U.S. patent number 3,755,976 [Application Number 05/030,150] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-04 for prestructured building and panels therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Allied Steel Products Corporation. Invention is credited to Alfred W. J. Dolhaine.
United States Patent |
3,755,976 |
Dolhaine |
September 4, 1973 |
PRESTRUCTURED BUILDING AND PANELS THEREFOR
Abstract
A prestructured building is assembled from manufactured panels,
each of which includes parallel spaced-apart channel members having
interposed therebetween and secured thereto sheet material. The
panels are interconnected by the adjoining of adjacent channel
members to form the walls and roof of the building whereby the
channel members become the framework of the building and the sheet
material becomes the siding and roofing thereof.
Inventors: |
Dolhaine; Alfred W. J. (Tulsa,
OK) |
Assignee: |
Allied Steel Products
Corporation (Tulsa, OK)
|
Family
ID: |
21852785 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/030,150 |
Filed: |
April 20, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/93.1; D25/22;
206/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
1/24 (20130101); E04B 1/14 (20130101); E04B
2001/2484 (20130101); E04B 2001/2448 (20130101); E04B
2001/2481 (20130101); E04B 2001/2415 (20130101); E04B
2001/2487 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/24 (20060101); E04B 1/02 (20060101); E04B
1/14 (20060101); E04b 007/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/624,625,93-96,616,618,622,623,309,173,627,580,584
;206/46H,46R,62R,65R,6R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Larkin; Geo. V.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A panel for a prestructured building comprising:
two longitudinal parallel spaced-apart channel members each of said
channel members having webs bordered by legs substantially
perpendicular thereto, said members oriented such that said legs
face each other;
sheeting interposed between said facing channel legs and secured
thereto; and
means along said legs to interconnect with the leg of an adjacent
panel when stacked in parallel relationship for transportation to a
given site;
whereafter a plurality of said panels can be joined along abutting
webs to form a building with said channel members being the
framework thereof and the said sheeting being the siding
thereof.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sheeting comprises a
plurality of laminae sandwiched together; said laminae including an
inner surface portion, an insulating portion and an outer
protective portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to buildings and more particularly to
prestructured buildings. In recent years the use of prestructured
buildings, that is, buildings which are assembled from
prefabricated panels have received a wide and ever-growing
acceptance. One advantage of prefabricated buildings over commonly
used part by part construction is the reduction of erection time
which reduces field construction costs and also permits quick
beneficial occupancy of the building.
One of the principle problems encountered in prestructed buildings
is the damage to the prefabricated panel during transportation
thereof from the manufacturing facility to the construction site.
Unless the panels are elaborately crated, jolts incurred during
shipment will cause the relatively fragile sheet portions of the
panels which are usually juxtaposed in close proximity to each
other to collide resulting in creases or indentures therein which
detract from the pleasing appearance thereof. In some situations a
hole may even by punched through the sheet portions necessitating
the replacement or repairing thereof.
It is therefore an object of this invention to present
prefabricated building panels which are so constructed that the
same can be transported without being damaged and without requiring
substantial crating procedures.
It is a second object of this invention to present prefabricated
building panels incorporating rigid channel members which maintain
a space between the sheet portions of the panels during shipment
and which also provide the framework of the assembled building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally the prestructured building is constructed from a
plurality of wall and roof panels which are fabricated in a
manufacturing facility and transported unassembled to the
construction site. Generally the wall and roof panels consist of
two vertical channels having interposed therebetween and secured
thereto sheet material. The channel members also serve to protect
the sheet material from damage during transportation, that is,
during transportation the panels are positioned and interconnected
in abreast relationship such that the legs of the channels maintain
a space between the respective sheet materials to prevent
collisions therebetween. At the construction site the individual
wall and roof panels are joined at the junction of adjacent channel
members such that the channel members become the framework of the
building and the sheet material becomes the siding thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the building showing the overall
configuration thereof.
FIG. 2 is an isometrical view of an individual panel which is an
element of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a plurality of panels interconnected and
ready for transportation thereof from the plant facility to the
construction site.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of the building taken along the
line 4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a corner of the building taken
along the line 5--5 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the roof of the building taken
along the line 6--6 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the junction of the
sidewall panel and the roof panel taken along line 7--7 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to FIG. 1, the prestructured building generally denoted
as the numeral 10, embodies a plurality of interconnected sidewall
panels 12, roof panels 14 and end wall panels 16, each of which is
generally similar in construction to the sidewall panel shown in
FIG. 2 of the drawings to which specific attention will now be
given.
An individual sidewall panel 12 includes two rigid spaced-apart
parallel beam members 18 and 20 which may be of a variety of
shapes, such as commonly known wide flange or standard I-beams.
