US2238111A - Prefabricated building construction - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 1941. J. c. HAlN 4 2,238,111

PREFABRIOATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FiledApril27,'l958 'ssneets-sheetl T 8 as 6.2 \54 52 a5 5.2

mum/ R (JAN/5 C. HA/N HA RR/JJOECH, Fear/5 S=HARRrs A TTORNE KS.

Patented Apr. 15, 1941 raarannrca'rnn ammo. coNs'raUc- Iron 7 James 0. nan, Los Angeles,Cali1. Application April 21, 1938, Serial s... 204.575 9Claims.- (c1. 2o--1) My invention relates to buildings with particular reference to prefabricated structures.

The general object of my invention is to provide a relatively. inexpensive but efficient and durable building of prefabricated construction that maybe readilyassembled or dismantled.

One of the important objects of my invention is to achieve strength and rigidity with economical employment oi material by incorporating in the construction of the side walls of a polygonal building the principle of an arch. I propose to construct a substantially rectangular building.

orbuilding of. other polygonal configuration, in

which are-attainedthe advantages heretofore inseparably associatedwith completely circular walls. More specifically. it is my purpose to employ in polygonal buildings 'wallsot hoop-andstave construction. in which the stavesare prefabricated panels held in place by means in tension exerting contractive force on the walls. By mass production such panels may be economically produced. A feature of my invention is the conception that such panels may be of width to acoominodate complete factory-installed doors and windows.

. A further object in mind is to extend the panel principleto. other parts of the building with particular reference to the roof, whereby thewhole.

building may comprise iactory-madeelements adapted to be assembled entirely by semi-skilled labor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a polygonal configuration in plan for a building that will permit a tension means encircling the building to press inwardly throughout the whole periphery of the building including the building corners. I

A further object is to provide a stave-andhoop construction that may be readily tightened to take up shrinkage as required.

One object of my invention is to provide a building construction with minimum framing either in the walls or in the roof construction by designing the walls to be self-supporting and additionally to withstand lateral roof stresses.

A further object in mind is to provide in a hoop-and-stave construction compression members to transmit stresses from one side of the building to an arcuate wall on the opposite side of the building. i

The above and other objects of ,my invention including objects relating to various unique panel constructions will be apparent in my detailed description to follow, accompanying drawings.

considered with the I In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a substantially rectangular building with arcuate walls;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same building:

Fig.3 is a top view of the completed building;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of a simplified and relatively inexpensive embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a top view somewhat enlarged of a.

corner 01' the building shown in Fig. 4, the" root being removed to reveal the wall construction;

Fig. -6 is a transverse section oi one-ha'lt of a building incorporating a more elaborate form of my invention; a

Fig. 6a is "a fragmentary plan view of an adjustable joint for floor angles;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of a panel joint that may be incorporated in the wall 01' Fig. '1;

Fig. 8 isa similar view of a second panel construction;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a metal stud employed in the panel joint shownin Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is" a section through the roof taken as indicated by the line l0lll of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the section shown in Fig. 10; i

Fig. 12 is a top view of a portion of a building with the root broken away to show how horizontally disposed trusses may be incorporated in the building construction shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a top view on an enlarged scale or a joint between two adjacent trusses in Fig. 12;

Fig. '14 is a side elevation of the structure shown'in Fig. 13 with the hoops removed;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section showing how a truss of Fig. 12 may be supported from the roof;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary transverse section of a metal building constructed of panels in accordance with my invention; v

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation somewhat enlarged oi the wall in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a transverse section through the wall of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a transverse section through a panel joint "taken as indicated by the line [9-49 of Fig; 11;

Fig. 20 is a similar section taken along the line 20-40 of Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a joint member employed in Figs. 19 and 20;

Fig. 22 is a section through the metal roof of Fig. 16 taken as indicated by the line 21-42;

Fig. 23 is a similar section taken along the line 23-23 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 24 is a top view on a somewhat enlarged scale of a corner of the side Walls in Fig. 16, the roof being removed; and

Fig. 25 is a section through the corner of the building taken as indicated by the broken line 25-25 of Fig. 24.

