GB2268200A - Attaching hollow elements to framing members - Google Patents

Abstract

Is a method of attaching ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding or twin or triple walled polycarbonate sheet at almost any point on their inner membrane wall surface, without penetrating the outer membrane wall. Making them more versatile in their use. Particularly in the case of the ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding, it enables it to be used as a walling material for free standing structures, not just as a cladding medium for existing walls. Also repairs to a damaged length of ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding used in this way can easily be carried out by drilling out the pop rivets in the damaged length, sliding it out, then sliding in a replacement length and attaching in the methods described in claims 1-7. Hollow cladding elements 22 are attached to framing members 20 by pop rivets 17 which do not pass right through the elements 22. Panels made up in this way can be used with other like panels to make up larger structures. Washers 13 are located behind pro-drilled holes in the elements 22 using probes 19, and the rivets pass through the washers. The elements may be of UPVC or polycarbonate. <IMAGE>

Description

IX MEMBBANE WBLL ACHKENT This invention relates to a method of attaching twin or triple walled materials, for example, polycarbonate sheet and ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding in particular, by their inner membrane wall to a framework to form panels, which in krm may be assembled together. to form portable or fixed structures.

Both polycarbonate twin and triple walled sheets and ridged U.P.V.C.

tongue and grooved cladding are limited in their use by existing attachment methods. Polycarbonate twin and triple walled sheets are mainly used on conservatory roofs. Ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding is used to cover existing walls.

According to the present invention sheets of twin or triple walled polyearbonate, or lengths of ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding can be attached at almost any point to a framework by their inner membrane wall by the use of pop rivets and one of two types of washer, without having to penetrate the outer membrane wall. The framework may be constructed of metal, wood, U.P.V.C. etc, using angle or box section plus angle profiles depending on materials used, and strength, shape and size of framework required to make the panels.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows in perspective the inside view of a constructed panel.

Figure'2 shows an exploded section of panel in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a short length of ridged U.P.V.C.

tongue and grooved cladding with a forked end probe.aligng a flat washer on the inside of the inner facing membrane wall with a pre-drilled hole.

Figure 4 shows an edge on view of figure 3 with angle and rivet added.

Figure 5 shows same exploded view as figure 3 this time with a box shaped washer and flat end probe being used.

Figure 6 shows an edge on view as in figure 4 but with box shaped washer and flat end probe as in figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a box shaped washer and how it would be positioned in the channel.

Referring to the drawing in figure 1 the panel comprises a ridged framework, in this case box section 18 Attached to the upright sections are lengths of angle 20. Attached to the angle 20 are lengths of ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding 22, this could also be twin or triple walled polycarbonate.

In order to attach the cladding 22, or polycarbonate to the angle 20 by it '-s inner membrane wall pop rivets 17 are used in conjunction with washers either 15 as in figures 3 and 4 or washer 9 as shown in figures 5 and 6.

As shown in figure 2, when attaching cladding 22 two pop rivets 17 per section are used. In the case of polycarbonate sheet the rivets 17 could be spaced out more. Also shown in figure 2 are pop rivets being used to attach the angle 20 to the box section 18. Where wood is being used for the ridged framework then screws would be used.

To make an effective secure attachment of the ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding 22 or twin or triple walled polycarbonate sheet etc., to the angle 20 by it's inner membrane wall it must have a washer 15 or 9 aligned with the hole 10 in the U.P.V.C. cladding or polycarbonate, positioned on the inside surface of the inner membrane wall. The washer 15 or 9 requires a central hole the same diameter as the hole 10 in the U,P.V.C, cladding 22 or polycarbonate, it must be made of a sufficiently hard material so as to withstand the pressure exerted when securing the pop rivet.

To enable the washers 15 or 9 to be passed down the inside channel of the cladding 22 or polycarbonate it requires a probe89 or 21. It needs to be of sufficient length to enable the washer 15 or 9 to be aligned with the furthest hole 10. If several rivets 17 are to be fixed along the same channel length it is essential to fix the furthest one first as the washer probe will not pass beyond a rivet 17 once fixed.

When using flat washers 15 with the panels in the horizontal position a forked end probe 19 is required with a cranked shaft enabling the washer 15 to be held firmly against the inside wall of the inner membrane.

The forked shape open end enables the probe 19 to be withdrawn when the rivet 17 has been secured. To enable the washer 15 to be passed down the channel on the probe 19 with the pannel in the vertical position a thin magnet with one side concave in shape attached to the underside of the probe 19 in line with washer would be required.

when using box shaped washers 9 it only requires a flat ended probe 21 to align washer 9 with hole 10.

This method of aligning washers 15 and 9 could be mechanised using adjustable jigs on which any number of probes 19 or 21 could be attached.

Claims (7)

1 The method of attaching ridged U.P.V.C. tongue and grooved cladding or twin or triple wall polycarbonate sheet to a framework by their inner membrane wall at most points without penetrating their outer membrane wall to construct a panel.

2 The method of attachment as claimed in claim 1 by the use of pop rivets.

3 The method of attachment as claimed in claim 2 by the use of flat washers.

4 The method of attachment as claimed in claim 3 by the use of box washers, or other suitably shaped washers.

5 The method of aligning flat washers as in claim 3 by the use of suitable probe.

6 The method of aligning box washers as in claim 4 by the use of suitable probe.

7 The method of constructing a panel using materials and methods described herein with reference to figures 1 - 7 of the accompanying drawings.