US2308766A - Convertible structure for buildings or the like - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1943. H. L. MARTlNus CONVERTIBLE STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS OR THE LIKE Filed July 16, 1942' 3Sheets-Sheet 1 3 sheets-sheet 2 HUH@ Jan. 19, 1943. H. 1 MARTINUS CONVERTIBLE STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS OR THE VLIKE Filed July 16, 1942 @Hans L. frZzL/zws I Jan. 19, 1943.

H. L. MARTINUS CONVERTIBLE STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS OR THB LIKE Filed July 16, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NUN {Iwo/26% mm vm Patented Jan. 19, 1943 ACONVERTIBLEl STRUCTURE FOR BUILDINGS R THE LIKE Hans L. Martinus, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Gun.- nar Mortensen, Chicago, 111.

Application July 16, 1942, Serial No. 451,197

(Cl. 2li-2) 8 Claims.

This invention is directed to novel constructions and combinations of structural features utilizable in the construction of units such as buildings, barges and other shelter units adapted particularly for relatively quick and inexpensive construction and adaptable for use for storage, shelter and other uses hereinafter recited.

Recent developments, particularly in the field of relatively temporary construction in numerous instances required in connection with various military and civil uses, have presented a definite need for portable units adapted for storage and for relatively easy transport from one location to another, wherein in addition to the requirements of portability and quick and inexpensive construction, there is the definite need for a ventilatable shelter under varying conditions of weather and atmosphere, and which at the same -time will require a very minimum amount of material so that the problem of transport of the material is comparatively easy and inexpensive.

For example; in the establishment of military bases, both temporary and permanent, an lindispensable requirement is the ability to quickly build portable units for storage of equipment and other uses with the least amount of materials from the standpoints of both volume and weight of the materials.

It is an object of my invention to provide composite and convertible structures for buildings and other material-containing units wherein a skeleton or frame structure, preferably made of wood, maybe satisfactorily covered by a plurality of pre-fabricated and pre-formed composite sheets or strips, which themselves may be made up in rollform and relatively easily transported to ,the situs of the unit to be constructed, and which strips are reinforced, by an intermediate metal fabric which imparts strength, stiffness, rigidity and a means for securely nailing such strips into overlapped, overlying `and superposed positions upon either side walls, roof or other parts of a building or material-containing unit.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a building unit wherein one or more walls thereof are formed by a series of edgeoverlapping longitudinal composite strips which included a bonded-in metal fabric and wherein each portion of the strips are formed solely of continued portions of the said metal fabric so as to provide vents or ports for the buildings in instances where passage of air into and out of the building is a requirement.

A further object of my invention is the provision of composite wall constructions which include truss mounting means and aplurality of weather-proof strips which are bent in a downwardly and outwardly inclined position and wherein the lower edge portions. of one or more of the strips forming the Weather-proof wall are doubled back inwardly, upwardly and toward the framework of the building to provide both means whereby the strips are secured to the framework as well as providing air vents into which rain or the like cannot normally enter.

A further object of my invention is the provision of the aforesaid metal fabric-contained strips in wall constructions wherein a portion of the bonded-in fabric of the strip is itself extended beyond the moisture-proof parts thereof, and bent angularly into positions to extend toward and adjacent to the building framework so that the strips can be thereby additionally secured by nailing through the metal fabric into the framework to thereby provide optional vents,A

and of providing closure strips selectively adapted to close the vents thereby formed.

A further object of my invention is the provision of composite constructions of portable units including framework of wood or the like and a plurality of edge-overlappingand secured layers or strips of water-proof material, preferably composed of bonded-together felt and wire fabric layers, and wherein the strips of water-proof material .are nailed along their lateral edges as well as intermediate points to the framework and thence doubled back and extended along the framework to cover areas beyond the points of original securance substantially as hereinafter described, said units being capable of use as water vessels, barges orr the like.

Other and further important objects of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

This invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, reference being made thereto in the following description.

