U.S. patent application number 10/530807 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for structural support systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Burnden Holdings (UK) Limited. Invention is credited to Tim Burton, Iain McLean.
Application Number | 20060196141 10/530807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9945716 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLean; Iain ; et
al. |
September 7, 2006 |
Structural support systems
Abstract
There is provided a structural support system (2) for a
conservatory structure, the structural support system comprising a
first beam (6), a second beam (8) attached to the first beam (6) by
an end thereof and an end plate (14) at least partly closing the
end of the second beam (8), with fixing means (24) securing the
first beam (6) to the second beam (8) through the end plate (14)
thereby to clamp the first beam (6) to the second beam (8).
Inventors: |
McLean; Iain; (Harwood,
GB) ; Burton; Tim; (Gloucester, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAMS EVANS P.A.
2180 TWO WACHOVIA CENTER
CHARLOTTE
NC
28282
US
|
Assignee: |
Burnden Holdings (UK)
Limited
Bolton
GB
BL3 2RB
|
Family ID: |
9945716 |
Appl. No.: |
10/530807 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
October 3, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/04270 |
371 Date: |
February 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/643 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/022 20130101;
E04B 7/063 20130101; E04B 2007/066 20130101; E04B 1/24 20130101;
E04B 2001/2451 20130101; E04B 2001/2415 20130101; E04C 3/40
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/643 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/38 20060101
E04C003/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2002 |
JP |
0223631.3 |
Claims
1. A structural support system for a conservatory structure, the
structural support system comprising a first beam, a second beam
attached to the first beam by an end thereof and an end plate at
least partly closing the end of the second beam, with fixing means
securing the first beam to the second beam through the end plate
thereby to clamp the first beam to the second beam.
2. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate comprises means for holding at least one bolt head
captive on the interior thereof.
3. A structural support system according to claim 2, in which the
means for holding the at least one bolt head captive comprises a
slot for receiving a bolt head.
4. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate comprises means for retaining at least one bolt in a hole
through the end plate.
5. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
means for retaining at least one bolt comprises a holding plate in
a slot in the end plate.
6. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate is of generally U-shaped cross section.
7. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate has an end, a first limb depending therefrom and a second
limb depending therefrom.
8. A structural support system according to claim 7, in which the
first and second limbs are substantially parallel.
9. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate lies substantially within the second beam.
10. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end plate is dimensioned to be a sliding fit in a structural
support beam.
11. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which an
end of the second beam is attached to a side of the first beam.
12. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which an
end of the second beam is attached to an end of the first beam.
13. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
end of the second beam is mitred to fit to the first beam at a
desired angle.
14. A structural support system according to claim 1, in which the
first beam is a column beam and the second beam is a rafter
beam.
15. (canceled)
16. A method of assembly of at least part of a structural support
system, the method comprising the steps of providing a first beam,
providing an end plate at the end of a second beam at least partly
closing the end of the second plate and securing the first and
second beams together via the end plate thereby to clamp the first
beam to the second beam.
17. (canceled)
18. A method of assembly according to claim 16, in which a
conservatory element is applied to the structural support system.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to structural support systems
for conservatories, to conservatory structures constructed using
the same and to methods of construction of structural support
systems for conservatories.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] A structural support system can be used in constructing
large conservatories that require structural support in addition to
that provided by the usual conservatory elements. Where in such a
structural support system a hollow rafter beam needs to be attached
to a hollow column beam the rafter is mitred to fit and a steel
splice plate is located inside and between the rafter and column,
and is bolted to both. An elongate slot has to be made in the side
wall of the column beam for the splice plate to fit. When so
attached the rafter is capable of minor movement relative to the
column arising partly from the clearance space around the bolts.
This means the eventual structure is less able to cope with
external forces.
[0003] It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present
invention to obviate or overcome a disadvantage of the prior art,
whether referred to herein or otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention in a first aspect there
is provided a structural support system for a conservatory
structure, the structural support system comprising a first beam, a
second beam attached to the first beam by an end thereof and an end
plate at least partly closing the end of the second beam, with
fixing means securing the first beam to the second beam through the
end plate thereby to clamp the first beam to the second beam.
[0005] By providing an end plate the first and second beams can be
squeezed together via the end plate by a clamping action rather
than simply loosely locked relative to one another.
[0006] Suitably, the end plate comprises means for holding at least
one bolt head captive on the interior thereof. Suitably, the means
for holding the at least one bolt head captive comprises a slot for
receiving a bolt head.
[0007] Suitably, the end plate comprises means for retaining at
least one bolt in a hole through the end plate. Suitably, the means
for retaining at least one bolt comprises a holding plate in a slot
in the end plate.
[0008] Suitably, the end plate is of generally U-shaped cross
section. Suitably, the end plate has an end, a first limb depending
therefrom and a second limb depending therefrom. Suitably, the
first and second limbs are substantially parallel.
[0009] Suitably, the end plate lies substantially within the second
beam.
[0010] Suitably, the end plate is dimensioned to be a sliding fit
in a structural support beam.
[0011] Suitably, an end of the second beam is attached to a side of
the first beam.