However, it has been found that channel members having a web 22 and
legs 24 perpendicular thereto are well suited for utilization in
the panel. In subsequent discussions, the beam members will be
referred to as channel members. The webs 22 of the beam or channel
members are in facing relationship and have appropriately secured
thereto sheeting 28 interposed therebetween in such a manner that
there is a void 26 between the sides of the sheeting and the legs
of the channel. The sheeting 28 may be fastened to the channel
members by cross support members between channels or by using any
well known type of fastener such as bolts, rivets, or screws, which
are diagrammatically shown by the numeral 29 in the various views.
Each of the legs 24 contains a plurality of paired transverse
apertures 30.
The beam or channel members 18 and 20 generally are straight strips
of rigid material such as steel formed either from hot rolled, cold
rolled or cold formed manufacturing methods and the sheeting 28
interposed therebetween usually comprises a plurality of laminae
sandwiched together to form a unitary sheet, the number and
composition of which varies with the design specifications of each
building. A typical panel will include an interior lining 32, a
first insulation blanket 34, a vapor shield liner 36, a second
insulation blanket 38, and an exterior protective covering 40. The
composition of the individual laminae and the fabrication thereof
are well known in the art and in no way limit the concepts of the
invention.
Although the individual panels forming the sidewall panels 12, the
end wall panels 16, and the roof panels 14 embody the same general
principles of construction, each type panel does have individual
characteristics which are necessary for achieving the specific
function thereof.
Considering first the sidewall panels 12, the beam or channel
members 18 and 20 thereof are elongated members, preferably
straight along the lower portion thereof. Other configurations such
as that shown in FIG. 9 is also inclusive of this invention.
Received over the upper end thereof is a receiving plate 42 upon
which the eave portion of the beam or channel members of the roof
panels 14 rest when the building is assembled.
Turning now to the specific configuration of a roof panel 14 and in
particular to such a panel used on a gable type roof, as can be
seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the channel members
thereof slope upwardly at an acute angle relative to a horizontal
plane and the eave portion thereof includes an abutting member 44
extending horizontally outwardly from the lower leg thereof and a
vertical member 45 extending downwardly from the upper leg to meet
the horizontal abutting leg at a right angle. The sheeting 28 of a
roof panel slopes upwardly parallel with the channel member and at
the eave end thereof the inner laminae 32, 34, 36 and 38 turn
downwardly into transverse alignment with the vertical sidewall
sheeting while the outermost protective covering 40 thereof
progresses outwardly to form an overhang as at 46. Other roofing
panels such as that used for a flat roof are constructed in a
similar manner.
As is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the end wall
panels 16 are similarly constructed to the sidewall panels 12
except that the corner post channels 48 thereof include a
horizontal extension flange 50 progressing inwardly from the edge
of one of the legs 24 thereof. In addition to typical parallel
spaced-apart vertical channel members, each end wall panel 16
includes a transversing member 52 which connects at the top thereof
the two vertical channel members and which is of a shape similar to
the corner post as can be seen in FIG. 8 in that it also includes a
horizontal inwardly progressing extension flange 53 on one of the
leg portions thereof.
Once manufactured, the panels of the building are crated for
shipment to the construction site in the manner depicted in FIG. 3.
The panels are positioned in parallel relationship with the legs of
adjacent channels 18 and 20 abutting each other and a bolt 54 is
introduced into a sufficient number of apertures 30 onto which is
threaded a nut to secure the panels together such that a space 57
is maintained between the layers of adjacent sheeting 28. A crane
or other lifting means hooked to handling chains 56 which in turn
are hooked to the channel members through eyelet plates 58 or other
structural means is used to lift the connected panels onto a
freight car or bed for the trip to the construction site. During
shipment the channels so interconnected maintain the space 57
between neighboring relative fragile layers of sheeting 28 to
prevent collision therebetween and resultant damage thereto. In
addition the channels are of sufficient rigidity to independently
support the weight of the panels and consequently eliminate the
need for further crating.
Turning now to the assembling of the building, at the construction
site where the foundation and floor which in some instances may
have equipment installed thereon, have usually already been
completed, the joined panels are unloaded from the freight car and
disconnected by removal of bolts 54.
Referring now to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, there is shown
a typical joining of two like panels, that is, the joining of a
sidewall panel to a sidewall panel, end wall panel to an end wall
panel, or a roof panel to a roof panel. The connecting of all three
types of panels is accomplished in a similar manner and discussion
will refer specifically to a sidewall panel but it is to be
understood that the same applies to end wall and/or roof
panels.
Two sidewall panels 12 are juxtaposed in horizontal alignment with
the webs 22 of adjacent channel members 18 and 20 being back to
back in a close proximity to each other. A first spacer plate 60
spanning between the legs 24 of the panel within the interior of
the building and bolted thereto through utilization of a transverse
aperture 30 on each of the legs 24 joins the juxtaposed panels. In
like manner, a second spacer plate 62 joins the two channels along
the exterior legs thereof. With the panels so joined, the sheeting
28 of the panels provides the siding of the building and the wedded
channel members form the side framework thereof thereby eliminating
the need for a spearate independently assembled structure framework
and also eliminating the need for any structural beams within the
interior of the building. Thus the entire interior space of the
building can be utilized for positioning plate equipment. Flexible
insulation 63 (e.g., acoustical, thermal or other) if required is
introduced around the exterior leg of the channel members along the
longitudinal length thereof and is retained therein by having the
longitudinal ends thereof wedged between the outer protective
covering laminae 40 and the second insulation laminae 38 of the
sheeting 28.
