GB2128216A - Guttering - Google Patents

Abstract

In a building having a supporting framework, for example a portal frame building, the guttering 2 disposed between the roof 6 and the side walls 12 is cross-braced across its channel by struts 16 and acts as a longitudinal brace for the framework. The side walls and the roof may be fixed to or supported by the guttering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Guttering The invention relates to the guttering and framework of portal frame buildings.

The conventional arrangementintheeave regions of such buildings comprises longitudinal strutsto brace between transverse portal frames. The roof and cladding for the framework is attached to the portal frames. The guttering runs the length of the building insidethecladding and commonlycomprises several sections, each section having been formed by bending a steel strip. The guttering so formed is of insufficient strength and stiffness to perform any structural, load-bearing function.

According to the invention there is provided a steel frameworkfor a building, wherein the guttering disposed atthejunction of the side walls of the building and the roof comprises a channelled, elon gate member cross braced across its channel, the guttering acting as a longitudinal brace for the framework. Building fixtures, for example the clad- ding and the roof, may be fixed to or supported by the guttering.

The elongate member may be roll formed to whatever the length required so replacing the severa sections of the prior art. It may have cross bracing welded to it across its channel, giving the composite guttering strength and stiffness to replace the conven tional longitudinal struts and enabling itto bear the roof and cladding.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a gutter in its installed position.

The gutter 2 is fixed to, and braces between, the portal frames of the framework, one of which is indicated at 4. The roof 6 has its lower lateral edge overhanging the gutter 2 in the usual manner. The roof 6 is attached to a flange 8formed atthe innermost edge ofthe gutter, as well as by supports 10 fixed to the portal frame 4. Wall cladding 12 is fixed to the gutter 2 by known means, not shown in the accompanying drawing.

The gutter2comprises an elongate memberformed by rolling steel strip, and cross bracing. The cross bracing consists of steel struts 16 welded at their ends to opposite edges of the elongate memzer. The struts are disposed at approximately 45" to the length of the gutter, to form a zig-zag pattern, commonly known as a warren truss. Other types of bracing may also be used.

The stiffness of the side walls of the gutter may be increased by forming them with widerflanges than are shown in the accompanying drawings. Greater stiffness may also be conferred by forming lipped flanges, forexample, with a downturned outer edge of the type depicted as 18 on the roofsupports 10.

The gutter may be used as a structural member at internalvalleyregionsofsuch buildings. Forsuch use the gutter is preferably formed with two roof-support ing flanges of the type depicted as 8 in the accompanying drawing, one at each gutter edge.

CLAIMS (filed on 5/10/83) 1. A building comprising a framework, a roof, side walls and guttering atthejunction of the roof and side walls, wherein the guttering comprises a channelled, elongate membercross-braced across itschannel,the guttering acting as a longitudinal brace for the framework.

2. A building according to claim 1 wherein the side walls and/orthe roof arefixed to orsupported bythe guttering.

3. A building according to claim 1 or2wherein cross-bracing struts are welded to the guttering across the top of the channel.

4. A building according to any preceding claim wherein the guttering disposed between each side wall and the roof comprises one roll formed elongate member which extends along the length of the building.

5. A building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Guttering The invention relates to the guttering and framework of portal frame buildings. The conventional arrangementintheeave regions of such buildings comprises longitudinal strutsto brace between transverse portal frames. The roof and cladding for the framework is attached to the portal frames. The guttering runs the length of the building insidethecladding and commonlycomprises several sections, each section having been formed by bending a steel strip. The guttering so formed is of insufficient strength and stiffness to perform any structural, load-bearing function. According to the invention there is provided a steel frameworkfor a building, wherein the guttering disposed atthejunction of the side walls of the building and the roof comprises a channelled, elon gate member cross braced across its channel, the guttering acting as a longitudinal brace for the framework. Building fixtures, for example the clad- ding and the roof, may be fixed to or supported by the guttering. The elongate member may be roll formed to whatever the length required so replacing the severa sections of the prior art. It may have cross bracing welded to it across its channel, giving the composite guttering strength and stiffness to replace the conven tional longitudinal struts and enabling itto bear the roof and cladding. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a gutter in its installed position. The gutter 2 is fixed to, and braces between, the portal frames of the framework, one of which is indicated at 4. The roof 6 has its lower lateral edge overhanging the gutter 2 in the usual manner. The roof 6 is attached to a flange 8formed atthe innermost edge ofthe gutter, as well as by supports 10 fixed to the portal frame 4. Wall cladding 12 is fixed to the gutter 2 by known means, not shown in the accompanying drawing. The gutter2comprises an elongate memberformed by rolling steel strip, and cross bracing. The cross bracing consists of steel struts 16 welded at their ends to opposite edges of the elongate memzer. The struts are disposed at approximately 45" to the length of the gutter, to form a zig-zag pattern, commonly known as a warren truss. Other types of bracing may also be used. The stiffness of the side walls of the gutter may be increased by forming them with widerflanges than are shown in the accompanying drawings. Greater stiffness may also be conferred by forming lipped flanges, forexample, with a downturned outer edge of the type depicted as 18 on the roofsupports 10. The gutter may be used as a structural member at internalvalleyregionsofsuch buildings. Forsuch use the gutter is preferably formed with two roof-support ing flanges of the type depicted as 8 in the accompanying drawing, one at each gutter edge. CLAIMS (filed on 5/10/83)

1. A building comprising a framework, a roof, side walls and guttering atthejunction of the roof and side walls, wherein the guttering comprises a channelled, elongate membercross-braced across itschannel,the guttering acting as a longitudinal brace for the framework.

2. A building according to claim 1 wherein the side walls and/orthe roof arefixed to orsupported bythe guttering.

3. A building according to claim 1 or2wherein cross-bracing struts are welded to the guttering across the top of the channel.

4. A building according to any preceding claim wherein the guttering disposed between each side wall and the roof comprises one roll formed elongate member which extends along the length of the building.

5. A building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.