GB2133430A

GB2133430A - Metallic structure

Info

Publication number: GB2133430A
Application number: GB08326328A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Raymond Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-24
Filing date: 1983-09-30
Publication date: 1984-07-25
Also published as: WO1984002551A1; GB8326328D0; NO843256L; EP0131013A1

Abstract

A metallic structure comprises a plurality of load bearing members (11-14) in which through bores (15, 16) are formed and through which transverse bars (17, 18) are located. The load bearing members (11-14) are deformed in the vicinity of the apertures formed therein causing interlocking relationship between the load bearing members and transverse bars to form a substantially rigid structure suitable for metallic flooring. A method of manufacture and apparatus for manufacturing the metallic structure is also described.

Description

SPECIFICATION Metallic structures The present invention relates to metallic structures intended primarily, but not exclusively, as flooring.

Metallic flooring has been made and used for many years and commonly comprises a grid-like structure of load bearing bars and transverse bars secured in spaced relationship to each other, the transverse bars welded at predetermined positions into the upper surfaces of the load bearing bars.

Such flooring is constructed by assembling the load bearing bars in their correct spaced relationship, positioning the transverse bars on the upper surface thereof in their correct spaced relationship and applying a large mechanical force and high current to cause softening of the load bearing bars in the proximity of the transverse bars so that the transverse bars are pressed into the upper edge of the load bearing bars, the current passing through the structure being sufficient to cause welding of the transverse bars to the load bearing bars.

Such flooring has been found quite adequate in use with the exception of possible hazards due to the transverse bars when in their secured position, which may be slightly proud of the upper surface of the load bearing bars.

Unfortunately, the process for manufacturing the metal flooring described above involves large and expensive machinery, and also a considerable quantity of power during the welding stage necessitating in some cases the installation of electrical generating means in proximity to the welding machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved metallic structure that overcomes or reduces the problems of manufacture of known structures.

According to one aspect of the present invention, I provide a metallic structure comprising a plurality of load bearing members each having a plurality of apertures at predetermined positions along the length thereof, said apertures being spaced from upper and lower edges of said load bearing members, a plurality of transverse members, each transverse member passing through aligned apertures in respective load bearing members, each load bearing member being deformed at a position adjacent or in proximity to each of said apertures to cause deformation of each aperture to result in mechanical interaction between said load bearing members and said transverse members.

Preferably, said apertures are formed in said load bearing members at a position near to the upper or lower edge of the load bearing members and the load bearing members are deformed by a mechanical force exerted on the edge nearest to said aperture.

Preferably the deformation of the load bearing members is such that an aperture formed therein closes so that the material of the load bearing member can be forced into contact with the material of the transverse member.

Conveniently, the deformation of the load bearing member adjacent the aperture is concentrated either side of a plane in which the longitudinal axis of the transverse member lies, which plane is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing members.

Said load bearing members and/or said transverse members may be made from steel, either mild or stainless, aluminium or any other suitable material.

Said load bearing members may have any suitable thickness and depth and typical dimensions may have a thickness of between 2mm and 1 2mm and a depth of between 1 Omm and 100mm.

The spacing of the load bearing members is dependent on the use to which it is to be put and the strength required and may typically be between 1 2mm to 50mm.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new or improved method of manufacturing metallic structures.

According to a further aspect of the invention, I provide a method of manufacturing metallic structures comprising the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of load bearing members by forming apertures in metallic strips; (b) arranging said load bearing members in an aligned and predetermined relationship: (c) inserting transverse members through respective aligned apertures in said load bearing members: (d) deforming said load bearing members in the region of each aperture formed therein, the deformation of said load bearing member causing at least some deformation of each aperture formed therein.

Heat may be used but preferably said deformation is caused by mechanical force alone, no separate heat source being used.

Said deformation may be carried by a rotating members or a reciprocating hammer may be used.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for use in making metallic structures as described above.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, I provide apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures of the kind comprising a plurality of spaced load bearing members each provided with respective aligned apertures through which extends transverse members, said apparatus comprising rotating means carrying one or more parts situated radially outwardly of a surface of revolution of said rotating member, said parts being adapted to contact and deform said load bearing members.

Preferably said rotating member may comprise either: (a) a cam-like element; (b) an eccentric; (c) a substantially cylindrical rotating member having one or more radially outwardly projecting members.

Conveniently the relationship between the apertures formed in the load bearing members and the transverse members passing therethrough is such that only minor deformation to said load bearing members enables a satisfactory interlocking relationship between said load bearing members and said transverse members.

Said transverse members may be of any suitable configuration and may be round in crosssection, square, oval, triangular or any other convenient shape.

Preferably said load bearing members are supported on a substantially flat bed at least when subjected to impact from a reciprocating hammer or rotary impact member as described above.

Said metallic structure may be subjected to a cleaning and coating treatment or may be otherwise treated as befits its alloted use.

