WO2008116971A1

WO2008116971A1 - Support frame

Info

Publication number: WO2008116971A1
Application number: PCT/FI2008/050137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Janne Tanhuanpää; Tuomo Huopana
Original assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
Priority date: 2007-03-27
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: FI20075199L; FI20075199A0

Abstract

A support frame (1 ) for supporting and/or fastening horizontal bars, which support frame (1 ) comprises first and second flange parts (2, 4) extending in the longitudinal direction of the support frame (1 ) and a web (6) extending between them. The web (6) of the support frame (1 ) comprises flexible structure for altering the width of the support frame (1 ) and/or the distance between the first and second flange parts (2, 4). In an embodiment, the web comprises spring elements (8) that are arranged to flex in the lateral direction of the support frame (1 ) for altering the distance between the first and second flange parts (2, 4).

Description

SUPPORT FRAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to a support frame of a wall structure and/or partition wall structure and especially to a support frame according to the preamble of claim 1 for supporting and/or fastening wall structures, the support frame comprising a first and a second flange part that extend in the longitudinal direction of the support frame, and a web between them.

[0002] In the wall structures and especially the partition wall structures of buildings, support frames, or what are known as partition wall frames, are used to serve as supports for the wall structure and to which parts of the wall structure are fastened. Horizontal support frames, or horizontal bars, are conventionally fastened to the wall and/or floor and/or ceiling structures, and vertical support frames, or vertical bars, are further fastened to extend between the horizontal bars mounted to the ceiling and floor. Support frames generally have a U- or C-shaped cross-section so that the vertical bar can be set perpendicularly inside the support frame. If necessary, the support frame may also be arranged to receive insulation wool that may extend between the horizontal bars mounted to the ceiling and floor and between adjacent vertical bars. Wall panels and/or surface panels or other parts of the wall structure can also be fastened to the support frames, whereby the support frames form the body of the wall and provide the wall structure with its rigidity. The web of such support frames is generally furnished with perforation to improve the sound-proofing properties of the support frame and to achieve the desired flexibility of the support frame.

[0003] A problem with the prior-art support frames is that their material consumption is high, and this is the largest single cost in the manufacture of conventional support frames. In the prior art, attempts have been made to reduce material costs by embossing, for instance, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the panel from which the support frame is made. However, material savings have then been rather small. Because there are no significant rigidity requirements for support frames, it is possible to weaken the web of the support frame. In the prior art, a wire mesh is provided in the web to extend along the length of the support frame and along part of the width of the web. A problem with these known solutions is, however, that many sizes of support frames are needed for different wall structures, whereby it is also nee- essary to manufacture different support frames. This means that for different construction sites, it is necessary to always have different support frames in store and the manufacturing apparatuses need to be occasionally adjusted to suit the manufacture of different support frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is thus an object of the invention to develop a support frame with which the above-mentioned problems can be solved. The object of the invention is achieved with a support frame according to the characterising part of claim 1 , which is characterised in that the web comprises a flexible structure for altering the width of the support frame and/or the distance between the first and second flange parts.

[0005] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is based on furnishing the web of the support frame with a structure that makes it possible to alter the width of the web in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support frame. In other words, it is possible to alter the width of the support frame by means of this flexible structure. This is achieved by furnishing the support frame, which comprises first and second flange parts and a web extending between them, with a web structure that flexes in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support frame. This flexible structure may be a weakening provided in the web, or consecutive weakenings that extend in the web in the longitudinal direction of the support frame. Alternatively, the flexible structure may be provided using spring elements that make it possible to alter the width of the support frame and the distance between the first and second flange parts. There may be one or more spring elements that are provided in the web of the support frame consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the support frame. In this application, the support frame refers to a partition wall frame of a wall and/or partition wall structure, and especially to a horizontal partition wall frame, i.e., horizontal bar, but in certain cases the invention can also be used in vertical partition wall frames, i.e., vertical bars.

