GB2449358A

GB2449358A - Kit of parts for modular building

Info

Publication number: GB2449358A
Application number: GB0808938A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Avery; Robin Jeffery; John Russell
Original assignee: Hambleside Danelaw Ltd
Current assignee: Hambleside Danelaw Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Also published as: GB0808938D0; GB0709415D0

Abstract

A kit of parts suitable for assembly into a modular building unit comprises at least one floor or other platform. The kit comprise a plurality of support legs which comprise a foot or pad 2 from which an elongate coupling member 3 extends having seating means 4 and a plurality of resilient tensile connecting members 5 adapted to receive the coupling members. A plurality of elongate floor or platform support beams 9 are adapted to receive the coupling members and engage the seating means 4. The floor or platform support beams are adapted to receive and retain an edge of a floor or platform panel 7. The tensile connecting members may be in the form of a tape or band of polyvinylchloride or polypropylene and have holes through which the coupling members pass. The kit may also include posts for supporting wall panels. Also disclosed s a kit for forming a roofing structure or other building covering.

Description

MODULAR BUILDING UNIT

This invention is concerned with modular building units and in particular, to kits of parts which can relatively simply and safely be assembled by unskilled labour without tools or only with minimal tools, on site, to form a lightweight building unit, such as a temporary shelter or the like.

The present description provides more detail and substance to the modular building unit described in our co-pending application GB0709415.4.

The majority of embodiments of the present building unit and kit can be assembled without the use of powered tools. Many of the kit components can be relatively lightweight and so amenable to transportation over, if necessary, considerable distances. Many embodiments of the building unit can be assembled from the kits by unskilled labour for erection upon uneven ground or terrain. Indeed, many embodiments of the present kit-of-parts' are intended for erection into building units upon rough or other undulating ground since permanent foundations in the ground are not required to complete assembly.

There is a need for kits of building components that can be economically packed, stored and delivered by transporters such as lorries or vans, and erected on site into a building unit such as a temporary shelter. For instance, in areas where there has been man-made or natural disaster such as flood, landslip, landslide, earthquake, tsunami, tornado or similar destructive force, many people become in need of at least temporary shelter until more permanent arrangements can be made.

Whilst some portable building units are known, they usuaHy suffer from one or more drawbacks. Some may be cumbersome, heavy and difflcult to pack or otherwise load and unload. Some may require use of skilled labour and/or powered tools (a significant drawback if power lines are down). Some may be designed only for even ground. Some may be of fixed dimensions and not amenable to modular expansion.

it is therefore desirable to provide skits-of-parts', in the nature of a combination of building components that can be erected by local inhabitants into a convenient building unit after transportation and unloading, such as assembly into a temporary humanitarian shelter.

It is from a consideration of these factors that has led to the development of the present invention.

A first aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts suitable for assembly into a modular building unit comprising at least one floor or other platform, the kit comprising a plurality of ground-contactable support members which comprise a ground-contactable foot from which an elongate coupling member extends having seating means; a plurality of resilient tensile connecting members adapted to receive said coupling members; a plurality of elongate floor or platform supports adapted to receive said coupling members and engage the seating means, said floor or platform supports being adapted to receive and retain, in use, an edge of a floor or platform panel, and at least one floor or platform panel, the edges of which being locatable within a said floor or platform support.

Preferably, the distance between the seating means of at least one ground-contactable support member and the foot thereof is adjustable.

Preferably, at least one foot of the ground contactable feet of the support member is pivotally mounted to said elongate coupling member.

According to a further preferred feature of this aspect of the invention, the floor or platform supports are in the form of beams with at least one channel portion within which said edge of a floor or platform panel can be received and retained.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the seating means of the ground contactable support means is adjustable in position by means of a quick release catch optionally spring loaded.

Preferably, the catch is able to move and engage a plurality of spaced apertures or indents provided in the elongate coupling member.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tensile members and/or the floor or platform supports are apertured to be capable of receiving in said aperture(s) a coupling member.

Optionally, the beams comprise oppositely located spaced apart channel sections.

Preferably, the beams comprise a chamber between channel sections, capable of receiving said coupling member in such manner whereby the coupling member can pass through apertures in upper and lower flanges of the beam member, which flanges partly define said chamber such that edges of floor or platform panels when seated in corresponding channels in said beams remain spaced apart from the coupling member.

