GB2409469A

GB2409469A - A flat wall frame comprising perimetral frame members

Info

Publication number: GB2409469A
Application number: GB0329035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Barrett; John Prewer
Original assignee: SPACEOVER Ltd
Current assignee: SPACEOVER Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-15
Filing date: 2003-12-15
Publication date: 2005-06-29
Also published as: GB0329035D0

Abstract

A generally flat wall frame W comprises perimetral sides H, V, adjacent sides being joined together at the ends to form corners, each side comprising generally parallel lengths L of cold formed metal section, which are joined by intervening brace members 3, whereby the frame W has mechanical strength. A plurality of wall frames W may be joined together to form a box-like module having walls, ceiling, floor and so on.

Description

BUILDING STRUCTURE

The invention relates to building structures, and In particular to these which comprises modules Incorporating frame members made of cold formed thin metal section.

The use of lengths of cold formed thin metal of generally channel shaped section to form parts of walls Is known The lengths are shaped from flat strip and cut to size.

They can be assembled away from the building site and transported on a lorry to the site or they can be assembled at the site. Various ways of Joining the lengths together are known. It is an object of this invention to provide a structure and simple method of making the structure.

In one aspect, the Invention provides wall frame comprising permetral frame members, adjacent members being joined together at the ends to form comers, each member being generally of box section and comprising generally parallel lengths of cold formed metal channel section which are Joined by longitudinally spaced apart brace members, whereby the frame has mechanical strength Preferably, the section has a wall thickness of about 0.9 to about 1.5 mm Preferably, the section has a wall thickness of about 1.2 mm.

Preferably, the brace members comprise lengths of channel section which extend at an angle between the outer and inner lengths of channel section making up the box section of the frame members.

The brace members are secured at their ends to the lengths in welded manner or in weld-free manner. In one option the brace members are secured to the lengths by bolts or rivets. More than one rivet may be present at each connection.

Preferably, the lengths and the brace members are made of galvansed steel strip section.

It Is a preferred feature of the invention that vertical and/or horizontal studs, optionally with the open spaced for doors and windows, are present between the opposite sides of the frame.

In another aspect the invention provides a module incorporating the frame. Preferably, the module comprises six wall frames defining the sides, floor and ceiling of a room and is housed in a box-like outer frame whereby the module may be lifted without distortion of the module. Preferably the outer frame comprises sides of hot rolled steel section. Preferably, the outer frame has lifting eyes so that one module can be moved on to a lorry or be placed on top of another.

In another aspect the invention provides a building comprising a column of modules as defined above, wherein the outer frames of adjacent modules are nterengaged.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now e described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one wall frame figure 2 Is section through a frame member 1.

Figures 3A and 3B are partial side elevations of lengths of horizontal and vertical frame members; and Figure 4 Is a perspective view of an outer frame for a module made up of frame members A wall frame W Is made up of two horizontal H and two vertical frame members V joined at their ends, i.e. a their corners. Each frame member Is of box section and comprises two lengths L of cold formed channel sections having a base 1 and upstanding short side walls 2. The lengths are made from galvanised steel strip having a thickness of about 1.2mm. The individual length portions may be Joined together to form the required length of a wall frame member. The two lengths are arranged so that the side walls 2 project towards each other Brace lengths 3 of the same channel section shape having a base 4 and side walls 5 bridge the lengths and are arranged so that the outer surface of the base 4 contacts the inner surface of the side wall 2 of the lengths. (It may be necessary to urge the side walls apart to fit the brace lengths in, and they will spring back approximately to the original size and shape.) The brace lengths 3 are diagonally Inclined between the side walls and are arranged in pairs, having adjacent ends 4a, together and adjacent ends 4b apart (the ends 4a may touch each other as shown in Figure 3A or be spaced apart slightly as shown in figure 3B.

The brace lengths are Joined to the side walls 2 by rivets R and two or more may be present at an end 4a or 4b. In this way a wall is formed of strong frame members made out of thin channel section metal. The space between the vertical sides and/or the horizontal sides may be filled with studding S to define windows, door frames, etc. in the usual way. Six such walls may be joined to form a box like module having a floor, four side walls and a ceiling. This is then placed in an outer box cage F having sides made of hot rolled steel section and lifting eyes (not shown) at the upper corners by which the module may be moved without fear of damage. The module may be lifted to stand on top of another and in this way a column can be built up. The module may be left in the outer frame or it may be removed Cladding and interior fitting out will be applied in the usual way.

Claims

1. A generally flat wall frame comprising penmetral frame members, adjacent members being Joined together at the ends to form corners, each side frame member being generally of box section and comprising generally parallel lengths of cold formed metal channel section which are joined by longitudinally spaced apart brace members, whereby the frame has mechanical strength.

2 A wall frame according to Claim 1, wherein the section has a wall thickness of about 0.9 to about 1.5 mm.

3. A wall frame according to Claim 2, wherein the section has a wall thickness of about 1.2 mm

4. A wall frame according to any preceding Claim, wherein the brace members comprise lengths of channel section which extend between the outer and inner lengths of the channel sections making up the box section frame members.

5. A wall frame according to Claim 4, wherein the brace members are secured at their ends to the lengths by welds

6. A wall frame according to Claim 4, wherein the brace members are secured to the lengths by bolts or rivets.

7 A wall frame according to any preceding Claim, wherein the lengths and the brace members are made of galvansed steel strip section.

8. A wall frame according to any preceding Claim, wherein vertical and/or horizontal studs, optionally with the open spaces for doors and windows are present, between opposite sides of the frame.

9. A module comprising six wall frames according to any preceding Claim, defining the sides, floor and room of a ceiling.

10. A module according to Claim 9, housed within a box-like outer frame whereby the module may be moved without distortion of the wall frame.

l 1. A module according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the outer frame comprises sides of hot rolled steel section.

12. A module according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the outer frame has lifting eyes.

13. A building comprising a column of modules according to Claim 1, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the outer frames are nterengaged to link adjacent modules together.