Said metallic structures are preferably formed having predetermined overall dimensions, and binding members may be secured thereto, said binding members being situated at opposite ends of said structure extending in a direction substantially parallel to said transverse members and being secured to the ends of the outermost load bearing bars.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a metallic structure in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a second embodiment of metallic structure; FIGURE 3a is a fragmentary view of a load bar and solitary transverse member; FIGURE 3b is a plan view; FIGURE 4a is a fragmentary view of a load bearing member and solitary transverse member but of different configuration to that shown in Figure 3; FIGURE 4b is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 4a; FIGURE 5a is a view of the load bearing member and an alternative configuration of transverse member; FIGURE Sb is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5a;; FIGURE 6a is a fragmentary view of a load bearing member and further alternative of transverse member; FIGURE 7 illustrates apparatus for use in making metallic structures of the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; FIGURE 9a is a fragmentary view of a load bearing member and solitary transverse member and another embodiment of deforming apparatus: FIGURE 9b illustrates the load bearing member and transverse member shown in Figure 9a after having been deformed by the deforming member.

Referring first to Figure 1 , the structure shown comprises a part of a larger structure having four load bearing members hereinafter for convenience referred to as loas bearing bars, 11, 12, 13 and 14, each of the bars being formed with a plurality of apertures, two of which are indicated at 15 and 16 on the load bar 11. Transverse members hereinafter referred to for convenience as transverse bars 17 and 18 pass through respective aligned apertures formed in each of the load bars 11 to 14.

Each of the load bars is deformed, and once again referring to the load bar 11, a deformation can be seen at 19 and 20, such deformation being caused by impact, the areas of deformation 19 and 20 being immediately above the apertures 15 and 16 respectively so that the aperture is deformed in a manner such that mechanical interaction between the load bars 11 and the transverse bars 17 and 18 is caused thereby locking the load bar 11 to the transverse bars 17 and 18.

Each of the load bars 12 to 14 are deformed in a similar manner to provide a rigid structure.

The metallic structures may be made of any desired size and may be made in the form of "mats" having a predetermined width and a predetermined length. A plurality of mats can then be connected to each other and may be modified in shape by removal of parts thereof to form load supporting surfaces.

Referring now to Figure 2, another metallic structure constructed in accordance with the invention is shown, such structure comprising load bars 25, 26 and 27, the load bar 25 being provided with apertures 28 and 29 through which pass respective transverse bars 30 and 31. The transverse bars 30 and 31 are in this embodiment shown as being of round cross-section, however any convenient cross-section may be provided variations of which will be described in more detail later.

The upper edge of the load bars 25 to 27 is of castillated form in order to provide a "non-slip" load supporting surface particularly useful in environments where the load supporting surface may be contaminated with materials such as oil, grease or certain chemicals which might render a substantially flat surface hazardous.

The areas of deformation shown at 32 and 33 on load bar 25 are so positioned relative to the castillated formation to form a continuation of the castillated formation along the upper edge of the load bar 25.

Any other desired non-slip formation may be provided on the upper edges or load supporting surface as desired.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6 (a and b) various alternatives in the cross-section of the apertures formed in the load bars and the transverse bars are shown.

Figures 3a and 3b show a load bar 35 having an aperture 36 of substantially round crosssection, the transverse bar 37 being of twisted square cross-section.

Deformation 38 of the load bar 35 will tend to squash the aperture 36 causing mechanical interaction between the transverse bar 37 and the load bar 35.

Referring now to Figures 4a and 4b, a load bar 40 is shown having an aperture 41 circular in cross-section and transverse bar 42.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a load bar 45 having an aperture 46 of triangular cross-section, the transverse bar 47 being also of triangular cross-section.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate a load bar 50 having an aperture 51 of rectangular elongate form, the transverse bar 52 being of similar crosssection.

It will be appreciated that many different configurations of transverse bar and aperture may be provided, the nature and dimension of the aperture and its respective transverse bar depending on the use to which the metallic structure is to be put and the strength required.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures is shown, the apparatus comprising an indenting roller 60 and support rollers 61, 62 and 63.

The indenting roller 60 is provided with radial projections, for example those shown at 64 and 65, and guide rollers 66.

In use of the apparatus, the assembled metallic structure is passed beneath the rotating roller 60 so that the radial projections such as those shown at 64 and 65 contact the load bar 67 at positions immediately above the aperture 68 through which the transverse bars have already been positioned.

The projections indent the upper surface of the load bar 67 and cause deformation of the aperture 68 and interaction between the metal of the load bar 67 and the transverse bar 69.

The centres of the supporting rollers 61 to 63 and the centre of the indenting roller 60 may be relatively adjustable in order to cope with load bars of different height.

