FRAMES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STRUCTURE INCLUDING A HOUSE OR SHED AND/OR FOR MOUNTING OF OBJECTS INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONING CONDENSING UNITS THERETO

Abstract: The present invention provides a frame for forming a structure including a house or shed or for mounting one or more objects to a structure such as a house or a shed. The frame comprises at least two first elongated members (168, 170) and first attachment means adapted to pivotably attach at least two of the first elongated members (168, 170) together. The present invention also provides a frame assembly comprising a plurality of said frame.

Description: FRAMES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STRUCTURE INCLUDING A HOUSE OR SHED AND/OR FOR MOUNTING OF OBJECTS INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONING CONDENSING UNITS THERETO FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to two related but different fields, namely (a) frames which are suitable for construction of a structure including a house or shed and (b) frames which are suitable for mounting of objects including air-conditioning condensing units to a structure including a house or shed or the ground. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Problems associated with (a) as detailed below are related to problems associated with (b) which are also outlined below. The background information to each of these problems is however presented separately. Regarding field (a) , houses and sheds constructed using steel frames are typically constructed in accordance with the following procedure. A concrete slab is poured and dynabolts or holding down bolts are appropriately secured in the slab of concrete at predetermined locations to provide means by which a steel frame can be secured to the slab of concrete. Columns are then erected substantially vertically and secured to the dynabolts or holding bolts at their lower ends. The columns are positioned linearly relative to each other and a corresponding linear arrangement of columns is positioned substantially parallel with the first linear arrangement of columns such that the overall arrangement of columns is substantially symmetrical and each column of each linear arrangement of columns has a corresponding column which is positioned directly opposite it. Roof supports are formed by spanning beams between upper ends of corresponding columns. A single beam may span between corresponding columns. Alternatively, two or more beams may join end-to- end in spanning between upper ends of corresponding columns . It is common for two identical beams to span between the upper ends of corresponding columns . One end of each beam is attached to the upper end of the corresponding columns and the free ends of each of the beams are secured together at a point substantially midway between the corresponding columns. By continuing this process and connecting the upper ends of corresponding columns with beams, the frame of a house or shed is constructed. Sheeting may then be secured to external surfaces of the columns and beams to form the side walls and roof respectively of the house or shed. The lower ends of the columns are typically attached directly to the dynabolts or holding down bolts and the beams are typically secured relative to each other and the columns via either welds or bolts or a combination of welds and bolts . In some cases adaptor members are used to secure beams to other beams or columns; however, the adaptor members are secured to such beams or columns in the same fashion. Sheeting is typically attached to external surfaces of the columns and beams via top hats. The top hats are typically screwed to columns and beams such that their longitudinal axes extend substantially transversely relative to longitudinal axes of the beams and columns. In this way adjacent, substantially parallel beams and columns are connected by top hats. Sheeting can then be screwed to the top hats to enclose the house or shed. It is typically time-consuming to assemble a house or shed frame which is constructed using beams and columns in accordance with the above described method. If a slab, upon which a house or shed frame is erected, unevenly sinks or rises after production of specifically dimensioned columns and beams which are to be used to erect a house or shed frame on such a slab, assembly of the columns and beams will be even more difficult. In some cases assembly is not possible which means the columns or beams must either be adjusted or replaced. The problem of uneven movement of a slab has been partially addressed by bolting beams and columns together via slots in walls of the beam or column rather than holes. the slots allowing a small amount of movement of a bolt axially relative to a beam or column. It is therefore desirable to provide alternative columns, beams and frames which enable assembly time of a house or shed to be decreased and which further address the problem of uneven movement of a slab of concrete. Regarding field (b) above, air-conditioning condensing units can be mounted to a roof of a house or shed. They are typically mounted to a roof via two steel frames. The steel frames are attached to the roof so that they extend upwardly of the roof and are suitably spaced so that each frame is located at opposite ends of an air- conditioning condensing unit when the condensing unit is lowered onto the frames. The air-conditioning condensing unit is bolted to the frames once the frames are mounted to the roof . Each steel frame typically consists of two upright members and a lateral member which is designed to span horizontally between the two upright members. Lower ends of the upright members are designed to mount to a roof so that the upright members extend upwardly of the roof . The air- conditioning condensing unit is typically bolted to the lateral members . It is typically necessary for the lateral members to be horizontal when the frames are mounted to a roof. Because an upper surface of a roof is typically sloping and because the frames are typically required to be orientated relative to the roof so that a line extending approximately transversely between the two frames is approximately transverse to the direction in which the roof is sloping, the lateral member will not be horizontal when lower ends of the upright members are mounted to a roof having a particular pitch, unless the length of the upright members of each frame are designed with the pitch of the roof in mind. Because rooves are not of constant pitch it is often necessary for the length of upright members to be adjusted so that the lateral members are horizontal when the upright members are mounted to a roof. The aforementioned adjustment process is typically time consuming. It is therefore desirable to provide an alternative frame or frames which reduce the time required to mount an air-conditioning condensing unit to a roof and/or which make the mounting of an air-conditioning condensing unit to a roof easier. