Improvements relating to the Construction of Portable Sheds and other Buildings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1895-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Construction of Portable Sheds and
other Buildings.
I, DAVID YOUNG, Patent Agent, of the Firm of D. Young & Co.,
11 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London W.C., do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention relates to the application of metal tubes, arranged as hereinafter
mentioned, to the construction of portable shelters, sheds or other buildings which
are capable of being readily erected and taken down.
The shell or carcase of the said sheds, shelters or other portable buildings
constructed on this system comprises roof-principals and purlins.
The roof-principal consists of two portions connected together by a joint at the
ridge and each forming a perfectly rigid structure.
Each half-principal comprises:
1st. A tubular upright generally planted in the ground by its point which passes
through a wood or metal shoe on which the upright rests by a collar, pin or in any
other convenient manner.
2nd. Two tubular struts or members arranged on opposite sides of the upright, at
a suitable distance from its upper end, and adapted to work in compression. One
of these struts abuts on the ridge, while the other serves to support the portion of
the roof covering the verandah.
3rd. A principal rafter or upper tie-beam extending in a straight line from
the ridge to the edge of the verandah and which is fixed to the upper end of
the upright and works generally in tension. The verandah may, moreover, be
dispensed with in certain cases, although its presence adds to the rigidity of the
structure.
The building is completed by a floor the joists of which are supported by stringers
resting on suitable posts and braces or struts.
The verandah is also completed by a verandah-upright and a stair-case.
The metal-tube purlins are arranged as follows, viz.:-one at the ridge, one at
the right of the uprights, and one at the end of the roofing which covers the
verandah, so as not to subject the parts to bending.
At the same time, in cases where the load requires the presence of an inter-
mediate purlin between the purlin at the ridge and the purlin arranged at the
right of the internal upright, this purlin would be supported by a strut provided for
this purpose.
The purlins are formed, according to their length and the loads which they are
to support, from one or more tubes arranged in various ways.
The joints or connections between the several parts or members of the framing
are as follows, ciz. :-
The joint between the posts and braces is composed of two iron plates rivetted
together one on each side of the post and bolted to the braces.
The joint between the braces and the uprights of the verandah comprises a strap
or U-shaped piece of iron passing round the upright of the verandah and secured
to the brace by means of a bolt.
The joint at the angle of the verandah, consists of a connector or sleeve formed
with three branches, into one of which passes the tie-bar of the angle of the

page_text: verandah, and through the other two the edge purlin, the whole being secured.
together by pins.
The joint connecting the principal rafter and the edge purlin to the uprights of
the verandah is composed of two pieces; the first of these pieces is a sleeve of cast
steel or other metal formed with an extension which is fixed in the upright of the
verandah by means of a pin and to the edge purlin by means of a rectangularly-bent
piece; the second which is also of cast-steel or other metal is mounted on the first
piece so as to be free to turn thereon and is secured to the principal rafter by means
of a pin.
The ridge-strut and the strut of the principal rafter are connected to the internal
upright by means of a sleeve which comprises two portions; one cylindrical of cast
steel or other metal, and the other flat and also of cast steel or other metal. In
the first there is provided a conical chamber for receiving the strut for the
principal rafter which is pinned to the said sleeve. The said strut rests against
the upright by means of a hollow plug or projection on which it is fixed by a
rivet. The second piece is secured to the upright by a bolt and is pinued to the
ridge-strut.
The joint between the strut and the principal rafter is formed of two pieces;
the first of which is secured by means of a rivet to the strut and is attached to the
second piece by means of two rings so as to be free to turn thereon. The second
portion comprises a tube through which passes the principal rafter to which it is
fixed by means of a bolt.
The joint between the principal rafter and the internal upright comprises two
pieces, the first of which is secured to the internal upright by means of a staple and
a bent piece hooked onto the second piece, which comprises an iron tube traversed
by the principal rafter to which it is secured by a bolt.
The wall-uprights consist of two steel U-shaped sections formed with two wings
or flanges and connected together by three braces and with a core of paste-board or
paper-pulp composition.
