GB2367838A

GB2367838A - Temporary building system

Info

Publication number: GB2367838A
Application number: GB0120965A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Francis Clark; Christopher Ian Ellwell
Original assignee: CLARK ALISON ELIZABETH; Ace Supplies UK Ltd
Current assignee: CLARK ALISON ELIZABETH; Ace Supplies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-31
Filing date: 2001-08-30
Publication date: 2002-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-30
Also published as: GB2367838B; GB0021264D0; GB0120965D0

Abstract

A shelter system comprising tubular poles 1 of five-sided cross-section, connectors 2, and panels 4 is supplied in a kit of parts. The poles and connectors form a rigid framework defining a series of spaces 14, 15 and 16, panels 4 are fixed to the poles 1 via channel-shaped location members, filling the spaces 14, 15, and 16. The kit may pack into one pack corresponding to the shape of a panel, which may be a suitable size and shape for loading on a pallet.

Description

SHELTER SYSTEM

This invention relates to a shelter system which may be used for the purposes, for example, of accommodation and/or storage or cultivation.

Shelters, temporary and permanent, are known in a variety of forms which can be assembled on site from pre-formed components. Tents, marquees, sheds and greenhouses are some examples.

It is generally desirable for shelters to be easily and quickly assembled for use and, for example for use in camps, to be readily transported and handled.

The present invention has been devised with these requirements in view.

According to one aspect the present invention consists in a kit of parts provided for the construction of a shelter system and comprising poles and connectors adapted to be assembled into a rigid framework defining a series of spaces, the poles being of an external cross-section having five sides or a multiple of five sides, a plurality of panels, and channel-shaped location members with which the panels are engaged, being attachable or fixed to at least some of the poles, whereby the panels are supported parallel to sides of said cross-section of the poles to be located and retained to the framework at the spaces in the construction of the shelter system.

According to a second aspect, the present invention comprises a shelter system constructed from a kit of parts in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably the poles are straight and in the assembled framework the spaces defined thereby are rectilinearly shaped to receive the panels, the panels being shaped to correspond to the shapes of the spaces. The shapes may, for example, be square and/or rectangular. They may all be of a similar size and shape, or they may be a combination of different sizes and/or shapes.

Ideally the parts of the disassembled kit are designed to be packaged for storage and transportation in one or more substantially rectilinear packs corresponding generally to the, or a, shape of the panels. The or each pack may be of a size and shape suitable for loading on a pallet.

The poles may be tubular. The poles may be extruded sections of metal, plastics or a suitable composition material. In one embodiment the poles are of pentagonal external cross-section and in another they have a decahedral cross-section. Preferably the poles have adjacent sides of their external cross sections which meet at an angle of 144 . Poles of these cross-sections may be used at all parts of the assembled framework. By virtue of the external sections having five sides or multiples of five sides it is relatively easy for sides of the sections of the poles defining a space in the assembled framework of the shelter system to be arranged to lie in a common plane parallel to the panel to be located at the space, regardless of where the poles are used in the framework.

Connectors by which the poles are connected to form the framework may be of metal or plastics material. They may be of a known kind. They may have socket or spigot parts by which they are engaged with the poles. Preferably parts of the connectors which may be exposed between connected poles are of an external cross-section to correspond with that of the poles.

The panels may be opaque or clear. Both opaque and clear panels may be provided in the kit. Preferably the panels are rigid but for some applications of use of the shelter system at least some of the panels may be flexible. For lightness and strength, panels of a polycarbonate sheet material may be used. The panels may be of other materials, depending upon the intended use of the shelter system. Each panel may comprise two or more layers or plies of sheets. The panels may be made of other materials, for example wood, plastics, coated steel sheet, or a combination of sheet materials.