The building shown in Figs. 1 to 2 is rectangular in general configuration, the walls meeting at junctures corresponding to the corners of 3. rec-- tangle, but the two side walls and the two end walls 31 are arcuate in plan, each wall curving outward. The walls of the building are constructed on the hoop-and-stave principle, the stave elements being panels preferably wide enough for each panel to accommodate either a complete door or complete window installation. Thus, a side wall 30 in Fig. 1 may comprise from end-to-end, by way of example, a blank panel 32, three successive window panels 33, two successive blank panels 32, a door panel 34, two successive blank panels 32, three successive window panels 33, and a final blank panel 32. These panels are confined by tension members or hoop means encircling the building, the hoops being, by preference. concealed by horizontal members 35. Under the contractive force exerted by the hoop means, the arcuate series of panels become. in elfect, a unitary rigid wall in the same manner as the staves in a barrel. i,

This application of the principle of an arch to building walls results in economy of material and makes it possible to construct walls from factoryproduced panels. The windows in the window panels 33 and the door in the panel 34 may be completely installed in the factory production of the panel.

The roof of the building shown in Figs. 1 to 3 may also be of panel construction as will be speciflcally described later. At this point it is sufficient to note that the roof panels 36 are interconnected by cap strips 31 and are arranged to provide two roof slopes 38 at the side of the building and two end slopes 39.

One of the simplest constructions for a building embodying the principles of my invention is indicated by Figs. 4 and 5. This construction is suitable for garages and minimum cost dwellings. Each of the panels 40 of Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a series of horizontal boards 42 preferably held together before the building is assembled by suitable means such as vertical strips 43. In the assembled building the vertical edges of each of the panels 40 seats in a complementary groove 44 in a vertical stud or Joint member 45. At each corner of the building a pair of studs 45a and an additional member 46 are assembled to form a corner post generally designated 41.

The hoop means having cooperation with the series of panels 40 may comprise a continuous series of tension members 48 in the form of rods along each side of the building, the rods being interconnected or anchored to common means at the corners of the building. As shown in Fig. 5. each pair of adjacent rods 48 in a series extending around the building may simply extend through a corner casting 49 and be provided with nuts 50 for adjustable engagement with the casting.

The hoops or tension members 48 press the panels inward against suitable arcuate stifieners or compression members at the top and bottom of the wall that determine the wall curvature. At the bottom of the wall, the panels may, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, rest against an arm;-

. ished structure.

' laid along the top edge of the wall.

ate strip 52 anchored to the cement floor 53. At the top of the wall the inward pressure of the panels is resisted by a stiffener in the form of a horizontal truss member 54, each of these truss members being held in horizontal position by suitable means such as one or more brackets 55, each bracket being mounted on one of the studs 45.

It will be noted that in such a construction the tension of each of the tension members 48 is distributed in part as compression in the corresponding side wall, in part as lateral pressure against that side wall, and in part as tension in the tension members of the adjacent side walls.

A feature of my invention is the conception of interconnecting the truss members 54 at the corners of the building in an adjustable manner to permit contraction of the assembled series of truss members whenever it is desired to tighten the hoop members 48.to take up shrinkage in the wall of the building and to keep the arched series of wall panels under pressure. To permit such contraction the truss members 54, as well as the strips 51 and 68 at the top of the wall, are of such length as to provide gaps 62 at the corners of the building, a horizontally disposed corner plate 83 bridging at each gap. Each corner plate is adjustabiy connected with its associated truss members 54 by suitable bolt means 64 extending through complementary slots 65 in the plate. To take up shrinkage, it is merely necessary to loosen the bolt means 64 temporarily and to tighten up the nuts 50. The rigidity of these corners is maintained by properly tightening the bolt means 64. For further rigidity, diagonally opposite plates 63 may be interconnected by diagonal tie rods 63a, as indicated in Fig. 5.

It is contemplated that the side walls of the building will be sufficiently strong not only to withstand normal wind stresses and the like, but also to take care of the roof thrust, the roof being supported directly by the walls. To provide a suitable footing for the roof rafters 56, a suitable horizontal strip 61 of arcuate configuration is Preferably. this strip is reinforced by cooperating pairs of strips 68 mounted on the top board of each panel along the inner face of the panel. The top strip 61 stops short of the corner posts 41 of the building to permit the contractual adjustment described. The rafters at each corner of the build ing may rest directly on the corner posts 41.

