GB2360299A

GB2360299A - Fascia system

Info

Publication number: GB2360299A
Application number: GB0004818A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Hoggarth; Stuart Ian Norris
Original assignee: Portakabin Ltd
Current assignee: Portakabin Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-01
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2001-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-01
Also published as: DE60118822T2; EP1130187A3; GB0004818D0; GB2360299B; EP1130187B1; DE60118822D1; EP1130187A2

Abstract

The fascia system 80, primarily for use with prefabricated and/or portable buildings, comprises upper and lower elements that, when connected, form the outer surface. The elements are secured to a structural element, e.g. the upper ring beam 20, such that the fascia is positioned at a distance from the building to form a recess 95 within which e.g. a gutter can be positioned. Also disclosed is a telescopic leg that removably positioned between lower and upper structural ring beams, a system whereby a tensioning element can be secured between the upper and lower ring beams and a lifting engagement system to enable the building to be lifted.

Description

2360299 PATENTS ACT 1977 A9955GB-M/RAL/sa Title: Fascia

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a fascia. The fascia may be in or for a prefabricated building unit of the kind specified.

By a prefabricated building unit of the kind specified is meant a prefabricated building unit which is factory assembled for delivery to a prepared site in an assembled condition complete with at least a floor structure, a side wall comprising a wall panel and a roof structure. Where the prefabricated building unit has four side walls and is intended to be capable of being transported to a site and, if desired, re-used by being transported to another site, it is referred to as a poilable building unit.

Alternatively, where the unit is intended for use at only one location, particularly where the unit is to be assembled with other slinilal- units, it may have one or more side walls omitted and is referred to as a modular building unit.

In either case, where the prefabricated building unit is for a single storey building or is for a top storey of a iiiultl-stoi.ev building the roof structure may be adapted accordingly.

Such prefabricated building units are xvidely used, but can suffer from an unattractive or impermanent appearance.

An aim of the invention is to provide a new or impi-oved fascia. The fascia may be for a prefabricated building unit.

According to the present invention, we provide a fascia for a structure comprising an elongate part having an outet- surface and connection means to engage a part of said structure.

2 The fascia may comprise an upper pail and a lower pail, each of said upper pail and lower pail comprising a portion of said upper surface and engagement means to locate said upper pail relative to said lower pail.

The engagement pail may comprise alignment means such that the portion of the outer surface provided oil said upper pail is substantially coplanar with the portion of the outer surface provided on said lower pail.

The upper pail and lower pail may be joined by a fastener passing through said engagement means.

The fascia may be spaced fl-om said structure to define a recess between said structure and the fascia.

sti-uctural element of the structure inay be located in said recess.

guttering may be disposed within said recess.

Where the fascia has a lower edge, said lower edge inay be spaced from said pail of said structure.

Where the structure comprises a structural element having a first limb extending outwardly of the structure the connection means may comprise a bracket attached to said first lin-ib.

The bracket rnay have a substantially vertically extending pail and the fascia may comprise a hook means to en-age said substantially vertically extending pail.

The structural element may coinprise a second limb and wherein the fascia may be fastened to said second Ilinb.

The structural element inay. coinpi-lise all Upright pail and a further bracket may be provided to enuage said upright part.

The lower edge of the fascia may be spaced from the structure by a distance greater than the distance which the lin-ib of the structural element extends outwardly of the building.

The fascia may further comprise an intermediate pail disposed between said upper pail and said lower pail, said intermediate pail having engagement means to locate said intermediate pail relative to said upper pail and said lower part.

Said intermediate pail may.provide a further portion of said outer surface.

The structure rnay comprise a prefabricated building unit and may comprise a portable building unit or a modular building unit.

The structure may comprise a prefabricated building unit comprising an upper structural beam and first and second connection means whereby a leg may be removably attached to said building, the first connection means being provided on said upper structural beam.

The upper structural beam may comprise a first limb and an upper part of said leg may engage said first lirnb.

The upper structural beam may comprise a roof beam of said building.

The building unit may comprise a lower structural element to support a floor of said building.

The lower structural element may comprise a lower structural beam and the second connection rneans may be provided on said lower structural beam.

The lower structural beam may comprise a beam of said floor of said building.

When said leg is attached to said first connection rneans and said second connection means, the leg may provide a rigid connection between said first connection means and said second coiniection means.

The leg may comprise a foot pail which is ground engageable or a pail which may engage an tipper pail of a ftirtlier building unit.

