GB2193236A - Modifying an internal recess to an arch structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a method of erecting an arch within an existing recess, comprising forming from sheet material at least one panel 10 of a size to be located within the recess and having an arched edge arranged to face downwardly, and an arch-forming strip 21. The method involves the steps of securing the panel 10 within the recess between the existing side walls, with the arched edge facing downwardly, and securing the arch-forming strip 21 to the panel adjacent to the arched edge. The invention also provides components suitable for use in the installation of an arch in an existing recess, and an arch formed by the use of such components or by the use of said method. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Arches This invention is concerned with improvements relating to arches.

Difficulty is encountered in the installation of arches in existing dwellings, such as in an alcove between existing side walls, e.g. alongside a chimney breast.

Conventionally arches are erected in such locations by the use of a framework of wood, which is cladded with plasterboard prior to plastering and the application of a decorative finish, conventionally wallpaper. Such an operation will take several days, particularly in the need to allow plaster to dry, and it is one of the various objects of this invention to provide a method of erecting an arch which can be carried out more quickly and more conveniently.

According to this invention there is provided a method of erecting an arch within an existing recess comprising: (i) forming from sheet material a) at least one panel of a size to be located within the recess and having an arched edge arranged to face downwardly; and b) an arch-forming strip; and ii) the steps (not necessarily in the sequence specified) of a) securing the panel within the recess between the existing side walls; b) securing the arch-forming strip to the panel adjacent to the arched edge thereof.

In this manner the structural members to form the arch may be prepared conveniently and simply by a cutting stamping operation, such as at a site remote from the premises at which the arch is to be installed, based simply on dimensional measurements of the recess within which the arch is to be located. The panel may be secured quickly and easily to and between the existing side walls by clips or brackets, and the assembly may immediately be decorated such as by paint or wallpaper.

The arch-forming strip may be secured to the panel subsequent to securement of the panel in position to the wall, but conveniently the strip is secured to the panel prior to securement of the panel to the wall.

Preferably the assembly comprises a second panel, similar in size and shape to the first panel, the arch-forming strip being secured to and extending between both panels. In this manner a relatively rigid structure may be obtained.

Thus an assembly comprising one or two panels, and the arch-forming strip secured thereto, may be prefabricated in a factory premises, and transported and installed on site, conveniently by the use of one or more flanges secured within the recess within which the arch is to be installed.

Alternatively the assembly may be erected on site. Thus, the arch-forming strip may be clipped to the panel, such as by one of the members being provided at its edge portion with a receiving formation into which the edge portion of the other member may be located.

Thus conveniently the panel may be subjected to a lock-forming operation whereby such a receiving formation is provided simultaneously with the formation of the arched edge. Alternatively of course the arch-forming strip may be subjected to such an operation, providing thereon a formation into which the arched edge of the panel may be located.

The recess within which the arch is provided may be a through-recess, such circumstances requiring the use of two panels as aforesaid, and conveniently in such circumstances the panels are secured not only to the side walls of the recess but also to the ceiling above the recess.

Alternatively the arch may be erected in a recess afforded by an alcove, in which circumstances desirably but not necessarily a second, rear panel is utilised to provide stability, said second panel being located adjacent to the rear wall of the alcove.

The panel or panels, and/or the arch-forming strip, may be formed of any suitable material, preferably rigid sheet material, including plastics or wood. Preferably however sheet metal is utilised, preferably sheet steel, to provide a structure which is resistent to fire.

According to this invention there is also provided components suitable for use in the installation of an arch in an existing recess, comprising at least one panel formed of sheet metal, the panel having a top edge, spaced side edges extending generally at right angles from the top edge, and a concave, arch-forming edge disposed opposite to the top edge, and an arch-forming strip having at least one side edge interfitted or adapted to be interfitted with the arch-forming edge of the panel in a manner such that the arch-forming strip is curved, and extends generally at right angle to the plane of the panel.

According to this invention there is also provided an arch formed either by the use of the parts defined in the last preceding paragraph, or by the use of the method defined in the last preceding paragraph but six.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a method of forming an arch which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example, the method, the parts used in the performance of the method, and the arch itself all being illustrative of certain aspects of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing an arch installed in a recess adjacent to a chimney breast; and Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing details of the present invention.

