GB2026646A

GB2026646A - Structural Joint for a Building Framework

Info

Publication number: GB2026646A
Application number: GB7912233A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HOAN L; HOAN R
Current assignee: HOAN L; HOAN R
Priority date: 1978-08-01
Filing date: 1979-04-06
Publication date: 1980-02-06
Also published as: AU4031778A

Abstract

Two channel members 1,2 are engaged on opposite sides of e.g. a column 6, each having a flange 3 which is inclined to the channel's axis and which engages a similar flange on the other channel member whereby relative sliding of the two channels draws them into clamping engagement with the column. A building framework is disclosed having adjustable footing at the base of the columns and using insulated cladding panels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building Construction Method and Components This invention relates to a method of building construction and to the components used in the method.

In the past house frames have been built principally of wood. Metal frames have been used to a small extent but these have been expensive, a large part of the expense being contributed by the cost of on-site labour in fitting and welding the components of the frame together.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system of building a construction which is particularly applicable to metal-framed buildings and which is simple to put into effect.

However, the invention is not restricted to use with metal frame buildings.

The present invention constitutes a complete departure from the prior art as I know it, as I am aware of no earlier publication or patent specification describing systems related to it, and no buildings incorporating any similar system.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a channel member having a U-shaped crosssection comprising a base and two straight, parallel sides defining a channel between them, the free edge on each side, being the edge which is spaced from the base, having a planar engagement surface facing generally towards a plane tangential to or co-planar with the base of the channel member, the engagement surfaces being parallel with each other and inclined with respect to the base.

In a second aspect the present consists in a channel member as defined above wherein a beam or structural member is fixed to the base but does not extend into the channel.

In a third aspect the present invention consists in a jointing clamp comprising a first channel member, being a channel member as defined in the second aspect above, and a second channel member, being a channel member as defined in the first aspect above, each engagement surface of the first channel member being engageable with a respective engagement surface of the second channel member so that when the channel members are so engaged, the channels face each other and define a space between them.

In a fourth aspect the present invention consists in a construction frame comprising a jointing clamp as defined above, the channel members being engaged with each other about a beam or structural member, the beam or structural member being held within the said space between the channels of the channel members and abutting against the base of each channel.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention consists in a building including a frame comprising a plurality of interconnected frame portions, at least some of the frame portions each being a construction frame as defined above.

In a sixth aspect the present invention consists in a method of attaching a first structural member to a second structural member, comprising the steps of fixing the first structural member to the base of a first channel member to form a channel member as defined in the second aspect above, positioning the channel of the first channel member against a first side of the second structural member so that extends about the second structural member, positioning a second channel member against the opposite side of the second structural member so that it extends about the second structural member, the second channel member being a channel member as defined in the first aspect above, bringing the engagement surface of the second channel member into contact with the engagement surfaces of the first channel member and causing the contacting engagement surfaces to slide over each other so that the inclination of the engagement surfaces with respect to the bases of the channel members causes the bases to be drawn towards each other and thus to clamp firmly about the second structural member.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention consists in a method of building construction comprising the steps of erecting a framework of a plurality of beams and/or structural members and connecting the beams and/or structural members to each other by a method as defined above.

In a eighth aspect the present invention consists in a method of building construction comprising the steps of forming a foundation base, attaching a plurality of anchors to the foundation base, pivotally attaching a beam or structural member to each other, attaching other beams and/or structural members by a method as defined in the sixth aspect above to those attached to the anchors, pivoting the thus formed frames to an erect position, and fixing them in the said erect position to form the framework of a building.

In a ninth aspect the present invention consists in a pair of structural member which have been joined together by a method as defined in the sixth aspect above.

In a tenth aspect the present invention consists in a building constructed by a method as defined in either the seventh or eighth aspect above.

The present invention provides a simple means of erecting a building which can be strongly resistant to damage during earthquakes and severe storms.

The above gives a broad description of the present invention, a preferred form of which will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of frame work according to the present invention, taken on line I-I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a side view of the portion of the framework shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a method of assembly of the portion of framework shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a preferred anchor for use with the framework of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of an alternative anchor for use with the framework of the present invention, and Figure 6 shows a detail of a preferred cladding for use with the present invention.