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention provides a frame for forming a structure including a house or shed, or for mounting one or more objects thereto, the frame comprising at least two first elongated members and first attachment means adapted to pivotally attach at least two of the first elongated members together. The frame may further comprise second attachment means for attachment of the frame to the ground or an object including a structure such as a house or shed. In a second aspect the present invention provides a frame assembly comprising a plurality of frames of the first aspect of the present invention. The first attachment means may comprise a first attachment member which extends between first ends of at least two of the at least two first elongated members . The second attachment means may comprise a second attachment member which is located at a second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members. Each second attachment member may comprise an annular-shaped member which extends from the second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members, the annular-shaped member being arranged to attach to a second elongated member which extends at an angle relative to the second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members by extending laterally around the second elongated member and at least partially encircling a portion of its longitudinal length. Each annular shaped member may be a U-shaped member. Each first elongated member may be comprised of two or more third elongated members which are connected end to end. Each third elongated member may be arranged for pivotal connection to adjacent third elongated members. Each third elongated members may include third attachment means for pivotal attachment to adjacent third elongated members. Each third attachment means may comprise a third attachment member which extends between ends of adjacent third elongated members. Each first elongated member may be a beam or column. Each first elongated member may include opposite walls which are positioned opposite each other. Each first elongated member may include another wall, the other wall joining the opposite walls. Side edges of the opposite walls of each first elongated member which are opposite the other wall may extend into extension portions, the extension portions being substantially aligned with the other wall and the extension portions extending part way toward one of the walls which are opposite each other. Each first elongated member may include two pairs of opposite walls. A transverse section of each first elongated member may be substantially square or rectangular. Each first elongated member may include a transverse plate which is positioned substantially transversely relative to the walls of the first elongated member at the second end of the first elongated member. Each second attachment member may include a plate for attachment to a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like, the plate being positioned substantially transversely relative to walls of the first elongated member and having a hole for receipt of the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like. The hole may be threaded for threading engagement with a threaded end of the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like. The plate may be adapted to provide a surface against which a nut may be tightened as it is threaded onto a threaded end of a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like. The hole may be substantially centrally positioned in the plate. The plate may include a plurality of holes for receipt of a plurality of holding down bolts, chemical anchors, dynabolts or the like. The plate may extend beyond the opposite walls of the first elongated member to form plate extension portions. Each plate extension portion may have at least one hole for receipt of at least one holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like. The first attachment means may be arranged to allow first ends of at least two of the at least two first elongated members to rotate, in a common plane, relative to each other. The first attachment means may include engagement means which is arranged to prevent relative pivotal movement of at least two of the at least two first elongated members, the engagement means being arranged for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. The first elongated members are preferably co- planar. The first elongated members are preferably substantially linear. The first attachment means may comprise a pair of outer opposite walls which overlap a corresponding pair of inner opposite walls, the outer opposite walls being positioned opposite each other and the inner opposite walls also being positioned opposite each other, the outer and inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to each other via a fourth elongated member which rotatably connects said overlapping walls. A first end of the fourth elongated member may be adapted to prevent its passage through aligned holes in the overlapping walls . A second end of the fourth elongated member may be adapted to prevent its passage back through the aligned holes after it has been inserted therethrough. The first end of the fourth elongated member may be flared to prevent its passage through the aligned holes of the overlapping walls. The second end of the fourth elongated member may be adapted to be flared after insertion through the aligned holes of the overlapping walls. The outer overlapping walls may be connected to ends of the fourth elongated member, while the inner overlapping walls may be adapted for passage of the fourth elongated member therethrough, the inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to the fourth elongated member. The fourth elongated member may include a tube. The engagement means may comprise a screw which is adapted to be screwed into corresponding holes in an adjacent outer and inner wall upon alignment of such holes. Overlapping outer opposite walls and inner