GB2095319A - Pre-fabricated container - Google Patents

Abstract

A pre-fabricated enclosure e.g. a coal bin, transit chest, cabin trunk or garden incinerator, comprises a kit of mutually interfitting panels (17, 18, 19, 40) with a complementary folded edge configuration (20, 21, 41, 42) by means of which successive adjacent edges of the kit or panels may be interlocked. The edge configuration comprises a double folded metal lip (20, 21, 41, 42) forming a continuation of the sheet panel surface, and defining a U-section channel or trough in which is received the leading edge of an adjacent panel, also folded over from the continuation of that panel surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pre-fabricated enclosure This invention relates to a pre-fabricated enclosure and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a pre-fabricated, kit-form, enclosure suitable for general storage purposes, for example coal.

A problem arises in the marketing of prefabricated enclosures in that if the enclosure capacity, size of volume is large, the necessary enclosure structure may become unduly bulky and cumbersome with attendant storage and transportation costs, notwithstanding that the enclosure may simply comprise a walled structure, including a base and a top, without any significant interior structure.

Another problem arises with the design and construction of a pre-fabricated enclosure, in that the assembled or installed enclosure must be suitably rigid and permanent, whilst the process of assembly must be reasonably straightforward and allow for variances in dimensions due to production tolerances reasonably necessary for economical fabrication. Moreover, the fabrication process itself during manufacture must be reasonably economical, simple and reliable.

A further problem arises with the manufacture of pre-fabricated structures from sheet metal, in that the individual panels may be flimsy and become distorted, impeding their ready interfitting in a desired manner, however that may be achieved, and allowing the resultant structure to become distorted, even if it can be finally erected or assembled. It is moreover, a problem to design a means of fastening sheet metal panels which does not require laborious, intricate subsequent fastening steps and the use of separate individual fasteners and some special fastening tool during erection or assembly. It is thus desirable to have a fastening method which is in some sense 'in-built' during manufacture and which incorporates the necessary dimensional accuracy both for overall ease of assembly and in order to ensure a rigid final assembled construction.

According to the invention, a pre-fabricated enclosure comprises a kit of mutually interfitting panels, with a complementary folded edge configuration by means of which successive adjacent edges of the kit or panels may be interlocked, the edge configuration comprising a double folded metal lip forming a continuation of the sheet panel surface, and defining a U-section channel or trough in which may be received the leading edge of an adjacent panel, also folded over from the continuation of that panel surface.

The width of at least the mouth of the U-channel corresponds to that of the edge thickness of the panel to be located therein.

All the necessary interlocking edge joins can be formed in this manner and in addition optional features such as closable apertures in the form of sliding doors may be incorporated in a panel by forming appropriate rolled section edges for guiding a panel door, with respect to an aperture in a panel.

The base of the enclosure comprises an inset panel interlocking with upright side panels by means of an inwardly turned, upstanding folded edge of those side panels, forming a continuous rectangular trough in which are received downwardly-turned depending peripheral flange edges of the base.

The enclosure may also optionally include an over-fitting cover with a downwardly depending flange fitting around the upstanding upright side panels. Optionally, hinges may be provided with respect to the top panel and a side panel whereby the top panel may be hinged to reveal the enclosure.

Desirably, bracing struts are incorporated between the interfitting panels to stabilise the assembled construction and improve the rigidity thereof.

There now follows a description of a particular embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of an assembled pre-fabricated enclosure for use as a storage enclosure, specifically a coal bunker; Figure 2 shows a fragmented section along the line 22' in Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows a general fragmented sectional view along the line XX in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a generally rectangular pre-fabricated enclosure 15, suitable for use as a storage container, in particular a coal bunker, comprises a set of four interfitting rectangular side panels of which, in the particular construction shown, there are two corresponding opposite pairs 1 7 and 1 8 respectively, held together by means of an interlocking folded panel edge configuration 22, shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.

The enclosure also comprises a hinged lid 19 and a fixed inset internal base 40, as shown in Figure 3.

The interlocking folded panel edge configuration 22, which will now be described in more detail, enables ready assembly and dismantling of the enclosure structure 1 5 and allows the individual parts, namely the side panel parts 17, 18, to be stacked in a compact configuration, for example one on top of another within the embrace of the lid 1 9 and base 40, for ease of storage and transportation.

Transportation in the dismantled condition also helps prevent damages to the otherwise rather vulnerable panels surrounding a relatively large, uninterrupted and unsupported enclosure.

