GB2321755A - Free standing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A free standing structure has a core structure comprising three interconnected elongate side walls, preferably of a triangular cross-section. The longitudinal axis of each wall is arranged in use to extend in a vertical direction. Each side wall comprises a frame with posts on each elongate side of the frame with struts extending there between. A side panel is fixed to each frame. A base is fixed internally to the structure to receive bags of ballast for supporting the structure in a vertical upright direction. The structure may be provided with a roof (Figure 3). Preferably a wing structure extends outwardly from each corner (Figure 8) of the free standing structure respectively. The structure may be used for information display purposes, or with appropriate apertures therein be suitable for supporting gymnasium equipment, computer monitors, cookery units, benches, desks, a netball rim, basket ball backboard and rim etc. (Figures 10 to 13).

Description

FREE STANDING STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a free-standing structure such as that which lends itself to a variety of applications for display of information or supporting other articles for use in high technology display, gymnastics etc. or a physical aid for ball games, for example.

Information hoardings are in themselves well known in that they are two or more sided structures of wooden sheets such as hardboard or plywood fixed directly by nails onto a wooden frame. The cross-sectioned shape of the structures may, for example, be triangular or rectangular.

The difficulty experienced with such structures is that they are weak, being easily tipped over even though weighted down with ballast, easily breakable or otherwise damaged. Even in their original condition they present hazards to people passing by or playing near them because of sharp edges which have caused cuts or severe bruising and often splinters where the wood used was of inferior quality and caused splinters when touched by persons for whatever reason.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a free standing structure in which the above mentioned disadvantages are substantially mitigated.

A free standing structure comprising of at least three interconnected elongate side walls each arranged in use with their longitudinal axis extending in a vertical direction characterised in that when the structure is assembled each side wall comprises a frame including two posts extending lengthwise at each opposite side edge of the frame and having means thereon for fixedly attaching thereto cross-struts arranged to extend between the posts, a side panel fixedly mounted on the frame, and a base attachable to each side frame to receive ballast thereon for supporting the structure in a vertically upright position.

The fixing means on the posts are preferably spigots extending radially outwardly from each post but inwardly of the free standing structure.

In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention the free standing structure includes "wings" extending outwardly from each corner between two adjoining side walls. Conveniently, a wing extends outwardly from each corner of the free standing structure respectively. A central plane of the wing forming the structure, when extrapolated into the structure, devices an angle between two side walls of the structure into two equal angles. The wings each comprise of two posts standing vertically. Struts extend and are fixed to both the wing posts to provide a frame structure upon which a panel is fixable on both sides of each wing respectively. There are spigots extending outwardly from one corner post of each wing to enable "tie bars" to be attached preferably, but not necessarily, with bolts to form the central core of the structure. The outermost post of a wing frame is rounded without spigots extending from its rounded surface.

The free standing structure in accordance with the present invention may not provide any means of easy access to its interior space as its main aim is to provide three vertical outer walls, but in some applications it may be desirable to provide one or more of the walls with an access opening.

Preferably the structure has a wing structure extending outwardly from one corner between two adjacent sides of the free standing structure.

Conveniently, a wing extends outwardly from each corner of the free standing structure respectively. On a respective corner post which is preferably rounded at the point of interconnection with the wing.

The wing may comprise a frame upon which a panel is fixed on each of two opposed major surfaces respectively. Each wing frame can comprise two posts, the outermost post, in use, having a rounded outermost surface and the opposed post being of a similar diametrical width and forming directly a corner post of the central free standing structure.

Conveniently, in the winged embodiment, one post of each wing structure is provided with spigots extending radially outwardly therefrom for attaching thereto tie bars which, along with at least one, but normally two wings, form the central core of the free standing structure. If only two wings were to be used the integrity of the free standing structure is maintained by the provision of one post with spigots radially thereon, but without cross-struts extending therefrom or a second post attached thereto. A roof comprising of a prism shape, which can be inverted to form a high level garden, is preferably mounted on the top side edges of the basic free standing structure. A sealing strip is located in the region of the edges of the roof for sealing the mounting of the roof upon the free standing structure for preventing the ingress of water therein.

Conveniently, the posts are mounted over 120 degrees about their longitudinal axis. However, the post is rounded over 60 degrees about its longitudinal axis.