A building having the construction indicated by Figs. 4 and 5 may be assembled by the following procedure. First, the arcuate strip 52 is anchored to the floor 53 and then the horizontal trusses 54 are mounted on temporary supports in approximately the disposition desired in the fin- The horizontal trusses 54 are then interconnected by the corner plates 63, and the bolts 64 are tightened with substantial spacing between the ends of adjacent truss members. The panels 40 are arranged along the truss members and temporarily supported in engagement with grooves of the studs 45. Preferably before such engagement the grooves of the studs'are liberally supplied with suitable mastic to provide.

waterproof joints. The means for temporarily hoop members against the building walls draws the various panels into a unitary structure and compresses the mastic at the joints into waterproof seals. The brackets 55 are theninstalled to provide permanent support for the trusses 54.

Finally, the strips 61 are attached to the top edge pf the various side walls for-the support of the roof.

While a panel roof is preferred, it will be understood that any type of roof may be employed. The side and end walls of Fig. l have greater curvature in planthan circles of diameters equal to the building dimensions normal to those walls. Appreciable curvature is necessary and the greater the curvature, the less material required for given strength. Excessive curvature is not necessary, however, and the rectangular configuration of conventional houses may be substantially retained. For ordinary single family dwellings, I contemplate using walls having radii between 100 and 200 feet long.

The configuration of the building is such that the hoops surrounding the building press inwardly in effective manner at all'points including the corners. A feature of my invention is of two panels are forced together, there is a tendency, by virtue of the tapered relationship shown, for the mastic 16 to be forced from the channels against the mastic previously applied to the bottoms of the grooves 13, the result being inner face to contain mastic 33 for further sealtheconception that the required cooperation between the hoop means and all of the panels in the side walls of a building may be achieved so long as the side walls curve outwardly at all points and so long as the curvature of any wall section does not exceed the tangents of the adjacent wall sections. "Thus, in Fig. 1, lines a--a and b--b are tangents of wall sections adjacent the corner of the building. It will be noted that neither wall crosses the tangent of the adjacent wail. So long as the principle indicated by reference to these tangents is kept in mind, the general configuration of a building embodying my concept may be widely varied. The same principle may be expressed by stating that the curvatures of the walls must never be so great as to cause the building configuration to be indented or reentrant at the wall junctures. What may be termed outwardly bulging" building corners are necessary to permit the hoops to act against the ends of the walls, just as any arch must be anchored at its ends. If the corners are reentrant rather than, bulging, tension in the hoops may actually cause collapse of a building of hoop-and-stave construction.

A more substantial wooden construction for an embodiment of my invention is suggested by, Fig. 6. Each of the panels 10 is of multiple-ply construction comprising two outer plies H of wood and an intermediate layer 12, preferably of suitable heat-insulating material. It is contemplated that the panels II! will be interlocked at adjacent edges, for example by tongue-and-groove engagement.

One form of joint construction that may be employed; for interlocking the two panels 10 is shown in Fig. 7. r the panel the intermediate layer Iii stops short of the outer plies .H to form a groove 13, the plies being cut away by preference 0 give the groove a tapered cross-sectional con guration. A suitable tongue member H fills the space formed by opposed grooves to two adjacint channels. Since I contemplate inserting astic in the tongue-and-groove joint, to provide a waterproofconstruction, I prefer to cut channels 15 in, the tongue'to be filled with a mastic prior to assembly oi t e panels. Mastic is also spread inthe bottoms of the groove 13. When the edges ing of the panel joint.

A second multiple-ply panel construction and interlocking arrangement may be employed as suggested by Figs. 8 and 9. Each of the panels "a has two outer plies 85 spaced apart to provide a relatively wide space which may be filled with insulating material 81 as indicated. Set in from the side edges of the panels are vertical spacer members 88 that interconnect the outer members 85 and cooperate to confine the insulating material 81. The edges of the outer plies 85 extendin beyond the spacers 88 are reinforced by inserted members 90 to form two parallel tongues 92 designed to interlock with the metal stud member 93 in the manner shown in Fig. 8.