The leg may be extendable and may be telescopically extendable.

Where the building unit comprises a lower structural beam, the leg may comprise engagement means to engage said lower structural beam.

Said first connection means and second connection means may be provided with first ancillary connection means and second ancillary connection 4 means respectively, and an ancillary support means connected therebetween. Such an ancillary support means permits the building to be moved without legs being attached thereto.

The ancillary support ineans may comprise a flexible element.

Tension means may be provided to tension said flexible element.

Said ancillary connection means may comprise projections to engage a respective end part of said ancillary connection means.

Said upper structural element may be provided with lifting engagement means.

Said lifting engagement means may comprise an eye to receive a lifting hook.

Said first connection means may be disposed adjacent to said lifting engagement means.

The upper structural beam may comprise a second][nib and the lifting engagement means may comprise a reinforcing rib connected between the first limb and the second limb.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein; Figure 1 is a side view of a prefabricated building unit, Figure 2 is an end view of the building unit of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the building wilt of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a partly broken away section on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partly broken away section on line 5-5 of Figure 3, Flaure 6 is a side view of a leg of a buildin(y C CII Figure 7 is a front view of the leg of Figure 6, 0 Figure 8 is a view on a larger scale of pail of the building unit of Figure Ficure 9 is a view on a lai-Cer scale of a further pail of the building unit C C> of Figure 1, and Figure 10 is a partly broken away section or view of an alternative configuration of part of Figure 4.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary section on line 11 - 11 of Figure 3, Figure 12 is a view oil a larger scale of pail of the section of Figure 5, Figure 13 is partially broken away plan view of pail of a fascia according to the present invention, Figure 14 is a section oil line 14-14 of Figure 13), and Figure 15 is a section through an alternative embodiment of the fascia of Figures 13 and 14.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a structure comprising a prefabricated building unit 10, comprising a portable building unit as it is intended to be capable of re-use by transport to another site, of generally rectangular configuration having two longer side walls 11, two shorter end walls 12, a roof structure 13) and a floor structure 14. Door and window openings are provided ill the wall as shown at 15 and 16 respectively. Of course, if desired, the doors and windows may be located at other positions other than those shown.

The building 10 is provided with four le-s 17. two disposed on each side of the building 10 in a symmetrical arrangement.

Referring now to Figure 4, the side walls 11 are each formed as a panel having a stressed skin structural sandwich comprising an outer skin 1 la and an inner skin 1 lb, which sandwich and are bonded to,_,ether by a core 1 lc, in the present example comprising polyiti.etliaiie foam. In the present example, the outer skin I la comprises a steel cladding, for example galvanised steel sheet having a PVC coating oil the external surface. The inner skin 1 lb, is made of galvanised steel sheet with a polyester pad coating, or gypsum wallboard or any other desired material. Each panel comprises a cliann el -shaped lower frame member 1 ld disposed such that the mouth of the channel is disposed in a downward direction. Each wall panel further comprises a peripheral frame 6 having an upper frame member 11 c comprising in the present example a wooden element disposed between the outer skin 1,1 a and the inner skin 1 lb. As shown in Figure 5, the end walls. 12 similarly comprise a plurality of panels each comprising an outer skin 12a, an inner skin 12b, a core 12c, a channelshaped lower frame member 12d, and a wooden upper frame member 12e.

The roof structure 13) similarly comprises a panel having an upper skin 13a and a lower skin 13b, in the present example each comprising plastic coated steel. Sandwiched between and bonded to the upper skin 13a and lower skin 13b is a polyurethane foam core 1 3c. The roof structure further comprises a peripheral fi-ame, a wooden side inernber of which is shown at 13d. The upper skin 13a is provided with upwardly extending ridge formations 13f which are generally trapezoidal in cross section. Connecting means 19 pass through the side members 13d and are received 'In the upper frame members 11 e, 12e of the walls 11, 12. The upper skin 133a is provided with a plurality of ridges 13f, which are trapezoidal in cross-section in the present example.

