US2647475A - Knockdown arch structure - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1953 A. DIETRICH KNOCKDOWN ARCH STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Filed June 19, 1950 NYEYTOR ple/Trick ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1953 KNocKDoWN ARCH STRUCTURE Albert Dietrich, New York, N. Y., assigner to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application June 19,1950, serial No. 169,022 l.

My invention relates to knock-down buildings and structural elements for forming the same. More particularly my invention relates to buildings of the type wherein a number of structural elements are detachably connected together to form a structure which is readily knocked down for transportation or storage to its orignal elements or to units formed by sub-assemblies of such elements. The building according to the invention is particularly adapted for use in cold climates where it may be erected directly on the ground without the use of previously prepared foundations.

With the foregoing in View, an object of my invention is to provide an improved knockdown building and improved structural elements for forming the same.

A further object is to provide an improved structural frame member of arched form as part ofthe frame for the building.

A further object is to provide an improved structural element, a plurality of which are adapted to be connected together to form an arched structural frame member for the building.

A further object is to provide an improved method of constructing a structural arch.

lA further object is to provide an improved arched roof for a knockdown building.

A further object is to provide an improved floor for a knock-down building in combination with an improved arched roof structure for the same.

A further object is to provide an improved knock-down building which includesa sectional floor and roof which are so related as to permit a larger or smaller building to be erected merely by the addition or subtraction of floor and roof sections or wherein the floors may be extended beyond the roof in any direction merely by the addition of additional floor sections whereby to provide uncovered floors or walks capable of being connected to the floors of adjacent buildings of like structure.

Other objects and advantages reside in the the particular structure of the building and elements thereof, combination and arrangement of the structural elements and assemblies thereof for forming the building, and/or in the particular mode or method of constructing the building or portions thereof, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of l one end of a building according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially on the planel f of the line 2-2 of Figure 1j u Figure 3 is a perspective view of a structural element-according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a supplemental structural element according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an elevation of one end of a struc- ,tural arch showing a plurality of structural elements connected together according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a front viewof Figure 5 looking from the left thereof;

Figure 7 is an elevational view like Figure 5 but showing the opposite endof the structural arch;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showing certain details at oney ,l end of the structural arch; and

Figure 9 is an exploded fragmentary bottom plan view of the arch showing an alignment feature of the invention, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Referring specifically to the drawing, where- `in like reference connections have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, and referring at rst to Figure l, I desig nates generally a knock-down building according to the invention. The building Ill basically cornprises the floor which is generally indicated by II and a combined side wally and roof structure which isgenerallyrindicate'd by I2.

The floor I I is more specifically shown and described in my copending application iiled July 14,

' 1950, Ser. No. 173,73@ Briefly, the floor II comprises a rectangular assembly comprising a plu-' rality of likerectangular floor panels I3.' The' ,wise, each floor and sill panel I3 and I4 includes a relatively thinnerrigid floor-providing lamination I6 of any suitable material. Two adjacent edges of each floor-providing lamination I6 arev provided with tongue receiving grooves IT while i the remaining two adjacent edges are provided with complementary tongues I8 for interlocking engagement with the grooves I'l of adjacent panels. The floor panels I3 are connected together to' form a rectangular floor by any suitable fastening elements diagrammatically indicated at i9 and more specifically disclosed in my copending application aforesaid. Likewise, opposite sides of the assembly of floor panels are connected to the rows of sill panels I4 by similar fasteners le. The yieldable foundation-providing laminations i5 are adapted to` rest directly on the ground whereby to envelope minor surface" irregularities so as to minimize the labor of preparing the foundation for the building. The assembled floor.v may be anchored to the ground by a plurality of anchor stakes which pass downwardlythough inclined holes formed in the sill panels Hl.I Each sill panel lil has secured tothe upper surface thereof in any suitable manner, one or more sill boxes 2l which are in longitudinal alignment and to which the roof l2 is adapted to lie-secured to secure the iioor and roof together.

