CN1343150A - Structural elements and their manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuous cold rolled metal section for forming an n-sided closed frame is separated along its length by longitudinally spaced pairs of transversely aligned cuts (1,2,3) respectively on opposite sides thereof which divide the section into the number of sides (6,7,8,9) of the frame which in use can be folded against one another to form a predetermined angle of the frame. The two end edges (6,9) of the segments have their respective edges overlapped in the assembly of the frame with holes (4,5) respectively, which are linearly spaced apart by a predetermined distance when the correct angle is made between the two end edges in the assembled frame. In this way the desired frame geometry can be easily obtained and the assembly process requires only simple reference tools (11, 13).

Description

Structural elements and their manufacture

This invention relates to strips and methods of assembling them into frames/frames and panels. The invention also relates to the assembly of such panels and structural frames into three-dimensional modules for use in the commercial and residential construction industry.

Steel is a building material that has many advantages over common materials such as brick, concrete cement and wood. These advantages include: non-flammability; full recyclability; low waste in construction; very precise dimensions; very low maintenance costs and very good heat and sound transmission. However, the application of steel is limited because the fabricator does not currently have the processing technology to fully exploit this potential advantage at a competitive price. In most cases, especially in the construction industry, steel is currently a rather expensive option and it is mainly used where its stated advantages outweigh this high cost.

One of the potential advantages of steel is that it can shorten the lead time for a building construction, since much of the pre-assembly work can be done off-site. In particular the degree of pre-assembly can vary depending on the application. This ranges from providing internal insulation (not carrying loads), to providing load-bearing panels and structural modules that are joined together on site. If desired, this module can be fully equipped with the necessary decoration and interior fittings and placed as a completed unit.

Such panels and modules are typically assembled from a set of cold formed sections that are cut to length and joined together (eg by butt welding). To ensure these panels are square and dimensionally accurate, they are typically assembled on a jig that holds each section in place before being fixed. For 3D modules, this fixture is large and complex.

One of the main limitations of this steel framing system comes from the variability of the design. This results in high design costs and expensive investment in custom fixtures for each new design. These costs prevent the use of steel in many applications, severely limiting its potential market.

Thus, great advantages can be gained from a production method that can greatly reduce the amount of assembly hardware required.

A flexible manufacturing method is described below which enables the manufacture of such panels and modules without any complex jigs or positioning tools. For any particular panel design, the only tooling required is no longer purpose-built, which dramatically reduces the effort a design requires in tooling and eliminates lead times associated with its manufacture. Additionally, the method will also show how such panels can be interconnected without the use of jigs, and how complete three-dimensional structures can be assembled with high intrinsic strength.

The key to the simplification is the ability of modern segment rolling equipment to punch holes and cut segments to length with great precision and repeatability. In this way, it is possible to incorporate certain geometrical information that can be utilized in the assembly process into the segments themselves. Such information may be the total length of the section, the position of the punched holes or the positions of the notches to be folded, etc.

In preferred embodiments, a section can be manufactured such that no further steps are required, and only an angular or linear dimension detection allows the formation of a plate with a predetermined geometry. (In practice, the number of extrinsic parameters required is equal to N minus 3, where N is the number of sides of the polygonal frame. Therefore, only one reference dimension is needed for the rectangular frame commonly used in the construction industry.)

Below with reference to accompanying drawing, the present invention is described with example, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a typical rectangular frame, and the present invention strives to simplify its processing method in one embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cold formed metal section of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the sections in Figure 2 assembled into the form of the frame shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a frame corner with a reference tool for detecting the angle of the corner;

Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4, showing a different reference tool;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a section of another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the sections of Figure 6 folded to form a frame;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a length of section of Figure 8 in the form of a lipped groove;

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the groove section in Figure 9 folded to form a frame;

Figure 11 is an exploded view of segments of yet a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the section of Figure 11 folded to form a frame;