These three braces are composed of three pieces of iron serving as a seating for
composition panels. The lower part rests on the floor and the upper part is attached
to a tube (wall-plate) by means of an arm and a piece which is so shaped as to adapt
it to each particular case.
The connection of the principal rafter and the ridge-strut with the ridge-piece is
as follows, viz. The said ridge-piece is formed with four branches; the upper
branches extend into the principal rafters and are secured therein by pins. The
lower branches extend into the ridge-struts and are fixed therein by pins.
The joint between the internal uprights and the braces consists of two pieces
bolted onto the internal upright and formed with two conical chambers in which
the braces are secured by means of pins.
The flooring joists consist of four pieces, the opposite ones being equal; the
longer sides are formed of two parallel pieces of T-iron braced by pieces of flat
iron; the shorter sides are formed of two parallel pieces of angle-iron which are
also braced and attached to the longer sides by bults.
The stringers are composed of two pieces of angle-iron connected together by
wooden brackets which preserve a uniform distance between these angle-irons. In
order to connect the longitudinal stringers with the transverse stringers, a bolt
is employed the nut of which presses against a plate provided below the transverse
stringer; the flooring is secured to the stringers by means of transverse pieces.
In the cases above mentioned, the transverse stringers supporting either the
longitudinal stringers or the joists of the flooring boards, are themselves supported
by posts provided with braces attached to the timber-work.
Dated the 30th dex of October 1894
.D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements relating to the Construction of Portable Sheds and
other Buildings.
I, DAVID YOUNG, Patent Agent, of the Firm of D. Young & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (a communication to me from La Compagnie des Constructions
Démontables et Hygiéniques, of Paris, France), and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to the application of metal tubes, arranged as hereinafter
mentioned, to the construction of portable shelters, sheds or other buildings which
are capable of being readily erected and taken down.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will describe it in
connection with the accompanying drawings which represent examples of construction
according to the invention and the method of connecting together the various parts
comprised therein.
Figs. 1 to 23 illustrate connections or methods of jointing which I shall hereinafter
describe, and Fig. 24 is a transverse section of a dismountable building, the shell or
carcase of which is constructed by the aid of metallic tubes.
Figs. 25 to 29 represent a modification.
I will first describe the construction represented at Figs. 1 to 24.
The shell or carcase of the said sheds, shelters or other portable buildings
constructed according to this invention comprises roof principals and purlins.
The roof principal consists of two portions connected together by a joint 1 at the
ridge and each forming a perfectly rigid structure.
Each half principal comprises :-
1st, a tubular upright 2 generally fixed in the ground by its point or foot which
passes through a wood or metal shoe 3 on which the upright 2 rests by a collar,
pin or other convenient means.
2nd, two tubular sub-rafters, struts or tie beams 4 and 5 arranged on opposite
sides of the uprights 2 at a suitable distance from its upper end and adapted to act
by compression. One of these sub-rafters, struts or tie beams abuts on the angle of
the ridge, whilst the other serves to support the portion of the roof covering the
verandah.
3rd, a principal rafter or upper tie beam 6 extending in a straight line from
the ridge to the edge of the verandah and which is fixed to the upper end of the
upright 2 and acts generally in tension. The verandah may however be dispensed
with in certain cases although its use adds to the rigidity of the structure.
The building is completed by a floor 7 whose joists 8 are supported by stringers 9
resting on suitable posts 10 and braces or struts 11.
The verandah is also completed by a verandah upright 12 and a stair case 13.
The metal tube purlins are arranged as follows:-At the ridge, at the right of
the uprights, and at the end of the roofing which covers the verandah, so as to avoid
subjecting the parts to bending.
At the same time in cases where the load requires the presence of an intermediate
purlin between that at the ridge and that placed at the right of the upright 2, this
purlin would be supported by a strut provided for this purpose.
The purlins are formed, according to their length and the loads they have to
support, of one or more tubes arranged in various ways.
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation and a plan showing the joint between
the uprights 10 and braces 11; it is composed of two iron plates a and b one on
each side of the post 10 rivetted together ate and bolted at f and g to the braces. 1).