Conveniently, the rounded surfaces of each post end at a recessed portion thereof in which the panels are located giving a smooth finish with the rounded portion of the posts when the panels are mounted on the side frames of the sides of the free standing structure or on either side of the wing structure.

Preferably, the top edge of each side frame of the three sided free standing structure comprises a rounded rail which overlaps the side panel and has holes therein for bolting the rounded rail onto each side wall. The posts and rails conveniently are all of steel. Each side wall panel may be a single integral panel or constructed of two or more smaller panels.

Conveniently, each panel is made of either sheet steel or a cement bonded particle board material therefore presenting a fire resistant heavy, solid and substantially indestructible wall structure.

Each panel conveniently provides a planar outermost surface which may have an aperture therein together with a punch bag or ball suspended on a telescopic bracket / brackets mounted within the aperture. One or more sides of the free standing structure can preferably include either one or two vertically mounted sleeves, in use for receiving therein the leg of a net ball rim or the legs of a basket ball backboard with a rim attached thereto.

Alternatively at least one side wall has mounted therein a display device for displaying information. At least one side wall includes display material or cabinets hung on the side wall. Another side wall may have a work bench mounted thereon, or alternatively at least one side wall can include an inter-active display monitor controlled by computer equipment housed within the free standing structure with a keyboard mounted exteriorly thereof.

Each panel is preferably made of either steel or a cement bonded particle board more commonly known as "viroc" or "pyroc". Each end post can be provided with a cap to prevent the ingress of water therein.

Conveniently, a "spider" is provided for inter-connecting the top of each wing to its respective top of the three side walled, free standing structure.

The "spider" may comprise of a simple disc, square or rectangle having three outwardly extending arms each fixable to a post of the core structure and to the top edge of a respective wing structure. The side wall / walls of the free standing structure may have a desk / desks mounted externally thereon. In a further alternative embodiment at least one side wall comprises an oven and hob with an extractor unit mounted above.

Alternatively, at least one side wall comprises a sink unit attached thereto including a pump for the removal of waste water from the sink or inbuilt waste water storage tank, and a wall mounted cupboard affixed there above. A second side wall includes a kitchen base unit attached thereto with a work top for food preparation, and a fridge or cupboard mounted below the work top. In a further embodiment at least one side wall includes a reinforced work bench, a fully isolated electrical system supplying both 110 and 240 volts, a dust extraction unit, lockable storage and lighting mounted on the corner posts. In yet a further embodiment at least one side wall may include a car seat, dashboard, hand brake, pedals and a steering wheel together with an integral computer, monitor / television and headphone facilities for use in teaching driving techniques.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be designated by way of example with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings in which : Fig 1 is a perspective view of a free standing structure in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of a frame for use in the structure shown in fig 1; Fig 3 is a perspective view of a roof for the structure shown in fig 1; Fig 4 is a side elevational view of the roof of the structure shown in fig 1; Fig 5 is a perspective view of a roof angle member, two of which may be used together to enclose the top edge of a wing; Fig 6 is a side elevation view of one side frame of the structure illustrated in fig 2; Fig 7 is a side view of a wing frame showing spigots; Fig 8 is a top view of the free standing structure including wing elements; Fig 9 is a side perspective view of a four sided base for supporting bags of ballast; Fig 10 is a side elevational view of a netball / basket ball backboard to be mounted on a free standing structure; Fig 11 is a diagrammatic view of one side of the free standing structure having an opening and punch bag suspended therein; Fig 12 is similar to the view shown in fig 11 with the opening having a golf net therein; Fig 13 is views of the torso and method of fixing; In the drawing like parts have the same reference numerals.

Referring to fig 1 there is illustrated an elongate free standing core structure 1 comprising three planar side walls, a frame 2 on which the side walls are mounted, and a three sided prism shaped roof 3. The walls are interconnected to define a free standing structure having a triangular cross-section. One structure has, as shown in fig 2, an elongate triangular frame comprising a post extending lengthwise of the structure at each apex of the triangular cross-section respectively. Each post is of steel but wood, hardened rubber or hardened plastic materials such as poly vynal chloride may also be used.

The steel posts have steel bracing struts (tie bars) extending between the posts at the top 7 and bottom 8 of the frame 2 and also at intervals of approximately one third along the length of the post from each end 7 & 8.

The bracing struts 6 are attached directly to each post by welding or in any other manner using clamps, and or nuts, bolts screws, rivets etc. with the spigots being affixed by nuts, bolts, rivets or welding etc.

