BUILDING SYSTEM

Abstract: A modular building system comprising elongate frame members (11) each formed with at least one longitudinal recess (12); means for connecting together two or more of said elongate members at their ends to form a frame; and elongate means (17) for retaining a panel member (15) in the frame, whereby edge regions of the panel member are retainable in recesses (12) in respective elongate frame members (11) along substantially the length thereof. Such systems are particularly suited for structures such as conservatories, sun-lounges and garages where long-term usage optionally coupled with adaptability are required.

Description: BUILDING SYSTEM This invention relates to a building system, primarily for exterior building structures intended for long-term use such as conservatories, sun-lounges and ' garages but also for other structures such as sheds and greenhouses and indoor structures such as display cases, models and structural educational aids, in which long-term usage (in the sense of having an anticipated useful lifetime similar to that of a house) is not of such paramount importance. Known exterior structures of the abovementioned type are in general rather unattractive in appearance and furthermore are not particularly adapted to the addition of extensions or alterations. For example, a metal-framed greenhouse typically comprises longitudinal frame members formed with a glazing recess or rebate and joined together at their ends by means of joint pieces to form a frame, in which panes of glass or other transparent material are located and held by means of resilient wire clips which engage an edge and front face of a pane and retain it at selected locations by spring-engagement behind a flange formed on the frame member. However, in such systems, the resulting structure, although capable of withstanding high winds, is not particularly rigid overall and is not suitable for applications in which a long-term use is envisaged, such as conservatories, sun-lounges and the like. Such a structure is also not readily susceptible to the provision of double glazing or double skinning. An object of the present invention is to provide a modular building system which overcomes the disadvantages of known structures and which may readily be assembled by an unskilled person. It is also an object to provide a building system which exhibits a greater suitability for long-term usage than known structures. According to the invention, a modular building system comprises elongate frame members each formed with at least one longitudinal recess; means for connecting together two or more of said elongate members at their ends to form a frame; and elongate means for retaining a panel member in the frame, whereby edge regions of the panel member are retainable in recesses in respective elongate frame members along substantially the length thereof. In such a system, by virtue of the retention of the panel member along substantially the length of the edge regions thereof, instead of at selected locations thereof, the overall strength and rigidity of the resulting structure is enhanced compared with known structures or systems, which renders the inventive system suitable for long-term usage structures as well as for greenhouses, indoor structures and other applications where long-term usage is not of particular or over-riding significance. In a building system according to the invention, the frame members may be of regular cruciform shape in cross section, thereby providing four substantially L-section longitudinal recesses. Preferably, for enhanced strength and rigidity the frame members are additionally formed with a body portion having a central axial cavity extending inwardly from each end and preferably constituting a longitudinal channel extending from one end to the other, and longitudinal L-section formations thereon, so that the member includes substantially L-section longitudinal corner recesses separated by U-section longitudinal channels or recesses. The elongate frame members may be longitudinally either straight or curved, and made from any suitable material giving the necessary strength, weight and corrosion-resistant properties, for example extruded aluminium or an alloy comprising aluminium and one or more alloying ingredients. The connecting means preferably includes a body portion having two or more arms extending therefrom, the arms being adapted for connection to or within end regions of the elongate frame members. It is preferred that the arms are insertable in the central axial cavities of the elongate frame members, where these are present, and are releasably held therein by friction, snap action, screws or the like. Any number of arms may be provided for each body portion, for example four arms mutually at right angles in the same plane, or four arms mutually at right angles in two planes at a right angle to each other, or two arms at 180 -■ or four arms in the form of a cross with a fifth (central) arm extending at an inclined angle therefrom, and so on. The arms may be detachably secured to the body portion, for example by means of screws or other retaining means, or may be formed integrally therewith. Panel members suitable for use in building systems according to the invention may be transparent, translucent or opaque and preferably have at least a degree of rigidity in order to contribute to the overall strength and rigidity of the structure when assembled. The panel member retaining means should preferably engage the edge region of the panel member in sealing relationship with the frame member and may comprise resilient beading having a longitudinal groove formed therein for receipt of a panel member edge portion which may then be inserted for retention in a recess in an elongate frame member. The retaining means may additionally include a capping member which is retainable on an elongate frame member and co-operates therewith to retain in place the resilient beading. In one embodiment, the capping members are snap-engageable or friction-retainable on the frame members and are formed from a material which has sufficient strength to exert compressive force on the resilient beading to retain in place the panel members, for example to withstand windy conditions, but which has at least a degree of resilience for snap-engagement or friction retainment on the frame members. For snap-engagement purposes, the sides of the recesses in the frame members may be provided or formed with longitudinal grooves in which projections or lugs formed on the capping members are receivable by snap action. The capping members may alternatively or additionally be fixed to the frame members by other fastening means, such as screws, and an additional capping or beading member may if desired be fixed over the first capping member, for example for decorative purposes. Capping members are preferably mitred at their corners to allow two or more to mate together at an angle. Building systems according to the invention may additionally include base members for supporting frame members at ground level. Preferably, for exterior use, base members are secured in place on, for example, a concrete plinth or screeding. In use, building systems according to the invention allow a wide variety of structures to be assembled from a comparatively small range of modular parts, and such structures may readily be altered or added to at any time and are capable of providing structures for long-term usage. