GB2031476A

GB2031476A - Improvements in or relating to a frameless building

Info

Publication number: GB2031476A
Application number: GB7840650A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TAYLOR POWELL Ltd
Current assignee: TAYLOR POWELL Ltd
Priority date: 1978-10-16
Filing date: 1978-10-16
Publication date: 1980-04-23

Abstract

A building is formed from a plurality of corrugated panels 10, 11 which form the side walls and roof and which wall panels support substantially the entire weight of the building. The panels may be located in position by workmen on a movable scaffolding jig which serves to locate the panels in the desired position before fixing. The roof panels may be supported by a girder spanning between opposite walls and itself constructed of corrugated sheet metal with the ends of the corrugations capped by a channel. The roof panels 11 may be secured to the walls by rivetted brackets; frames 13 and gutters 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a building The present invention relates to a building and to a method of constructing a building. In particular the present invention relates to a building which can be speedily assembled from factory-made components, thus enabling a building to be erected on a site extremely rapidly and economically.

It has been proposed before to erect buildings from factory made components, and a typical way of constructing such a building is initially to prepare a foundation, secondly to erect a metal framework supported on the foundation, and thirdly to connect exterior cladding panels to the metal framework to form the outer skin of the building. Then, depending upon the purpose for which the building is to be utilised interior cladding may be added to the building if appropriate.

The disadvantage of this system is that the components of the metal framework must initially be manufactured, must be transported to the site, and must be initially erected before the cladding panels can be mounted on the framework. This is costly and time consuming.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a building comprising a rigid foundation, side walls and a roof at least partially formed of corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the walls of the building supporting substantially the entire weight of the building.

Preferably the building is provided with a roof formed from corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the roof being connected, by appropriate means to the side walls. The roof may be a pitched roof and may be supported on a central reinforcing girder which is, itself, substantially supported by said corrugated sheets. In such a case the panels forming the roof may be connected to the walls by bracket means.

Preferably the apex of such a pitched roof is at a level not higher than the top of the walls of the building and a gutter is provided between the lowermost edge of the roof panels and the side walls.

Alternatively the roof may be a flat roof, or a sloping or non-pitched roof. The building may have gutter means on the exterior of the sidewalls.

Preferably the side walls are located on a weather proof flashing which is connected to the foundation.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of constructing a building comprising the steps of providing a foundation, laying wheel guide tracks on the foundation, placing the wheels of a movable scaffolding assembly in said wheel guide and moving said scaffolding assembly along the wheel guides, panels being interconnected to form said building by personnel on said scaffolding structure.

Preferably said panels are interconnected by means of pop rivets or the like and the panels forming the walls of the structures support the weight of the structure.

Advantageously said scaffolding assembly constitutes a jig to locate the panels in position.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a girder for use in a building comprising a corrugated member, channel section cappings embracing opposed corrugated edges of said member, and fixing brackets at opposed ends of the corrugated member.

Preferably said corrugated member is formed from elements cut from corrugated sheets.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding jig for use in building-a structure in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the jig of Fig. 1 to an enlarged scale also showing part of a constructed building, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a profiled sheet used for constructing a building in accordance with the present invention, Figure 4 is an end view, partly cut away, of a building in accordance with the invention, Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of part of the structure of the building illustrated in Fig. 4, Figure 6 is a side view of an end guttering used in a building in accordance with the invention, Figure 7 is a sectional view of part of an alternate building in accordance with the invention, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a complete building formed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative form of central girder and Figure 10 is a sectional view of the girder of Fig. 9 taken on line x-x.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings accompanying the Specification a building in accordance with the present invention is assembled in a relatively straight forward way. Initially a level concrete base or foundation 1 is prepared, and the concrete base or foundation need not have a great thickness since the load applied to the foundation is spread evenly around the periphery of the foundation, and thus the foundation is not subjected to high point loadings. Subsequently a flashing 2 is located in position around the periphery of the foundation 1, the flashing being sealed in position for example by means of a mastic material 3.The flashing 2 has a horizontal portion which is sealed to the upper surface of the foundation 1, a downwardly depending portion which engages the outer edge of the foundation 1 and an upwardly extending portion which has its base at the inner most edge of the flashing 2.