In the preferred form of the invention a clamping joint consists of a first channel member 1 and a second channel member 2. Each channel member has a planar engagement sugface 3 which faces generally towards the plane of the base of the respective channel. As shown in Figure 2 the engagement surface is inclined with respect to the base of the channel, but the two engagement surfaces of each channel member are parallel to each other and are preferably coplanar, and perpendicular with respect to the sides of the channel. Figure 1 shows the engagement surfaces 3 of the first channel member 1 being formed on the rear side of a flange 4 which extends outwardly from the free edge of each side of the channel. The second channel member 2 is shown as having its engagement surfaces 3 formed on the inside of an additional channel formed at the free edge of each side of the main channel.If preferred, however the first channel member could have secondary channels 5 while the second channel member has flanges 4 or each channel member could have a flange 4 at one side and a secondary channel 5 at the other side. Other arrangements for providing the engagement surfaces 3 are also possible.

Both channel members are shown as being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, each Ushape having a base and two side members, in a substantially rectangular configuration. It is important that the sides of the channels are parallel to each other at least at the outer edges in the region of the engagement surfaces 3 but the base of each channel may, if preferred, be some shape other than planar. The preferred channel members are of a substantially rectangular configuration because the preferred beam 6 which the clamp is desired to engage is rectangular in cross-section.

One or both pairs of mutually contacting engagement surfaces 3 may have a locating means such as a locking dimple 7 to assist in holding the two channel members securely together about a beam 6. The dimples 7 may be on the surfaces 3, or, as shown, elsewhere on the flange parts which provide the surfaces 3.

The channel members 1 and 2 are typically engaged with each other by means of a lever 9 and a link member 10. The link member 10 is typically a wire loop substantially U-shaped with the free ends of the U bent in towards each other.

These ends can then engage under the lower end of the first channel member 1 as shown in Figure 3 while the base of the U extends around the lever 9. The lever is typically formed with a locating position 11 into which the link member 10 fits so that it will not slide along the lever. The lever has a handle as its free end whereby the lever can be turned to force the second channel member 2 downwardly so that contacting engagement surfaces can be forced to slide over each other thus drawing the channel members towards each other to engage tightly about the beam 6. The lever ratio is typically of the order of 10:1. The channel member is pushed downwardly until the locating means 7 locks into place.

If desired, the first channel member 1 can have a locating means for locating it against the beam 6 so that when the second channel member 2 is being pushed into position as shown in Figure 3 the first member 1 will not slip along the beam.

Typically the locating means may comprise a locating pin 12 which extends through apertures in both the channel member and the beam. The pin 12 can act as a stud in the channel which extends into the aperture in the beam. Thus the channel member 1 can be positioned against the beam in precisely the position where it is desired to be fastened to the beam without danger that it will be dislodged from that position.

The first channel member has an article attached to it, typically a further beam 13 shown in Figures 1 to 3 as a diagonal brace, although it could be any other connecting beam in the frame.

Alternatively it could be some other article such as a shelf or cupboard support or anything else which may be desired to be attached to a beam 6.

If the beams 6 or 13 are shorter than any required structural members of the building, two beams can be joined end-to-end by means of a connecting piece which fits into the adjacent hollow ends of the two beams.

If the beam 6 is an upright building stud or the like, then the lower end of it may be connected to a building foundation. One form of such connection is shown in Figure 4. The hollow beam 6 has inserted into the end of it an insert 14 comprising a frame foot. The hollow end of the beam acts as a socket for the foot 14. The insert typically has abutments 1 5 for supporting the bottom end of the beam 6. The foot insert 14 is connected to an anchor fork 1 9 by means of a pivot pin 20. The fork 1 9 is in turn connected by a base extension 21 to re-inforcing steel within a concrete foundation slab 22. Thus the beam 6 is pivotally attached to the foundation. In an alternative embodiment the pivotal attachment may be a universal joint, to prevent the build-up of stresses during an earthquake or a severe storm.

The preferred method of erection of a building frame comprises first levelling out the building site and then placing a positioning rig over the site. The rig can be of any suitable construction and is typically a temporary support frame. A plurality of extendable jacks is attached to the rig and the free ends of the jacks are positioned at the required locations of the frame feet 14. An anchor 19 is attached to each jack and the anchors are thus held in their required positions while the foundations slab 22 is poured. When the slab 22 has set, the jacks can be removed and the ends 6 can be attached to the anchors.

