AU672044B2 - Modular structural components - Google Patents

Description

I 67 2044 S F Ref: 255561

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT o ee oooo *a l

ORIGINAL

le I -I- Name and Address of Applicant: o Aydin Ongan 57 Beacon Hill Road Beacon Hill New South Hales 2100

AUSTRALIA

Aydin Ongan Actual Inventor(s):

D

o Address for Service: Invention Title: ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL [311 Application No(s) PL5733 PL6202 Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Modular Structural Components APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country

AU

AU

[32] Application Date 10 November 1992 4 December 1992 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815/2

III

a s -L I IL -2 MODULAR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS Field of the Invention The following Invention relates to a system of modular structural components to be used in the building industry to form wall frames, roof trusses, floor joists, beams or the like.

There are various forms of framework employed in the construction of buildings. For example, wooden frames, or solid steel frames are well known.

Wooden frames suffer from well documented problems, for example those being associated with termite or other insect attack and diminishing natural resources.

Solid steel frame elements are expensive to produce, are relatively heavy and must be prefabricated off-site.

Furthermore, known frame construction techniques are generally expensive and labour intensive.

Qb...ect of the Invention e *It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein a structural assembly comprising: a pair of C-channel members, each having a pair of opposed sides and an opening, and wherein the opening of one C-channel member faces the other C-channel member, at least first ones of the sides of each C-channel member comprising a lip extending toward the other opposed side of that C-channel member, and a bracing connector adapted to span between, so as to connect said pair of C-channel members, the bracing connector comprising a plurality of walls surrounding a polygonal volume, at least two of the walls having wedge means extending therefrom, respective ones of which are adapted to pass through an opening in a respective C-channel section and resiliently engage the respective first one of said C-channel sides oy locking engagement past the respective lip.

Preferably, a tensioning member extends throughout a length of a plurality of interconnecting bracing connectors, the tensioning member serving to compressingly engage each of said members with any adjacent members.

Preferably, each wedge means comprises a resilient wing integrally formed with the member and adapted to be biased outwardly RLF/02671 -3 relative thereto against a wall of the C-channel.

Preferably, the bracing connectors are made from cold formed steel.

Optionally, the bracing connectors are generally octagonal, with four respective sides each being provided with a pair of said wings.

Preferably, each bracing connector comprises a folded U-channel having a pair of opposed strengthening ribs extending thereabout.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an octagonal bracing connector, Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a hexagonal bracing connector, Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a corner connector, Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of respective snap-in components, Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are schematic perspective views of beams of various profiles, Fig. 8 is a schematic, cross-sect;onal elevational, partial view of the octagonal bracing member of Fig. 1 engaged with a C-channel, "0 Fig. 9 is a schematic cross sectional end elevational view of a pair of components depicted in Fig. 4 in a back-to-back configuration snap engaged within a C-channel, Fig. 10 is a schematic cross sectional end elevational view of the beam of Fig. 7A having snap engaged therein a pair of components, each as depicted in Fig. 4, Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of various of the components of Figs. 1 to 10 in an exploded assembly, Fig. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective assembly diagram of various components connected together, Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a typical construction employing C-channels and various bracing members, Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a typical construction being rendered or otherwise including concrete, and Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a typical construction employing C-channels and bracing members of the type depicted in Fig. 1.

Description of the Preferred AEmbodiments In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically RLF/02671 4 depicted an octagonal brace 10. Brace 10 which is typically of cold formed steel comprises a U-channel, stamnped and cut prior to being folded into the octagonal configuration depicted. Each octagonal brace comprises eight sides 18. Non consecutive sides 18 are provided with a pair of outwardly extending resilient wings 15. In order to provide rigidity to each wing 15, an inwardly bent lip 23 is provided. Likewise, in the sides 18 of the brace 10 not formed with wings, a pair of inwardly bent ribs 16 are provided.

At least two opposing sides 16 of brace 10 are provided with a through hole 17. The function of '.hrough hole 17 will be described below.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a hexagonal connector 20 is depicted.

Connector 20 is similar in its construction to connector 10 and might typically be used to connect roof truss members. The configuration of the connector may vary depending on its intended location within the 15 truss system. For example, the connector need not be of a hexagonal shape but may be angular, square, rectangular or polygonal.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a corner connector 11 is depicted. Corner connector 11 is formed in a similar manner as is brace 10. Similarly, wings 15 are provided in two sides. Corner brace 11 may be utilised to interconnect structural members which extend normally from one another as depicted in Fig. 15. Such structural members need not be C-channels but may for example be H-channels.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 depict various snap-in components. Fig. 4 shows a "connecting piece comprising a pair of opposed wings 15 each on one side S° 25 thereof. Fig. 5 shows a similar component with the wings 15 extending from each end thereof. Fig. 6 shows a structure comprising a pair of components similar to that depicted in Fig. 5 however interconnected at right angles to each other by a rib Fig. 7 depicts a beam formed typically of two pressed steel sections interlocking with one another. The structure 70 is typically in the form of an eye beam comprised of a pair of face-to-face sigma profiles. Each profile is provided with an aperture 71 through which any one of the components depicted in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 might be snap engaged. Such snap engagcient is depicted in Fig. 13.

