WO2006086803A1

WO2006086803A1 - A construction element

Info

Publication number: WO2006086803A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2006/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: William George Hunter
Original assignee: William George Hunter
Priority date: 2005-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: ZA200708872B; ES2389100T3; EP1853774B1; EP1853774B2; EP1853774A1

Abstract

The invention provides a construction element (10) in the form of a beam which has an elongate body with a first side (14), an opposing second side (16), a first end (18), an opposing second end (20), a web (22) which extends in a first direction from the second end to the first end and in a first plane, and a first flange (28) which is fixed to the web at the first side, a first mounting (32) which is fixed to the first end and which has an abutment formation (34) located between the first side and the second side and a receiving formation (36) which extends in the first direction, and a first access formation (42) in the web at the first end to allow access to the receiving formation.

Description

A CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a construction element which is used in the modular construction of collapsible structures such as stages, exhibition stands, suspended floor and support pillars.

[0002] The erection and deconstruction time of collapsible structures are severe constraints for a user as any unnecessary delay in the erection and deconstruction of the structure adds costs to the structure as additional personnel are required, additional rent time has to be paid for and the structure remains unavailable for use and reuse for a longer period.

[0003] It is important to be able to erect and deconstruct the structure as quickly as possible while still maintaining a large degree of flexibility in the structure to allow for adaptations and changes to the structure depending on specific requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention aims to provide an alternative construction element for use in the construction of collapsible structures which may improve the erection time and deconstruction time of the structure.

[0005] The invention provides a construction element which includes an elongate body which has a first side, an opposing second side, a first end, an opposing second end, a planar member which extends in a first direction from the second end to the first end and in a first plane, and a first flange formation which is fixed to the planar member at the first side, a first mounting formation which is fixed to the first end and which has an abutment formation located between the first side and the second side and a receiving formation which extends in the first direction, and a first access formation in the planar member at the first end to allow access to the receiving formation

[0006] The body may be L-shaped or T-shaped in cross-section

[0007] The body may include a second flange formation which is fixed to the planar member at the second side and in this case the body may be H-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section

[0008] The planar member may include a web which extends between the first and second side and the first and second ends The planar member may extend at a right angle relatively to the first flange formation

[0009] The first mounting formation may include a support formation between the receiving formation and the planar member

[0010] The abutment formation may be elongate

[0011] The receiving formation may extend in the first plane The receiving formation may include a hole in the abutment formation

[0012] The access formation preferably includes an opening in the planar member

[0013] The construction element may include a second mounting formation which is fixed to the second end The second mounting formation may be identical in construction to the first mounting formation and the construction element may include a second access formation in the planar member at the second end,

[0014] The construction element may include at least a first attachment formation on the first side which has a catch member which is engaged with the body and an access slot in the planar member. The construction element may include at least a second attachment formation on the second side.

[0015] The second attachment formation may be identical in construction to the first attachment formation.

[0016] The invention also provides a structure which includes a plurality of construction elements of the aforementioned kind and a plurality of fasteners with which the construction elements are interengaged.

[0017] Each of the fasteners may be in the form of a bolt and nut combination. Each fastener may include a connector. The connector may include a central bore and a shoulder formation.

[0018] The structure may include a plurality of support pillars and wherein each support pillar is locked to a construction element. The structure may include a plurality of flooring elements and wherein each flooring element is engaged with a construction element. The structure may include a plurality of ceiling elements and wherein each ceiling element is engaged with a construction element. The structure may include a staircase which is connected to at least one construction element.

[0019] The structure may be collapsible, re-usable and modular. [0020] The invention further provides a kit for constructing a collapsible, re-usable structure which includes a plurality of construction elements of the aforementioned kind and a plurality of fasteners with which the construction elements are interengageable

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying diawmgs in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a construction beam according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a front side view of the beam of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is an end view of the beam of Figure 1 , Figure 4 is a partial sectioned side view of a cross-junction and a T-junction formed by a plurality of beams of Figure 1 ,

Figure 5 is an exploded side view of the cross-junction of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a sectioned side view on the line 6-6 in Figure 4 of the T-junction of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a sectioned side view of a portion of a collapsible structure illustrating the use of the beams of Figure 1 ,

Figure 8 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a side view of the structure of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of a portion of a staircase used in the structure of