opposite walls may extend from a first end of separate pivotally attached first elongated members to form corresponding overlapping outer and inner opposite arcuate extensions which are arranged to allow the pivotally attached first elongated members to rotate relative to each other in substantially the one plane, through an angle which may be approximately 180° or greater than 180°. A first pair of opposite walls of the first elongated members from which the inner opposite walls extend which are substantially transverse to the inner opposite walls, may extend around edges of the arcuate extensions of the inner opposite walls to enclose the end of the first elongated member from which the inner opposite walls extend. The inner opposite arcuate extensions may be adapted to fit substantially neatly inside the outer opposite arcuate extensions to prevent movement of the arcuate extensions axially relative to the fourth elongated member. Outer contacting surfaces of the inner opposite walls which may contact inner surfaces of the outer opposite walls may be separated by a smaller or greater amount than the opposite walls from which the outer and inner opposite walls extend. The first attachment means may comprise an arcuate elongate member which is adapted to pass through holes in opposite walls of pivotally attached first elongated members, the pivotally attached first elongated members being pivotable in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the arcuate elongate member. A first end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage through the holes in the opposite walls of the first elongated members. The second end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to prevent its passage back through the holes in the opposite walls of the first elongated members after it has been inserted therethrough. The first end of the arcuate elongate member may be flared to prevent its passage through the holes in the opposite walls of the first elongated members. The second end of the arcuate elongate member may be adapted to be flared after insertion through the holes in the opposite walls of the first elongated members. The arcuate elongated member may be continuous and therefore not have an end. The arcuate elongate member may include a substantially circular ring. The arcuate elongate member may be adapted to join at ends after insertion through the holes in opposite walls of the first elongated members. The ends of the arcuate elongate member may be joined by welding. Each first elongated member may be movable axially relative to the arcuate elongate member and rotatable relative to the arcuate elongate member at a plurality of positions along the elongated length of the arcuate elongate member. A transverse section of the a first and second elongated members may be substantially round, square or rectangular. The first and second elongated members may be solid members. Walls of the first and third elongated members may have fourth attachment means for attachment of sheets. The fourth attachment means may comprise one or more opposite flaps which are positioned opposite each other, longitudinal axes of such flaps being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the beam or column and with each other, free ends of the flaps extending outwardly of the walls of the beam or column and toward each other, wherein the opposite flaps are adapted to locate opposite edges of a sheet which extend along the longitudinal length of either side of a sheet, therebetween. The opposite flaps may be arranged to locate opposite edges of a top hat therebetween. The opposite flaps are preferably located along the longitudinal length of a wall of the first or third elongated member at predetermined intervals, and are preferably located substantially midway across a width of a wall of a beam or column. The opposite flaps may be located on adjacent walls of the first or third elongated member. In the preceding summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise, due to express language or necessary implication, the words "comprising", "comprises", or "comprise" are used in the sense of "including"; that is, the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a frame for a house or shed; Figure 2a is a perspective view of an unassembled beam or column and top hat; Figure 2b is a perspective view of the beam or column and top hat of figure 2a, assembled, and more detailed views of the flaps of the beam or column and top hat; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of a column from which an attachment foot which is suitable for attaching the column to a dynabolt, chemical anchor or holding down bolt extends; Figure 4a is a perspective view similar to that of figure 3 of an alternative attachment foot which is suitable for attaching an end of the column to a dynabolt, chemical anchor or holding down bolt; Figure 4b is a perspective view of another alternative attachment foot which is pivotally attached to one end of a beam or column; Figure 5a is a perspective view of one example of ends of two pivotally attached beams; Figure 6a is a perspective view of one end of one of one of the beams of figure 5a; Figure 7a is a perspective view of one end of the other beam of Figure 5a; Figure 5b is a perspective view of another example of two pivotally attached beams similar to the pivotally attached beams of Figure 5a; Figure 6b is a perspective view of one example of one end of a beam which may be used to form two pivotally attached beams; Figure 7b is a perspective view of one example of one end of a beam which may be used to form two or more pivotally attached beams; Figure 8 shows a front elevation of an alternative frame to that of Figure 1 for a house or shed; Figure 9 is a perspective view of one example of ends of three pivotally attached beams or ends of two pivotally attached beams and a column; Figure 10 is a perspective view of another example of ends of three pivotally attached beams or ends of two pivotally attached beams and a column; Figure 11 shows a front elevation of an alternative frame to that of Figures 1 and 8 for a house or shed; Figure 12 is a perspective view of an end of a beam or column pivotally attached to another beam or column at a position along the length of the other beam or column which is other than the end of the beam or column; Figure 13 is a perspective view of one example of a column pivotally attached to a beam; Figure 14 shows a front elevation of an alternative frame to that of Figures 1, 8 and 11 for a house or shed; Figure 15 shows a plan view of the alternative frame of Figure 14; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative example to that of figures 9 and 10 of ends of three pivotally attached beams or ends of two pivotally attached beams and a column; Figures 17A and 17B show a perspective view of a support frame for an air-conditioning condensing unit to be mounted to a roof of a house via one example of two pivotal frames; Figure 18 is a more detailed perspective view of one of the pivotal frames of figure 17; and Figure 19 is a perspective view of another pivotal frame which is also suitable for mounting an air- conditioning condensing unit to a roof of a house. