GB2078274A

GB2078274A - Building Construction

Info

Publication number: GB2078274A
Application number: GB8115143A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HOWROYD SAFETY HOUSING Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HOWROYD SAFETY HOUSING Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1980-05-16
Filing date: 1981-05-18
Publication date: 1982-01-06
Also published as: GB2078274B

Abstract

A building comprises a main structure with its own walls 11, windows 13 and roof 12, and, a secondary roof structure 14 movably mounted with respect to at least a portion of one wall of the structure so that it can either be swung out and supported, as by posts 19, moved to form the roof of a verandah, porch, carport or the like, or can be retracted to a more or less vertical position in which it covers said portion of the wall, e.g. for protection in a cyclone, the mounting of the secondary roof 14 being such that it is sprung or gravity-biased to the outwardly extending position. Secondary roof structures 14 may extend around the building. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building Construction This invention relates to a building of the type which has a porch, verandah, carport or like shelter adjacent at least one of the exterior walls.

The object of the invention is to provide a building of the type described which can be readily rendered resistant to cyclones and the like by utilising the roof of the porch, verandah or carport.

In one form the invention resides in a building comprising a main structure with its own walls and roof, a secondary roof structure located with respect to at least portion of one wall of the structure so that it can be moved between a position in which it extends outwardly to form the roof of a verandah, porch, carport or the like and a more or less vertical position in which it substantially covers said portion of the wall the mounting of the secondary roof structure being such that it is biased to the outwardly extending position.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing part of a building with the secondary roof structure forming a verandah roof; Figure 2 shows one way of pivotally attaching the secondary roof structure to the main building; Figure 3 is another view of the pivotal attachment of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an inverted plan view showing the mounting of biassing means on part of the secondary roof structure.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the means for locking the supporting post in positions; Figure 6 is another view of the locking means of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view showing how the building may be ventilated; Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative embodiment.

As shown in the drawings (Figures 1 to 7 inclusive) the main structure is a house of more or less conventional construction comprising exterior walls 11 and a roof 12. The wall 11 is fitted with sliding glass doors 1 3 and in accordance with the invention, a secondary roof structure 14 is pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the walls for rotation about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the wall. The wall structure comprises a steel frame 1 4a covered with suitable metal sheeting 1 4b. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the pivotal connection is effected through a lug 15 fixed to the roof frame 1 4a and pivotally engaging a bolt 1 6 supported in brackets 17 fixed to a beam 1 8 incorporated in the wall of the house.A supporting post 1 9 is pivotally mounted at its lower end in a bracket fixed to or embedded in the floor adjacent the outer edge of the floor of a verandah extending outwardly from the wall of the house. The upper end of the supporting post 19 is provided with a bracket 20 having a keyhole type slot 21 formed therein which aligns with a corresponding keyhole type slot 22 in the frame 1 4a of the roof.

A captive pin 23 provided at one end with a lug 24 is passed through the aligned slots to lock the post to the roof frame, when the roof is in the extended position.

The roof frame is biased towards the extended position by means of torsion rods 25 (see Figure 4).

The roof structure preferably extends around all sides of the house and adjacent the corners is formed at an angle as is seen in Figure 4 so that when in the lowered position the edges of adjacent roof structures on each side of the corner come together.

To lower the roof to the protective position (shown in broken lines in Figure 1) the pin 23 is removed and the post 1 9 lowered to lie on the ground. The roof is then lowered to the protective position and its outer edge locked to the posts 1 9 by means of pins or spring loaded bolts (not shown) adapted to engage in holes in the post 1 9.

With the roof in the lowered position the openings such as windows and doors are covered and protected against damage by cyclones or the like.

Whilst the invention has been described with particular reference to the use of torsion rods to bias the roof to the extended position other suitable means such as counterweights, hydraulic pistons and springs of various types may be used.

In an alternative construction illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings the roof is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on supporting posts spaced apart from the wall of the main structure so that the roof in effect becomes a balance beam which can be readily rotated to the desired position. Preferably the inner end may be weighted to bias it towards the outwardly extending position.

The house is preferably ventilated as is shown in Figure 7 by providing beiow the apex of the roof a central chamber 31 provided at the top with an opening 32 passing through the roof. The opening is surmounted by a cowl 33 which covers and weatherproofs the opening but permits air to pass therethrough. The air passing over the roof and through the cowl exerts a suction affect on the air inside the house creating an air flow as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 7.