Disposed adjacent the side members 13d of the roof structure 13 and the upper pail of the walls 11 on each side of the building is an upper structural element 20. The upper structural element 20 comprises a beam which is generally channel-shaped in cross-section. the base pail 20a of the channel being disposed in a generally upright position adjacent plywood spacers 23, 24 which abut the roof structure 13 and side wall 1 1 respectively. The upper structural element 20 is connected to the roof structure 13 by a fastener 21a passing the base pai.t 20a, spacei. 23) and received in the side member 13d, and fasteners 22 PaSS1110 through the base pail 20a, spacer 24 and received in the upper frame member 11 c. Along the end walls 12 of the building 10, a further structural element 25 is provided. The further structural element 25 is similarly of a channel configuration comprising a base part 25a. Fasteners 3 1,a pass through the base pail 25a to en-age the side inember 13d of the roof 13, whilst fasteners '31b pass through the base pail 25a to engage the upper frame 7 member 21 of the end wall 12. The further structural element 25 extends upwardly for a shorter direction than the upper structural element 20.

Referring to Figure 4, the upper structural element 20 further comprises a lower outwardly extending first llimb 20b and an upper outwardly extending second limb 20c. Similarly, the further structural ineniber 25 comprises a lower outwardly extending first limb 25b and an upper outwardly extending second limb 25c.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the floor structure 14 is provided with a pair of lower structural elements in the form of side beams -3 W, 3 1. Each side beam 30, 31 is of generally channel shaped configuration with the web part disposed vertically and the limbs disposed so as to extend generally inwardly.

Connected between the side beams 30, -3) 1 are a plurality of transverse beams 32 similarly of channel shaped cross section disposed such that a web pail of each of the beams 32 'Is disposed vertically and the limbs disposed so as to extend generally horizontally. The transverse beams 32 are connected to the side beams 3JO, 31 by brackets 33) and suitable fastenin(l, means 34. A floor panel 35 is disposed generally horizontally such that it engages the horizontal u per limbs of the side beanis 30, -3) 1 and transverse beams 32, Disposed below p the floor panel -35 and suspended fi-om the transverse members 32 is a membrane 36, in the present example comprising a thermally insulating membrane such as polyester foil coated with a suitable material such as aluminium. Preferably, although riot slio,rii. the volume above the membrane is equal to the volume below the inembrane.

At each end of the building, outtering 37 inay be provided disposed between the fascia 80 and the roof structure 13 and attached to a side member 13d of the roof structure 1 3). A down pipe 3) 8 I's provided attached to one of the end walls 12 by pipe brackets 339 to carry water from the guttering 37 to a desired drainage point. The fascia 80 thus conceals the guttering '37 while the spacing of the lower part of the fascia 26 fi-om the side wall 11 of the building 8 permits a down pipe 38 to be connected to the guttering 337 without requiring alteration to the fascia 80.

Ducts 40, 41 are provided adjacent the roof structure 13 and floor panel 35 respectively in the interior of the building unit 10 to provide conduits for cabling or electricity, communications or other services.

A leg 17 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. Each leg 17 comprises a upper leg pail 42 of hollow rectangular tubular configuration which receives telescopically a lower leg pail 43 with suitable means such as a peg means 44 as shown in Figure 4 to permit the two parts to be interconnected at a desired extension.

At its upper end, the leg 17 comprises a transverse top plate 45, attached such that a flange pail 45a of the top plate 45 extends outwardly either side of the top pail 42. An aperture 46 is provided in each flange pail 45a and an upwardly extending guide lug 45b is disposed generally centrally of the top plate 45.

Attached to an upwardly extending wall 42a of the upper leg pail 42 is a lower connection plate 47. The lower coiinection plate 47 comprises a pair of outwardly extending flanges 47a which project out,,,,ai.diy elther side of the upper leg pail 42. A pair of apertures 48 are provided in each of tile flanges 47a.

Extending transversely; froin the Llpwardly extending wall 42a of the upper leg pail 42 is a support plate 49 adapted to engage a lower limb of the side beam 30, J3 1. Disposed belo and parallel to the support plate 49 but projecting a shorter distance from the Lipper leo pail 42 is a reinforcing plate 50. The support plate 49 and the reinforcing plate 50 are connected by a vertically extending rib 5 1.

Disposed on the lower end of the losver leg part 43) Is a foot pail 52. The foot pail 52 comprises a plate provided generally transversely to the lower leg 9 part 43 which extends in a direction outwardly either side of the leg 17 and in a direction generally parallel to the support plate 49.

