GB2276182A

GB2276182A - Sealing of struts against panels

Info

Publication number: GB2276182A
Application number: GB9405423A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Charles Dyer; Nicholas Lawler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-18
Filing date: 1994-03-18
Publication date: 1994-09-21
Also published as: GB9405423D0

Abstract

Two panels (110a, 110b) of a demountable structure, e.g. a modular accommodation structure, are connected and sealed by a generally T-shaped strut (114) which has a centre leg (112) extending through the panels and outer legs (118, 120) which carry seals (122). The strut is drawn into tight sealing contact with the panels from the other side of the panels. Here this is achieved by a plurality of pivotable fastening clips (128) movable through 90 DEG between active and inactive positions. The clips can be in fixed locations or movable up and down the strut into appropriate locations. Alternatively, the tightening can be achieved by the use of nuts and bolts. <IMAGE>

Description

SEALING OF FOLDING STRUCTURES This invention relates to the connection and sealing of panels of foldable structures. The invention is particularly applicable to modular accommodation structures which are assembled from a framework and panels.

Modular accommodation structures are known which comprise a framework and panels and which can be transformed from a flatpack to a robust rigid structure within minutes without the need for special fixings, tools, adhesives or skilled labour. Such structures use a modular, lightweight construction which is readily handled and remains transportable. One particular such construction incorporates sliding swivel mechanisms which enable the panels to be moved and located firmly in position quickly and simply to form a complete rigid structure.

Particularly for such accommodation units designed to be used out-of-doors it is desirable that there should be appropriate sealing between the framework and the panels in order to prevent the ingress of water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means not only to join the panels and modules together but also to provide sealing between the panels and the framework structure to prevent the ingress of water.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a framework structure for a modular structure, comprising a strut equipped with lengthwise extending sealing means, and means clampingly to hold an associated panel or panels fixedly in place relative to the strut so as to cause the sealing means to be squeezed between the strut and the panel or panels.

Preferably, the strut is substantially Tshaped with a central wall which bisects the generally U-shaped channel formed by the other walls.

In one embodiment, the central wall is longer than the other walls and carries a plurality of captive nuts anchored within slots and adapted to receive bolts which are passed through a retaining member and which are received in the nuts.

In another embodiment, the free end of the central wall of the T-shaped strut is provided with an abutment surface or surfaces and in which there is provided in association with the abutment surface or surfaces one or more fastening clips which are pivotable and include at least one cam surface arranged so that pivoting movement of the clip will cause the clip to act between the abutment surface or surfaces and the adjacent panel walls thereby to draw the central wall of the strut through the panel walls and to tighten the sealing means carried by the other walls of the strut against the other side of the panels.

Preferably, the or each clip is pivotable through about 900 between an inactive position in which it is a loose fitting on the strut and a holding position in which the cam portion is in forceful engagement both with the abutment surface or surfaces and the adjacent wall or walls of the panel or panels.

In another embodiment, the free end of the central wall of the T-shaped strut is provided with a plurality of clips movable up and down the wall, and there is provided on the side of the panels opposite the head of the T-shaped strut an elongate hollow member arranged to abut the panels and having a plurality of apertures therein through which the clips can respectively protrude, whereafter the elongate member and the protruding clips are held in a fixed relationship by securing means.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a number of embodiments in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a framework strut, and also illustrates how the associated panels and modules are held in place relative thereto; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a framework strut in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the provision of channels for sealing means; Fig. 3 is an illustration of a framework corner strut; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a framework corner strut in accordance with the present invention illustrating the provision of channels for sealing means; Fig. 5 is a schematic view, partly in section, showing a fastening mechanism to hold panels in place relative to framework struts;; Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in section, through two panels having a fastening mechanism in place therebetween; and Fig. 7 is a front view of part of Fig. 6.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a framework strut 10, for example of aluminium or stainless steel, which in use is positioned as a vertical strut of a framework. The strut 10 comprises a front wall 12, two side walls 13 and 14, and a central wall 16 which bisects the generally U-shaped channel formed by the other walls. The side walls 13, 14 have out-turned flanges 18 and 19 respectively. The central wall 16 is provided at spaced intervals with slots 20 and a nut 22 is anchored within each slot as shown most clearly in the detail view in Fig. 1.

A retaining member 24 is associated with the strut 10. The retaining member 24 is a generally Ushaped member having a bottom wall 26 and side walls 27 and 28. It is provided at spaced intervals with holes 30 which receive hexagonal headed bolts 32.