Claims

1. A building comprising a main structure with its own walls and roof, a secondary roof structure located with respect to at least portion of one wall of the structure so that it can be moved between a a position in which it extends outwardly to form the roof of a verandah, porch, carport or the like and a more or less vertical position in which it substantially covers said portion of the wall the mounting of the secondary roof structure being such that it is biased to the outwardly extending position.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Building Construction This invention relates to a building of the type which has a porch, verandah, carport or like shelter adjacent at least one of the exterior walls. The object of the invention is to provide a building of the type described which can be readily rendered resistant to cyclones and the like by utilising the roof of the porch, verandah or carport. In one form the invention resides in a building comprising a main structure with its own walls and roof, a secondary roof structure located with respect to at least portion of one wall of the structure so that it can be moved between a position in which it extends outwardly to form the roof of a verandah, porch, carport or the like and a more or less vertical position in which it substantially covers said portion of the wall the mounting of the secondary roof structure being such that it is biased to the outwardly extending position. The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein. Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing part of a building with the secondary roof structure forming a verandah roof; Figure 2 shows one way of pivotally attaching the secondary roof structure to the main building; Figure 3 is another view of the pivotal attachment of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an inverted plan view showing the mounting of biassing means on part of the secondary roof structure. Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the means for locking the supporting post in positions; Figure 6 is another view of the locking means of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view showing how the building may be ventilated; Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing an alternative embodiment. As shown in the drawings (Figures 1 to 7 inclusive) the main structure is a house of more or less conventional construction comprising exterior walls 11 and a roof 12. The wall 11 is fitted with sliding glass doors 1 3 and in accordance with the invention, a secondary roof structure 14 is pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the walls for rotation about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the wall. The wall structure comprises a steel frame 1 4a covered with suitable metal sheeting 1 4b. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the pivotal connection is effected through a lug 15 fixed to the roof frame 1 4a and pivotally engaging a bolt 1 6 supported in brackets 17 fixed to a beam 1 8 incorporated in the wall of the house.A supporting post 1 9 is pivotally mounted at its lower end in a bracket fixed to or embedded in the floor adjacent the outer edge of the floor of a verandah extending outwardly from the wall of the house. The upper end of the supporting post 19 is provided with a bracket 20 having a keyhole type slot 21 formed therein which aligns with a corresponding keyhole type slot 22 in the frame 1 4a of the roof. A captive pin 23 provided at one end with a lug 24 is passed through the aligned slots to lock the post to the roof frame, when the roof is in the extended position. The roof frame is biased towards the extended position by means of torsion rods 25 (see Figure 4). The roof structure preferably extends around all sides of the house and adjacent the corners is formed at an angle as is seen in Figure 4 so that when in the lowered position the edges of adjacent roof structures on each side of the corner come together. To lower the roof to the protective position (shown in broken lines in Figure 1) the pin 23 is removed and the post 1 9 lowered to lie on the ground. The roof is then lowered to the protective position and its outer edge locked to the posts 1 9 by means of pins or spring loaded bolts (not shown) adapted to engage in holes in the post 1 9. With the roof in the lowered position the openings such as windows and doors are covered and protected against damage by cyclones or the like. Whilst the invention has been described with particular reference to the use of torsion rods to bias the roof to the extended position other suitable means such as counterweights, hydraulic pistons and springs of various types may be used. In an alternative construction illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings the roof is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on supporting posts spaced apart from the wall of the main structure so that the roof in effect becomes a balance beam which can be readily rotated to the desired position. Preferably the inner end may be weighted to bias it towards the outwardly extending position. The house is preferably ventilated as is shown in Figure 7 by providing beiow the apex of the roof a central chamber 31 provided at the top with an opening 32 passing through the roof. The opening is surmounted by a cowl 33 which covers and weatherproofs the opening but permits air to pass therethrough. The air passing over the roof and through the cowl exerts a suction affect on the air inside the house creating an air flow as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 7. Claims

2. A building as claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary roof structure is biased to the outwardly extending position by means of torsion rods.

3. A building as claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary roof structure is mounted intermediate its ends on supporting posts spaced apart from the wall of the building so that it acts as a balance beam.

4. A building as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner end of the secondary roof structure is weighted.

5. A building as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the outer end of the secondary roof structure is supported in the outwardly extending position by a supporting post.

6. A building as claimed in claim 5 wherein the upper end of the supporting post is connected to the roof structure by a removable pin.

7. A building as claimed in claim 1,2, 3,4 or 5 wherein the lower end of the supporting post is pivotally mounted so that it can be lowered to lie on the floor when the roof is lowered to the more or less vertical position.

8. A building as claimed in claim 7 including means for coupling the outer end of the roof structure to the lowered supporting post.

9. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims ventilated substantially as herein described.

10. A building substantially as herein described with referenca to Figures 1 to 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.