GB2179232A - Housing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing structure such as a poultry house comprises a readily assemblable and disassemblable framework and bales of agricultural crop material closing off at least some of the spaces in the framework. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Housing Structure This invention relates to a housing structure, particuiarly an animal house. It is more particularly concerned with poultry houses but is also applicable, for example, to calf-rearing houses.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a housing structure comprising a readiily assemblable and diassemblable framework and bales of agricultural crop material closing off at least some of the spaces in the framework. The bales are preferably substantially rectangular and made of straw. It is also preferred that the framework is in modular units so that structures of different sizes can be readily assembled and that at least certain of the framework units intended to form the outside walls and roof are provided with a mesh of wire or the like. Desirably the bales are closely packed to provide heat insulation and the roof is made weather-proof by use of water-impervious sheet material.In the arrangement hereinafter described, the framework comprises metal frames (usually of box section for strength and easy cleaning and disinfecting and usually of painted steel) which may be bolted to each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a building comprising a framework, roofing material comprising closely packed rectangular straw bales covered by waterproof sheet material, and walls of rectangular straw bales around the framework.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a modularframeworkfora building comprising (a) at least two metal frames of similar shape in substantially parallel relationship, each frame having a horizontal lower part resting directly on the ground, a substantially vertical front part, a substantially vertical rear part, a roof part joining the tops of the front and rear parts and optionally an inclined brace to rigidify the frame, (b) a metal substantially rectangular vertical front frame releasably secured at the respective sides to the substantially vertical front parts of the frames (a), (c) a metal substantially rectangular vertical back frame releasably secured at each side to the substantially vertical rear parts of the frames (a), and (d) a member or members releasably connected to the roof parts of the frames (a) so as to provide a support means for roofing material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Figure lisa general view of a poultry house of the invention (with some of the bales and the waterproof sheet removed); Figure 2 is an inside view of a side wail of the poultry house shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an outside view of part of the front of the poultry house shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an inside view of part of the poultry house shown in Figure 1 illustrating the rear portion of a transverse frame member and the parts attached thereto and supported thereby.

The poultry house shown is designed for rearing chickens over a period of about 15 months. When the chickens are sold, the house may be dismantled for erection at another site.

The poultry house includes a framework 1 comprising five transverse frames 2 interconnected at the front and rear by front and rear frames 4,5 respectively to form a four-bay structure resting directly on the ground (though a ground covering sheet or otherflooring could be used if desired).

Each transverse frame 2 has a sloping upper member 6, four upright members 7,8,9, 10, two horizontal lower members 12, 13, a sloping brace 15 and, in the case of the end frames, two thinner vertical support members 16 all welded together as shown. The rear lower member 12 is raised above the ground to keep it out of contact with chicken dung which is very corrosive. The upright and horizontal members of frame 2 are of 2 x 2 steel box section and the upper member 6 is 4 x 2 steel box section with the larger dimension vertical. The upper member 6 extends approximately 18" beyond the vertical members 7, 10 as shown.

The rear frames 5 are rectangular steel 2 x 2 box section frames with a horizontal member 20 dividing off the lower quarter of the frame 5 and corresponding in height to the horizontal member 13. The outside of at least the upper three quarters of the frame 5 and the outside of the whole of the two end frames 2 are covered by wire mesh 22 as shown, the wire mesh being secured by any suitable means such as by welding. 3-inch wire mesh is suitableforthis purpose; such a size prevents poultry leaving the house and foxes entering it.

Twelve purlins 25 of steel 4 x 2 box section interconnect the frames 2 as shown. Each purlin covers two bays so there is an overlap at the central frame 2 as shown in Figure 4. Near each end and at the centre of each purlin 25 there is a clamp 27 for securing it to the top frame member 6. Each clamp 27 comprises two dependent plates 28 welded transversely to the purlin 25 and spaced at a distance slightly wider than the top frame member 6. The clamp 27 is tightened by a transverse bolt 29 which is inserted through holes in the plates 28 below the frame member 6 and is operative to flex the plates 28 towards each other.

As shown in Figure 4, three stubs 30 are welded to the underside of the horizontal member 13. In the case of the intermediate frames 2 these stubs 30 extend in both directions but in the case of the end frames 2 they only extend inwards. The stubs 30 serve to support wooden frames 32 covered with wire netting; these frames 32 are of conventional type and provide a perch area for the poultry. A vertical board 34 is secured (by means not shown) at the front of each frame 32 to separate off the area 35 below the frames 32 where the dung accumulates.

