GB2162230A - Building aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A building aid, of particular value in the constructing of buildings by brick-laying methods, comprises a rectangular framework which is linearly adjustable in two directions parallel to its sides and which presents a continuous outer surface over at least a major part of its perimeter and in at least a majority of its possible positions of linear adjustment. The building aid may, among other uses, be used as an adjustable temporary structure for forming doorways, windows or other openings. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building aid The present invention is an aid for use in the construction of buildings and is of particular value in the construction of houses, factories and the like by brick-laying methods using bricks, breezeblocks, stone and similar materials. The invention has certain further applications which are described in more detail below.

In conventional building practice, when it is desired to construct an opening such as a window or doorway, either the opening is built around the window frame or door frame which is to feature in the finished building or alternatively a temporary framework is constructed on site from timber which is subsequently discarded. The former alternative has the disadvantage that it depends on the availability of the frames at the early construction stage but it also has the further serious disadvantage that the final frames are exposed to the risk of damage during the construction of the building.

When a high-quality end result is desired, or when the frames to be installed are themselves of high quality or otherwise expensive, the use of a temporary timber framework is almost invariably adopted.

However, the construction of a timber framework on site for each window and door opening is inconvenient and time-consuming. In addition, there is a high risk of damage to the brickwork surrounding the opening once it is constructed, when the temporary framework is removed. Furthermore, since the framework is subsequently discarded, this technique involves the costs of the written-off timber.

Thus there is a real need for a construction technique for window-openings or the like which minimises or avoids altogether these many disadvantages associated with the different prior methods. Our invention makes possible the adoption of such an improved technique by providing a novel building aid.

The building aid of our invention is a rectangular framework, linearly adjustable in two directions parallel to its sides and presenting a continuous outer surface over at least a major part of its perimeter and in at least a majority of its possible positions of linear adjustment.

The linear adjustment of the framework is preferably achieved telescopically, that is by a structure in which an inner linear frame member is axially slidable substantially within an outer linear frame member which is axially aligned therewith. We have said "substantially" within because, as will appear hereinafter, the continuity of the outer surface of the framework requires that the inner frame member should project to at least a limited extent laterally from within the outer frame member to the surface of the latter.

An alternative, less preferred method of achieving linear adjustment of the framework is by providing parallel, overlapping frame members which can be ad; ,ted by varying the extent of linear overlap.

Whichever form of linear adjustment method is adopted, it is strongly preferred that the framework be fixable in some or all of its possible positions of adjustment. Thus the relatively movable frame members may simply be a tight fit with respect to each other or, more preferably, specific locking means may be provided to secure their relative positions. For example, a bolt threadably engaging one of the frame members may bear upon the other frame member or may engage in different positions with projections and/or apertures in the other member.

It is an important feature of our invention that the framework presents a continuous outer surface over at least a major part of its perimeter and in at least a majority of its possible positions of linear adjustment. By "outer" surface we mean, of course, the surface which faces away from the centre of the framework overall. In our most preferred embodiment of the invention, the continuity of the outer surface is unbroken over the whole perimeter of the framework, the linear adjustability is continuous and the outer surface remains unbroken throughout adjustment of the framework. In this preferred embodiment, the framework is telescopic and the inner member projects, over a part of the sectional profile of the outer member, to the outer surface of the latter.

The cross-sectional shape of the relatively adjustable frame members may take a very wide variety of forms. In general, it is advantageous for the outer profile of the inner member to match, at least fairly closely, the inner profile of the outer member, since the members then cooperate to good effect in imparting rigidity to the framework.

However, this is not an essential criterion and a strong, effective framework is obtained if the inner member is of generally an I-section within a boxsection outer member.

Subject to satisfying the other requirements hereinbefore specified, the cross-sectional shape may usefully be chosen so as to minimise the total weight of the framework and the total quantity of material employed. Thus the cross-section may taper away from the outer surface of the framework towards the overall centre of the latter, so as to provide a laterally relatively wide outer surface with the minimum of material consistent with structural strength.