As seen in Figure 4 and in Figure 8, the upper structural element 20 is provided with a lifting en-a-enient ineans 53. The lifting engagement means 53 comprises an upper plate 54 located below and adjacent the second limb 20c of the upper structural element 20, and a lower plate 55 disposed above and adjacent the first Iii-nb 20b of the upper structural element 20. Extending between the upper plate 54 and lower plate 55 are a pall. of generally parallel gussets 56. Disposed between the gussets 56 is a back plate 57 which abuts the upright part 20a of the upper structural element 20. A suitable fastening 58 passes through the back plate 57 and is received in a corresponding apert-ure provided in the upper structural elenlent 20.

Attached to the under side of the upper plate 54 is a threaded nut 59. An aperture 60 is provided in the upper plate 54 and ill the second limb 20c of the upper structural element 20 sucii that a suitable threaded bolt nlay be passed through the aperture 60 and engaged with the threaded nut 59. Tile nut 59 may receive a suitable connector, for exaniple ail eye having a threaded shank to engage a hook or other suitable liftiil() Illealls.

The lower plate 55 provides a first connection ineans and comprises a pair of threaded apertures 61 disposed one either side of the gussets 56. The apertures 61 may receive bolts 62 passing through suitable correspondino 1 CI C apertures provided in the first linib 20b of the upper structural element 20 and through the apertures 46 provided in [lie top plate 45 of the leg 171. The lower plate 55 is further provided with a further recess 63 aligned with a corresponding aperture provided ill the lower linib of the upper structural element 20 to receive the guide luo 45b of the le(, 17.

0 - _n The spacing of the lower part of the fascia 80 from the side wall 11 of the building 10 permits the introduction of a leg 17 into abutment with the

C1 upper structural element 20 without needing to detach the fascia 80.

Z.

As best seen in Figure 4 and Figure 9, the lower pail of the leg 17 is connected to the side wall 11 and floor structure 14 by means of four bolts 64 passing through the apertures 48 provided in the lowei. connection plate 47. The upper of each pair of bolts 64 pass through apertures provided in the outer skin 1 la, inner skin 1 lb and core 11 c of the side wall 11. The lower of each pair of bolts 64 passes tl-irougli the lower frame member 11 d of the side wall 11. A reinforcement member 64a is disposed within the lower frame member 1 ld extending between the limbs thereof, and the bolt 64 is received within the reinforcement member 64a. The bolts 64 are threadedly received in corresponding apeitures in a second connection means comprising a plate 65 disposed within the side membei. 61 adjacent to a vertically extending web pail thereof. The reinforcement member 64a perinits the lower of the bolts 64 to be tightened to maintain the leg 17 M place without deforming the lower fi-ame member 11 d.

Referring now to Figure 10, where no leg is present and it is desired to provide a reinforcing connectloii between the upper connection rneans and the lower connection means, ancillary connection means as shown in Figure 10 may be provided. A first ancillary connection ineans 70 may be provided attached to the upper structural eleiiieiit 20, comprising a first horizontal pail 70a provided with an aperture tht-ough which bolt 70b is passed to be received in the aperture 61 of the lower ti.ansverse plate 55. Depending in a generally downwards direction fi-om the honzoinal part 70a is aii intermediate pail 70c froin which a first connectino hook 70d pi. 'ects in a generally horizontal 01 direction away frorn the wall 11. A second ancillary connection means 71 comprises a generally upwardly extending part 7]a attached to the plate 65 by bolts 71b. A second connectino hook 7 1 c is attached to the Upwardly extending part 71a and extends generally horizontally therefrom generally parallel to the first connecting hook 70d. Connected between the first connecting hook 70d and second connecting hook 71c is a elongate flexible element 72, in the present example a cable. The flexible element 72 is provided with an upper link 72a which engages the first connecting hook 70d and a lower link 72b which engages the second connecting hook, 71c. Between the flexible element 72 and the lower link 72b is a tensioning device 73) such that the tension of the flexible element 72 may be adjusted as desired.

When it is desired to Histall such a building 10 in its desired site, a suitable foundation or other support is preferably prepared for the building at its desired sight. A lifting means connector, for example an eye provided with a threaded shank is engaged with the nut 69. The lifting means connectors are provided two on each side of the building, and the building is thus preferably lifted by four of said lifting means. With the legs 17 in place attached between the upper structural member 20 and the side beams 30, 31, a rigid connection between the roof structure and f1001- Structure is provided to maintain the structural integrity of the building durin 4, 1, lifting. The upper structural element accommodates compressive stresses which arise during lifting to the provision of a pali. of space lifting points on each side of the building, while the lifting engagement rneans 53) ensures that the lifting force is transmitted to the legs and thence to the floor structure 13) witliout deformation of the upper structural member 20.