To seal the wedded channel members from the elements, an elongated
box enclosure 64, rectangular in cross section and which may be
fabricated from the same material as the outer protective covering
laminae 40 is installed over the flexible insulation and the
junction of the channel members and is appropriately secured to the
outer covering of the panels such as by means of sheet metal
screws.
As before mentioned, the roof and end wall panels are joined in a
similar manner along the longitudinal lengths of the channel
members thereof. As with the side panels, the channel members of
the roof panels form the roof framework or rafters and the sheeting
28 thereof provides a siding or roofing of the building. On the
other hand as will become clearer in subsequent discussion, the end
wall panels merely serve to enclose the end of the building and are
not an integral part of the framework thereof.
Looking now at FIG. 6, on a gable type roof, the rafter channels
besides being joined at and along the elongated legs 24 of the
channel members are also joined at the upper transverse end 66.
Appropriate openings may be arranged in the roof for vents, pipes,
etc., as required. A cover plate 76 stretching longitudinally
between the rafter channels and transversely between the sheeting
28 is received over and is contiguous with the upper end portion of
the outer protective covering laminae 40.
Once the individual type panels have been connected, the sidewall
panels 12 are properly positioned on the foundation of the building
and the lower ends of the channel members 18 and 20 thereof are
anchored and grouted thereto in a manner similar to present
commonly used methods.
Looking now at FIG. 7, the connected roof panels are next lifted
over and aligned with the sidewall panels such that the horizontal
abutting member 44 of the rafter channels rests on and is bolted to
the receiving plate 42 of the sidewall panels. A haunch bracket 78
having flanges 80 inserted in the gap between the joined channel
members is bolted to the channel members to furnish additional
structural strength to the junction. Connecting plate 83 also
provides even additional strength to the junction of the rafter
panel 14 and the sidewall panel 12. The eave portion of the
sheeting of the roof panel 14 provides an extension to the sidewall
siding which is protected from the elements by a shield 82
longitudinally extending between the panel members and overlapping
the outer protective covering 40 of the sidewall. The joining of
the entirety of the roof panels 14 to the sidewall panels 12
provides a self-supporting open-ended building having integral
framework of sufficient strength and rigidity to independently
support the building weight, all dead-weight loads, and design
live-weight loads, such as overhead cranes and specified
combinations thereof without the need for any additional
bracing.
Enclosure of the building is obtained by abutting and connecting
the end wall panels 16 around the periphery of the transverse
extremities of the sidewall and the roof panels 12 and 14. FIG. 5
illustrates the connecting of the corner sidewall panel to the
corner post of the end wall 16. The addition of the horizontal
extension flange 50 onto a leg 24 of the corner post enables the
web of the end panel 16 to be positioned perpendicular to the web
of the sidewall 12 which results in the end wall sheeting turning
the corner or as otherwise stated, the respective sidewall panels
and end wall panels are mutually perpendicular. Since the end wall
panels do not form an integral part of the framework of the
building but are used merely to enclose the building and shut out
the wind and elements, the joining thereof to the sidewall panels
need be only at and along the leg portions of the channels
protruding within the interior of the building. The connecting is
done with spacer plates 60 bolted to the respective leg portions
which have transverse apertures therein. Elongated insulating
blankets 85 are wrapped around the channels from the top to the
bottom thereof and are covered by first and second enclosures 84
and 86 each of which are secured along one longitudinal edge
thereof to the outer protective covering 40 and which along the
other longitudinal edges thereof mutually overlap and are secured
to an L-shaped bracket 88 projecting outwardly from the back of the
web of the corner post.
Turning now to FIG. 8, the gable connection of the roof panels 14
to the transversing members 52 of the end wall panels is shown. As
in the joining of the end wall corner post to the sidewall,
extension flange 53 extending inwardly from the member 52 permits a
spacer plate 60 to connect the two members 20 and 52 such that the
web of the end wall transversing member 52 is perpendicular to the
web of the roof channel. Insulation blankets 85 and enclosures 84
and 86 are introduced and installed over the channels in a manner
similar to that done at the corner post.
The construction herein explained is capable of permitting
expansion. For example, removal of the end wall readily permits the
addition of panels and roof panels to a new desired length.
During the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention specific terminology has been used for the sake of
clarity, however, it is to be understood that the words used are
not words of limitation and include all equivalents which are
operated in a similar manner to obtain a similar result. Obviously,
the building could include various overhead and entry doors and
also overhead cranes which are carried by and supported by the
channel rafters of the building. Also even though the preferred
embodiment described the assembly of the building by first
referring to the sidewalls, the roof, and then the end walls, the
steps in joining of the individual panels could just as easily be
reversed or interchanged.
* * * * *