A U-shaped wheel guide channel 4 is located in postion extending parallel to and immediately adjacent the inner edge of each flashing which extends over the length of the foundation, and a mobile scaffolding platform or jig 5 has wheels 6 thereof located within the wheel guide channels so that the platform or jig 5 can move freely along the length of the foundation. The precise design of the platform jig 5 can be determined with regard to the size and precise nature of the building to be assembled, but preferably the platform or jig 5 has means defining relatively large vertical planar faces 7 which are located in such a position that panels can be located against the faces and retained in the desire position when the building is being assembled. The platform or jig 5 also includes planks or the like on which workmen can stand when constructing the building.

The building is assembled from a plurality of deep profile panels 9, which are illustrated in cross section in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings. Each panel 9 may be formed in 1 millimetre thick metal which is treated so that metal is resistant to corrosion and chemical attack by means of four layers of protective plastics material having a colour fast finish.

However, some panels 9 may be of transparent or translucent material. Each panel is corrugated for strength, with deep angular substantually U shaped corrugations.

In assembling a building from these panels the scaffolding platform or jig 5 is located initially at one end of the foundation and the initial panels forming the end wall of the building are located in position and are connected together by pop rivets and the like. A separate L-shaped corner piece 10 is utilised at each corner of the building and then panels forming the initial parts of the side walls will be located in position on the planar faces 7 of the jig 5 and paper rivetted in position. The panels forming the roof as will be described hereinafter, are also located in position from the jig 5, and thus, as the jig is advanced along the foundation, so the structure of the entire building is advanced.

The completed building comprises four side walls each formed from the deep profiled panels 9 described above, although the side walls, may of course, be provided with doors, windows and the like, or with other panels having the sarhe size as the deep profiled panels, but with windows or the like integrally formed therein. As shown in Fig. 4 a pitched roof 11 is provided, also formed from the deep profiled panels 9, the apex 1 2 of the pitched roof being level with the highest point of the side walls of the building. The panels forming the pitched roof inline downwardly towards the long side walls of the building and the lower edges of these panels are held n position by triangular frames 1 3 which are poprivetted or bolted both to the panels forming the roof 11 and the panels forming the walls.Adjacent the lower edges of the panels forming the roof 11 are seamless gutters 14 or the like, the gutters being connected to down pipes 1 5 which extend down the deep profiles present in the panels forming the side walls of the building. The apex 12 of the roof 11 is supported by an elongate reinforcing girder 1 6 which is supported, at each end thereof, on the panels forming the end wall 1 7 of the structure, the end of the girder 1 6 being connected to the panel by means of pop rivets, or being mounted on the panel by an appropriate bracket. The girder may be supported intermediate the ends thereof by means of dividing walls 1 8 within the building, the dividing walls also being formed of the deep drawn profiled sheets 9.

Where a door 1 9 or window is to be mounted in the side walls or any walls of the building the door or window is mounted in a frame 20, the frame 20 having an outwardly directed flange, in the plane of the door 1 9 or window, and this flange is located in contact with the interior surface of the deep drawn panels, and the flange is connected to the deep panels by way of pop rivets or the like.

Thus the combination of the panels and the flange serves to make the entire building weather tight. As shown in Fig. 4 a small personal door 1 9 may be mounted within a larger door 21 which may, of course, be a sliding door.

At the ends of the building where the sloping panels of the pitched roof are adjacent the vertical end walls of the building a gutter member 22 as shown in Fig. 6 may be utlised to make the roof of the building water tight.

The gutter member 22 has a lip 23 to engage with the upper portion of an end wall of the building, and an inwardly directed downwadrly inclined support arm 24 adapted to engage the lower surface of a sloping roof panel. Thus there is a weather tight seal between the roof and end wall, and all rain water is directed into the gutter 14.

