AU2010206072A1 - Corrugated plate assembly and assembly method thereof - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s) Tai-Cheng LEE Invention Title: Corrugated plate assembly and assembly method thereof The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: ]a CORRUGATED PLATE ASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY METHOD THEREOF This invention relates to a corrugated plate assembly and an assembly method thereof, and more particularly to a corrugated plate assembly used for constituting a portion 5 of a roof and an assembly method thereof. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a conventional corrugated plate assembly used for constituting a portion of a roof includes a pair of first and second corrugated plates 1, 1'. Each of the first and second corrugated plates 1, l' 10 includes a plate body 11. The plate body 11 has: opposite upper and lower ends 112, 111; a hook-shaped retaining portion 113 extending from a bottom surface of the plate body 11, disposed at the lower end 111, and bent toward the upper end 112; a bent portion 114 extending from a top 15 surface of the plate body 11 and bent toward the lower end 111 to define a retaining groove 115 that is open toward the lower end 111; and a positioning portion 116 disposed between the bent portion 114 and the upper end 112 and permitting extension of bolts 20 therethrough. 20 With further reference to Fig. 3, when it is desired to interconnect the first and second corrugated plates 1, 1' to form the portion of the roof, the first corrugated plate 1 is first fastened to a support 21 (such as a steel beam or a wooden plank) by the bolts 20. Next, the second 25 corrugated plate l' is placed on the plate body 11 of the first corrugated plate 1 to align the retaining portion 113 of the second corrugated plate l' with the retaining 2 groove 115 in the first corrugated plate 1. Afterwards, the second corrugated plate l' is pulled in a direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 3 to engage the retaining portion 113 of the second corrugated plate l' with the retaining 5 groove 115 of the first corrugated plate 1. Finally, the second corrugated plate 1' is fastened to the support 21 by the bolts 20 to finish the assembly of the first and second corrugated plates 1, 1'. Since most of roofs are inclined, during assembly of 10 the first and second corrugated plates 1, 1', to engage the retaining portion 113 of the second corrugated plate l' with the retaining groove 115 of the first corrugated plate 1, an upward pulling force is required to apply to the second corrugated plate l', thereby resulting in 15 difficulties in the assembly of the first and second corrugated plates 1, 1' . As such, if the second corrugated plate l' has a large size, the upward pulling force cannot be distributed uniformly on the retaining portion 113 of the second corrugated plate l' . Hence, the retaining 20 portion 113 of the second corrugated plate l' cannot engage the retaining groove 115 of the first corrugated plate 1 in a tight fitting manner. Consequently, rainwater can access onto the bolts 20 through gaps between the retaining portion 113 of the second corrugated plate 1' and the bent 25 portion 114 of the first corrugated plate 1, thereby corroding the bolts 20. Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide 3 a corrugated plate assembly that includes at least two corrugated plates that can be assembled easily. According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided a corrugated plate comprising: 5 a main plate body having opposite upper and lower ends, opposite top and bottom surfaces, a retaining portion extending from the top surface and adjacent to the upper end; and an extension plate body formed on the lower end of the 10 main plate body and having a shielding portion extending from the bottom surface of the main plate body and having a bottom end, and a bent portion extending upwardly from the bottom end of the shielding portion and defining a retaining groove that is disposed under and adjacent to 15 the main plate body and that is open toward and spaced apart from the shielding portion. According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a corrugated plate assembly comprising: a pair of first and second corrugated plates, each of 20 which includes: a main plate body having opposite upper and lower ends, opposite top and bottom surfaces, a retaining portion extending from the top surface and adjacent to the upper end; and 25 an extension plate body formed on the lower end of the main plate body and having a shielding portion extending from the bottom surface of the main plate body and having 4 a bottom end, and a bent portion extending upwardly from the bottom end of the shielding portion and defining a retaining groove that is disposed under and adjacent to the main plate body and that is open toward and spaced apart 5 from the shielding portion; wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate is engaged within the retaining groove of the extension plate body of the second corrugated plate, and the shielding portion of the 10 extension plate body of the second corrugated plate abuts against the top surface of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate, is adjacent to the retaining portion of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate, and is located between the lower end and the retaining portion 15 of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate. According to still another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for assembling a pair of first and second corrugated plates, each of the first and second corrugated plates having opposite upper and lower ends, 20 a shielding portion disposed at the lower end, a