US2038966A

US2038966A - Metal building structure

Info

Publication number: US2038966A
Application number: US617360A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles B Stewart; Ewald E Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1932-06-15
Filing date: 1932-06-15
Publication date: 1936-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 1953-04-28

Description

r133 28, 1936. c. B, STEWART ET AL zyflggggfifi METAL BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed June l5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [wen/tons.- q O Z7 ChadasBSt/ewart Ewald/E. Johnson am April c. B. STEWART ET AL METAL BUILDING S'IIERUCTURE Filed June 15, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventors.- Charles B. 5mm

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles B. Stewart and Ewald E. Johnson, St. Charles, Ill.

Application June 15,1932, Serial No. 617,360 7 9 Claims. (01. 189-85) This invention relates generally to the construction of metal buildings and more particularly to the wall structure of such buildings and to the provision of a metallic sheathing to be attached to the walls of an old building to provide a new surface.

The invention has as its object the provision of a wall structure for a metal building which structure may be economically manufactured and quickly and conveniently assembled at the place of erection into a weather-tight construction.

More particularly, the object of the invention is to provide a structure comprising a framework and metal plates having-means adapted to interengage cooperating means on the framework, whereby the plates may be quickly attached in a simple operation, and interfitting edges of a character permitting the attaching operation and joined in such operation to form weather-tight joints.

Other objects and advantages, such as particular joint constructions and the like, will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmental elevational view of the roof and side wall of a metal building embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 22 of Fig. 1. Only the metal construction and not the entire wall is shown.

Fig. 3 is a View, on an enlarged scale, taken in the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing one form of anchoring means.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the plate used in the roof of the building.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a slightly different form of plate construction for use in the side walls of the building.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing modified forms of plate anchoring means.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the vertical joint of the side wall. It is taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the end edge joint of the roof taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the side edge joint of the roof plates. It is taken along line Ill-4b of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken along line I ll I of Fig. 10 at an end joint.

By way of illustration, the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described hereinafter, as embodied in a wall structure of a new building. Such a structure comprises a metallic framework of properly arranged joists and studs herein. shown as I-beams l5 and a metallic covering therefor in the form of plates l6 and ll, of any suitable dimensions, and corner members l8 attached to and supported by the framework. The plates and corner members and the framework carry interengaging anchoring means whereby the plates may be removably secured to the framework in a simple attaching operation.

As shown in Fig. 1, the plates [6 and H are rectangular and may be attached in vertical tiers, as in the side walls, or in staggered relationship, as'in the roof. If desired, any one of various wood or stone constructions may be simulated by forming ridges on the plates or by coating with enamel or the like. Herein the plates are shown as having ridges l9 pressed out of the metal to simulate siding and shingles.

The plates I6 and I! are preferably sheet metal of a gauge heavy enough to provide the required strength yet capable of being worked by pressing or drawing, and may or may not be coated. Both the plates employed in the roof and those employed in the side walls are bent upon themselves along one end edge (see Fig. 8) to form a bead 20 and then at right angles to the plate to form a flange 2| in the nature of a tongue, projecting inwardly, that is, to the rear of the plate. The opposite end edge is formed with a depression 22, corresponding in depth to the thickness of the bead 2D, and terminating in a U-shaped portion 23 providing an outwardly opening groove. Thus, when the plates are placed in end to end relationship, the bead and tongue on the one will interfit with the depression and groove of the other to form a substantially weather-tight joint. The construction described enables the plates to be joined by relative lateral movement or by movement in the plane of the plates parallel with the end edges.

' The upper and lower side edges of the plates [6, employed in the construction of the side walls, terminate in

flanges

24 and 25 respectively projecting inwardly and upwardly at an approximate angle of 45 with the plane of the plate. These flanges are corrugated, the one conversely to the other, so as again to form an interfitting, substantially weather-tightjoint when plates are placed in side to side relationship. Like the end joints the

flanges

24 and 25 are adapted to be joined by approaching movement of the plates in the plane thereof.

, To form a weather-tight construction at the corners of a plate, the upper flange 24 extends at both sides so as to be substantially flush with the end edge of the plate (see Fig. 3). The lower flange 25, at the grooved end of the plate, is also flush with the end of the plate while at the other end it terminates just short of the inwardly projecting tongue 21. The tongue or groove forming portions of the end joints in all instances extend to the

flanges

24 and 25. When the plates are assembled the ends of the upper flange 24 will over-lap, the flange having an ofi-set at 26 for that purpose, and the ends of the lower flange 25 will abut, thus forming a substantially weather-tight joint.

The corner members I8 are constructed the same as the plates I6 in all respects except that they are angular to adapt them for use at the corners of a building.

Characteristic of the construction of the end and side joints just described as well as of the joints to be described hereafter is the formation of the joints whereby the plates at the joints lie in the same plane. This facilitates joining of the plates and insures good workmanship in the assembly because the joints thus permit of easy inspection. For the same reason configurations pressed out of the plate to simulate wood or stone constructions should preferably not interfere with the joints but should be spaced therefrom as are the ridges 19.

