GB2079396A - Framework and shelter incorporating a framework - Google Patents

Abstract

A building framework is assembled from a plurality of elongate members each having a transverse hollow stub at each end. Adjacent members are arranged with their stubs parallel and are clamped together by a pair of clamp plates 26 and a bolt 28. The frame may be braced by wires and guy ropes can be attached at 60. A limp cover 45 has short sleeves 47 to receive the joint between frame members. The cover 45 helps to brace the framework. The cover 45 may be attached to a separate brace to form a hermetically sealed shelter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Framework and shelter or the like incorporating a framework This invention relates to a framework, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a framework comprising members of a small number of types releasably connected together such that temporary structures, shelters or the like may readily be constructed and disassembled when no longer required.

The invention also relates to shelters orthe like incorporating sheet material supported by a framework.

It is an object of the invention, in one of its aspects, to provide an improved framework comprising a plurality of interconnected members.

It is an object of the invention is another of its aspects to provide an improved shelter or the like incorporating sheet material and a supporting framework.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a framework comprising a plurality of members interconnected at junctions between said members, each said member including at least one elongate element carrying, at an end thereof, a stub element connected, intermediate its ends, to said end of the elongate element and extending transversely with respect to the elongate element, and wherein, at each of said junctions, a plurality of said stub elements of respective said members are disposed substantially parallel with and adjacent one another and are interconnected by means of a common pair of end members, each stub element engaging a respective end member of the pair at each end of the stub element.

Preferably the two end members of each said pair of end members are urged together by fastening means to clamp the associated stub elements between the end members.

Each said stub element may be of hollow, noncircular cross sectional shape and open at either end thereof, and the respective end members may be formed with complementary projections engaging in the open ends of the stub elements.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a shelter or the like comprising a framework having a plurality of rectangular cells each bounded by four interconnected members defining respective sides of the rectangle, and a cover of sheet material connected to the framework at least in the regions of the corners of the cells, whereby the sheet material serves to prevent distortion of the framework such as to cause lozenging of the cells.

If desired, additional strength may be provided by bracing the framework with wire.

Preferably the framework is a framework according to the first-mentioned aspect of the invention, the cover being secured to the projecting portions of the stub element at said junctions, or having apertures or sleeves fitting over the stub elements and the associated end members. In the latter case, the cover preferably has sealing caps in the regions of the stub elements.

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a framework embodying the invention, Figure 2 shows five types of frame members which may be incorporated in a framework embodying the invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a junction between four framework members in the framework of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a sectional view of the junction of Figure 3 in an assembled condition, the section being along the line Y-Y in Figure 5, Figure 5 is a view in section along the line X-X in Figure 4, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view, similar to Figure 3, but showing a junction between three framework elements, Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respectively a side elevation view of one form of end structure of a framework element, a plan view of the same and a side elevation view of another form of end structure of a framework member, and Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the variety of sizes and shapes of framework which may be formed utilising frame members of the types shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the framework shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of elongate members 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. interconnected at their ends.

Each of said members is formed of steel tubing, preferably of non-circular, e.g. rectangular cross section, the tubing cross section in the embodiment to be described being square. The size and gauge of the tubing used are chosen to suit the overall span requirements and the prevailing exposure conditions.

Referring to Figures 2 and 7 to 9, each member 10, 12, etc. comprises an elongate, straight element 20, of the tubing used, having welded to either end thereof a respective stub element 21, 22 of the tubing used, each stub element 21,22 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the elongate element 20 and being welded to the element 20, the element 20 engaging one side wall of the respective stub element at a position midway between the ends of the element. The arrangement is such that the longitudinal axis of the elongate element 20 and the two stub elements 21, 22 of such a member of the framework are co-planar.

While some stub elements extend perpendicular to the elongate elements to which they are welded, other stub elements are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the elongate elements to which they are welded, this angle, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, being 67- degrees. Each stub element 21,22, is open at each end thereof.

In the assembled framework, adjoining framework members are interconnected by way of their stub elements 21, 22, as will appear from the following description.

Thus, referring to Figure 3, four frame members may be connected in a common junction, utilising connection means comprising a pair of end mem bers 26 and a nut and bolt 27, 28, with associated washers. As shown in Figure 3, each end member is in the form of a generally flat plate, for example of cast alloy, having projecting from one face thereof, four spaced-apart, similar projections 30 of rectangular contour, each being so formed as to fit snugly within the open end of a tubular stub element 21, 22.

