Method of construction for a grain bin floor support
View Patent ↗A method of constructing a grain bin floor support system having a plurality of interconnected support members. The support members are constructed from a monolithic sheet of structural metal stamped and formed having upper and lower horizontal rails spanning across and integrally connected by a plurality of transverse support columns. The rails include a longitudinally extending center segment and a stabilizing portion adjacent each end thereof. The stabilizing portions are configured to be folded out in opposite directions forming a non-planar self-supporting structure.
1. A method of constructing a grain bin floor system, the method comprising:
providing a unitary flat sheet of structural steel;
stamping a pattern of channels and apertures in said flat sheet to form a blank;
shaping and forming said blank into a support member having first and second spaced apart rails spanning across and integrally connected by a plurality of transverse support columns, wherein said support member comprises at least one stabilizing portion;
outwardly extending said stabilizing portion of said support member into a substantially non-planar Z-shaped configuration.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
arranging said support members on a grain bin foundation;
interconnecting adjacent support members using a tab and slot system; and
with said first and second rails in a horizontal orientation, securing a plurality of floor planks to said support members.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
aligning, stacking, and interlocking a plurality of said support members adjacent one another for shipment.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing each of said support member with an interlocking mechanism.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising scoring bend lines on said blank prior to said shaping and forming.
6. A method of constructing a grain bin floor system, the method comprising:
providing a unitary flat sheet of structural steel;
stamping a pattern of channels and apertures in said flat sheet to form a blank;
shaping and forming said blank into a support member having first and second spaced apart rails spanning across and integrally connected by a plurality of transverse support columns, wherein said support member comprises at least two stabilizing portions;
outwardly extending said at least two stabilizing portions of said support member into a substantially non-planar Z-shaped configuration providing free standing support;
arranging said support members on a grain bin foundation;
interconnecting adjacent support members using a tab and slot system; and
with said first and second rails in a horizontal orientation, securing a plurality of floor planks to said support members.
7. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising providing each said support member with an interlocking mechanism.
8. The method according to claim 6 , further comprising scoring bend lines on said blank prior to said shaping and forming.