Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TECHNICAL FIELD
THIS INVENTION relates to a frame structure and to a
building incorporating such a frame structure.
BACKGROUND ART
There have been proposals for framed structures to provide
cover for large areas, in which the frames are assembled
at ground level and then erected. The roofs of such
structures can be fabricated at ground level and elevated
with erection of the frame structures. With such
structures, a major part of the construction can be
carried out at ground level thereby reducing the need for
scaffolding and other equipment required at high working
heights. This feature provides savings in both time and
money in the construction of the structures as well as
safer working conditions.
.
One such proposal is presented in Australian Patent No.
535636 which discloses a frame structure comprising a
truss which is flexible and which is caused to bend into
an arch as it is erected. The bending action of the truss
presents difficulties in circumstances where it is desired
to install a roof covering onto the structure at ground
level before erection of the structure.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a novel and useful
frame structure having rigid frame sections which do not
bend during erection.
In one form the invention resides in a frame structure
having collapsed and erected conditions, comprising a
plurality of rigid frame sections in end to end
relationship, each frame section being hingedly connected
to the neighbouring frame section, and erection means for
effecting relative pivotal movement between neighbouring
frame sections to erect the frame structure.
Preferably, said erection means comprises means for moving
the outermost frame sections together. Such means may
comprise at least one cable having one end thereof
connected to one of the outermost frame sections and the
other end thereof fixed to a power device connected to the
other outermost frame section whereby operation of the
power device to tension the cable effects movement of the
outermost frame sections in a direction towards each
other.
Preferably the cable is positioned on the underside of the
frame se¢tions.
.
Preferably, said cable passes through guideways mounted on
the rigid frame sections. Preferably at least some of the
guideways are spaced from the rigid frame sections.
Conveniently, the guideways are supported on arms mounted
on, and extending outwardly of, the rigid frame sections.
Preferably there are a plurality of said cables arranged
in pairs with one pair disposed to each side of the
¢entral longitudinal axis of the frame structure. With
5u¢h an arrangement, it is preferred that said arms
sùpporting the guideways for each cable extend outwardly
and downward from the frame structure when the latter is
in th~ collapsed position and are arranged to swing
inwardly upon tensioning of the cables. The inward
swinging movement of the arms may be accommodated in any
suitable way such as by bending of the arms or pivoting
about a hinge incorporated in or connected to each arm.
Means may be provided to lock neighbouring frame sections
against relative pivotal movement following erection of
the frame structure. Such locking means may comprise
fastening means which secure the frame sections together.
In another form the invention resides in a building
construction incorporating at least one frame structure of
the form described above.
In still another form the invention resides in a building
construction comprising a plurality of frame structures of
the form described above positioned at spaced intervals
along the length of the building, and a plurality of
purlins extending between the frame sections.
Preferably said purlins support roofing material which
provides a roof for the building construction.
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With the invention, it is possible to fit the purlins and
roofing material in position at ground level with the
frame structures in the collapsed condition and then erect
the frame structures as previously described to elevate
the roof.
F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~he invention will be better understood by reference to
the following description of several specific embodiment
thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:-
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Fig. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a building
constructed with frame structures according to a
first embodiment, with portion of the roof covering
of the building cut-away;
Fig. 2 is a front view of one frame structure of the
building, the frame structure being shown in a
collapsed condition;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 except that the
frame structure is shown in an erected condition;
Fig. 4 is an end view of the frame structure in the
collapsed condition;
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of part of the frame
structure illustrating one form of guideway which is
employed in the embodiment for guiding the erecting
cables;
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of anoth0r part of the
frame structure, illustrating another form of
guideway which is employed in the embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a detailed view of one type of hinge
connection between two neighbouring frame sections
which form part of the frame structure according to
the firæt embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 except that the
frame sections are shown in their position
corresponding to the frame structure in an erected
condition;
Fig. 9 i6 a schematic view of a frame structure
according to a second embodiment, shown in a
collapsed condition;
Fig. 10 i8 a plan view of the frame structure of
Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is an end view of the frame structure of
Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a building
constructed with a frame structure according to a
third embodiment;
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Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a frame structure
according to a fourth embodiment; and
Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a frame structure
according to a fifth embodiment.
BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings, the first
embodiment is directed to the construction of a framed
building to provide unrestricted cover for a large area.
The frame building may be used for any suitable purpose
such as an aviation hanger, a manufacturing or processing
plant, a storage facility, or a venue for functions such
as sports, displays or entertainment.
.
The framed building 10 comprises a plurality of transverse
frame structures 11 spaced along the length of the
building. The frame structures support purlins 13 which
extend along the length of the building and which support
roofing material lS of any suitable form such as metal
sheeting.
The frame structures 11 each have a collapsed condition
(as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings) and an erected
condition (as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings) in
which the frame structure provides a supporting arch
within the building.
Ea¢h frame structure 11 comprises a plurality of frame
sections 21 in end to end relationship with each frame
section being hingedly connected by hinge means 23 to
neighbouring frame section. The frame sections 21 rest on
the ground 24 when the frame structure is in the collapsed
condition.
The frame sections 21 may be of any suitable construction.