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively an elevation and a plan showing the joint between
the braces 11 and the uprights 12 of the verandah; it consists of a strap or U shaped
piece a of iron passing round the verandah upright and secured to the brace by
means of a bolt or rivet d.
Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the angle joint of the verandah which consists of
a connector or sleeve formed with three arms or branches a b c, into the arm c of
which is passed the angular tie bar of the verandah and into a and b the edge
purlin, the whole being secured together by pins or rivets.
Fig. 6 is an elevation and Fig. 7 is a plan of the joint connecting the principal
rafter 6 and the edge purlin to the verandah uprights 12. This joint consists of
two pieces a b; the piece a is a sleeve of cast steel or other metal formed with an
arm or extension e which is fixed into the verandah upright 12 by means of a pin
or rivet d and to the edge purlin by means of pins f having rectangularly bent heads;
the second which is also of cast steel or other metal is mounted in the piece a so
as to be free to turn therein and is secured to the principal rafter 6 by means of a
pin g.
Fig. 8 is an elevation and Fig. 9 is a plan of a sleeve and plate for connecting
the strut 4 and the sub-rafter, strut or tie beam 5 with the internal upright 2; this
connecting means consists of two parts a and b, the part a being cylindrical and of
cast steel or other metal, the part 6 being flat and also of cast steel or other metal.
In the first (a) is provided a conical chamber for receiving the sub-rafter, strut or
tie beam 5, which is pinned to the said sleeve at e. The sub-rafter, strut or tie
beam 5 rests against the upright 2 at g by means of a hollow plug or projection d
of cast steel or other metal fixed thereto by a rivet c. The second piece bis
secured to the upright 2 by a bolt k and is pinned at m to the strut 4.
Fig. 10 is an elevation and Fig. 11 is a plan of the joint between the strut 4 and
the principal rafter 6. This joint is formed of two pieces a and b; the first (a)
which is of iron or other metal is secured by means of a rivet c to the strut 4 and is
attached to the part b by means of two rings fand g so as to be free to turn thereon.
The second part 6 comprises a tube through which passes the principal rafter 6 to
which it is fixed by means of a bolt e.
Fig. 12 is an elevation and Fig. 13 is a plan of the joint between the principal
rafter 6 and the internal upright 2; this joint consists of two pieces a and b; the
first a is of cast steel or other metal and is secured to the internal upright 2 by
means of a staple c and a bent piece d, it is booked at I on to the piece b; the
second consists of an iron or other metal tube traversed by the principal rafter to
which it is secured by a bolt k.
Fig. 14 is an elevation of one of the wall uprights and Figs. 14 to 14D are cross
sections of Fig. 14 respectively drawn on the lines A B and C D, E F, G H
and M N. Each of these wall uprights consists of two steel U shaped sections a
and formed with two wings or flanges and connected together by three cross bars
or braces de t, and with a core e of paste-board or paper pulp composition. These
three braces are composed of three pieces of iron serving as a seating for composition
panels. The lower part gh rests on the floor and the upper part m is attached to a
tube (wall plate) by means of an arm i and a piece n which is so shaped as to adapt
it to each particular case.
Fig. 15 is an elevation of the connection between the principal rafter 6 and the
sub-rafters, struts or tie beams 5 with the ridge piece. The said ridge piece is
formed with four arms or branches a b c d of steel or other metal; the upper
arms a and b enter the principal rafters 6 and are there fixed by pins m and n.
The lower arms c and d enter the sub-rafters, struts or tie beams 5 and are also
secured therein by pins o p.
Fig. 16 is an elevation and Fig. 17 is a plan of the joint between the internal
uprights 2 and the tie bars or braces 11. This joint consists of two pieces a b of
cast steel or other metal bolted on to the internal upright 2 at c and d and they are
formed with two conical chambers in which the braces or tie bars 11 are secured by
means of pins g and h.

