Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face... – With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-10-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Module or panel having discrete edgewise or face-to-face...
With joining means of dissimilar material and separate from...
C052S588100, C052S783100, C052S586100, C052S583100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298627
ABSTRACT:
This invention concerns building elements for making structures and structures made from such building elements.
Self-supporting roofs or roof sections are known which comprise a plurality of extruded plastics profile elements connected side-by-side, each element having at least one longitudinal chamber or duct and coupling members, by which neighbouring profile elements are interconnected, the adjacent coupling members of neighbouring profile elements engaging to form a duct.
In our own Patent Application No. GB 2268765A, we propose a hollow building element of plastics material comprising a plurality of hollow ducts in two layers and having, at opposite sides thereof coupling members, whereby elements may be connected to each other, upper coupling members comprising a part engageable with a stiffening or reinforcing beam.
In our subsequent Patent Application No. 2318133A, we propose a hollow building element of plastics material comprising one or more longitudinal ducts and having at opposite sides thereof, coupling members, whereby elements may be connected to each other directly or indirectly, wherein lower coupling members comprise ducted flanges to provide an insulation barrier.
One problem with the use of these building elements is that their lower coupling members generally meet centrally of the space between their end walls, so that when fixing screws are screwed through the coupling members into a supporting beam or the like, the screws can force the coupling members apart. When constructing a roof from such buIlding elements securement of the elements is usually commenced from end of the roof to the other and movement of the building elements apart slightly each time a pair are screwed down can result in the final building element being out of line.
Furthermore, to reduce risk of condensation within the space between adjacent building elements, sealing tape is usually provided between abutting vertical surfaces of lower coupling members. The integrity of the tape can be damaged by the fixing screws and the forcing apart of the building elements as described above separates the sealing tape from one or, other of the elements and break the seal.
An object of this invention is to provide measures to mitigate against the effects of the above-mentioned problem.
According to this invention, a building structure, which may be a roof structure, comprises two or more building members made of plastics material and positionable in side-by-side relation to one another. Each building member comprises one or more longitudinal ducts.
Each building member has a first side and a second side. The first side has a coupling element of a first configuration, which has two spaced, non-ducted walls, and the second side has a coupling element of a second configuration, which has two side walls. A coupling element of the second configuration is adapted to fit between the spaced, non-ducted walls of a coupling element of the first configuration.
The building structure is adapted to receive a fixing screw passing through a fixing screw location, i.e., through the spaced, non-ducted walls of the coupling element of the first configuration and through the confines of the coupling element of the second configuration, between the side walls thereof, in such a manner that the fixing screw does not tend to separate the coupling members having the fixing screw.
Preferably, each coupling element of the first configuration has a first ducted part with two walls, which are spaced by a given distance, and a second part with two non-ducted walls, which are spaced by a greater distance. Preferably, each coupling element of the second configuration comprises a longitudinal duct where said coupling element of the second configuration is adapted to fit between the spaced, non-ducted walls of the second part of a coupling element of the first configuration.
Preferably, each coupling element of the second configuration has two walls, one at each side of the longitudinal duct where said coupling element of the second configuration is adapted to fit between the spaced, non-ducted walls of a coupling element of the first configuration, and the wall at each side thereof is normal to the walls of a coupling element of the first configuration when said coupling element of the second configuration is fitted between the spaced, non-ducted walls of the second part of the coupling element of the first configuration.
The building elements of the invention will usually be made of plastics material, such as polyvinyl chloride or preferably polycarbonate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4790112 (1988-12-01), Wang
patent: 5580620 (1996-12-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 5664826 (1997-09-01), Wilkens
patent: 5966888 (1999-10-01), Richardson
patent: 6023899 (2000-02-01), Mecozzi
patent: 6164024 (2000-12-01), Konstantin
patent: 6202382 (2001-03-01), Conterno
patent: 522541A1 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 624695A2 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 2207930A (1989-02-01), None
patent: 2243170A (1991-10-01), None
patent: 2268765A (1993-01-01), None
patent: 2318133A (1998-04-01), None
A Phi Dieu Tran
Friedman Carl D.
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
Ultraframe (UK) Limited
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