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, a frame 10 for a steel framed house or shed comprises columns 12 and beams 1 . The columns 12 are secured to dynabolts, chemical anchors, or holding down bolts (not shown) which extend upwardly of a concrete slab via attachment feet 16. The ends of beams 14 and columns 12 are pivotally attached together via pivotal joints 18. Referring to Figure 2 each column 12 is in the form of a generally U-shaped channel, having a base wall 22 and opposing parallel end walls 20. The outer ends of each of the end walls 20 are provided with inwardly directed lips 24 which extend towards each other parallel to the base wall 22. Referring to figures 2a and 2b, each beam 14 or column 12 also has opposite flaps, one example of which is pairs of punched out projections 28, each punched out projection 28 including a strip of metal which is punched out of walls 20 and 22 such that one end of the strip of metal remains attached to the walls and the other end is partially pressed outwardly of the walls 20 and 22. The pressed out strips of metal of each pair of pressed out projections 28 are substantially aligned and the free ends of each of the pressed out projections 28 extend toward each other. Each pair of pressed out projections 28 are spaced apart such that a distance between points where each of the strips of metal attaches to the walls 20 or 22 approximates a distance from one longitudinal edge of a top hat 30 to the other longitudinal edge of a top hat 30. Referring to Figure 3 an attachment foot 16 is shown consisting of a vertical channel having a back wall 34 and opposing parallel end walls 32 and small inwardly directed lip walls 36 which face each other and are substantially parallel to the back wall 34. A generally square base plate 38 closes off the channel at its bottom end and is provided with a central hole 40. The attachment foot 16 enables a column to fit inside and rest on the base plate 38. The attachment foot 16 thus is in the form of a base sleeve element which fits over the bottom end of a column. The shape of the attachment foot may be varied depending on the particular application. Referring to Figures 5a, 6a and 7a, pivotally attached beams which are attached via the pivotal joint 18 include ends 44 and 46.Each of the beams 14 have two pairs of lugs or opposite walls, one example of which is opposite walls 48 and 50. Opposite walls 50 extend toward the pivotal joint 18 to form semicircular extensions, one example of which is semicircular extensions 56 which extend beyond adjacent opposite walls 48. The pivotal joint 18 is assembled as follows. Semicircular extensions 56 of end 44 pass inside corresponding semicircular extensions 56 of end 46 for alignment of holes 58 of the semicircular extensions 56. A tube (not shown) is passed through the aligned holes 58 and outer ends of the tube are splayed outwardly to locate the tube relative to semicircular extensions 56 of the end 46. Rotation of ends 44 and 46 relative to the tube typically results in the end 44 rotating relative to the tube. Opposite walls 48 of the end 44 continue around the semicircular extension 56 to enclose the end of the beam 14 or column 12 which is inserted in between the semicircular extensions 56 of the end 46. Contrastingly, the opposed walls 48 of the end 46 do not continue around the semicircular extensions 56 of the end 46 such that an end of the end 46 which pivotally attaches to the end 44 is open for receipt of the end 44 between semicircular extensions 56 of the end 46. Referring to figures 5b and 4b, other alternative pivotal joints 23 and 25 respectively are similar to pivotal joint 18 with the following exceptions. For ease of reference in explaining differences between the pivotal joints 23 and 25 and the pivotal joint 18, identical reference numerals have been used to refer to similar features. Referring to figure 6b the end 45 of pivotal joints 23 and 25 has semicircular extensions 57 which are designed to pass inside the corresponding semicircular extensions 56 of end 46. The semicircular extensions are only partially enclosed rather than being fully enclosed. However, the pivotal joints 23 and 25 can be formed using ends 44 of figure 6a. Ends 46 of the pivotal joints 23 and 25 are similar to ends 46 of the pivotal joint 18 with the following exceptions. For pivotal joints 23 and 25, the arcuate extensions 59 of end 46 are flaired out slightly from the wall 50 from which they extend. That is, the arcuate extensions 59 of ends 23 and 25 are separated by a slightly greater amount than the walls 50. The end 46 which forms part of the pivotal joint 25 differs in another respect from the end 46 which forms part of the pivotal jointlβ. A plate 61, which is similar to the plate 39 of figures 4a encloses an open end of the end 46. The semicircular extensions 59 of the end 46 are located at one end of the end 46 and the plate 61 is located at the other end of the tubular end 46. The pivotal joint 25 therefore pivotally connects a beam or column with an attachment foot 17 of figure 4a. The pivotal joint 25 can be used to attach a column to a concrete slab as described above in relation to the attachment foot 16. However, the pivotal joint 25 is suitable for attaching a beam or column at an angle other than right angles to a wall or concrete slab respectively. Although figures 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b relate to pivotal joints which connect beams 14 together, it should be noted that the pivotal joints of these figures are also suitable for connecting a column 14 to a beam 12 as shown for example in figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, an attachment foot 16 is attached to a bolt (not shown) of a holding down bolt or dynabolt which projects upwardly from a slab of concrete by passing the