GB2250040A - U-section structural member with timber facing - Google Patents

Abstract

The structural member comprises a base wall 1, side walls 2, 3 upstanding perpendicularly from opposite edges of the base wall 1, and flanges 4, 5 which extend inwardly from the upper edges of the side walls. The member is formed from a number of planed timber battens 6, 8 which are glued together. The two side walls are provided with outwardly projecting tongues 11 and complementary grooves 12 which key adjacent members together. In such an arrangement the base walls 1 are co-planar forming a decorative timber panel; the members may be laid side-by-side for flooring or roofing. <IMAGE>

Description

STRUCTURAL MEMBER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to structural members for use building construction.

BACKGROUND When it is desired to form a floor, wall, ceiling or the like with the appearance of a natural timber or wood-effect panel, generally speaking, it is necessary to provide a structural framework to which timber cladding panels or planks are attached. Such structures are generally time-consuming and expensive to construct.

It is also known in many applications to use solid timber decking which is heavy, expensive, and has a limited span.

An object of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a form of structural member which has a long span, is relatively lightweight, and avoids the need to add a further layer of cladding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a structural member which, in transverse cross section, includes a substantially U-shaped portion comprising a longitudinally extending base wall formed predominantly of timber and a pair of side walls upstanding from opposite longitudinal edge portions of the base wall.

The side walls permit a number of such members to be joined edge-to edge, e.g. by bolts, nails or other fastening elements inserted through adjacent side walls. However, for optimum strength the side walls are preferably provided with key formations for engagement with the key formations of further structural members. The key formations could take various forms and could, for example, comprise tongues and grooves. Their main function is to prevent relative movement between the members in a direction perpendicular to the base wall. For ease of manufacture and use the two side walls of each member are preferably provided with complementary key formations.

It will be appreciated that although, for clarity of definition, the structural member is described herein as having a base wall, it will be appreciated that the member could be used with the base wall uppermost or indeed in any orientation.

The top edges of the side walls are preferably provided with inturned flange portions, which enhance the strength of the member.

Although the side walls could be of metal or plastics they are preferably of timber to avoid the problem of joining different materials effectively.

The base wall is preferably formed of a plurality of longitudinally extending timber elements bonded together by an adhesive. The side walls are preferably formed in similar manner. Such an arrangement avoids wastage bf timber and reduces risk of the member warping as the timber ages.

The outer surface of base wall may have a natural wood finish which will form a visible decorative surface of the member in many applications.

The side walls may be joined at longitudinal intervals by transverse noggins. These noggins are preferably substantially flush with the upper edges of the side walls.

The invention includes a panel structure formed of a number of structural members according to any preceding claim arranged side by side with their adjacent side walls connected together and with the base walls substantially co-planar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a structural member of the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a building incorporating structural members of the invention Figure 3 is a section through the roof of she building of Fig.2, Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a roof incorporating the structural members, Figure 5 is a section through the roof, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic section through a building incorporating a floor formed of the structural members, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of another roof incorporating the structural members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the structural member comprises a base wall 1, side walls 2, 3 upstanding perpendicularly from opposite edges of the base wall 1, and flanges 4, 5 which extend inwardly from the upper edges of the side walls.

The base wall 1 is flat and is formed from a number of planed timber battens 6 (in this case six in number).

The battens are all of similar rectangular section, and are glued together in edge-to-edge co-planar relation.

The lower face 7 of the bottom wall 1 is provided with a natural timber finish, although the member could be supplied with the face 7 protected by varnish or covered by a decorative hardwood laminate for example.

The side walls 2 and 3 each comprise a number of planed timber batttens 8 (six in each case) which are again glued together in a co-planar relation. Save for the top batten 8a, all the remaining battens are of similar square section. The lowermost batten 8b is bonded to the top face 9 of the base wall 1 flush with the end face 10 of the outermost batten 6. Two battens 8 of one of the side walls 2 are provided with outwardly projecting tongues 11, whereas the corresponding battens of the other side wall 3 are provided with complementary grooves 12. The function of these tongues 11 and grooves 12 will become aparent below.