On the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a reduced perspective view, with parts broken away, of one ofthe wall sections, layers or strips, adapted to form a part of a wall of a building or equivalent unit.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view, with parts broken away, of one wall or adjacent portion of a typical building utilizing my invention, and including a partial cross section of the floor and foundation thereof.

fface.

perpendicular wall portions utilizing my inven-A tion.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on a vertical plane through a side wall, and a part l of the roof end and foundation structure illustrating the use of my invention.

Fig. 7 isa side elevational view of the side wall portion adjacent a corner of a so-called portable unit utilizing features' of my invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. '7. i i Referring to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, reference numeral 2,sos,7ee

framework, may be mounted and secured in the conventional manner with .the ends of the joists optionally, though not necessarily, resting'upon the extended metal fabric edge areas I3 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6.

I have illustrated only a small part of the structure embodving features of my invention, in which illustrations .but a few of the vertical joists or beams I4 are illustrated, it being understood that` ments of the particular case., One vertical corner l designates a suitable foundation, which may be of any conventional form, and which may be either partially extending above normal surrounding ground surface or in cases of temporary buildings, may be merely laid upon a level ground surfoundation is formed of suitably connected horizontally extending beams, which may be nailed or otherwise fastened together at their respective junctures. It will be noted at the lower left of Figs. 2, and 6, that the longitudinal founda.

illustrationis composed' of a plurality of side byy side boards which are illustrated in cross section. In Fig. 5, the floor boards of said floor II are not nailed directly up on'the transverse floor joists,

but upon the upper surface of an interposed layer I2 of waterproof material of the type hereinafter described, namely a plurality of bonded-together felt and fibrous layers with an optional intermediated bonded wire fabric as illustrated. In

In the particular illustration shown, suchA the'illustrations of Figs. 2 and 6, said floor layer I2 of waterproof sheeting, (composed of edgebonded, coated felt or fibrous strips) is laid and secured upon the surface of the floor Ii over its entire area. In the said figures, it will be noted that the edge areas, that is either the longitudinal edges or the end edges of the strips laid upon the floor, are composed solely of wire fabric, thlsbeing accomplished by either extending the bonded wire fabric of the composite strips beyond the edges of the felt strips of the said floor composite layer,

or by stripping off the felt layers along the edges` so as to substantially expose only the wire fabric. Said extended and substantially horizontally exposed edge areas of wire fabric I3 forming a continuation of the metal fabric of the floor layer i2 are preferably laid completely to the edges of the floor, before the vertical joists of the building frame-work are mounted, and such extended metal fabric edge areas I3 are preferably, though not necessarily, bent upwardly as indicated in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, where they will be secured by subsequent nailing of the lowermost side wall composite strip hereinafter described.

After said composite iloor layer I2 and its integral extended metal fabric edge areas I3 are laid upon the floor as described, the vertical beams or joists I4, which form a part of the skeleton joist Ilka is illustrated in Fig. 3 and will be referred to hereinafter.

The vertical beams orjoists I4 are securedto gether at their upper ends in any well known` manner, as for example by horizontally extending trusses I5, a fragment of one of which is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The support for the roof may be formed in 4any conventional manner, one preferred form being illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, in which a part of an inclined roof truss Itis illustrated as secured by nailing or the like atits lower end to theupper end of the correspondingly spaced vertically extending side wall-supporting joists Il. As distinguished from a conventional building frame orskeletn, the inclined roof supporting ,truss I6 terminates iiush with the outer side surface of theside wall vertical trusses and'` of my invention, there need be no horizontally extending braces or trusses between the hoor and' the upper horizontalltrusses I5, this being one feature of economy attainable in utilization of my invention. v

In the framework shown at thelower left hand portions of Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the lowermost part of the side of the building, `(including the sidesurface of the floor or foundation)` has secured thereto a longitudinally extending strip I'I of waterproofmaterial which has bonded thereto or theref i into a reinforcing andstrengthening metal fabric I'Ib which is preferably composed of woven wire having interstices of suilicient size to permit a hot plastic composition to run therethrough.

