U.S. patent application number 12/632995 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for apparatus for the creation of outer surfaces for structures.
This patent application is currently assigned to HESCO BASTION LIMITED. Invention is credited to James HESELDEN.
Application Number | 20100086366 12/632995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32011782 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100086366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HESELDEN; James |
April 8, 2010 |
APPARATUS FOR THE CREATION OF OUTER SURFACES FOR STRUCTURES
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an
outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of
the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising
means defining a covering surface which overlies the support
surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to
create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the
support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering
surface is in the form of a panel.
Inventors: |
HESELDEN; James; (Leeds,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRIS MANNING MARTIN LLP
3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE, 1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
ATLANTA
GA
30326
US
|
Assignee: |
HESCO BASTION LIMITED
Leeds
GB
|
Family ID: |
32011782 |
Appl. No.: |
12/632995 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12265008 |
Nov 5, 2008 |
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12632995 |
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11958809 |
Dec 18, 2007 |
7530763 |
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12265008 |
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10597910 |
Aug 11, 2006 |
7419330 |
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PCT/GB2005/000447 |
Feb 9, 2005 |
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11958809 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 1/395 20130101;
E02D 17/18 20130101; E02D 29/0208 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/284 |
International
Class: |
E02D 17/18 20060101
E02D017/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2004 |
GB |
0403109.2 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for constructing a building structure comprising: a
plurality of support mesh panels, wherein opposing edges of the
support mesh panels are pivotally connected together to form
exterior panels of the building structure; mesh cover panels
attached to the outer surfaces of the exterior panels, wherein the
cover panels are capable of retaining a fill material; and at least
one mesh panel forming an interior partition panel of the gabion,
wherein opposing edges of the interior partition panel are
pivotally connected to edges of adjacent exterior panels.
2. A kit for constructing a gabion comprising: a plurality of
exterior wire panels, each of the exterior wire panels comprising:
i) a cover panel fixedly attached to at least one side thereof,
wherein the cover panel is a mesh panel capable of retaining an
infill material; and ii) a plurality of exterior panel connecting
bars fixedly attached thereto; at least one partition wire panel,
each of the partition wire panels being constructed such that the
infill material can pass therethrough, each of the partition wire
panels further comprising a plurality of partition panel connecting
bars fixedly attached thereto; and a plurality of coiled
connectors, the plurality of coiled connectors mating with at least
one of the exterior panel connecting bars and at least one of the
partition panel connecting bars to facilitate the interconnection
of the partition wire panels and the exterior wire panels.
3. A kit for constructing a gabion comprising: a plurality of
exterior wire panels, each of the exterior wire panels comprising:
i) a fire resistant panel fixedly attached to at least one side
thereof, the fire resistant panel capable of retaining an infill
material; and ii) a plurality of first connectors fixedly attached
thereto; at least one interior wire panel, each of the interior
wire panels being constructed such that the infill material can
pass therethrough, each of the interior wire panels further
comprising a plurality of second connectors fixedly attached
thereto; and a plurality of third connectors, the plurality of
third connectors mating with at least one of the first connectors
and at least one of the second connectors to facilitate the
interconnection of interior wire panels and exterior wire panels.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/265,008, filed Nov. 5, 2008, which
is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/958,809, filed Dec. 18, 2007, which is a continuation
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/597,910, filed
Aug. 11, 2006, which is a National Stage Entry of International
Patent Application No. PCT/GB2005/000447, filed Feb. 9, 2005, which
claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0403109.2,
filed Feb. 12, 2004. The entirety of all of the aforementioned
applications is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to apparatus for the creation of
outer surfaces having certain effects for structures. In
particular, the invention relates to gabion facades and to gabion
inserts.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In European Patent No. 0466726, there is set forth a cage
structure useful in connection with the creation of building
blocks, which can be used for sea defences, shoring hillsides, and
for providing military defence walls. These structures are made of
open mesh panels, for example of welded mesh material, or twisted
wire construction. The advantage of the structure set forth is that
the panels are used to form the walls of the structure, with the
panels being pivotally connected under factory conditions and the
structure can be folded to a flat collapsed condition for
transportation to site. On site, simply by manipulation, the
structure is capable of being moved from the collapsed condition to
an erected condition, in which the structure defines a row of open
topped cavities which can be filled with soil, sand, rubble or the
like to form a wall (or part thereof), shoring block or the like.