At least some of the panels may be openable. They may be connected into a system for opening them automatically for ventilation and/or heat control in the shelter system. It is also possible that the panels may be adapted to provide solar heating. Panels of different kinds may be provided to be interchangeable in a constructed shelter system. For example, in the case of the shelter system's being intended for horticultural use, transparent and opaque panels may be provided which can be interchanged to suit the produce being grown, a stage in their growth and/or the season of the year.

The channel-shaped location members may be separate components attachable to the poles. They may, for example, be bolted or clipped to the poles. Each location member may extend for the length, or substantially the length, of a side of a space in the series defined by the assembled framework. Preferably the location members are sealed to the poles when they are attached to the poles. As an alternative, the location members may be formed integrally with the poles, each location member conveniently extending along the respective pole for the length, or substantially the length, of a side of the space in the assembled framework to be defined by the poles. Whether the location members are attached to or integral with the poles, the members at a space defined in

the assembled framework preferably form together a continuous groove around the sides of the space in which the periphery of the respective panel is received.

Preferably the panels are sealed in the channel-shaped location members.

They may be sealed by sealing strips, for example of rubber or plastics, which locate, or are provided, in the channels of the location members.

The panels may be located at least in the assembled framework at a roof part of the erected shelter system. They may also be located on the framework at one or more sides and/or ends of the erected shelter system, depending upon the intended use of the structure. In one embodiment, the panels, all of rectilinear shapes, are located on the framework at spaces at a roof and opposite side parts of the shelter structure. Closure structures at least one of which contains a door or doors, are provided which secure to opposite ends of the framework. These structures may comprise connected frame members and panel or sheet components. The structures may be specially made to suit the intended use of the shelter system.

In a preferred form, the assembled framework defines a skeletal tunnel of hexagonal transverse shape comprising upright, or substantially upright, opposite sides and a roof which slopes in two stages to a central apex.

The opposite sides may contain upwardly rectangular panels. The upper and lower slopes of the roof may contain square panels.

The kit of parts may include components, such as frame members and panels, for providing partitioning inside the erected shelter system.

Struts and/or ties may also be included.

An extension structure or structures may be provided for attachment to an end of the framework. The or each extension structure may comprise connected frame members, which may be poles, and cover means, which may be rigid or flexible, attached to the frame members, or at least some of them, to provide a cover over the extension structure. An extension structure may be provided which comprises frame members and flexible cover means constructed and arranged to concertina relative to the main shelter framework for movement between a collapsed position folded close against one end of the main framework and one or more operative positions extended from that end. This extension structure may include runners along which the frame members move between the collapsed and operative positions, or the frame members may, for example, be mounted on wheels or rollers enabling them to be moved between those positions.

The kit of parts may assemble to provide the shelter system with one or more bays. In the skeletal tunnel form described, for example, the parts of the framework may be assembled into two or more adjoining parallel skeletal tunnels so as to provide a bayed shelter system.

The shelter system may form a lean-to structure.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a shelter system constructed from a kit of parts in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of part of the shelter system; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section through a pole of the kit;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section through a location member, seal and panel of the kit ; Figure 5 is an end view of the pole with location members of the form shown in Figure 4 attached thereto; Figures 6,7 and 8 are perspective view of various forms of connectors included in the kit; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a further form of connector which may be included in the kit; Figures 10 and 11 are side and perspective views respectively of a modified connector, Figures 12 and 13 are front and perspective views of a further modified connector, and Figures 14 and 15 are a cross-section and a perspective view respectively of a modified pipe and a corresponding modified connector.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a shelter system is shown such as may be used, for example, for in-field service at a temporary camp. The shelter system is constructed from a kit of parts comprising: poles 1, connectors 2, location members 3 and panels 4.

The poles 1 are tubular and all of a common cross-section, as shown in Figure 3, having a square section bore 5 and five-sided external shape comprising two opposite, parallel, similar sides 6,7 which meet a third

side 8 at right angles, and two equal, outwardly-inclined, fourth and fifth, sides 9, 10 opposite the third side 8. The fourth and fifth sides 9, 10 preferably meet at an angle of 144 . The poles are formed as extrusions, for example of aluminium, which are cut to the appropriate lengths.