In the arrangement shown, the four projections 30 on each plate 26 are regularly spaced about the axis of a through hole 32 formed through the plate, the two plates being substantially identical with one another. In order to form the junction, the four stub elements at the respective ends of the four frame members to be interconnected in the junction are fitted, attheirone ends, over respective projections 30 of one of the end plates 26, so that the four stub elements extend upwardly from the plate 26, parallel with one another. The other plate 26 is then fitted over the other end of the four stub elements, the four projections 30 of said other plate being likewise engaged in the ends of respective stub elements.

The bolt 28 is then passed through the hole 32 in one plate 26 to extend, parallel with the stub element, through the space between the latter, and passed through the hole 32 in the other end plate, the appropriate washer and the nut 27 being then fitted and screwed up on the bolt so that the four stub elements are clamped longitudinally between the two end plates 26. It will be appreciated that, of course, all of the stub elements, whether perpendi cular to or inclined to their respective elongate elements 20, are of the same length as one another.

The bolts 28 may be of the form known as "coach bolts", i.e. having rounded heads adjoining enlarged, square-section portions of the bolt shank, the holes 32, in this case, being of complementary square section. Preferably the bolts 27 are of the self-iocking or friction-locking variety. In the junction described with reference to Figures 3 to 5, two opposing frame members, having their elongate elements 20 in axial alignment with one another, have their adjoining stub elements extending perpendicularto the respective elongate elements, whilst the other two frame members have their elongate elements angled with respect to the associated stub elements. The junction in question being, for example, a junction such as that indicated at 35 on the ridge of the framework or at 36 on one of the eaves of the framework.However, it will be appreciated that a junction, such as that indicated at 37 in Figure 1, where the four elongate elements extending to the junction are co-planar and are connected with their respective stub elements at right angles, is effected in the same fashion.

Figure 6 illustrates a junction, such as the junction 38 in Figure 1 at one end of the ridge, orthejunction 39 at one end of the eaves, in which only three frame members are connected. This junction differs from that described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 only in that one stub element, with its associated elongate element, is omitted, and the two end plates, referenced 26a, have each, in effect, the form of an end plate 26 of Figure 3 with the portion bearing the projection 30 which is not required cut away. It will be appreciated, of course, that where there is no disadvantage in doing so, connecting plates 26 such as shown in Figure 3 may be used, one projection 30 of each end plate simply being unused.The junction of Figure 6 incorporates one stub element which is welded at right angles so its associated elongate element 20 and two stub elements which are inclined with respect to their associated elongate elements 20, but it will be appreciated that a junction, such as the junction 40 in Figure 1, in which all three elongate elements extending to the junction.

are coplanar and are connected with their respective stub elements in the junction at right angles, may be formed in the same manner.

The framework shown in Figure 1 forms part of a tent-like shelter in which the framework is covered by a closely fitting cover of suitable sheet material.

The framework defines two side walls inclined inwardly towards one another from top to bottom, and two roof surfaces each sloping downwardly from a central ridge to the junction with the respective side walls. As shown in Figure 2, the frame members available may be limited to five types, indicated at A, B, C, D and E, with types A, B and D having elongate elements 20 of a first predetermined length, for example 4', and types C and E having elongate elements 20 of a second, greater predetermined length, for example 6'.Furthermore, types B and C each have the stub section 21 disposed at right angles to the elongate element 20 and the stub element 22 inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the elongate element 20, whereas types D and E each have both stub elements inclined at a predetermined angle to the elongate element 20, and type A has both stub elements 21, 22, disposed at right angles to the elongate element 20. The members 10,12,14,16 and 18 referred to above are respectively of the types A, B, C, E and D.

Figure 10 illustrates schematically four different sizes and shape of structure, referenced K, L, M and N respectively, utilising different combinations of the types of elements shown in Figure 2. Thus, in the structure K, the uprights in the walls are each formed of two elements of type B, and each transverse "rafter" in the roof sections comprises a single element of type E. In the structure L, each side wall upright comprises an element of type C extending upwardly from ground level and an element of type B extending to the respective eaves ridge, the transverse "rafters" again being elements of type E. r In the structure M, each side wall upright comprises two elements of type C and each transverse "rafter" again comprises a single element of type E. In the structure N, each wall upright comprises two elements of type B, as in the structure K, whilst each transverse "rafter" comprises two elements of type B. It will be appreciated that, in the structures K, L, M and N referred to, the junctions between the members referred to are also junctions with longitudinally extending members of type A.