'This stud member 93 may be fabricated from an ordinary I-beam, the web 94 of the I-beam being cut to form four vertical series of laterally bent/tongues 95. each series of tongues cooperatingwith an adjacent flange 96 of the I-beam ,.to form a groove 91 complementary to one of the panel tongues 92. At each panel joint the At each of the side edges of g two panels are interlocked with the stud member 53 in the manner shown by Fig. 8, waterproof mastic'being employed in the joint as indicated at 98. The joint may be covered by an outer cap 99 secured by screws Hill, the cap being recessed to receive mastic as shown at IN. The

described construction leaves a central space in "each joint, which may be filled'with insulation The stud members at the panel joints are a feature of my invention. Thestuds interlock with the panels and are strong enough to make up for door and window openings, and to permit me to employ only two or three hoops around the building. The wall shown in Fig. 6 is constructed in accordance with Fig. 7, the hoop members Ill being concealed by cover strips I03. The series of panels making up the side wall of the building seats at the bottomin an arcuate angle-iron III! that is secured by bolts I05 embedded in the concrete foundation I01. Such an angle provides a waterproof juncture, especially if suitable mastic is employed. The top edge of the series of panels may rest against a second compression member comprising an arcuate angle member I of ply-wood construction. In the simplest form of my invention these ply-wood angles are rigidly interconnected at the corners of the building with no provision for taking up shrinkage. By constructing the panels of properly seasoned wood, suitably impregnated with waterproofing material. any significant shrinkagemay be avoided.

In the building constructed as indicated by Fig. 6, a paneled roof may be employed of the pattern indicated in Fig. 3, the roof panels being constructed as shown in Figs. 6, 10 and 11.,{4Each of the panels, generally. designated IIO, includes two longitudinal members III, each of which is cut at one end to abut a ridge member I I2 and is cut at the other end to seat on the angle I08 and to provide anchorage for a horizontal eave plate H3. In each roof panel the two longitudinal members I I I are connected by transverse tie rods" members are in staggered overlapping relation ship. Interposed between the two cross-members in each pair are spacer blocks III to'which each of the cross members is connected by nails I I8.

It is contemplated that the nails will be sufliciently yielding by bending and the material of the cross members sufiiciently soft to permit an extent of relative movement between the cross members of a pair to permit the tie rods to be tightened in compensation for any shrinkage in a series 'of longitudinal boards II! that extend in tbngue-and-groove disposition between the two longitudinal members III. A substantial layer I20 of insulating material is interposed between the boards H3 and the cross members H8. The boards II! are anchored by nails to the cross members H8. The fact that the nails employed to anchor the boards-are readily bent and the fact that the nails extend through relativelysoft insulating material permit suflicient relative movement between the individual boards and the cross members I18 to allow any tightening required for taking up shrinkage. Finally the upper surface of the panel is covered by suitable waterproof roofing paper I22.

-The various panels are laid in side-by-slde relationship in the pattern suggested, for example, by Figs. 3 and 12, sufficient space being provided between adjacent panels to permit access to the nuts H5 for tightening the tie rods I. The spaced panels are then interconnected by cap members I23, which may either be nailed to the underlying members III, or be held in place by bolts connected to an anchor strip, such as shown in Fig. 22 to be described later. It will be noted that the longitudinals III provide longitudinal edge flanges extending upward along each side of each panel and that the caps I23 are complementary to such flanges to provide waterproof joints. Finally the ridges of the roof are capped by suitable members I24.

These prefabricated roof panels may be erected on the job from a traveler by semi-skilled labor. In the particular construction shown no frame is required in the roof to tie together the panels at opposite sides of the building, since the wall construction is sufficiently strong to take the en tire roof thrust. It will be noted that this thrust is met not only by the hoop means 80 but also by the members I08 at the top of the wall, which are tied together to form a means extending continuously around the building. Insuchan ar rangement wind stresses from one side of the building are transmitted across the building and distributed to the hoops on the leeward side of the building. In the construction shown in Fig.

6, then, the members I08 at the top of the wall have the following functions:

1. They serve as arcuateforms defining the configuration of the walls.

2. They stiffen the walls.

3. They provide supporting surfaces for the roof panels.

4. Because they are interconnected in a continuous series, the roof. stresses on one side of the building are opposed by the roof stresses on the other side of the building.

5. They serve as a means to transmit wind stresses from one side of the building to the other side of the building. Thus, in a building of rectangular configuration, a stiffener I08 may recei e the wind stress from the corresponding side wall and transmit that stress through the two adjacent parallel stifieners to the fourth stifiener which distributes that stress to the opposite side wall and the associated hoops.

