Hanger beam construction
An I-beam having a web curved in two dimensions is used to provide an enhanced stiffness to weight ratio for molded plastic hangers. The I-beam includes first and second generally parallel flanges which extend in a longitudinal direction. The flanges are joined by a curved web, which is defined in part by first and second radii of curvature, wherein the radii are nominally orthogonal to each other.
1. A molded I-beam, said I-beam having first and second ends and first and second longitudinally extending flanges spaced from one another along the length of the I-beam, said beam defining a center axis along the length of the I-beam, said flanges joined by a curved web member having a first radius of curvature centered on a first axis of curvature; said curved web member extending from one side of said center axis at said first and second ends to an opposite side of said center axis, said curved web member having a second axis of curvature orthogonal to said first axis of curvature to provide enhanced resistance to flexure.
2. A molded I-beam as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first axis of curvature of said curved web of said beam defines a constant radius along the length of the curved web.
3. A molded I-beam as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said second axis of curvature of said curved web is constant along the length of said curved web.
4. A molded I-beam as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and said second axii of curvature define a constant radii along the length of the curved web.
5. A molded I-beam as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said second axis of curvature defines a curved cylindrical axis, with the curvature of the cylindrical axis defined by said first axis of curvature.
6. A molded I-beam as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the I-beam is molded of plastic.