GB2172628A

GB2172628A - Improved building frame construction

Info

Publication number: GB2172628A
Application number: GB08606616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Henry Hunter
Original assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1985-03-19
Filing date: 1986-03-18
Publication date: 1986-09-24
Also published as: GB8606616D0; GB2172628B

Abstract

A building frame construction composed of a metal framework of parallel side members (13 Figure 1) connecting parallel end members (12 Figure 1) with intermediate joists 14 spanning the end members, and bridging elements 16 between adjacent joists and the joists and the side members, the improvement being that both the joists and the side members are provided with a series of transverse slots 15, and each bridging element has at one end a longitudinal tongue 20 with a transverse slot 21 and at the other end a projecting lug 22 for bending and insertion within a tongue slot of another bridging element on the opposite side of a joist and whose tongue has been inserted through one of the apertures of a joist, whereby assembly of the metal framework in situ is made possible. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved building construction This invention relates to building frame construction, and more particularly to steel frames of the kind suitable for application as a floor, ceiiing or roof frame.

Whether composed of a metal or timber it is customary that these frames have a pair of parallel side members and a pair of parallel end members disposed normally to the former. A plurality of joists, or studs, span the end members and are separated by bridging elements spanning adjacent joists. It is common practise to secure the joists, or studs, to the end members with the bridging elements serving only as infill. Furthermore, in all conventional constructions assembly is time-consuming and requires the use of fixing tools and additional appliances such as nails or screws.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improved form of metal building frame construction.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a building frame construction comprising a metal framework of a pair of parallel side frame members interconnecting a pair of parallel end frame members, a plurality of spaced intermediate joists connected to and spanning said end frame members, first bridging elements interconnecting adjacent joists, and second bridging elements interconnecting said side frame members with confronting ones of said joists, said construction being characterised in that said intermediate joists are composed of channelled metal beams provided with transverse apertures at intervals, and each of said first bridging elements has a tongue on one end provided with a transverse slot and a projecting lug on the other end, whereby insertion of said tongue of one of said first bridging elements through one of said apertures of one of said intermediate joists and engagement within the slot on said tongue of the lug of another one of said bridging elements located at the far side of said intermediate joist effects assembly of part of said frame construction.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a floor frame constructed according to this invention with partial cladding; Figure 2 shows an exploded fragment of the construction of Figure 1. indicated as detail "A"; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the detail "B" shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded view of detail "C" of Figure 1; Figure 5is a fragmentary side sectional view as viewed on line 5-5 of Figure 1; and, Figure 6shows to an enlarged scale the method of interconnection between bridging elements utilised in the invention.

The following description relates to a building frame construction serving as a floor frame to a building, and is exemplary of other applications to which the invention may be applied. The frame 7 is shown supported on a pair of spaced bearers 8 with an overhanging portion 9 serving as a cantilevered balcony. As shown in Figures 1 and 5 the balcony portion 9 carries flooring boards 10, with an external wall 28, shown only in Figure 1, positioned over the bearer 8. The internal flooring supported by the frame 7 may be particle board 11, a fragment of which is shown. In the frame construction to be described there will be a pair of opposite, parallel aligned end frame members of which only member 12 is shown. Similarly, there will be a pair of spaced parallel side frame members of which only member 13 is shown in Figure 1.The end frame members 12 are spanned by intermediate joists 14, which are in parallel to each other and together with the side frame members 13 have a series of transverse slots 15 at intervals along their lengths. Adjacent ones of the joists 14, and each side member 13 with its adjacent joist 14, are interconnected by bridging elements 16 at the positions of the slots 15 which lie in aligned rows. All ofthemembers 12 and 13,joists 14 and bridging elements 16 are composed of C-shaped metal section, preferably 1.2mm galvanised steel.

The manner of assembly of the bridging elements 16 to their joists 14 and side members 13, is a feature of this invention. Figure 2 shows a bridging element 1 6a located to one side of the joist 14 being inserted through the slot 15 for locking with a bridging element 16b located at the other side of the joist 14.