Optionally, the tensile connecting members are in the form of a tape or band.

Preferably, the tape or band is coiled but capable of being unrolled into generally linear form, and capable of being cut to required length.

According to a further preferred feature of this aspect of the invention, the band or tape is of resilient non-flexible plastics material such as of polyvinylchioride or polypropylene.

According to a further preferred feature of this aspect of the invention, the tape or band is apertured at spaced locations.

Optionally, the floor or platform panel comprises a substantially rigid generally planar panel, optionally with chamfered edges.

Preferably, the panel is constructed of composite material comprising glass reinforced plastic.

Optionally, there is provided a floor or other platform assembly which has been assembled from the components of a kit.

Optionally, there is provided a kit of parts suitable for assembly into a building structure, which comprises a kit, together with a plurality of posts adapted to connect to said elongate coupling member and including means for attaching thereto a wall panel; a plurality of such wall panels, each such panel including means for connection with such posts; a plurality of tensile members adapted to join together the upper ends of said posts (e); and means for securing the tensile members at least to said posts.

Preferably, the kit further includes a lower channel section retainer in which a lowermost edge of a wall panel can be seated; and an upper channel section retainer in which an uppermost edge of a wall panel can be seated.

Preferably, the kit further includes an intermediary channel section retainer adapted to couple together a pair of adjacently stacked wall panels.

Preferably, there further comprises retaining means adapted to pass through said intermediary retainer and into respectively the uppermost edge of a lower wall panel and the lowermost edge of an upper wall panel.

Optionally, there is provided a building structure which has been assembled from the components of a kit as set out above.

Optionally, there is provided a kit of parts for forming a roof, suitable for use with a building formed from a kit, which roof comprises one or more roofing panel components.

Preferably, the or each roofing panel component has a top layer and a bottom layer.

Preferably, the top layer and said bottom layer are each formed of glass reinforced plastic.

Optionally, the or each roofing panel component has an insulating core.

Preferably, the insulating core is injection molded into place between the top layer and bottom layer.

Optionally, said top layer is longer than said bottom layer.

Optionally, the or each roofing panel component comprises a formation along one or more edges, which formation is inter-engageable with such a formation on another roofing panel component.

Optionally, there further comprises a first member for securing to one of said roofing panel components and a second member for securing to a wall, said first member being hinged to said second member.

Preferably, the first member and/or said second member are formed of glass reinforced plastic or aluminium.

Optionally, there further comprises a connecting assembly for joining two roofing panel components, the connecting assembly comprising a base member adapted to be secured to an adjacent edge of each roofing panel component, an end plate shaped to sit between the adjacent edges, and a capping member, which end place connects the capping member to the base member.

Preferably, the end plate connects to the capping member and/or the base member using a ball and socket arrangement.

Optionally there is provided a kit of parts as set out above, in combination with a roofing structure or other building covering as set out above, capable of being affixed to walls or to connecting components for walls of such a building.

Optionally, there is provided a building structure constructed from a kit of parts.

Optionally, there is provided a method of constructing a floor or similar platform, which comprises assembling together in sequential stages the components of the kit.

Optionally, there is provided a method of constructing a building structure which comprises assembling together in sequential stages the components of a kit.

Optionally, there is provided a method of constructing a building structure, which comprises assembling together in sequential stages a kit of parts as set out above.

Optionally there is provided a method of constructing a floor or similar platform as set out above, or a method of constructing a building structure as set out above, without the use of powered tools.

Optionally, a plurality of ground-contactable support members are deployed and the feet of said support members are pivoted or otherwise angled with respect to a horizontal plane, such that the floor or platform or building structure is assembled upon uneven ground, with appropriate deployment of said seating means of the elongate coupling members if required to provide a floor or other platform which is substantially level.

In order that the invention, further aspects of it and preferred and optional feature thereof may be illustrate, more easily understood and readily made and used by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the kits and assembled buildings thereof will now be described purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 comprises the following Figures 1A to 1G, wherein references hereinafter to Figure 1 refer to Figures 1A to 1G accordingly.