The invention has been successful commercially on a worldwide
basis.
[0004] The type of gabion described in EP-B-0466726 has
applications in the military field, as well as in civil and
environmental defence. Other types of gabion have applications in
landscape design and in decorative or aesthetic connections, such
as garden ornaments or window boxes. It may be desirable in some
circumstances to provide such gabions with a surface effect which
allows the gabion fill material to be obscured from view by a
surface effect material in use of the gabion.
[0005] As well as aesthetic reasons for providing a surface effect,
a problem which has been encountered with some gabions is that in
certain climates, particularly hot climates, the material which is
used to fill the cavities formed by the panels can be susceptible
to changing conditions under temperature extremes. For example the
material may be caused to contract in cold weather or expand in hot
weather which can cause the structure to be less rigid or threaten
to "burst" the joins between the panels.
[0006] A further problem is that in certain instances it can be
desirable to provide a building structure with a particular surface
effect, which it might not otherwise have from the material used to
fill the cavities.
[0007] It should be clear that the invention can be applied to
other building structures and situations. This should be borne in
mind despite the fact that in the following a structure of the type
described in the applicant's patent EP0466726 is given as a
particular embodiment of the invention. Other types of gabion are
particularly susceptible to improvement with this invention.
[0008] In a collapsible/erectable structure it is difficult to give
the walls, or one wall a different surface effect than would be
achieved as a result of the materials used for the structure and
the filling material. It is disclosed in the said patent that when
the structure is erected and filled, the walls can be given a
different surface effect by the spraying of decorative synthetic
resin onto the walls of the erected structure. However, it may be
desirable that the walls were to have a different surface effect,
say of aesthetically attractive materials such as pebbles, turf or
of other vegetation effect, or a surface effect for protective
purposes that could not be achieved with the structure specifically
described in the said patent.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention provides an apparatus whereby an outer
surface can be provided, which is other than the surface which
would be achieved without the invention with the located surface
effect being of advantage from an appearance effect and/or in
controlling the condition of the building structure.
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention provides cage structure
comprising opposed side walls connected by opposed end walls
defining a cage cavity therebetween, the cage structure being
provided on at least one side or end wall with a facade spaced from
said side or end wall to an extent sufficient to accommodate a
surface effect material between the at least one side or end wall
and the facade.
[0011] Preferably the facade comprises a material which permits
viewing of the surface effect material when thus accommodated.
[0012] Also provided is a cage structure comprising opposed side
walls connected by opposed end walls defining a cage cavity
therebetween, the cage structure being provided on at least one
side or end wall with an insert spaced from said side or end wall
to an extent sufficient to accommodate a surface effect material
between the at least one side or end wall and the insert.
Preferably the side or end wall on which the insert is provided
comprises a material which permits viewing of the surface effect
material when thus accommodated.
[0013] The facade or insert may comprise a secondary cage structure
comprising opposed side walls connected by opposed end walls
defining a cage cavity therebetween.
[0014] The cage structure may be in the form of a
multi-compartmental gabion comprising pivotally connected side and
end walls and at least one pivotally connected partition wall, the
at least one partition wall separating individual compartments of
the gabion. In this case the facade or insert may comprise a
secondary cage structure in the form of a multi-compartmental
gabion comprising pivotally connected side and end walls and at
least one pivotally connected partition wall, the at least one
partition wall separating individual compartments of the
gabion.
[0015] The cage structure may be provided with a first fill
material filled against the facade or against the side or end wall
on which the insert is provided, and a second fill material filled
behind the first fill material, the second fill material being a
different material from the first fill material.
[0016] The present invention also provides a cage structure
comprising opposed side walls connected by opposed end walls
defining a cage cavity therebetween, the cage structure being
provided on at least one side or end wall with a facade spaced from
said side or end wall to an extent sufficient to accommodate a
surface effect material between the at least one side or end wall
and the facade, the facade comprising a material which permits
viewing of the surface effect material when thus accommodated.
