AU2014101179B4 - Twist Lock - Google Patents

Abstract

H:JZCJntenvoveni\NRPortbl\DCC\JZC\6817247I.doc-23/09/2014 A building assembly that includes a building structure and a roof supported above the building structure by an adapter that includes a twist lock connector to lock into an attachment socket of the building structure.

Description

H:\jzc\ntewoven\NRPortbl\DCC\JZC\798008I.DOC-29/06/2015 BUILDING STRUCTURE AND ADAPTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a building structure and an adapter particularly but not exclusively for fitting a roof to one or more shipping containers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A shipping container can be readily modified into an open workshop by replacing one of the side walls with hinged doors. Shelter can be provided over the open doors by attaching a roof to the top wall of the container such as by welding supporting plates to the container and then bolting roof support struts to the plates. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention seeks to provide an alternative building structure and adapter suitable for attaching a roof to a shipping container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adapter including: a base with a twist lock head for engagement in a socket of a building structure; a fitting, to connect a roof beam to the building structure; and a post fixed to the base in order to support the fitting over the socket of the building structure; wherein the fitting is in the form of a bracket mounted to the post and the bracket is adapted to connect to the roof beam and is angled relative to the post to accommodate a pitch angle of the roof beam. [0005] In one embodiment, the bracket includes apertures for receipt of fasteners to connect the adapter to the roof beam.

H:\jzchnterwove\NRPortbl\DCC\JZC\7980081_1.DOC-29/06/2015 -2 [0006] In another aspect, there is provided a building assembly that includes a building structure, the adapter as described above arranged whereby the twist lock connector locks into an attachment socket of the building structure, and a roof supported above the building structure by the adapter. [0007] In one embodiment, the building structure is a container and the attachment socket is a corner casting of the container. [0008] In one embodiment, the building assembly further includes two containers and multiple adapters are provided to connect the roof to respective corner castings on each container so that the roof spans between the containers. [0009] Preferably, the containers are modified shipping containers. [0010] This paragraph has been deleted. [0011] This paragraph has been deleted. [0012] This paragraph has been deleted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a building assembly; Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembly; H:\JZC\Intenvovcn\NRPor-tbl\DCC\JZC\6817247 .doc-23109/2014 -3 Figure 3 is an end view of the assembly; Figure 4a is plan view of an example adapter; Figure 4b is a side view of the adapter; Figure 4c is a front view of the adapter; Figure 5a is a plan view of another example adapter; Figure 5b is a side view of the adapter; and Figure 5c is a front view of the adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a building assembly 1 is shown as including two building structures 2 located beneath a structural element 3 in the form of a roof 4. [0015] Each building structure 2 has an attachment socket 5 at a respective upper corner 6. The attachment socket 5 is in the form of a conventional corner casting 7 used with shipping containers. [0016] The building structures 2 are in fact preferably in the form of containers 8 that have existing corner castings 7. The containers 8 may be original shipping containers or modified containers. Alternatively, the containers 8 may be purpose built, with attachment sockets 5 fitted, as required. [0017] The roof 4 is supported by adapters 9 that allow the roof to be secured directly to the sockets 5.

H:UZC\Inte-nvovcn\NRPortbl\DCCUZC\6817247 .doc-23/09/2014 -4 [0018] For that purpose, each adapter 9 includes a base 10 with a twist lock head 11 for locking receipt in the associated socket 5 and an actuating lever 12 that is used to rotate the head 11 in the socket 5 to lock the adapted 9 in place. [0019] Each adapter 9 also includes an elongate post 12 that projects upwardly from the base 10. The post 12 supports a fitting 13 that connects to a side beam 14 of the roof 4. The fitting 13 is in the form of a bracket 15 with apertures 16 to receive fasteners 17 that connect the adapter 9 to the beam 14. [0020] The bracket 15 of each adapter 9 is preferably angled relative to the associated post 12, and the length of the post is varied, to accommodate a pitch angle of the roof 4. [0021] In order to construct the building assembly 1, the containers 8 are firstly positioned at appropriate locations on a slab or ground surface 18 and the roof 4 is then lowered into position so the twist lock heads 11 of each of the adapters 9 slot into the associated attachment sockets 5. When in position, the actuating levers 12 are simply moved into a locking position so that the heads 11 rotate within the sockets 5, to engage with the containers 8. [0022] The roof 4 is thereby securely fastened directly to the containers 8 with minimal time and effort. No additional welding plates need to be fitted to a top wall 19 of the containers 8, as with prior art arrangements. [0023] The adapters 9 have been described by reference to their use in securing a roof 4 to a building structure 2 such as a shipping container 8. However, the quick lock function of the twist lock head 11 and adapter 9 may be used to support any other type of structural element such as beams, walkways or the like. Also, the adapters 9 may be used with alternative forms of building structures other than shipping containers 8, such as modular homes or the like, which can be fitted or constructed with appropriate attachment sockets 5 for receipt of the twist lock heads 11 of the adapters 9.

H:JZCklntenvoven\NRPortbI\DCC\JZC\6817247...ldoc.23/09/2014 -5 [0024] Figures 4 and 5 show respective examples of adapters 9 and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. Each adapter 9 includes a base 10, twist lock head 11 and a post 12 that supports a fitting 13, in the form of a bracket 15. The bracket 15 is angled relative to the post 12, as described above.

H:\JZC\lienoven\NRPortbl\DCC\JZC\681724 7_Ldoc-23/09/2014 -6 LIST OF PARTS 1. Building assembly 2. Building structure 3. Structural element 4. Roof 5. Socket 6. Corner 7. Corner casting 8. Container 9. Adapter 10. Base 11. Head 12. Lever 13. Fitting 14. Beam 15. Bracket 16. Aperture 17. Fastener 18. Ground surface 19. Top Wall

Claims (5)

1. An adapter including: a base with a twist lock head for engagement in a socket of a building structure; a fitting, to connect a roof beam to the building structure; and a post fixed to the base in order to support the fitting over the socket of the building structure; wherein the fitting is in the form of a bracket mounted to the post and the bracket is adapted to connect to the roof beam and is angled relative to the post to accommodate a pitch angle of the roof beam.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes apertures for receipt of fasteners to connect the adapter to the roof beam.

3. A building assembly that includes a building structure, the adapter of claim 1 arranged whereby the twist lock connector locks into an attachment socket of the building structure, and a roof supported above the building structure by the adapter.

4. The building assembly of claim 3, wherein the building structure is a container and the attachment socket is a corner casting of the container.

5. The building assembly of claim 4, including two containers and multiple adapters are provided to connect the roof to respective corner castings on each container so that the roof spans between the containers.