Figures 8 and 9

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a construction element 10 which is in the form of a beam and which has an elongate body 12 with a first upper side 14, an opposing second lower side 16, a first end 18, an opposing second end 20, a planar web 22 which extends between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16, in a first direction 24 from the second end 20 to the first end 18 and in a plane 26, a first upper flange 28 which is fixed to the web 22 at the upper side 14 and a second lower flange 30 which is fixed to the web 22 at the lowei side 16

[0023] The body 12 is made from any appropriate metal material and can be cast extruded or manufactured in a known manner

[0024] The beam 10 has at least a first mounting 32 which is fixed to the first end 18 and which has an elongate oval shaped abutment surface 34 located between the upper side 14 and the lower side 16 and which is fixed to the web 22 The abutment surface 34 straddles the web 22 and extends on either side of the web 22 The first mounting 32 has a receiving formation or slot 36 which extends in the first direction 24 and in the plane 26 The slot 36 terminates in a hole 38 in the abutment surface 34

[0025] The first mounting 32 has a support bracket 40 which is attached to the web 22 and located between the web 22 and the slot 36 and the abutment surface 34 The bracket 40 has a similar shape to that of the abutment surface 34

[0026] A first access opening 42 is formed in the web 22 at the first end 18 to allow access to the slot 36 The slot 36 extends between the first opening 42 and the hole 38

[0027] In this example the body 12 is H-shaped in cross-section but it is important to understand that the body 12 can for example have a U-shape in cross-section or alternatively, and if the lower flange 30 is for example omitted it can have an L-shape or a T-shape in cross-section [0028] A second mounting 44 which is identical in construction to the first mounting 32 is fixed to the second end 20. A second access opening 46 which is identical in construction to the first opening 42 is formed in the web 22 at the second end 20.

[0029] At least a first attachment formation 48 is formed on the beam 10 at the upper side 14 and at least a second attachment formation 50 is formed on the beam 10 at the lower side 16. The attachment formations 48, 50 are identical and only the first attachment formation 48 is described.

[0030] The attachment formation 48 has a catch 52 in the form of a sleeve which is fixed to the body 12 at the upper side 14 and an access slot 54 in the web 22 which allows access to the sleeve 52. The sleeve 52 lies in the plane 26 and in respect of the first attachment formation 48 the sleeve 52 terminates in an aperture 56 in the upper flange 28. In respect of the second attachment formation 50 the aperture 56 is in the lower flange 30.

[0031] The beam 10 has an oval shaped fixing gap 58 in the web 22.

[0032] Depending on requirements the beam 10 can have a plurality of attachment formations 48, 50 at the upper and lower sides 14, 16 and a plurality of gaps 58 at spaced intervals in the web 22.

[0033] In use, as is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 a number of beams 10A, B, C, D are interconnected to one another by way of a plurality of fasteners 60.

[0034] In Figure 4 a second end 20 of a beam 10A is fixed to the web 22 of a beam

10B by way of a fastener 6OA, the first end 18 of a beam 10C is attached to the web 22 of the beam 10B by way of a fastener 6OB and the second end 20 of the beam 10A is attached to the first end 18 of the beam 1 OC by way of the fasteners 60A₁ B to form a cross-junction 61 A. A second end 20 of a beam 10D is attached to the web 22 of the beam 10C by way of a fastener 6OC to form a T-junction 61 B.

[0035] Each of the fasteners 60 has a bolt 62 which extends through the slot 36 of the 5 respective mounting 32, 44 and an insert or connector 64 into which the bolt 62 threads. Each connector 64 acts as a nut and each fastener 60 is in the form of a nut and bolt combination.

[0036] Each of the bolts 62 are of known construction.

_{i n} [0037] Each of the connectors 64 is disc shaped with a central, threaded bore or passage 66 therethrough. Each of the connectors 64 has an annular shoulder 68 which allows the connector 64 to interengage with the gap 58 and for a base 70 of the connector 64 to partially extend into the gap 58.

