GB2556049A

GB2556049A - A column assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2556049A
Application number: GB1619271.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Spencer Stephen
Original assignee: Oblyt Ltd
Current assignee: Oblyt Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-14
Filing date: 2016-11-14
Publication date: 2018-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-14
Also published as: GB2559447A; GB2556049B; GB201716602D0; GB2559447B

Abstract

A column assembly 10 for buildings comprises a column 16 and a wing 30 affixed to the column. The column comprises a column portion located between base and head plates 12, 14 at opposite ends. The column portion is formed from a set of laterally-projecting fins 18, 20, 22. The wing comprises a main body whose height corresponds to that of the column portion, and a laterally projecting connector 32. In use, the connector is affixed to a fin of the column portion. A joining portion may connect the middle of the first fin to the second and third fins. The column portion may be formed from a pair of interconnected folded plates. The wing may be formed from concrete and the column may be formed from steel. A structural system comprising base and head slabs and a plurality of column assemblies is also claimed.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Oblyt Ltd

24, King Street, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7DZ, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Stephen John Spencer (56) Documents Cited:

GB 1367253 A WO 2007/077486 A1 US 20130014466 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E04B, E04C Other: WPI, EPODOC

GB 1153869 A US 4430834 A1 (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Hutchinson IP Ltd

Hoghton Street, SOUTHPORT, Merseyside, PR9 0PG, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A column assembly Abstract Title: Column assembly (57) A column assembly 10 for buildings comprises a column 16 and a wing 30 affixed to the column. The column comprises a column portion located between base and head plates 12, 14 at opposite ends. The column portion is formed from a set of laterally-projecting fins 18, 20, 22. The wing comprises a main body whose height corresponds to that of the column portion, and a laterally projecting connector 32. In use, the connector is affixed to a fin of the column portion. A joining portion may connect the middle of the first fin to the second and third fins. The column portion may be formed from a pair of interconnected folded plates. The wing may be formed from concrete and the column may be formed from steel. A structural system comprising base and head slabs and a plurality of column assemblies is also claimed.

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FIGURE 4

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FIGURE 6

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100

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112

H6< L14

FIGURE 10

Title: A column assembly

Description:

This invention relates to a column assembly and in particular, but without limitation to, a column assembly suitable for use in the construction of a building.

With the ever-increasing demand for accommodation and working space, many new buildings are erected each year. However, with building and land costs escalating and environmental and ecological concerns, many traditional construction materials and skills are becoming more difficult and expensive to procure and the availability of land suitable for building is diminishing.

Consequently, more and more high-rise buildings and dense housing estates comprising many uniform buildings are being developed to maximise yield from available plots of land.

It is appreciated that such uniform building types lack distinctive character and can be unattractive, particularly to homebuyers, leading to developers looking for alternative construction methods to produce non-uniform building types that use materials and space more efficiently.

The problem facing architects and construction workers when developing non-uniform buildings is ensuring that any modifications do not have a deleterious effect on structural strength.

For example, when considering alternative construction methods it is critical that the load of the building is fully supported and additionally braced to resist wind loads.

Traditionally, masonry has been used to construct buildings. This method of construction involves forming all exterior and interior walls with masonry materials, and providing steel, concrete, or wooden lintels, where required, to support wall openings. These building techniques have been used for centuries but trends in the construction industry in recent years have moved toward more efficient use of materials and skills, speed of construction (reduced time on site), better planning of accessible service routes to cater for increases in the scope of building services and compliance with more demanding national building regulations have resulted in fewer buildings being constructed in this traditional manner.

More commonly, buildings are constructed using timber or steel framing. For example, in the construction of residential dwellings, a timber framework is assembled to provide a skeleton for a building. Following assembly of the frame, the floors, interior and exterior walls and roof of the building are built-up and doors and windows are installed into the openings provided. The timber frame is the load bearing element of the structure, supporting both passive and load-bearing walls between the floors and roof, together with racking resistance to wind loads.