The cover fitted over the framework is preferably of flexible sheet material such as canvas, plastics film or the like, having flat areas, to extend over the side wall and the roof surfaces of the framework, these flat areas having short sleeves extending therefrom into which the outwardly presented stub element portions and end caps of the junctions between elements extend, each such sleeve being open at its junction with the respective majorflat portion of the cover and preferably being closed at its other, outer end. In Figure 4, there is illustrated schematically at 45 respective parts of the flat portion of the cover which extend over the respective roof surfaces of the shelter, and there is indicated at 47 the respective sleeve extending over the outwardly presented portion of the junction illustrated.The sleeve 47 shown is closed by an end wall 47a which may be in the form of a sealing cap.

This arrangement has the advantage that the cover material contributes significantly to the overall strength of the completed structure by providing, in effect, diagonal bracing across each rectangular "cell" of the framework. Thus, if lozenging of the framework cells or the framework itself tends to occur, the associated square or rectangle of the cover material, being restricted in movement at each junction projection, is placed in tension along one diagonal or the other and thus restricts such lozenging.

If desired, at least some of the end plates 26, 26a may be provided with screw-threaded bores 60 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 4, extending parallel with the axes of the projections 30 and holes 32, whereby supplementary plates 62 may be bolted to the outer side of the respective end plates 26, 26a by bolts extended through apertures (not shown) in the respective plate 62, through corresponding holes (not shown) which may be formed in the intervening end wall 47a and screwed into the respective bores 60 of the respective end cap. Such a supplementary end plate 62 may be provided with attachment means, for example an apertured lug 64, for a guy rope to hold the structure securely on the ground.

Bracing or support wires may also be used to provide additional cross-bracing and for infill purposes, or for tying the sides of the frame together at the base thereof. Means (not shown) may also be provided for attaching wires extended internally within the tubular elements, to reduce the bending of individual frame members and relieve the strain on a junction between two frame members in the same plane as the bracing wire, by using the wire as a prestressing agent and effectively increasing the depth of section of load bearing frame members.

Provision may also be made for anchoring wires used to suspend an internal liner of flexible sheet material, orto provide internal bracing etc.

The structure and shelter disclosed is particularly useful for applications in which the shelter is intended to provide a substantially hermetically sealed, or humidity-controlled enclosure, for example for machinery or the like. In such cases, the shelter will have a separate base of impermeable flexible sheet material detachably and sealingly connected, for example by means of a sliding clasp fastener arrangement, with the lower edges of the side walls and end walls of the cover. This separate base may, for protection, rest upon an outer base board laid on the ground, and an inner base board, provided within the enclosure, may rest upon the separate base to protect the latter from damage by stored articles, vehicles or personnel within the enclosure.

The framework described, or modifications or variations thereof, may, of course, be used as part of a normal tent or shelter.

The framework system disclosed may also be adapted to other purposes, for example in scaffolding, or in the construction of work platform towers utilised in installing hanging liner type shelters within an existing building to convert the building into a humidity controlled store.

The framework system described may utilise readily available and reasonably priced standard hollow rectangular steel sections for the frame members. The joint arrangement provided at the junctions between individual framework members assists in speed of assembly while providing excellent joint strength, by contrast to more conventional jointing methods in which structural weaknesses are often introduced specifically at such junctions.

Claims (11)

1. A framework comprising a plurality of members interconnected at junctions between said members, each said member including at least one elongate element carrying, at an end thereof, a stub element connected, intermediate its ends, to said end of the elongate element and extending transversely with respect to the elongate element, and wherein, at each of said junctions, a plurality of said stub elements of respective said members are disposed substantially parallel with and adjacent one another and are interconnected by means of a common pair of end members, each stub element engaging a respective end member of the pair at each end of the stub element.

2. A framework according to claim 1 wherein the two end members of each said pair of end members are urged together by fastening means to clamp the associated stub elements between the end members.

3. A framework according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each said stub element is of hollow, noncircular cross-sectional shape and open at either end thereof, and the respective end members are formed with complementary projections engaging in the open ends of the stub elements.

4. A shelter or the like comprising a framework having a plurality of rectangular cells each bounded by four interconnected members defining respective sides of the rectangle, and a cover of sheet material connected to the framework at least in the regions of the corners of the cells, whereby the sheet material serves to prevent distortion of the framework such as to cause lozenging of the cells.

5. A shelter according to claim 4 which is additionally braced with wire.

6. A shelter according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said framework is a framework according to any of claims 1 to 3, and wherein the cover is secured to the projecting portions of the stub elements at said junctions.

7. A shelter according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said framework is a framework according to any of claims 1 to 3 and wherein the cover has apertures or sleeves fitting over the stub elements and the associated end members.

8. A shelter according to claim 7 wherein the cover has sealing caps in the regions of said stub elements.

9. A framework substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A shelter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.