[0007] The method and system of the invention provide the advantage that, by means of the flexible structure, the support frame can be made narrower than the conventional support frame in such a manner that it need not be extended to a suitable length until during installation, because the flexi- ble structure and/or the spring elements of the web of the support frame flex. This way, it is possible to save material costs, because the smaller width of the support frame with a flexible structure saves material in comparison with the wider structures of the prior art. In addition, only one type of support frame needs to be manufactured, because it is possible to use the same support frame in all wall structures by extending the width of the support frame by means of the flexible structure to be as desired. The support frame that is narrower than the conventional support frame also saves storage space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The invention will now be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of an embodiment of a support frame according to the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a top view of the support frame of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an elongated support frame 1 according to the present invention. The support frame 1 comprises a first flange part 2 and a second flange part 4 and a web 6 that extends between the first and second flange parts 2, 4 and connects them. The support frame 1 is preferably made of steel, but it can also be made of some other corresponding material. The support frame 1 has been set to its shape by roll forming, bending, edging and/or cutting or with any combination of these manufacturing methods. The support frame 1 preferably forms a rail-like structure in accordance with Figure 1 , whereby its cross-sectional shape is essentially that of the letter U or C. However, it should be remembered that is certain cases the cross-sectional shape may also be some other shape. The support frame 1 is used in wall and partition wall structures preferably as a horizontal bar, but in some cases, it may also be used as a vertical bar.

[0010] According to the present invention, the web 6 of the support frame 1 is furnished with a flexible structure that allows the width D of the support frame 1 to be altered. The alteration of the width of the support frame 1 can be achieved by directing to the support frame 1 a force that is essentially transverse to its lateral or longitudinal direction. Depending on the structure of the support frame 1 , the width of the support frame 1 can be increased by di- recting to the support frame 1 a force that endeavours to pull the first and second flange parts 2, 4 away from each other to increase the distance between them, or the width of the support frame 1 can be decreased by directing to the support frame 1 a force that endeavours to press the first and second flange parts 2, 4 towards each other to reduce the distance between them. The movement of the flange parts 2, 4 away from or towards each other is made possible by a deformation of the flexible structure. In a preferred embodiment, when the flexible structure is static, the width of the support frame is at its minimum, and the width D of the support frame 1 can only be altered by directing to the support frame 1 a force that endeavours to pull the first and second flange parts 2, 4 away from each other to increase the width D of the support frame 1.

[0011] The flexible structure may be achieved in the web 6 as a weakening, spring solution or some other flexible solution that enables a reversible, partly reversible, or permanent, i.e., irreversible, alteration of the web width D of the support frame 1. In this context, a reversible alteration refers to an alteration of the width D that, after the force directed to the support frame 1 ends, returns the width D back to its original dimension. A partly reversible alteration refers to an alteration of the width D that, after the force directed to the support frame 1 ends, returns the width D towards its original dimension, to a width that is between the original dimension and another dimension. An irreversible alteration refers to an alteration of the width D that, after the force directed to the support frame 1 ends, keeps the width D in its altered dimension. In a preferred solution, the alteration of the width of the support frame 1 is reversible or partly reversible, whereby during the installation of the support frame, the support frame 1 is not ruined or does not remain in an undesirable form as a result of excessive and/or in parts uneven width alteration.

[0012] The flexible structure is made in such a manner that the distance between the first and second flange parts 2, 4 can be altered during the installation of the support frame 1. In other words, the flexible structure is made in such a manner that the width of the support frame 1 can preferably be changed manually. This way, one and the same support frame 1 can be used with a second support frame of any width which is mountable upright inside the support frame 1 between the flange parts 2 and 4 to extend perpendicularly from the support frame 1. Thus, the essential thing in the invention is that the width of the support frame 1 can be altered during the installation of the sup- port frame, whereby it is not necessary to manufacture support frames of different widths. In addition, the flexible structure should be of a type that does not enable a significant yield of the support frame 1 structure in the longitudinal direction of the support frame 1.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an embodiment with two or more spring elements 8 in the middle of the web 6. The spring elements 8 are formed in the web 6 consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the support frame and preferably along the entire length or only part of the length of the support frame 1. The flexible structure formed by the spring elements 8 divides the web into a first web part 10 and a second web part 12 and connects them flexibly to each other in such a manner that the first web part 10 and the second web part 12 and the first flange part 2 and the second flange part 4 connected to them may move relative to each other in the lateral direction of the support frame 1. In other words, the web 6 comprises spring elements 8 that are arranged to flex in the lateral direction of the support frame 1 to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts 2, 4 and the width D of the support frame 1.