[0017] Also according to the present invention there is provided a
cage structure comprising opposed side walls connected by opposed
end walls defining a cage cavity therebetween, the cage structure
being provided on at least one side or end wall with an insert
spaced from said side or end wall to an extent sufficient to
accommodate a surface effect material between the at least one side
or end wall and the insert, the side or end wall on which the
insert is provided comprising a material which permits viewing of
the surface effect material when thus accommodated.
[0018] It will therefore be seen that the invention permits the
adaptation of a gabion structure to provide a surface effect by
blocking or partially blocking through at least one side or end
wall of the gabion viewing of a gabion fill material located in the
gabion by interposing between the viewer and the gabion fill
material a surface effect material accommodated either on the
outside of the said side or end wall (and retained in place by the
facade) or on the inside of the said side or end wall (and retained
in place by the insert).
[0019] The facade may for example comprise a mesh material which
permits viewing of the accommodated surface effect material through
the mesh holes. Alternatively, the facade may comprise a
transparent material--such as glass, acrylic or Perspex.TM. in for
example.
[0020] In the case of an insert, the side or end wall on which the
insert is provided preferably comprises a mesh material which
permits viewing of the accommodated surface effect material through
the mesh holes.
[0021] If the surface effect material has a technical function
rather than an aesthetic function, it is not necessary for the
surface effect material to be viewable from the outside. Thus, if
the surface effect material has anti-corrosive properties, for
example, the facade or the side or end wall on which the insert is
provided may be opaque
[0022] The facade or insert is preferably connected to the side or
end wall on which it is provided, or may be connected either side
of said side or end wall to neighbouring pairs of side, end walls.
In the case of a multi-compartmental gabion, an insert may
alternatively (or also) be connected to one or more partition walls
neighbouring the side wall on which the insert is provided
(partition walls in this case being the walls dividing compartments
of a multi-compartmental gabion)
[0023] Such connection is preferably achieved by suitable
mechanical means, for example one or more connectors, clips, ties
or fasteners.
[0024] The connection, particularly in the case of a facade, may be
removable. That is to say, the connector(s), clip(s) tie(s) or
fastener(s) may be releasable or removable to allow detachment, or
partial detachment, of the facade or insert. Such connection may be
pivotal (one edge of the facade or insert being pivotally connected
to a corresponding edge of the side or end wall, for example), or
the facade or insert may be completely removeable from the side or
end wall.
[0025] In accordance with the invention there is provided an
apparatus for creating an outer surface of a structure wherein at
least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the
apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which
overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a
quantity of material to create the outer surface can be positioned
between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein
the covering surface is in the form of a panel. When the surface
effect material has an aesthetic quality, typically the panel is a
mesh panel or transparent panel through which the said surface
effect material can be viewed.
[0026] In accordance with the invention there is provided an
apparatus for creating an outer surface of a structure wherein at
least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the
apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which
overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a
quantity of material to create the outer surface can be positioned
between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein
the covering surface is in the form of a panel. Typically the panel
is a mesh panel or transparent panel through which the said surface
affect material can be viewed.
[0027] Preferably, the support surface is defined by a mesh panel,
and the edges of the cover panel are connected to the edges of the
support mesh panel by means of suitable connectors. Suitable
connectors may be in the form of elongated, coiled wire connectors
threaded round the edges of the mesh panels at a pair of opposite
edges of such panels, or threaded about intermediate spacing panels
which serve to space the outer panels from the support of the
structure.
[0028] Preferably, the structure is defined by a series of mesh
panels, and the edges of the cover panel are connected to the edges
of the support mesh panel by means of elongated, coiled wire
connectors threaded round the edges of the mesh panels at a pair of
opposite edges of such panels, or threaded about intermediate
spacing panels which serve to space the outer panels from the
support of the structure.
[0029] In one embodiment, the cover panels can be pivoted away from
the support panel, or be removed therefrom to a sufficient extent
to allow a cavity to be formed for the reception of the material to
create the outer surface. The material can for example be a layer
of turf or other horticultural vegetation, or decorative wood
planks, board, or wooden fencing members (such as chestnut fencing
poles), rocks, boulders, gravel to be placed on the support panel,
or within the cavity. The cover panel can if required be positioned
to retain the said material and again if required be connected, by
re-threading the coiled wire connector through the edges of the
cover and support panels, to trap the material in position between
the panels.
