Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02462467 2004-03-24
PREFABRICATED BUILDING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to building structures, and more particularly,
relates
to a building structure system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of prefabricated building structures for such commonly used buildings
as
sheds, garages, utility buildings, etc is well known in the art. Generally,
such
prefabricated structures have been formed of wood and usually comprise wall
sections
which are prefabricated and then later assembled on site. Similarly, the floor
is usually a
preassembled structure often built in two or more sections which are later
joined together.
Subsequently, a roof is built on site.
A problem with many such structures is that they are placed on blocks which
remain on the ground. During changes in the seasons and particularly in cold
climates,
the surface on which the structure is placed moves and accordingly will cause
movement
in the structure. It then frequently becomes necessary to adjust the supports
in order to
maintain a level structure.
A further problem associated with such building structures is that due to the
supporting blocks and the inherent depth of the floor joists, the structure is
raised from
the ground. Accordingly, a stair structure or a ramp must be built to gain
access and the
space below the structure can become unattractive with unwanted animals or the
like
seeking refuge there.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a building assembly which
is easy
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to assemble and comes in a compact knocked down form.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
building structure comprising a plurality of base members each having an
inwardly facing
opening, the base members extending about a perimeter of the building
structure, a
concrete base having portions thereof extending through the openings in the
base
members to thereby anchor the base members, a plurality of studs extending
upwardly
from the base member to form a plurality of wall sections, a plurality of
rafters extending
between a first opposed pair of the wall sections, and a roof mounted on the
rafters.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for
building
structure, the kit comprising a plurality of a base members each having a
generally C-
shaped configuration, a plurality of metallic studs, a plurality of rafters, a
plurality of
rafter connecters, each of the rafter connecters being a sheet metal member
having slots
formed therein to permit folding thereof, a plurality of rafter retainer
members, the rafter
retainer members comprising a sheet metal component having slots formed
therein to
permit bending of the member to form a substantially U-shaped component.
The building structure of the present invention is, in the preferred
embodiment,
comprised of metal structural components. As such, the metal structural
components
provide an ease of assembly and give a solid building structure.
One advantage of the preferred embodiment of the building structure of the
present
invention is the integration of a concrete floor which not only serves as the
floor itself,
but locks the structural components together. In this arrangement, the
building structure
may be placed directly on a suitably prepared substrate and thus obviates the
need for
stairs or ramps. Such structure will also ensure that problems will not be
encountered
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during high winds and the like. To further stabilize the structure,
conventional anchors
into the soil substrate may be provided.
In the preferred embodiment, the structure may be shipped as a kit in a
knocked
down arrangement. To do so, many of the components which would normally occupy
a
substantial amount of shipping space may be shipped as flat sheet metal
members and
formed on the site. To this end, such components may be provided with slots
cut out
along intended fold lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled utility building according to
one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view thereof illustrating the building structure in
a semi
finished condition;
Figure 3 is an exploded view illustrating the structural components of the
building
system of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the structural components;
and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the metallic components; and
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through a lower portion of the building
structure
after completion of the floor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated in Figure 1 a building structure according to one
embodiment of the
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present invention which building structure is designated generally by
reference
numeral 10.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the various structural components utilized in
the
building structure of the present invention and reference will now be had
thereto.
At the bottom of the structure, there is provided a base perimeter member
generally designated by referenced numeral 12 and which has a vertical outer
wall 14, a
top wall 16, and a bottom wall 18. Base perimeter member 12 thus has a
generally C-
shaped configuration with a pair of inwardly extending flanges 20, 22 located
at the distal
end of top wall 16 and bottom wall 18 respectively.
Mounted on top of base perimeter 12 is a bottom cap generally designated by
reference numeral 24 and which includes an outer wall 2~, a bottom wall 28,
and a flange
30 extending upwardly from the distal end of bottom wall 28.
Arranged to fit within bottom cap 24 and secured thereto are vertical studs
generally designated by reference numeral 32. Again, each vertical stud 32 has
an overall
C-shaped configuration with a back wall 34 and a pair of side walls 36, 38.
Mounted on top of studs 32 is a top cap 40 which also ha.s an outer wall 42, a
top
wall 44 and a downwardly extending flange 46.
A finishing member designated by reference numeral 48 is provided which
member also has a generally C-shaped configuration defined by an outer wall
50, a
bottom wall 52, and a slightly sloping top wall 54.
A plurality of rafters 56 of a generally rectangular configuration are
utilized for the
roof structure and at the end of each rafter there is provided a rafter
retainer generally
designated by reference numeral 58 and which rafter retainer has a pair of
opposed side
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walls 60 and 62 and an end wall 64. Flanges 66 and 68 extend outwardly from
side walls
60 and 62 respectively at the bottom or lower ends thereof.
Located centrally of rafters 56 and for connecting the rafters together, is a
rafter
connector 72 which has apertures 74 therein. Rafter connector 72 is of a
generally U-
shaped configuration having side walls 71 and 73 with a base 75.
There is also provided a ridge cap 76 and which has an inverted V-shaped top
wall
78 and downwardly extending side walls 80, 82. It will be noted that recesses
84 are
provided in downwardly extending side walls 80, 82 to accommodate rafters 56.
The system for the building structure also utilizes laterally extending
reinforcing
members 88 which, as may be seen from Figure 2, extend between studs 32 at
about their
midpoint.
As may be seen in Figure 3, there are provided stud members 90 which are
finished with an end cap 92.
Following assembly of the structural components ground anchors 93 may be
secured. Screws 75 may then secure base member 12 to concrete C. A reinforcing
mesh
94 is then placed intermediate top wall 16 and bottom wall 18 of base
perimeter member
12 and concrete is then poured. As will be seen in Figure 6, the concrete
enters into the
channel defined by top wall 16 and bottom wall 18 of base perimeter member 12
and
flanges 20 and 22 are imbedded therein. This arrangement provides for an
extremely
solid arrangement wherein the structure is securely anchored to the concrete
floor.
The building may be finished in a conventional manner with any desired wall
panels 98 and a roof 100. Doors 102 may be provided for gaining access
thereto. As will
be seen from the above, there is thus provided a strong rigid structure which
is able to
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withstand the elements.
As previously discussed, the building structure of the present invention is
preferably made in a kit form and to this end, many of the components can be
shipped in
an unassembled state and formed at the site. Thus, for example, one may refer
to Figure 5
illustrating a rafter eonnecter 72. Rafter connecter 72 is shipped in a flat
state and then
bent along fold lines 106 and 108. Fold lines 106 and 108 are formed by the
removal of
material therein by means of slots 110 which permit the easy folding operation
to become
a U-shaped component as indicated by arrow 112.
In the preferred embodipnent, the above defined structural components are all
formed of a stamped metallic material and one thus has a structure which is
resistant to
many of the problems which plague wood type structures. The various components
may
all be connected together by means of metal screws and thus, even an amateur
can
assemble the components together quickly when utilizing an electric
screwdriver or the
like. The assembly time compared to comparable wood structures is
substantially
reduced.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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