Referring to Figure 2, the panels 1 8 each have an outwardly turned edge 21, which forms the upstanding, upright or vertical edge in the assembled condition of the enclosure 1 5. The edge 21 is formed by a simple double-fold or a fold back on itself, in a smooth, continuous folding line, and may be achieved by conventional metal fabricating, press machinery, possibly around a former or guide, to ensure the consistent cross sectional dimensions and longitudinally linearity of the relatively narrow, deep slot formed thereby, adjacent the outer panel edge surface.

Similarly, the other panels 1 7 have a folded edge configuration 20, but of somewhat different form, in that the once folded edge, in the manner of the folded edges of the panels 1 8, are folded again at right-angles, to form an upstanding double lipped flange with an inwardly turned edge and a relatively narrow, deep groove or channel exposed along an inner edge.

It will be appreciated from the drawing, that the folded edges 21, 20 of the panels 17 and 18 respectively, and in particular at least the mouth widths of the channels formed thereby, are of complementary interfitting configuration, and that they may be assembled by moving one panel alongside the other, but displaced therefrom by its transverse extent, and sliding the edges in from one end.

The panels 17 and 18 cannot be dislodged by simple lateral (i.e. in the plane of the drawings) relative movement thereof, or even by tilting or tipping. Indeed, the panels 1 7 and 1 8 can only be disassembled by sliding one panel continuously along the interlocking edge until it is clear of the other panel.

This interlocking edge configuration ensures accuracy of final assembly, thus preserving the rigidity of the assembled structure. Moreover, the resultant rigidity of the opposed edge folds of individual panels effectively contributes to the overall panel rigidity.

Supplementary stiffening rib elements 23 may be provided as a brace between the panels 1 7 and 1 8 in order to ensure the right-angled relative configuration thereof.

The simple folded edge configuration described above may also be used for optional features of the enclosure, for example a closable opening or access point, which in the specific embodiment, comprises a sliding door or gate 30 with a folded handle ledge 31, and which can slide vertically to the panel 1 3 by means of interfolded, interlocking rolled edges 26 and 27 on the panel 17 and door or gate 30 respectively.

A further refinement, comprises an internal deflector ledge or plate 38 as shown in Figure 3, and this is located within an inwardly turned deeply folded edge 39 of the panel 17 forming the front of the enclosure.

Simple double pivot loop hinges 35 affixed to brackets 36 on the panel 17 and brackets 37 on the lid 19 may be used for hinging the lid 19, again as shown in Figure 3.

A ramp or inclined flange edge 32 may desirably be formed internally on the upper lip of the container or enclosure 1 5 around the upper edges of the panels 1 7 and 18, in order to deflect the broad input to the enclosure into the body thereof, once the lid 1 9 is hinged or swung open clear of the opening at the top of the enclosure.

This swinging clear is assisted by the offset hinge bracket 37 and double-pivot hinge action, which brings the lid 1 9 completely clear of the enclosure walls.

The lid 1 9 also has distinct downwardly turned deep peripheral flange edges 33, inwardly turned to avoid sharp protruding edges, and which embraces the upper peripheral edge of the enclosure 1 5 in contrast with the base 40 which is a tight interference fit.

The dimensions and configuration of the enclosure may of course be varied in accordance with the particular storage requirements and additional strength, rigidity or weight may be provided by appropriate reinforcement, for example bonding the metal sheet panels to supplementary materials, for example plywood sheets.

Such an enclosure may for example form a 'tea chest' for removals and storage, cabin trunk or chest, garden incinerator, etc. The panels may be corrugated and/or perforated according to particular requirements.

Hinging and indeed the lid itself are of course optional features.

Claims (5)

1. A pre-fabricated enclosure comprising a kit of mutually interfitting panels, with a complementary folded edge configuration by means of which successive adjacent edges of the kit of panels may be interlocked, the edge configuration comprising a double folded metal lip forming a continuation of the sheet panel surface, and defining a U-section channel or trough in which may be received the leading edge of an adjacent panel, also folded over from the continuation of that panel surface.

2. A pre-fabricated enclosure, as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a kit of interfitting rectangular panels to form an assembled rectangular enclosure.

3. A pre-fabricated enclosure, as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the kit of panels includes an inset base panel receivable with an inward, upwardly turned peripheral base flange formed on the side panels.

4. A pre-fabricated enclosure, as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, including an overlying top panel or lid with a downwardly depending peripheral flange for embracing the upper edges of the side panels.

5. A pre-fabricated enclosure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.