[0030] The cover panel may be detached completely by removing both
coiled wire connectors, or if the cover panel is mounted so as to
lie spaced from the support panel to a sufficient extent, then the
material may be positioned between the panels without removing the
cover panel.
[0031] The support panel may be a wall panel of a collapsible
structure as described above. Indeed, and as can be expected, all
of the wall panels of one or both sides of such a structure may be
provided with a surface effect as set for the above. The outer
surfaces for the individual wall panels will usually be the same,
but they could be different as desired. The invention also extends
to a structure as described above, but wherein the various panels,
or at least some of them are delivered to site, and the structure
is erected on site by connecting the panels together, the outer
surface being added after erection of the structure, or in an
alternative arrangement, each support panel and its cover panel may
be pre-connected and constructed to receive the material to form
the outer surface therebetween.
[0032] Where the outer surface is created by growing material, this
may eventually grow to such an extent as to conceal the cover panel
mesh, and so using the collapsible structures mentioned above,
could provide a quick means of erecting say a grassy bank, or a
boundary hedge wall, which would have a natural look, without the
need for any excavation. The invention therefore has considerable
advantages. The invention may also have advantages in garden and
landscape design, allowing the erection of structures having
pleasing outer surface effects created with minimal use of an outer
surface effect material.
[0033] A further advantage is that by selecting the appropriate
material to form the outer surface, so heat insulation can be
achieved by the said material thereby preventing adverse effects
from the heat on the structure or the filling material or on other
items adjacent the structure.
[0034] Typically, each or selected sides of the structure can be
provided with the panels thereby allowing an outer surface to be
created on all or selected sides of the structure. In addition, the
material used to form the outer surface can also be positioned on
the top of the structure to form an outer surface thereon.
[0035] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a
structure comprising a series of interconnected side panels forming
a cavity for the reception of filling material therein to form a
building structure having opposing side walls and end walls and
wherein additional panels are provided along at least the side
walls, externally thereof and joined to the same but spaced apart
to form respective first and second cavities for the reception of
material which differs to the filling material and form outer
surfaces along at least the side walls.
[0036] In one embodiment the material used has better insulating
characteristics than the filling material.
[0037] By way of explanation, an embodiment of the invention, with
modifications, is illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic
drawings, and is explained in the description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view, a wall created by
collapsible/erectable structures as described herein;
[0039] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parts defining
one cavity of one of the structures shown in FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of one of the structures of FIG.
1, to show how it can be folded to the collapsed position;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wall of FIG. 1, but
showing the cover panels attached to form a structure according to
the embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but shows a
modification;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the wall
with the surface effect layers in position;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a further
modification;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line X-X in
FIG. 6, showing the support mesh, the cover mesh panel and the
surface effect layer;
[0046] FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively are views to show two of the
many different types of surface effect layer which can be used;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a collapsible/erectable structure
of a different type which can be used;
[0048] FIG. 12 is a plan of the structure shown in FIG. 11, to
illustrate how it can be folded to the collapsed condition;
[0049] FIG. 13A shows, in perspective view, a multi-compartmental
cage structure with a facade; and
[0050] FIG. 13B shows, in perspective view, a multi-compartmental
cage structure with an insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Method to Execute the Invention
[0051] In FIG. 1, a wall 10 is made up of three conventional
collapsible/erectable structures of the type described herein and
superimposed one upon the other as shown. The structures are
illustrated by the reference numerals 12, 14 and 16. In this
example the structures are of trapezoidal cross-section so that the
bottom one 12 is the broadest, whilst the top one 16 is the
narrowest. The structures are made up of panels as described, and
these panels are interconnected by means of coiled wire connectors
18, in known manner.
[0052] The structures 12, 14 and 16 have no top or bottom, so that
each defines a row of cavities 20, 22, 24 and so on, and the
structures can be of any appropriate length. Typically, the
structure may be of 10 cavity lengths but this is not to be
considered as limiting.
