of said rectangular areas; a flange plate secured to each of the upper ends of the first set of columns and a flange plate secured to each of the lower ends of the second set of columns, each flange plate having border portions projecting outwardly of its associated column; the ends of said girders being disposed between said border portions of the flange plates of coaxial columns such that at a place where four girders meet, their ends form a rectangular enclosure between the flange plates of the associated coaxial columns, and such that at other places where less than four girders meet, at least one side of such a rectangular enclosure is formed, and girder sections disposed between said border portions of the flange plates of the coaxial columns at said other places to complete the rectangular enclosures thereat; and fastener means connecting all of said girder ends and girder sections to their associated flange plates.

Claim 6

In a structural framework assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said columns are of hollow form and each flange plate is provided with a central opening whereby said rectangular enclosures effect continuity between the interiors of coaxial columns.

Claim 7

In a structural framework assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said columns are rectangular, said flange plates are rectangular and said girders and girder sections are of channel configuration, the webs of said channel girders being disposed innermost and the legs thereof projecting outwardly in face-to-face contact with said outwardly projecting border portions of said flange plates.