US2711180A

US2711180A - Prefabricated enclosure

Info

Publication number: US2711180A
Application number: US264507A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edgar H Sims; Walker C Morrow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-01-02
Filing date: 1952-01-02
Publication date: 1955-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1972-06-21

Description

June 21, 1955 E. H. slMs ETAL 2,711,180

PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE original Filed Jan. 19. 194e 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORJ` 50G/91? H- //WS YWHLAE? C. MOP/90W A rra/swim June 21, 1955 E. H. slMs Ei' AL PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE Oignal Filed Jan. 1.9. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PaL lill" 5, m 5m w 4 ma@ M w N R 0 maV n MA 3.@ .8 .I MMV wm. Y....wv. 4 7 7 A m M O M 4 M /m n H/ u..

June 21, 1955 E. H. SIMS ET AL PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 19. 1948 United States Patent() 2,111,180 PREFABRICATED ENCLOSURE Edgar H. Sims, Phoenix, Ariz., and Walker C. Morrow, Dearborn, Mich.

Substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 2,973, `lanuary 19, 1948. This application January 2, 1952, Serial No. 264,507

6 Claims. (Cl. 135-6-3) This invention relates generally t'o demountable prefabricated structures and has particular reference to an improved construction of garden porch.

The present application is a substitute Afor our prior application Serial No. 2,973, led January 19, 1948, which was abandoned July 15, 1951.

One of the objects of this invention is t'o provide an enclosure having a demountable prefabricated frame structure embodying strong, light weight frame members capable of being quickly assembled or disassembled and adapted to form a compact readily transportable package when disassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame structure of the above general type composed of frame members of stock cross-section which not only reduces the material cost to a minimum, but in addition, enables varying the size of the frame structure by merely selecting frame members of the desired length.

A further feature of this invention is to provide a clamping bracket designed to form a series of angularly disposed sockets for respectively removably receiving the ends of a corresponding number of frame members. These brackets are largely responsible for the expedient manner in which the frame members may be secured together to form the frame structure. The particular construction of the brackets and the above as well as other objects of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a demountable prefabricated frame structure embodying the features of this invention.

Figure 1A is a side elevational view of the frame structure shown in Figure l.

Figure 2 is an end elevational View of the construction shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-a3 of Figure 1A.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken `on the line 5 5 of Figure lA.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 7&7 of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View through a modilied form of construction.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that the numeral 10 indicates a demountable prefabricated frame structure comprising a rectangular shaped base frame 11 composed of longitudinally and transversely extending

sill members

12 and 13 respectively. The sill members are channel-shaped in Acrosssection, and the adjacent ends thereof are arranged in overlapping relationship. As shown particularly in Figure 7 of the drawings, the top and bottom flanges of the transverse sill members 13 are respectively seated on 2,711,180 Patented Jun-e 21, 'lassthe corresponding flanges of the longitudinal sill members 12. 'Ihe overlapping portions of the top flanges on the sill members are formed with aligned openings therethrough for respectively receiving the lower ends f suitable tubular upright members v14. The construction is such that a tubular upright member 14 is located at each corner of the rectangularly shaped base frame 12, and the lower end portions of theseupright members act as pins for removably securing the base sill members in assembled relationship. Additional tubular upright members 15 are provided between the upright members 14 at the longitudinal sides of the base frame 11. The

upright members 15 are arranged in pairs, andv are spaced from each other in the 'direction of length ofthe base frame. The lower ends of upright members 15 at each longitudinal side of the frame 'structure 10 extend through openings formed in the top flange of the adjacent longitudinal sill member 12. The

upright members

14 and 15 are interchangeable, and are of a length predetermined to provide the specied height to the frame structure lil. The longitudinal sill members 12 are also interchangeable as are the transverse sill members. The interchangeable feature greatly facilitates fabrication, because it renders it unnecessary to distinguish between the sill members during erection of the frame structure.

Supported on the upper ends of the upright frame members is a frame 16 comprising longitudinal side tubular frame members 17 and transverse end tubular frame members 18. The longitudinal frameniembers 17 are also connected together intermediate the ends by transverse tubular frame members 19 spaced from each other in the direction of length of the frame members 17. The tubular frame members 17 correspond in length to the longitudinal sill members 12, and are interchangeable with one another. The transverse frame members 18 'and 19 correspond in length to the transverse sills 13 and are also interchangeable with one another.