As previously stated the joint formed between the ends of the plates is the same for the plates ll of the roof as for the plates l 6 of the side wall. The joint formed between the side edges of the plates I1 is, however, of a modified character to insure a construction even more impervious to the weather than that employed in the side walls. To form such a joint the lower edge of the plate is first bent upon itself and then reversely bent in the nature of an 8 thus forming a bead 21 at the edge of the plate and a groove 28 between the intermediate portion 29 and the reversely bent portion 30 of the S which groove thus opens in the plane of the edge of the plate (see Figs. 4 and 10) To complete the joint, the upper side edge of the plate terminates in a tongue 3| formed by an offset 32. The tongue 3| extends in a plane parallel with the plane of the plate and is thus adapted to be received in the groove 28 and the plates joined by an approaching movement of the plates in the plane thereof just as the plates N5 of the side walls. The offset 32 is large enough to compensate for the bead 21 on the lower edge of the plate so that the plates at the joint lie in the same plane. This is particularly desirable in the roof construction because it eliminates obstructions at the joint behind which water can lodge and seep through the joint.

Because of the staggered arrangement of the plates ll of the roof the intermediate portions of the upper and lower side edges must be specially shaped to accommodate the end edge joints. To this end the reversely bent portion 30 of the lower side edge of the plate is drawn out at 33 (see Figs. 4, 10 and 11) and given the contour of the end edge joint which may then be received in the groove 28 with the remainder of the upper side edge of an adjacent plate. By this construction the same interfltting joint is obtained at the end edge joint as at any other portion of the side edge.

The upper side edge is likewise drawn out to accommodate the end edge joint. Thus, the tongue 3| is depressed at 34 (see Figs. 4 and 9) also to assume the contour of the end edge joint and like the drawn out portion of the lower side edge encompasses the end joint when plates are joined. In order that the tongue 3|, normally received in the groove 28, may project rearwardly at the depressed portion 34, to encompass the end joint, the reversely bent portion 30 and preferably also the intermediate portion 29 of the lower side edge terminate short of the end joint (see Fig. 9) to permit the depressed portion of the tongue 3| to project out of the groove 28 and around the joint. In this manner when the plates are assembled the adjacent plates overlap along their side edges even at the end joints thereby insuring a weather-tight construction.

As previously stated, the plates are adapted to be attached to the framework in a simple operation by anchoring means designed with reference to the character of the joints so that the latter may be united in attaching operation. In conformity with the construction of the joints, which are united by relative movement of the plates substantially in the plane of and parallel with the end edge of the plates, the anchoring means are of a construction such that the plates are attached by an inward movement followed by a movement in the plane of the plates or by a combination of the two movements thus at all events providing the movement necessary to join the plates.

The anchoring means for the plates comprise lugs or studs rigid with and projecting from the 1 framework at spaced predetermined points and hanger members on the plates interengaging with the lugs or studs. In the preferred construction the lug or stud takes the form of a rivet 35 secured in the I-beams comprising the framework with its head 36 spaced from the I-beam. The hanger member in turn is formed with a slot 31 enabling the member to pass behind the head 36 of the rivet and thus be retained against lateral removal. The slot herein shown is of the keyhole type having a circular portion larger than the head of the rivet and a linear portion narrower than the head. The hanger member generally takes the form of a bracket 38 affixed to the back of the plates in any manner, such as by welding, and having a portion 39 substantially parallel with the plane of the plate wherein the key-hole slot is formed. Each plate is provided with a bracket near each corner and the rivets are spaced on the framework in accordance with the positions of the brackets 38.

The key-hole slot 31 is formed in the bracket 38 with its longitudinal axis parallel with the end edge of the plate and with its circular portion below the linear portion. With the slots so positioned the plate is attached by alining the circular portions with the heads of the rivets 35 then moving the plate inwardly so that the heads of the rivets project through the slots and then forcing the plate in a direction so that the rivet will enter the linear portion of the slot 31. The inward movement of the plate will thus cause the end edges of the plate to join with the complementary edge of an adjacent, attached plate and the movement permitted by the linear portion of the slots 31, which movement is also permitted by the joined end edges as previously described, will cause the side edges to interfit and form the side edge joint. Care should be exercised that the slots are long enough to insure that the side edges interfit properly.

In the plates [6 employed in the side wall the hanger member may be formed as an integral part of the plate. As shown in Fig. 5, the inwardly projecting

flanges

24 and 25, forming the side edge joint, in turn have flanges 40 and 4| bent to lie in a plane substantially parallel with the plate. The flanges 40 and 4|, like the brackets 38, have key-hole slots formed therein for engagement with the rivets 35 on the framework. In both the bracket and flange type of hanger member, that portion of the hanger member having the key-hole slot formed therein lies fiat against the I-beam to which the plate is attached.

A modified form of anchoring means is disclosed in Figs. 6 and '7, in which the rivets 35 of the preferred construction are replaced by crimped clips 42 struck out of the I-beam and the slot in the hanger members is correspondingly varied to cooperate with the clips. The clips 42 may be struck out from the body of the I-beam, as shown in Fig. 6, or cut from the edge of the beam in the nature of a burr, as shown in Fig. '7. Before attachment of the plates the clips 42 are substantially straight and project upwardly and outwardly with respect to the beam.