The term strip is used to designate `the first and lowermost row of individual pieces of composite waterproof material, whichpieces may be secured intoend over end overlapping relation at the juncture of one piece with the other so that said strip I1 extends preferably, though not necessarily, completely around the building and a relatively short distance upwardly from e the ground surface. l This strip Il keeps the moisture from the ground while, being absorbed bythe major part of the oor or foundation and prevents rain or the like from contacting the floor or foundation portions and the lowermost parts of the vertical joists. l

As shown in the drawings, the lowermost strips I1 are preferably nailed on at suitable spaced apart points so that the nails pass into either some part of the floor or foundation or into the lower aaosgcc Where it is desirable to securely anchor :ip l'ieA building against wind brother elements where ri-.se are likely tobe `encountered in particular localities, lit is advisable to utilize vra relatively, wider strip I'I having a substantiall portionof felt layer removed and entirely omitted so as'to `provide a metal fabric anchor portion IIa shown at of Fig. 5,' and Vwhich desirablymay be bent outwardly Vand downwardly'and buried in the lower left the surrounding earth, so that said metalj fabric portion Ilaprovidesan formed *anchoring element for the 'building'. Referring to the form of theconstruction'illusf' trated in Figs. l composite waterproof and weatherproof i material are formed, preferably in roll form `for con-'- venient transport, and which 'strips of material ,20

are preferably composed of two or morela'yers'of 'r felt or other equivalent"fibrous"l material similar to that commonly referred'` 'tolu 'as' roofing paper,`

bonded between two or more layers of vfeltfor` other fibrous material or bondedor pressed into' one flat surfacethereof. In the particular illustration of .the drawings, thewoven wireffabri'c designated by numeral"I8,"^2, ispshown as` bonded between the felt layers, the same including suitable bonding composition applied as a plastic to bond the respectivelayers of fabricinto one composite substantially flexible unit.'l In the manufacture of these composite sheets at the time of production, such partsthereo'f whichy are to be utilized for temporary ventilated buildings, have the woven metal fabric ,of greater area so that one longitudinal edge of 'saidmetal fabric ex,- tends several 'inches beyond'ther'nain:weather-Y proof portion of the composite stripsQthis'provid-` ing an integral longitudinal edge -formed solely of metal fabric and designatedv by reference numeralI9. l

As this composite covering vmaterial is preferably brought to the location vof'actu'al use in flat sheets or in rolls capable of being rolled out flat, those strips in connection with which air vents of the lengths desired are cut oi,`and eachstrip of composite material 20 is bent alongl a' longitudinal line preferably a short distance inwardly Yof the edges of the felt material 'adjacent to the metal fabric edge portions I9 to form afdoubled back part or flange`2l composed principally of apertured metal. The exposed metal. fabric edge portion I9 is then' bent angula'rlyl and preferably, though not necessarily, in a substantially vertical direction to the plane of the main body ofthe composite covering strips 20, 'and the outer edge of the flange 2I is preferably again bent upwardly or downwardly to present aflange-like portion for convenient nailing to thevertical joists of the framework. Said first mentioned bend of said vent-forming flange is designated for convenient reference as numeral 22, and the longitudinal bend which forms a convenient nailing flange or innermost edge portion is designated by reference numeral 23. The doubled back vend portion formed by the longitudinal fold or bend made inwardly of the exposed metal fabric portion I9 inexpensive eand quickly..

1 and 2, a pluralityof strips of 3.0. against and thefsame xransvdrivenf throughiboth thirebrmrms e secured'to thefr'amework by nailing or` equivalent means, thenailszbingdriven throughthe integral larigtudieallrs metal f abric pending'ilan :is lf'ullyformed Asothat the builders may 5swingV theirllianimers' without-interference' and while the mainv bodyiofth'ecoveringstrips' "areextended' in a direction'away from the building framework fitself. After said nailsfare-y drive A@through `said metal fabric flange, the `main f Abod of eachstrip is lifted upwardly tov complete" the 'end'fo'rming the depending flange! If of each row 'f'strips, aridE thereupon the uppermost longitud l edge'ofeach'cveringfstrip 20 is'I secured to'the vertical' -fljoists foffthe building `framework 1 eitherfby vsep'arate'nailing"or-l by theI nails 4which are driven" eithrl'ithroug'h' the bent backl lower edgefnailing'flange 23-offthe-next adjacent covering istrip 20, y'or 1 through 'the' vlower substantially flatedge portionfofithe adjacentstrip. f w