Figure 1A is a schematic representation, in partial exploded view, of a building unit shelter partially constructed from a corresponding kit of parts, according to a preferred aspect of the invention; Figure lB is a plan view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure 1C is a sectional view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure 1D is a sectional view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure 1E is a sectional view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure iF is a sectional view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure 1G is an enlarged edge view of an element of the schematic of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a schematic representation, also in partial exploded sectional view, of part of the shelter more fully assembled from components depicted in figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic representation, also in partial exploded side evaluation of the partial shelter depicted in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end elevation of a fully assembled shelter; Figure 5 is an end view of a roof panel component of the kit; Figure 6 is a detailed close-up of one end of the roof panel component of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of two roof panel components becoming joined together; Figure 8 is a side view of the two panels depicted in Figure 7 once joined; Figure 9 is a partial exploded view of a roof panel structure becoming affixed to the top of a wall; Figure 10 is a view of the roof panel structure of Figure 9 assembled on top of a wall; Figure 11 is a sectional view of a ceiling clasp component shown in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 12 is a sectional view of an eaves plate component shown in Figures 9 and 10; Figure 13 is a partially exploded view of two roof panel components becoming joined at the apex of a sloping roof; and Figure 14 is a sectional view of the two roof panel components assembled at the apex of a sloping roof, suitable for a shelter or other building unit.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figure 1 thereof, there is shown in schematic form a modular building unit partially constructed from a kit according to the principal aspect of the invention. In more detail, in this drawing figure there is shown (in generally ascending order) a plurality of ground contactable support members (1) each located on an uneven ground surface. These support members each comprise a ground contactable foot (2) pivotally mounted (not shown) at the lowermost end of an elongate coupling member (3) These coupling members are in the form of hollow posts which are apertured or indented at spaced locations along their length. The posts could be of metal or other suitable weight bearing material, for example, glass reinforced plastics although other materials are contemplated. Each coupling member (3) is provided with weight bearing seating means (4) which can be displaced lengthwise in relation to the coupling member (3) and releasably fastened at one of multiple positions along the length of the coupling member (3), e.g. by means of a catch (10).

The catch can be spring loaded if required or may comprise some other load bearing element able to engage the apertures or indents in the elongate coupling member. Such load bearing element could be of metal or glass reinforced plastics, for instance.

The partially assembled building unit further comprises a pair of vertically spaced generally horizontaTly extending, resilient tensile members (5), both of which are in the form of resilient plastics tape (16A, 16B). In some embodiments the upper such resilient tape (16B) may be omitted. These tapes have been unwound from an initially coiled form (not shown) to help minimise occupied space in the kits and minimise weight. Each of the two spaced tensile connected members (5) are provided with a plurality of spaced apertures (12). In the case of the lower tensile connecting tape (5, 16A), the elongate coupling member (3) of the ground contactable support member (1) is arranged to pass through and project substantially beyond an aperture in that tensile tape. Similarly, the other spaced ground contactable support members are arranged to pass through and project substantially beyond other such apertures (12) in the lower tensile tape (16A). The lower tensile tape (16A) is arranged to be seated upon the adjustable seating means (4) of the ground contactable support members (1).

This provides support for not only the lower tensile tape (16A) but also for all components situated thereabove in the fully assembled modular building shown.

Since seating means (4) of each respective ground contactable support member is independently adjustable lengthwise relative to the elongate coupling member (3), it will be apparent that the height of the seating means with respect to the ground contactable foot in the plurality of support members (1) can be the same or different. The capacity of the height to be different provides the facility for the modular building unit to be assembled upon uneven ground or other rough terrain.

It will also be appreciated that permanent foundations are not required for the building unit, which is a particular advantage.

The modular building unit shown further includes a plurality of floor beams (9) shown in greater detail in the corresponding sectional view. The floor beams comprise spaced generally parallel flanges, namely an upper flange (14) and a lower flange (15), said lower flange being of greater width than the upper flange.

The floor beam comprises two opposing channel sections (9A) spaced apart by an internal chamber (13) bounded by the upper and lower flanges (14, 15) and by edge portions of the spaced channel sections (9A).

Although not shown in the enlarged sectional view in Figure 1, the upper and lower flanges (14) and (15) are centrally apertured in communication with the hollow chamber portion to receive therein the upstanding portion of an elongate coupling member (3) itself projecting beyond the aperture in the lower tensile tape (16A). Part of the elongate coupling member projects above the uppermost flange (14) of the beam (9) for purposes described hereafter.