The building unit 10 can be lifted into place and either rested on a suitable foundation, or the legs 17 can be adjusted to a desired length to support the buildina. Where the building unit 10 is supported on foundations and so does not require the use of the legs 17, the legs 171 can be easily removed by disconnecting the bolts 64 and 62, thus disengaging the leg frorn the lower connection means and upper connection means respectively. If necessary, to permit such a removal, the building may be lifted slightly, for example, using jacks to permit removal of the legs.

The removal of the legs thus provides the building 10 with a more permanent appearance. The external appearance of the building is not marred 12 by the provision of the legs along the side of the building and at least the upper connection means are obscured behind the fascia 80. The connection of the leg 17 to the upper structural member 20 in such a way that the member 20 acts downwardly on the leg 17 ensures that there is no shear force on the bolts connecting the leg to the building 10. Whilst the leg 17 are in place and the building is being lifted, the rigid connection of the legs ensures that the building 10 is effectively lifted froin the base, i.e. the lifting force is transmitted from the lifting connection means by the legs to the floor structure 14, such that the connection between for example the roof structure and the wall structure does not need to bear the weight of the building unit 10.

The building unit 10 may also coinprise an upper storey of a multistorey building comprising the building unit, in which case the foot pails 52 of the legs 17 may engage an upper part of a further building unit providing a lower storey of the building.

If it is desired to move the buildin- whilst the legs 17 are not attached, the ancillary lifting means of Figure 10 inay be provided to provide a connection between the first upper connection ineans and the lower connection means using a tensioned flexible elciiieiit 72. The lifting forces applied to the lifting means are thus transinitted to the flow StrUCtUre via the flexible elements 72 and so the building unit is lifted froin the base as before.

Men it is desired to inove the Unit for use at a different site, the legs 17 may be reattached by reversing the reinoval procedure described above and the building unit lifted and transported and then i-e'toccj'tte(l at a new site as described above.

A fascia accordino to a further aspect of the present invention is indicated generally at 80. The fascia 80 coniprises a first, upper part 81 and a laoei,neiit nicans 83). The upper pail 81 second, lower part 82 Joined by eng 0 comprises an generally upwardly extendino part 81a and a generally c - transversely extending pail 81b connected thereto by an inclined pail 81c. The transversely extending pail 8 1 b is provided with a downwardly depending rib 81d. The lower pail 82 comprises a generally upwardly extending pail 82a provided with an inwardly turned portion 82b disposed at its lower edge. The fascia 80 has an outer surface comprising an outer surface pail 8 1 e of the upper part 81 and an outer surface pail 82c of the lower pail 82. The lower pail 82 further comprises an inwardly and downwardly extending hook pail 82d on the opposite face of the lower pail 82 to the outer surface pail 82c.

The engagement means 83) coinprises, provided at the lower edge of the upper part 81, a U-shaped channel 84 the mouth of which opens generally downwardly. The channel 84 has a relatively shoil outer arm 84a which provides a pail of the outer surface pail 81e, and a relatively long inner arm 84b provided with an inwardly turned lip 84c at its lower end. The lower part 82 is provided with a flange 85 connected to the upwardly extending pail 82a by an inwardly directed transverse pail 86. A the upper end of the flange 85 is a generally circular bead 87 which is received in the channel 84. The lip 84e engages a lower pail of the flange 85 to ensure that the outer surface pails 82c, 81e are substantially co-planar. A rivet 88 passes through the relatively long arm 84b and the flange 85 to hold the upper pail 81 and the lower pail 82 in position relative to one another.

In the present example, the upper pail 81 and the lowei. pail 82 each comprise an aluminium exti,Lisioll.

The fascia 80 is connected to the upper structural element 20 and further structural element 25 as follows. To wimect the fascia to the upper structural element 20, the fascia 80 is disposed sueli that the generally transversely extending part 81b engages an upper surface of the second limb 20c such that the downwardly dependingrib 81dabLits aii end pail of the second limb 20C. A fastener 90 is then passed through the transversely extending pail 81c and second limb 20c.

14 To connect the fascia 80 to the first limb 20b, a bracket 91 is provided comprising a generally horizontally extending pail 91a and a generally upwardly extending pail 91b. The generally horizontally extending pall 91a is attached to the first limb 20b by a fastenei- 92. The upper edge of the generally upwardly extending pail 91b is received ill the downwardly opening hook part 82d of the lower pail 82.