Figures 13 and 14 are another embodiment of the present invention corresponding to Figures 9 and 10;

Figure 15 shows the frames of the present invention joined together to form a larger composite frame;

Figures 16a and 16b show corresponding exploded perspective views of the method of connecting the above-mentioned frames;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a modular frame used on a building and assembled with sections of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an alternative building frame similar to that of Figure 17;

Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views, respectively, of different forms of triangular frames assembled with sections of the present invention;

Figures 21 and 22 are perspective views, respectively, of frames of different shapes assembled with sections of the present invention;

Figures 23 and 24 are perspective views, respectively, of a section of the invention forming a core cavity and a beam formed by said core cavity between two outer sections.

In general, a closed rectangular frame A as shown in Figure 1 can be constructed from four separate sections cut to length. Each segment is inserted into a jig adapted to the specific design of the panel to be produced. In positioning, the segments are clamped in place so that the ends of the segments can be joined together (welded, riveted). The purpose of the clamp is to ensure that: 1) the segments are positioned relative to each other to form the correct effective dimensions of the frame, and 2) the segments touch at the correct angle.

We know that if sections of precise length can be precisely positioned relative to each other to form a closed, articulated rectangular frame, then only one angle needs to be determined to form a frame of precise geometry. The present invention describes a method of forming such a frame in this manner, which greatly simplifies the process of building the frame. This enables very precise cutting of the punched holes during the rolling process with modern section rolling equipment. It is thus possible to embed all the necessary geometrical information required to form a frame in the manner described above during the rolling of the sections.

There are two basic forms of this geometric information. First, the successive segments must be precisely positioned relative to each other so that the linear dimensions of the frame are correct. Joining the ends of two planar sections together is not sufficient to form a frame with the required precision precisely and robustly.

Two methods of locating adjacent segments are given below. The first method is to cut out the sections so that successive sections are connected with a joint that acts as a hinge corresponding to the apex of the frame. The advantage of this method is that four consecutive segments can be quickly folded into a parallelogram with known perimeter (thus requiring right angles to the open ends of the frame to be defined to form a rectangle). One disadvantage of this method is that larger frames make it difficult to have the length of the segments equal to the perimeter of the frame. A second disadvantage is that the articulation (and thus the frame) is imprecise if the width of the cutout is wider. A third disadvantage is that in order to close the frame, the open ends still require some precisely positioned means.

A second method is to precisely punch holes near the ends of the discrete individual sections so that the holes overlap when precisely positioned. The advantage of this method is that the parts can be used to easily construct large panels. Its disadvantage is that it needs to be attached using some method of pins passing through the holes at each corner to allow the parallelogram to the next step of fixing the angles.

A precise angle can be formed in two ways. The first is to use an angle template or jig. The second is that if the fiducials are formed at known distances from the corner, then set the diagonal distance between these fiducials to determine the angle using the Pythagorean law. The downside of using a template or jig is that a large tool is required to form an exact angle. An advantage of using a Pythagorean triangle is that the reference point can be in the form of a very precise hole punched in the section during rolling. A correct angle is obtained by moving the frame (which is pivoted about joints or pinned holes) until a linear tool of known size fits the holes. Any error in the size of the datum tool will become an error in the top angle. This error is inversely proportional to the proximity of the reference hole to the corner.

A first method of positioning adjacent sections is shown in Figure 2, where a single continuous cold rolled section, preferably metal, has a length equal to the desired frame perimeter (with Stretch may be slightly adjusted). This section has reserves for three bends to be formed therein and passes through pairs of cuts 1 , 2 and 3 located on opposite sides of the groove and extending to the base. At least two datum positions, in the form of holes 4, 5, are formed on the sides of the separate sections 6, 7, 8, 9, furthermore on the sides of the ends 6 and 9 of the two end sections, instead of two adjacent sections part. With modern section rolling equipment, these notches and datum holes can be positioned with great precision. Thus, to obtain the desired geometry, it is only necessary to bend the section as shown in FIG. 3 so that the two reference points are separated by some absolute distance 10 . This can be ensured by the simplest reference tool 11 in FIG. 5 in. Another reference tool 13 can include angular and linear information, as shown in Figure 5, which is used for right-angled corners of a frame. Of course for other angles set by the tool 11 or 13 the distance 10 is no longer the hypotenuse of the triangle defined by the tool and the two frame sides, but only the third side.