A floor panel (7) is constructed of suitable weight-bearing, lightweight material such as foam filled glass reinforced plastics material to provide modular floor sections of the modular building unit. Consequently, the chamfered edge (8) of the floor panel (7) is adapted to seat by simple push fit within one of the channel sections (9A) in the floor beam (9). The lower flange (15) of the beam (9) provides weight-bearing capacity whilst its upper flange (14) provides a short extension and neat finish to the uppermost surface of the floor panel (7).

Seated above the floor beam (9) is a lower panel section retainer (22) including wall panel receiving channel section (22A) within which the lowermost edge of a corresponding wall panel (19) may be located by simple push fit. Although not apparant from Figure 1, this panel section retainer (22) is also apertured at spaced locations along its length to accommodate projecting parts of elongate coupling members (3) which pass through such apertures (not shown) to receive a wall panel supporting post as subsequently described.

The partially assembled building unit/shelter can be further ascertained from Figures 2 and 3, although in these arrangements a wall panel is comprised of two joined smaller wall panel sections. Also in these figure 2 and 3 arrangements the upper tensile tape (5, 16B) is optional.

In order to provide supporting means for the wall panels (19), the modular building unit includes a plurality of spaced apart generally upright posts (17) in the form of hollow tubular columns with radially extending flanges (18). The flanges (18) can extend at 900 and/or 180 around the post. Each post (17) is adapted to seat upon that portion of the elongate coupling member (3) which projects above the lower channel section retainer (22). Being hollow, the posts (17) can simply be lowered upon such projecting parts of the ground contactable support members for a close fit as more particularly shown in Figure 2.

As shown in the enlarged edge detail of a wall panel (19), a slot (20) is provided lengthwise of the panel at each side edge, such that the post flanges (18) can be a push or slide fit therein by offering the corresponding edge of the wall panel up to the post (17). In this manner the flanges (18) become embedded within the wall panel (19), and the side edge of the panel abuts the perimeter of the post providing a neat finish as between the posts and wall panels, as the flanges ideally become hidden from view in the fully assembled building unit.

At the uppermost end of the posts (17), the upper tensile tape (5,16B) (Figure 1 particularly) is located and becomes secured thereto by restraint pins (21), more particularly shown in Figure 2. The restraint pin (21) also passes through an upper wall retainer (23). The upper wall retainer (23) defines a channel section in similar configuration to the channel section (22A) of the lower channel section retainer (22) but reversed and so adapted to seat uppermost edge of a wall panel (19) in that channel section (not shown) by simple push fit. The figure 2 arrangement also depicts an intermediate Joining segment (24) to be described hereafter.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, the modular building unit can be constructed using separate, smaller sized upper and lower wall panel components [principally for ease of storage and transportation] to make one completed wall panel. Thus, as shown in the partial exploded view of Figure 2, one composite wall panel is constructed from two adjacent interconnected wall panels (19), each of which is associated with separate coupling posts (17), but joined through the intermediary of such 3olning segment (24).

In order to provide a rigid connection between adjacent upper and lower such wall panels, an intermediate joining segment (24) comprising oppositely located channel sctions is used. The oppositely located channel sections are defined by a pair of opposing side flanges interconnected by a horizontally extending web that partly defines each such channel portion. The horizontal web is apertured at spaced locations along its length so that retaining means for every pair of adjacent upper and lower wall panels can be located therein. Such retaining means of the illustrated embodiment comprise a further retaining pin (25) partly situated within an interior hollow portion of oppositely located wall panel coupling posts (17).

In order to expand the size of the total available floor platform and so create modular building units of differing capacity, supplementary flooring beams (9) can be deployed as shown in Figure 2 between adjacent floor panels (7). The overall floor can thus comprise multiple adjacent floor panels in multiple similar configurations.

Door frames and/or window frames can be cut into the wall panels and fitted as required as shown for example in Figure 4. In order to resist penetration of rain or floodwaters at floor level, a floor flashing trim (29) can be deployed (Figure 2) between the lower channel section retainer (22) and the floor beam (9) with the coupling member (3) projecting there through.

In order to provide a covering for the modular building unit, a roof structure can be supplied and fitted as generally indicated below.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a roof can conveniently be constructed from a plurality of roofing panel components (100). The panels can be formed with a top layer (101) made of GRP, a bottom layer (102) also made of GRP but an internal core (103) made of insulating foam. Styrofoam may be used for the core (103) but polyurethane is preferred. The core can be bonded to top layer (101) and bottom layer (102) using adhesives but is preferably injection moulded into place. The top layer (101) is preferably longer at two ends than the rest of the panel (100).