The roof l2 is supported by and detachably connected to a plurality of spaced structural arches generally indie-ated at Y22. Tlie'lower ends of thej arches 22rest upon the' upper ysurface of the sill panels I4 'and are supported thereby. Eachfstruetural archcompri's'es a plurality 'of structural elements 23- all of are substan-` ti'ally identical whereby it ywill suffice 'to 'describe but a single onejof thorn. s best seen Fig. 3 each structural-element 23 comprises an l" -'shap'ed angle iron having Aayertical flange 2li and a laterally' directed flange extending' from the' vertical flange at right angles. y

Inth'e embodiment, illustratedA each fof the arches 22 is of regular semi-'polygonal forni. That ieg-each arch- 22 compi* 'e one' half of a regular polygon. Eaeharh v 22 is ,iT-shaped in cross section throughout'substantially its en'ti'r'e length-.f- Obviouslytl'le arches could be semi-circular and' stillretain` the T-shapd cross section. However the illustration of the inv4W i hasbeen restricted` to Ua regular semi-po onal arch whereby the particular structural elements 23 are iii-some respects superior to A'sirr'iilar 'arcuate angle irons. For instance, the structure shown permits the use of nat'roof panelis'whiehare more readily-formed than arcuate panels. Thus, Veach strificturalv element 2 3 vcomprises an Y'elongated straight major section 26,l Fig. 3, and a shorter minor'section 2:1 integral therewith.. The inner portion of thev minor `sectiori is 'a Vs trai'ight' continuation of the major sectioni However, 'the outer portion of theminor section 2T vertically angularly directed-relative to its innerv portion. That is, the outerportion of each minor section 2l `extends vfrom the-inner portion'thereof at a slight vertical angle. `Ih-i's angleinfay vary depending upon the number of elen'ents' needed to provide the-arch.. ,As the aren here illustrated is 0f-180-'and utilizes six .pairs oflelements 23; the ai'igle is 30. Obviously variations in the angle and in the degrees the arch are possible and are contemplated. A stilfening .-plate 28' is welded or-o'therwise suitably secured to the "flanges 2e and 25 of the minor section 2"! at the point where the outer portion of the -rninor `sectionangles oif from Ythe inner portion thereof and provides the apex 36; The ends ofthe elements 23 -are beveled with corresponding 'bevels 29 'and 30"'for a purpose to be apparenthereinafter.

In' one method of c :\nstru'cting each" arch 22, pairs lof structural elements 2'3 are first reversed en-d-for-end and connected together in longitudinally offset back-to-'b'ack relation so thatthe minor section 2l of oneeleiner'it 23 extends' beyond-the opposite end of 'the major section 2t of the reversed and 'conii'eotedelem'ent '23 Rfidistered and connected together in back-to-bacl;

relation to provide an arch which T-shaped in cross section 'throughout substantially its entire length.4 The provision of the corresponding bevels 29 and et at opposite ends of each element 23 permit flat butt joints with complementary beveled ends of adjacent elements. The elements 23 are connected together by any suitable cam fasteners 3 l, best seen in Figure 2, which in themselfve's form riol 'part of my invention.

