AU2016201455B2

AU2016201455B2 - Temporary Structure

Info

Publication number: AU2016201455B2
Application number: AU2016201455A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brendan Long
Original assignee: Long Entpr Pty Ltd; Long Enterprises Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Long Enterprises Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-04
Filing date: 2016-03-04
Publication date: 2022-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-04
Also published as: AU2016201455A1

Abstract

A temporary structure is formed by panels. Each panel is located between elongate frame members, which in turn are mounted onto connectors. The frame members include channels into which the panel edges can be located. 1/5 4 14 -14 14 20 20 12 30 16 16 14 10 52 16 14 Fig. 1F 182 146 Fig. 2

Description

1/5

4 14

14 10 -14 14 20 20 12

16 16

52 16 14

Fig.

182

146

1F Fig. 2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"TEMPORARY STRUCTURE"

Applicant:

LONG ENTERPRISES PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE FOR SCSI UNIT TRUST

Associated provisional applications:

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"TEMPORARY STRUCTURE"

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to temporary structures and dwellings.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Tents are one of the oldest forms of shelter known to humanity.

[0003] Traditionally, tents are formed by a frame, about which is stretched a suitable cloth skin. The cloth skin may have integrally formed doors, windows, and floor surfaces. Alternatively, some of these features may be formed as separate elements which are attached to the frame.

[0004] Traditional tents are relatively small, suitable perhaps as a temporary dwelling for a family. More recently, advances in technology have resulted in the formation of larger tents, suitable for use in housing instruments or as accommodation for workers in remote areas. Tents are also increasingly finding use for longer-term temporary accommodation, such as in refugee camps.

[0005] Traditional approaches to tent construction have several drawbacks.

[0006] In traditional tent construction the frame is effectively fighting against the weight of the fabric covering. As a result, the structure is inherently unstable and must be have additional stabilisers (such as ropes) to maintain its structural integrity.

[0007] The fabric covering or cloth skin needs to be manufactured out of very precisely cut and stitched material. This is a complex and time consuming process. In addition, there is the possibility of water ingress along the lines of stitching.

[0008] When the tent is constructed with a single integral skin, any damage to the skin renders the tent unusable until the skin can be repaired. This problem can be overcome by the use of "marquee-style" tents, which have interchangeable panel walls that are lashed to the sides of the tent. As these tents become larger the frame size must increase accordingly to counter the increasing weight of the sides and roof. This introduces its own problems.

[0009] Various tent designs have been suggested in order to alleviate some of these problems. Hoop frame tents, for instance, are generally cylindrical tents having excellent structural rigidity. This comes at the cost of being highly inefficient in their use of available internal space.

[0010] Due to complex frame shapes and stitched panels, most tent designs do not lend themselves well to modular expansion or adaptation and are in essence single-application structures.

[0011] Most tent systems require levelling and smoothing of the ground surface upon which they are pitched. This is because the floor of the tent rests on the ground. The larger the tent the greater the site preparation requirements. The placement of the tent floor can also lead to problems with hygiene, dust control, vermin and flooding.

[0012] Most tent systems do not easily permit the connection of services such as power supply, lighting, water or sewerage.

[0013] Lightweight portable tents are unsuitable for long-term accommodation due to cramped living conditions. On the other hand, large military-spec tents and marquee tents are extremely bulky and heavy and require lifting equipment and substantial logistical support to transport and erect.

[0014] There are practical limitations to soft-skinned structures as viable living environments over time, where hard-walled buildings become a preferred option. Tents are largely unable to be converted from soft-skinned to hard-skinned, rendering the investment in them limited to very specific applications.

[0015] The present invention seeks to provide a temporary structure or dwelling which at least partially alleviates some of the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a structure including a plurality of panels; a plurality of frame members; and a plurality of connectors; each connector being arranged to receive at least two frame members; and each frame member having at least one channel arranged to receive a paneledge.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment each frame member includes at least two channels, the two channels being parallel to each other and spaced from each other, such that two panels can be received in the frame member, the two panels being spaced from each other.

[0018] The panels may be relatively thin panels, being able to be supported at each edge by a single channel. Alternatively, the panels may be relatively thick panels, supported at each edge by two channels.

[0019] Each connector may have at least one projection, and each frame member may be an elongate hollow member having an internal cross sectional shape which is complementary in shape to the projection of a connector.

[0020] It is preferred that each frame member is substantially square in cross section. Preferably the frame members are extruded, for instance from aluminium.

[0021] The channels may project externally of each frame member.

[0022] The plurality of frame members may include 1800 frame members, in which channels are arranged on opposing sides of the frame member.