To attach the fascia 80 to the further structural element 25 a bracket 91 is provided in like manner to connect the fascia to the first 11mb 25b of the further structural element as to the first 11mb 20b of the upper structural element 20. A further bracket 93). is provided to join the transversely extending part 8 lc to the further structural elerrient 25. The bracket 93) comprises a generally upwardly extending pail 93)a and a generally horizontally extending pail 93b attached thereto. The generally upwardly extending pail 933a has at its upper end an inwardly directed lip 93)c which engages the transversely extending part C cl 81c and rib 81d of the upper pail 8 1. The generally horizontally extending part 93b is provided with a generally dowiiwardly extendiii- plate 93d. A fastener 94 is received in an aperture in the downwardly exteiidiii,.,, plate 93)d and the base pail 25a and is received ill the upper fraine element 12e.

When affixed to the building unit 10, the fascia 80 thus defines a recess 25 between the fascia 80 and the btilldill'' Ullit 10. The recess 95 may accommodate a guttering 37 as hereinbefore described. The inwardly directed lip 82b of the fascia 80 is spaced from the wall 1 1, 12 to provide a gap which may accommodate for example a dowii pipe to be comiected to the guttering 37 or a leg 17 of the building unit, as discussed hereinbefore.

If a fascia of greater depth is i-eqiiii-ed, an intermediate piece 100 may be disposed between tile first pail 8 1 and the second pail 82 as shown in Figure 6.

Engagement means 83)a, 83b may be provided ill like manner to the engagement means 83 shown in Figure 7 to connect the intermediate pail 100 to the first part 81 and the second pail 82 and to ensure that the outer surfaces are generally co-planar.

As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of different lengths of fascia A may be provided such that the fascia extends along the length of the wall 11, 12. Suitable junction means 10 1 comprising a plastic Joint strip may be provided to join adjacent lengths of fascia, and corner sections 102 may be provided to provide a continuous fascia extending around the corners of the building C Cr Providing such a fascia, pailicularly in conjunction with the removable legs discussed above, provides a self contained buildim, unit with a more permanent appearance whilst still offering an easily relocatable building unit where no disassembly or reassenibly ofthe fascia for transit or oil- site erection is needed. The fascia rnay be adapted to cover any generic channel shaped beam used on the buildina unit.

The upper pail 81, the lower pail 82 and intennediate pail 100 in the present application comprise aluminium extrusions which when connected together offer a fascia with a greater proportional depth to their width than can be achieved by a single extrusion. The en(yagenietit iiieaiis 83, 83a, 83b ensures that the outer surfaces of the fascia are coi,i"ectlall-ned before the first pail 81, second pail 82 are attached to one aiiother. A fascia of greater depth may be provided by using one or more Intermediate sectiolls to provide a fascia of the desired depth.

Although the leg and the fascia have been described \vith reference to the drawings of a portable buildim, utilt, If desired. each or both may be in a modular buildim, unit oi- in any! other pi-efabricated building unit.

prov]. l 1 0 Although the fascia has been described herein as being in or for a portable prefabricated building unit, it may be used in a modular prefabricated building unit or method. It may be used in or for any, other suitable structure such as a permanent building, ship or the like.

16 In the present specification "comprise" ineatis "Iiicludes or consists of' and "compiising" means "including or consisting of'.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, oi- the following claims, or the accompanying drawbios, expressed M their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realisHig the Hivention in diverse forms thereof.

17

Claims

A fascia for a structure comprising an elongate pall having an outer surface and connection means to engage a pail of said structure.

c
2. A fascia according to Claim I wherein the fascia comprises an upper pail and a lower pail, each of said upper part and lower part comprising a portion of said upper surface and engagement means to locate said upper pail relative to said lower pail.
3. A fascia according to Claim 2 wherein the engagement pail comprises b::> alignment means such that the portion of the outer surface provided on said upper pail is substantially coplanar witli the portion of the outer surface provided on said lower part.
4. A fascia according to Claim 2 or ClaIiin 3) wlierein the upper pail and lower pail are joined by a fastener p,-:issliig tlirougli said erigagernent means.

j Z C1 C1
5. A fascia according to any one of Clainis 1 to 4 wherein the fascia is spaced from said structure to define a recess betweeii said structure and the fascia.
6. A fascia according to Clairn 5 wliei.ejii a structural element of the C structure is located in said recess.
7. A fascia according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 svlierelii a guttering is C disposed within said recess.