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that side portions (104) of the roof panel (100) have inter-engagable "U" shaped formations at their uppermost ends which permit formation of an interlock between adjacent roof panels. This join can be formed as a "knuckle-joint" standing seam interlock that can hold roof panel components in place restricting relative lateral movement.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the base of the roof panel (100) is held in place by connection to the top of a wall of the modular unit. The base of the roof (100) is held by a ceiling clasp (200), which has a base and a perpendicular projection from one end. The arrangement is such that once in place, lateral movement of the roof panel (100) will be prevented.

The ceiling clasp (200) is slideably engageable via ball-and-socket joint as shown with an eaves plate (201), adapted to be seated on top of a wall and fastened thereto to close it off. The ball-and-socket joint allows a degree of flexibility in placement of the roof, creating a hinge effect and thus permitting a number of angles of roof elevation to be adopted between about 10 and 30 degrees. Once an optimal angle is attained, a wing nut (300) is screwed through the ceiling clasp (200) into a thread plate (not shown) within the foam core (103) of the roof panel (100), thereby securing the roof panel firmly in place. The hinge effect of the kit components (200) and (201) allows the roof assembly to be adjusted to a variety of angles and so allows a variance in width of the modular building. It is envisaged that, without limitation, widths of 2.4 and 3.65 metres will generally be used.

As previously noted, it can be seen from Figures 9 and 10 that the top layer (101) of the roof panel (100) projects beyond the rest of the panel (100) to permit rain run off from the building, much like a permanent building conventional roof. The extension, without limitation, is preferably 100 to 200mm beyond the rest of the panel (100).

Figures 11 and 12 show enlarged cross sectional details of the ceiling clasp and eaves plate, respectively, identifying their preferred profiles. They can be fabricated from extruded GRP for example. Itis envisaged that the method and components used to create and secure the roof assembly to the building should enable it to withstand wind loadings well in excess of 100 mph.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, it can be seen that the top of the roof is formed by seating two opposed roof panels (100) against an end plate (400).

The end plate (400) sits at a vertical orientation between the two opposed roof panels (100) and has ball type projections (401) at either end to interlock with corresponding socket type formations in a ridge capping plate (500). The ridge capping plate (500) covers the join of the panels and protects against entry of rain. The two panels (100) are connected to the end plate (400) and to each other via a ridge base plate (600). The ridge base plate (600) is connected to the base of the end plate (400) by a ball and socket type joint. Wing nuts (300) are then screwed through holes in the ridge base plate (600) into a thread plate (not shown) affixed within the foam core (103) of each roof panel (100).

It is envisaged that all components of the kits such as posts, columns, beams, ceiling clasps, eaves plates, end plates, ridge capping plates, ridge base plates and so on are made of GRP or aluminium. These materials are lightweight, strong and water resistant.

The modular system of building units, and kits-of-parts for their assembly, has been developed to be straightforward in erection. The system lends itself to a variety of uses ranging from garden office, site office, (i.e. as a replacement for a portable cabin), classrooms, clinics, bus shelters, smoking shelters, cycle sheds; in fact, almost any housing where a temporary structure is needed but not requiring permanent foundations. Being of a modular construction, the modular units can be erected in a variety of shapes and sizes, for example, square, rectangular and L' shape.

One possible use is as a shelter to be of help in man-made or natural disaster situations, mainly seen in developing countries. In that example the modular building units can be deployed primarily as easily transportable holding accommodation, more substantial than a tent, and can be relied upon as a permanent settlement for periods of several years such as up to 15 years.

In most disaster zones the replacement of accommodation takes months, if not years to complete and the present modular building units can be transported in kit form to be erected on site as a shelter by unskilled labour without powered tools. This provides intermediate but rapid relief in housing, particularly for relief agencies as temporary tents, makeshift shelters and the like can be removed and inhabitants encouraged to house themselves.

The benefits of kits suitable for constructing modular building units such as a shelter include the following: 1) Can be transported directly to the required site, as all components can be stackable and packed in cubes.

2) Tools are not required, although a hop-up (milk crate or similar on the finished floor) will aid roof installation.

3) Once demonstrated to inhabitants, little skill is required to erect the shelter.