In another embodiment of my inventive concept, I employ a more elaborate arrangement of compression members at the top of the building walls, as suggested by Figs. 12 to 15. In this construction, each arcuate side wall is braced at the top by a single compression member in the form of a horizontal truss generally designated I25, each truss comprising an arcuate outer chord generally designated I26 and a straight inner chord generally designated I21 interconnected by diagonals I 28. As indicated in the drawings each of the chords may comprise .two parallel members on opposite sides of the diagonals. The outer chord member I26 is of angu- 'larv configuration similar to the previously described compression member I08 and in the same manner engages the top edge of the arcuate wall. The various horizontal trusses I25 extending around the building are interconnected to form a continuous reinforcement. In the preferred form of my invention shown in the drawings, the means for interconnecting the ends of the horizontal trusses is adjustable to permit the series to be contracted or expanded as required. The construction of a suggested adjustable joint now to be described is best shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

At the ends of the horizontal truss members the two truss chords are interconnected and reinforced by a web member I29. Corner plates I30 are placed against the upper and lower faces of the horizontal trusses and interconnected by suitable bolts I32 extending through the material of the trusses. Substantially parallel slots I33 through the corner plates are provided for the bolts I32. Itwill be noted that these slots are disposed in the general direction of the corresponding side wall, so that the slots cooperate with the bolts in a positive manner at all positions of adjustment to maintain the desired disposition of the .series of truss members.

The ends of the horizontal trusses are cut at angles to provide a diagonal space between the corner plates I30. This space is occupied by an adjustable wedge means comprising a pair of wedge shoes I35 and a pair of wedges I38 of complementary configuration. The wedges I36 are adjustably interconnected by a suitable bolt I31 having a nut I38 for adjusting the spaced relation between the two wedges, Tightening the nut draws the two wedges .togethen'forcing the two wedge shoes I35 apart, but in all positions of adjus ment the wedge shoes are held in substantially parallel relationship. The procedure for adjusting such a corner connection will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Norarcuate walls, but additlonal mally the bolts I32 are in tight engagement, but when any adjustment is required these bolts are temporarily loosened to permit manipulation of the nut I38 on the end of the wedge bolt I31.

The hoops 80a, interconnected by corner castings 49a, and extending around the building tend to contract the series of interconnected horizontal trusses and, since all the opposing surfaces at the Junetures in the series of horizontal trusses rest flat against each other, the contractural eifeet of the hoops 80a tends to maintain the desired rectangular disposition of the series of trusses, any departure from the desired normal disposition tending to rotate such opposing surfaces apart. It will be noted that such rotation or spreading apart of the juncture surfaces is also opposedby the bolts I32 coacting with the corner plates I30, the disposition of the slots being such of length to extend from one edge that this effect is provided at all positions of adjustment. Those skilled in the art may readily understand that while the wedge assembly provides substantially parallel planes of juncture I39 at each corner of the building disposed in the direction of the center of the building, these planes need not be parallel.

In any construction having the stiffeners or horizoiital trusses at the top of the wall adjustably interconnected, I also contemplate arranging the floor angle irons I08 for adjustment at the corners of the building as suggested by Fig. 6a. The ends of the floor angles I08 are connected to angular bars I03 at each corner of the building.

7 panels I50 may comprise bolts I03a extending through slots I031) in the.

angles.

Where greater rigidity is desired in the assembly of horizontal trusses, I may interconnect the various trusses by means such as tie rods I40, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15. Thesetie rods extend across the building at various points and are secured by suitable means such as nuts I4 I" engaging washers I42. In my preferred construction the tie rods I pass through downwardly depending flanges 143 of the arcuate chords, I26, the upper edges of the wall panels being cut away, as desired, to provide clearance for the tie rods. The tie rods are installed after the hoop means have contracted the wall panels into their permanent positions. It will be noted in Fig. 15 that the washers I42 engage both the chord I 26 of the horizontal truss and the upper ends of the building panels. I

Instead of employing the multiplicity of horizontal tie rods I40 as just. described, I may, of course, employ only two diagonal tie rods interconnecting the corner plates I30, as previously described with reference to Fig. 5.