The indenting roller 60 is provided with guide rollers 66 each side thereof, which guide rollers 66 extend either side of the load bar being indented in order to guide the passage of the metallic structure into a correct position. The guide rollers 66 are provided with indentations adjacent the radial projections 64, 65 to prevent the guide rollers 66 from deforming the transverse bar 68.

The indenting roller 60 may be of a size so that it may simultaneously indent either one, or any desired number of load bars depending on the power input available, the size of the metallic structure and the force necessary to produce the required deformation of the through bores and mechanical interaction between the load bars and the transverse bars.

Referring now to Figures 9a and 9b, an alternative embodiment of apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures is shown.

A deforming punch 70 has a part 71 having spaced protrusions 72 and 73. The punch 70 may be carried by an automatically operated press or alternatively the apparatus shown in Figures 7 and 8 may have the radial projections, such as those shown at 64 and 65, each replaced by a pair of projections, such as those shown at 72 and 73 spaced by a small distance.

The load bearing member 75 is situated below the punch 70 and positioned such that the plane 76 in which lies the longitudinal axis of the transverse member 77 and which also extends substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing member 75, is aligned with the direction of movement of the punch 70, the projections 72 and 73 being spaced equidistant therefrom.

The punch 70 is moved downwardly with considerable force into contact with the load bearing member 75 which is deformed as shown in Figure Db. The projections 72 and 73 concentrate the deformation in an area surrounding the transverse member 77, i.e. either side thereof, so as to move the material from which the load bearing member 75 is made into the gaps between the transverse member 77 and load bearing member 75 to ensure satisfactory mechanical interaction between the load bearing member 75 and transverse member 77.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the following claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A metallic structure comprising a plurality of load bearing members each having a plurality of apertures at predetermined positions along the length thereof, said apertures being spaced from upper and lower edges of said load bearing members, a plurality of transverse members, each transverse member passing through aligned apertures in respective load bearing members, each load bearing member being deformed at a position adjacent or in proximity to each of said apertures to cause deformation of each aperture to result in mechanical interaction between said load bearing members and said transverse members.

2. A metallic structure according to Claim 1 wherein the configuration of the or each aperture is different from the cross-sectional shape of the transverse member passing therethrough.

3. A metallic structure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said apertures are formed in said load bearing members at a position near to the upper or lower edge of the load bearing members and the load bearing member is deformed by a mechanical force exerted on the edge nearest to said aperture.

4. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said load bearing members and said transverse members are made from steel.

5. A metallic structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said load bearing members and said transverse members are made from aluminium.

6. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said load bearing members have a thickness of between 2mm and 12mm.

7. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said load bearing members have a depth of between 1 Omm and 100mm.

8. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spacing of the load bearing members is between 12mm to 50mm.

9. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least some of said transverse members are substantially square in cross-section.

10. A metallic structure according to Claim 9 wherein said transverse members are twisted about their longitudinal axis before deformation of said load bearing members.

11. A metallic structure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein deformation of said load bearing members is concentrated either side of a plane in which lies the longitudinal axis of a respective transverse member and which plane lies substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said load bearing members.

12. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of load bearing members by forming apertures in metallic strips; (b) arranging said load bearing members in an aligned and predetermined relationship; (c) inserting transverse members through respective aligned apertures in said load bearing members; (d) deforming said load bearing members in the region of each aperture formed therein, the deformation of said load bearing member causing at least some deformation of each aperture formed therein.

13. A method of manufacturing metallic structures comprising the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of load bearing members by forming apertures in metallic strips; (b) arranging said load bearing members in an aligned and predetermined relationship; (c) inserting transverse members through respective aligned apertures in said load bearing members; (d) deforming said load bearing members in the region of each aperture formed therein, the deformation of said load bearing member causing at least some deformation of each aperture formed therein.

14. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein deformation of the load bearing member can take place without the application of a heat source.

15. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein deformation is carried by a rotating member.

16. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to any one of Claims 12 to 15 wherein said deformation is carried out by a reciprocating hammer.

17. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to any one of Claims 12 to 16 wherein said deformation is carried out by a punch carried in a brake press.

18. A method of manufacturing metallic structures according to any one of Claims 12 to 17 wherein said metallic structure is subjected to a cleaning and/or coating treatment subsequent to said deformation.

19. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures of the kind comprising a plurality of spaced load bearing members each provided with respective aligned apertures through which extends transverse members, said apparatus comprising rotating means carrying one or more parts situated radially outwardly of a surface of revolution of said rotating member, said parts being adapted to contact and deform said load bearing members.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19 wherein said rotating member comprises either: (a) a cam-like element; (b) an eccentric; (c) a substantially cylindrical rotating member having one or more radially outwardly projecting members.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 for use in the manufacture of metallic structures according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

22. A metallic structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of manufacturing a metallic structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

24. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. A metallic structure including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

26. A method of manufacturing a metallic structure, the method including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.

27. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of metallic structures including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.