4) Standard unit of (12 sq. metres) can easily be built in a day by two people.

5) Each unit may be tailored to specific situations, or locations.

6) No foundations are required; therefore there is no remedial work to return the site to previous use.

7) Due to lightweight, even children can help with construction and further disasters and accidental demolition is unlikely to represent a major difficulty.

8) All individual components can be interchangeable, thus encouragingflexibility with door and window positions in the built unit.

9) Once construction is complete, the entire standard unit can be man handled and re-levelled if required.

10) Adjustments to the tie-down system can be made from time to time to take account, e.g. of minor earth movements.

11) The principal unit floor (or platform) size can be increased according to the load-bearing capacity of the local area, and demand for temporary sheltering.

The modular building unit, e.g. for use as a shelter, is based on a pre-positioned post tension principle of construction; the basic elements to achieve structural rigidity are outlined below. All measurements are offered as a non-limiting guide only and may vary according to design needs.

The upper (if deployed) and lower tensile tapes have pre-positioned holes spaced at grid positions (1.200M). These tapes are 60mm wide and 1mm thick and can be produced in lengths exceeding 6.000M. If longer units are required, then tapes can be overlapped at grid positions to achieve this.

The tapes are resilient but flexible which enables them to be coiled to assist packing, transport and use.

The 26mm diameter holes are to take adjustable support legs at ground level and restraint pins at eaves level.

Cruciform posts are 26mm diameter tubes cut to the height of the wall required and receive the ends of the adjustable support legs at base, and restraint pins at eaves.

Cruciform posts have continuous webs to suit corner, straight or tee-junction wall locations.

The sandwich laminated floor and wall panels are pultruded laminated sandwich panels, produced to a width module of 1.20DM minus post diameter (walls) and beam web thickness (floors).

Walt panels are nominally 1.950M high and are grooved along both edges to take the cruciform posts. To provide lateral restraint, completed wails are held in Ul channels at head (eaves), and at base (sole).

Floor panels are nominally 2.400M long and can be a frictional push fit within the flanges of the floor beams. Lengths of 3.6 metres are envisaged where wider buildings are required.

Once all the above components (tapes, beams, pins, wail and floor panels) are in place, each completed element (i.e. the wall and/or floor of a module) act as a structural plate and allows superimposed loading, including occupants.

Claims

1. A kit of parts suitable for assembly into a modular building unit comprising at least one floor or other platform, the kit comprising (a) a plurality of ground-contactable support members which comprise a ground-contactable foot from which an elongate coupling member extends having seating means; (b) a plurality of resilient tensile connecting members adapted to receive said coupling members; (c) a plurality of elongate floor or platform supports adapted to receive said coupling members and engage the seating means, said floor or platform supports being adapted to receive and retain, in use, an edge of a floor or platform panel, and (d) at least one floor or platform panel, the edges of which being locatable within a said floor or platform support.

2. A kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distance between the seating means of at least one ground-contactable support member and the foot thereof is adjustable.

3. A kit as claimed in Claim 1. or 2, wherein at least one foot of the ground contactable feet of the support member is pivotally mounted to said elongate coupling member.

4. A kit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the floor or platform supports are in the form of beams with at least one channel portion within which said edge of a floor or platform panel can be received and retained.

5. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the seating means of the ground contactable support means is adjustable in position by means of a quick release catch optionally spring loaded.

6. A kit as claimed in Claim 5, in which the catch is able to move and engage a plurality of spaced apertures or indents provided in the elongate coupling member.

7. A kit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tensile members and/or the floor or platform supports are apertured to be capable of receiving in said aperture(s) a coupling member.

8. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, in which the beams comprise oppositely located spaced apart channel sections.

9. A kit as claimed in Claim 8, in which the beams comprise a chamber between channel sections, capable of receiving said coupling member in such manner whereby the coupling member can pass through apertures in upper and lower flanges of the beam member, which flanges partly define said chamber such that edges of floor or platform panels when seated in corresponding channels in said beams remain spaced apart from the coupling member.

10. A kit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the tensile connecting members are in the form of a tape or band.

11. A kit as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the tape or band is coiled but capable of being unrolled into generally linear form, and capable of being cut to required length.

12. A kit as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the band or tape is of resilient non-flexible plastics material such as of polyvinylchloride or polypropylene.

13. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the tape or band is apertured at spaced locations.