Fig. 8 illustrates the means of inter-engagement between connector and C-channel 14. As can be seen, each wing 15 is located within the C-channel 14 and is biased, by way of its own resilience, and/or by the resilience of the C-channel, Into engagement with respective opposing RLF/02671 sides 25 of C-channel 14. When assembling a structural member such as a beam, the respective braces 10 may be snap engaged with C-channel 14 by urging the respective wings 15 into the C-channel 14 past ribs 24 provided in C-channel 14. As shown in Fig. 10, a bracing connector might have one of its wings 15 engaged within the C-channel 15 prior to the other, that is, one wing 15 might act as a pivot point during engagement of the respective components. Similarly, in Fig. 11, the back-to-back components (individually depicted in Fig. 5) might be snap engaged by first inserting one wing 15 and then pivoting the assembly together. That is, wings 15 would resiliently distort inwardly as they pass ribs 24. Once passed ribs 24, wings 15 would spring outwardly against the sides 25 of tne C-channel 14.

The respective parts may be spot welded or inter-connected by threaded fasteners, rivets or the like.

Nith reference now to Fig. 9, an assembly of various components is shown. A pair of opposed C-channels 14 is shown, each comprising an aperture 26 having lips 24 at each side thereof. Such an aperture might receive any one of the components depicted in Figs. 1 to 6. To produce a vertical colume or the like.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a typical means by which the components may be snap engaged as described earlier.

Fig. 12 however shows a means by which a light weight beam might be produced utilising one of the beam profiles as depicted in Fig. 7. In the region indicated by reference numeral 120, a trippling of the centre 25 wall thickness is achieved to increase the strength of the beam. At the same time, by providing a pair of components 5, a pair of apertures 26 is provided at laterally opposed sides of the beam to which other components may be snap engaged.

Figs. 13 and 14 show typical assemblies utilising various components as can he seen, the system is quite adaptable to numerous structural configurations having wide applications.

Once a framework is constructed, plaster board, ceiling and walls 21 may be affixed thereto in any convenient manner. Similarly, sheet flooring may be affixed to the beams as required.

As depicted in Fig. 15, a plurality of octagonal braces 10 can be seen in-line located between respective pairs of C-channels 14.

Extending through the holes 17 In each brace 10 is a longitudinal tensioner 22. Tensioner 22 may be of flexible high tensile wire or solid RLF/02671 -6 metallic rod for example. Each end of tensioner 22 may be provided with a threaded section upon which a nut may be applied so as to apply tension to tensioner 22, thus compressing each of the braces 10 together.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than being manufactured from cold formed steel, the braces 10, corner pieces 11 and trapezium connectors 12 may be cast or moulded from metallic or high strength reinforced plastics material. Nhere such castings do not provide a high degree of resilience to wings 15, reliance may be placed on the resilience of the respective C-channels in order that a tight inter-engagement be provided.

Furthermore, once erected Into the desired configuration, the interconnected components may be encased within cement 100 or the like.

Furthermore, and as depicted in Fig. 11, a webbing of plaster board or other sheet material may extend between the C-channel members and being fixed into position between the backs of a pair of snap in braces RLF/02671

Claims (9)

1. A structural assembly comprising: a pair of C-channel members, each having a pair of opposed sides and an opening, and wherein the opening of one C-channel member faces the other C-channel member, at least first ones of the sides of each C-channel member comprising a lip extending toward the other opposed side of that C-channel member, and a bracing connector adapted to span between, so as to connect said pair of C- channel members, the bracing connector comprising a plurality of walls surrounding a polygonal volume, at least two of the walls having wedge means extending therefrom, respective ones of which are adapted to pass through an opening in a respective C-channel section and resiliently engage the respective first one of said C-channel sides by locking engagement past the respective lip.

2. The structural assembly of claim 1 wherein both sides of the C-channel members comprise a lip.

3. The structural assembly of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bracing connector is hexagonal.

4. The structural assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the bracing connector is octagonal.

The structural assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein each wedge means comprises a resilient wing integrally formed with the bracing connector and adapted to be biased outwardly relative thereto against a wall of the C-channel.

6. The structural assembly of any one of the preceding claims being made of cold formed steel.

7. The structural assembly of any one of the preceding claims further comprising 25 a pair of back-to-back connector elements snap engaged within one of the C-channels.

8. In combination with the structural assembly of any one of the preceding claims, a beam member affixed to the bracing connector, the beam member comprising a pair of opposed cut-outs into which the bracing connector is snap engaged.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the beam is formed from a pair of interconnected sigma profile sections. A structural assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 00*.0 11. In combination with the structural assembly of claim 10, any one or more of the components affixed thereto and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 9 July, 1996 Aydin Ongan Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person X7 SPRUSON FERGUSON I IN:\ibll1100277.JCC MODULAR STRUCTURAL COMPQNENTS ABSTRACT A structural assembly comprises a pair of C-channel members (14) each having a pair of opposed sides (25) and an opening and wherein the opening of one C-channel member faces the other C-channel member. At least first ones of the sides of the C-channel members comprising a lip (24) extending toward the other opposed side of that C-channel member. The assembly also comprises a bracing connector (20) adapted to span between, so as to connect the pair of C-channel members the bracing connector (11) comprising a plurality of walls (18) surrounding a polygonal volume, it least two of the walls having wedge means extending therefrom, respective ones of which are adapted to pass through an opening (26) in a respective C-channel (14) to resiliently engage the pair of C-channel members and thus form a structural component such as a beam. Figs. 2 and 8 e e S RLF/02671