The framework of the building aid according to our invention may be made of any of several different metallic or plastics materials (including metal alloys) but we particularly favour the use of galvanised steel, aluminium or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (u-PVC).

The building aid may be assembled using an allwelded construction or by bolting or similar conventional fixing methods. For example, when the adjustment is achieved by telescoping, each side having an outer and an inner frame member, those members may be assembled into the framework by pinning to suitable corner members. Such corner members may be designed to link an outer frame member of one side to an inner frame mem ber of the adjacent side, in which case four identical corner members are required. Alternatively, two such corner members may each link an outer frame member of one side to an outer frame member of an adjacent side, the other two corner members each linking adjacent inner frame members.

While our invention has been conceived specifically to meet the important need in the building industry for an improved method of constructing window and door openings and the like, our building aid can be used for a range of other, related purposes. Of course it is equally suitable for defining other openings during their construction, for example in walls or floors to receive specific pieces of manufacturing plant or other equipment. However, it is additionally of value, when-the framework is sealed across with rigid or flexible, transparent, translucent or opaque material, for temporarily closing off an aperture. For example, sealed with transparent material it may temporarily replace a broken window or be used to exclude bad weather during building construction or postbuilding interior work.Sealed with a rigid material such as plywood or hardboard the device may be used to give temporary security to an unoccupied or damaged building.

As will readily be appreciated, because our building aid is adjustable, it may readily be adapted to constructing a range of aperture sizes, whether they correspond to those of a recognised standard window or door or represent an intermediate non-standard size. The adjustability of the device allows it to be removed without difficulty or damage to itself or the adjacent brickwork when construction of the aperture is completed.

Our invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates in elevation a first embodi ment of the building aid according to our invention; Figure 1A is a sectional view to an enlarged scale on the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 2 illustrates in elevation a second embodiment of the building aid according to our invention; Figure 2A illustrates in elevation a corner mem ber used in the embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 2B is a side view in the direction 'B' of Figure 2A; Figure 3 illustrates in elevation a third embodi ment of the building aid according to our invention; Figures 3A and 3B respectively illustrate in elevation two different corner members both used in the embodiment of Figure 3;; Figure 4 illustrates in elevation a fourth embodi ment of the building aid according to our invention; and Figures 5A and 5F are cross-sectional views of various alternative profiles for the cooperating frame members which may be used in the different embodiments of our invention.

Referring firstly to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 1A, the framework consists of four main parts, each in the form of two linear frame members welded together to form a right-angle.

The outer frame parts 6 and 7 each comprise two linear frame members (6a , 6b or 7a , 7b ). Telescopically engaging the parts 6, 7 are two inner frame parts 8 and 9, each comprising two linear frame members (8a, 8b or 9a , 9b ).

Adjustment of the overall dimensions of the framework is readily achieved by moving the inner frame members (8a , 8b , 9a , 9b ) telescopically further into or out of the outer frame members (7a, 6a ,6b and 7b respectively ). The members are then locked in the adjusted new position by clevis bolts 10-13 respectively, which threadably engage the outer frame members and whose ends bear upon the respective inner frame members.

The cross-sectional profiles of the telescoping frame members of the embodiment of Figure 1 are clearly shown in Figure 1A. Essentially, the two members 6a and 8b are both of box section but a projection 14 on the outer face of the inner frame member 8b projects through the profile of the outer frame member 6a so as to ensure that the two members combine to present a continuous outer surface around the whole perimeter of the framework and in all relative positions of the frame members.

The embodiment of our invention shown in Figures 2, 2A and 2B in many respects resembles that of Figure 1 but the frame parts 21 to 24 are identical with each other and are assembled from their components by pinning rather than welding. Typically, frame part 21 comprises a corner member 21a , an inner frame member 21b and an outer frame member 21e . The corner member 21a is shown in enlarged detail in Figures 2A and 2B and can be seen to consist of a box 22 with spigots 22a and 22b projecting therefrom at right angles and adapted to slide into the inner frame member 21b and the outer frame member 21c respectively.

