Patent GB-770167-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to framework constructions and components therefor
IPC: E04B5/14
Filed: 1955-02-11
Abstract: 770,167. Constructional metalwork; roofs; floors. BOLTON, J., and HENNESSEY, D. E. Feb. 11, 1955 [Nov. 12, 1953], No. 31447/53. Classes 20(2) and 20(4) A structural component for roofs, floors, bridges, pylons, and other structures has a compression member in the form of an open polygonal frame 11 having struts 15 extending from the corners thereof to support a junction unit adapted to receive tension members 18 which are connected to junction units of adjacent structural components, the structural component being so shaped that a. plurality of such similar components may be nested one within the other' during storage and transport. In Figs. 1 and 2 the component consists of a square, angle iron frame 11, to the corners of which are welded one end of each of four tubular struts 15 which at the opposite ends are welded to a junction unit having the form of a cross made up of flat iron bars 13, 14. The frame 11 is provided with bolt holes enabling a number of similar frames to be bolted together to form the compression members of a floor or roof. The junction unit is drilled horizontally through the free ends. of the cross to enable links 20 to be secured thereto, these links being carried on the screwed ends of rods forming tension members 18 extending between the junction. units of adjacent components. During storage and transport several of these components may be nested one within the other as shown in Fig. 3. In another embodiment, Fig. 6, the junction unit is a block 33 having four side channels 34 which serve to accommodate complementary ends of tension members 18a. The struts 15a are formed in pairs flattened at their centres where they are secured to the underside of the block 33 by a bolt passed through a hole 39 in the block. In Fig. 11 the junction unit comprises a bar 109 welded to the struts 105-108 and having right and left handed screw threads at the ends 111, 112 respectively to receive screw threaded tension members 115, 116 which have nuts welded at their centres, Fig. 10 (not shown) by which means they can be rotated so as to engage the female threads in the junction unit. A transverse bore in the bar 109 receives a bar with right and left hand male threads 113, 114 adapted to be engaged by screwed sleeves 123, 124 carried by screwed ends of tension members 121, 122. Another construction of junction member comprises a plate 148, Fig. 15, having wings 150, 151 to which the struts are welded, the tension, members which are flat bars running continuously through the length and breadth of the floor being connected by bolting to the plate 148, as at 157 and/or by bolting to a plate 161 which is then welded to the plate 148. The frame may accommodate a concrete slab 12, Fig. 1. The components may be used in constructing pylons, Fig. 4 (not shown) and for example bridge-decks, military assault bridges, falsework for large span masonry arches, crane supports and helicopter platforms. Curved formations may be constructed by using tension members of appropriately reduced or increased length. The units may be used to withstand reversed stresses provided that the members termed "tension members" are in such a form, e.g. tubular or flanged, as to withstand compression. As shown in Fig. 12 the end components of a roof structure rest upon channel bar 134 bolted to a padstone 132 mounted upon a cornice 129. Reinforced aerated concrete slabs 145 are located in the frames and a screeding 146 of aerated concrete is provided, topped by a layer of roofing felt 147.