The performance of this invention is related to the installation of an arch 6 between existing side walls 8, 8 in a domestic premises, typically (but not exclusively) to provide an arched alcove alongside an existing chimney breast.

The method which is the preferred embodiment of this invention involves the use of inner and outer panels 10, 12 respectively, each of a size to be located within the recess and having an arched edge 14 arranged to face downwardly. The arch-forming assembly also comprises an arch-forming strip 21, of elongate generally rectangular profile, each side edge of the strip 21 being fed, together with the lower edge of one panel, through a lockforming machine, by which the panel and the strip 21 are interlocked (see Fig. 2) by a formation such as that indicated by the numeral 16.

L-shaped brackets 20 are secured to the side walls of the recess, and the assembly is offered into the recess with the outer panel 10 engaging the brackets 20, and the panel 10 is secured to the brackets 20 by the use of countersunk screws 22. In this position the inner panel 12 lies closely adjacent to the inner wall 9 of the recess.

If desired additional securement for the assembly may be provided, such as by the use of supplementary brackets to which the archforming strip 21 is secured, but in practice it has been found that this is not necessary.

On securement of the assembly in position, as is shown in Fig. 1, the arch may be erected with a minimum of inconvenience, and a final decorative coating (such as wallper) may be applied without delay.

In a modification of the preferred embodiment above described, the components of the assembly are transported unassembled to site, at which the rear panel 12 is initially secured to the wall 9, followed by the front panel 10, with the arch-forming strip being secured to the two panels at some stage during the assembly operation. Thus, the strip 21 may be interfitted with the panel 12 prior to the mounting of the panel 10, or the strip 21 may be clipped to the panels 10 and 12 subsequent to their securement within the alcove.

By the use of the invention above described an assembly suitable for use in the provision of an arch in an existing alcove may be produced in a factory premises subsequent simply to taking measurements as to the width and depth of the alcove, together with the desired location of the arch, and mounting of the assembly can be carried out quickly and conveniently.

Whilst the invention has been described above in the provision of an arched alcove, it will of course be appreciated that the principle construction may be utilised to erect an arch between opposed side walls 8, where a rear wall 9 is absent. In particular such an assembly may be located over a rough-formed arch (such as may be obtained when an existing dividing wall is demolished), or may be secured to a joist.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (14)

1. A method of erecting an arch within an existing recess comprising: (i) forming from sheet material a) at least one panel of a size to be located within the recess and having an arched edge arranged to face downwardly; and b) an arch-forming strip; and ii) the steps (not necessarily in the sequence specified) of a) securing the panel within the recess between the existing side walls; b) securing the arch-forming strip to the panel adjacent to the arched edge thereof.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the arch-forming strip is secured to the panel subsequent to securement of the panel in position to the wall.

3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the strip is secured to the panel prior to securement of the panel to the wall.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims involving the use of a second panel, similar in size and shape to the first panel, the arch-forming strip being secured to and extending between both panels.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the assembly is erected on site.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arch-forming strip is clipped to the panel, such as by one of the members being provided at its edge portion with a receiving formation into which the edge portion of the other member may be located.

7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the panel is subjected to a lock-forming operation and a receiving formation is provided thereon simultaneously with the formation of the arched edge.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panel or panels, and/or the arch-forming strip, are formed from sheet steel.

9. Components suitable for use in the installation of an arch in an existing recess, comprising at least one panel having spaced side edges extending generally at right angles from the top edge, and a concave, arch-forming edge disposed opposite to the top edge, and an arch-forming strip having at least one side edge interfitted or adapted to be interfitted with the arch-forming edge of the panel in a manner such that the arch-forming strip is curved, and extends generally at right angles to the plane of the panel.

10. An arch formed either by the use of components according to Claim 9, or by the use of the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

11. A method of erecting an arch within an existing recess, when carried out substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Components suitable for use in the installation of an arch in an existing recess, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. An arch erected in an existing recess, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.