[0053] In a practical example, the inner surfaces of the panels of
the structures 12, 14 and 16 are lined with a retaining material
such as a geo-textile material so that when the structure cavities
20, 22 and 24 are filled with appropriate filling material such as
soil, sand, rocks or other ballast, that material will not pass
through the meshes of the panels, it being remembered that the
panels making up the structure will normally be of welded mesh
construction.
[0054] These structures and the features described are of course
already known.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows typically how the panels are used in each
structure to form one cavity of the structure. In FIG. 2 the panels
shown form the cavity 20 of the top structure 16, and the panels
comprise two similar mesh side panels 26 and 28, and two end panels
30 and 32, which comprise trapezoidal rod boundaries and
intermediate parallel connecting rods, although this is still
considered to be a mesh structure. Although shown in a trapezoidal
form it should be appreciated that the structures can be cube or
cuboid in shape, or any other suitable shape. The panels 26 to 32
are connected by means of the coiled wire connectors 18, one of
which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, but each of the axes
18A represents the position of one of these connectors. To connect
the panels shown in FIG. 2, they are brought into the trapezoidal
configuration shown in FIG. 1, and then the connectors 18 are
spirally wound about the adjacent end bars of the panels so that
each connector 18 embraces two bars of the respective adjacent
panel edges. By this means, the panels are all pivotally connected
together, and having regard to the diameter of the connector 18, so
there is a relatively free pivotal movement and there is a certain
amount of clearance so that the panel edges are free to move within
the connectors.
[0056] Of the panels 30 and 32, if the panel 30 is at the end of a
structure, it will be an end panel, but panel 32 will be common to
the next cavity, and it is commonly known as a partition panel. The
spiral connectors which connect panels 26 and 28 to panel 32
therefore also simultaneously embrace the next adjacent side panels
of the next cavity, and so on.
[0057] It will be understood that the structures depicted in FIG. 1
is therefore foldable by relative pivoting between the various
panels, and FIG. 3 is included to show how the structures can be
folded. FIG. 3 shows the top structure 16, and the additional
panels making up cavity 22 are indicated by reference numerals 26A,
28A and 32A. To collapse the structure the alternate partition
panels 30 and 32A are moved in opposite directions as indicated by
the arrows 34 and 36 and so the whole structure can fold up zigzag
or concertina fashion. Although the partition panels 32 and the end
panels 30 are of trapezoidal form, there is sufficient clearance
within the coil connectors 18 to allow complete folding to take
place. Each of the structures 12, 14 and 16 is collapsible in the
same way, and therefore can be folded up for transportation
purposes.
[0058] The structures 12, 14 and 16 need not be of trapezoidal
form, but this form is of particular advantage in relation to the
utilisation of the present invention.
[0059] In the present invention, the outer surfaces of the panels
of the structures shown in FIG. 1 are provided to receive material
to form an outer surface to give the overall wall the appearance of
having a surface of a material which is different from that which
is typically placed in the cavity 20, 22, 24. Referring to FIG. 4,
one embodiment is shown and in this embodiment, additional cover
panels 40 to 50 are connected to the side panels of the structures
as shown. These panels 40 to 50 are connected to the panels using
the same connector coils 18 or in a modification, separate
connector coils, and the coils connect so that the panels 40 to 50
are pivotable by virtue of being connected to these coils.
[0060] In order to provide the material to form the outer surface
of the structure the panels 40 to 50 are pivoted clear of the side
panels of the structures 12, 14 and 16, which side panels form
support panels and the material can either be applied over the
support panels as shown or placed into cavities defined between the
support panels and cover panels. When the material is applied, the
cover panels 40 to 50 are pivoted back onto the material, and are
connected to each other by means of a coiled wire connector such as
18 at the free edges which are shown in FIG. 4 and which meet when
the cover panels are placed into position. The coiled wire
connectors which connect panels 40 and 46, 42 and 48, and 44 and
50, may be coupled to the existing coiled wire connectors
connecting the structure side panels by the insertion of a
connecting rod through the two coiled connectors which are moved
sufficiently close so that the coils overlap, thereby trapping the
surface effect material which is viewable through the panels 40 to
50 as these panels also are of mesh construction. The effect is in
fact shown in FIG. 6, where the dashed line areas are intended to
represent material which in this embodiment is turf, so that the
wall eventually will have a turf surface appearance. This is
applied over the whole of the wall surface.