The roof, as shown in fig 3, comprises three sloping planar sides 15, 16, 17, which, in use, slope downwardly and outwardly from a central raised apex 18. A lip 19 extends downwardly from each lowermost peripheral edge of each side of the roof to support a flange 20 extending outwardly at right angles from the respective lip 19. The flanges 20 are used to attach the roof 3 to the free standing structure by rivets screws bolts etc.

Once the roof 3 is mounted on the free standing structure an inverted steel angle 5 is mountable over the flange 20. The side wall of the steel angle overlapping the flange 20 is provided with a rubber sealing strip 21 for sealing the angle onto the flange 20 to ensure that the inside of the free standing structure remains dry in wet weather conditions when sited in the open air. The angle may be formed of aluminium or a hard plastic material. Fixing holes 22 are provided along the inverted angle 5 for fixing the same to the frame 2 of the free standing structure.

The freestanding structure described so far is of an elongate triangular structure to which planar elongate rectangular side panels are attached by bolts or rivets to the frame 2.

Therefore there has been disclosed a free standing structure in which the panels are preferably of a cement bonded particle board such as "viroc" or "pyroc" which are both rigid and fireproof but other materials may be used, depending on the use to which the free standing structure is to be put. Such boards are produced in various pre-cut sizes and it is particularly convenient to use a board having a height of approximately 2m and a width of approximately 1.2m. Thereby, when mounted on the frame (and wings) they present large blank areas.

Each face of the free standing structure can consist of a timber or cement particle board fixed onto steel reinforcing frame bars that as described above that have one end welded onto one of the three steel posts that form the main support for the hollow equilateral triangular steel frame and the other end of the reinforcing bar being fixed onto a spigot which is welded onto another of the steel posts as shown in fig 2.

The steel framework is then shot blasted, if required, then painted or powder coated in any desired colour.

The triangular prism shaped roof can be 600mm tall above the height of the free standing structure and is 3-6mm thick if made from reinforced fibreglass or 1.5-4mm thick if made from sheet steel. The roof sits on top of the main core of the structure enclosing the interior and preventing the ingress of water on any units that are installed outside. The top is held in place on the frame with three lengths of angular steel, or hardened plastic material.

A fibreglass top may be manufactured in any desired colour but a steel top may require shot blasting and / or galvanizing, before being painted or powder coating to achieve the required colour.

The "wings" are of a similar height and width as a face of the main free standing structure and consist of 2 steel posts with several (possibly 4) lengths of solid or box section steel welded between the two posts to form something similar to a " 4? bar gate". Timber, steel or cement particle boards are then fixed onto each side of the steel frame with the open top of the wing being covered by two lengths of steel or plastic angle. The open tops of the posts are conveniently capped with steel or plastic caps. The wings however may take other shapes for a desired practical use or for aesthetic purposes.

Stability for these wings is achieved by interlocking them with a steel "tie" bar at the bottom of the posts with a tight fitting spigot welded onto each end and inserted into the bottom of the posts that form the wing.

The top of the wings is reinforced by a "spider" consisting of three elongate lengths of flat steel bar, with one end of each fixed onto a steel plate, possibly with bolts and two spigots welded onto each bar 6, and have flanges thereon which extend downwards and are slotted into both the wing posts.

Further stability of the unit is assured by a ballast board incorporated into the base of the free standing structure, capable of carrying as many sacks of ballast as required. This will effectively lower the centre of gravity of the free standing structure and make it completely stable.

To use the free standing structure of the present invention for the game of basket ball, a backboard and rim are mounted on the main frame of the structure via steel pipes or bars slotted through the lip across the top edge into sleeves fixed into the top and adjacent reinforcing bars of the frame 2 structure.

A freestanding structure can be used for the teaching of mathematics, home economics, banking, history, geography and languages with the addition of seats and desks, attached to the outside face of the free standing structure, along with a computer system installed internally, with the monitors viewed through an aperture in the face of the walls.

Keyboards and peripheral equipment could be fixed externally or rest on the desk top.

A modification for use in cookery utilises an oven and hob attached to one or all faces respectively with an extractor fan mounted above. A sink unit with, if required , a "saniflow" pump for the removal of waste water can be fixed to one side with a wall mounted cupboard fixed above. On the remaining side a "kitchen base unit" and work top for food preparation can be fitted with a built under fridge and a cupboard above.

