Building strut system
This invention allows attachment of strut channels 2 , pipes, conduit, and mounting of equipment to the interior of buildings and other structures. Attachment to structures such as I-Beams, channels, structural angles, purlins and truss structures are improved. Extended use of self tapping screws 28 and commonly used metal strapping are enabled. The use of dimpled holes 7 facilitate insertion of self tapping screws 28 thus expanding their function. Tab cut outs 6 in attachment hardware that allow strapping to pass and hook provide new and efficient methods for using standard strapping. New mounting hardware in combination with beam clamps, another invention of mine, use the beam clamps along with appropriate accessories, which are part of that invention, to provide new methods of attachment. Strut channels 2 are changed to integrate the use of these improvements.
1. A V-strut comprising a base, two sides and two flanges, connected together and forming an elongated channel with a cross section generally like that of a hat, configured to allow multiple types of clamps and attachment devices to be fastened to it and comprised of:
a base surface making up a bottom portion of the channel wide enough to incorporate predetermined sizes of holes, slots and cutouts;
two side surfaces with an edge of each connected to the two opposite sides of the base surface at an angle of between 70 and 130 degrees forming a channel; and
one of the two flanges connected to each of the side surfaces and turned outward away from a channel area, formed between the sides and wide enough to allow placement of holes in the flanges, to form a planar area with outward facing edges that allow beam clamps to be used and has dimpled holes in the flanges that simplify the insertion and use of self tapping threaded fasteners, with depressions around the hole that facilitates the tip of the fastener movement toward and into the hole;
and further may include a cutout in the side sized and shaped for a hanger strap with holes to pass, hook over a tab incorporated and protruding into the interior portion of said cutout which is sized to allow holes in the strap to capture the tab; more than one tab is possible and could extend in different directions.
2. The V-strut according to claim 1 wherein a wall plate is abutted and attached to the end of the strut with strut located in the center portion and perpendicular to a mounting plate with the plate including multiple holes for fasteners to pass allowing the assembly to be attached perpendicular to a surface and rotated in multiple direction.
3. The strut channel comprised of:
a base surface making up a bottom portion of the channel wide enough to incorporate predetermined sizes of holes, slots and cutouts;
two side surfaces with an edge of each connected to the two opposite sides of the base surface at an angle of between 70 and 130 degrees forming a channel;
each of said two side surfaces comprising a flange turned inwardly and down toward the base surface; and
dimpled holes in the flanges and the side surfaces that simplify the insertion and use of self tapping threaded fasteners having a head with power drivers wherein the dimpled holes comprise holes and recess around the holes wherein the recess around the hole facilitates the tip of the fastener movement toward and into the hole but for the head of the self tapping threaded fastener to extend beyond the recess, wherein the dimpled holes are of a predetermined size that facilitate the insertion of self-tapping screws along the length of the strut channel spaced along the base surface or side surfaces to facilitate the attachment of various clamps or attachment hardware at any desired spacing along the base surface or the side surfaces using self tapping fasteners.