[0012] Alternatively, an end of the second beam is attached to an
end of the first beam.
[0013] Suitably, the end of the second beam is mitred to fit to the
first beam at a desired angle.
[0014] Suitably, the first beam is a column beam and the second
beam is a rafter beam.
[0015] According to the present invention in a second aspect, there
is provided a conservatory structure comprising a structural
support system at least part of which is according to the first
aspect of the present invention.
[0016] According to the present invention in a third aspect, there
is provided a method of assembly of at least part of a structural
support system, the method comprising the steps of providing a
first beam, providing an end plate at the end of a second beam at
least partly closing the end of the second plate and securing the
first and second beams together via the end plate thereby to clamp
the first beam to the second beam.
[0017] Suitably, the structural support system is according to the
first aspect of the present invention.
[0018] Suitably, a conservatory element is applied to the
structural support system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a
conservatory structure according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of a
conservatory structure according to the present invention
incorporating the structural support system of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partly sectional side elevation of a rafter beam
connected to a column beam according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the connection shown in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an end plate for use with the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an end view of the end plate shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a functional flow diagram of a method of assembly
according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side elevation of a yet further
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternative end plate for use
with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings that follow, there is
shown a structural support system 2 for a conservatory structure,
the structural support system comprising vertical hollow column
beams 6, hollow rafter beams 8 and a hollow ridge beam 10.
Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings that follow, the structural
support system 2 at least partly supports conservatory elements 12
such as glazing panels and extruded bars as is well known in the
art.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings that follow there
is shown one of the column beams 6 attached to one of the rafter
beams 8 using an end plate 14, which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of
the drawings that follow. End plate 14 is of a generally U-shaped
cross-sectional shape with first and second limbs 16, 18 and a
generally rectangular end 20. The rectangular end 20 has four holes
22 therethrough for receiving bolt fixing means 24 (see FIGS. 3 and
4). On the interior of end plate 14 are recesses 26 aligned with
the holes 22 to hold heads of the bolts 24 captive therein to
assist in assembly as described below. Aligned slots 28 are
provided in the interior of end plate 14 to receive a holding plate
30.
[0032] Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6 further bolt fixing means
32 are used in the side of rafter beam 8 to secure the end plate 14
thereto.
[0033] End plate 14 is an aluminium extrusion of substantially
constant cross-section with the exception of the holes 22 drilled
therethrough (see below) for the bolt fixing means 24.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings that follow, a method of
assembly of part of a space frame is described.
[0035] To assemble the column beam 6 to the rafter beam 8, in step
100 the square ends of each are mitred to the required angle for
mutual alignment. In step 101 the end plate is mitred to the
required angle, here approximately 30.degree. it can be inserted in
the end of rafter column 8 and its end lie flush therewith. In step
102 bolts 34 are inserted into the holes 22 in the end thereof and
holding plate 40 is slid into slots 28 to prevent the bolts 34 from
falling out subsequently. Recesses 26 holt the heads of bolt 34
captive so that they can be secured (see below). In step 104 end
plate 14 is inserted into the otherwise open end of rafter beam 8
and is a sliding fit therein. The end plate 14 is inserted until
its end 20 is aligned and flush with the end of rafter beam 8. In
step 106 holes are drilled in both side walls of rafter beam 8 and
therefore through limbs 16, 18. In step 108 bolts 34 are passed
through each of the holes from the exterior of one side wall of
rafter beam 8 and through the rafter beam 8 to the exterior of the
other side wall thereof and secured with corresponding nuts.
[0036] In step 110 holes aligned with bolts 34 are drilled in a
side wall of column beam 6 to which the rafter beam is to be
attached. In step 112 the bolts 34 are inserted through the holes
in column beam, nuts applied and tightened through the open upper
end of column beam 6.
[0037] The exposed bolt ends may be covered with cappings to
obscure these from view and other aesthetic additions can be made
(step 114).
[0038] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by
having the first (column) and second (rafter) beams 6, 8
effectively clamped together rather than simply being secured
relative to a steel plate the whole structure moves when stressed
thus spreading the load better.
[0039] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
method of assembly described above can be carried out in a variety
of different orders.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings that follow there is
shown a hip connection to an eaves beam comprising a column beam 60
of rectangular cross-section to three sides of which beams 62 and
66, as well as rafter beam 64, are attached using end plates 14 in
the manner described above.
[0041] For fixing a first beam end to end to a second beam a
similar end plate 14 can be used, or alternatively a simple blank
ended end plate 70, shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings that follow,
can be used as is shown in cross-section in FIG. 9 of the drawings
that follow. The end plate 70 just needs to provide a wall 72 for
bolts to abut against and limbs 74, 76 to secure the end plate 70
to the respective beam.
[0042] Use of the system described herein minimises the need for
welding. The system can, advantageously, be delivered as a
flat-pack.
[0043] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this
specification in connection with this application and which are
open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents
of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0044] All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or
all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be
combined in any combination, except combinations where at least
some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0045] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0046] The invention is not restricted to the details of the
foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and
drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed.
* * * * *