The top batten 8a of each side wall is of rectangular section and they both extend inwardly to form the opposed flanges 4 and 5.

Although not shown, the strength of the member can be improved by incorporating finger joints, tongues and grooves or similar joints between adjacent battens 6, 8.

In some applications the side walls can be bridged at longitudinal intervals by timber noggins 14, the top wals 15 of which are flush with the upper faces 16 of the side walls 2 and 3. The noggins can be bonded to the base wall 1 or there can be a gap 17, as shown.

Further minor changes can be made to the section, for example, the flanges 4 and 5 could be omitted in some applications, and the outer bottom corners of the base wall 1 can be chamfered as at 18. The number and thickness of the battens 6 and 8 may of course be varied. The lower face 7 of the base wall 1 could incorporate V-grooves or other profiles for decorative purposes.

A series of such members can be arranged in side-byside relation, as indicated in outline in Fig. 1. The tongues 11 enter the corresponding grooves 12 of the adjacent member, thereby forming a key between the adjacent members in the manner of conventional tongueand-groove boarding. The bottom faces 7 of the base walls are substantially flush so that, in an appropriate application, they present the appearance of a pleasing natural wood panel. The flanges 4 and 5 enable each pair of abutting walls 2, 3 to form Ibeams, together with a proportion of the bottom walls 1, thereby making a significant contribution to the strength of the structure. In a modification the flanges could be joined by a top wall which is similar in structure to the bottom wall 1, thereby forming a box-section member. The enclosed space could be filled with plastics foam or other heat-insulation material.

Because of the inherent structural strength of the members they only require to be supported at longitudinal intervals of up to 6 metres or more.

Although in most cases the structural members will be straight they may also be longitudinally curved, e.g.

for forming barrel voulted rooves.

Fig.s 2 to 7 show several typical applications of the structural member of the invention.

In Fig. 2 and 3 the structural members M are secured transversely to portals PT to form the walls and roof of a building. The bottom walls 1 of the structural members face inwards. The members of the roof have noggins 14 which support a layer of insulation I and a layer of roofing felt F followed by a series of spaced timber roofing battens B which are nailed through into the noggins 14. The battens can support tiles or slates in a conventional manner.

Fig.s 4 and 5 show another roofing application wherein the members M are supported by transverse purlins PL and run from top to bottom of the roof. As shown in Fig. 5, the roof can be formed by pinning roofing sheets S to the side walls 2, 3 with an intervening layer of insulation I.

Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically how the members M can be used inverted to form a natural timber suspended floor. Again, the members only require supporting at intervals of about 6 metres or so.

Fig. 7 shows yet another roofing application which completely eliminates the need for purlins or rafters.

Two inclined roof sections S1, 52 are formed of the structural members M running from ridge to eaves. The eaves are spanned by further members F in an inverted configuration.

In each case service pipes or cables can be run inside the U-section of the structural members.

Claims (12)

1. A structural member which, in transverse cross section, includes a substantially U-shaped portion comprising a longitudinally extending base wall formed predominantly of timber and a pair of side walls upstanding from opposite longitudinal edge portions of the base wall.

2. A structural member according to Claim 1, in which the side walls are provided with key formations for engagement with the key formations of further structural members.

3. A structural member according to Claim 2, in which the two side walls of each member are provided with complementary key formations.

4. A structural member according to any preceding claim, in which the top edges of the side walls are provided with inturned flange portions.

5. A structural member according to any preceding claim, in which the base wall is formed of a plurality of longitudinally extending timber elements bonded together by an adhesive.

6. A structural member according to any preceding claim, in which the side walls- are formed predominantly of timber.

7. A structural member according to Claim 6, in which the side walls are formed of a plurality of longitudinally extending timber elements bonded together by an adhesive.

8. A structural member according to any preceding claim, in which the side walls are joined at longitudinal intervals by transverse noggins.

9. A structural member according to Claim 8, in which the noggins are substantially flush with the upper edges of the side walls.

10. A panel structure formed of a number of structural members according to any preceding c0aim arranged side by side with their adjacent side walls connected together and with the base walls substantially co-planar.

11. A structural member substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

12. A panel structure substantially as described with reference to the drawings.