When used as an aid for carpentry, metalwork and other D-I-Y uses the freestanding structure requires the addition of one or more rigid reinforced workbenches to one or more faces respectively with, for safety, a fully isolated electrical system supplying both 110 volts for site work and 240 volts for domestic use, to a range of power points, dust extraction equipment, lockable tool storage facilities and appropriate lighting. These units can be demountable and supplied with a simple four wheel "flat" jack to enable easy movement.

When used for teaching driving the free standing structure requires the addition of a car type seat, dashboard, hand brake, pedals and a steering wheel to one or all faces along with an integral computer, monitor / television and headphones.

A seating embodiment will require the attachment of a preformed bench consisting of a steel or hardwood sections bolted or welded to the main framework of the structure. The prism shaped roof can be inverted, if required, and used as an integral high level garden and the panels decorated with pictures or information. The posts can also accommodate lighting or public address equipment if required.

An information point embodiment for supplying any form of information will require the installation of an integral computer with monitor screens on one, two or all three side walls with means of interaction, by members of the public, possibly using touch screen technology, or an external keyboard.

In one application such a free standing structure can be erected within a building, for example a bank or school lobby, hall room etc. to carry information on the blank areas thereof or to provide wall surfaces on which display materials or cabinets etc. can be hung, or against which benches may rest or can be fixed.

A second application for such a free standing structure is in a gymnasium, school gymnasium, health club boxing or karate club, when a punch bag or floor to ceiling ball can be affixed to one side, a speedball can be affixed to the second side with, if required a basket ball back board, and "torso" affixed to the remaining side. Instructions and information relevant to the chosen sport/s can be affixed to the blank walls if required.

The "torso" 13 is a block of dense foam cut to shape, affixed to a plywood or M. D. F. backboard, covered with an easily removable heavy duty cover, the backboard is itself affixed by six heavy duty springs onto two steel runners which are then attached to a face of the free standing structure with four purpose made wing bolts.

A further application for such a free standing structure is in school playing fields where it may be used as both a display hoarding and as a continuos surface outer wing to outer wing against which ball games, and archery, can be played safely.

The free standing structure lends itself particularly well to interactive displays using monitors because the inaccessible interior of the structure can be used to house computer equipment etc. while the monitors and input devices such as keyboards etc. are mounted on the exterior, hence such a free standing structure can be used to provide the public with information (street guides) or for interactive video games.

Many varied forms of the basic invention can be manufactured with each centered around the initial concept disclosed herein of a stable, fireproof, virtually indestructible triangular core, suitable for internal and external use, allowing a wide range of gymnastic, audio, visual, electronic and computerised equipment etc. to be installed either on or within the free standing structure.

It is possible, as disclosed above, to extend the surface area of the free standing structure by approximately 200% by the simple addition of winges, being set at an angle of approximately 60 / 120 degrees relative to the adjacent side walls of the triangular core structure. The wings will act as a "capture area" if the free standing structure is being used for archery training, pistol shooting, cricket or as a goal mouth in football games.

Although the free standing structure has been disclosed as having a framework which is welded together, the structure may have spigots with screw threads so that the structure may be sold in kit form and easily assembled upon delivery to the point of use. The screw threaded spigots with bolts allow secure fitting of all interactive parts.

When the free standing structure is used to support devices usable in a gymnasium, such as a punch bag, fast ball, floor to ceiling ball or spring mounted torso, these individual devices can be suspended from brackets fixed to the top, bottom and side walls of the core of the free standing structure. The punch bag and floor to ceiling ball can be mounted on a horizontally extending pole and suspended freely outside the free standing structure on arms extending outwardly from the structure and fixed to the structure on spigots welded thereon by nuts and bolts preferably by wing nuts and bolts.

In fig 12, which is similar to the free standing structure of fig 11, the punch bag is omitted and a golf net having a central chute for returning balls to the player is fitted thus allowing players to practice their golf swings and putting.

Claims (1)

1; A free standing structure comprising of at least three inter-connected elongate side walls each arranged in use with their longitudinal axis extending in a vertical direction characterised in that when the structure is assembled each side wall comprises a frame including two elongate posts extending at each opposite of the frame and means thereon for fixedly attaching thereto cross-struts arranged to extend between the posts, a side panel fixedly mounted on the frame, and a base attachable to each side frame to receive ballast thereon for supporting the structure in a vertically upright position.