The position of the reference holes 4, 5 on the segment can be a function of the frame circumference so that the resulting distance 10 between the two holes is constant regardless of the design. This enables the use of the same linear referencing tool 11 for all board designs, reducing lead times for new designs. These datum positions, such as holes 4 and 5, are preferably formed during the (cold) rolling of the strip into sections or sections (sides), but this is not essential and can also be formed in a subsequent step .

The design of the cuts at the bends between segments can be varied to accommodate many different joining techniques, segment shapes and material thicknesses. The simplest design is a section with a channel or U-shaped section, with slits cut on either side of the base, as shown in Figure 2. The size of the incision should be chosen carefully. If the cut is too wide, the position of the bend is unclear and precision will be lost. If the kerf is too narrow, the bend is too tight so that the slot sides bump together and a 90° corner cannot be obtained. More satisfying cuts can also be designed. For example, the central portion of the cutout may be narrower to allow for a tight, precise bend, while the area of the cutout 14a on one side ( FIG. 6 ) may be angled to allow for the beveled connection 14b shown in FIG. 7 . This means that the connection surfaces are flush, providing a good connection for a wide variety of applications. However, most joining techniques require a certain amount of overlap of the segments, so the cuts are designed taking into account the segments that the material will form. For simple channel sections, no reserve is required for the folding to take place. However, if the section is a "C" shaped section with folded back edges 15 on either side of the slot (which have greater load carrying capacity), then stocking as shown in Figures 8-10 will be required to allow the section to be Bending occurs without return edge collision.

It is also possible to facilitate precise and simple folding sections by punching the folding lines or perforating along the part to be folded. Care must be taken, however, not to weaken this section, which would make it difficult to handle the elements before forming a frame.

In order to prevent the overlapping areas of the bends from interfering with the application of the panel to the panel, these areas 16 can be bent so that they are flush as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . This can be done in-line or in a stand-alone extrusion operation.

In overlapping areas of the sections, identical holes 17 can be punched, which overlap when the sections are bent at right angles (or the end sections are exactly aligned), as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Instead of two overlapping holes, it is also possible to use two printed dots or a hole aligned with one printed dot. Thus, any suitable alignment device can be used. There are several options for securing the overlapping regions, the choice depending on the specific application, speed required, cost and on-site or factory assembly. Possible joining techniques include welding (such as butt welding for mitered joints or spot welding for overlapping parts), riveting and nailing. In order to ensure maximum accuracy, the head of the connection tool can be changed so that the connection can only be made once one or more dowel pins located on the tool pass through two overlapping holes, additionally ensuring the accuracy of the individual connections. The tool assembly is extendable so that it is structurally capable of linear and angular referencing. When such a component is used in a join process, recording and joining can be reduced to one operation. In an extreme case, the linearly spaced holes 4 and 5 in FIGS. 4 and 5 could be positioned such that the spacing is zero, providing the same form of reference as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . This way, the reference tool is actually one not two pins going through the two aligned holes. For a rectangular frame such as A, its reference position, ie the holes 4, 5 on two adjacent sections, can be completely spaced from their common cut-out, so that the distance 10 is the diagonal of the frame. Thus, the holes 4, 5 coincide with the different holes 17, which can replace them, serving both to position the segments and form a precise angle.