18
8. A fascia according to any one of the preceding clairns wherein the fascia has a lower edge, said lower edge being spaced fi-om said pail of said structure.
9. A fascia accoi-dill(y to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 0 structure comprises a structural element having a first limb extending outwardly of the structure and wherein the connection means comprises a bracket attached to said first limb.
10. A fascia according to Claim 9 wherein the bracket has a substantially vertically extending pail and wherein the fascia comprises a hook means to 111 or engage said substantially vertically extend' g pail.
11. A fascia according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the structural element comprises a second limb arid wherein the fascia is fastened to said second limb.
12. A fascia accordino to any, one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the structural 0 element comprises an upright pail and wherein a further bracket is provided to engage said upright pail.
13. A fascia accordiii() to emy one of Claims 9 to 12 Miere dependent directly or indirectly oil Claim 4 wherein the lower edge of the fascia is spaced c from the building pail by, a distance greater thaii the distance which the limb of c the structural element extends outwardly of the strucutre.
14. A fascia according to Claim 2 or any, one of Clairris -3) to 13) where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 2 wherein the fascia further comprises an intermediate pail disposed between said upper pail and said lower 19 parts, said intermediate pail having engagement means to locate said intermediate pail relative to said upper pail and said lower pail.
15. A fascia according to Claim 14 wherein said intermediate pail provides a further portion of said outer surface.
16. A fascia according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structure comprises a prefabricated bulldling unit.
17. A fascia according to Claim 16 wherein the prefabricated building unit is a portable building unit.
18. A fascia according to Claini 16 wherein the prefabricated building unit is a modular building unit.
19. A fascia according to any one of Clainis 16 to 18 wherein the building unit comprises a prefabricated building umt of the kind specified comprising an upper structural beam and first and second connection means whereby a leg may be removably attached to sald bLilldiii,.,,. the first connection means being provided on said upper structural beam.
20. A fascia according to Claim 19 xvliei-elii the upper structural beam comprises a first limb and an upper part of sald le,, engages said fii.st 11111b.

C) z> 1-1)
21. A fascia according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the upper structural beam comprises a roof beam of said bulldili(l C
22. A fascia according to any one of Claims 19 to 21 wherein the prefabricated building unit comprises a lower sti"ttctitial element to support a floor of said building.
23. A fascia according to Claim 22 wherein the lower structural element comprises a lower structitral bearn wherein the second connection means is provided on said lower sti-tictural beam.
24. A fascia accordina to Claim 23 wherein the lower structural beam c comprises a beam of said floor of said building.
25. A fascia according to any one of Claims 19 to 24 wherein when said leg C is attached to said first connection means and said second connection means, the leg provides a rigid connection between said first connection means and said second connection means.
26. A fascia according to any one of Clainis 19 to 25 wherein the leg comprises a foot which is groinid engageable or a part to cii(laoe an upper pail of a further building unit.
27. A fascia accordino to Claim 26 wherein the leo is telescopically extendable.
28. A fascia according to Claim 23 or any one of Claims 24 to 27 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 23 wherein the leg comprises engagement means to engage said lower strueniral beam.
29. A fascia according to aily oile of Claims 19 to 28 wherein said first connection means and second connection means may be provided with first 21 ancillary connection means and second ancillary connection means respectively, and an ancillary support ineans connected therebetween.
30. A fascia according to Claim 29 wherein the ancillary support means comprises a flexible element.
31. A fascia according to Clairn 30 wherein tensloii means is provided to tension said flexible element.
32. A fascia according to Claim -30 or Claim 31 wherein said ancillary connection means comprise prqjections to engage a respective end part of said ancillary connection means.
33 A fascia according to any one of Claims 19 to 32 wherein said upper c structural element is provided with lifting engagement ineans.

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34. A fascia according to Claim 33 wherein said lifting engagement means 0 comprises an eye to receive a lifting hook.

C1
35. A fascia according to Claim 33 or Claim 334 wherein said first c connection means is disposed adjaceiit to said liftin- cii(,a()eiiietit means.

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36. A fascia according to arty one of Cliiiii> 33 u 35 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 20 wherein the sti-iictLii.al beam comprises a second limb and the lifting engagement means comprises a reinforcing rib connected between said first limb and said second hinb.
37. A fascia as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, 22
38. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.