[0038] At the cross joint 61A the connector 64A and the connector 64B are fixed to one another in a back-to-back configuration in the gap 58 by way of a bolt 74 which passes through the gap 58. Once the connectors 64A, B are firmly engaged the respective bolts 62A, B are passed through the respective slots 36 and threaded into the passages 66 until the respective abutment surfaces 34 tightly abut the respective connector 64A, B. The respective upper flanges 28 of the beams 12A, B₁ C and the respective lower flanges 30 of the beams 10A, B, C come into contact with the adjacent flange and at 0 least three points of contact are established between each adjacent beam 10A, B and 10B, C. These points of contact are at the junctions of the respective upper flanges 28 and the respective lower flanges 30 and at the respective mountings 32, 44 and the web 22 In this manner a stable cross-junction 61 A is formed

[0039] The T-junction 61 B between the beam 1OC and the beam 1OD is better illustrated in Figure 6

[0040] A fastener 6OC is used to attach the second end 20 of the beam 1OD to the web

22 of the beam 10C Two connectors 64 are engaged with one another through the gap 58 A bolt 62 passes through the slot 36 at the beam 10D and draws the mounting 44 tightly against the connector 64 so that the abutment surface 34 abuts against the connector 64, the upper flange 28 of the beam 10D abuts tightly against the upper flange 28 of the beam 10C and the lower flange 30 of the beam 10D abuts tightly against the lower flange 30 of the beam 10C A stopper 76 is used to close the passage 66 in the outer connector 64C In this manner a stable T-junction 61 B is formed

[0041] Figure 7 shows a section of a modular, collapsible and re-usable structure 100 which is constructed from a plurality of beams 10 and fasteners 60 which are used to interconnect the beams 10

[0042] Additionally to the cross-junction 61 A the structure 100 has a plurality of support pillars 102 which are fixed to a beam 10A

[0043] Each of the pillars 102 has an upper end 104 to which an engagement nut 106 is attached in any appropriate manner such as for example by welding A set of engagement nuts 106 which is paced an appropriate distance from the upper end 104 is attached to the sides of the pillar 102 [0044] The beam 1 OA is fixed to the pillars 102 in two ways. The pillar 102A is attached to the first end 18 of the beam 12A by way of a bolt 62 which passes though the mounting 32 and threads into an engagement nut 106 which is attached to the side of the pillar 102A. The bolt 62 and nut 106 combination is used to draw the abutment surface 34 into close contact with the pillar 102A so that the upper flange 28, the abutment surface 34 and the lower flange 30 all tightly abut against the side of the pillar 102A.

[0045] The beam 10A rests on the pillar 102B and the upper end 104 of the pillar 102B abuts against the lower flange 30 at a second attachment formation 50. A bolt 62 passes through the sleeve 52 and aperture 56 and is threaded into the engagement nut

106 at the upper end 104. By way of the bolt 62 and nut 106 combination the pillar 102B is fixed to the beam 10A at the second attachment formation 50.

[0046] It is important to understand that each of the bolts 62 extend into the respective slot 36 and sleeve 52 in the same plane as the web 22. The access openings 42 are essential to allow the insert and removal of the bolts 62 into the slots 36 and also allow the use of tools (not shown) to tighten and loosen the bolts 62. The access slots 54 fulfil a similar formation in respect of the sleeves 52 of the access formations 48, 50.

[0047] The gaps 58 are oval shaped to allow small adjustments in the alignment of opposing ends 18, 20 of beams 10 which are attached to the web 22 of a cross beam 10. [0048] A plurality of flooring elements 108 of any appropriate kind are laid on top of the beams 10A to form a floor 110. The flooring elements 108 are attached to the beams 10 in any appropriate manner.

[0049] Ceiling elements or boards 112 of any appropriate kind are engaged with the lower sides 16 of the beams 10 in any appropriate manner to form a ceiling 114.

[0050] The floor 110 is spaced from the ceiling 114 by the height of the beams 10 and a space 115 is formed between the floor 110 and the ceiling 114 wherein any required conduits, cabling or insulation (not shown) can be installed.

[0051] Figures 8 and 9 show a double story exhibition stand 100A which is constructed in the manner described form a plurality of beams 10, fasteners 60 and pillars 102. A spiral staircase 116 is used to provide access from a ground level 118 to a first floor level 120. The staircase 116 is attached to at least one of the beams 10 of the structure 100A in the same manner as a pillar 102.

[0052] The staircase 116 has a plurality of steps 122. Each step 122 extends from a central pillar 124 of the staircase 116. A lower rail 126 spirals around the central pillar

124 and is attached to the leading ends of the steps 122. A vertical brace 128 extends from each step 122 and an upper rail 130 which spirals around the central pillar 124 is attached to each of the braces 128 to provide a hand rail.