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows an elongate frame member in cross section, including edges of panel members retained in place therein; Figure 2 is a top view of a connecting means for connecting together four elongate frame members; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connecting means of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation of a further connection means; Figure 5 is an exploded side elevation of an alternative form of connecting means to that illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a perspective non-exploded view of the connecting means of Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows the framework of one particular structure which can be built from a modular building system according to the invention. Referring to Figure 1, an elongate frame member 11 is shown in cross section and is of generally cruciform shape to have four longitudinal L-section recesses 12 (two only being indicated for clarity) separated by U-shaped longitudinal channels 13. The member is formed from extruded aluminium and contains a central longitudinal cavity 14. The two recesses not indicated each contain the edge portion of a transparent panel member 15 held in a groove in beading material 16 formed from foamed rubber. The headings are held in place by a capping member 17 formed from aluminium and including longitudinal projections or lugs 18 which nest over the ends of the walls of the recesses and may be secured by screws or other fastening means to the web 19 which defines a wall of the cavity 14, for example along the dotted line shown. Alternatively, the capping member 17 may include lugs which snap-engage behind the inwardly-directed flanges 20. An additional optional capping member 21 is snap-engaged over the capping member 17. Additional panels may likewise be inserted in the other two recesses, for example for the provision of double glazing. Referring to Figure 2, one embodiment of a connecting means for connecting together four of the elongate frame members of Figure 1 consists of a body portion 21 to which are attached arms 22 (two only being shown) held in place by screws 23. The arms may be straight, as shown in solid outline, or curved, as shown in dashed outline at 24, for receipt of straight or curved elongate frame members respectively. The end of a straight elongate frame member is shown at 25 secured to the arm 22 by a grub screw 26. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the connecting means of Figure 2 having all four arms 22 attached. Access holes for screws 23 and tapped holes for grub screws 26 are shown at 27 and 28 respectively. Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a further connecting means. The dependent arm 29 is locatable in a frame member arranged vertically and four further frame members may be arranged mutually at right angles in a plane at an angle inclined to the vertical frame member. Figure 5 shows an exploded side elevation of a further embodiment of a connecting means for connecting together the ends of up to six of the elongate frame members of Figure 1 and Figure 6 shows a perspective view thereof, with the parts assembled. The connecting means is constituted by a body portion 51 having the same general shape as shown in Figure 3 but with raised formations 52 on the faces thereof for locating within the ends of the U-shaped channels 13 of the frame members. Also provided at the centre of each face is a tapping 53 for receipt of a joint pin 54 including a frusto-conical section 55 terminating inwardly in an annular shoulder 56. In use, one or more joint pins, as required, are screwed into the body portion via the tappings and the ends of frame members are slid over the joint pins 54 until they locate positively with the raised formations 52. Grub screws or other retaining means may be screwed through tappings (not shown) in the frame members to engage behind the annular shoulders 56 of the joint pins to retain the frame members thereon. Figure 7 shows how straight frame members 30 and curved frame members 31 may be connected together to form a framework in three dimensions having a re-entrant rear wall and a curved roof, the spaces of which may be occupied by panel members. In the ' particular embodiment illustrated, the connection means 32 are of "D" shape to accommodate arms and longitudinal frame members extending radially, and the panels for the roof are of flexible material to accommodate the curve.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A modular building system comprising elongate frame members each formed with at least one longitudinal recess; means for connecting together two or more of said elongate members at their ends to form a frame; and elongate means for retaining a panel member in the frame, whereby edge regions of the panel member are retainable in recesses in respective elongate frame members along substantially the length thereof. 2. A system according to Claim 1, in which the frame members are of regular cruciform shape in cross section. 3. A system according to Claim 1, in which the frame members are formed with a body portion having a central axial cavity extending therethrough and longitudinal L-section formations thereon, whereby each member includes substantially L-section longitudinal corner recesses separated by U-section longitudinal channels. 4. A system according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the connecting means includes a body portion having two or more arms extending therefrom for connection to or within end regions of the elongate frame members. 5. A system according to Clair 4 as dependent on Claim 3, in which the arms are releasably holdable within the central axial cavities of the frame members. 6. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the panel member retaining means engages the edge regions of the panel member in sealing relationship with the frame members. 7. A system according to Claim 6, in which the panel member retaining means comprises resilient beading having a longitudinal groove formed therein for receipt of a panel member edge portion. 8. A system according to Claim 7, in which the panel member retaining means includes a capping member retainable on an elongate frame member and co-operable therewith to retain in place the resilient beading. 9. A system according to Claim 8, in which the capping member is retainable on the frame member by snap engagement. 10. A system according to any preceding claim, in which a decorative beading member is attachable to the panel member retaining means.

Inventors: DUNHILL JOHN VERNON, DUNHILL, JOHN, VERNON
Applicants: DUNHILL JOHN VERNON, DUNHILL, JOHN, VERNON
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1, E04B2, E04D3