The pinned construction of this second embodiment of our invention makes for easy replacement of damaged components.

The building aid illustrated in Figures 3, 3A and 3B is also of pinned construction but comprises two each of two different frame parts 31 and 32.

Each frame part again comprises two frame members and a corner member (as in the second embodiment) but each frame part 31 includes two outer frame members and each frame part 32 includes two inner frame members. Figure 3A shows in enlarged detail a corner member 32a having spigots 33 to which two inner frame members are pinned. Figure 3B is a corresponding illustration of a corner member 31a having two spigots 34 to which two outer frame members are pinned.

The outer frame parts 31 are each reinforced by bracing struts 35, to enable the framework to be made to a lighter construction, or to a larger size, without serious loss of strength.

The fourth embodiment of our invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, again uses a welded construction similar to that of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, but has bracing struts 41 reinforcing the outer frame parts 42. While the first three em bodiments happen to be made of galvanised steel (although they could be made in aluminium, for example), the embodiment of Figure 4 is made of aluminium but could equally have been of galvanised steel, for example.

As already mentioned, a wide variety of crosssectional profiles are suitable for the telescoping frame members. For convenience, the profiles shown in Figure 1A are illustrated in all of the four illustrated building aids. However those same illustrated embodiments of our invention can equally readily be assembled from frame members having the alternative profiles shown in Figures 5A to 5F respectively. A less preferred embodiment (not shown) uses frame members of generally annular cross-section, again with the inner frame member having a projection which extends through to the outer surface of the outer frame member.

Claims (15)

1. A building aid comprising a rectangular framework which is linearly adjustable in two directions parallel it its sides and presents a continuous outer surface over at least a major part of its perimeter and in at least a majority of its possible positions of linear adjustment.

2. A building aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the framework comprises parallel, overlapping frame members and its adjustment is achievable by varying the extent of linear overlap of said frame members.

3. A building aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the framework comprises an inner linear frame member which is axially slidable substantially within an outer linear frame member.

4. A building aid as claimed in claim 3, wherein the relatively movable frame members are a tight relative fit to permit said framework to be fixed in some or all of its positions of adjustment.

5. A building aid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, having locking means to secure the framework in some or all of its positions of adjustment.

6. A building aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking means is a bolt threadably engaging a first relatively movable part of said framework and either bearing upon a second relatively movable part or engaging in different positions with projections and/or apertures in said second part.

7. A building aid comprising a rectangular framework which comprises four frame members which, by telescoping relative to each other, permit the framework to be continuously linearly adjustable in two directions parallel to the sides of the rectangle, wherein, at each point of telescoping, an inner member projects, over a part of the sectional profile of an outer member, to the outer surtace of the latter, in such a manner that the framework presents an unbroken outer perimetral surface over its whole perimeter and that said surface remains unbroken throughout adjustment of the framework.

8. A building aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the four frame members comprises an outer telescoping member and an inner telescoping member rigidly secured at right angles to each other.

9. A building aid as claimed in claim 7, wherein two of the four frame members each comprises two outer telescoping members secured at right angles to each other and the other two frame members each comprises two inner telescoping members secured at right angles to each other.

10. A building aid as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the outer profile of each said inner members matches, at least fairly closely, the inner profile of each said outer member.

11. A building aid as claimed any of claims 7 to 9, wherein each inner member is of generally an Isection and each outer member is of a box section.

12. A building aid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cross-section of the framework tapers from its outer perimetral surface inwards.

13. A building aid as claimcd in any of the preceding claims, made of galvanised steel, aluminium or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride.

14. A building aid as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the framework is sealed across with a rigid or flexible, transparent, translucent or opaque material.

15. A building aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as illustrated in, any of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.