There are groups of the connectors 2, as shown in Figures 6,7 and 8, providing two, three and four-way connections between the poles 1. The connectors 2 have bodies 11 with integral square-section spigots 11' which engage as tight friction fits in the bores 5 of the poles. The poles may be provided with spring-loaded bolts or detent pins to engage with holes or depressions in the spigots to assist in retaining the poles and connectors together. Another arrangement may have screws provided at the poles to tighten onto the spigots 11 to add to the security of the connections. The connections may be sealed. The bodies 11 of the connectors 2 are externally shaped to correspond with the external cross-sectional shapes of the poles. There is no need for the connectors to be handed.

The strength of the poles and connectors may be enhanced by having their cross-sections elongated. This may be desirable, for example, if the shelter system is likely to be used in places in which it could be subjected to gale force winds. Examples of a pole and a connector modified in this way are shown respectively in Figures 14 and 15. Referring to Figure 14, the tubular pole 1 has its cross-section elongated in the direction between the third side 8 and the opposite fourth and fifth sides 9,10. The elongation extends the two opposite, similar, sides 6,7 to twice the length of the third side. For example, the two similar sides 6,7 may be 100mm long and the third side 50mm long. The fourth and fifth sides 9,10 meet, as before, preferably at an angle of 144 . The connector 2, as shown in Figure 15, has its spigots 11'of a complementary rectangular cross-section to be engaged in the bores of

poles such as shown in Figure 13. The body 11 of the connector has an elongated external cross-section to correspond to the external cross-section of the poles. It will be understood that other forms of connectors may be similarly modified.

The connectors 2 of Figures 6 to 8 and Figure 14, and of Figure 9 which will be described later, are all formed in one piece, as metal castings, conveniently die castings, or possibly as plastics mouldings.

In an alternative forms the connectors may be of a fabricated constructions, as shown, for example in Figures 10 to 13. As before, each connector has a body 11 of similar external cross-sectional shape to the poles 1 and square-section spigots 11'. The body 11 is tubular ; it may be cut to length from extruded tube. The spigots 11'are cut from extruded square section tube and they are engaged as a dead or friction fit

in the bore of the body 11 and, depending upon the number of connections the respective connector is to make with the poles, a mating hole or holes in one or more of the walls of the body. The joints between the body and spigots are secured by welding or suitable bonding. In order to ensure a good fit of the spigots 11'in the bore of the body the bore is formed with a pair of ribs 11"at each corner to engage with the respective corner of the spigot's square cross-section.

The strength of the fabricated connectors may be increased, particularly when the connector is intended to be used to connect poles together in a roof supporting part of the assembled framework, by including studs or bolts in the connectors, such as shown by way of example in Figures 12 and 13. In the example shown in those figures a stud 30 extends axially through the body 11 and two opposed spigots 11'of the connector and its screw-threaded ends 31 project through central holes in end plates 32 fixed over the outer ends of the spigots. Nuts 33 are screwed onto the

screw-threaded ends 31 and tightened against the end plates 32. The stud 30 may be of plated steel and the end plates 32 may be of stainless steel. The secured stud braces and strengthens the connector. With such strengthening internally of connectors used in the roof supporting part of the assembled framework, the roof supporting part is strengthened and it may be unnecessary to provide other external bracing to strengthen the roof supporting part, thereby freeing the roof space of obstruction from such bracing.

The poles 1 and connectors 2 assemble into a rigid framework of skeletal tunnel form of a hexagonal transverse shape which comprises upright opposite sides 12 and a roof 13 which slopes in two stages to a central apex. The poles at the opposite sides 12 of the framework define similar, upwardly-elongated, rectangular spaces 14, and the poles at the lower slopes 13'and upper slopes 13"of the roof define similar square spaces 15,16.