In general, the greater the distance 10 between the reference holes 4, 5, the higher the achievable accuracy. If this distance 10 is reduced to zero, the holes overlap as shown in Figures 13 and 14, and it is still possible to obtain the desired geometry without any reference tools. However, the disadvantage of completely omitting the measurement reference is that there is a loss of accuracy, since the small errors in the overlap will result in disproportionate errors in the desired angle compared to the same error in a larger reference distance. Thus, linearly spaced holes 4, 5 and aligned holes 17 can be used when assembling the frame.

Using a combination of automatic linking techniques and assisted angular or linear referencing, it is possible to use this concept of building a frame using entirely independent segments rather than continuous folded strips. This is very useful if the application requires different types of sections to be framed. However, if either positioning mechanism is removed, the material must be formed from one continuous strip reducing the degrees of freedom of the system. It should be noted that the linear reference holes 4, 5 are preferably located in the end sections, unless there are overlapping holes in a closed loop (other settings). Otherwise the final connection position is undefined. The use of overlapping holes in closed connections allows the reference dimension to be the main diagonal of the panel, giving great precision.

The concept of using known reference points to locate adjacent sections of the same frame can be extended to interconnections between adjacent frames. A set of individual frames can be joined together to form a larger frame as shown in FIG. 15 or a more complex three-dimensional module as shown in FIG. 17 . Larger frames can be made using the methods described above, but using many smaller frames has the advantages of ease of handling and design flexibility, that is, a wide variety of large frame designs can be obtained using a simple library of smaller standard frames.

Often, large frames and the modules themselves require large and complex fixtures for precise installation. However, by utilizing sub-frames and elements with known precise reference positions 18 holes (with screws or self-locating pins, welding, etc.) for positioning, large and complex structures can be constructed without using any fixtures at all. For example, by aligning punched holes in known positions, a panel or frame can be positioned with great precision to its adjoining sections, as shown in Figures 16a and 16b. This means that technical requirements can be reduced on the construction site, and a large number of panels and frames can be assembled into modules very easily.

This assembly of panels or frames into modular form allows more construction to take place in the controlled environment of a production facility rather than on a construction site. This means shorter delivery times and higher product quality.

The easiest way to do this is to use many identical wall panels or frames, joined with appropriate floor and ceiling panels, as shown in Figure 17. In this design there is potentially poor load transfer between adjacent panels or frames 19, 20 to prevent module twisting. This is a potential limitation of the design, since distortions during transfer between the factory and the field can damage the external and internal configurations.

A refinement of this basic concept is to ensure that the top and floor panels or frames are not aligned with the wall panels or frames, as shown in FIG. 18 . This overlap provides better structural integrity than previous designs because the ends of each panel function as knots between the sections of the two panels to which they are attached the end of. Therefore, this prevents twisting of the plate.

However, any given module can either be constructed by conventional methods utilizing individual sections (thus requiring jigs for the panels and a jig for assembling these panels into modules), or by using embedded Formed geometrically. In fact, the jig-free construction technique can be further extended to facilitate the assembly of 3D modules that do not require 3D jigs. By using reference holes or cutouts to align with the faces of the web members, as shown in Figures 16a and 16b, their positional accuracy is ensured. Especially if a tool is used that can align the holes and make the connections at the same time, the assembly process can be further simplified.

The location of all holes, cutouts, folds and cuts can be a predetermined function of the overall module (or just the panel) dimensions. All production parameters will be automatically generated using input parameters such as module length, height, floor load (to determine the depth of the floor section) and horizontal center spacing (to increase the stacking height of the modules and reduce the distance between vertical supports). A single design principle formulation is possible. This reduces the amount of detailed design work required; additionally, costs and lead times are reduced.

