GB2087452A - Temporary Structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A temporary dwelling or storage structure formed from sheet plywood and battens and designed to be transported in a flat condition for rapid erection by unskilled labour. The structure comprising identical segments 10, 11, 12 each comprising three identical panel assemblies 13, 14 and 15, the battens being nailed or bolted overlapping to form joints between adjacent panel assemblies. Partitions and end closures of identical construction may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Structures for Providing Emergency Accommodation When emergency accommodation is needed in an industrialised country, there are usually readily available three general kinds of structure which can be brought to the area, namely: portable or mobile complete structures such as cabins and caravans; sectional structures such as garden sheds and sectional cabins; and tents.

However, when the area is located in an underdeveloped or non-industrialised country or is remote from any source of emergency accommodation, various problems arise. For example, the cost of obtaining, and transporting to the area, portable or mobile structures may well be prohibitive, and the necessary volume of transport may not be available. Whist the volume of transport required may be reduced by obtaining sectional structures, the necessary abilities to erect such structures, for example the ability to follow detailed written instructions and the level of dexterity required to assemble and secure together the fittings and sections, may be lacking, and such sections are relatively large, difficult to transport in bulk, and relatively fragile. Although such sectional structures are less expensive than mobile structures the cost is still relatively high.

Furthermore the fittings are separate from the sections and may be iost or stolen as they have considerable utility and value. Also, the necessary quantities of such structures may not be readily available.

The problems of transport, cost and erection are greatly reduced when tents are employed, and tents are usually readily available. Thus tents are almost invariably used in such areas inspite of their well known disadvantages such as poor insulation, vulnerability to storms, and lack of durability particularly if neglected.

What is needed is a low cost, easily transported, easily erected structure, which can be constructed so as to reduce or obviate at least some of the disadvantages of tents, and which can be constructed in large quantities at short notice.

According to the present invention there is provided a structure, for use as a temporary dwelling or store, comprising a plurality of segments, wherein some at least of said segments each comprise two wall panel assemblies and a floor panel assembly secured together to provide a floor and two walls, the wall panel assemblies having bottom end portions joined to opposite end portions of the floor panel assembly to form lower junctions, and the wall panel assemblies being mutually inclined and having upper end portions joined together to form an apex junction; each of said panel assemblies comprising a rectangular board having lateral edges perpendicular to said end portions and transverse edges perpendicular to the lateral edges, a first batten fastened to one side of said board so as to be parallel to one of said lateral edges and spaced apart therefrom to leave a margin of said panel therebetween, and a second batten fastened to said one side so as to be parallel to and overlap the other of said lateral edges to form a recess extending laterally of the panel assembly; wherein the segments are, or are adapted to be, assembled so that the said margins of the boards of one segment are accommodated in the recesses of the panel assemblies of an adjacent segment or segments to form lateral joints; wherein said battens have or are provided with extensions which project beyond said transverse edges at said end portions, which extensions are secured together to form joints at said lower and apex junctions; and wherein said first and second battens are, or are adapted to be, secured respectively to second and first battens of an adjacent segment or segments so that the second battens overlie the lateral joints.

The wall and floor panel assemblies are preferably identical so as to be interchangeable.

Said assemblies are preferably designed so that (a) they can be secured together by nails if bolts or other suitable fasteners and the appropriate tools are not available, and (b) they can only be assembled in apredetermined manner so that the margins all extend towards one end of the structure, and (c) they can be assembled on any reasonably even ground.

Further boards may be secured to the battens so that the battens are sandwiched between pairs of boards, on, for example, the wall panel assemblies, to provide, for example, thermal insulation.

Coping may be applied to the apex junctions of form an apex for the structure to waterproof said apex junctions.

Partition assemblies may be provided to be inserted into the segments to serve as end closures or part closures, or as partitions, and preferably comprise a triangular timber frame carrying a set of panels. Each set is preferably cut from a single sheet of plywood.

Alternatively, the partition assemblies may be adapted to be inserted between adjacent segments ar attached to the ends of the structure.

The partition assembly may comprise subassemblies in the form of framed panels, in which one or more frame members of each subassembly form a part or parts of an outer frame of the partition assembly, and said partition assembly is preferably provided with shoulder portions to engage in the recesses of the panel assemblies to which the outer frame is secured or is adapted to be secured, and with recesses to accept the margins of the panel assemblies to which the outer frame is secured or is adapted to be secured. The shoulder portions are preferably formed by edge portions of panels overlapping the outer frame, and the recesses are preferably constituted by rebates in the outer frame.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: Figure t shows a perspective view of a structure of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of part of Figure 1 showing an apex junction of the structure; Figure 3 is detail showing part of one panel assembly of the structure; Figure 4 shows a section of the structure corresponding to the line IV-lV in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an end view of the structure together with a first embodiment of partition assembly for the structure; Figure 6 shows an inverted plan of an alternative floor panel assembly for a segment of the structure; Figure 7 shows an end view of the structure together with a second embodiment of partition assembly for the structure; and Figure 8 shows a cross-section corresponding to the line VIlI-VIlI in Figure 7.