Typically one wall is formed at a time with the studs 6 and any cross-beams 1 3 which may be required in the frame all being connected together while the beams 6 are lying down attached to their anchors. Once the wall has been formed it can then be pivoted upwardly about the pins 20 until the frame is in its erect position and then it can be fixed in position. Then when all of the walls have been so erected they can be connected together to complete the building frame.

An alternative form of anchor is shown in Figure 5. In this form the anchor is screwthreadedly engaged in an eccentric bore 23 in a bush 24 which is rotatably mounted in a support member 25. The support member 25 is to be fixed to the foundation in the same manner as the stem 21 of the anchor shown in Figure 4. Thus once the support member 25 is fixed in position the position of the anchor can be adjusted by rotation of the bush 24 which shifts the anchor both laterally as well as vertically by virtue of the screwing of the stem 21 in and out of the bore 23. The bush preferably has "spanner flats" or some other non-circular configuration at its top end to enable a tool to engage the bush for rotating it.

Other forms of anchor may also be used. Also, the ground need not be horizontal, but could be at any angle, including vertical.

The building is preferably clad by means of panels 29 which are supported by panel supporting members 30. The panel supporting members 30 are typically folded from sheet metal to have a substantially rectangular U-shaped cross-section with the free ends of the U being folded outwardly to form flanges 31. The flanges are preferably predrilled at the factory so that they can be attached to a beam 6 by pop-riveting at the building site.

Alternatively if welding equipment is available at the building site the members 30 can be spot welded to the studs 6. Other method, such as bolting or gluing may also be used.

The space within the U-shaped cross-section is preferably filled with an insulating material 32.

The panels are formed from external sheets 33 which overlie the support members 30 and can be pop-riveted, spot welded or otherwise attached to the support members. Attached behind the sheet 33 is a block of insulating material 34 of approximately the same width as the members 30. The insulating material 34 can be preadhered to the sheet 33 or it can be simply placed in position on the building site and the sheet 33 positioned over it.

The insulating materials 32 and 34 are preferably a rigid insulating material, for example, a rigid plastics foam material.

The various channel members and beams used in the present invention are preferably metal, such as steel or aluminium alloy. It is preferred that in any particular building all of the beams and clamps are also the panel sheets 33 to be constructed of the same metal. However, it is also possible to use the invention with non-metal materials such as heavy duty plastics materials or the beams and crossmembers may be made of wood while the channel clamps are still made of steel.

If metal materials are used, the panel sheets 33 should not be planar, but rather they should be corrugated, to allow some flexing of the material as the structure expands and contracts as a result of temperature changes. Internal wall, floor and ceiling panels should also be attached in such a way as to allow for such thermal expansion and contraction of the framework. Also, if more than one metal is used, the different metals should be electrically insulated from each other to avoid any undesirable electrical or electrolytic effects.

The present invention thus provides a building system which is both simple and effective, The use of metals may mean that the cost of materials is higher than for a conventional wooden building but considerable savings can be made in labour costs during construction and the resultant building will be structurally sound and virtually maintenance free.

Many modifications may be made to the particular forms of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the foot anchors, instead of being set in concrete, may be attached to the ground by other means. Semi-permanent buildings in particular may be provided with some kind of soil anchor or other ground insert, such as a large cork-screw arrangement or auger or an elongate member with fixed or pivoted retaining protrusions firmly located at each frame anchor position. In rocky soil, soil anchors can be positioned in holes in the ground which can then be filled over, or set in concrete or a suitable synthetic resinous compound. In rocky ground, locating holes may have to be drilled first.

Alternatively, the anchors may be fixed flexibly to their base or ground-inserts. For example, each ground-insert may comprise a hollow cylinder, the anchorcomprising an elongate member extending into the hollow cylinder, the space between the anchor and the cylinder being occupied by a large flexible block which is firmly adhered to both.

Also, the panel supporting member and panels, instead of being permanently attached to the building, may be clipped or hooked on. For instance, key-hole shaped apertures in the panels may hook over studs with enlarged heads and relatively narrow screws on the panel supporting members. If the apertures and studs are appropriately shaped and sized, such an arrangement can be quite a tight, secure fit. This method can also be combined with a more permanent attaching means if desired. The panel supporting members can be similarly attached to the elongate beams 6.

The structural members referred to in the specification and claims need not be actually structural in a given framework or building, but any beam, post, pipe or other like object can be substituted in fact.