bolt upwardly through the hole 40 (see Figure 3) of the attachment foot 16. The attachment foot 16 is secured relative to the slab of concrete by threading a nut onto a thread of the holding down bolt or dynabolt until it tightens against an upper surface of the plate 38 (see Figure 3) of the attachment foot 16. With the attachment foot 16 secured relative to the slab of concrete, a column 12 (see Figures 1 and 2) extends upwardly of the attachment foot 16. The pivotal joint 18 enables pairs of beams 14 to span between upper ends of opposite columns 12 where each pair of beams 14 is substantially aligned with other pairs of beams 14 which span between upper ends of other columns 12 which are opposite each other. Referring to Figure 2, top hats 30 are placed across adjacent columns 12 or beams 14 such that the longitudinal axes are substantially transverse to longitudinal axes of columns 12 and beams 14. Top hats 30 can be attached to the columns 12 and beams 14 by sliding the tops hats 30 transversely relative to the columns 12 and beams 14 while outer contacting flanges 70 of the top hats 30 contact external surfaces of walls 20 or 22 of the columns 12 and beams 14. While sliding the top hats 30 they are directed relative to punched out projections 28 such that the flanges 70 pass underneath the projections 28 and outer edges of flanges 70 pass between points where each of the strips of metal of the projections 28 attach to walls 20 or 22. In this way top hats 30 can be quickly attached to columns 12 and beams 14 such that they extend between adjacent, substantially parallel columns 12 and beams 14. With top hats 30 appropriately attached to columns 12 and beams 14, sheeting can be attached to the top hats to complete the walls and roof and enclose the house or shed. Referring to Figure 8, a beam 90 may be located relative to another beam 14 and a column 12, the beam 14 and column 12 corresponding to a beam 14 and column 12 of Figure 1, such that the beam 90 which is shorter in length than the beam 14 extends outwardly and downwardly from an intersection point where the beam 14 and column 12 join, to form a support for an eave of a house or shed. The beam 90 is typically shorter in length than the beam 14 because the eave of a house or shed typically only extends away from a house or shed wall a fraction of the distance between a house or shed wall and an upper most point of a roof of a house or shed. The beam 90 of Figure 8 can be pivotally attached relative to the column 12 and beam 14 of Figure 8 via the alternative pivotal joint 92 of Figure 9. The alternative pivotal joint 92 pivotally attaches three beams, or two beams and a column. The ends of each beam or column are similar to ends 44, 45 and 46 of the pivotal joints 18, and 23 of Figures 5a and 5b. Ends 94 and 96 of Figure 9 are pivotally attached as described in relation to ends 44, 45 and 46 of the pivotal joints 18, and 23. Referring to figure 7b, the end 99 is a detailed view of the end 98 of the third beam 14 or column 12. Semicircular extensions 101 extend from the end 99 and are similar to the semicircular extensions 56 of figures 6a and 7a; although, the semicircular extensions 101 are separated by a greater amount than the semicircular extensions 56. The semicircular extensions 101 therefore flair out from the walls from which they extend in a similar manner to that explained above in relation to pivotal joints 23 and 25 of figures 5b and 4b. However, the semicircular extensions 101 actually flair out more than the semicircular extensions of the pivotal joint 23. The extra spacing between the semicircular extensions 101 makes the end 99 suitable for attaching to pivotal joints 18, 23 or 25 to pivotally attach more than two beams or more than one beam to one column. The end 98 of a beam 14 or column 12 is attached to ends 94 and 96 as follows. Semicircular extensions 103 which correspond to semicircular extensions 101 of arm 99 pass outside corresponding semicircular extensions of both ends 94 and 96. The end 98 is pivotally attached to the ends 94 and 96 by passing a tube (not shown) similar to a tube 60 which rotatably secures ends 94 and 96 together; although, the diameter of the tube (not shown) which rotatably attaches end 98 to ends 94 and 96 is slightly less than that of the tube 60 such that it can be inserted inside an inner diameter of the tube 60. The tube which rotatably attaches end 98 is fixed axially relative to the ends 94 in the same manner as described above in relation to the pivotal joint 18. End 94 is able to rotate both toward and away from adjacent ends 96 and 98 and the other ends 96 and 98 are able to rotate in a similar fashion toward and away from the adjacent end 94. The ends 94, 96 and 98 rotate substantially in a common plane which is substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube 60 and the tube (not shown) which is inserted inside tube 60. Referring to Figure 11, a frame 102 for a steel framed house or shed may have a beam 104 which extends upwardly relative to an intersecting column 12 and beam 14 which correspond to columns 12 and 14 of Figures 1 and 8. It is often useful that a support for a gutter 106 is formed between the upwardly extending beam 104 and the intersection point of the column 12 and beam 14 from which the upwardly extending beam 104 extends. Referring to Figure 10 an alternative pivotal joint 108 has ends 94 and 98 which correspond to ends 94 and 98 of the alternative pivotal joint 92 and a third end 110 which, unlike ends 94 and 98 is formed of two substantially linear halves 112 and 114 which intersect substantially midway along the elongate length of the end 110. Half 112 of the end 110 extends substantially horizontally away from the intersection point of arms 94 and 98 and the half 114 extends upwardly of the half 112. The half 112 provides a support for a gutter. Referring to Figures 12 and 13, an alternative pivotal joint 72 includes a horizontal beam 74 and a vertical column 76. Both the horizontal beam 74 and vertical column 76 have two pairs of opposite walls, one example of which are opposite walls 48 and 50 which are similar to corresponding opposite walls of Figures 6a and 7a. Opposite walls 50 of the column 76 extend upwardly beyond upper ends of adjacent opposite walls 48 of the column 76 to form arcuate extensions, one example of which are upper pivot lobes 80. A lower wall 50 of the beam 74 is discontinuous and formed of two end portions which are located at either end of the horizontal member 74 such that