The front frames 4 are of two types. The left hand frame 4 (shown in Figures 1 and 3) has a central upright 36 dividing it into a left hand end and right hand end. The right hand end is mainly covered with netting in the same way as end frames 2 and has a vertical reinforcement member 37 similar to members 16. A pop hole arrangement 39 comprises upper and lower frame members 40,41 with a fixed lower board 42, and an upper board 43 hinged about frame member 41 by a concentric tube arrangement of form a doorwhich can be pivoted outwardly and downwardly to form a ramp. A catch 45 is provided to maintain the door in the closed position. The otherthree frames 4 (not shown in detail in the drawings) are of similar construction to the right hand side of the left hand frame 4.The left hand side of the left hand frame 4 is divided by two horizontal members 47,48 and a vertical member 49 to which a door 50 for staff is hinged. The remaining areas 51 are permanently boarded in.

The frames 2,4, 5 are bolted together by horizontal bolts passing through aligned bolt holes, three bolts 53 being shown diagrammaticaliy by way of example in Figure 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, wire netting 55 (e.g. of 8 inch mesh) is placed over the purlins 25 and secured in position by any suitable means e.g. wire ties. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 rectangular straw bales 57 of conventional size and shape with two longitudinal twine ties, are placed on the netting 55 to form a roof and are stacked to form walls all around the framework. As shown in Figure 1 the front wall of bales stops short of the purlins 25 to provide ventilation and does not extend over the pop holes 39 and the door area.The base walls and roof are normally one bale thick, the bales in adjacent courses in the walls being staggered (in brick-laying fashion) to give the walls stability. The weight of the bales is adequate to give a stable wall but the walls could be made even more stable with rope netting orthe like.

Aflexible reinforced plastics material tarpaulin 60 of the type used on lorries is spread over the roof and is held down by ropes 61 which connect eyes in its edges with parts of the framework 1 which are at ground level.

It will be seen that the framework 1 can be easily assembled and disassembled and the placing and removal of the bales and the tarpaulin are also relatively easy operations. This means that the whole house can be readily moved to another site without difficulty thus minimising the danger of disease building up. The used straw bales can of course, be used for other purposes such as cattle bedding, new bales being provided for each move to again mimimise the risk of the spread of disease.

The illustrated poultry house also has the advantages that the bales provide good heat insulation and make the house remarkably cheap to construct when compared with conventional poultry houses. Conventional ancillary equipment such as lighting, nesting boxes, drinking troughs, heaters, etc. may be provided as desired.

It will be appreciated that the general principles of construction can be applied to other temporary housing structures, whether for people of for animals.

Although one example has been described, the invention extends to all novel features, methods and apparatus described herein, in their most generalised form.

In a modified arrangement, the ropes 61 at the front of the structure are tied to the front purlin 25 and not to the framework 1 at ground level.

Claims (13)

1.A A housing structure comprising a readily assemblable and disassemblable framework and bales of agricultural crop material closing off at least some of the spaces in the framework.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, wherein the bales are rectangular straw bales.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the framework is in modular units so that structures of different sizes can be readily assembled and at least certain of the framework units intended to form the outside walls and roof are provided with a mesh.

4. A structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bales are closely packed to provide heat insulation and the roof is made weather-proof by use of water-impervious sheet material.

5. A structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the framework comprises substantially planar metal frames which may be fastened to each other.

6. A building comprising a framework, roofing material comprising closely packed rectangular straw bales covered by waterproof sheet material, and walls of rectangular straw bales around the framework.

7. A modularframeworkfor a building comprising (a) atleasttwo metal frames of similar shape in substantially parallel relationship, each frame having a horizontal lower part resting directly on the ground, a substantially vertical front part, a substantially vertical rear part, a roof part joining the tops of the front and rear parts and optionally an inclined brace to rigidify the frame, (b) a metal substantially rectangular vertical front frame releasably secured at the respective sides to the substantially vertical front parts of the frames (a), (c) a metal substantially rectangular vertical back frame secured at each side to the substantially vertical rear parts of the frames (a), and (d) a member or members releasably connected to the roof parts of the frames (a) so as to provide a support means for roofing material.

8. A framework according to claim 7 wherein a mesh extend across at least some of the frames.

9. A building comprising a framework according to claim 7 or 8 and rectangular bales of agricultural crop material providing the roofing material and one or more walls.

10. A building according to claim 9 wherein water impervious sheet material is secured over the roofing bales.

11. A building according to claim 10, wherein the sheet material is flexible and has securing ropes around its periphery.

12. A housing structure substantially as described with reference to the drawing.

13. A modularframework substantially as described with reference to the drawing.