[0014] These spring elements 8 are provided to the support frame 1 by cutting and/or edging and/or bending and/or forming in some other way. According to Figure 1 , strip-like spring parts are cut into the web 6 and bent upward in such a manner that their side surfaces extend vertically relative to the web like the first and second flange parts 2, 4. These spring elements 8 are further bent in the shape of the letter V so as to form two strip-like spring parts 14, 16 connected to each other and arranged to bend in order to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts of the support frame. Figure 2 is a top view of the support frame 1 of Figure 1. The spring element 8 is thus, as shown in Figure 2, formed of the first strip-like spring part 14, the first end 18 of which is connected to the first web part 10, and of a second strip-like spring part 16, the first end 20 of which is connected to the second web part 12, and the second ends 22, 24 of the first and second strip-like spring parts 14, 16 are connected or connect to each other. The second ends 22, 24 of these spring parts 14, 16 are preferably connected to each other at their top edges, bottom edges, or ends. This connection may be provided by forming the spring parts 14 and 16 of the same material by cutting and/or edging, or by fastening the spring parts 14 and 16 to each other mechanically using a screw, rivet, or some other corresponding mechanical fastening means. This structure forms a leaf spring structure or the like between the first and second web parts 10, 12. When a force is directed to the support frame 1 to alter the width D of the support frame 1, the first ends 18 and 20 of the strip-like spring parts 14 and 16 move towards each other or away from each other while the second ends 22 and 24 remain together. Thus the spring element 8 obtained in this manner connects the first and second web part 10, 12 together movably in such a manner that the distance between them can be altered by directing to the support frame 1 a force that endeavours either to push the first and second flange parts 2, 4 towards each other or pull them apart. This thus forms a V- shaped leaf spring or bellows spring structure that opens and closes. If necessary, more than one bellows may be formed in this type of bellows spring structure, in which case it may be in the shape of the letter W₁ for instance, or in some other shape that comprises several bellows. In a preferred embodiment, the strip-like spring parts 14 and 16 are made of one uniform material and are bent together only at their second ends 22, 24. Alternatively, it is also possible that the second ends 22 and 24 are fastened to each other if they are not made of uniform material.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to cut, edge, bend and/or roll form between the first and second web parts 10, 12 a spring element that comprises only one strip-like part. In other words, the structure may be such that the second strip-like spring part 16 is removed from the structure of Figure 2 and the first strip-like spring part 14 is made to extend between the first and second web parts 10, 12. The first end 18 of the first strip-like spring part 14 then connects to the first web part 10 and the second end 22 of the spring part 14 to the second web part 12. Thus, the first and second web parts 10, 12 are connected by one strip-like spring part that is capable of bending when a force transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support frame 1 is directed to the support frame 1 to endeavour to pull the first and second web parts 10, 12 and thus also the first and second flange parts 2, 4 apart or press them towards each other.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the spring element 8 is formed of a first strip-like spring part that is between its ends connected to a first web part and of a second strip-like spring part that is between its ends connected to a second web part, and the first ends of the first and second strip-like spring parts are connected to each other and their second ends are connected to each other. This type of spring element may be provided for instance by changing the spring element of Figure 2 in such a manner that the spring ele- ment comprises ends corresponding to the second ends 22 and 24 of the strip- like spring parts 14, 16 extending upwards, but extending similarly downwards, and the ends are further connected to each other like the ends 22 and 24. According to Figure 2, the strip-like parts then form a diamond-shaped pattern, the strip-like spring parts of which are correspondingly connected to the first and second web parts 10, 12 between their ends.