Extending parallel to the longitudinal frame members 17 and spaced above the frame 16 is va tubular roof r'a'il 20. The roof rail 20 corresponds in length to the longitudinal frame members 17, and is positioned midway between the frame members 17, as shown in FigurelZ ef the drawings. The opposite ends of the roof rail are respectively connected to the corresponding ends of the longitudinal frame member 17 by tubular rafter mein'- bers 21 inclined downwardly from opposite sides of the roof rail 20. The roof 'rail 20 is also connected inter'- mediate the ends of the longitudinal frame members 17 by additional tubular raft'er members 22, which are' interchangeable with each other and with the rafter meinbers 21.

The upper ends of the pair of 'rafter members are respectively removably secured to the rail 20 by clamping brackets 23. Upon reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that each clamping bracket 23 comprises a pair `of

plates

24 and 25 removably secured together by fastener elements in the form of bolts 26 and nuts 27. The plates are embossed laterally 'outwardly intermediate oppositeside edges to form a tubular socket 28 having an internal diameter in the clamped position of the plates slightly less than the outside diameter of the tubular rail 20. The plates are further embossed laterally outwardly at opposite sides of the tubular socket 28 to form a pai-r of tubular .sockets 29 for respectively receiving the upper ends of a pair f the tubular rafter members. The internal diameter 'of the tubular sockets 29 is less in the clamped position or" the plates than the external diameter of the rafter members. During assembly the fastener 'elements'V are loosened, permitting the tubular socket 28 to 'freely tele'- scope over the roofing rail 20, .and also permitting 'the upper ends of the rafter members to be freely inserted into the sockets 29. The fastener elements are then tightened to rigidly clamp the upper ends of the rafter members, and the roofing rail in place in the bracket.

The lower ends of the rafter members are respectively detachably connected to the frame lo by clamping brackets 39, which in addition, act to removably clamp the upper ends of the upright tubular frame members to the frame 16, and also serve to respectively connect opposite ends of the tubular cross frame members l and 19 to the longitudinal side frame members 17. All of the brackets Si! are identical in construction, and accordingly, only one need be described in detail herein. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that each bracket 30 comprises three

plates

3l, 31 and 32 removably clamped in abutting relationship by fastener elements in the form of bolts 33 and nuts 34. The plates are formed with laterally outwardly extending portions which cooperate to provide a tubular socket 35 adapted to receive the tubular frame member 17. The plates are also formed with laterally extending embossed portions which coact to form a second tubular socket 36 adapted to receive the lower end of one of the rafter members. The

plates

31 and 32 are further embossed to coact with one another to form a third tubular socket 37 adapted to receive one end of a tubular transverse member of the frame 16, and thereby connect this member to the longitudinal tubular frame member 17. The

plates

31 and 32 are formed with still another embossed portion which cooperates to provide a fourth tubular socket 3S for receiving the upper end of one of the tubular upright members. Thus it will be noted that each bracket 30 has provision for connecting four angularly disposed tubular members, and this arrangement not only greatly reduces the number of parts required, but also simplifies assembly and disassembly. It will be understood that the internal diameter of all of the tubular sockets in each bracket is somewhat less than the eX- ternal diameter of the tubular members connected by the bracket when the two bracket plates are securely clamped together. During assembly the fastener elements are, of course, loosened to enable the tubular members to be readily assembled with the bracket, and subsequent to assembly the fastener elements are tightsembled, and this is, of course, advantageous when it is desired to ship or transport the construction from one location to another. lt willV further he noted that many of the parts are interchangeable with one another, thereby simplifying erection of the frame structure. In addition to the foregoing, it will be understood from Figure 2 of the drawings thatthe'sizeV of the frame structure may be readily changed without major operations by merely employing tubing of different length. Thus it is a simple matter to alter the Width and/or length of the enclosure.

