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 Column and beam constructionThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070278380. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/809,515, filed May 30, 2006, entitled, "Column and Beam Systems," which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the present application is related to U.S. patent application No. ______, attorney docket no. 1006.U02, entitled "Exterior Wall Construction," filed May 29, 2007; U.S. patent application No. ______, attorney docket no. 1006.U03, entitled "Interior Wall Construction," filed May 29, 2007; and, U.S. patent application No. ______, attorney docket no. 1006.U05, entitled "Floor and Roof Construction," filed May 29, 2007. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. The Field of the Invention [0003]This invention relates generally to construction materials. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to construction using foam materials as concrete forms. [0004]2. Related Technology [0005]Polystyrene, a polymer discovered in the nineteenth century, is a highly useful material having a wide variety of applications that is manufactured for use in numerous commercial enterprises. One of the most common uses of polystyrene, however, is expanded polystyrene, which is used for making such products as packing material, craft and model materials, and take-away food cups and containers. [0006]In addition to these uses, expanded polystyrene is one of several foams used in making insulated panel building materials. These building materials, also referred to as insulated concrete forms, are used to form molds for use in constructing walls of buildings. Most commonly, an insulated concrete form for a portion of wall is set in place and the concrete is then poured into the insulated concrete form. The form then remains in place, where it acts as insulation both for curing the concrete and as general insulation for the building or structure being constructed. [0007]Using foams for building construction provides numerous benefits. For example, foams serve as excellent insulators helping to reduce energy costs. Foams also provide superior sound absorption and their use contributes to fast construction of buildings, thereby creating competitive costs for using foams when compared to conventional building methods such as wood framing. These benefits have led to increased use of foams in building certain portions of buildings, such as exterior walls built using insulated concrete forms. [0008]Although foams are used extensively in manufacturing insulated concrete forms for exterior walls of buildings and other structures, use of foams for other building systems and materials is not widespread. What is needed are systems and methods for configuring expanded polystyrene for interior walls of buildings and other structures. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]Embodiments of the present invention include construction systems for columns and beams, construction system forms for columns and beams, and methods of constructing column and beam systems. In one embodiment of the invention a construction system form includes panels configured on top of, adjacent to, and opposite each other to form a construction system having any length, width, height, and shape. A connector system connects opposite panels while fasteners secure adjacent panels. When the concrete form is completed, concrete is poured into the cavity defined by the form to create one distinct monolithic unit. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide column and beam systems configured of concrete having minimal structural discontinuities. [0010]These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0012]FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a configuration of panels of a construction system; [0013]FIG. 2 shows embodiments of a connector system; [0014]FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a construction system form for columns; [0015]FIG. 4 shows embodiments of a rebar stand; [0016]FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a construction system for beams; and [0017]FIG. 6 shows a method for constructing a column and/or beam system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0018]Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for building concrete columns and beams using foam forms, such as, for example, expanded polystyrene forms. Column and beam systems of the present invention include panels, a connector system, and fasteners. Panels are configured on top of, adjacent to, and opposite each other in any arrangement to create a column or beam having any specified length, width, and height. The connector system engages interior sides of panels that are positioned opposite each other, thus securing the position of the panels and enhancing the stability of the panels. In addition, fasteners, placed on top of adjacent panels, also secure the position of adjacent panels and enhance the stability of the panels. When the concrete form for the column or beam has been completed, concrete is poured into the form creating one distinct monolithic unit. [0019]With attention now the FIG. 1, a configuration of panels 100 of a column construction system are shown. Panels 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112, having any length, width, and height, include interior sides and exterior sides. For example, panels 102 and 104 include interior sides (not shown) and exterior sides 114 and 116, respectively. Similarly, panels 106 and 108 include interior sides 118 and 120, respectively, and exterior sides (not shown). In one embodiment of the invention panels 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 are made of foam material, such as, for example, a cement-foam composite, polyurethane foam polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene, and extruded polystyrene. Continue reading... Full patent description for Column and beam construction Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Column and beam construction patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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