Each 'earn fastener il includes a lever arm 32 anda Can 'portion 33 which is pivoted as at 3d toa bolt 35. yThe c'a'm portion 33 bears on the vertical flange 2li'. Each bolt 35 has a T-s'haped head 36 which extends through registering key hoi'e slots 31 formed in the vertical flanges 2Q of each element 23. After passage through la pair of registering slots 3l', the fastener is rotated 90 on the axis of vthe bolt 35. lThereafter, the lever 32 l'siota'te'd on the' airis of the pivot i313 to the position'shown in Figure 2r whereby the cani partiallykwithdraws the bolt 35 and `causes the 'lf-head Btthereof vto engage the 'flange '2e of theA opposite eleinent and clamp the opposed elements 23 vtoge'ther in a well known manner. Ob= viouslyhother forms of connections 'could be utilized. j However, threadless 'cam 'fasteners of the general type here shown or the equivalent are particularly useful constructing a' building of this vty'pefin frigid `roliifnates asthey perinit actuation *of 'the fasteners. Vwhile the operator is wearing gloves. In assembling Iadjacent pairs of structural units to lforni the-"structural arch 22, I have provided complementary aligning members on each' element which also strengthen the lapped gol-nts. These are best 'seen in Figures 8 and 9. yIfhus, each structural element is provided in the minor section 2l on the vertical fiange 2li thereof at a given distance from the apex 35i with any suitable v'align-ing nieinber such as the stud 39. Likewise on the opposite side of the apex Se and at a likedistahce therefrom each flange ffl is formed with a stud socket lili' for receiving the stud of the opposed element 23. Thus, in the assembly of a pair of structural units in end-tcer'idrelation to for'n an arch 22, the apices 38' of vthe lapped minor sections '2i are automatically aligned 'as well as the key hole slots 3? thereof. Also, the studs and 'sockets strengthen the joints and relieve the' yearn fasteners from shearing strains. Inasmuch as the structural elements are' identical, lthe connecting together of a pluralityvof` pairs ther-eef in the same manner will inherently forrn 'identical structural units. When enough of such units are connected together in endete-end relation they will of necessity form al regularsemi-poiygonal-arch as show-n in Figure 1.

' However it will Toe noted that the lower ends ci the varchl will normally not be 'lf-shaped in cross ecti'on as they 'will be formed by thn angularly inwardly extending outer portions of the minor sections 21 of the lowermost structural elements 23. `To strengthen-the arches at these points-y I have provided the supplemental structural elements 4I best seen in Figures 4 to 7. Each supplemental structural element 4l is an L-shaped angle iron having beveled ends 29 and 30 corresponding to the beveled ends 29 and 30 of the elements 23. As best seen in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the supplementary elements 4l are connected to those minor sections 2l which comprise the lower ends of the lowermost elements 23 so that the beveled ends 30 thereof are flush with the beveled ends 30 of such elements so as to rest atop the upper surfaces of the sill panels I4. Likewise, this arrangement provides diverging lower ends of inverted V-shaped form for the opposite ends of the arch whereby the weight of the same is distributed, to some extent, upon the sill panels i4.

When knocking down the building in frigid country, there is a distinct possibility that the abutting flanges 24 of the connected elements 23 will tend to freeze together by the freezing of condensation of other moisture on the abutting surfaces thereof. To facilitate separation of such elements, the lower edges of the flanges 24 are provided with complementary recesses 42 which register to provide screw driver slots when elements 23 are connected together, Figure 2. Thus, a screw driver or like tool may be readily inserted between frozen flanges to pry the elements 23 apart.

To complete the roof l2 a plurality of roof panels 43 have been provided. Each panel 43 is substantially identical and is provided on its under surface adjacent the marginal edges thereof with a series of recesses 44, Figure 2. The recesses 44 have closure plates 45 formed with key hole slots 46 for receiving the T-heads 36 of cam bolts 35 of fasteners 3|. Such bolts 35 extend through key hole slots 31 in the lateral flanges 2'5 of members 23 whereby the roof panels may be detachably connected to the arches 22. The roof panels 43 have edges formed with resilient gaskets 41 which are adapted to be abutted and compressed to form fluidtight joints between adjacent roof panels 43.

As clearly seen in Figure 2 the fastening and unfastening of the several elements, panels 4and units may be readily accomplished from within the building l!) whereby the erection and taking down of the building in inclement weather is facilitated.

The lower edges of the lowermost roof panels 43' are detachably secured to the sill boxes 2l in any suitable manner (not shown) as by bolts or cam fasteners, whereby the roof l2 is rigidly connected to the oor Il. In view of the rigid connection between the roof l2 and the arches 22, the latter need not be connected to the floor but `simply rest thereon. Obviously, if desired, the lower ends of the arches 22 could be detachably connected to the sill boxes 2l or to the sill panels I4 in any suitable or well known manner.