In the course of assembling the building, the horizontal trusses are temporarily supported until the wall hoops are tightened. Thereafter the outer edges of the trusses are supported by the means is desirable to support the inner edges of the trusses. Such additional means may comprise hangers I45 in the form of iron rods anchored to the roof panels by bolts I46. Where the tie rods I40 are.employed, the hangers I45 may support cross beams I41 that in turn brace the rods I40 from below,

the horizontal trusses I25 resting directly on the Figs. 16 to 25 serve to indicate how the principles of my invention may be applied to a metal building. The same structural relationships are involved; the arcuate side walls comprising series of panels I50 pressed inward and together by tension members I5I and the root being made up of roof panels I52. In the wall construction shown in Fig. 16, a panel I50 is shown as 00 prising a hollow metal member containing insulation I53 with the tension members I5I on the outside of the wall.

The preferred metal wall panel is constructed as indicated by Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive. Each of the pannels I50 comprises two outwardly bowed metal sheets I55 that are spaced apart throughout the Intermediate portion or the panel and are interconnected at the side edges of the panel. More specifically described, each of the panel sheets I55 has an intermediate outwardly arched portion I58 and two inwardly inclined edge portions I51. Incorporated in the panels I50 at suitably spaced levels are horizontal pipes I50 or other suitable hollow members. These pipes are to the other of the panel so that when the panels are assembled in a wall, the pipes in one panel abut end-for-end with the pipes of adjoining panels. The panels maybe prefabricated as complete units with the side edges of the sheets I55 welded'together and both sheets welded to the pipes I 50.

A suitable means for interlocking adjoining a pair of vertical sheet metal channels I55 interconnected by suitable means such as bolts I50 and nuts I52. Each 0! these channels cut and formed as best shown in Fig, 21 has a central web I53 and two diverging flanges I64. The web has suitable bolt holes I65 and the' flanges are cut to form short tongues I55 that engage complementary slots in the panel sheets I55. Preferably, insulating material I6! is packed into the panels proper and also into the spaces at the joints defined by the channel members I59. v

To keep the various strings of pipe aligned in the finished wall. I prefer to employ plugs I10 to interconnect adjacent pipe ends as best shown in Fig. 20. Each plug has a central radial flange IlI dimensioned to abut the ends of two consecutive pipe lengths and has tapered ends I12 that may be dimensioned for driving fit into the pipes.

A feature of my invention to be noted is that the arch principle is applied not only to the wall as a whole but also is applied to the construction of the individual panels I50. When the edges or the panel sheets I55 are welded to the pipe members I 55, any .force laterally against the panel tending to move a panel sheet inwardly places the panel sheet under compression and tends to result in tension in the pipe I55. It is apparent, then, that the pipe members functions,

1. In the wall, as a whole, the pipes serve as compression members to resist contractual forces from the tension members I5I.

,2. The pipes cooperating with provide positive means aligned with each other.

3. The pipes in each panel cooperate with the panel sheets I55 to form an arch assembly whereby adequately strong panels may be constructed from relatively thin panel sheets.

4. The pipes lend rigidity to the panels in horizontal planes.

In addition to providing an interconnecting the wall panels, the Joint channels I59 have the following functions:

for keeping the panels 1. The channels lend rigidity to the wall in.

vertical planes.

2. They retain have the following I the joint plugs eflicient joint for 3. By the arrangement or tongues engaging slots in the panel sheets, the joint channels interlock the adjoining ends of the panels and, together with the plugs I'I8, prevent relative movement between the panels in the plane of the wall.

4. The joint channels are in themselves arch members when viewed in horizontal section, the arch members interconnecting and reinforcing the arches formed by the panel sheets I55.

5. They serve the same purposes as the studs previously described in the wood construction, 1. e., strengthen the walls to compensate for doors and windows.

The compression member at the top of the sheet metal wall to resist the contractual force of the hoop means may comprise simply an arcuate angle iron I'I5 engaging the top ends 01' the panels as shown in Fig. 16, and providing supporting surfaces for the roof of the building. While the tension members I5I may touch the mid-sections of the panel sheets I55, it is contemplated that the inward force of the tension members will be taken primarily by the joint channels I58, these channels being sufficiently heavy to carry the stresses involved. Likewise. on the inner side of a wall the vertical web of the angle iron I15 may touch the mid-sections of the panel sheets I55 butwill receive stresses from the wall primarily through the joint channels I58. It is apparent that each pair of joint channels, in eil'ect, constitutes a vertical stud having the same relationship to the outer hoop members I5I and to the inner compression members "5 as heretofore noted in the wooden studs 45 01' Fig. 5.