Claims

1. A channel member having a U-shaped crosssection comprising a base and two straight, parallel sides defining a channel between them, the free edge on each side, being the edge which is spaced from the base, having a planar engagement surface facing generally towards a plane tangential to or co-planar with the base of the channel member, the engagement surfaces being parallel with each other and inclined with respect to the base.

2. A channel member as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the base is substantially perpendicular to the sides.

3. A channel member as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the engagement surfaces are substantially co-planar.

4. A channel member as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the engagement surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the sides.

5. A channel member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the free edge of at least one side comprises a substantially planar flange extending away from the channel, the flange providing the engagement surface.

6. A channel member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the free edge of at least one side comprises a second channel, one side of the second channel providing the engagement surface.

7. A channel member substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A channel member as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a structural member is fixed to the base but does not extend into the channel.

9. A channel member as claimed in Claim 8 wherein a locating means is provided in the base for locating the channel member against a structural member seated within the channel.

10. A channel member as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the locating means is a projection engageable within a corresponding hollow or socket in the structural member.

11. A channel member as claimed in Claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the structural member is hollow and has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

12. A jointing clamp comprising a first channel member, being a channel member as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 11, and a second channel member, being a channel member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, each engagement surface of the first channel member being engageable with a respective engagement surface of the second channel member so that when the channel members are so engaged the channels face each other and define a space between them.

13. A jointing clamp as claimed in Claim 12 wherein, when the two channel members are in engagement, the bases of the channels are parallel.

14. A jointing clamp as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein, when the channel members are in engagement, each side of the first channel member is co-planar with the side of the second channel member with which it is engaged.

1 5. A jointing clamp as claimed in Claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein at least one of the parts of mutually engageable engagement surfaces has a locating means on or adjacent the engagement surfaces for locating the engagement surfaces at a predetermined position relative to each other.

1 6. A jointing clamp as claimed in Claim 1 5 wherein the locating means on or adjacent the or each pair of engagement surfaces comprises a projection extending out from the surface of one channel member and a hollow in the surface of the other channel member the projection being locatable in the hollow.

1 7. A construction frame comprising a jointing clamp as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 16 the channel members being engaged with each other about a structural member, the structural member being held within the said space between the channels of the channel members and abutting against the base of each channel.

1 8. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 1 7 wherein the structural member is hollow and has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

19. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 1 7 or 1 8 wherein one end of the beam or structural member is provided with a foot pivotably attached to an anchor.

20. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 1 9 wherein the foot is attached to the anchor by means of a universal joint.

21. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 1 9 or 20 wherein the anchor comprises a substantially U-shaped member with a base and two side arms, and a cylindrical pin mounted between the two side arms, the pin providing the pivot to which the foot is attached.

22. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein the anchor is fixed to a base.

23. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the base is concrete, and the anchor is fixed to re-inforcing steel within the concrete.

24. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 1 9, 20 or 21 wherein the anchor is adjustably mounted on a support member to allow variation of the position of the support member with respect to the foot.

25. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 24 wherein the support member comprises a rotatable member rotatably mounted on a base member and wherein the anchor is screwthreadedly engaged with the rotatable member eccentrically of the rotatable member

26. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the rotatable member is a cylindrical bush held within a cylindrical socket in the base member.

27. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 25 or 26 wherein an internally screw-threaded bore extends into the rotatable member eccentrically thereof and wherein the anchor comprises an externally screw-threaded extansioo which screws into the said bore to provide the engagement of the anchor with the rotatable member.

28. A construction frame as claimed in any one of Claims 24 to 27 wherein the support member is fixed to a base.

29. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 28 wherein the base is concrete and the support member is fixed to re-inforcing steel within the concrete.

30. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 22, 23, 28 or 29 wherein the base comprises a ground-insert.

31. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the ground-insert comprises an auger or like screw device adapted to be screwed into the ground.

32. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the ground-insert comprises an elongate member with retaining protrusions.

33. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the ground-insert is set in concrete.

34. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the ground-insert is set in a synthetic resinous compound.

35. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the anchor is flexibly attached to the base.

36. A construction frame as claimed in Claim 35 wherein the anchor comprises an elongate member positioned within a hollow in the base and secured to a base by a block of flexible material within the hollow.

37. A building including a frame comprising a plurality of inter-connected frame portions, at least some of the frame portions each being a construction frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 7 to 36.

