Patent GB-517278-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to framework structures for portable buildings
IPC: E04B1/343
Filed: 1938-07-14
Abstract: 517,278. Huts; tent frames LANG, F. L. July 14, 1938, No. 20941. [A Specification was laid open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, Jan. 16, 1939.] [Class 20 (i)] A framework structure for a portable building comprises a plate-like fitting disposed at the junction point of three or more members of the framework and adapted to engage rigidly with, one of said members and is provided with flange elements forming support for pivotal mountings for the ends of others of said members, the construction of the fitting being such that two or more of the frame members disposed in one plane and one or more of the frame members disposed in a plane at an angle to this plane when in their operative positions can be folded to form a handle wherein all the members lie substantially parallel to one another. The fitting 6 employed in the framework shown in Fig. 1 is of U-shape and is pushed over the end of a head-beam 7 and rigidly secured thereto by a bolt 8 as shown in Figs. 3 and 3b; a second head-beam 9 is hingedly connected to the projecting limbs of the fitting 6 by a bolt 10 and has a rounded end 11 to facilitate its rotation on the bolt. The upper and lower limbs of the fitting 6 have flanges 12, 16 which co-operate respectively with angle members 13, 17 secured to the fitting so as to provide housings in which an upright 23 and roof truss may be secured by bolts passing through holes 15, 18. A fitting 20a which is generally similar to that described above is provided for pivoting a sill 22 to a sill 21 as shown in Fig 1 and has upstanding lugs to provide a housing in which the lower end of the upright 23 is bolted.. In the folded position of the structure the upright 23 lies upon the upper surface of the sill 21. A post 24 is pivotally bolted between the upstanding arms of a U-shaped fitting 25 which is secured to the sill 21. The upper end of the upright 24 is pivotally bolted between the depending limbs of a U-shaped fitting 30 which is mounted on the beam 7 and has upstanding limbs 36, Fig. 2, to receive a roof rafter and two inward limbs 37 for the connection of floor and roof joists. The beam 7 also carries a U- shaped fitting 39 having upstanding limbs to receive a roof rafter which is bolted thereto. An upright 46 is pivoted at its lower end in the upstanding limbs of a U-shaped fitting 45 mounted on the sill 22, and the upper end of the upright is secured in a fitting 47 on the beam 9. The adjacent upright 50 is similarly mounted at its upper and lower end by fittings 48, 52 so that it may be folded to lie against the beam 9 in engagement with the fitting 47; the upright 46 is adapted to be folded down on to the sill 22 in engagement with the fitting 52 for the upright 50. Bolts are provided projecting from certain of the U-shaped fittings and from the end of the head-beam 9 to permit attachment of the wall panels. The connection between the corner sills 92 and upright 93 of the framework shown in Fig. 4 is by means of a three-pronged plate 95, Fig. 7, the prongs of which fit' central grooves 96 of the abutting elements. The plate 95 is fixed to one sill 92 by bolts 99, and the other sill 92 and upright 93 are pivoted on the respective prongs of the plate by bolts 97, 98 respectively. A stay 94 is bolted at 100 to the upright 93 and at its lower end is bolted to a plate 111 which is slidably mounted in a slot in the sill 92 and may be locked in any desired position by bolts 114. The corner joint shown in Fig. 8 is effected by a U-shaped fitting 121, the web of which fits into a central end groove 125 in one sill 119, and the limbs of which receive pivotally the other sill 119; the upright 120 is pivoted by a bolt 127 to a plate 124 which engages a groove 123 in the upright and a co-operating groove 125 in one sill, the plate being secured to the sill by a bolt 126 which also secures the web of the fitting 121. The lower end of the upright 141 shown in Fig. 11 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 144 in the limbs of a U-shaped fitting 143, the web of which is located in a slot 145 provided in the end of a floor joist 142. The slot 145 also houses a plate 146 which is secured together with the fitting 143 to the joist 142 by a bolt 149 ; the plate 146 projects into slots 147 in the ends of two sills 140 arranged in end-to-end relation and is secured thereto by polts 148. The sills 140 and upright 141 can therefore be folded about the bolts 148, 144 respectively on to the joist 142.