There are many advantages of using this method in the construction of buildings, including:

reduction in masonry materials, sustainability of building materials used, ready routes for wiring and plumbing, easy fitting of door and windows, ability to use prefabricated floor 'cassettes' and preassembled trussed rafter roofs.

However, this method also suffers from several drawbacks. For example, each frame must be customised for each building, which can be error-prone and time-consuming, particularly when working on a housing development project incorporating different building sizes. Moreover, it is often necessary to assemble the framework on site, thus relying on external manufacturing and delivery deadlines being met to meet project deadlines. Further, particularly in relation to steel framing, once the framework has been assembled, the layout of the building can't be readily altered

It is also possible to pre-fabricate a building framework and transport it to a site, but this requires the framework to be fully customised, such that upon arrival on site it can be readily erected. Although, this reduces the amount of time spent assembling the framework on site, because the frame is fully customised for a specific building type, it can only be assembled in one way. This means that given the earlier example of a housing development project, due to cost and time restrictions, it is likely that the same customised framework will be adopted for all or most of the houses in that project. Although, in some instances uniformity can be beneficial, as mentioned earlier, it is becoming increasingly important for buildings, and more particularly homes, to possess a degree of individuality.

A need therefore arises for an alternative and or improved type of structural system for constructing buildings, and it is an object of the invention to provide such an alternative and/or improved structural system and/or to solve one or more of the above problems.

Aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a column assembly for buildings comprising a column and a wing affixed to the column, the column comprising a base plate; a head plate; and a column portion interposed between the base plate and the head plate, the column portion comprising a plurality of laterally-projecting fins; the wing comprising: a main body whose height substantially corresponds to the height of the column portion; and a laterally-projecting connector, wherein the laterally-projecting connector of the wing is affixed, in use, to a laterally projecting fin of the column.

Like with known prefabricated systems, it is envisaged that the column assembly may be in part or fully fabricated offsite. Preferably, the column, that is the column portion, base and head plate; and the wings may be pre-assembled off-site and suitably fitted together on-site. The advantage of this is that the state of the column assembly may be adaptable to suit logistical requirements.

The column is suitably manufactured from steel and assembled by welding the base of the column portion to the base plate and the head of the column portion to the head plate.

The base and head plate of the column are preferably generally square and further comprise a plurality of through-holes. When affixed, the column portion is suitably angularly offset to the base and head plate.

Suitably, the column portion of the column is formed from a pair of interconnected folded plates. Each plate comprising half of a first fin and one of a second or third fin, and a joining portion.

When the two portions of the column are interconnected, for example via welding, the resulting structure preferably provides a 'headless man' formation. By headless man, it is meant a column having a central (body) joining portion, a pair of (leg) fins extending from one end of the joining portion at an angle (for example, at 45-degrees), and a pair of coplanar (arm) fins extending substantially perpendicularly from the other end of the joining portion. However, it is also envisaged that the column may be manufactured as a unitary structure, for example by extrusion.

Thus, the invention provides a column having several fins configured to provide eight connection surfaces to which a laterally-projecting connector of any one of the wings may be affixed, in use.

Suitably, the offset of the column portion relative to the base and head plate is such that the first fin of the column portion is arranged at an acute angle to the edge of the base and head plate and the second and third fins of the column portion are arranged at substantially 90-degrees to the edge of the base and head plate. Preferably, the acute angle is substantially 45-degrees.

The fully-assembled column is suitably, approximately between 2000 to 3000mm in height, such that when vertically aligned between an upper surface of a lower level of a building and an underside surface of an upper level of a building, the base plate of the column abuts with the upper surface of a lower level of a building of the building and the head plate abuts with the underside surface of an upper level of a building.

Preferably, each fin of the column portion comprises two connection surfaces, that is a connection surface on both opposing faces of the fin. Suitably, each connection surface comprises a means for mating with the connector of a wing.