retaining groove adjacent to and spaced apart from the shielding portion, and a retaining portion adjacent to the upper end, the method comprising the steps of: (A) fastening the first corrugated plate to a support, 25 and subsequently placing the second corrugated plate on the first corrugated plate, such that the retaining portion of the first corrugated plate is disposed between and 5 adjacent to the shielding portion and the retaining groove of the second corrugated plate; and (B) pushing and moving the second corrugated plate on the first corrugated plate in a direction toward the lower 5 end of the first corrugated plate to engage the retaining portion of the first corrugated plate with the retaining groove of the second corrugated plate. These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed 10 description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first corrugated plate of a conventional corrugated plate assembly; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the conventional 15 corrugated plate assembly and a support, illustrating that a retaining portion of a second corrugated plate is spaced apart from a retaining groove of the first corrugated plate; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating that the retaining portion of the second corrugated plate is 20 engaged within the retaining groove of the first corrugated plate; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a first corrugated plate of the first preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly according to this invention; 25 Fig. 5 is a flow chart of an assembly method for the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the first preferred 6 embodiment, illustrating that how a second corrugated plate is placed on the first corrugated plate, such that a retaining portion of the first corrugated plate is disposed between and adjacent to a shielding portion and a retaining 5 groove of the second corrugated plate; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but illustrating that the retaining portion of the first corrugated plate is engaged within the retaining groove of the second corrugated plate; 10 Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly according to this invention and a support; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly according to this 15 invention and a support, illustrating that a retaining portion of a first corrugated plate is engaged within a retaining groove of a second corrugated plate and a shielding portion of the second corrugated plate abuts against an abutment projection of the first corrugated 20 plate; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly according to this invention and a support, illustrating that a retaining portion is configured as a hook; and 25 Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the fifth preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly according to this invention and a support, illustrating that a retaining 7 portion is configured as a hook. Before the present invention is described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements and structures are 5 designatedby like reference numerals throughout the entire disclosure. Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, the first preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly 300 according to this invention includes a pair of first and second 10 corrugated plates 3, 3', which are formed from steel by bending and cutting. The first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' can be interconnected to constitute a portion of a roof. Each of the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' 15 includes a main plate body 31 having opposite upper and lower ends 312, 311 and opposite top and bottom surfaces 314, 313, and an extension plate body 32 formed on the lower end 311 of the main plate body 31 and having a shielding portion 321 extending from the bottom surface 313 of the 20 main plate body 31, and a bent portion 322 connected to the shielding portion 321. The bent portion 322 includes a first straight section 324 extending upwardly from a bottom end 321' of the shielding portion 321 toward the main plate body 31 and having a top end adjacent to and 25 spaced apart from the bottom surface 313 of the main plate body 31, a second straight section 325 extending from the top end of the first straight section 324 toward the upper 8 end 312 of the main plate body 31, and a generally inverted S-shaped section 326 extending from an upper end of the second straight section 325 toward the shielding portion 321. A retaining groove 323 is defined between the second 5 straight section 325 and the inverted S-shaped section 326, and is open toward and spaced apart from the shielding portion 321. Themain plate body 31 further has a retaining portion 315 extending inclinedly from the top surface 314 toward the upper end 312 and adjacent to the upper end 312, 10 and a positioning portion 316 disposed between the retaining portion 315 and the upper end 312 and permitting extension of a plurality of bolts 40 therethrough. With further reference to Figs. 5, 6, and 7, a method for assembling the first and second corrugated plates 3, 15 3' includes first, second, third, and fourth steps 51, 52, 53, 54. In the first step (51), the first corrugated plate 3 is fastened to a support 41 (such as a beam or a wooden plank) by the bolts 40, such that the bolts 40 extend through 20 the positioning portion 316 of the first corrugated plate 3. In this embodiment, the support 41 is an inclined wooden plank. In the second step (52), the second corrugated plate 3' is placed on the first corrugated plate 3, such that 25 the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 is disposed between and adjacent