A s illustrated at the left hand portion of Fig. 2, when? the upper longitudinal edges `of Vv.one f row of covering strips' f2 I), vare* place'dfagainst the side wall joiststhefupwardly bent nailing anges-23 ofthe metalffabric'exposed area* I9 is `placed therelarly bentimetal-fabricedge areas I9 holdsthe Y lowerdoubledibaclsi flanges 2I offeach strip la short distance away from the buildingframework,l and holds`= the lmain bodyfoff the weatherproof cover-v ing strips 20"'n -aslightly inclined position, and thereby forms r i downwardly1 opening .air vvents which extendftol the length, that said aforedescribed construction is adhered .to. Such longitudinally extending air vents, designated generally-as 24, maybe formed either entirely around a'building at spaced apart intervals, or at either the -juncture of vtwo adjacent strips or at'the spaced apart junctures of two or moreof the covering strips` lall according to the-desired `ven-- tilationof the particular building. It will be aD- parent that the'lengths, sizes and `number of such longitudinally extending l downwardly '1. opening vent-openings," which are `obstructedsolely by the interwoven wire which readily admits air, can be regulatedaccording to `theidesires of the particulaxvcase` to meet Ithe particular krequirements of the intendedusesofthe building, and itfwillbe further apparent that i such .longitudinally extendinggventsgwill .be guarded against normal Weather conditions by the downwardly extended overhanging flanges formed by the said doubled back edge portions of the covering strips.

As indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the composite sheets which include a reinforced metal fabric as a part thereof which are secured to the side f depending flange which acts as Y -va'fguardag'ainst rain or'the'r elementsasfsub- St'antially shown cross section inlfigs. l2,15

xten'dingnailing flange 23 of -sa'id screws or the like.

in mounting to the end strips 20a which are illustrated in part in the right hand Darts oi."

Figs. 5 and 6.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, the longitudinal air vents 24 formed as hereinbefore described, may be substantially closed against any material passage of air therethrough by means off longitudinally extending boards, strips or bames 25, which are illustrated in upstanding position upon their respective edges, and when`it1fi'sdesired to substantially close said vents to restrict the amount of ventilation, wind, etc., these balles limited to any particular type or construction of weatherproof roof covering.

In Figs. 1 and 6, I have illustrated in cross section fragments of an optional form ofv roof Iin which the longitudinally extending strips are formed of a fibrous or other suitable material having bonded thereinto a reinforcing metal fab# ric of the type hereinbefore described, andwherein the roof strips, designated as 28, are nailed along the one lower edge by being first placed downside up, the nails driven through the, overl. lapping lower edge of said inverted strip through 25 may be 1aid flat in ahorizontal plane 'resting upon the horizontally extending' portionsbf the tending metal fabric portions also guard against the yentry of insects.

I desire it to be understood thatthe number to desire and any one or more thereof may be positioned at the desired height from the ground atthe points ofjuncture of any two rows of acljacent wall covering strips. It will be apparent that side wall covering strips having vents formed like those hereindescribed, may vary in direction in different buildings, as for example all of the side wall covering strips could be secured as above stated in edge-overlapped inclined or ver-V tical directions and at the saine time being provided with portions ol.' one or more of the wall covering strips bent inwardly and apertured and secured to the side wall frame supports to provide the desired number of air vents opening in directions other than downwardly In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a lower portion of a typical corner of a building utilizing my hereindescribcd constructions wherein the end wall covering of the building shown at the right oi' Fig. 3 is' composed of edge-overlapped 'composite strips 2il`which are preferably secured by nails to the vertical wall supports of the frame substantially as illustrated. It will be seen that the upper edge of the next adjacent strip therebelow and into the roof supporting members of theV building frame. Thereupon the inverted strips or sheets of said material are bent completely over to double the edge portions adjacent to the nailed parts and then the same cycle of overlapping and doubled back securance may be Arepeated with respect to the next and upper strip 28 of the roof covering. An enlarged fraginentary view of the manner in which the roof covering strips 28 are secured upon the rooi l"trusses i6 and doubled back to lay upon the roof E fof' air vents formed substantially in the manner i 'hereinbefore described may be varied according supports of the frame is illustrated in the enlarged fragment of Fig. 4.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated in vertical cross section a side wall embodying one of the features of my invention, and wherein `each of the respecthese end wall strips 20 extend l short distance beyond the corner joists Illa and haveV the extreme edge portion designated as 28 bent angularly upon and over the end edge portion of the side wall strips 20 shown at the left of Fig. 3. In this view, both the two side wall strips 20 at the left of Fig. 3 are illustrated as being in slightly downwardly inclined position in the same manner as shown in cross section in Fig. 2. The end portion 26 of the two end wall strips 2li which forni scaling liangcs and a weatherproof joint with the ends respectively of the side wall strips 20, may be secured to said side wall strips in any suitable manner, as for example by suitable cement, plastic composition, sheet metal In Fig. 3 the particular optional form of said securing means is repre-l sented by sheet metal screws 21.

