Trussed-sheet construction

Sept. 1, 1936. j. o. madison 2,052,984

TRUSSED SHEET CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 1934

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Patented Sept 1, 1936

2,052,984

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,052,984 TRUSSED-SHEET CONSTRUCTION John O. Madison, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Jennie M. Madison executrix of said John O. Madison, deceased

Application April 25, 1934, Serial No. 722,270 6 Claims. (Cl. 72—70)

This invention relates to trussed-sheet structures designed to withstand heavy loads or stresses. The invention has reference especially to certain improvements in or modifications of 5 the invention disclosed in my Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,277,622, dated September 3,1918, for trussed sheet building material, which patent describes a trussed-sheet structure embodying two sheets, preferably of steel, constitut10 ing the outer chord members of the trussed construction. These sheets are arranged in spaced relation and are rigidly connected by intermediate web members composed cf integral projections or depressions formed on one or both sheets and 15 separated from each other laterally and longitudinallly in staggered relation, such projections or depressions being of a depth many times the thickness of the sheet in order to produce a trussing effect. The structure supports suitable cover20 ing material.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient trussed-sheet floor construction having ample inherent resiliency to absorb shocks, dampen vibrations and 25 prevent the transmission of sound.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a construction having novel provision for anchoring a superposed body of covering material.

With these objects in view my invention com30 prises a trussed-sheet metal flooring construction embodying shock insulating cushions interposed between the two spaced sheets, which cushions are seated against the apices of the depressions of one or both sheets.

My invention also comprises such a trussed flooring construction wherein nuts or heads on connecting devices for the truss sheets and cushions are seated in the respective depressions of the upper sheet and are shaped to afford efficient 40 anchorage for the covering material on the upper sheet.

The invention also comprises features of novelty which, in a preferred form or forms, will be hereinafter described, the scope of the invention 45 then being expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing—

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a trussed-sheet flooring structure embodying the principle of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the structure, partly in section, the covering material being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified construction.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modification. 55 Fig. 5 is a vertical section, as on the line 5—5 of Fig. 4.

In the improved flooring construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the upper and lower metal sheets 5 and 6, respectively, constitute the 60 compression and tension chord members of the trussed structure. Each of these sheets is formed with permanent integral depressions 7, preferably of elongated formation, constituting webs, spaced laterally and longitudinally in staggered relation, the depth of the respective depressions being 5 many times the thickness of the sheet material sufficient to produce a strong trussing effect. The two sheets, which may if desired be formed with reinforcing or strengthening ribs, are arranged in spaced relation with the apices of the depres- 10 sions of one sheet in line centrally with but spaced somewhat from the apices of the corresponding depressions of the other sheet. Interposed between the apices of each pair of opposing depressions is a resilient cushion 8, preferably of 15 rubber, which cushion and the respective sheets are held together by a suitable connecting device which In the form illustrated comprises a vertically-disposed tie-bolt 9 extending through aligning apertures in the apices of the comple- 20 mentary depressions and in the intermediate cushion. The upper threaded end of each bolt stem is equipped with a nut 10 which is seated on the floor of the upper depression, and hence by proper manipulation of the bolt head beneath the 25 lower sheet the two sheets can be effectually clamped against the interposed cushion in a manner to effect the compression of the latter to any predetermined extent to meet the particular location and service requirements of the flooring 30 construction.

The bolt nuts 10 herein shown are of T-formation, each nut having a threaded body 11 terminating in a cross-head 12. The formation of the nut is such that when it is applied to the 35 threaded upper end of the bolt, the head 12 of the nut lies within and transversely of. the depression and flush, or substantially so, with the outer surface of the sheet 5. The aperture in the apex of each of the depressions 7 of the lower 40 sheet 6 is of sufficient size to permit free vertical movement within limits of the lower end of the bolt in respect to the latter sheet in order to permit the requisite compression and expansion of the cushion. 45

In the construction hereinbefore described embodying metal sheets constituting the compression and tension chord members thereof, the depressions of the compression member, together with the cushions and the means extending there- 50 through for securing the said members to each other and retaining the cushions under compression, form between the compression and tension members of the structure, true web members which transmit shear stresses from one chord 55 member to another.

The upper surface of the sheet 5 is provided with a layer of suitable covering material, such, for example, as concrete 13, which when it is applied to the trussed sheet structure enters the 60

2,063,984 various spaced-apart depressions of the sheet 5 and is therein effectively anchored by interlocking engagement with the heads of the T-nuts. Since the nuts are embedded in the covering material the accidental turning or displacement of the nuts is prevented.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of the invention wherein the depressions 7 are formed in the upper sheet only, the lower sheet being illustrated as a plain sheet suitably perforated at intervals for the passage of the adjusting bolts 9 which tie together the two sheets and the interposed cushions 8, which latter rest upon the lower sheet and are in bearing contact with the apices of the depressions of the upper sheet.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown another modification wherein the depressions 7 are also formed in the upper sheet only, and wherein the cushions 8 comprise angularly cut resilient sections of a spring-steel tube. The larger or base portion of each section rest upon and are welded or otherwise fastened to the lower sheet 6 while the apex of the section is secured by a rivet 90 to the apex of the opposing depression 7. The base of each resilient section is perforated, as at 14, for the insertion of a suitable riveting tool. Each of the rivets is provided with an upwardly extending Tshank 120 which affords an efficient anchorage for the covering material 13 which is seated in the* depression.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention provides a durable and economical trussed-sheet flooring construction which is capable of withstanding heavy loads or stresses, and which construction is not only fire-proof and heat-insulating but it possesses throughout its load-bearing area ample elasticity to absorb shocks, dampen vibrations and prevent the transmission of sound.