As best seen in Figure 1 it is noted that the outer edges of the sill panels i4 extend outwardly of the roof panels 43 and that the end edges of the floor panels I3 extend forwardly and rearwardly of the front and rear edges of the roof I2. Thus it is apparent that such extending edges of the sill and floor panels may be readily connected to complementary edges of the iioors of adjacent buildings for mutual support and/or to porches or sidewalks formed by single or multiple assemblies of floor panels or sill panels. Obviously, the length of the building may be varied by adding or subtracting appropriate sub-assemblies of'roof and door sections. y l

Moreover, while I have shown `and described what is now thought to bea preferred embodiment of the invention, itis to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms 'and expressions. Consequently I do not limit myself tothe precise structures shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1.1 A regular semi-polygonal arch, comprising a plurality of substantially identical angle elementsof L-shaped cross section, each element comprising a relativelylong leg and a relatively short leg extending from said long leg at lan angle, each element comprising a major section comprising the major portion of said long leg and a; minor section comprising 'said short leg and an adjacent portion of said long leg of the same length as said short leg, a plurality of arch forming units, each unit comprising .a pair of said elements, said elements of each pair being reversed end-for-end and disposed with the major sections thereof in registered back-toback relation, means connecting sai-d registered major sections together and thereby `forming a plurality of arch units, each arch unit having a central portion of T-shaped 4cross section and end portions of L-shaped cross section, said end portions comprising the minor sections of the paired elements, and means connecting the end portions of a plurality of said units together in registered back-to-back relation and thereby forming said arch.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said minor section of each element is formed with a laterally directed alignment stud and an oppositely directed and complementary stud socket in spaced relation thereto, and said studs and sockets of said connected end portions of said units being interengaged.

3. A structural unit for constructing a regular semi-polygonal arch, said unit comprising a pair of substantially identical angle elements of L-shaped cross section, each element comprising a relatively long leg and a relatively short leg extending angularly of said long leg, each element comprising a major section comprising a major portion of said long leg and a, minor section comprising said short leg and an adjacent portion of said long leg of the same length as said short leg, said elements being reversed end-for-end and disposed with the major sections thereof in registered back-to-back relation, means connecting said registered major sections together and thereby forming said unit, and said unit having a -central portion of T- shaped cross section formed by said connected major sections and end portions of L-shaped cross section formed by said minor sections.

4. The structure of claim 3, wherein said minor section of each element is provided with a laterally directed alignment stud and an oppositely directed and complementary stud socket in spaced relation thereto, and said studs and sockets of each minor section being on opposite sides of and equally spaced from the intersection of said long and short legs.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the uppermost of said connected end portions of said units comprise the apex of said arch and the lowermost end portions on opposite sides of said apex comprise the lower termini of said arch, a pair of straight supplementary terminal 7. elementsv of- Li/shaped 1Across,`` section, `means; rigidlyI conneoti-ng said; terminal' elementstoV said.

`lowermost end portions in back-to-baclcrela-r tion' to those-` partsI thereof-Y whionfcomprise said FOREIGN PATENTS adjacent portionsl ofthe long-:legs'off therespon?,V 5

tiveI elements.- saidy 'terminal-elements having lowerAends compris.ing.y downward aontnuations of-such long' legs, land .Said-lower" ends diverging-fromfthe.A associated angularly directed short legs and provdin'gt'rgid--and invertedV V--shaped ends of said arch.

LB'ERT- DIETRICH.

'ReferencesfCited the le:v (if-thisv` patent f UNITED- STATES Name' Date 'Rector L 'MayV 8, 1'9`00 Number OTHER.4 REFERENCES Ser. No. 319,098, Faure et a1. (A. P. 0.), pub- 15 lished June 15,1943.

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