to the shielding portion 321 and the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated 9 plate 3', as shown in Fig. 6. At this time, the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 is aligned with the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated plate 3' 5 In the third step (53) , the second corrugated plate 3' is pushed and moved on the first corrugated plate 3 in a direction (I) (see Fig. 7) toward the lower end 311 of the first corrugated plate 3. Since the support 41 has an inclined support surface 411, the second corrugated plate 10 3' can move easily and quickly on the first corrugated plate 3 due to the gravity of the second corrugated plate 3', so as to engage the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 with the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated plate 3' . Furthermore, since the 15 retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 extends inclinedly from the top surface 314 of the main plate body 31 of the first corrugated plate 3, as described above, when the second corrugated plate 3' moves on the first corrugated plate 3 in the direction (I) , engagement 20 of the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 with the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated plate 3' can be ensured. In the fourth step (54), the second corrugated plate 3' is fastened to the support 41 by the bolts 40. 25 As such, since the gravity of the second corrugated plate 3 facilitates movement of the second corrugated plate 3' on the first corrugated plate 3, the corrugated plate 10 assembly 300 is easy and convenient to assemble, and hence gaps formed between the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 and the bent portion 322 of the second corrugated plate 3' can be reduced significantly to thereby 5 prevent access of rainwater onto the bolts 40 through the gaps. It should be noted that, the support 41 may be horizontal. If this occurs, the corrugated plate assembly 300 of this invention will constitute a portion of a horizontal roof. 10 Fig. 8 shows the second preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly 310 according to this invention, which is similar in construction and operation to the first preferred embodiment. Unlike the first preferred embodiment, each of the first and second corrugated plates 15 3, 3' further includes a back plate body 33 disposed under the main plate body 31 and connected between the upper end 312 and the bent portion 322 of the main plate body 31, and a foam material 34 disposed between and abutting against the main plate body 31 and the back plate body 33. When 20 the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' are fastened to the support 41, each of the bolts 40 extends through the positioning portion 316 of a corresponding one of the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3', the corresponding foam material 34, and the corresponding back plate body 25 33. Due to the presence of the foam material 34, a thermal insulation effect can be provided to the roof. Fig. 9 shows the third preferred embodiment of a 11 corrugated plate assembly according to this invention, which is similar in construction and operation to the second preferred embodiment except that, the main plate body 31 of each of the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' 5 further has an abutment projection 317extending from the top surface 314 of the main plate body 31, disposed between the retaining portion 315 and the lower end 311 of the main plate body 31, and connected integrally to the corresponding retaining portion 315. When the retaining 10 portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 is engaged within the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated plate 3', an inner surface of the shielding portion 321 of the second corrugated plate 3' abuts against the abutment projection 317 of the first corrugated plate 3 to thereby 15 increase contact area between the first corrugated plate 3 and the shielding portion 321 of the second corrugated plate 3' for preventing flow of rainwater into the gaps between the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 3 and the bent portion 322 of the second corrugated 20 plate 3'. Fig. 10 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly 330 according to this invention, which is similar in construction to the second preferred embodiment except that the retaining portion 315 of the 25 main plate body 31 of each of the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end 311 of the main plate body 31 thereof, such 12 that the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 31 is engaged within the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugated plate 3' in a tight fitting manner for protecting the bolts 40 from rainwater. 5 Fig. 11 shows the fifth preferred embodiment of a corrugated plate assembly 330 according to this invention, which is similar in construction to the third preferred embodiment except that the retaining portion 315 of the main plate body 31 of each of the first and second corrugated 10 plates 3, 3' is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end 311 of the main plate body 31 thereof, such that the retaining portion 315 of the first corrugated plate 31 is engaged within the retaining groove 323 of the second corrugatedplate 3' in a tight fittingmanner for protecting 15 the bolts 40 from rainwater. In view of the above, the first and second corrugated plates 3, 3' can be interconnected easily and conveniently. Thus, the object of this invention is achieved. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 20 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated 25 features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