At the other extreme, it is possible to provide modules in kit form to be assembled on site, thanks to the ability to greatly reduce the technical requirements of the assembly process. The kitted form is provided with pre-punched sections that can be assembled easily, quickly and off-the-shelf into sub-panels and subsequently into modules. One of the limitations of section rolling is that the minimum length of a cut section is often longer than required for some short sections in the plate. Typically, panel assemblies are possible by manually cutting lengths of standard sections into shorter lengths. This process is very labor-intensive and error-prone. However, it is possible to insert precise cuts in the section so that the section is divided into lengths of predetermined dimensions. Thus, the entire strip has a length suitable for automatic cutting, but each of the segments can easily be sheared to form a set of shorter individual segments. Each segment is punched with all the geometric positioning holes necessary to quickly form the desired frame. If necessary, each section is marked during rolling so that each section bears a distinguishable production number, orientation, etc. after shearing.

Delivered in this manner, there is an efficient supply of a large number of modules that can be assembled quickly, such as would be useful in a disaster relief situation. Existing continuous sections for folding into a frame can be transported with little space, and existing strip sections for cutting to shorter lengths also reduces the risk of loss or damage to elements.

Another example where a kitted form may be advantageous is in the supply of roof framing. A large number of frames can be placed in sections on the back of the truck and packed flat for on-site folding and securing. Both the simple triangular frame 21a shown in Figure 19 and the double triangular frame 21b with a central support strut shown in Figure 20 can be assembled from a single continuous section without reference tools, assuming a predetermined The location is sufficient to define the geometry.

Another example of a non-square frame made of continuous sections is a pentagonal frame used in the assembly of small structures such as greenhouses, as shown in FIG. 21 . However, two reference dimensions such as 22 and 23 are required to ensure correct geometry. Similar results with only one reference 24 can be obtained using an asymmetric frame of four sections feeding a sloping roof as shown in FIG. 22 .

An asymmetric frame can embody the advantages inherent in the concept. To manufacture large numbers of panels with slightly varying dimensions requires only data input into the computer controlling the section roll grinder (which may be part of the overall automated sales order process to further streamline other machining processes). As a result, complex structures such as gradually sloped roofs can be easily accommodated.

As mentioned above, the concept is possible either in single segment form or, for easy final assembly, also with one continuous segmented strip. Combinations of the elements shown in Figures 23 and 24 are also possible, here a continuously segmented strip 25 together with two outer sections 26, 27 connected to serve as the core of a lattice beam structure. In this embodiment, the positions of the holes are calculated to relate the holes 28 of the segmented strip to the holes 29 punched in the individual sections.

Although metal is the preferred material in the above methods, wooden sections/sections can also be used as knot members.

It has been described above how, with the computer control programs of modern section rolling equipment, a wide range of frames and panels can be conveniently manufactured by changing the software domain without requiring changes in tooling and hardware. A method is proposed whereby geometric information traditionally embedded in an external frame of reference is actually engineered into the product itself during the manufacturing process. Consequently, the manufacturing costs and corresponding delivery times for such products are significantly reduced.

Thus, cold formed sections for use in frame and panel construction are rolled from sections having an inherent geometry related to the intended geometry of the final frame or panel. These segments can generally be formed into a frame using only a dimensional reference (angular or linear), without the need for external jigs or fixtures, to form a precise element. In this way, a large number of different products can be manufactured quickly and accurately without the need for complex and expensive hardware or manufacturing tools. Such sections can be formed into panels supplied to the site as a kit, or can be precisely assembled without jigs into modules which, if desired, can be assembled prior to delivery to the site.