14. A kit as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the floor or platform panel comprises a substantially rigid generally planar panel, optionally with chamfered edges.

15. A kit as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the panel is constructed of composite material comprising glass reinforced plastic.

16. A floor or other platform assembly which has been assembled from the components of a kit as defined in any preceding Claim.

17. A kit of parts suitable for assembly into a building structure, which comprises a kit as claimed in any one of Claims Ito 15, together with: (e) a plurality of posts adapted to connect to said elongate coupling member and including means for attaching thereto a wall panel; (f) a plurality of such wall panels, each such panel including means for connection with such posts; (g) a plurality of tensile members adapted to join together the upper ends of said posts (e); and (h) means for securing the tensile members at least to said posts.

18. A kit as claimed in Claim 17 further including: (i) a lower channel section retainer in which a lowermost edge of a wall panel can be seated; and (j) an upper channel section retainer in which an uppermost edge of a wall panel can be seated.

19. A kit as claimed in Claim 18, further including: (k) an intermediary channel section retainer adapted to couple together a pair of adjacently stacked wall panels.

20. A kit as claimed in Claim 19, further comprising retaining means adapted to pass through said intermediary retainer and into respectively the uppermost edge of a lower wall panel and the lowermost edge of an upper wall panel.

21. A building structure which has been assembled from the components of a kit as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20.

22. A kit of parts suitable for assembly into a building structure, which kit comprises a kit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15 in association with a kit as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20.

23. A kit of parts for forming a roofing structure or other building covering.

24. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 23, wherein the or each roofing panel component has a top layer and a bottom layer.

25. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 24 wherein said top layer and said bottom layer are each formed of glass reinforced plastic.

26. A kit of parts as claimed in claims 24 or 25 wherein the or each roofing panel component has an insulating core.

27. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 26 wherein said insulating core is injection molded into place between the top layer and bottom layer.

28. A kit of parts as claimed in claims 24 to 27 wherein said top layer is longer than said bottom layer.

29. A kit of parts as claimed in claims 23 to 28 wherein the or each roofing panel component comprises a formation along one or more edges, which formation is inter-engageable with such a formation on another roofing panel component.

30. A kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 23 to 29 further comprising a first member for securing to one of said roofing panel components and a second member for securing to a wall, said first member being hinged to said second member.

31. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 30 wherein said first member and/or said second member are formed of glass reinforced plastic or aluminium.

32. A kit of parts as claimed in claims 23 to 31 further comprising a connecting assembly for joining two roofing panel components, the connecting assembly comprising a base member adapted to be secured to an adjacent edge of each roofing panel component, an end plate shaped to sit between the adjacent edges, and a capping member, which end place connects the capping member to the base member.

33. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 32 wherein said end plate connects to the capping member and/or the base member using a ball and socket arrangement.

34. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 or 17 to 22, in combination with a roofing structure or other building covering as claimed in claims 23 to 33, capable of being affixed to walls or to connecting components for walls of such a building.

35. A building structure constructed from a kit of parts as claimed in Claim 34.

36. A method of constructing a floor or similar platform as described in Claim 1, which comprises assembling together in sequential stages the components of the kit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15.

37. A method of constructing a building structure as described in Claim 17 which comprises assembling together in sequential stages the components of a kit as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20.

38. A method of constructing a building structure as described in Claim 37, which comprises assembling together in sequential stages a kit of parts as claimed in Claim 37.

39. A method of constructing a floor or similar platform as claimed in Claim 36, or a method of constructing a building structure as claimed in Claim 37 or Claim 38, without the use of powered tools.

40. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 36 to 39, wherein a plurality of ground-contactable support members are deployed and the feet of said support members are pivoted or otherwise angled with respect to a horizontal plane, such that the floor or platform or building structure is assembled upon uneven ground, with appropriate deployment of said seating means of the elongate coupling members if required to provide a floor or other platform which is substantially level.

41. A kit of parts as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15 or 17 to 20 or 34, substantially as herein illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.

42. A floor or similar platform as claimed in Claim 16, or a building structure as claimed in Claim 21 or 34, substantially as herein illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method of constructing a floor or similar platform as claimed in Claim 36 or 39, or a method of constructing a building structure as claimed in Claim 37 or 38 or 40 substantially as herein described and/or substantially as herein illustrated in any figure of the accompanying drawings.