The roof may instead have single straight slopes to the apex and each slope may be made up of two or more rows of square, or possibly rectangular, spaces extending lengthwise of the roof. For such a roof, connectors of the form shown in Figure 9 may be used for connecting the poles together end to end with their central longitudinal axes in a common plane. These connectors may be made in one piece or be fabricated similarly to the connectors 2 described above.

Horizontally extending poles in the roof 13 of the framework and along the tops of the opposite sides 12 are disposed so that the inclined fourth and fifth sides 9,10 of their sections are presented outwardly at the corners of the hexagonal shape of the framework, the corners each being of an angle, preferably 144 , corresponding to the angle between the fourth and fifth sides of the sections of the poles. The other poles each

present one of their two opposite parallel sides 6, 7 to the outside of the framework. At least at the opposite ends of the tunnel form of the framework, tie poles 17 are connected to the bottoms of the end upright poles 1 of the sides 12 of the framework by connectors 2 at those poles.

Those connectors 2 may have spigots, not shown, detachably connected to them for engagement with the tie poles 17. The tie poles may be of similar cross-section to the poles 1 of the framework.

The panels 4 are made of corresponding shapes and sizes to the spaces 14,15, 16 which the assembled poles 1 and connectors define in the framework. In this embodiment the panels are rectangular and square and of just one size for each shape, thereby simplifying manufacture of the panels. They are rigid. They are made, for example, of opaque or clear polycarbonate material, and are all of the same thickness. The panels may be of single or two or more ply.

Preferably the shorter sides of the rectangular panels are of the same length as the sides of the square panels and the longer sides of the rectangular panels are twice the length of the square panels. Typically the square panels are 1.2m x 1.2m and the rectangular panels are 1.2m x 2.4m.

Each panel 4 has four of the location members 3 fitted to its four sides. The location members may be formed as extrusions of plastics material or metal. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each location member is of hsection comprising a channel 19 and a flange 20 projecting from the base web of the channel in line with one side limb of the channel. The location members 3 extend for the full lengths of the sides of the panel, the edges of the panel being located in the channels 19, which together form a continuous groove around the space in which the panel is received, and the flanges 20 of the location members extending away from the panel

in a common plane adjacent, and parallel to, an outer surface 4'of the panel. Rubber or plastics seals 21, Figure 4, are extended round the peripheral edges of the panel in the channels 19 of the location members.

Apertures 22 for fixing screws 23 are formed in the flanges 20 at spaced intervals along the lengths of the location members.

The panels 4 are fixed in, and close, the spaces 14,15, 16 of the framework by means of the location members 3. The location members 3 are secured by their flanges 20 to the sides of the poles which are directed to the exterior of the framework, the flanges being secured by the fixing screws 23 which are engaged in the apertures 22 of the flanges and screwed into the walls of the poles. A sealing strip 24, preferably a single-sided adhesive strip of a closed cell foam plastics material for ease of application, is interposed between each flange 20 and the surface of the pole to which it is secured. The sealing strips 24 are fixed by the adhesive to the flanges 20 of the location members. As can be seen in Figure 5, in the case of the square panels that are secured in the spaces 14,16 of the lower and upper slopes of the roof 13 of the framework, the location members that are fixed to the horizontally extending poles have their flanges 20 secured flat on the inclined fourth and fifth sides 9,10 of the sections of those poles.

Use of the preferred form of the sealing strips 24 described facilitates interchanging of panels, for example to replace damaged panels or substitute different types of panels. Also there is no need to strip away the old seals from the framework when panels are replaced.

The poles may be pre-formed with holes to receive the fixing screws.

Alternatively internally screw-threaded inserts may be applied to the poles, in the course of their production, for engagement by the fixing screws.