In this embodiment outer frame sections 2la each comprise
a support leg 25 in the form of a metal beam and a roof
portion 27 in the form of a truss rigidly mounted on the
support leg 25. The intermediate frame sections 2lb
between the outer sections 2la are each in the form of a
truss.
The frame sections 2la and 2lb have end faces 31 as shown
in Figs. 7 and 8. When the frame structures are in the
collapsed condition, the end faces 31 of neighbouring
frame sections are angularly spaced with respect to each
other, a~ shown in Fig. 7. When the frame structures are
in the erected condition the end faces of neighbouring
frame sections are in abutting engagement and are fixed to
each other by any suitable means such as bolts 35, as
shown in Fig. 8.
Erection means are provided for moving the outermost frame
sections 2la of the frame structure inwardly to cause the
frame structure to move from the collapsed condition to
the erected condition. In this embodiment, the erection
means comprises erecting cables 39 positioned in pairs
below the frame structure, there being two pairs of cables
disposed equally one to each side of the central
longitudinal a~is of the frame structure. One end of one
pair of cables is connected at 36 to the supporting leg 25
one of the outermost frame sections 21a, and the
corresponding end of the other pair of cables is similarly
connected at 38 to the supporting leg. The other end of
each cable is connected to a power device 40 such as a
hydraulic ram mounted on the support leg of the other
outermo8t frame section 2la. The cables extend through
guideways 41 at 5paced intervals along the frame
~tructure. The guideways are in the form of tubular
elements, 80me of which are mounted directly on the
underside of the frame sections and others of which are
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mounted on arms 43 extending downwardly from the frame
sections. With this arrangement, the spacing between the
frame sections and the cables increases progressively
towards the centre of the frame structure, the purpose of
which is to accommodate greater bending moments towards
the centre region of the frame structure when it is under
dead load established by the sheeting 15, purlins 13 and
the weight of the frame structure.
With the arrangement of the power devices 40 and the
cables 39, operation of the power devices cause tensioning
of the cables so as to draw the outer frame sections 2la
inwardly with respect to each other. One of the support
legs 25 can be fixed to the ground and the other support
leg can be supported on rolling means (not shown) in
engagement with the ground or a track provided on the
ground to accommodate such inward movement. As the outer
frame sections are moved inwardly, the frame structure is
caused to extend upwardly and move towards its erected
condition. During this procedure, the support legs 25
move into their upright condition.
When the frame structure is in the erected condition, the
end faces of neighbouring frame sections 21 are secured
together by means of the bolts 35.
In some circumstances it may be desirable to leave the
cables 39 and arms 43 in position, and in other
circumstances it may be desirable to remove the cable and
arms from the frame structure.
A particular benefit of the building construction
according to the embodiment is that the purlins and
roofing material can be installed on the frame structures
while the latter are in the collapsed condition. In this
way, the work can be carried out at, or relatively close
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to, ground level thereby reducing the need for scaffolding
and other equipment required at high working heights. The
building can then be completed by erecting the frame
structures 11, as previously described. The roofing
material bends to accommodate angular movement of
neighbouring frame sections 21 about hinges 23.
Referring now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, the
frame structure of the second embodiment is similar to
that of the first embodiment with the exception that each
guideway 41 is mounted on an arm 43. The arms 43
extending downwardly and outwardly of the frame section,
as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings. As can be
seen from the drawings, the arms progressively increase in
length in the direction towards the centre of the
structure for the purpose of accommodating greater bending
moments in the centre region.
When the erecting cables 39 are tensioned in this
embodiment, the arms ars caused to swing inwardly into a
position directly beneath the frame structure. The arms
are caused to swing inwardly under the influence of the
forces imposed on them as the erecting cables straighten
during tensioning. The inward movement of the cables as
they straighten can be accommodated in any suitable way
such as by constructing the arms of material which can
bend to provide the movement or incorporating a hinge
(such as a plastic hinge) either in each arm or at the
junction between the arm and the frame structure.
In the first and second embodiments, the frame sections 21
are substantially straight. The frame sections may,
however, be of any other suitable configuration. In the
thlrd embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the uppermost
frame section 21 is arcuate thereby providing an arch
formation when the frame structure is erected.
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In the first and second embodiments, outer frame sections
each included a support leg and a roof section integral
with eachother. In other arrangements the outer section
may form only the support leg. One such arrangement is
the fourth embodiment which is illustrated in Fig. 13.
When the frame structure is in the collapsed condition
with the frame sections 21 resting on the ground, the
support legs 23 extend outwardly of the frame structure
and also rest on the ground. As the frame structure
assumes the erected condition, the support legs move into
their upright position to elevate the frame structure.
With this arrangement, it may be desirable in certain
situations for the erecting cables to extend between the
intermediate frame sections immediately adjacent the outer
frame sections so as not to operate the latter. A
separate system of any suitable form is provided for
controlling angular movement of the support legs
independently of angular movement of the intermediate
frame sections.
In the fifth embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 14, the
support legs are arranged to extend inwardly of the frame
structure when the latter is in the collapsed condition.
A system separate of the cables is of course required to
control movement of the support legs.
In the further embodiment (which is not illustrated), one
of the pivotal support sections extends inwardly of the
frame structure when the latter is in the collapsed
condltion and the other support section extends outwardly
of the frame structure.
It ~hould be appreciated that the scope of the invention
is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described.
