Patent attributes
A molded support beam (1, 2, 3) that includes an elongated lower portion (11) an elongated upper portion (14) and at least one elongated flange (17, 18) extending upwardly from the elongated upper portion, is described. The elongated lower portion (11) includes at least three separate downwardly extending supports (e.g., 29, 32, 35) which together define at least two open-bottomed transverse openings (e.g., 41, 44), at least one of which being an arched open-bottomed transverse opening (e.g., 219, 234, 249). The elongated upper portion (14) includes a longitudinal passage (68), and a ledge (92) that extends horizontally outward from a second vertical side (56) thereof. An elongated hollow support tube (74) resides within the longitudinal passage (68) of the elongated upper portion (14). The elongated lower portion (11), elongated upper portion (14) and the elongated flange(s) (17, 18) are substantially continuous and together form a substantially unitary structure, and are each typically fabricated from a plastic material (e.g., thermoplastic polyethylene), and the elongated hollow support tube (74) is typically fabricated from metal. The molded support beam (e.g., 1, 2, 3) may be used as a lower molded support beam in numerous structures, such as shipping containers (e.g., ISO Containers having lengths from 6.1 to 16.2 m).