[0061] Instead of placing turf between the support and cover mesh
panels, other suitable horticultural material can be used such as
the material known as "seedam" which is a material which is
supplied as a thin layer and in rolls, and is simply unrolled and
placed on the ground. The layer comprises soil bound by means of a
woven fabric, and the soil contains a seed material from which
green vegetation grows.
[0062] FIG. 8 is included to show a section of this material, and
in this figure the growing material is indicated at 52 as it grows
through the cover panel 44, and the support panel 26 is also
illustrated. Between the support panel and the cover panel is the
fabric 54 which forms the binding for the material, and also
illustrated is the soil layer 56. The Seedam material has roots
which grow rearwards, and these are shown at 58 where they pass
through the geo-textile material 60 on the inner side of support
panel 26.
[0063] The Seedam material is so constructed that the soil and
binding fabric will retain moisture enabling the vegetation 52 to
grow efficiently, but the addition of the geo-textile material 60
provides a further means for the retention of moisture, and the
invention therefore is of particular relevance to the effective
growing of the Seedham material. The Seedam material provides an
excellent green covering and growth is limited as compared for
example to grass so that cutting of the Seedam material is not
necessary and therefore it is particularly suitable for this
application.
[0064] Instead of the panels 40 to 50 being pivotally mounted as
shown in FIG. 4, they can be detachably mounted and the material
for the outer surface can be mounted on the panels 40 to 50 and
then the panels and the material applied as appropriate.
[0065] If reference is made to FIG. 5, modifications are shown
therein to the end panel 30. At one side end panel is shown as
having an extension wing 62 which forms a connecting bar for the
coiled connectors. If the bar 62 is used for example for mounting
the cover panels 40 to 50, then these panels 40 to 50 will be
spaced slightly further from the support panels of the structures
so that thicker surface effect layers can be positioned between the
panels. In this case the structure panel would be connected to rod
portion 64, and the cover panel would be connected to rod portion
62.
[0066] Another modification shown in FIG. 5 is indicated that the
opposite side of panel 30 and comprises an extension ladder 66. One
rail 68 of that ladder would be coupled to the end panel rod
portion 70 by a coiled connector, whilst the other rail 72 serves
for the mounting of the cover panel. If either of these
modifications is adopted, it would be adopted on each of the end
and partition panels of the foldable structure.
[0067] Another modification of this character is shown in FIG. 7
where the side panels 26 and 28 are replaced by a frame 74, which
serves to receive a mesh tray 76. The tray 76 has a mesh base and
rod extension sides 78 and 80 and a base extension 82 of the form
shown. The structure is built using the side panels 74, and when it
is erected into a wall, the tray 76 is fitted for the receipt of
the surface effect material which can be quite thick having regard
to the height of the extensions 78 and 82. After the tray is
fitted, and the surface effect material is inserted, a cover panel
such as 40 to 50 is applied over the tray to retain the surface
effect material. All or one or more of the side panels of the
structures 12 to 16 may be constructed in this way.
[0068] FIGS. 9 and 10 show how solid material may be used to form
the outer surface and these are preferably used where the spacing
between the support and cover panels is sufficient and these panels
are held in spaced relationship.
[0069] In FIG. 9 it is shown that wooden planks 84 may be dropped
in behind the cover panels or may be placed in the tray 76 of FIG.
7, whilst FIG. 10 shows that chestnut-fencing posts 86 may be used
for creating the surface effect. In another arrangement, the
surface effect is created by one or more metal plates.
[0070] FIGS. 11 and 12 are included to show that
collapsible/erectable structures in accordance with the invention
may be of a different configuration from that shown in FIGS. 4 to
10. In the arrangement of FIG. 11, additional pivot connections are
provided at 90 in each side of the structure. These pivot
connections are parallel to the other pivot connections on that
side of the structure and again is created by a coiled wire
connector. Each side of each cavity therefore is split into two
equal sections which can pivot relative to one another during the
collapsing and erecting operations of the structure.