The exterior of each panel may be provided with any desired finish, and similarly, the interior of the structure may be finished in any desired way. For example, plaster board panels or dry liners may be attached to the interior of the wall panels by means of appropriate clips or clamps, and the space between the plaster board panels and the structural panels may be filled with any suitable thermal insulating material which is preferably also fire retardant. Of course, the inter space between the plaster board panels amd the structural panels may be utilised to accommodate wiring, plumbing or the like.

It will be appreciated that in a building in accordance with the present invention no frame work is provided to support the panels, and the panels support substantially the entire weight of the building. Thus the weight of the building is supported at the periphery of the building and no severe point loading is applied to the foundation. The deep drawn panels may be used to form interior dividing walls.

It is envisaged that all the components of a building may be manufactured in a factory and transported to a building site for erection.

All the components for a building such a warehouse having a floor area of 200 m2 may be packed in a volume of 5 metres X 3 metres x 2 metres, i.e. 30 m2.

Whilst the invention has been described above with reference to one particular type of building, many modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example the supports 1 8 may be omitted, transverse overhead reinforcing beams being utilized if necessary. Also the roof may be a mono-pitcher or sloping roof, a gutter arrangement then only being provided at one side of the building. A flat roof may be provided if desired. On the other hand if a steeply pitched roof is used the central roof reinforcing girder 1 6 may be omitted.

Fig. 7 illustrates part of an alternate building in accordance with the invention in which each side wall 25 is provided, at the upper edge thereof, with an integral cap and gutter extrusion or assembly 26, the gutter channel being located on the exterior of the building.

A roofing panel rests on the top of the side wall 25, the free edge of the roofing panel being over the gutter channel. The various components are connected by pop rivets.

With this arrangement there is no need to provide the brackets 1 3.

Fig. 8 shows a completed building of the type illustrated in Fig. 7, each gutter assembly 26 supporting a masking fascia 29 which is formed of short elements cut from the deep drawn panels, the elements being interconnected and provided with end cappings.

Figs. 9 and 10 show an alternative form of roof reinforcing girder. The girder is formed from short sections cut from the deep drawn panels, the sections being interconnected to form an elongate corrugated member 30, the member 30 being connected to upper and lower channel sectional caps 31. Connecting brackets 32 are provided at each end of the girder thus formed. The girder can be manufacturered in a factory, or, if desired, can be easily manufactured at the site where the girder is to be used.

Whilst reference has been made to the use of pop rivets any convenient connecting means, such as nuts and bolts may alternatively be utilised.

CLAIMS (16Oct1978) 1. A building comprising a rigid foundation, side walls and a roof at least partially formed of corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the walls of the building supporting substantially the entire weight of the building.

2. A building according to claim 1 provided with a roof formed from corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the roof being connected, by appropriate means to the side walls.

3. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a pitched roof.

4. A building according to claim 3 wherein the roof is supported on a central reinforcing girder which is, itself substantially supported by said corrugated sheets.

5. A building according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the panels forming the roof are connected to the walls by bracket means.

6. A building according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the apex of the pitched roof is at a level not higher than the top of the walls of the building and gutter is provided between the lowermost edge of the roof panels and the side walls.

7. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a flat roof.

8. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a mono-pitcher or sloping roof.

9. A building according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 or 8 wherein gutter means are provided on the exterior of said side walls.

10. A building according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side walls are located on a weather proof flashing which is connected to the foundation.

11. A method of constructing a building comprising the steps of providing a foundation, laying wheel guide tracks on the foundation, placing the wheels of a movable scaffolding assembly in said wheel guide and moving said scaffolding assembly along the wheel guides, panels being interconnected to form said building by personnel on said scaffolding structure.

1 2. A method according to claim 11 said panels are interconnected by means of pop rivets or the like and the panels forming the walls of the structures support the weight of the structure.