ln the drawings I have illustrated an optional form of roof covering, though I desire it to be understood that any satisfactory form of a construction of roof may be utilized in connection with my invention, my invention being in no way tive longitudinally extending covering strips oi' the side wall are secured so that the lower longitudinal edge is doubled back upon .itself and "securing nails passed through the edge flange 'and through the underlying upper edge of the next adjacent covering strip and into the side wall supports of the building frame. This is most economically accomplished in the building operation by laying the strip inside out with the upper edge thereof flush with the upper edge of the already secured strip, driving the nails at spaced apart intervals through both the said overlying edges and intdthe side wall members of the frame, and thereafter taking each strip'or row of strips and folding it outwardly and upwardly letting its upper edge portions lie against theV side wall supporting members, whereupon the operation is again repeated with respect to the next adjacent covering strip.

A portable unit made according to the hereindescribed invention provides not only a weatherproof and substantially durable shelter, which optionally includes the air vents as hereindescribed, but also provides astructure and a roei?YAY and wall covering having a high degree of. resistance to fire, and being to a substantial degree shatter proof so that fragments of bombs, shells and other explosives which might explode in close proximity will not penetrate the side Wall and roof structure due to its resiliency or flexibility nor result in any substantial breaking away or flying of splinters such as encountered in ordinary wood walls and coverings.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated the `portable unit capable of use either as a building or shelter or as a barge or boat which embodies features of construction which have been heretofore described.

In this illustration, a different style or form of frame structure i illustrated, and such frame may bepvaried according to the particular desire and requirements of the job. In the particular illustration, reference numeral 29 designates a base beam which extends longitudinally from end .to end of the structure, and numerals 30 designate'typical transversely extending joists disposed in subon, the side wall beams being stantially vertically extending directions; a side wall covering on said side walled beams composed of a plurality of superposed rows of composite weatherproof composition and partially of a bonded Woven Wire fabric; the wire fabric unit of each of said strips itself extending beyond.

one lateral edge of each of said strips; the lower portions of certain said strips being bent inwardly and the extending metal fabric portions along said bent in edge being bent horizontally and extending to positions adjacent the side wall beams of said framework; fastening elements securing the lateral edge portions of said wire fabric extending portions to said side walled beams; said inwardly extending metal fabric portions providing downwardly opening air vents for said building; and a plurality of edge-overlapped strips of waterproof material forming the roof portion of said unit.

4. In a portable building unit; a supporting framework including side wall and roof supporting members; and substantially shatter-proof walls secured on the side wall members of the said supporting frame, said side walls being composed of a plurality of edge-overlapped slightly yieldable strips formed of sheets of fibrous material and metal reinforcing fabric edge bonded together as integral units, certain f said composite strips having their longitudinal edges doubled back upon the main portions thereof and said doubled back portions secured in overlapping relation with respect to the longitudinal edge portion of the adjacent composite strip, one or more of said side walls having air vents therethrough `provided by angularly bent aperturebearing portions of one or more of said strips of material covering said side wall.