[0017] It should further be noted that even though alternative embodiments that provide the flexible structure, spring elements and spring structure have been described herein, the present invention is not restricted to the described solutions, but they may be modified in many ways. These solutions may comprise any solution in which the web of the support frame is between flange parts furnished with a flexible structure that preferably allows the width of the support frame to be altered. However, the structure of the invention preferably essentially prevents the relative movement of the first and second web parts and thus also the first and second flange parts in the longitudinal direction of the support frame while permitting their relative movement in the lateral direction of the support frame. Therefore, the flexible structure may vary in such a manner that it enables the above-mentioned movement, i.e. the alteration of the width of the support frame, and connects the first and second web parts and/or first and second flange parts to each other. The flexible structure or spring is preferably formed of the same material integrally with the support frame. Alternatively, this type of flexible structure or spring may also be a completely separate part that is fastened between two separate web parts in such a manner that it connects the web parts flexibly to each other.

[0018] Another essential thing about the invention is that the flexible structure or spring element is arranged to flex in such a manner that the distance between the first and second flange parts of the support frame can be altered during the installation of the support frame and/or the installation of a vertical bar to the support frame. In other words, the invention does not concern a structure that needs to be modified during manufacturing to the desired dimensions, after which the width can no longer be changed in a sensible manner. This type of support frame is provided especially for horizontal bars of a wall and/or partition wall structure, but in certain cases it can also be applied to vertical bars. Thus, the support frame is arranged to be installed in a floor and/or ceiling and/or wall structure. [0019] It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above examples, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A support frame for supporting and/or fastening wall structures, which comprises first and second flange parts extending in the longitudinal direction of the support frame, and a web between them, characterised in that the web comprises a flexible structure for altering the width of the support frame and/or the distance between the first and second flange parts.

2. A support frame as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the web comprises spring elements arranged to flex in the lateral direction of the support frame to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts.

3. A support frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the web comprises two or more spring elements that are provided in the web consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the support frame and arranged to flex in the lateral direction of the support frame to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts.

4. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r - acterised in that the flexible structure or spring elements are provided by cutting and/or edging and/or bending and/or forming in some other way.

5. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, c h a r - acterised in that the spring elements are leaf springs or the like.

6. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, c h a r - acterised in that the spring element is formed of a strip-like spring part arranged to bend to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts.

7. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, c h a r - acterised in that the spring element is formed of two joined strip-like spring parts that are connected to each other and arranged to bend to alter the distance between the first and second flange parts.

8. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, c h a r - acterised in that the flexible structure or spring elements are arranged to divide the web in the longitudinal direction of the support frame into a first web part and a second web part and to connect the first and second web parts flexibly to each other.

9. A support frame as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the spring element is formed of a strip-like spring part, the first end of which is connected to the first web part and the second end of which is connected to the second web part.

10. A support frame as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the spring element is formed of a first strip-like spring part with a first end connected to the first web part and of a second strip-like spring part with a first end connected to the second web part, and the second ends of the first and second strip-like spring parts are connected to each other.

11. A support frame as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the spring element is formed of a first strip-like spring part that is between its ends connected to the first web part and of a second strip-like spring part that is between its ends connected to the second web part, and the first ends of the first and second strip-like spring parts are connected to each other and the second ends are connected to each » other.

12. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the flexible structure or spring elements are arranged to flex in such a manner that the distance between the first and second flange parts is changeable during the installation of the support frame and/or the installation of the vertical bar to the support frame.

13. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the support frame is arranged to be mounted to a floor and/or ceiling and/or wall structure.

14. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the support frame is a horizontal bar and/or vertical bar of a wall structure or a partition wall structure.

15. A support frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the flexible structure and/or spring elements are arranged to provide a reversible or permanent deformation of the support frame in connection with the alteration of the width of the support frame and/or the distance between the first and second flange parts.