For enhanced security, instead of having the apertures 22 and the fixing screws, the location members 3 may have rivet nuts fixed to them into which are tightened bolts applied transversely through the posts from the inside of the assembled framework. In this way there is no exposure to the exterior of the constructed shelter system of the panel fixings to the framework.

The poles may support lighting and other fittings that may be required in the erected shelter system. Utility supplies of electricity, gas or water may be connected into the bores of the poles and suitable fittings may be attached to the poles for the introduction of and tapping into the utilities.

Pre-punched holes may be provided in the poles to receive the fittings.

At least one end of the tunnel form of the framework may be closed by an end structure, such as shown in Figure 1, which may be specially made to suit the intended use of the shelter system. In Figure 1 end structures are shown at both ends of the framework. Both end structures are made of poles connected by connectors. The poles are of similar cross-section to those used at the sides and roof of the framework. Each end structure receives rectangular lower panels 4x similar to those used at the sides of the framework at their lower sections, to the level of the bottom edges of the roof, and quadrangular upper panels 4y shaped to close the spaces outlined, by the ends of the roof above the rectangular lower panels 4x.

As before, the panels are fitted with locations members 3.

In the embodiment described, the use of aluminium poles and polycarbonate panels enables a lightweight but strong shelter system to be provided. The panels can withstand heavy snow falls and high winds.

The shelter system may be constructed directly on the ground or it may be constructed on a more solid foundation, for example of concrete or timber, depending on the intended use of the system. It may be anchored to the ground or foundation at the base of the framework by fixings applied to, or attachable to, poles of the framework. The poles at the base of the framework may be provided with brackets with which pegs, spikes or bolts, or other such anchorage means, are engaged to fix the framework in place. For anchorage in soft earth the anchorage means may comprise stakes with foot plates which are set into the ground, poles at the base of the framework being secured to the stakes. A preferred alternative way of fixing the base of the framework to the ground or foundation is to provide holes in the bodies of those connectors that are at the base of the framework through which bolts, spikes or other suitable anchors can be run into the found or foundation. The anchorages may avoid the need for guy ropes or other external lashings to be applied to the framework.

The panels, poles, connectors and location members when disassembled may be packed together, substantially flat, into one or more compact substantially rectilinear packs which can be readily palletised for storage and transportation.

Claims

1. A kit of parts provided for the construction of a shelter system and comprising poles and connectors adapted to be assembled into a rigid framework defining a series of spaces, the poles being of an external cross-section having five sides or a multiple of five sides, a plurality of panels, and channel-shaped location members with which the panels are engaged, being attachable or fixed to at least some of the poles, whereby the panels are supported parallel to sides of said cross-section of the poles to be located and retained to the framework at the spaces in the construction of the shelter system.

2. A kit of parts according to claim 1 wherein the poles are straight and in the assembled framework the spaces defined thereby are rectilinearly shaped to receive the panels, and the panels are shaped to correspond to the shapes of the spaces.

3. A kit of parts according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the poles and connectors are adapted to define the spaces in the assembled framework all of a similar size and shape.

4. A kit of parts according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the poles and connectors are adapted to define the spaces in the assembled framework of a combination of different sizes and/or shapes.

5. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the parts of the disassembled kit are packaged into at least one pack corresponding generally to the, or a, shape of the panels.

6. A kit of parts according to claim 5 wherein the or each pack is of a size and shape suitable for loading on a pallet.

7. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the external cross-section of the poles have adjacent sides which meet at an angle of 144 .

8. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the poles are tubular.

9. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the connectors are each made in one-piece.

10. A kit of parts according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the connectors are of a fabricated construction.

11. A kit of parts according to claim 9 or claim 10 as dependent from claim 8 wherein each connector has a body and spigots extending from the body which engage in the bores of the poles which the connector is to join.

12. A kit of parts according to claim 11 wherein the body is externally shaped to correspond with the external cross-sectional shapes of the poles.

13. A kit of parts according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the spigots are a friction fit in the bores of the poles.