The wings of the invention are suitably manufactured from reinforced concrete and are approximately substantially between 400 to 700mm and preferably 500mm in width and substantially between 80 to 110mm in thickness.

The laterally-projecting connector of the wing provides a means of connection between the wing and any one of the fins of the column. In use, the laterally-projecting connector is suitably connected to any one of the fins of the column by: nuts and bolts, by mechanical fasteners, and/or by welding. However, it is appreciated that any connection means may be employed to the same effect, without extending beyond the scope of the invention. Preferably, a plurality of laterallyprojecting connectors are provided, spaced-apart, along the entire length of an edge of the wing, but it is appreciated that a single continuous laterally-projecting connector extending the length of the wing may be provided.

In one embodiment, the laterally-projecting connector is integrally formed with the main body portion of the wing. Whereby, upon casting the main body portion of the wing, the connector is at least partially embedded within the main body portion of the wing by concrete, or other setting material of the like and comprises a free end connectable to a fin of the column, in use.

In another embodiment, the laterally-projecting connector of the wing comprises a bracket, such as an angle iron, in which a first part of the angle iron is suitably bolted to a side edge of the wing and a second part of the angle iron is connectable to a fin of the column, in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a column assembly for buildings comprising a column and a wing affixed to the column, the column comprising a base plate; a head plate; and a column portion interposed between the base plate and the head plate, the column portion comprising a plurality of laterally-projecting fins; the wing comprising: a main body whose height substantially corresponds to the height of the column portion; and a laterallyprojecting connector, wherein the laterally-projecting connector of the wing is unitarily formed with a corresponding laterally projecting fin of the column.

Suitably, the column assembly comprises a unitary structure, in which the components of the column and corresponding laterally-projecting connectors of the wing are moulded in unison to provide a whole assembly. Providing a unitary column assembly may further reduce on-site time delays, as it may be possible to deliver a set of unitary column assemblies that corresponds to the building plan, thus negating the need to assemble the column assemblies on-site.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural system, suitable for use in a building construction comprising a base slab; a head slab; and a plurality of column assemblies as hereinbefore described, interposed between and operatively connecting the base slab to the head slab.

The base slab and head slab are suitably made from reinforced concrete and are configured to provide a solid footing onto which a plurality of column assemblies may be mounted. Suitably, the base and head slabs comprise a plurality of corners and most preferably, the base and head slabs are pentagonal. Suitably, there is a column assembly located at each corner of the base and head slab.

Each corner of the base and head slab suitably comprises a plurality of pockets in which threaded fasteners may be set in epoxy grout.

Each of the column assemblies is suitably configured such that the base plate of the column is affixed to the base slab of the structural system and the head plate of the column is affixed to the head slab of the structural system. In use, the base plate and head plate of the column is suitably affixed to the base and head slab of the structural system respectively, by passing a fixing through the through hole of the base and head plate of the column into and into engagement with a correspondingly aligned threaded resin socket of the base and head slab respectively.

Suitably, where a wing is provided, said wing may be braced to a corresponding base slab by a bracing means adapted to pull and clamp the wing to the base slab, in use.

Where two or more column assemblies are provided, the wing of a first column assembly suitably projects away from the column by up to substantially half of the distance between an adjacent second column assembly.

The base and head slabs can be manufactured in predetermined shapes and sizes and then brought to site and arranged with their respective edges aligned with each other. Preferably, a gap will be provided between adjacent slabs, such to preserve acoustic qualities. Suitably, an acoustic sealant may be used to seal the gaps between adjacent slabs.

Where a building comprises more than one storey, suitably two or more columns may be vertically aligned. In which two or more columns may be stacked on top of each other: the head plate of a lower one of two vertically aligned columns can be affixed to the underside of a head slab, and the base plate of an upper one of two vertically aligned columns can be connected to the upper side of the said slab. By vertically aligning the columns, one on top of the other, it is appreciated that the load of each storey will be transmitted through the correspondingly aligned columns directly to the foundations.

