GB2453103A - A timber structure to support panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure that utilises timber members (1 and 2 figure 2) and steel connecting plates (5 and 6 figure 2) in conjunction with steel tension rods (3 and 4 figure 2) to provide support to panels, which are preferably made from glass. The structure is preferably in the form of a dome, hemisphere or arched shape. The timber members (1 and 2 figure 2) are preferably connected to a node member (8 figure 4) by screws. The connecting plates (5 and 6 figure 2) preferably have two or four arms each with a hole to connect with a pin of the tension rods (3 and 4 figure 2). The arms of the connecting plates (5 and 6 figure 2) may be inclined to the main body wherein the angle of inclination is to suit the dome radius. The connecting plates (5 and 6 figure 2) are preferably screwed to the node member (8 figure 4).

Description

A structure to support panels This invenlion relates to a structure to support panels to form a dome or similar curved shape, particularly, but not limited to the support of glass panels.

There are several methods currently used for supporting panels to form the shape of a dome or similar curved form but these generally use steel or aluminium for the primar members. These are expensive and time-consuming to manufacture. This invention uses timber for the primary members together with adjustable steel tension rods or cables to stabilise and stiffen the structure and therefore make it capable of supporting panels.

This invention can also be used with steel cables with in-line adjusters in lieu of the steel tension rods with adjustable fork ends.

This invention can be used to form a spherical, hemispherical or arched form.

The structure can be used with any number and size of panels and with any magnitude of applied loading. The configuration of the structure and the size and length of individual components used can be adjusted to suit each individual application.

The shape of the individual plates can also be amended to suit aesthetic requirements.

This invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows the overall configuration to provide 100 panel dome structure.

Figure 2 shows an enlargement of panels at the base of the dome showing the principal components.

Figure 3 shows an enlargement of panels at the apex of the dome showing the principal components.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a connection between timbers at the base of the *SSS. dome. * **..

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of a connection between timbers above the base level of the dome and below the apex level.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a connection between timbers at the apex level.

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: .... Figure 7 shows a details of the radiai (vertical)members.

*S. * . . . . Figure 8 shows a details of the circumferential (honzontal) sliding plates.

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Figure 9 shows a detail of a connecting plate with two connecting arms. 2.

Figure 10 shows a detail of a connecting plate with four connecting arms.

Figure 11 shows a detail of an apex member.

Figure 12 shows a detail of the node member.

Figure 13 shows a detail of the apex connector.

In Figure 2 a typical panel at the base of the structure comprises radial members I and circumferential members 2, inner tension rods 3 and outer tension rods 4. There are connecting plates at the base nodes of the structure 5 and at other nodes 6.

In Figure 3 a typical panel at the apex of the structure comprises radial members 1 and circumferential members 2, inner tension rods 3 and outer tension rods 4. There are connecting plates at the upper node of these panels 5 and at other nodes 6.

In Figure 4 the exploded view comprises radial membeis 1, circumferential members 2, connecting plates 5 and node member 8.

In FigureS the exploded view comprises radial members 1, circumferential members 2, connecting plates 6 and node member 8.

In Figure 6 the exploded view comprises radial members 1, circumferential members 2, connecting plates 5, node member 8, apex member 10 and apex connector 9.

The radial members, circumferential members, node members, apex members and apex connector are all timber members. The radial members have a splayed cut at each end whilst the circumferential members have a mitred cut. The node members have a straight cut at each end.. When butted together the radial, circumferential and node members form the shape of the dome with the outer face facing away from the dome centrepoint. The apex members are similar to the radial members but have upper end cut to allow them to butt up to adjacent members when they come together to form the apex. The apex connector is a single piece of timber cut in a regular polygon to suit number of apex members connecting to the apex.

* .. The connecting plates are from steel and have either two arms or four arms. The aims each have a drilled hole to connect with the pin of the tension rods. The arms are inclined to the main body of the connecting plate with the axis of bending along the edge of the main body. The angle of inclination is to suit the dome radius. The main * body of the connecting plate has four holes drilled to allow screw connections to * made between the connecting plate and the node member.

S. S5* * I The timber members of the dome are connected together initially using standard wood screws. The connections are made from the outside face of the node connector at an . angle so that the screw connects into the end of each incoming member along the *: * central axis of the member. The head of the each screw is driven down so it does not project outside the face of the node connector. The apex members are connected to the apex connector in a similar fashion with the screws being driven from the top of the apex connector into the ends of the apex members.

The connecting plates are then connected to the outside and inside face of the node members using the four wood screws in each through the four holes provided into the connecting plates.

The steel tension rods are then connected to the arms of the connecting plates.

With the structure fully assembled the tension rods are adjusted so that each panel is geometrically correct measured across the diagonals. The tensioning operation is then carried out following an incremental, sequential methodology so that the geometry of each panel remains correct.

The magnitude of the tension force to be developed is a function of the size of the structure, the weight of the panels and applied loading that the structure will be subject to and will be determined for each individual application by structural analysis. This force is checked in-situ by using a strain gauge on the tension rods.

Once the required tension force is achieved the structure can be securely fixed to the supporting foundation structure. * *. * * * * ** * *** * * **.. S. * * * S.

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Claims (2)

1. Claims 1. A structure to support panels, the structure using timber for the primary members.
2. 2. A structure according to Claim I which has a system of steel tension rods which introduce forces into the structure providing strength and stability. * ** * * * * S. *aS * S *SS. S. 5 * S S * *5 * S * S. * S

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