The construction shown in Figure 8 of the drawings illustrates anchorage means for more securely anchoring Y the sills to the ground and for assisting in supporting the upright members in vertical positions. ln detail the anchorage means shown comprises a pin or stake 50 adapted to be forced into the ground and having an inverted substantially cup-shaped cap 51 secured to the upper end thereof. The bottom flanges of the channel-shaped sills are formed with openings 52 of sufficient diameter tofreely receive the stakes 50 and these openings are aligned with the openings 53 in the top anges of the sills through which the lower ends of the tubular

upright members

14 and 15 project. as to frictionally telescope into the lower ends of the tubular upright members and an annular outwardly extending flange 54 is formed at the bottom of the cap body for seating engagement with tthe bottom flanges of the sills around the openings 52 therethrough. The

diameter of the flange S4 approximates the diameter of the openings S3 in the top flanges of the sills enabling the caps to pass through the latter openings during installation. Thus the anchorage means not only serves to securely clamp the sills to the ground, but in addition, as-

ened to securely clamp the bracket to the different tubular members.

It will further be noted from Figures l to 3 inclusive that the brackets 3l) are formed with openings 39 enabling diagonal brace rods 40 to be attached thereto. The lower ends of the diagonal brace rods 40 are provided with clips 41 of a construction suitable to enable the same to be readily attached to the sill members of the base frame 11.

After the frame structure 10 is properly assembled, a suitable door frame 42 may be inserted in one or both sides of the frame structure between the spaced upright members 15. Suitable fastening means, such for example, as U-shaped straps, may be provided for anchoring the door frame to the upright members 15. The frame structure previously described is particularly adapted for use in connection with a canvas cover indicated generally by the numeral 43. If desired the can- Vas covering may have a screen insert at one or more sides for Ventilating purposes. In order to avoid tearing or undue wear of the canvas covering at the ends of the frame structure, suitable guards 44 are respectively secured to the

brackets

23 and 30 at opposite ends of the frame structure. These guards present a relatively smooth surface over which the canvas may be drawn, and protect the canvas from sharp corners or edges that may be present on the brackets.

It follows from the foregoing that the frame structure is composed of a relatively few simple parts capable of being readily assembled and disassembled. It will also be noted that the parts are of a nature to enable packaging the same in a compact bundle when disassists in supporting the upright members in vertical positions reiative to the sills.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved prefabricated enclosure in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the in- Y vention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is: v l. A prefabricated structure comprising longitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shaped interchangeable sill members having the adjacent ends arranged in overlapping relationship and having aligned openings in the top flanges of the overlapping portions, and tubular upright members having the lower ends respectively eX- tending through the aligned openings and resting upon the bottom flange of one of said sill members, said uprights constituting the sole means for securing the sillmembers together.

2. A Prefabricated structure comprising a base frame formed of longitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shaped sill members each having spaced top and bottom anges and having spaced openings in the top flanges thereof, a second frame elevated with respect to the base frame, tubular upright members for supportingV the second frame in an elevated position relative to the'. base frame, said upright members having the lower ends extending through the openings in they top flanges and supported by the bottom flanges of the sill members.

3. A prefabricated structure comprising a sill channelshaped in'crosS-section and an upright-member tubular' in cross-section extending through an opening in the top ange of the sill, a stake projecting through an opening in the bottom ange of the sill substantially aligned with the opening the top flange, and a cap on the upper end of the stake telescopically engageable in the lower end of the tubular upright member and having a, portion bearing against the bottom ange of the sill.

4. A Prefabricated structure comprising a sill channelshaped in cross-section and an upright member tubular in cross-section extending through an opening in the top 1 The diameter of the cap body is such'VV ange of the sill, a stake projecting through an opening in the bottom ange of the sill substantially aligned with the opening in the top flange, an inverted substantially cup-shaped cap having the inner surface of the base centrally secured to the upper end of the stake and having a side wall dimensioned to telescopically engage in the lower end of the upright member, and an annular ange projecting outwardly from the lip of the cap having a maximum diameter sufciently less than the diameter of the opening through the top ange of the sill to enable passage of the cap through the latter opening during installation and occupying a position between the lower end of the tubular upright member and adjacent surface of the bottom flange on the sill.

5. A prefabricated structure comprising longitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shaped sill members having the adjacent ends arranged in overlapping relationship and having aligned openings in the top'anges of the overlapping portions, and upright members having the 6 lower ends respectively extending through the aligned openings and resting upon the bottom flange of one of said sill members.

6. A Prefabricated structure comprising longitudinal and transverse substantially channel-shaped sill members each having spaced top and bottom anges and having spaced openings in the top flanges thereof, and upright members having the lower ends extending through the openings in the top anges and supported by the bottom v anges of the sill members.

References Cited-in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brewer Jan. 15, 1918