Suitably, atop the uppermost head slab of the highest storey there is a thermally insulating layer, a water-proof membrane and a roof structure capable of shedding rainwater.

The invention therefore provides a column assembly suitable for use in a structural system to construct a building casing. Because the structural system is suitably adapted to only provide a structurally supportive casing for a building, that is to provide the load bearing elements of the building, it could be considered to provide several advantages over known systems.

Firstly, because the column assembly of the invention may be self-bracing, the amount of material required to achieve the structural integrity of the building may be comparatively less than with conventional methods.

Secondly, the column assembly may provide a standardised structural system, thus relatively minimising the time required to assemble a framework, whilst not constraining the as -built configuration of the building.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a column in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan-view of the column of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a connector of a wing, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a column assembly incorporating the connector of

Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial plan-view of the column assembly incorporating the connector of Figures and 4;

Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the connector of the wing, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a partial plan view of the column assembly, incorporating the connector of Figure

6;

Figure 8 is a further plan view of a structural system, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 9 is a partial front view of the bracing means, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a multi-storey building, incorporating the column assemblies, in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the column of the invention comprises a base plate 12, a head plate 14 and a column portion 16, interposed between and interconnecting the base plate 12 and the head plate 14. The base plate 12 is located at the foot of the column portion 16 and the head plate 14 is located at the head of the column portion 16.

The upper and lower edges of the column portion 16 are suitably permanently affixed to the base 12 and head plate 14 respectively, in which the column portion 16 is substantially offset from the centre of the base 12 and head 14 plate.

The column portion 16 comprises three fins 18, 20, 22 radially projecting from a joining portion 24, providing a plurality of connection surfaces 26, that is, a connection surface 26 located at each the front and rear surfaces of each fin 18, 20, 22. It is noted that each half of the first fin 18 comprises two connection surfaces 26, one at each of the front and rear surfaces of one half of the fin 18 and one at each of the front and rear surfaces of the second half of the fin 18.

Because of the offset of the column portion 16 relative to the base 12 and head 14 plate, the fins 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16 project angularly offset to the base 12 and head 14 plate.

The first 18 fin is oriented at substantially 45 degrees to the edge of the base 12 or head 14 plate;

and the second 20 and third 22 fins are oriented at substantially 90 degrees to the base 12 or head

14 plate.

The base 12 and head 14 plate are seen to be generally square and comprises a throughhole 28 located at each corner.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, a wing 30 in accordance with the invention is shown, having a generally cuboidal solid-form main body portion. On a vertical edge of the wing 30 there is provided a plurality of spaced-apart connectors 32. The connector 32 comprises a generally L-shaped bracket, having a first part 36 comprising a through-hole 38, affixed to the vertical edge of the wing 30 and a second part 40 also comprising a through-hole 42, affixed to a one of the fins 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16. In use, the first part 36 of the connector 32 is suitably affixed to the vertical edge of the wing 30 by passing a fixing 44 through the through-hole 38 and into the wing 30. Preferably, a threaded pocket, suitably made from epoxy resin, is provided within the wing 30, configured to receive and engage with the fixing 44 in use.

In Figure 4, a wing 30 is seen affixed to the third 22 fin of the column portion 16, in which a bolt 46 has been passed through the through-hole 42 of the third part 40 of the connector 32 and into a corresponding through hole (not shown) in the fin 22.

Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the wings 30 on the column portion 16, in which a wing 30 is affixed, via a connector 32, to the second fin 20 and second half of the first fin 18 of the column portion 16.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connector 320 of the wing 30 is integrally formed with the main body portion of the wing 30. The connector 320 comprises a non-planar part 322 and planar part 324. The non-planar part 322 protrudes partially into the main body portion of the wing 30. Preferably the non-planar part 322 protrudes up to

300mm into the main body portion of the wing 30. The planar part 324 of the connector 320 projects-laterally from the wing 30 to provide a planar surface to which a fin 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16 is connectable. Like in the earlier described embodiment, the planar part 324 of the connector 320 comprises a through-hole 326 and is affixed to a fin 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16 by passing a bolt 46 through the through-hole 326 of the planar part 324 of the connector

320 into a corresponding through-hole (not shown) of a fin 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16.