page_text: Figs. 18 to 18 are details of the flooring joists, Fig. 184 being a section on the
Ene A B of Fig. 18 and Fig. 18" a plan of Fig. 18. Fig. 18" is a section on the
line A B of Fig. 18° and Fig. 18 is a section on the line C D of Fig. 18°. These
flooring joists consist of four pieces in two equal pairs, the longer sides are formed
of two parallel pieces of T iron a braced together by pieces of flat iron a¹ a¹ a', the
shorter sides are formed of two parallel pieces of angle iron a, which are also
braced together by pieces of flat iron a and are attached to the longer sides by
bolts c.
Fig. 19 is an elevation and Fig. 20 is a plan of the stringers; they are composed'
of two pieces of angle iron A connected together by bolts E passing through
intermediate wooden blocks a which preserve a uniform distance between these
angle irons. In order to connect the longitudinal stringers with the transverse
stringers, a bolt F is employed the nut of which presses against a plate F' situated
below the transverse stringer; the flooring is secured to the stringers by means of
transverse pieces of angle iron.
Fig. 21 is an elevation, Fig. 22 is a section on the line A B of Fig. 21, and
Fig. 23 is a plan of the posts and braces. In the two cases above mentioned, the
transverse stringers supporting either the longitudinal stringers or the joists of the
flooring are themselves supported by posts C provided with braces B attached to
the timber work as shown in these figures.
I will now describe the modification shown at Figs. 25 to 29.
In this modification the upright X may be independent of a foot or stake bas
shown at Fig. 25, and be connected with the head of the latter so as to be capable
of rotating thereon or otherwise. In this case the foot or stake 6 may be furnished
on its surface with a worm or screw thread.
This description refers to the essential elements which constitute the invention;
the construction will be completed, as may be required, by the addition of accessories
such as the brestsummer i, Fig. 25, staying the uprights and capable of being fixed
to the wall plate g by struts or by other suitable means.
When the gables are not closed by a wooden screen or covering or by panels of
any suitable character, the transverse strain is counteracted by means of two oblique
tie rods, Fig. 25, crossing each other and attached to the uprights X at one end
at the height of the shoes and at the other end at the point of contact of the
sub-rafters c d and of the uprights X or at other convenient height.
C
These shelters or structures are further covered in any suitable manner.
The various elements, such as uprights, rafters, struts or tie bars, &c. may be,
composed of a bundle of tubes secured together by suitable bands.
Fig. 26 represents the rotative ridge joint for the principal raiters or tic beams e
traversed by a sleeve which serves as connection for the ridge tubes which are
secured therein by two pins l.
Fig. 27 represents the double joint m, in the lugs or ears of which the sub-rafters,
struts or tie beams c d are hinged; this joint is secured to the upright X by means
of a pin n.
Fig. 28 represents the double collar o supporting the principal rafter or tie beam e-
and the bearing p through which passes the wall plate 9. This collar and the
bearing are secured by the same bolt.
The bearings are placed as may be required by the purlins according to the.
covering adopted.
The clamping plates s, Fig. 29, are employed to secure the principal rafter e
and the sub-rafters, struts or tie beams d at or near their meeting points.
The dotted lines t, Fig. 25, in the head of the sub-rafters or tie beams c
indicate a movable iron union placed in position during construction to hold.
them during the operation; this iron remains thus placed and holds itself in
position.
I would have it understood that whilst the joints above described are those
preferred to be employed for easy and economic construction, various arrangements
may be employed to suit particular circumstances.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
CLAIMS.
1. The application of metallic tubes to the construction of the framework of
portable sheds and other buildings in manner substantially as herein shown and
described.
2. In the construction of portable sheds and other buildings, the combination
and arrangement substantially as herein shown and described consisting, for the
roof principal, of two rigid systems comprising an upright, sub-rafters, struts
or tie bars in compression and principal rafters connected together on the ridge
line.
3. In the construction of portable sheds and other buildings, the arrangement
and combination of purlins and other parts constructed of one or more tubes
connected together by bands, substantially as herein described.
4. In the construction of portable sheds and other buildings, the peculiar con-
struction and arrangement of the joints for securing the parts together, substantially
as herein shown and described.
5. In the construction of portable sheds and other buildings, the combination and
arrangement of parts substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 27th day of July 1895.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.