1 3. A method according to claim 11 or claim 1 2 wherein said scaffolding assembling constitutes a jig to locate the panels in position.

14. A girder for use in a building comprising a corrugated member, channel sections cappings, embracing opposed corrugated edges of said member, and fixing brackets at opposed ends of the corrugated member.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. retardant. Of course, the inter space between the plaster board panels amd the structural panels may be utilised to accommodate wiring, plumbing or the like. It will be appreciated that in a building in accordance with the present invention no frame work is provided to support the panels, and the panels support substantially the entire weight of the building. Thus the weight of the building is supported at the periphery of the building and no severe point loading is applied to the foundation. The deep drawn panels may be used to form interior dividing walls. It is envisaged that all the components of a building may be manufactured in a factory and transported to a building site for erection. All the components for a building such a warehouse having a floor area of 200 m2 may be packed in a volume of 5 metres X 3 metres x 2 metres, i.e. 30 m2. Whilst the invention has been described above with reference to one particular type of building, many modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example the supports 1 8 may be omitted, transverse overhead reinforcing beams being utilized if necessary. Also the roof may be a mono-pitcher or sloping roof, a gutter arrangement then only being provided at one side of the building. A flat roof may be provided if desired. On the other hand if a steeply pitched roof is used the central roof reinforcing girder 1 6 may be omitted. Fig. 7 illustrates part of an alternate building in accordance with the invention in which each side wall 25 is provided, at the upper edge thereof, with an integral cap and gutter extrusion or assembly 26, the gutter channel being located on the exterior of the building. A roofing panel rests on the top of the side wall 25, the free edge of the roofing panel being over the gutter channel. The various components are connected by pop rivets. With this arrangement there is no need to provide the brackets 1 3. Fig. 8 shows a completed building of the type illustrated in Fig. 7, each gutter assembly 26 supporting a masking fascia 29 which is formed of short elements cut from the deep drawn panels, the elements being interconnected and provided with end cappings. Figs. 9 and 10 show an alternative form of roof reinforcing girder. The girder is formed from short sections cut from the deep drawn panels, the sections being interconnected to form an elongate corrugated member 30, the member 30 being connected to upper and lower channel sectional caps 31. Connecting brackets 32 are provided at each end of the girder thus formed. The girder can be manufacturered in a factory, or, if desired, can be easily manufactured at the site where the girder is to be used. Whilst reference has been made to the use of pop rivets any convenient connecting means, such as nuts and bolts may alternatively be utilised. CLAIMS (16Oct1978)

1. A building comprising a rigid foundation, side walls and a roof at least partially formed of corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the walls of the building supporting substantially the entire weight of the building.

3. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a pitched roof.

7. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a flat roof.

8. A building substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in, Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A girder according to claim 14 where

in said corrugated member is formed from elements cut from corrugated sheets.

16. A building substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in, Figs. 1 to 6 of accompanying drawings.

17. A building substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in, Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. A method of constructing a building substantially as herein described.

1

9. A girder substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature of combination of features described herein.

CLAIMS (1 Aug 1979)

1. A building comprising a rigid foundation, side walls and a roof at least partially formed of corrugated panels, the corrugated panels forming the walls of the building supporting substantially the entire weight of the building, the side walls being vertical and the roof being constituted of sloping panels, there being at least one gutter member contacting the under side of the sloping roof and part of an adjacent side wall and defining a gutter for draining away water falling on the roof.

2. A building according to claim 1 wherein the roof is a sloping roof and the gutter is provided along at least three sides of the building.

3. A building according to claim 2 wherein the roof is a pitched roof and the gutter is provided along four sides of the building.

5. A building according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein additionally the panels forming the roof are connected to the walls by bracket means.

6. A building according to claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the apex of the pitched roof is at a level not higher than the top of the walls of the building.

7. A building according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side walls are located on a weather proof flashing which is connected to the foundation.