A column assembly 10, incorporating this embodiment is shown in Figure 7, in which a first wing 30 is connected to the second 20 fin of the column portion 16 and a second wing 30 is connected to the third 22 fin of the column portion 16.

Figures 5 and 7 show alternative arrangements of how wings 30 may be connected to the fins 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16. It is appreciated that these are examples only and are not considered to be limiting features of the invention. For example, it is possible that in some scenarios fewer than two wings 30 may be provided, and in other scenarios more than two wings 30 may be provided.

A structural system 100, incorporating a plurality of column assemblies 10 in accordance with the invention, is shown in Figure 8. The structural system 100 comprises four base slabs 102,

104, 106, 108. A first 102, second 104 and third 106 pentagonal base slab and a fourth 108 square base slab. A column assembly 10 is located at each corner of each of the base slabs 102, 104, 106,

108. In which, respective wings 30 of respective column assemblies 10 are arranged to follow the outer periphery of the slabs 102, 104, 106, 108. Where relatively lower structural support is required, the column assembly 10 may not comprise wings 30. By only providing wings 30 where necessary, it may be possible to increase the internal capacity of the building and reduce the cost of the building.

Where provided, the wings 30 of the column assembly 10 at least partially project away from a fin 18, 20, 22 of the column portion 16 to provide at least a part of a wall. Suitably, each wing may project up to substantially half of the distance between adjacent column assemblies 10.

Because the load of the building is supported by the column assemblies, it may be possible to build up exterior walls of the building with relatively light-weight materials and/or incorporate large openings. An example of such a layout is shown installed onto a slab 102 in Figure 8, in which between adjacent column assemblies 10 a window 110 incorporated into a stud-wall 112, a door 114 incorporated into a stud wall 116 and a full-length stud wall 118 are installed.

Referring to Figure 9, the bracing means for clamping a wing 30 to a base slab 130 can be seen comprising a threaded portion 132 comprising a threaded nut 134, adapted to move about the threaded portion 132, operatively connected to a curved member 136. The threaded portion 132 is configured to engage with a corresponding threaded pocket 138 in the slab 130. The wing 30 comprises an integrally formed slot 140 and bracing element 142, suitably made from steel wire. The bracing element 142 of the wing 30 is generally bowed, in which the depending part of the bracing element 142, depends into the slot 140 of the wing 30. In use, the slot 140 of the wing 30 is vertically aligned with the threaded pocket 138 of the slab and the bracing element 142 of the wing 30 is attached to the curved member 136, such that when the threaded nut 134 is tightened, the bracing element 142 becomes taut and when the threaded nut 134 is loosened the bracing element 142 is loosened. It is appreciated that when the bracing element 142 is taut, the wing 30 is actively pulled into the base slab 130, thus clamping the wing 30 to the base slab 130. It is appreciated that by inverting the bracing means within the wing 30 it may also be possible to brace the wing 30 to a head slab (not shown).

When incorporated into a multi-storey building, as shown in Figure 10, at least two column assemblies 10 are vertically aligned on top of each other and operatively interconnected. This is achieved by the head plate 14 of a lower one of two vertically aligned column assemblies 10 being affixed to the underside of a head slab 200, and the base plate 12 of an upper one of two vertically aligned column assemblies 10 being connected to the upper side of the said slab 200.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention and in particular any shapes, dimensions or materials (whether expressly stated or implied) are merely illustrative of the invention without necessarily being restrictive of the scope of the invention, which scope is determined by the appendent claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A column assembly for buildings comprising a column and a wing affixed to the column, the column comprising:

a base plate;

a head plate;

and a column portion interposed between the base plate and the head plate, the column portion comprising a plurality of laterally-projecting fins;

the wing comprising:

a main body whose height substantially corresponds to the height of the column portion; and a laterally-projecting connector, wherein the laterally-projecting connector of the wing is affixed, in use, to a laterally projecting fin of the column portion.