They may also include 900 frame members, in which at least one channel or pair of channels is disposed about the frame member at 900 from another channel or pair of channels.

[0023] The plurality of connectors may include cross members having four projections arranged at 900 intervals in a single plane. It may also include corner joints having three or more projections, each of three projections being orthogonal to the other two.

[0024] Each connector may include a web extending between adjacent projections, the web include a tensioning element receiver.

[0025] The plurality of panels may include wall panels, floor panels and roofing panels. The wall panels may include door panels, and window panels.

[0026] Where two panels are received in the same frame members, and are spaced from each other, there will exist a gap between the frame members. This gap can be filled with reinforcing or insulating material. The gap may also include lighting, used in conjunction with translucent panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a general schematic view of a structure in accordance with the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a set of isometric views of a portion of each of a variety of frame members for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 is a set of cross sectional view of the frame members of Figure 2;

[0031] Figure 4 is an isometric view of a cross member connectorfor use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a corner joint connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 6 is an isometric view of an edge joint connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a roof mounting corner connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0035] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a roof mounting edge connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 9 is an isometric view of a roof peak connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 10 is an isometric view of a roof peak gable end connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 11 is an isometric view of a wall-to-roof-gable connector for use in the structure of Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 12 is a rendered view of the wall-to-roof gable connector of Figure 1, shown with a frame member attached;

[0040] Figure 13 is an isometric view of an alternative panel end piece; and

[0041] Figure 14 is an isometric view of the panel end piece of Figure 13, shown connected to a frame member of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0042] Referring to the Figures, Figure 1 shows a structure 10 formed from a plurality of panels 12, frame members 14 and connectors 16.

[0043] Examples of frame members 14 are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The frame members 14 are formed from extruded metal, such as aluminium. Each of the frame members 14 is hollow and square in cross section, with a typical edge width of about 10cm. Each frame member 14 is elongate, with lengths typically between 1m and 2m.

[0044] Each frame member 14 has channels 18, in the form of C-channels, extending along its length on at least two sides of the frame member 14.

[0045] A single-wall 1800frame member 20 has an outer face 22, an inner face 24 and two side faces 26. The frame member 20 has two channels 18, located on opposing side faces 26 of the frame member 20. The channels 18 are arranged so that their outer edges align with the outer face 22 of the frame member 20.

[0046] A double-wall 1800frame member 28 has four channels 18, located with two parallel channels 18 on each of the opposing side faces 26 of the frame member 28. The channels 18 are arranged so that outer edges of the outermost channels 18 align with the outer face 22 of the frame member 28, and inner edges of the innermost channels 18 align with the inner face 24 of the frame member 28.

[0047] A single-wall 900frame member 30 has a first outer face 32, a second outer face 34 at 900 to the first outer face 32, and two inner faces 36 opposed to the outer faces 32, 34. The frame member 30 has two channels 18, one located on each inner face 36 of the frame member 30. The channels 18 are arranged so that their outer edges align with a respective outer face 32, 34 of the frame member 30.

[0048] A double-wall 900frame member 38 has four channels 18, located with two parallel channels 18 on each of the inner faces 36 of the frame member 38. The channels 18 are arranged so that outer edges of the outermost channels 18 align with respective outer faces 32, 34 of the frame member 38, and inner edges of the innermost channels 18 align with the respective inner faces 36 of the frame member 38.

[0049] Examples of connectors 16 are shown in Figures 4 to 12.

[0050] Each connector 16 has a central portion 40 with a plurality of projections 42 extending from the central portion 40. The projections 42 are square in cross section, and are sized to that the end of a frame member 14 can locate securely about a projection 42.

[0051] Adjacent projections 42; that is, projections 42 which are orthogonal to each other, are connected with a generally right-triangular web 44 which is part of the central portion 40. The web 44 lies in the same plane as central elongate axes of the adjacent projections 42. Each web 44 has an aperture 46 located midway along a hypotenuse of the web 44.

[0052] A cross member connector 50 is shown in Figure 4. The cross member connector 50 has four projections 42 located in the same plane at 900 intervals around the central portion 40; and four webs 44 also located in this plane.

[0053] A corner joint connector 52 is shown in Figure 5. The corner joint connector 52 has three mutually orthogonal projections 42, and three mutually orthogonal webs 44.

[0054] An edge joint connector 54 is shown in Figure 6. The edge joint connector 54 is similar to the corner joint 52, but has an additional projection 42 aligned with, and on the opposite side of the central portion 40 to, one of the other projections 42.

[0055] A roof mounting corner connector 56 is shown in Figure 7. The roof mounting corner connector 56 is similar to the corner joint connector 52, but includes a fourth projection 42 being a roof supporting projection 58, located at an acute angle (around 300) to one of the other projections 42.