Any type of roof may be employed with such a paneled wall, but I prefer to employ prefabricated metal roof panels of the type constructed as indicated in Figs. 16, 22, and 23. Each of these panels I52 comprises a metal sheet I16 and an upper sheet oi roofing paper I'I'I with a layer I18 of suitable insulating material between the two sheets. At the side edges the roof panels are turned upward to provide inclined flanges I19, the roofing paper I16 having marginal portions I88 extending beyond the lower side edges of the metal sheet and the side edges of the intervening insulating material. The roofing paper and the layer of insulating material may be omitted if desired.

A feature of these roof panels is that they are double arched, i. e., arched both longitudinally and laterally whereby exceptional inherent strength may be achieved with relatively thin material. The lateral arching oi the sheet is most pronounced at the center of the sheet as indicated by Fig. 23, the sheet being flattened towards its ends as indicated in Fig. 22. To maintain the arched configuration of the sheet in its longitudinal aspect, I may provide two iongitudinal tie rods I82 for each panel. These tie rods may be suitably anchored at their opposite ends in a wooden cross member I83 at the upper end of the panel and a second similar cross member I88 towards the lower end of the panel, the cross members being anchored to the panel by suitable means such as bolts I85.

To provide means whereby each panel may be assembled into a unified roof, the upper cross member I88 of each panel is shaped and disposed to rest against a ridge assembly generally designated I88 with the upper end of the panel resting on the ridge assembly, and the lower end of the panel is adapted for engagement with the wall angle I15, for example, by the addition of a cross member I86 mounted on the lower cross member I84.

The assembled roof panels lie side by side as indicated in Figs. 22 and 23 with the marginal side portions I88 of adjoining panels overlapping. Each of the joints between adjacent channels is capped by an inserted double arched channel I88, and the various elements of the joint are tied together by suitable means such as a series of boltsv I89 cooperating with an anchor strip I88 that is substantially coextensive with the channel I88. The bolts I89 may be anchored to the channel I88 by engagement with metal loops I8I welded inside the channel. The bolts I88 extend through suitable apertures in the overlapping marginal portions I88 of the panels and are secured to the anchor strip I98 by suitable nuts I82. It will be noted that the anchor strip I98 is of sufficient lateral extent to engage the body of each roof panel to provide anchorage for placing the bolts I89 under tension. Tightening of the nuts I92 tends to contract the joint assembly and, in effect, makes the panels integral with each other.

To make the assembled roof watertight along the ridge, I provide a metal ridge cap I93 having flanges I94 overlying the upper ends of the roof panels.

In'the preferred form of my invention there are three of the hoop means I5I, one at the bottom of the wall andtwo near the top, the additional hoop at the top being provided to take the outward thrust of the root panels.

The arcuate side walls may be interconnected at the corners of the building and the hoop members anchored in any suitable manner. A suggested comer construction is indicated 'in Figs. 24 and 25. In this construction the angles I15 extending along the tops of two adioining walls may be solidly interconnected by a corner plate I98, or may be adjustably interconnected as previously described. The panels I58 at the corner of. the building abut edgewise against the legs of a vertical corner angle I88, the pipes I58 in the panels engaging suitable studs 288 mounted on the angle, as best shown in Fig. 25. For each series of hoop members I5I extending around the building, a corner casting 28I is provided, the corner casting seating against the inner faces of the corner angle I99. The hoop members I5I extending along the two adjacent walls pass through apertures in the corner castings 28I and are adjustably retained therein by nuts 282. Finally, the vertical angle I89 and the corner castings 28I may be concealed by a sheet metal housing 283 of circular configuration that has tongues 284 engaging the slots of the adjacent wall panels in the same manner as the tongues I66 of the joint members I59 previously described. This housing is slotted to clear the hoop members I5I.

For the purpose of this disclosure and to reveal clearly the principles of my invention, I have described preferred forms of my invention in specific detail. Changes and modifications will b obvious to those skilled in the art, and I reserve the right to all such changes and modifications that properly come within the scope of my appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A building having in combination: a continuous series of substantially horizontal stiifeners in normal disposition defining with their outer edges a polygon having arcuate sides; means adjustably interconnecting said stifi'eners at the least two slots at the end of each stiffener in general longitudinal alignment with the stiffener and means engaged therewith, whereby, at all adjustments of the stiileners, the interconnecting means tend to maintain said normal disposition of the stiffeners; a series of wall panels disposed around said stiffeners toiorm the side walls of the building; and means encircling the side walls of the building in tension to press said panels against each other, and against said stiffeners.