[0071] FIG. 12 shows how the structure can be collapsed by pivoting
the side sections outwardly so that the partition panels 30, 32,
32A and so on move together in the direction of the arrows 92 as
shown in FIG. 12. In this arrangement material can be placed into
the cavities 93 when the structure is in the erected condition
shown in FIG. 11, with the material placed therein forming the
outer surface of the structure on both elongate side walls of the
structure. For example, if it is desired that the outer surface
which is formed has insulating properties, then material with such
properties which are better than the material used to fill the main
cavities 22, 24 and so on can be used to fill the cavities 93 and
hence provide the insulating outer surface. Such material could be
rocks or the like and which therefore serve to insulate the
structure as a whole. Furthermore, if required, the material used
to form the outer surface of the elongate side walls can also be
used to form the outer surfaces of the end walls of the structure
in cavities formed therein, in the same manner by the addition of
the panels and/or the top of the structure by placing and, if
necessary, securing the insulating material in position, and even
the base of the structure by placing said material onto the surface
prior to placing the structure thereon and then filling the
same.
[0072] Another modification shown in FIG. 13A provides a
multi-compartmental cage structure 100 comprising opposed side
walls 110 and 120 connected by opposed end walls 130 and 140 and at
least one pivotally connected partition wall 150. The at least one
partition wall 150 separating individual compartments 160 of the
cage 100. The cage structure 100 further comprises a facade 200 in
the form a secondary cage structure comprising opposed side walls
210 and 220 connected by opposed end walls 230 and 240 and at least
one pivotally connected partition wall 250. The facade 200 can
accommodate a surface effect material 270 and comprises a material
which permits viewing of the surface effect material when thus
accommodated. Preferably, the end wall 230 of the facade 200 may
define a cover panel that comprises a material which permits
viewing of the surface effect material 270.
[0073] In another modification shown in FIG. 13B, the cage
structure 100 further comprises an insert 300 in the form a
secondary cage structure comprising opposed side walls 310 and 320
connected by opposed end walls 330 and 340 and at least one
pivotally connected partition wall 350. The insert 300 can
accommodate a surface effect material 370 and comprises a material
which permits viewing of the surface effect material when thus
accommodated. Preferably, the end wall 130 of the cage structure
100 and the end wall 330 of the insert 300 comprise a material
which permits viewing of the surface effect material 370.
[0074] A further possible embodiment of the invention may be
contemplated in which the panels are provided with integrally
formed limbs. Each limb may have a return that can engage a part of
the gabion. In use, a layer of decorative material such as turf is
interposed between the gabion and the panel. The panel is pressed
against the gabion causing the decorative layer to compress. The
limb bends to pass a wire of the gabion. Releasing the panel allows
the decorative layer to expand back to its original dimension
thereby causing the return of the limb to engage a wire of the
gabion. Limbs can be provided instead of the aforementioned
hinge-engaging fasteners or supplementary thereto. Additionally or
alternatively, one or more limbs may be disposed towards the centre
of each panel to inhibit bowing-out of the panel in use, which
adverse effect may occur over time, e.g., as grass/vegetation root
systems establish.
Method of Industrial Application of the Invention
[0075] In this invention it is not necessary that the structures
are erected in the factory. They could be erected on site, where
some or all of the pivot connections are made, and the surface
effect material could be inserted in the erected structure on site
or it could be supplied between the support and cover panels and
supplied as panel units.
[0076] The invention provides a means of adding to the
functionality and/or the aesthetic appeal of a gabion structure.
Thus, if it is desired to provide a gabion structure with an
exterior surface effect for aesthetic reasons, this can be achieved
by using a surface effect material with aesthetic properties.
Alternatively, if it is desired to provide a gabion structure with
an improved functionality (e.g., resistance to weathering,
corrosion, heat expansion, water penetration and the like) then a
suitable functional material can be selected as the surface effect
material.
[0077] The invention provides that an outer surface on the side
walls of the structure can be created by using a covering mesh
panel, where such effects either visual and/or protective would not
normally exist. The invention has particular application to the
collapsible type structures discussed herein, and can be used to
maintain the characteristics of the same in extreme environmental
conditions by preventing expansion or contraction and hence
improving the safety of the structures as required.
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