In use, with associated panels of the modular structure positioned parallel to the front wall 12 of the strut 10 and in contact with the inside faces of the flanges 18 and 19, the retaining member 24 is offered up to the central wall 16 of the strut and the bolts 32 are passed through the holes 30 and are fitted into the nuts 22. The bolts 32 are then tightened down so that the side walls 27 and 28 of the retaining member come into contact with the inside faces of the panels and hold the panels in position.

Fig. 2 illustrates a strut 10 in accordance with the invention where the flanges 18 and 19 are provided with channels 34 to receive sealing means.

The sealing means may suitably comprise an elongate strip 36 having dimensions matched to-the dimensions of the channels 34 and carrying a tubular seal 38 of rubber or other suitable resilient, water-resistant material. The sealing strips are inserted into the channels 34 so that when the associated panels are tightened into place by the application of the bolts 32 the seals 38 will be squeezed between the flanges 18, 19 and the panels and will prevent the ingress of water along this joint on each side of the strut.

Fig. 3 shows a corner strut 40 comprising a front wall 42, a side wall 44 and a rear wall 46. The rear wall 46 has a flange 48. Both the front wall 42 and side wall 44 are provided with holes 50 to receive fastening rivets for example as the means to secure the corner strut 40 to the associated panels of the modular structure.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a corner strut 40 in accordance with the invention. As will be seen from Fig. 4, the flange 48 is provided with a channel 52 and the inside face of the front wall 42 is similarly provided with a channel 52 adjacent to its free edge. These channels 52 run the full length of the strut. In a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 2, the channels 52 receive sealing strips so that, in use, the associated panels will squeeze the seals between the panels and the strut to prevent the ingress of water along these joints.

Other configurations of seal can be used, as appropriate. The illustrated example is just one example of what could be used. Also, the positioning of the channels in the struts, to receive the sealing strips, can vary depending upon the configuration of the struts and their relationship to the associated panels. However, in each case, these struts incorporate means both to join the struts to the panels and also to seal the joints between panels and struts to prevent the ingress of water at these joints.

In Fig. 5 two adjacent panels 110a, 110b of a modular structure are positioned side-by-side with a gap therebetween. These panels may be cladding material for example. Between the panels 110a, 110b extends the leg 112 of a generally T-shaped strut indicated generally at 114. The strut 114 comprises a front wall 116, two side walls 118 and 120 and the central leg 112 which bisects the generally U-shaped channel formed by the other walls. The side walls 118, 120 have out-turned flanges which carry seals 122 in engagement with the face of the panels 110a, 110b.

The portion of the leg 112 which projects through the panels 110a, 110b is of reduced thickness and is provided at its free edge with a vertically extending plate 124 which is set at right-angles to the leg 112 and which thus defines a pair of abutment surfaces 126a, 126b facing the panels 110a, 110b.

A number of fastening clips 128 (only one of which is illustrated in the drawing) are positioned at spaced intervals down the length of the plate 124.

Each of these clips 128 has a cam portion 130 and a handle portion 132 and is pivotasble about a pivot pin or shaft which extends through the thickness of the leg 112. Each of the clips 128 is manually pivotable about the pivot axis between a first position in which the handle portion 132 is generally horizontal and the cam portion 130 on each side of the leg 112 is loose and not in tight contact with the adjacent panel surface or abutment surface, and a second position in which the handle portion 132 is generally vertical (as illustrated) and the cam portions 130 have been moved into a position in which they are in forceful contact both with the adjacent wall surfaces of the panels 110a, 110b and the adjacent abutment surfaces 126a, 126b of the plate 124.In other words, in this active position the clips 128 exert a force on the abutment surfaces 126a, 126b which tends to push the plate 124 away from the wall panels 110a, 110b and thus to draw the head of the T-shaped strut into tighter contact with the panels.

In this way, by a simple manual movement of the fastening clips 128, and without the use of nuts and bolts, the T-shaped strut can be drawn into place against the wall panels and can be secured in tight, sealing relationship thereto.

The number of clips 128 and their spacing down the length of the plate 124 is a matter of choice, depending upon the particular construction materials used, etc.

Although it is desirable to have the clips 128 retained in place on the strut by the use of pivot pins extending through the strut leg 112, the clips 128 could alternatively have greater freedom and be freely movable up and down the length of the plate 124 in their "free" position and only be held in place when pivoted into their locking position, wherever the user chooses that to be. Various other constructions of fastening clip will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although it is desirable from the point of view of symmetry to have a cam portion 130 on each side of the clip 128, one could alternatively envisage an arrangement in which only one cam member is provided, on one side of the strut leg 112.