The structure shown in Figures 1 to 5 comprises three identical segments 1 0, 11 and 12. Each segment comprises three identical panel assemblies, namely two wall panel assemblies 13 and 14, and a floor panel assembly 15.

Each of the panel assemblies 13 3 to 1 5 comprises a rectangular plywood board 20, a first timber batten 21, a second timber batten 22 and an intermediate timber batten 23. The first batten 21 is fastened to one side of the board 20 adjacent to and parallel with one lateral edge 24 (Figure 3) of the board 20 so as to leave a margin or tongue 25 of the board projecting beyond the batten. The second batten 22 is fastened to the same side of the board 20 so as to overlie and project the other lateral edge 26 (Figure 3) to provide a recess 27 extending laterally of the panel assembly. The intermediate batten 23 is secured to the same side of the board between and parallel with the first and second batten. The panel assemblies have transverse end portions in which extensions 28 of the battens 21 to 23 project beyond the transverse edges 29 of the boards 20.In this embodiment the extensions 28 are constituted by end portions of the battens, which end portions are halved so that each extension is only half of the thickness of the batten.

The end portions of the three panel assemblies 13 to 1 5 of each segement are fastened together so that the upper end portions of the wall panel assemblies 13 and 14 form an apex junction and the bottom end portions of the assemblies 1 > 3 and 1 4 and the opposite end portions of the floor panel 15 form lower junctions in which junctions the extensions 28 are secured together to form halved joints, in each of which a side of one extension abuts a shoulder formed at the root of the other extension.

The intermediate battens are preferably positioned so that their extensions can only be secured together if the tongues of all three assemblies are disposed at one end of the segment.

The segments 10 and 11, and 11 and 12 are secured together so that the tongues or margins 25 are located in the recesses 27 to form lateral joints 30 between the segments; and so that the second battens 22 overlie the joints 30 and abut the adjacent first battens 21 of the adjacent segment.

Any suitable fasteners, e.g. nails 31 (Figures 1 and 2) or bolts 32 (Figure 4) may be driven into or secured through the battens to secure the panel assemblies together.

The arrangement of the panel assemblies is preferably such that the transverse edges 29 abut at the junctions, but gaps may be left therebetween, for ventilation, or the transverse edges 29 may be arranged so that one edge overlaps the other at each junction to hinder the penetration of water through the junction.

A coping 33, comprising two strips of plywood, may be nailed to the halved joints along the apex junction, as indicated in Figure 2, and further boards 34 may be fastened to the battens of the wall panel assemblies to provide an external cladding for the structure, as indicated in Figure 2.

The structure is provided with partition assemblies 40 (Figure 5), at least at or adjacent each end of the structure, which assemblies each comprise a triangular frame 41, of timber, to which are secured three panels 42 so as to leave a doorway 43 which can be closed by a curtain (not shown). The frame is dimensioned to fit inside the segments, so that it can be positioned as desired within the structure.

To facilitate rapid production, the structure is preferably dimensioned to utilise standard sheets of plywood with minimal cutting and wastage. For example, plywood is still manufactured in approximately 8 feet by 4 feet sheets, and thus the three boards of each segment can be dimensioned at 4 by 10 feet so as to comprise one full sheet joined to a quarter sheet, and the panels of each partition are shaped and dimensioned so that they can be cut from a single sheet without wastage. The battens may be rough sawn.

To avoid having to machine the end portions of the battens to produce the halved extensions, the alternative panel assembly construction, shown in Figure 6, may be adopted. In this embodiment the end portions 50 of the battens 21, 22 and 23 are cut at an angle so as to provide tapered extensions to abut the end portions of the other panel assemblies of the segment, and one end portion of each batten is provided with a fastened on further extension 51 which abuts the side of the end portion 50 of the other batten at each joint.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the structure may be provided with alternative partition assemblies which, unlike the assemblies 40, are not fitted internally into the segments, but are attached to the ends of the segments. One such partition assembly 60 is used to provide a partial end closure at one end of the structure, as shown in Figure 7, and comprises two side sub-assemblies 61 and 62 and a top sub-assembly 63. Each of the sub-assemblies 61 and 62 comprise a triangular plywood panel 64 and a frame, and the top subassembly comprises a two-part plywood panel 65 and a frame. The panels 64 and 65 are cut from a single sheet of plywood without producing waste off-cuts. The frames each have portions 66 which together form an outer frame for the assembly 60.

Each portion 67 of the panels 64 and 65 overlap the portions 66 to produce shoulders 68 on the outer frame, and the portions 66 are rebated to produce recesses 69 which, as shown in Figure 8, accommodate the margins 25 of the first segment 10. The portions 66 are dimensioned so as to be alongside the first battens 27 of the first segment 10, and are nailed or bolted thereto to secure the assembly 60 in position to leave a doorway 7C, which can accept a door (not shown), or which can be left open or provided with a curtain. The sub-assemblies 61, 62 and 63 can be stacked with the panel assemblies, for transport.

