GB2623405A

GB2623405A - Constructing a building

Info

Publication number: GB2623405A
Application number: GB2312114.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fuller Anthony
Original assignee: Containerclad Ltd
Current assignee: Containerclad Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-17
Filing date: 2020-11-17
Publication date: 2024-04-17
Also published as: GB202312114D0

Abstract

The apparatus for constructing a building comprises a vertical support element with a channel plate 102 for retention within an enclosed channel 304 and a spigot 103 extending from the channel plate. A spring plate 601 is engagable upon the spigot and each channel plate is substantially square with rounded edges. A washer 501 is locatable over the spigot after the insertion of the channel plate within said enclosed channel. The first spring plate is attached to a first end of a spacer 701 and a second spring plate 602 is attached to a second end of said spacer.

Description

CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING

The present invention relates to constructing a building.

It is known to construct buildings from pre-fabricated components. However, difficulties exist in terms of quickly constructing buildings with good structural integrity.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for constructing a building as set out in claim 1.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a vertical support element for inclusion within up with an apparatus for constructing a building; Figure 2 shows a first spring plate; Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a base portion; Figure 4 illustrates the insertion of vertical support elements within an enclosed channel; Figure 5 shows the addition of a washer; Figure 6 shows the application of spring plates; Figure 7 shows a spacer between two spring plates; Figure 8 shows the further screwing of spring plates to hold the assembly in place; Figure 9 shows the application of the locking nut; Figure 10 shows the application of a guide member; Figure 11 shows the insertion of a guide member into a hollow opening of a vertical panel support member; Figure 12 illustrates the insertion of a spring plate within the hollow opening of a vertical panel support member; Figure 13 shows the combining of four base portions to form a quadrilateral base; Figure 14 shows the attachment of an external panel to a vertical panel support member; Figure 15 shows the attachment of an internal panel to a vertical panel support member; and Figure 16 shows the application of a roof to complete the structure.

Figure 1 A vertical support element 101 is shown in Figure 1 for inclusion within an apparatus for constructing a building. The vertical support element 101 includes a channel plate 102 for retention within an enclosed channel. A spigot 103 extends from the channel plate. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the channel plate 102 and the spigot 103 are constructed from mild steel, allowing a threaded spigot 103 to be welded to the channel plate 102.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the channel plate is substantially square with rounded edges, to facilitate engagement into and retention by, an enclosed channel defined by a base portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the channel plate has a profile that matches the enclosed channel, thereby allowing horizontal movement within the channel but preventing any further pivotal movement and rocking at any particular horizontal position.

Figure 2 A first spring plate 201 is shown in Figure 2. A hole 202 within the spring plate 201 allows the first spring plate to be engaged upon the spigot 103.

Figure 3 A base portion 301 is shown in cross-section in Figure 3. In an embodiment, base portions are produced by extruding aluminium through a die. The base portion 301 includes a sloping outer edge 302 to facilitate the drainage of rainwater. A first platform 303 and a second platform 304 are provided for supporting vertical panels.

An enclosing channel 305 is provided for receiving vertical support elements, of the type described with reference to Figure 1. The channel 305 includes a substantially horizontal base 306, a first side wall 307 and a second side wall 308. In addition, a first flange 309 extends from the first side wall 307 and a second flange 310 extends from the second side wall 308. These are identified as enclosing flanges, provided to form the enclosed channel 305 and to thereby enclose a channel plate after insertion.

Figure 4 During a procedure for constructing a building, the base portion 301 is located in position and vertical support elements are inserted within the enclosed channel. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 4, the channel plate 102 has been inserted within the enclosing channel 305. In this way, the vertical support element is retained within the enclosing channel 305, such that the substantially vertical spigot 103 extends from the enclosing channel 305.

Horizontal movement within the enclosing channel 305 facilitates the positioning of the vertical support element, while vertical movement is prevented by the enclosing flanges 308, 309.

The method of construction further provides for engaging a respective spring plate upon each of the vertical spigots and retaining a vertical panel support member upon each of the spring plates, wherein the vertical panel support members each include a hollow opening for receiving a respective spring plate.

Figure 5 In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, a washer 501 is applied over the spigot 103 after the insertion step, as described with reference to Figure 4, has been performed. As previously described, the spigot is threaded to facilitate the engagement of a spring plates.

Figure 6 In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, a first spring plate 601 is included along with a second spring plate 602, with each spring plate 601, 602 being attached to a threaded spacer. The first spring plate 601 and the second spring plate 602 may also be restrained by the threaded spigot 103.