14. A kit of parts according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the poles are provided with spring-loaded balls or detent pins which are engaged with holes or depressions in the spigots of the connectors to assist in retaining the poles to the connectors.

15. A kit of parts according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein screws are provided at the poles to be tightened onto the spigots of the connectors to secure the connections between the poles and the connectors.

16. A kit of parts according to claim 10 and any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the bodies and spigots of the connectors are separately made tubular components, the spigots being located with and fixed to the bodies.

17. A kit of parts according to claim 16 wherein at least some of the spigots are located in the bores of the bodies and fixed thereto.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein at least some of the spigots are located in and fixed in holes in walls of the bodies.

19. A kit of parts according to any of claims 16 to 18 wherein at least some of the connectors include stud or bolts which extend through the bodies and opposed spigots of the connectors and have nuts applied to exposed ends and tightened onto the spigots thereby to brace and strengthen the connectors.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 19 wherein the spigots have end plates through which the spigots have end plates through which the studs or bolts extend and against which the nuts are tightened.

21. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the panels are rigid.

22. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the panels comprise a polycarbonate sheet material.

23. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the channel-shaped location members are separate components attachable to the poles.

24. A kit of parts according to any of claims 1 to 22 wherein the channel-shaped location members are formed integrally with the poles.

25. A kit of parts according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the location members of the poles defining a space in the assembled framework form together a continuous groove around the perimeter of the space to receive the periphery of the respective panel.

26. A kit of parts according to claim 25 wherein the panel is sealed in the groove by seals extended around the peripheral edges of the panel in the groove.

27. A kit of parts according to claim 23, or either of claims 25 and 26 as dependent from claim 23, wherein the location members have apertured flanges to which fixing screws are applied for fixing the location member to the poles.

28. A kit of parts according to claim 23, or either of claims 25 and 26 as dependent from claim 23, wherein the location members have rivet nuts fixed to them into which are tightened bolts applied transversely through the poles.

29. A kit of parts according to claim 28 wherein the location members have the rivet nuts positioned such that the bolts have to be applied to the

poles and tightened into the rivet nuts from the inside of the assembled framework.

30. A kit of parts according to claim 23, or either of claims 25 and 26 as dependent from claim 23, claim 28 or claim 29, wherein a sealing strip is applied to the location members of each panel to seal the location members to the poles to which they are attached.

31. A kit of parts according to claim 30 wherein the sealing strip is a single-sided adhesive strip of a closed cell foam plastics material.

32. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein the poles and connectors are adapted to be assembled into the rigid framework such that the framework defines a skeletal tunnel of hexagonal transverse shape comprising upright, or substantially upright, opposite sides and a roof which slopes in two stages to a central apex.

33. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim further including components for providing partitioning inside the assembled framework.

34. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim further including struts and/or ties for attachment to the assembled framework.

35. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim including frame members and cover means which assemble to form an extension structure which is attachable to the assembled framework.

36. A kit of parts according to claim 35 wherein the cover means is flexible and the frame members and cover means are constructed and arranged to enable the extension structure to concertina relative to the

assembled framework between collapsed, folded and operative, extended positions.

37. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein some of the poles are adapted to be assembled at a base region of the framework and have flanged foot sections, and anchor plates having associated fixing means are provided which are engageable with the flanges to fix the foot sections, by the fixing means, on the ground or foundation on which the framework is assembled for use.

38. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein some of the connectors are adapted to be applied to poles at a base region of the assembled framework, the connectors having holes through which bolts, spikes or other anchors can be run to anchor on the ground or foundation on which the framework is assembled for use.

39. A kit of parts according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the poles are tubular and adapted to have utility supplies of electricity, gas or water connected into their bores, and fittings are attachable to those poles for the introduction of and tapping into the utility supplies.

40. A shelter system constructed from a kit of parts as claimed in any preceding claim.

41. A kit of parts substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

42. A shelter system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.