The use of fastening clips as illustrated and as described above facilitates the rapid assembly and dismantling of the structures with which this invention is intended to be used.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, two adjacent panels 210a, 210b of a modular structure are positioned side-by-side with a gap therebetween. These panels may be cladding material for example. Between the panels 210a, 210b extends the leg 212 of a generally T-shaped strut indicated generally at 214. The head of the strut which is on the outside of the panels comprises a front wall 216, side walls 218 and 220 and the central leg which bisects the generally U-shaped channel formed by the other walls. The side walls 218, 220 have outturned flanges which carry seals 222 in engagement with the face of the panels.

The free end of the leg 212 which projects through the gap in the panels is provided with a flange 224 extending the full length of the leg. A plurality of clips, indicated generally at 226, are linked to the leg 212. For example, three such clips may be provided, one adjacent to the top and to the bottom of the leg and the third adjacent to the centre of the leg. Each slip 226 is about 3cm in height and is generally rectangular in cross-section, having a first closed chamber 228 and a second chamber 230 which is open at one side to receive the leg 212 of the strut.

In this way each clip can normally travel freely up and down the length of the leg 212, unless otherwise constrained.

In order to fasten the strut in place to the panels 210a, 210b an elongate member 232 is provided, on the inside of the panels. The elongate member 232 is of 'top hat" cross-section with shoulders which abut against the inside faces of the panels. The innermost web 234 of the elongate member 232 is provided with a plurality of holes 236 equal in number to the number of clips 226. Thus, each clip 226 can protrude through its respective hole 236. In practice, the elongate member 232 is presented to the panels and the clips are then moved up or down the strut until they can be drawn through the holes 236 in the elongate member 232. In order to secure the clips 226 in place, wedges 238 are pushed or driven into the space defined by the outer end of each clip.This has the effect not only of tightening the clip relative to the elongate member 232 but also of drawing the strut 214 towards the panels and squeezing the seals 222 against the outer faces of the panels.

As shown in Fig. 7, the inner web 234 of the elongate member 232 is also provided with keyhole slots 240 which serve to seat the heads of screws fitted to brackets for supporting shelving for example. The gap x indicated in Fig. 6 between the inside face of the web 234 and the oppositely facing end face of the flange 224 on the leg 212 is to allow for the positioning therein of the heads of the screws for the shelving brackets.

Because with this fastening mechanism of the present invention one has a relatively large surface area contact between the elongate member 232 and the panels 210a, 210b there is little or no danger that the panels will become dented or damaged when the mechanism is tightened. In spite of this, the clips and wedges provide a means for rapid assembly and dismantling of the structure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A framework structure for a modular structure, comprising a strut equipped with lengthwise extending sealing means, and means clampingly to hold an associated panel or panels fixedly in place relative to the strut so as to cause the sealing means to be squeezed between the strut and the panel or panels.

2. A framework structure according to claim 1, in which the strut is substantially T-shaped with a central wall which bisects the generally U-shaped channel formed by the other walls.

3. A framework structure according to claim 2, in which the central wall is longer than the other walls and carries a plurality of captive nuts anchored within slots and adapted to receive bolts which are passed through a retaining member and which are received in the nuts.

4. A framework structure according to any preceding claim, in which the strut has flanges which are provided with channels to receive the sealing means.

5. A framework structure according to claim 2, in which the free end of the central wall of the Tshaped strut is provided with an abutment surface or surfaces and in which there is provided in association with the abutment surface or surfaces one or more fastening clips which are pivotable and include at least one cam surface arranged so that pivoting movement of the clip will cause the clip to act between the abutment surface or surfaces and the adjacent panel walls thereby to draw the central wall of the strut through the panel walls and to tighten the sealing means carried by the other walls of the strut against the other side of the panels.

6. A framework structure according to claim 5, in which the or each clip is pivotable through about 90C between an inactive position in which it is a loose fitting on the strut and a holding position in which the cam portion is in forceful engagement both with the abutment surface or surfaces and the adjacent wall or walls of the panel or panels.

7. A framework structure according to claim 2, in which the free end of the central wall of the Tshaped strut is provided with a plurality of clips movable up and down the wall, and there is provided on the side of the panels opposite the head of the Tshaped strut an elongate hollow member arranged to abut the panels and having a plurality of apertures therein through which the clips can respectively protrude, whereafter the elongate member and the protruding clips are held in a fixed relationship by securing means.

8. A framework structure according to claim 7, in which the securing means comprises wedges which can be driven between a portion of each clip and the elongate member.

9. A framework structure according to claim 7 or 8, in which the elongate member has keyhole-shaped slots to seat the heads of screws for supporting delivery.