12a It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in 5 Australia or any other country. Documents 30/07/10

Claims (14)

1. A corrugated plate comprising: a main plate body having opposite upper and lower ends, opposite top and bottom surfaces, and a retaining 5 portion extending from the top surface and adjacent to the upper end; and an extension plate body formed on the lower end of the main plate body and having a shielding portion extending from the bottom surface of the main plate body 10 and having a bottom end, and a bent portion extending upwardly from the bottom end of the shielding portion and defining a retaining groove that is disposed under and adjacent to the main plate body and that is open toward and spaced apart from the shielding portion. 15

2. The corrugated plate as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body extends inclinedly from the top surface of the main plate body toward the upper end of the main plate body.

3. The corrugated plate as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the 20 main plate body further has an abutment projection extending from the top surface of the main plate body and disposed between the retaining portion and the lower end of the main plate body.

4. The corrugated plate as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the 25 retaining portion of the main plate body is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end of the main plate body. 14

5. The corrugated plate as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end of the main plate body. 5

6. The corrugated plate as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a back plate body disposed under the main plate body and connected between the upper end and the bent portion of the main plate body, and a foam material disposed between and abutting against the main plate body 10 and the back plate body.

7. A corrugated plate assembly comprising: a pair of first and second corrugated plates, each of which includes: a main plate body having opposite upper and lower 15 ends, opposite top and bottom surfaces, and a retaining portion extending from the top surface and adjacent to the upper end; and an extension plate body formed on the lower end of the main plate body and having a shielding portion 20 extending from the bottom surface of the main plate body and having a bottom end, and a bent portion extending upwardly from the bottom end of the shielding portion and defining a retaining groove that is disposed under and adjacent to the main plate body and that is open 25 toward and spaced apart from the shielding portion; wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate is engaged within 15 the retaining groove of the extension plate body of the second corrugated plate, and the shielding portion of the extension plate body of the second corrugated plate abuts against the top surface of the main plate body 5 of the first corrugated plate, is adjacent to the retaining portion of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate, and is located between the lower end and the retaining portion of the main plate body of the first corrugated plate. 10

8. The corrugated plate assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body of each of the first and second corrugated plates extends inclinedly from the top surface of the main plate body of a corresponding one of the first and second corrugated 15 plates toward the upper end of the main plate body of the corresponding one of the first and second corrugated plates.

9. The corrugated plate assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the main plate body of each of the first and 20 second corrugated plates further has an abutment projection extending from the top surface thereof and disposed between the retaining portion and the lower end thereof, the shielding portion of the main plate body of the second corrugated plate having an inner surface 25 abutting against the abutment projection of the first corrugated plate.

10.The corrugated plate assembly as claimed in Claim 9, 16 wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body of each of the first and second corrugated plates is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end of the main plate body of a corresponding one of the first 5 and second corrugated plates.

11. The corrugated plate assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the retaining portion of the main plate body of each of the first and second corrugated plates is configured as a hook that is open toward the lower end 10 of the main plate body of a corresponding one of the first and second corrugated plates.

12. The corrugated plate assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each of the first and second corrugated plates further includes a back plate body disposed under the 15 main plate body thereof and connected between the upper end and the bent portion of the main plate body thereof, and a foammaterial disposed between and abutting against the main plate body and the back plate body thereof.

13.A method for assembling a pair of first and second 20 corrugated plates, each of the first and second corrugated plates having opposite upper and lower ends, a shielding portion disposed at the lower end, a retaining groove adjacent to and spaced apart from the shielding portion, and a retaining portion adjacent to 25 the upper end, the method comprising the steps of: (A) fastening the first corrugated plate to a support, and subsequently placing the second corrugated plate on 17 the first corrugated plate, such that the retaining portion of the first corrugated plate is disposed between and adjacent to the shielding portion and the retaining groove of the second corrugated plate; and 5 (B)pushing and moving the second corrugated plate on the first corrugated plate in a direction toward the lower end of the first corrugated plate to engage the retaining portion of the first corrugated plate with the retaining groove of the second corrugated plate. 10

14. The method as claimed in Claim 13, after the step (B), further comprising a step (C) of fastening the second corrugated plate to the support.