The leading end of the element 16a has its parallel flanges 17 and 18 cut short at this end to form a rectangular protrusion 19 subtending a tongue 20 provided with a slot 21. The length of the tongue 20 is such as to enable its entry through the slot 15 to expose the slot 21 at the far side of the joist 14. A bent lug 22 at the mating end of the bridging element 16b may then be slipped transversely through the slot 21 for assembly. Preferably, the lug 22 carries dimpled impressions 23 for secure locking of the lug 22 within the slot 21. A rigid assembly of the two elements 1 6a and 16b to the joist 14 results.

Each bridging element 16 is provided at one end with the slotted tongue formation 20, 21, and at its opposite end is provided with the dimpled lug 22, 23, thus enabling progressive assembly of all bridging elements 16 to their joists 14. Each bridging element 16 may be provided with its lug 22 protruding linearly for bending in situ as required.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 specially constructed bridging elements 16c and 16d are provided for right hand and left hand respective connection between a joist 14 and its adjacent side frame member 1 3a or 13b. In both instances the end of the element 16c or 16d, for mating with the member 13a or 13b, is provided with transverse slots 24 at opposite sides extending through its flanges 17 and 18 and partly through the web 25. The slots 24 accommodate the return flanges 26 on the respective member 13a or 1 3b for retention of the elements 1 6c and 16d.

Similar slots 24 are provided in the opposite ends of each of the joists 14 for similar retention with the end frame members 12. An additional protruding lug (not shown) may be formed on the end of the elements 16c and 16d to engage with the slots 15 on the members 13a and 13b which can be bent over after insertion.

Afeature of the locking facility provided by the lugs 22 and slotted tongues 20 is shown by Figure 6 in that the position of the slot 21 is such and it is wider than necessary for engagement by the lug 22 so that not all of the slot 21 protrudes beyond the far face 27 of the joist 14. This allows for larger tolerance in tooling while permitting frictional engagement between the bent lug 22 with the face 27 of the joist 14.

In practice it has been found that building frames constructed according to the principle of this invention are readily capable of assembly with a minimum of effort and are sturdy and rugged in service. Other embodiments, refinements and modifications will be obvious which fall within the scope of this invention.

It should be noted that where the frame 7 is to serve in the construction of a wall, the joists 14 and frame members 13 will be referred to as studs.

Claims

1. A building frame construction comprising a metal framework of a pair of parallel side frame members interconnecting a pair of parallel end frame members, a plurality of spaced intermediate joists connected to and spanning said end frame members, first bridging elements interconnecting adjacent joists, and second bridging elements interconnecting said side frame members with confronting ones of said joists, said construction being characterised in that said intermediate joists are composed of channelled metal beams provided with transverse apertures at intervals, and each of said first bridging elements has a tongue on one end provided with a transverse slot and a projecting lug on the other end, whereby insertion of said tongue of one of said first bridging elements through one of said apertures of one of said intermediate joists and engagement within the slot on said tongue of the lug of another one of said bridging elements located at the far side of said intermediate joist effects assembly of part of said frame construction.

2. A building frame construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lugs are provided with at least one projection to effect an interference fit between a lug and the tongue slot into which it is inserted.

3. A building frame construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the slot in the tongue and its width is such that only part thereof protrudes beyond the far side of the joist in assembly so that an interference fit to the inserted lug is provided between one side of the slot and a face of the joist at said far side thereof.

4. A building frame construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein all of the bridging elements and said end and side frame members are composed of channelled metal beams.

5. A building frame construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein opposite flanges of said one end of each of said first bridging elements are cut short of said one end to provide a protrusion subtending said tongue, whereby said protrusion is accommodated between opposite flanges of the joist to which said bridging element is assembled.

6. A building frame construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second bridging elements are provided at one end with transversely extending open-ended slots cut through the opposite flanges of the bridging element and into the web thereof to accommodate return flanges upon a side frame member to which it is assembled for fixing thereto.

7. A building frame construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.