5. In a quickly assemblable and portable building; a supporting framework including vertically extending side wall members and roof supporting members; a weather-proof covering secured on said roof composed of a plurality of edge-overlapped strips of waterproof material sealed at the respective joints of said strips, said strips of waterproof material being composed of a fibrous flexible material and a reinforcing metal fabric bonded thereto; and a plurality of longitudinally extending exible strips composed of fibrous material and reinforced metal fabric bonded thereto secured on said side walls in substantially edgeoverlapped relation and forming weatherproof side walls for said building, one or more of said longitudinally extending strips having the metal fabric thereof extended and exposed along the longitudinal edge of such covering strip, and said exposed metal fabric strip edge portion being bent angularly and inwardly and secured to the side wall members of said frame so as to normally hold such strip in slightly inclined position and to thereby form longitudinally extending air vents for said building.

6. nia quickly asse blabie and portable building; a. supporting framework including extending side wall members and a plurality of spaced apart inclined roof supporting members; a weatherproof covering secured on "saidroof composed of a plurality of edge-overlapped strips of we.- terproof material sealed at the respective joints of said' strips, said strips of waterproof material being composed of a brous flexible material and a reinforcing metal fabric bonded thereon; a plurality of longitudinally extending ilexible strips composed of fibrous material and reinbonded thereto secured on forced metal fabric strip extends substantially beyond said side walls in substantially edge-overlapped relation and forming weatherproof side walls for said building, one or more of said longitudinally extending strips having the metal fabric thereof extended and exposed along the longitudinal edge of such covering strip, and said exposed metal fabric strip edge portion being bent angularly and inwardly and secured to the side Wall members of said frame so as to normally hold such strip in slightly inclined position and to thereby form longitudinally extending air vents for said building; and a longitudinal strip extending about the lowermost part of said frame and composed of strips of material with end edges overlapped and which strips are composed of Woven metal fabric partially covered by weatherproof material so that the lower part of said strips are composed solely of said Woven metal fabric and are adapted to be bent angularly and buried in the surrounding earth to provide anchoring means for said building.

'7. In a portable structure having a framework including inclined roof trusses; side wall supporting joists, bottom beams and braces, all said framework members being connected together to define a pliable space;v a bottom composed of a plurality of side by side Wood boards secured to the bottom members of said framework; longitudinally extending side wall members connecting the vertically extending side Wall members of said frame; a waterproof covering secured upon the bottom on the side wall and end wall portions of said structure comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending strips of composite waterproof material including a metal fabric bonded therein; one lateral edge of each of said strips being secured by nailing or the like to said bottom boards and the remainder of each strips being doubled back`and folded adjacent to and secured to said bottom boards; each next succeeding strip having one longitudinal edge portion secured by nailing or the like to the doubled back portion of the preceding strip, the main portion of such strip being doubled back against said framework and secured thereto, and each succeeding strip being similarly secured and doubled back; the longitudinally extending overlapping edges of said strips being sealed to form a continuous composite waterproof bottom end Wall.

8. In combination enclosed structure of the type described, said structure having a rigid framework defining an interior space and including a plurality of supported longitudinally extending wood Side strips and a braced floor including a plurality of secured side by side boards; said structure having waterproof end walls at the opposite end walls thereof; a waterproof composite wall covering the undersurface of said oor and covering the sides of said structure composed of a plurality of metal-reinforced wate'proof flexible strips of composite material, the central bottom strip extending longltudinally and continuous from one end to the other of said structure; each of the two strips adjacent said central strip forming a portion of the covering of said bottom and said side walls being folded and doubled back along a longitudinal line so that one edge area is positioned and secured by nails or the like to one lateral edge portion of said centrall bottom strip and so that a larger doubled back portion of each of said two strips adjacent said central the lateral edgesrespectlvely of said central strip; each of with a portable, habitable the succeeding longitudinally extending Wamelproof composite strips having one longitudinally e extending edge portion secured by nails or the liketo the extended portion of the adjacent preceding strip and being doubled back along a longitudinal line and the larger doubled back portion positioned and secured against the bottom and side wall of said structure respectively so as' to form triple layers of said strip material over on portions thereof between the points of securance and between the respective longitudinally extending folds of said respective strips,t said triple layer wall thereby formed forming a Waterproof substantially rigid covering for the bottom of the side walls of said structure.

HANS L. MARTINUS.

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