a middle region of the horizontal member 74 is not enclosed by the lower plates 50. The upper pivot lobes 80 of the column 76 are separated by a greater amount than opposite walls 50 of the column 76 which are substantially aligned with the upper pivot lobes 80. The distance between opposite walls 50 and opposite walls 48 of the column 76 is substantially equivalent to corresponding distances between opposite walls 50 and 48 respectively of the beam 74. The beam 74 and column 76 of the alternative pivotal joint 72 are assembled as follows. The upper pivot lobes 80 of the column 76 are inserted upwardly into the beam 74 by aligning the upper pivot lobes 80 with opposite walls 48 of beam 74 and inserting the upper pivot lobes 80 between the opposite walls 48 and between lower plates 50 which are positioned at each end of the beam 74. The column 76 is moved upwardly into the beam 74 until upper arcuate surfaces of the upper pivot lobes 80 are almost contacting an inner surface of the upper plate 50 of the beam 74. The beam 74 and column 76 are then moved relative to each other to align holes of the upper pivot lobes 80 and opposite walls 48 of the beam 74. With such holes appropriately aligned a tube 82 is passed through the holes and outer ends of the tube 82 are splayed outwardly to prevent the tube 82 sliding through the holes. Rotation of the beam 74 and column 76 relative to each other results in the column 76 rotating relative to the tube 82. With the beam 74 and column 76 rotatably attached as described above and the column 76 extending transversely of the beam 74, the upper pivot lobes 80 are located in an upper half of the opposite walls 48 of the beam 74. With relative rotation of the beam 74 and column 76, the beam 74 is free to rotate downwardly, in either direction toward the column 76 until an inner edge of one of the plates 50 contacts one of the opposite walls 48 of the column 76. While the alternative pivotal joint 72 is typically used for connecting an upper end of a column 12 with a beam 14, it is not limited to such an application. Referring to figure 13, the pivotal joint 72 enables a beam 14 to extend downwardly from an uppermost point 86 of a roof, toward a supporting column 12 and beyond such a supporting column 12 to form an overhang 88. For such an application, beams 14 which are used with alternative pivotal joints 72 are therefore longer than beams 14 which are used with pivotal joints 18 by an amount equivalent to the length of the overhang 88. The gap between lower plates 50 of beam 74 is typically such that the beam 74 is able to rotate approximately 60 degrees in either direction, downwardly toward the column 76, before an inner edge of one of the plates 50 of the beam 74 contacts one of the opposite walls 48 of the column 76. Referring to Figures 14 and 15, a frame 120 for a steel framed house or shed may comprise columns 12 and a column 122 and beams 124. The columns 12 correspond to columns 12 of Figure 1 and the column 122 is similar to columns 12; although, it extends upwardly substantially midway between the columns 12 and lies in a common plane which includes columns 12. Beams 124 extend upwardly from upper ends of columns 12 and column 122 and are similar to beams 14 of Figure 1; although, they do not lie in the plane that includes an adjacent column 12 or column 122 but extend upwardly and toward a central uppermost point 126 (see Figure 15) of a roof of the house or shed which is supported by the frame 120. The central uppermost point 126 is substantially centrally positioned within outer walls which are supported by corner columns 12 and the central uppermost point 126 is located at upper ends of beams 124 which extend upwardly and inwardly toward each other from upper ends of columns 12 and the column 122. Referring to Figure 16, upper ends of beams 124 are pivotally attached relative to each other via an alternative pivot joint 128. The beams 124 are pivotally attached to a common ring 130, one example of which is a rod 130. Upper ends 94 of the beams 124 are similar to those of the pivot joint 18 and are attached to the ring 130 via holes in opposite walls 50 of the ends 94 which correspond to opposite walls 50 of the pivot joint 18 of Figure 6a and 7a. For the frame 120 of Figures 14-15, five ends 94 are rotatably attached to the ring 130. The ring 130 is typically not continuous to enable it to be threaded through holes in opposite walls 50 of the ends 94. Ends of the ring 130 may be welded to each other after threading the ring 130 through the holes in the ends 94 to increase the strength of the alternative pivot joint 128. The ring 130 is preferably formed by two semicircular ring segments each having a spigot and a hole at respective ends. The spigot of one ring segment fits into the hole of another ring segment so that both ring segments may be coupled together to form a continuous loop. In this way before the ring segments are coupled together one or both of the ring segments may be inserted through attachment holes of beams, columns, adaptors or other structural elements as described in previous embodiments of the invention. Referring to Figure 17A, frame 150 which is suitable for mounting and air-conditioning condensing unit 164 to a roof of a house generally comprise two independent frames 152 and 154. The frames 152 and 154 are mounted to a roof 156 of a house 158 so that they extend upwardly from the roof 156. In the case of rooves having corrogated iron, the frames 152 and 154 are typically attached to the roof 156 via separate pipes 160 and 162 respectively which are laid on the roof 156 so that each of them are positioned in a valley of the corrogated iron roof 156. The pipes 160 and 162 are fixed to the support structures of the roof and the frames 152 and 154 are then mounted to the pipes 160 and 162 respectively. The pipes 160 and 162 are spaced apart from each other so that when the frames 152 and 154 respectively are mounted to the pipes, the frames 152 and 154 are capable of supporting opposite ends of the air-conditioning condensing unit. The pipes 160 and 162 and frames 152 and 154 are typically orientated on a roof so that the pipes are approximately parallel to each other and so that each pipe 160 and 162 slope downwardly from upper adjacent ends to opposite lower adjacent ends. Referring to Figure 18, each of the frames 152 and 154 generally comprise four hollow tubes 166, 168, 170 and 172 which each have a rectangular cross section. The tubes 166-172 are pivotally attached to each