2; A structure as claimed in claim 1 comprising a wing structure extending outwardly from one corner between two adjacent sides of the free standing structure.

3; A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein a wing extends outwardly from each corner of the free standing structure, respectively.

4; A structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein each wing is mounted on a respective corner post.

5; A structure as claimed in claim 4,wherein the corner post is rounded at the point of interconnection with the wing.

6; A structure as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5, in which the wing comprises a frame upon which a panel is fixed on each of two opposed major surfaces respectively.

7; A structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wing frame comprises two posts, the outermost post, in use, having a rounded outermost surface and the opposed post being of a similar diametrical width and being fixable directly onto a corner post of the free standing structure.

8; A structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein each post of the structure is provided with spigots extending radially outwardly therefrom for attaching thereto cross struts of the frame for each wing or for one or each pair of adjacent side walls of the at least three sided free standing structure.

9; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a roof mounted on the top side edges of the side frames.

10; A structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein a sealing strip is located in the region of the edges of the roof for sealing the mounting of the roof upon the free standing structure for preventing the ingress of water therein.

11; A structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the roof is of a prism shape.

12; A structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the roof is an inverted prism shape for defining a roof garden thereon.

13; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the posts are curved over 120 degrees about their longitudinal axis.

14; A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the post is rounded over 60 degrees about its longitudinal axis.

15; A structure as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the rounded surfaces of each post end at a recessed portion thereof in which the panels are located by a smooth finish with the rounded portion of the post when the panels are mounted on the side frame of the sides of the free standing structure or on either side of the wing structure.

16; A structure as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the top edge of each frame of the three sided free standing structure comprises a rounded rail which overlaps the side panel and has holes therein for bolting the rounded rail onto each side wall.

17; A structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the posts and rails are of a hard plastic material or rubber.

18; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side wall includes an integral panel.

19; A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-18, wherein each side wall is defined by a plurality of smaller panels interlocked one upon the other.

20; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel is made of either steel or cement bonded particle board material presenting a heavy, solid and substantially indestructible wall structure.

21; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel provides a planar outermost surface.

22; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which one side wall includes an aperture therein together with a punch bag or floor to ceiling ball suspended within the aperture or telescoped in an outwardly direction therefrom.

23; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which one or more sides of the free standing structure can preferably include either one or two vertically mounted sleeves, in use for receiving therein the leg of a net ball rim or the legs of a basket ball backboard with a rim attached thereto.

24; A structure as claimed in any preceding claims, in which at least one side wall has mounted therein a display device for displaying information.

25; A structure as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least one side wall includes display material or cabinets hung on the side wall.

26; A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one side wall comprises a work bench mounted thereon.

27; A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one side wall can include an inter-active display monitor controlled by computer equipment housed within the free standing structure with a keyboard mounted exteriorly thereof.

28; A freestanding structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each panel is made of a cement bonded particle board such as "viroc" or "pyroc" 29; A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each end post is provided with a top cap.

30; A free standing structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a "spider" for inter-connecting the top of each wing to its respective top of the three side walled, free standing structure.

31; A free standing structure as claimed in claim 30, wherein each "spider" comprises of a simple disc, square or rectangle having three outwardly extending arms each fixable to a post of the core structure and to the top edge of a respective wing structure.

32; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the side walls of the free standing structure has a desk mounted externally on one or more side surfaces thereof.

33; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one side wall comprises an oven and hob with an extractor unit mounted there above.

34; A structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one side wall comprises a sink unit attached thereto including a pump for the removal of waste water from the sink or inbuilt waste water storage tank, and a wall mounted cupboard there above.

35; A structure as claimed in claim 34, wherein a second side wall includes a kitchen base unit attached thereto with a work top for food preparation, and a fridge or cupboard mounted below the work top.

36; A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one side wall includes a reinforced work bench, a fully isolated electrical system supplying both 110 and 240 volts, a dust extraction unit, lockable storage and lighting mounted on the corner posts 37; A structure as claimed in claim 34, wherein a at least one side wall may include a car seat, dashboard, hand brake, pedals and a steering wheel together with an integral computer, monitor / television and headphone facilities for use in teaching driving techniques.

38; A free standing structure substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as illustrated in, figs. 1 to 4; or fig 5; or fig 6; or fig 7; or fig 8; or fig 9; or fig 10-13 of the accompanying drawings.