38. A building as claimed in Claim 37 wherein a pair of said frame portions are inter-connected by means of a connecting member, a respective end of which fits into a socket within the end of a structural member of each of the frame portions in the pair.

39. A building as claimed in Claim 37 or 38 wherein the external cladding of the building comprises panels supported on panel supporting member fixed to the frame.

40. A building as claimed in Claim 39 wherein each panel supporting member has a substantially rectangular U-shaped cross-section comprising a base and two sides substantially perpendicular to the base and an outwardly extending flange at the free edge of each side, the flanges enabling the panel supporting member to be affixed to the adjacent beams or structural members of the frame.

41. A building as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 wherein the panel supporting members are riveted to the frame.

42. A building as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 wherein the panel supporting members are spotwelded to the frame.

43. A building as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 wherein the panel supporting members are clipped to the frame.

44. A building as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 wherein the panels are riveted to the panel supporting members.

45. A building as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 wherein the panels are clipped to the panel supporting members.

46. A method of attaching a first structural member to a second structural member, comprising the steps of fixing the first structural member to the base of a first channel member to form a channel member as claimed in Claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, positioning the channel of the first channel member against the first side of the second structural member so that it extends about the second structural member, positioning a second channel member, being a channel member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, against the opposite side of the second structural member bringing the engagement surfaces of the second channel member into contact with the engagement surfaces of the first channel member, and causing the contacting engagement surfaces to slide over each other that the inclination of the engagement surface with respect to the bases of the channel members causes the bases to be drawn towards each other and thus to clamp firmly about the second structural member.

47. A method as claimed in Claim 46 wherein the step of causing the contacting engagement surfaces to slide over each other comprises positioning one end of a lever against one end of ones said channel member, positioning a link member against the opposite end of the other channel member, the link member being pivotally attached to the lever at a pivot point spaced from the said one end of the lever, and rotating the lever to urge the said one end of one channel member and the said opposite end of the other channel member towards each other.

48. A method as claimed in Claim 47 wherein the step of rotating the lever is continued until mutually engageable locating means on or adjacent a said pair of contacting engagement surfaces come into engagement.

49. A method of building construction comprising the steps of erecting a framework of a plurality of structural members and connecting the structural members to each other by a method as claimed in Claim 46, 47 or 48.

50. A method of building construction comprising the steps of forming a foundation base, attaching a plurality of anchors to the foundation base, pivotally attaching a structural member to each anchor, attaching further structural members by a method as claimed in Claim 46, 47 or 48 to those attached to the anchors, pivoting the thus formed frames to an erect position and fixing them in the said erect position to form the framework of a building.

51. A method as claimed in Claim 50 wherein the steps of forming the foundation base and attaching the anchors to the said base comprise attaching the anchors to ground-inserts and placing concrete around the inserts.

52. A method as claimed in Claim 50 or 51 wherein the anchors are adjustable to permit variation of the position of the pivotal attachment of each anchor to the respective structural member.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 50, 51 or 52 wherein the step of attaching the anchors to the base comprises screwing the anchors into the base.

54. A method as claimed in Claim 50 wherein the step of attaching the anchors to the base comprises forming holes in the base, positioning the anchors within the holes and then filling the remainder of each hole in again.

55. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 50 to 54 wherein the method further comprises the steps of fixing panel supporting members to the exterior of the framework and attaching panels to the panel supporting members to form the exterior walls of the building.

56. A method as claimed in Claim 55 wherein the panels and panel supporting members are preformed with apertures so that when a panel is positioned against a panel supporting member, the apertures in the panel are aligned with those of the panel supporting member and an attaching means is passed through each pair of aligned apertures to secure the panel to the panel supporting member.

57. A method as claimed in Claim 55 or 56 wherein the panel supporting members are provided with studs having enlarged heads and relatively narrow stems, the panels are provided with keyhole-shaped apertures, and the step of attaching the panels comprises inserting the enlarged heads of the studs through the large portions of the keyhole-shaped apertures, and sliding the apertures so that the narrow portions of the apertures engage the stems of the studs, thus securely clipping the panels to the panel supporting members.

58. A method of building construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

59. A pair of structural members interconnected by a method as claimed in any one of Claims 46 to 48.

60. A building constructed by a method as claimed in any one of Claims 49 to 58.