The hanger members are of a construction substantially the same as described above with the key-hole slot 3'! replaced by any ordinary slot 43, here shown as rectangular. That portion of the hanger members having the slot formed therein is preferably disposed at an angle with respect to the beam when the plate is in position, thereby facilitating projection of the clips 42 through the slots 43 in the hanger members. The plates are attached by causing the clips 42 to project through the slot 43 in the hanger members whereupon the ends of the clips are bent inward to secure positively the members engaged thereby. It will be apparent that the attaching operation with the modified form of anchoring means still embodies a lateral movement for uniting the end edges to form the end joint and a movement in the plane of the plate for uniting the side edges.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the plates of the structure are quickly and easily attached to the framework by an operation wherein the plates are given a movement permitting the edges of the plates, designed with reference to such movement, to be united to form tight joints.

Where the structure is to be employed as a new covering for an old building, the I-beams are best replaced by metal strips secured to the old building in any suitable manner. The plate construction and the anchoring means remain the same as described for the new construction.

We claim as our invention:

1. As an element in a wall structure for a metallic building, a substantially rectangular plate having an inwardly projecting flange along one end edge forming a tongue, an outwardly opening groove along the other end edge adapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent plate, the lower side edge of the plate being bent upon itself forming a head 'and reversely bent forming a groove opening in the plane of the edge of the plate, and the upper side edge offset inwardly to form a tongue adapted to be received in the groove of the lower side edge of an adjacent plate.

2. As an element in a side wall structure for a metallic building, a substantially rectangular plate having corrugated flanges along its horizontal edges projecting inwardly and upwardly, the upper and lower of said flanges being conversely corrugated to interfit when two plates are placed adjacent, an inwardly projecting flange on one end edge forming a tongue, and an outwardly opening groove at the other end edge adapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent reversely bent thereby forming a groove, said tongue and said reversely bent portion being drawn out intermediate the ends of the plate into the contour of the end joint to enable the plates to be attached in staggered relationship.

4. In a wall structure for a metallic building a plurality of substantially rectangular plates at-' tached in staggered relationship, said plates having an inwardly projecting flange at one end edge, an outwardly opening groove at theother end edge and adapted to receive the flange of an adjacent plate, the upper side edge having an offset extending over the entire length of the plate and forming a tongue, and the lower side edge being first bent upon itself and then reversely bent to form a groove opening in the edge of the plate and adapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent plate, said reversely bent portion terminating short of the flange and groove of the end edges and being drawn out intermediate the ends of the plate to enable the groove opening in the side edge to receive the end joint, said tongue being likewise drawn out to prevent interference with the end joint when the tongue is inserted in the side edge groove of adjacent plates.

5. An element for the wall structure of a building comprising a substantially rectangular metallic plate having one end edge bent to form a tongue extending transversely inward from the face of the plate and the other end edge bent to provide an outwardly opening groove adapted to receive the tongue of an adjacent plate, one side edge being bent inwardly to provide a groove opening parallel to the plane of the plate and toward the adjacent plate and the other side edge being bent inwardly and parallel to the plane of the plate to provide a tongue adapted to enter the groove in the side edge of the adjacent plate.

6. In a wall structure for buildings, a plurality of substantially rectangular metallic plates having their end edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates to provide an interfitting tongue and groove construction shaped to be brought into interfitting relation by a relative movement between the plates perpendicular to the face thereof but permitting relative movement of the plates parallel to the face thereof when engaged,

and having their side edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates to provide an interfitting tongue and groove construction shaped to be brought into interfitting relation by a movement of one plate parallel to the face thereof and toward the adjacent plate.

'7. In a wall structure for buildings, a plurality of metallic plates having their end edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates to provide an interfitting tongue and groove construction shaped to be brought into interfitting relation by a relative movement between the plates perpendicular to the face thereof and permitting relative movement of the plates parallel to the face thereof when engaged, and having their side edges bent inwardly from the face of the plates and shaped to be brought into interfitting relation by a movement of one plate parallel to the face thereof and toward the adjacent plate.

8. An element for the wall structure of a building comprising a metallic plate having its horizontal edges shaped to be brought into interfitting engagement with adjacent plates by movement parallel to the face of the plate, and having its end edges bent inwardly to provide a tongue on one end edge and a groove and the other end edge shaped to be brought into interfitting engagement with adjacent plates by movement perpendicular to the face of the plate, said end edges also being shaped to provide portions overlapping complementary portions on adjacent plates and disposed parallel to the face of the plate to assist the tongue and groove structure in effecting a weather-tight joint.

9. An element for a building wall structure comprising a metallic plate having end edges shaped to interfit with the end edges of adjacent plates in a weather-tight manner and to be brought into interfitting relation by a movement perpendicular to the face of the plate, the lower edge being bent upon itself and then reversely bent to provide a groove under the plate opening downwardly substantially parallel to the face thereof, and the upper edge being offset inwardly to form a tongue extending parallel to and beyond the face area of the plate and adapted to enter the groove in an adjacent plate.

CHARLES B. STEWART. EWALD E. JOHNSON.