-2. An arcuate wall for a building comprising: a series of outwardly bowed sheets; a corresponding series of coextensive oppositely bowed sheets arranged in pairs therewith and forming therewith panels of lenticular ,cr'oss-section; means between the sheets of each panel connected to the ends of the sheets to resist in tension any forces tending to straighten the sheets and in compression to resist any forces tending to increase the curvature of the sheets, said means extending along chords of the curves defined by the sheets and being spaced from the central portions of the sheets; a fixed member arcuate in plan engaging said panels and defining an arcuate wall configuration; and means in tension holding said panels against said arcuate fixed member to form an outwardly bowed arch.

3. A building having in combination: a series oi wall panels; a series of vertical studs interposed between said wall panels, said wall panels and studs forming a series of arcuate side walls, said side walls meeting at bulging corners; a series of substantially horizontal arcuatestiffeners corresponding to said side walls and disposed within said walls and engaging said studs to resist inward pressure from said studs; means encircling the building in tension and pressin said studs inwardly against said stiffeners; and means interconnecting said encircling means and studs at the ends of each side wall whereby each side wall is compressed end-to-end.

e. In a. four-sided building, the combination of: a plurality of panel members arranged in series forming the four separate side walls of the building; a series of four arcuate stiifener members corresponding to said four side walls of the building, said stiffener members being disposed within and engaging said walls to resist inward pressure from said walls; and means acting in tension around the building to hold said panel members assembled around said series of members, said tension means crowding the panels towards each other inwardly from the corners of the building to form effective arches.

6. A four-sided building having in combination: a plurality of wall panels; a series of four arcuate means adjacent the lower ends of said panels corresponding to the four sides of the building; a second series of four arcuat means corresponding to said first-mentioned arcuate means adjacent the upper ends of said panels,

the arcuate means being disposed within the arcuate members, said side walls forming outwardly bulging building corners whereby said tension means acts against panel members at the corners of the building to crowd the panel members against each other inwardly from each end of each side wall to form eilective arches.

5. A four-sided building having in combination: a series of four adjustably interconnected arcuate compression members corresponding to the four walls of the building and defining a building configuration with outwardly bulging corners, the building lines extended outwardly at said corners forming angles between 90 and 180; a series of vertically disposed wall panels extending along said series of compression members: and adjustable means extending around the building in tension to hold said series of panel members around said series of compression panels and engaging the panels'to resist inward pressure from said panels; means in tension around the building holding saidpanels assembled around both said series of arcuate means, the walls of the building forming outwardly bulging corners whereby said tension means crowds the panels together from the corners of the building to form effective arches; and a pitched roof thrusting outwardly against said wall panels thereby exerting force against said tension means.

I. A four-sided building having in combination: four elevated substantially arcuate compression members in a continuous series corresponding to the four side walls of the building; a plurality or vertically disposed wall panels extending along said compression members said compression members being disposed within and engaging said plurality or vertically disposed wall paners to resist inward pressure from said panels; means acting in tension around the building to force said wall panels towards said compression members, the walls of the building forming outwardiy bulging corners whereby said tension means crowds the panels against each other from the corners or the building to form eflective arches; and elevated tie rods across the building interconectlng said compression members.

8. A four-sided building having in combination: a series of wall panels disposed to form a. series of four arcuate side walls forming four outwardly bulging building corners; a series of four arcuate stifieners corresponding to said four walls and disposed within and engaging said walls to resist inward pressure from said panels; a series of tension members corresponding to said side walls, each tension member being disposed to urge said panels inwardly towards said stlifeners; and means connecting one of said tension members both to the ends of the corresponding side wall and to the tension members of the adjacent side walls, whereby the tension in each of said tension members is balanced in part by compression in said corresponding side wall and in part by tension in the tension members of the adjacent side walls.

9. A iour sided building having in combination: a plurality of wall panels constituting the four walls of the building; a series of four arcuate means corresponding to the four walls of the building, said arcuate means being disposed within and engaging said walls to resist inward pressure from said walls, said walls meeting in outwardly bulging building corners; and means in tension holding said panels against said arcuate means and crowding said'panels against each other inwardly from the ends of the walls to form effective arches.

JAMES C. HAIN.

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