2. The column assembly of claim 1, wherein the base plate, head plate and column portion are manufactured from steel and wherein the base and head plates are welded to opposite ends of the column portion.

3. The column assembly of claims 1 and 2, wherein the column portion is formed from a pair of interconnected folded plates, each plate comprising half of the first fin and one of the second or third fins, and a joining portion.

4. The column assembly of claim 3, wherein the folded plates are welded to one another to form a unitary column.

5. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the column portion is between

2000mm and 3000mm in length.

6. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the base plate and head plate are generally square.

7. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the column portion has a profile comprising:

a first fin oriented at substantially 45 degrees to the edge of the base or head plate;

second and third fin oriented at substantially 90 degrees of the base or head plate;

and a joining portion connecting substantially the middle of the first fin to the second and third fin.

8. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the wings are made from reinforced concrete.

9. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the wings are substantially planar.

10. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the wings are between 400 to 700mm in width and between 80 to 110mm in thickness.

11. The column assembly of claim 10, wherein the wings are substantially 500mm in width.

12. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the laterally-projecting connector of the wing is integrally formed.

13. The column assembly of any of the claims 1 to 11, wherein each wing comprises an edge and a bracket affixed to the edge, wherein the bracket comprises a laterally-projecting connector.

14. The column assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the laterally projecting connector of the wing is affixed to a corresponding fin of the column portion by: bolts and nuts, by mechanical fasteners, and/or by welding.

15. The column assembly of any of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the laterally-projecting connector of the wing is affixed to a corresponding fin of the column portion by being unitarily formed therewith.

16. A structural system, suitable for use in a building structure comprising:

a base slab;

a head slab; and a plurality of column assemblies according to any preceding claim, interposed between and operatively connecting the base slab to the head slab.

17. The structural system of claim 16, wherein the base and head slabs comprise a plurality of corners, and wherein a one of the column assemblies is located at each of the corners.

18. The structural system of claim 17, wherein the base and head slabs are pentagonal, and wherein a one of the column assemblies is located at each of the 5 corners of each slab.

19. The structural system of claims 16 and 17, wherein the base plate and head plate of the column assembly are affixed to the base slab and head slab of the structural system respectively.

20. The structural system of claim 17, wherein the base and head slab further comprise integrally formed pockets.

21. The structural system of claim 18, wherein each pocket of the base and head slab comprises a threaded insert.

22. The structural system of claim 21, wherein the base plate and head plate of the column assembly are affixed to the base slab and head slab of the structural system by threaded fixings, wherein respective threaded fixings are configured to pass through respective through holes on the respective base and head plate of the column assembly into a corresponding threaded insert of the pocket of the respective base and had slab.

23. The structural system of any of the claims 15 to 22, comprising two or more column assemblies, wherein the wing of a first column assembly projects away from the column up to substantially half of the distance between an adjacent second column assembly.

24. The structural system of any of the claims 15 to 23, wherein the wing comprises a means for bracing the lower and upper edge of the wing to the base slab and head slab respectively, in use.

25. The structural system of claim 24, wherein the wing is braced to the base slab and or head slab by the wing comprising a bracing element connectable to a curved member, wherein the curved member is operatively connectable to a nut, and wherein the nut is operatively connectable to a vertical threaded portion configured to engage with a pocket of the said base slab and or head slab.

26. The structural system of any of the claims 15 to 25, comprisingtwo or more column assemblies stacked on top of each other, wherein the head plate of a lower one of two column assemblies is vertically aligned with an upper one of two column assemblies.

27. A column assembly and/or structural system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1619271.8 Examiner: Mr William Crowe