other via their ends to form four pivotally attached tubes. The tubes 168 and 170 are approximately the same length and are pivotally attached at both of their ends, tube 168 being pivotally attached to tubes 166 and 170 and tube 170 being pivotally attached to tube 168 and 172. Ends of the tubes 166 and 172 which are not pivotally attached have a semicircular plate 174 which is designed to fit over the pipes 160 and 162 to enable the frames 152 and 154 to be attached to the pipes 160 and 162 respectively. Each semicircular plate 174 is orientated relative to the corresponding tube 166 or 172 so that a longitudinal axis of the plate 174 is approximately transverse to side walls of the tubes 166 or 172 and also approximately perpendicular to longitudinal axis of each of the tubes 166 or 172. Each semicircular plate 174 is designed to fit over an upper semicircular surface of pipe 160 or 162 when the tubes 166 and 172 are positioned relative to pipe 160 or 162 so that they are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of pipe 160 or 162 and extend upwardly from pipe 160 or 162. The tubes 166 and 172 are both approximately the same length and they are both shorter than tubes 168 and 170. The semicircular plates 174 can be screwed, bolted, riveted or welded to the pipes 160 and 162. Each of the rectangular tubes 166-172 are pivotally attached in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the columns and beams 12 and 14 respectively of Figures 1, 5a, 6a and 7a. The tubes 166- 172 are therefore pivotable in a common plane which is substantially aligned with longitudinal axes of the tubes 166-172. Each of the frames 152 and 154 are mounted to the pipes 160 and 162 respectively as follows. The semicircular plate 174 which is attached to one end of the tube 172 is attached to an upper end of pipe 160 or 162 after the pipes have been secured to the roof 156. The semicircular plate 174 is attached such that the tube 172 extends upwardly of the pipe 160 or 162 and so that the tube 172 is substantially perpendicular to a plane which contains the part of the roof 156 upon which the pipes 160 and 162 are laid. The other semicircular plate 174 is attached to a part of the pipe 160 or 162 which is lower than that part of the pipe to which the tube 172 is attached. Before attaching the semicircular plate 174 which is attached to the tube 166 to the pipe 160 or 162, the tube 166 is moved along the longitudinal length of the pipe 160 or 162 so that the tubes 168 and 170 pivot relative to each other until the tube 170 is approximately horizontal. With the tube 170 approximately horizontal the semicircular plate 174 which attaches to the tube 166 is screwed to the pipe 160 or 162. A lower surface of the air-conditioning condensing unit can then be mounted to the tubes 170 so that a lower surface of the air- conditioning condensing unit is approximately horizontal. The pivotal movement of the tubes 166-172 therefore enables the frames 152 and 154 to be easily and quickly adjusted so that when an air-conditioning condensing unit 164 is mounted to the frames 152 and 154 it is approximately horizontal. Referring to Figure 19, frame 175 is essentially the same as frames 152 and 154 except that the semicircular plate 174 is replaced by open tubular components 176 which have a U shaped cross section. The open tubular components 176 each comprise an upper plate 178 and side plates 180. The open tubular components 176 are attached to lower ends of the tubes 166 and 172 via the upper plates 178 so that an upper surface of the upper plate 178 contacts a lower end of the tubes 166 and 172. The open tubular components 176 are attached to the tubes 166 and 172 so that a longitudinal axis of each open tubular component 176 is substantially perpendicular to side walls of tube 166 or 172 and also approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of tube 166 or 172. The side plates 180 extend downwardly of the upper plate 178 and are approximately perpendicular to the upper plate 178. The frame 175 is mounted to the pipes 160 or 162 in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the frames 152 and 154. The open tubular components 176 are mounted over the pipes 160 or 162 so that an underneath surface of the upper plate 176 contacts an outer surface of pipe 160 or 162. The open tubular components 176 are then screwed to the pipes 160 or 162 so that the tubes 166 and 172 extend upwardly of the pipes 160 or 162 as described above in relation to frames 152 and 154. Figure 17B shows a variation to the support frame shown in Figure 17A. Thus in contrast to Figure 17A the horizontal support beams 181, 182 are provided with branched end connectors 183, 184 respectively. Each of these branched end connectors 183 consist of parallel lugs with aligned central through holes 185 which permit them to be connected to a fixed upright support (not shown) , A pivot rod is inserted through the through holes and also a corresponding through hole in each support. It is important to note that each of the supports or feet for each frame 152, 154 may be slidable or alternatively one may be fixed and the other may be slidable. As shown in both Figures 17A and 17B it is preferred that each frame 152, 154 is provided with an interconnecting threaded rod 185 which is inserted through through holes in the interconnecting tubes 168, 170 or 175, 170. Tightening nuts 186, 187 may be adjusted to fix the distance between the two frames 152 and 154. It is also preferably that the threaded rod 185 acts as the pivot rod for interconnecting tubes 168, 175 and 170. A preferred method of connecting a frame shown in Figure 17A, 17B is set out below: i. Place the frame on a roof in a desired position, move the frame to the width of the equipment which is to be supported ensuring the fixed foot (172) is on the higher side of the frame. ii. For tiled rooves remove tiles from outer side of base supports. Guide straps between the tiles, twist and pull straps tight over battens/rafters and screw in places. replace roofing tiles. iii. Slide lower foot (166) up/down base support 160/162 to gain a level platform. iv. Screw lower foot (166 to the base support 160, 162). v. Fix two screws into each pivot through hole interconnecting beams 166 and 168, and 166, 175. vi . Insert threaded rod through pivot holes of 185, 181 and 185, 182. vii. Adjust internal nuts 186. 187 to width of frame and tighten all nuts. viii.Trim ends of threaded rod as required. ix. Place equipment on frame and secure equipment to frame .

