Beam/Column With Stiffening Stick

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a structural member for use in forming a frame for an architectural structure comprising a first portion of a beam having a first longitudinal section with a first pair of legs extending to one side of the first longitudinal section and a second portion of a beam having a second longitudinal section with a second pair of legs extending to one side of the second longitudinal section. A fastener is placed within a pair of projections that extend from a beam fastener to enable one to fasten the first pair of legs of the first longitudinal section to the second pair of legs of the second longitudinal section, whereby the pair of projections of the beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of the fastener.

1 . A structural member for use in forming a frame for an architectural structure, comprising:
 a first portion of a beam having a first longitudinal section with a first upper leg extending to one side of said first longitudinal section and a first lower leg extending to one side of said first longitudinal section;   a second portion of a beam having a second longitudinal section with a second upper leg extending to one side of said second longitudinal section and a second lower leg extending to one side of said second longitudinal section;   at least one fastener; and   a first beam fastener having a first pair of spaced apart projections for receiving said fastener within said first pair of projections, said first beam fastener in conjunction with said fastener connecting said first upper leg of said first longitudinal section to said second upper leg of said second longitudinal section, whereby said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener.   
   
   
       2 . The structural member according to  claim 1  further comprising a pre-manufactured truss component, said truss component connecting to said first portion of said beam or said second portion of said beam. 
   
   
       3 . The structural member according to  claim 1  wherein said first beam fastener further comprises a stiffening track. 
   
   
       4 . The structural member according to  claim 1  wherein said fastener further comprising a head portion having a head portion width. 
   
   
       5 . The structural member according to  claim 4  wherein said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener further comprising a first spaced apart width that is equal to or greater than said head portion width of said fastener. 
   
   
       6 . The structural member according to  claim 4  further comprising a second beam fastener having a second pair of spaced apart projections for receiving said fastener within said second pair of projections, said second beam fastener in conjunction with said fastener connecting said first lower leg of said first longitudinal section to said second lower leg of said second longitudinal section, whereby said second pair of projections of said second beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener. 
   
   
       7 . The structural member according to  claim 6  wherein said second beam fastener further comprises a stiffening track. 
   
   
       8 . The structural member according to  claim 6  wherein said second pair of projections of said second beam fastener further comprising a second spaced apart width that is equal to or greater than said head portion width of said fastener. 
   
   
       9 . A structural member for use in forming a frame for an architectural structure, comprising:
 a first portion of a beam having a first longitudinal section with a first pair of legs extending to one side of said first longitudinal section;   a second portion of a beam having a second longitudinal section with a second pair of legs extending to one side of said second longitudinal section;   at least one fastener; and   at least one of said first pair of legs or at least one of said second pair of legs having a beam fastener said beam fastener having a pair of spaced apart projections for receiving said fastener within said pair of projections, said beam fastener in conjunction with said fastener connecting at least one of said first pair of legs of said first longitudinal section to at least one of said second pair of legs of said second longitudinal section, whereby said pair of projections of said beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener.   
   
   
       10 . The structural member according to  claim 9  wherein said beam fastener further comprises a stiffening track. 
   
   
       11 . The structural member according to  claim 9  further comprising a pre-manufactured truss component, said truss component connecting to said first portion of said beam or said second portion of said beam. 
   
   
       12 . The structural member according to  claim 9  wherein said fastener further comprising a head portion having a head portion width. 
   
   
       13 . The structural member according to  claim 12  wherein said pair of projections of said beam fastener further comprising a spaced apart width that is equal to or greater than said head portion width of said fastener. 
   
   
       14 . A method for forming a structural member for use in forming a frame for an architectural structure, comprising:
 providing a first portion of a beam having a first longitudinal section with a first upper leg extending to one side of said first longitudinal section and a first lower leg extending to one side of said first longitudinal section;   providing a second portion of a beam having a second longitudinal section with a second upper leg extending to one side of said second longitudinal section and a second lower leg extending to one side of said second longitudinal section:   providing a first beam fastener having a first pair of projections;   providing at least one fastener within said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener; and   fastening said fastener within said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener to said first upper leg of said first longitudinal section and to said second upper leg of said second longitudinal sections whereby said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising providing a pre-manufactured truss component, said truss component being connected to said first portion of said beam or said second portion of said beam. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein said fastener further comprising a head portion having a head portion width. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener further comprising a first spaced apart width that is equal to or greater than said head portion width of said fastener. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16  further comprising:
 providing a second beam fastener having a second pair of spaced apart projections; and   fastening said fastener within said second pair of projections of said second beam fastener to said first lower leg of said first longitudinal section and to said second lower leg of said second longitudinal section, whereby said second pair of projections of said second beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein said second pair of projections of said second beam fastener further comprising a second spaced apart width that is equal to or greater than said head portion width of said fastener. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing a socket, said socket having an internal dimension that is fitted to said head portion of said fastener, said socket having an outer dimension that is equal to or greater than said first spaced apart width of said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener; and   turning said socket on said head portion of said fastener to fasten said fastener within said first pair of projections of said first beam fastener to said first upper leg of said first longitudinal section and to said second upper leg of said second longitudinal section, whereby said pair of projections of said first beam fastener prevent the over-tightening of said fastener.