Figure 7 A spacer 701 is shown in Figure 7, partially threaded on the spigot 103. As shown, this supports the first spring plate 601 and the second spring plate 602.

Figure 8 As shown in Figure 8, further screwing of the spring plates, including the first spring plate 601, is performed with respect to the spigot 103 until the second spring plate 602 meets the washer 501.

Figure 9 As illustrated in Figure 9, in an embodiment, a locking nut 901 is then applied to the spigot 103 and secured tightly against the first spring plate 601. After securing the locking nut 901, a guide member 902 is deployed over each vertical support element 101.

Figure 10 The deployment of guide member 902 over the vertical support element 101 is shown in Figure 10. The guide members 902 are provided to facilitate their insertion into hollow openings defined by vertical panel support members, as described with reference to Figure 11.

Figure 11 The insertion of a guide member 902 within a hollow opening 1101 of a vertical panel support member 1102 is shown in Figure 11. In an embodiment, the guide members do not provide a secure fixing as such, but facilitate the positioning of a respective vertical panel support member.

In an embodiment, a further step of applying downward force upon the vertical panel support member is performed, to force the first spring plate into the hollow opening of the vertical panel support member, thereby retaining the vertical panel support member in place.

Figure 12 The insertion of a spring plate 601 within the hollow opening 1101 of a vertical panel support member 1102 is illustrated in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 7, the spring plates are curved to facilitate insertion, while restraining the vertical panel support member thereafter. Thus, after the application of modest downward force, to achieve insertion, a significantly higher force is required to disengage the elements. This provides a sufficient level of retention to facilitate the further construction of the building.

Figure 13 In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 13, four base portions are combined to define a quadrilateral base. Thus, in this example, the quadrilateral base is defined by a first base portion 1201, a second base portion 1202, a third base portion 1203 and a fourth base portion 1204.

A plurality of spigots extend from the base portions shown in Figure 13, each supporting a deployed guide member, including a first guide member 1311 and a second guide member 1312. As described with reference to Figure 11, each guide member receives a vertical panel support member, including a first vertical panel support member 1321, a second vertical panel support member 1322 and a third vertical panel support member 1323 Figure 14 After the positioning of the vertical panel support members, as described with reference to Figure 13, external panels are attached to the vertical panel support members. Thus, as shown in Figure 14, a first external panel 1401 is attached and supported by the second vertical panel support member 1322 and the third vertical panel support member 1323.

Figure 15 Having attached the external panels, including external panel 1401, internal panels, including a first internal panel 1501 are attached. In an embodiment, the external panels and the internal panels are fabricated from high density fibreboard substantially similar to that described in GB 2 576 930 assigned to the present applicant. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the external panels (such as external panel 1401) and the internal panels (such as internal panel 1501) are attached to the vertical panel support members using fixing devices substantially as described in GB 2 576 930. In addition, where appropriate, similar fixings may be used to secure adjacent vertical panel support members, such as at the position of corners.

In an embodiment, non-inflammable insulation material, such as rockwool, is inserted between the external panels (including the first external panel 1401) and the internal panels (including the first internal panel 1501) as indicated by arrow 1503.

Figure 16 In an embodiment, some of the solid external and internal panels are replaced by a door 1601 and the window 1602.

The building is then completed by the application of a roof 1603, again constructed from panels substantially similar to those deployed for the external and internal panels of the walls.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for constructing a building, comprising: a vertical support element having a channel plate for retention within an enclosed channel and a spigot extending from said channel plate; and a first spring plate engagable upon said spigot, wherein each said channel plate is substantially square with rounded edges; further comprising a washer locatable over said spigot after the insertion of said channel plate within said enclosed channel; and further comprising a second spring plate and a spacer, wherein said first spring plate is attached to a first end of said spacer and said second spring plate is attached to a second end of said spacer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spigot and said spacer are threaded, to facilitate the engagement of said first spring plate and said second spring plate upon said spigot.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a locking nut for deployment upon said spigot after the engagement of said first spring plate and said second spring plate.
4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an extruded base portion having an enclosed channel for receiving a plurality of channel plates inserted therein
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a second extruded base portion, a third extruded base portion and a fourth extruded base portion, wherein each said extruded base portion is arranged to receive vertical support elements.
6 The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said extruded base portions are configured to be arranged to define a quadrilateral base, with said spigots extend substantially vertically from said base portions.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising guide members, wherein each said guide member is configured to be deployed over a respective vertically extending spigot.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of vertical members, wherein each said vertical member is configured to receive a respective guide member.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said vertical member is configured to be secured by respective spring plates after an application over downward force.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each said panel is configured to be secured to at least two of said vertical members.