Claims (46)

1. A method of forming an n-sided closed structure or frame, wherein n ≥ 3, with corresponding predetermined angles between adjacent sides, the method comprising providing a strip with hinged joints to provide approximately The closed structure or frame of the above-mentioned predetermined angle and the above-mentioned angle between m two adjacent sides of the structure or frame are adjusted, wherein m≥1, so that the corresponding reference positions of the two adjacent sides that are relatively adjusted are set by a predetermined The distance is linearly spaced, the predetermined distance corresponding to the predetermined angle of said structure or frame between said adjacent sides. 2. A continuous section forming an n-sided closed structure or frame (hereinafter referred to as "frame"), where n≥3, having a length substantially equal to the perimeter of said frame and along its length consisting of n-1 longitudinally spaced separation points are divided into n interconnected sections intended to form respective sides of the above-mentioned frame, in use, adjacent sections can be folded relative to each other at the separation points to form a part of the above-mentioned frame Predetermined angle, in use, if n≤4, the two sections are located at the corresponding opposite ends of the above section, in addition, if n≥5, a plurality of adjacent two sections are provided with corresponding reference positions, which are at In the assembled frame, said two segments are linearly separated by a predetermined distance when equal to a correct angle of said frame, and said two adjacent segments have a minimum total of n-4. 3. A segment as claimed in claim 2, having or defining a base and a side, all reference locations being on said side or at said base of their respective associated segments. 4. A section as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said two sections located at respective opposite ends of said section are provided with alignment means on their respective sides, when the two sections are folded so that The corresponding sides overlap, and when the angle between the two sections is equal or substantially equal to the above-mentioned correct predetermined angle of the frame, the alignment means are aligned, said alignment means being arranged outside said reference position, wherein the reference Positions are spaced linearly in the assembled frame. 5. The section according to claim 4, characterized in that any number of two adjacent sections are provided with alignment means on their corresponding sides, when the two sections are folded such that their corresponding The sides overlap, and the alignment means align when the angle between the two adjacent sections is equal or substantially equal to the above-mentioned correct predetermined angle of the above-mentioned frame. 6. Segment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reference portions and/or the alignment means are corresponding holes. 7. A segment as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the reference portions are corresponding holes in the sides of the two segments. 8. A segment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said linear separation of said reference positions corresponds to one side of a triangle whose other two sides are connected by said two segments Or defined separately by said two adjacent sections and said reference position, in use, the opposite corner of the side of said triangle forms said predetermined angle of said frame. 9. A segment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each separation point comprises a pair of aligned transverse cuts on respective opposite longitudinal edges/faces of said segment. 10. The section of claim 9, wherein each cutout is rectangular. 11. The section of claim 9, wherein each cutout is V-shaped. 12. The section of claim 9, wherein each cutout has a narrow innermost portion and a V-shaped portion extending therefrom. 13. A segment as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at each point of separation a fold line extends through the segment from one of the pair of cuts to the other cut. 14. The section of claim 13, wherein the fold lines are in the form of perforations. 15. A section according to claim 13, wherein for said two sections and/or any two adjacent sections at respective opposite ends of said section, one of said end sections The free ends of the sides of and/or the sides of one of the two sections at positions adjacent to the point of separation therebetween are loose. 16. A section as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having or defining a base and opposing sides upstanding therefrom. 17. A segment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in use, when the segments are assembled into a frame, at least one fixing hole defined in at least one segment and another such frame A hole in the section of the frame is aligned so that the frames can be joined together using fixtures passing through the aligned hole. 18. A closed frame formed from sections as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 19. A structure comprising a plurality of frames as claimed in claim 18, wherein the corresponding joining edges of two adjacent frames have aligned fixing holes therein through which fixing means are received to Connect the two frames together. 20. A method of production for forming a continuous section of an n-sided closed structure or frame (hereinafter referred to as "frame"), wherein n≥3, the method comprising forming a continuous section of length substantially equal to the perimeter of said frame metal sections, separated along their length by n-1 longitudinally spaced separation points passing therethrough to form n interconnected sections to form, in use, the sides of the frame respectively, adjacent sections Can be relatively folded at the above-mentioned separation points to form a predetermined angle of the above-mentioned frame, if n ≥ 4, set two sections at the corresponding opposite ends of the above-mentioned sections, if n ≥ 5, many two adjacent ones have opposite The section of the reference position, when the angle between the two above-mentioned sections is equal to a correct predetermined angle of the above-mentioned frame, the corresponding reference position is linearly separated by a predetermined distance in the assembled frame, and the two adjacent sections The minimum total number of segments is n-4. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the section is formed to have or define a base and a side. 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, comprising setting each reference position on said side of its associated section. 23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or 22, comprising providing alignment means on respective sides of two sections located at respective opposite ends of said sections, when the two sections are folded such that their respective sides overlapping, when the angle between the two sections is equal or substantially equal to the correct predetermined angle of the above-mentioned frame, the alignment device is aligned, said alignment device is arranged outside said reference position, wherein the reference position is assembled spaced linearly in the frame of . 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing alignment means on corresponding sides of any number of two adjacent sections, when the two sections are folded such that their corresponding sides overlap, when the The alignment means align when the angle between two adjacent sections is equal or substantially equal to the predetermined angle of the frame. 25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24, comprising providing said fiducials and/or said alignment means as holes. 26. The method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 25, further comprising setting a linear interval at said reference position, said linear interval corresponding to one side of a triangle in the assembled frame, the other two sides being defined by said Said two sections or respectively defined by said two adjacent sections and said reference position, in use, the opposite corners of the side of said triangle form said predetermined angle of said frame. 27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 26, comprising forming a pair of aligned transverse cuts at respective opposing longitudinal edges/sides of said section as separation points. 28. The method of claim 27 including forming each cutout into a rectangle. 29. The method of claim 27 including forming each cutout in a V shape. 30. The method of claim 27, including forming each cutout with a narrow innermost portion and a V-shaped portion extending therefrom. 31. A method as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 30, including forming at each separation point a fold line extending from one of the pair of cuts through the section to the other. 32. The method of claim 31 including forming the fold line into a series of perforations. 33. The method of claim 21 , further comprising slack free ends of sides of one of the two segments located at respective opposite ends of said segments, and/or slack located adjacent to a separation point therebetween The side of any two adjacent sections of the location. 34. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the section is formed having/defining a base and upwardly therefrom opposite sides. 35. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 34, comprising forming at least one fixing hole in at least one section, which, in use, is connected to another such fixing hole when the sections are assembled into a frame. The holes in the sections of the frame are aligned such that the frames can be joined together with fixtures passing through the aligned holes. 36. The method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 35, characterized in that the reference position is obtained during rolling of the metal strip to form the section. 37. A closed frame formed from sections obtained by the method of any one of claims 20 to 36. 38. A structure comprising a plurality of frames as claimed in claim 37, wherein the respective sides of two adjacent frames have aligned fixing holes therein, through which fixing means are fixed to hold said The two frames are connected together. 39. A method of forming an n-sided closed structure or frame (hereinafter referred to as "frame") from n independent side segments, wherein n ≥ 3, the method comprising providing the side segments at their respective opposite ends There are corresponding predetermined hinge positions, additionally provided with a number of two adjacent segments with corresponding reference positions for the above-mentioned edge segments, when the corresponding hinge positions on the above-mentioned adjacent edge segments are aligned, when they are correspondingly overlapped The ends hinge the adjacent side sections together to form a closed hinged frame of the above-mentioned side sections. The adjacent side sections are arranged at a correct predetermined angle of the frame, and the minimum total number of said two adjacent side sections having said reference position is n-3. 40. A method as claimed in claim 39, comprising apertures in said hinge locations. 41. A method as claimed in claim 39 or 40, comprising locating said hinge locations on respective sides of said side sections. 42. A method as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 40, comprising providing the reference locations as holes. 43. A method as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42, comprising positioning said reference positions on respective sides of said side section. 44. The method as claimed in one of claims 39 to 43, characterized in that said reference positions are formed in the edge sections during rolling from a metal strip. 45. A metal edge segment for carrying out the method of claims 39 to 44. 46. A closed metal frame formed by the method of any one of claims 39 to 45.

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