[0053] As is shown in Figure 10 each of the steps 122 has a similar construction to that of the beam 10 except that there is no lower flange 30 attached to the lower side 16 and each step 122 only has a first mounting 32. In cross-section each step 122 has a T- shape. The mounting 32 of each step is fixed to the central pillar 124 in the same manner in which the mounting 32 of the beam 1OA in Figure 7 is fixed to the pillar 102A. The engagement nuts 106 which are fixed to the side of the central pillar 124 spiral downwardly on the inside of the central pillar 124 to ensure appropriate spacing of the steps 122 around and down the central pillar 124. The web 22 of each step 122 braces against the central pillar 124 and the lower and upper rails 126, 130 which interconnect the steps 122 provide additional stability to the staircase 116.

[0054] The exact configuration and pattern of interengagement of the various beams 10 and fasteners 60 vary depending on requirements and the specific structure 100 which is constructed.

[0055] The fact that only a single bolt is used to attach an end of a beam 10 to an adjacent beam 10 or a pillar 102 increases the speed at which the structure 100 can be erected and deconstructed. The fact that only a single bolt 62 and nut combination is used at each end of the beam 10 further alleviates various alignment problems during the erection of the structure 100. As a central bolt 62 is used at each end of the beam 10 the beam 10 can be rotated to any required degree about the bolt 62 which increases the flexibility of a construction system using the beams 10.

[0056] For ease of transport the structure 100 is originally in the form of a kit which consists of the various individual parts which are used to construct the structure 100. Such a kit will inevitably have a plurality of beams 10 and a plurality of fasteners 60 which are used to interconnect the beams 10. Additionally, and depending on the type of structure 100 required the kit will also include a plurality of pillars 102.

Claims

1. A construction element which includes an elongate body which has a first side, an opposing second side, a first end, an opposing second end, a planar member which extends in a first direction from the second end to the first end and in a first plane, and a first flange formation which is fixed to the planar member at the first side, a first mounting formation which is fixed to the first end and which has an abutment formation located between the first side and the second side and a receiving formation which extends in the first direction, and a first access formation in the planar member at the first end to allow access to the receiving formation.

2. A construction element according to claim 1 wherein the body is L-shaped in cross-section.

3. A construction element according to claim 1 wherein the body is T-shaped in cross-section.

4. A construction element according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a second flange formation which is fixed to the planar member at the second side.

5. A construction element according to claim 4 wherein the body is H-shaped in cross-section.

6. A construction element according to claim 4 wherein the body is U-shaped in cross-section.

7. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the planar member includes a web which extends between the first and second side and the first and second ends.

8. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the planar member extends at a right angle relatively to the first flange formation.

9. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the first mounting formation includes a support formation between the receiving formation and the planar member.

10. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the abutment formation is elongate.

11. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the receiving formation extends in the first plane.

12. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the receiving formation includes a hole in the abutment formation.

13. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the access formation includes an opening in the planar member.

14. A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 13 which includes a second mounting formation which is fixed to the second end.

15 A construction element according to claim 14 wherein the second mounting formation is identical in construction to the first mounting formation

16 A construction element according to claim 14 or 15 which includes a second access formation in the planar member at the second end

5 17 A construction element according to any one of claims 1 to 16 which includes at least a first attachment formation on the first side which has a catch member which is engaged with the body and an access slot in the planar member

18 A construction element according to claim 17 which includes at least a second attachment formation on the second side

I O 19 A construction element according to claim 18 wherein the second attachment formation is identical in construction to the first attachment formation

20 A structure which includes a plurality of construction elements according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and a plurality of fasteners with which the construction elements are interengaged

15 21 A structure according to claim 20 wherein each fastener is in the form of a bolt and nut combination

22 A structure according to claims 20 and 21 wherein each fastener includes a connector

23. A structure according to claim 22 wherein the connector includes a central bore and a shoulder formation.

24. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 23 which includes a plurality of support pillars and wherein each support pillar is locked to a construction element.

25. A structure according to any one of claim 20 to 24 which includes a plurality of flooring elements and wherein each flooring element is engaged with a construction element.

26. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 25 which includes a plurality of ceiling elements and wherein each ceiling element is engaged with a construction element.

27. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 26 which includes a staircase which is connected to at least one construction element.

28. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 27 wherein the structure is collapsible.

29. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 28 wherein the structure is reusable.

30. A structure according to any one of claims 20 to 29 wherein the structure is modular.

31. A kit for constructing a collapsible, re-usable structure which includes a plurality of construction elements according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and a plurality of fasteners with which the construction elements are interengageable.