[0056] A roof mounting edge connector 60 is shown in Figure 8. This connector is similar to the edge joint connector 54, but with the angle between the two non-aligned projections 42 changed to an obtuse angle (around 1200). The effect is to change one of these projections into a roof supporting projection 58 parallel, in use, to the roof supporting projection 58 of the roof mounting corner connector 56.

[0057] A roof peak connector 62 is shown in Figure 9. The roof peak connector 62 has three orthogonal projections 42, with two roof supporting protections 58 projections oriented downwards at the obtuse angle to form a peak of a roof.

[0058] A roof peak gable end connector 64 is shown in Figure 10. This is similar to the roof peak connector 62, but has only one fewer side projection 42.

[0059] A wall-to-roof-gable connector 66 is shown in Figures 11 and 12. This is similar to the roof mounting edge connector 60.

[0060] Construction of a building frame is effected by connecting frame members 14 to connectors 16 in a three-dimensional grid pattern. Four outer extremities of the structure 10 are marked by four corner joint connectors 52. These can be located on the ground, or raised on supporting footings. A floor for the structure 10 can be arranged between the four corner joint connectors 52, with edge joint connectors 54 located at set intervals between each corner joint connector 52, and cross member connectors 50 located internally, aligned with edge joint connectors 54. It is considered desirable that the grid arrangement thus created be a square grid, with each square having side length in the order of 1200mm.

[0061] Suitable frame members 14 can complete the grid. It is anticipated that, for instance, single-wall 900frame members can be used along the edges of the frame, and single-wall 1800 frame members used internally of the frame.

[0062] Square floor panels 12, having a rigid outer lip, can be inserted within the frame thus created by means of receipt of the lip into the channels 18.

[0063] Walls of the structure 10 can be assembled in a similar manner. It is anticipated that wall panels 12 and corresponding frame members 14 may be rectangular in shape, for instance 1200mm by 2000mm. It will be appreciated that wall panels 12 may come in different configurations, as long as each has a rigid outer lip for receipt within channels 18. These might include wall panels 12 containing a hinged door, or wall panels 12 including a transparent area to serve as a window.

[0064] The walls are topped with roof mounting connectors 56, 60, arranged to allow the erection of a gabled roof. The gabled roof may be constructed in a similar fashion, with roofing panels 12 locating within grids formed by frame members 14. This can be seen in Figure 12.

[0065] If a structure is required to have additional bracing, tension wires can be attached diagonally across panels 12 by connecting wires to apertures 46 of webs 44 in connectors 16. Tightening of these wires will brace the structure.

[0066] If a structure is required to have additional insulation, this can be achieved by using double panel frame members 28, 38, and arranging panels in a'cavity wall' style construction. Within the cavity thus created insulation materials can be supplied. In addition, services such as electricity and plumbing can be located between panels in a 'cavity wall' construction.

[0067] Lighting may also be located within such a cavity. If selected panels are translucent, this will allow for the lighting to illuminate internally (or externally) of the structure.

[0068] The panels 12 described above are relatively thin, with an outer lip arranged to engage with a single channel 18 along each edge. In an alternative embodiment, the panels 12 may be relatively thick, with each edge located within a U-shaped channel of an outer edge piece 112, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The outer edge piece 112 has two ridges 114 arranged to locate within channels 18 of a frame member 12.

[0069] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A structure including a plurality of panels; a plurality of frame members; and a plurality of connectors; each connector being arranged to receive at least two frame members; and each frame member having at least one arcuate C-shaped channel arranged to receive a panel edge, the channel projecting externally of the frame member; wherein each connector has at least one projection, and each frame member is an elongate hollow member substantially square in cross section, the elongate hollow member being complementary in shape to the projection of a connector.
2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each frame member includes at least two channels, the two channels being parallel to each other and spaced from each other, such that two panels can be received in the frame member, the two panels being spaced from each other.
3. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of frame members includes 1800 frame members, in which channels are arranged on opposing sides of the frame member.
4. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of frame members includes 900 frame members, in which at least one channel or pair of channels is disposed about the frame member at 900 from another channel or pair of channels.
5. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of connectors includes cross members having four projections arranged at 900 intervals in a single plane.
6. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of connectors includes corner joints having three or more projections, each of three projections being orthogonal to the other two.
7. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each connector includes a web extending between adjacent projections, the web include a tensioning element receiver.
8. A structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of panels includes wall panels, floor panels and roofing panels.
9. A structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wall panels include door panels, and window panels.

LONG ENTERPRISES PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE FOR SCSI UNIT TRUST By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP

P2096AU02