Claims: - 2 b - THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS 1. A frame for forming a structure including a house or shed, or for mounting one or more objects thereto, the frame comprising at least two first elongated members and first attachment means adapted to pivotally attach at least two of the first elongated members together. 2. A frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame further comprises second attachment means for attachment of the frame to the ground or an object. 3. A frame as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first attachment means comprises a first attachment member which extends between first ends of at least two of the at least two first elongated members. 4. A frame as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the second attachment means comprises a second attachment member which is located at a second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members. 5. A frame as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one of the second attachment members comprises an annular- shaped member which extends from the second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members, the annular-shaped member being arranged to attach to a second elongated member which extends at an angle relative to the second end of at least one of the at least two first elongated members by extending laterally around the second elongated member and at least partially encircling a portion of its longitudinal length. 6. A frame as claimed in claim 5 wherein at least one annular shaped member is a U-shaped member. 7. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one first elongated member is comprised of two or more third elongated members which are connected end to end. 8. A frame as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one third elongated member is arranged for pivotal connection to an adjacent third elongated member. 9. A frame as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein two adjacent third elongated members include third attachment means for pivotal attachment to each other. 10. A frame as claimed in claim 9 wherein the third attachment means is comprised of a third attachment member which extends between ends of adjacent third elongated members . 11. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one first elongated member is a beam or column. 12. A frame as claimed in claim 11 wherein at least one first elongated member includes opposite walls which are positioned opposite each other. 13. A frame as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one first elongated member includes another wall, the other wall joining the opposite walls. 14. A frame as claimed in claim 12 and claim 13 wherein the at least one first elongated member includes two pairs of opposite walls. 15. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 4-14 wherein at least one second attachment member includes a plate for attachment to a holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like, the plate being positioned substantially transversely relative to walls of the first elongated member and having a hole for receipt of the holding down bolt, chemical anchor, dynabolt or the like. 16. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first attachment means is arranged to allow first ends of at least two of the at least two first elongated members to rotate, in a common plane, relative to each other. 17. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first attachment means includes engagement means which is arranged to prevent relative pivotal movement of at least two of the at least two first elongated members, the engagement means being arranged for movement between engaged and disengaged positions. 18. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first elongated members are co-planar. 19. A frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first attachment means comprises a pair of outer opposite walls which overlap a corresponding pair of inner opposite walls, the outer opposite walls being positioned opposite each other and the inner opposite walls also being positioned opposite each other, the outer and inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to each other via a fourth elongated member which rotatably connects said overlapping walls. 20. A frame as claimed in claim 19 wherein a first end of the fourth elongated member is adapted to prevent its passage through aligned holes in the overlapping walls. 21. A frame as claimed in claim 20 wherein a second end of the fourth elongated member is be adapted to prevent its passage back through the aligned holes after it has been inserted therethrough. 22. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 19-21 wherein the outer overlapping walls are connected to ends of the fourth elongated member, while the inner overlapping walls are adapted for passage of the fourth elongated member therethrough, the inner overlapping walls being rotatable relative to the fourth elongated member. 23. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 19-22 wherein overlapping outer opposite walls and inner opposite walls extend from a first end of separate pivotally attached first elongated members to form corresponding overlapping outer and inner opposite arcuate extensions which are arranged to allow the pivotally attached first elongated members to rotate relative to each other in substantially the one plane, through an angle which may be approximately 180° or greater than 180°. 24. A frame as claimed in claim 23 wherein a first pair of opposite walls of the first elongated members from which the inner opposite walls extend which are substantially transverse to the inner opposite walls, extend around edges of the arcuate extensions of the inner opposite walls to enclose the end of the first elongated member from which the inner opposite walls extend. 25. A frame as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the inner opposite arcuate extensions are adapted to fit substantially neatly inside the outer opposite arcuate extensions to prevent movement of the arcuate extensions axially relative to the fourth elongated member. 26. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 1-18 wherein the first attachment means comprises an arcuate elongate member which is adapted to pass through holes in opposite walls of pivotally attached first elongated members, the pivotally attached first elongated members being pivotable in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the arcuate elongate member. 27. A frame as claimed in claim 26 wherein the arcuate elongated member is continuous and therefore does not have an end. 28. A frame as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27 wherein the arcuate elongate member is adapted to join at its ends after insertion through the holes in opposite walls of the first elongated members. 29. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 26-28 wherein at least one first elongated member is movable axially relative to the arcuate elongate member and rotatable relative to the arcuate elongate member at a plurality of positions along the elongated length of the arcuate elongate member. 30. A frame as claimed in anyone of claims 1-29 wherein a wall of at least one of the first elongated members has fourth attachment means for attachment of sheets. 31. A frame as claimed in claim 30 wherein the fourth attachments means comprises at least one pair of opposite flaps which are positioned opposite each other, longitudinal axes of such flaps being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the at least one first elongated member and with each other, free ends of the flaps extending outwardly of the wall and toward each other, wherein the opposite flaps are adapted to locate opposite edges of a sheet which extend along the longitudinal length of either side of a sheet, therebetween. 32. A frame as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 wherein the opposite flaps are arranged to locate opposite edges of a top hat therebetween. 33. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 30-32 wherein the opposite flaps are located along the longitudinal length of the wall at predetermined intervals, and are located substantially mid way across a width of the wall. 34. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 30-33 wherein the opposite flaps are located on adjacent walls of at least one of the first elongated member. 35. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 7-34 wherein a wall of at least one of the third elongated members have fourth attachment for attachment of sheets. 36. A frame as claimed in claim 35 wherein the fourth attachment means comprises at least one pair of opposite flaps which are positioned opposite each other, longitudinal axes of such flaps being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the at least one first elongated member and with each other, free ends of the flaps extending outwardly of the walls and toward each other wherein the opposite flaps are adapted to locate opposite edges of a sheet which extend along the longitudinal length of either side of a sheet, therebetween. 37. A frame as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36 wherein the opposite flaps are arranged to locate opposite edges of a top hat therebetween. 38. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 35-37 wherein the opposite flaps are located along the longitudinal length of the wall at predetermined intervals, and are located substantially mid way across a width of the wall . 39. A frame as claimed in any one of claims 35-38 wherein the opposite flaps are located on adjacent walls of at least one third elongated member. 40. A frame assembly comprising a plurality of frames as claimed in any one of claims 1-39. 41. A frame substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings . 42. A frame assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings .

Inventors: BEVIS DAVID ALLEN, BEVIS, DAVID, ALLEN
Applicants: BEVIS DAVID ALLEN, KLASGOLD PTY LTD, BEVIS, DAVID, ALLEN
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1, E04B7, E04C3, F24F5