The present invention relates to a construction framework with intercrossing beams such as columns and girders. The in- vention is primarily linked with building constructions of all types, but is not correspondingly limited, as relevant frameworks do appear also in machinery constructions and elsewhere.

The invention is based on the consideration that a strong and relatively light framework can be provided by means of C- profiled beams, preferably but not exclusively made of metal plate material, and that it is possible to prepare such beams with side recesses enabling them to be cross joined in the same plane without undue weakening in the crossing area. When the recesses are made with tight fit it is achievable that the cut-away web portions of the side flanges are substituted by the complementary web parts of the crossing beams so that pressure forces can be transferred as before, and the beams are easy to interconnect at the joints so that also pulling forces are transferable through the complementary web parts, e.g. in connection with bending impacts giving rise to a break momentum in the common plane of the crossing beams.

The crossing of the C-profiled beams in a common plane is advantageous in particular where the framework is to be filled out or covered with a panel plating, as in building or cabinet constructions.

Any relevant expert will know of different practical pos¬ sibilities of application of such frameworks and also how to adapt them as to sizing, material choice and preparation with respect to additional details such as standard location of the crossing places along any beam for specific purposes, so it is deemed superfluous in the present connection to provide for detailed examples. They may range anywhere between small lightweight structures and high houses. In the following the invention is described in more de¬ tail with reference to the drawings, in which:

other beam. Fig. 10 also shows a linear depression 38 in the rear wall of the profile.

In Fig. 11 the notch 14 is changed into two slots 14', as sufficient for the reception of the crossing beam. The re- maining panel portion 40 is provided with a flap 42 next to the side of the beam, enabling a screw connection with the relevant side of the crossing beam. This element, however, requires a cross beam 4 with full notches 14 as in Fig. 1.

It is not directly a condition that the crossing beams should be equally thick. Thus Fig. 8 shows that the horizon¬ tal beam 4 at the front side has a thickness dimension slightly larger than that of the beam 2, but it could also be smaller; the same may apply also to the other side, should such be wanted. It should of course, then, be taken into ac- count how this may influence the strength of the joint.

Generally, the joints should preferably be designed so as to be symmetrical, seen as a whole, but they should not nec¬ essarily consist of only two beams. Thus, in Fig. 5 it is in¬ dicated that the beam 2 may be supplemented by a further beam 2• , and so may the beam 4.

As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the system may also be modi¬ fied so that one beam co-operates with separate beams at ei¬ ther side, here with the use of side notches in the singular beam only. Thus, the opposed horizontal beams 4' may extend unbroken across the vertical beam(s) 2, having their side opening facing inwardly (Fig. 12) or outwardly (Fig. 13).

The embodiment of Fig. 12 is shown in the partly exploded view of Fig. 14, which shows the double sided notches 14 in the beam 2, suggesting that the rear beam wall may have cen- trally protruding wing portions at the middle area of the notches. It is also suggested - in dotted lines - that at the junction, above and below the two horizontal beams 4', there is arranged a cross plate member 44 inside the beam 2, these plate members having outer end portions 46 that are bent downwardly and upwardly, respectively, and are provided with screw holes 48. Also the upper and lower side walls 8 of the beams 4' are provided with complementary screw holes 50, such that after the insertion of the beams 4 ' these holes 48 and

angular plate fittings 16 having holes at opposite ends for receiving rivets or screws. The beams may be prepared with relevant holes 18 in situ or preferably as a standard in con¬ nection with the making of the incisions 14. Short, self-cut- ting screws can be used.

For further stability, however, a stay bolt and distance bushing system 20,22 as indicated in Fig. 4 may be used be¬ tween all or some of the respective pairs of opposite holes, all according to the requirements. Fig. 5 shows as an example that two crossing beams of equal thickness may well have different widths.

Figs. 6 and 7 correspond to Figs. 1 and 2, with the ex¬ ception that the edge notches 14 are now provided in a symme¬ trical manner, inwardly from the edge flanges 12 in both of the broad sides 4 and 8. The corner lines are relatively long, so it may be desirable to use more than two screws in the corner plates 16, e.g. three as shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 8 is shown an embodiment fully corresponding to Fig. 7, only with increased width of the vertical beam 2. Also, Fig. 8 shows a detail which is or may be a general fea¬ ture of the framework, viz. that in the crossing area there may be left a throughpassage 24 in each of the beams if the notches 14 are left fully open. These beams, therefore, are well suited for housing cables and pipes, which may even change direction in the crossing, because the throughpassages in the two beams are open towards each other. As another con¬ sequence of the space in these passages it is a possibility to use beams having a reinforcing countersunk profilation on or in the wall next to the said space, as shown at 26 in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 9, the C-profile is shown shaped with flaps 30 and 32 consisting of some of the material that would other¬ wise be removed by the shaping of the full notches 14. It will be readily understood that these flaps will have a sta- bilising effect. The flaps are shown bent inwardly, but they could as well be bent outwardly. Another arrangement of flaps 34 is shown in Fig. 10. As indicated the flaps may be provi¬ ded with holes 36 enabling for screw connection with the

C L A I M S :

1. A construction framework with intercrossing beams, characterized in that the beams are C-profiled elements which, at the crossings, are provided with side notches con¬ ditioning a beam joining by lateral insertion such that the joined beams are located in substantially the same plane, stabilised by engagement with the edges of the notches and preferably interconnected by exterior fixation means at the inner corners of the crossings.

2. A framework according to claim 1, in which the inter¬ secting beams are both provided with side notches so as to fit into each other.

3. A framework according to claim 1, in which one beam has double sided notches receiving respective, parallel, un- notched cross beams.

50 can be screw connected for general stabilisation of the joint.

However, as further shown in Fig. 15, it is a relevant possibility that the opposed side edges of the notches 14 in the rear beam wall 6 can be inwardly diverging, whereby it is particularly important that the inclined outer portions 46 of the cross plates 44 can be used for dragging out the side faces of the beams 4' against the notch side edges by mans of screws 52 through the holes 48 and 50 for a very efficient anchoring of the beams 4 ' .

At the bottom in the right hand side of Fig. 15 a modifi¬ cation is shown, where the side wall of the beam 4 ' is pro¬ filed or locally provided with a bead 54 near its free end, while the notch in the beam 2 has a corresponding edge inci- sion 56. Thus, a locking engagement is also here achievable by dragging the beam 54 into the incision 56 by means of a cross plate 44,46.

The joint shown in Fig. 13 implies that the side webs 8 and 10 of the vertical beam 2 are not directly continued across the side notches 14, but his can be remedied as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Inside the beam 4' is placed a reinforce¬ ment structure comprising two opposed, V-bent plate pieces 58,60 connected by a central screw member 62 which steps on the inner plate 58 and is in threaded connection with the outer plate 60. By operating the screw 62 the two plates can be pushed apart, whereby they will be more or less straight¬ ened out so as to press firmly up and down against the inner corners of the beam 4 ' and thus effectively stabilise the shape of the outwardly open beam 4' . In house building, see Fig. 18 as an example, the C-pro- files will offer many different constructional possibilities, e.g. in corners, where the profiles may be screwed together or joined otherwise. As examplified by Fig. 19, special pro¬ files may be shaped with projecting edge flanges for facili- tating and stabilising such connections.