초록 ▼

The support beam is an integrally-molded piece of a rigid plastic material or any other polymer or composite material, in particular a mixture of plastic material and saw dust. The support beam comprises a pair of spaced out lateral walls laid out in parallel. A plurality of spaced-apart and transve

The support beam is an integrally-molded piece of a rigid plastic material or any other polymer or composite material, in particular a mixture of plastic material and saw dust. The support beam comprises a pair of spaced out lateral walls laid out in parallel. A plurality of spaced-apart and transversally-extending flanges are disposed between the parallel walls. The transversal flanges are configured and disposed according to at least one pattern at the end sections of the support beams and at least one pattern at the central section thereof. The support beam is designed in such a way as that the end sections have a higher compression strength than that of the central section. The support beam offers a very advantageous alternative to the support beams hitherto used for handling purposes, notably those made of solid wood or superimposed particle board sections. It can be used together with a corresponding support slat and fastened to the articles it supports with the help of a metallic belt or any other such type of fastener. The support beam is reusable, weather resistant, recyclable and possesses advantageous phytopathogenic properties.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A one-piece integrally-molded support beam having an upper load-receiving surface and a bottom supporting surface, the support beam comprising: a pair of spaced-apart and parallelly-disposed elongated side walls, each side wall having two longitudinal edges, one of which is coplanar with the l

1. A one-piece integrally-molded support beam having an upper load-receiving surface and a bottom supporting surface, the support beam comprising: a pair of spaced-apart and parallelly-disposed elongated side walls, each side wall having two longitudinal edges, one of which is coplanar with the load-receiving surface and the other with the bottom supporting surface; and a plurality of spaced-apart and transversally-extending flanges disposed between the side walls and integrally-attached thereto, the flanges being configured and disposed in accordance to at least one pattern at the opposite end sections of the support beams and at least one pattern at a central section thereof; whereby the end sections have a higher compression strength than that of the central section. 2. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein the transversal flanges of the end sections have an average spacing which is smaller than that of the central section. 3. A support beam according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between adjacent flanges of the end sections decreases towards the ends of the support beam. 4. A support beam according to claim 3, wherein the transversal flanges of the central section have a uniform spacing. 5. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein the transversal flanges at each end section are interconnected by at least one longitudinally-disposed flange. 6. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the transversal flanges comprise an upper edge which is coplanar with the upper supporting surface. 7. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein each side wall comprises an upper rim extending longitudinally and projecting towards the interior near the longitudinal edge that is coplanar with the other supporting surface, the upper rim having an upper face which is in the same plane as the upper supporting surface and forming a continuous surface with the adjacent longitudinal edge. 8. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein each transversal flange comprises a stepped bottom edge, the stepped bottom edges of the transversal flanges defining a continuous longitudinally-extending channel. 9. A support beam according to claim 8, wherein the lateral portions of the stepped bottom edges of the transversal flanges are coplanar with the bottom supporting surface. 10. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein each side wall comprises a protuberance extending longitudinally and projecting towards the exterior near the longitudinal edge that is coplanar with the bottom supporting surface, the protuberance having a bottom face which is coplanar with the bottom supporting surface and forming a continuous surface with the adjacent longitudinal edge. 11. A support beam according to claim 10, wherein the protuberance comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending toothed-rail projecting towards the bottom of the bottom surface. 12. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein the support beam is made of a polymer material. 13. A support beam according to claim 12, wherein the polymer material is selected from a group consisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and a mixture thereof. 14. A support beam according to claim 1, wherein the support beam is made of a composite material. 15. A support beam according to claim 14, wherein the composite material comprises wood dust and at least one other material selected from a group consisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and a mixture thereof. 16. A support beam according to claim 15, wherein the wood dust are present in a proportion ranging from more than 0 to 85% by weight.