The panel assembly 60 can be used at the other end of the structure and secured to the segment 12, by securing the outer frame portions 66 to the second battens 22 so that the shoulders 68 are accommodated in the recesses 27, as shown in broken lines in Figure 8. Also the assembly 60 can be secured between any pair of the segments 10, 11 or 11, 12 by securing the portions 66 between the first and second battens.

In all instances the joints in the recesses 27 and 69 are overlapped by the second battens 22 or the portions 66.

Various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the external cladding and the coping may be of any suitable material, e.g. sheet or extruded plastics material; or sheet material may be draped on the structure and supported by the structure to serve as cover providing extra thermal insulation or weather protection. Sealing tape or a mastic compound may provide a seal between the transverse edges at the junctions and between the lateral edges at the joints.

The apertures in the portions 66 and the battens 21,22 and 23 may be enlarged or in the form of slots, e.g. to allow for slight misalignment of the panel assemblies and the partition assemblies. One of the segments 10, 11 or 12 may have the floor panel assembly 1 5 omitted to permit an earth hearth to be used for a fire or cooking apparatus.

The number of segments in the structure may be selected or varied to suit particular needs, and since the length of each segment is much less than both the height and width of the segment, the length of the structure can be increased or decreased by relatively small, e.g. four foot, increments by adding or removing segments.

It will be readily appreciated that the structure can be easily assembled by a small number of relatively unskilled persons, who will need, at the very most only simple pictorial instructions; that the structure is robust and durable when compared with tents to the extent of being able to withstand very strong winds especially if a quantity of rocks or soil is leaped against the lower margins of the wall panel assemblies, or if anchoring spikes are used to anchor the end portions of the floor panel assemblies; that the panel assemblies can be stacked and lashed in bundles so as to be easily transported and so as to be able to withstand a considerable amount of rough handling, especially if the coping is used as temporary protective material at the exposed corners of the bundles; and that the structures can be very readily mass produced from readily available materials. Furthermore after initial erection of the structures they are capable of subsequent improvement, when time and facilities are available, e.g. by adding external cladding and coping, ventilators, thermal insulation, and possibly transparent panels'to provide reasonable habitation whilst, for example, a village is being rebuilt.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A structure, for use as a temporary dwelling or store, comprising a plurality of segments, wherein some at least of said segments each comprise two wall panel assemblies and a floor panel assembly secured together to provide a floor and two walls, the wall panel assemblies having bottom end portions joined to opposite end portions of the floor panel assembly to form lower junctions, and the wall panel assemblies being mutually inclined and having upper end portions joined together to form an apex junction; each of said panel assemblies comprising a rectangular board having lateral edges perpendicular to said end portions and transverse edges perpendicular to the lateral edges, a first batten fastened to one side of said board so as to be parallel to one of said lateral edges and spaced apart therefrom to leave a margin of said panel therebetween, and a second batten fastened to said one side so as to be parallel to and overlap the other of said lateral edges to form a recess extending laterally of the panel assembly; wherein the segments are, or are adapted to be, assembled so that the said margins of the boards of one segment are accommodated in the recesses oFthe panel assemblies of an adjacent segment or segments to form lateral joints; wherein said battens have or are provided with extensions which project beyond said transverse edges at said end portions, which extensions are secured together to form joints at said lower and apex junctions; and wherein said first and second battens are, or are adapted to be, secured respectively to second and first battens of an adjacent segment or segments so that the second battens overlie the lateral joints.

2. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the wall and floor panels are identical and interchangeable.

3. A structure as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the assemblies are joined together by nails and/or bolts.

4. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein further boards are secured to the battens so that the battens are sandwiched between pairs of boards.

5. A structure as claimed in Claim 1 , 2, 3, or 4, wherein coping is applied to the apex junctions to form an apex for the structure to waterproof said apex junctions.

6. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein partition assemblies are inserted into the segments to serve as end closures or part closures, or as partitions.

7. A structure as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each partition assembly comprise a triangular timber frame carrying a set of panels, said set being designed to be cut from a single standard sheet of plywood.

8. A structure as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein partition assemblies are inserted between segments or are attached to the ends of the structure.

9. A structure as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each partition assembly comprises subassemblies in the form of framed panels, in which one or more frame members of each subassembly form a part or parts of an outer frame of the partition assembly.

10. A structure as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each partition assembly is provided with shoulder portions to engage in the recesses of the panel assemblies to which the outer frame is secured or is adapted to be secured, and with recesses to accept the margins of the panel assemblies to which the outer frame is secured or is adapted to be secured.

11. A structure as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the shoulder portions are formed by edge portions of panels overlapping the outer frame, and the recesses are constituted by rebates in the outer frame.

12. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4; Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 5 or Figure 6; or Figures 7 and 8.