GB2144460A - Partitions - Google Patents

Abstract

A partition is built of spaced columns 12 having mutually opposed channels between which insulating blocks or panels 14 extend. A column 12 provides a pair of channels facing different ways. It may be a pair of channel 14 members 22,24 interconnected via complementary formations 32,34. The columns 12 may support cladding 20. They may be embraced top and bottom by channel members 16-18 extending along the partition. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Partition such as a wall, and system of construction The present invention relates to a wall or other partition, to a structure comprising such a partition (e.g. a building) and to a construction method. It particularly reiates to building by means of prefabricated units.

A known form of prefabrication employs preformed panels, each panel including a piece of sheet metal shaped to define a front panel, two opposed side panels, and two rear marginal portions. An insulating block is located within the metal form. This construction has disadvantages. For example, the length of the panel is determined on manufacture, so that it is only possible to construct walls whose lengths are simply related to the panel length. It is difficult to provide an opening (such as a window) at an arbitrary location.

The panels are big and heavy.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a partition comprising at least one elongate column arranged to provide two longitudinal channels open in respective different directions in which the partition extends; and at least two blocks, each having an edge portion received in a respective channel, and each extending in a respective one of said different directions away from the column. Each block will generally have an opposed edge portion received in a like channel of a further column, which may be like the first. The blocks will generally be of insulating material.

The column may comprise two elongate rigid members, each providing one said channel. The members may be mutually connected. Members may have complementary formations so that they locate together. A member may be of U-section, the two arm portions being, in use, on the two sides of a partition, and the base of the U extending through the thickness thereof. The two sides and the base may have longitudinal channels or protrusions which may provide said complementary formations, and also constitute strengthening means.

A partition unit suitably takes the form of a panel comprising a plurality of said columns joined by top and bottom channels which receive marginal portions of the block or blocks, and cladding on one side, suitably in the form of horizontally extending sheets, secured to the columns. The cladding thus completes an integral structure in its connection with the columns, while the top and bottom channels tie the columns together and provide a means for fixing the panels to the floor and to each other.

The columns need not provide fully-defined (e.g. U-section) channels, but could instead comprise L-section members such that a block could be received in the angle thereof.

In another aspect the invention provides a structure, e.g. a building, built at least in part from a partition according to the first aspect.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method of constructing a partition which comprises erecting a plurality of columns having longitudinal channels, and locating blocks so that they extend between the channels of adjacent columns. When the columns comprise two elongate rigid members which are mutually connected, this mutual connection will generally be effected before the engagement of the blocks.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a wall embodying the invention, viewed from the rear; Figures 2 and 3 are an end elevation and a plan of the wall, not showing the top and bottom channel members; Figure 4 is a section on IV-IV in Fig. 1 on a larger scale; Figure 5 is a view in the direction of the arrow V in Fig. 1, on a larger scale; Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4, but on a smaller scale, and showing a corner region; and Figure 7 is a detail of a view in elevation showing part of an opening and a lintel.

As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 3, the illustrated wall 10 consists essentially of spaced upright columns 1 2 connected by elongate blocks 14. The columns 12 and blocks 14 are all of substantially the same height. At the bottom, the columns stand in a base channel member 1 6 (most clearly seen in Fig. 5), and there is a like top channel member 1 8 on top of the row of columns and blocks. The channel members 16, 18 can be simple C-section members, suitably of galvanized steel. On the front face of the wall there is cladding 20 of any convenient form. As shown, it consists of profiled sheets which are fixed to the columns 1 2 by means of selfdrilling, self-tapping screws.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a typical column 1 2 comprises two profiled, channel section members 22, 24. Each member 22, 24 is generally of U-section, the base 26 extending through the thickness of the wall, and the inner and outer arms 28, 30 extending generally along the inner and outer faces of the wall. The base 26 and each arm 28, 30 are formed with a longitudinal channel 32 or protrusion 34. These are complementary. The base 26 of the member 22 has a channel 32, whereas the base 26 of the adjacent member 24 has a protrusion 34. As can be seen, the protrusion engages into the channel so that the two members 22, 24 are positively located together, along their full height. They will generally be further connected, suitably by means of bolts passed through series of apertures in register, or by means of selftapping screws.At the inner face of the wall, a timber batten 36 is secured to the column 1 2 at the join of the two members 22, 24 by means of screws passed into the region of abutment of the two members. This batten 36 serves for securing sheets of plasterboard or other suitable material for use in providing the wall with a suitable interior surface. As already mentioned, cladding 20 is attached to the outer face. Cladding sheets may extend for the full length of the wall 10. At any rate, it is preferable that any gaps or joins in the cladding should not occur in the same locations as the connections of the profiled members 22, 24. Preferably, thermal barrier tape 38 is interposed between the cladding 20 and the members 22, 24. It may also extend between the abutting members 22, 24.As can be seen, blocks 14 are inserted into the members 22, 24 so that they abut the bases 26 and the arms 28, 30 on both sides. If desired they may be attached to the members 22, 24, e.g. by adhesion and/or by fastening means such as nails.

Fig. 6 shows a similar arrangement at a corner between two walls or wall-portions.

One of the profiled members 50 is identical to the member 22, having three channels 32.

The other member 52 differs from the member 24 in that its single protrusion 34 is formed in its inner arm 28, so as to be receivable in the channel 32 on the base 26 of the member 50. Once again, there may be thermal barrier tape 38 on at least the outer faces of the members 50, 52. The two walls which meet at the corner each have cladding 20, which terminates at a short distance from the corner. An L-section corner flashing 54 overlaps slightly over both of the claddings 20 and extends around the corner. The illustrated cladding has a corrugated form, to imitate a timber-clad wall. The arms of the corner flashing 54 may be simple, planar webs, so that there are periodic spaces between the flashing 54 and the claddings 20. These are closed by means of fillers 56. These may be preformed profiled elements, or they may be formed in situ by means of a mouldable composition.

Fig. 7 shows one possible arrangement at a window opening. A portion of one profiled member 24 has been cut away, as has the corresponding member 22 at the other side of a block 14 (this is not shown). A lintel 60 is formed of a length of channel material which may be identical to that used for the base and top channel members 16, 1 8. This overlaps the cut-off end of the profiled member 24, and its upstanding arms are screwed or bolted to it. A similar length of channel member facing the other way may serve to provide a sill at the bottom of a window opening. For a door opening, the opening will normally extend right down to the base channel member 16. A sill may then be provided using a channel member slightly wider than the base channel member 16, so that it can be placed over the member 1 6 to embrace it.

A wall 10 as shown, when used as part of a building, will normally extend to the height of a single storey. A further wall may be erected on top of it, and a floor may be attached adjacent the connection between the superposed walls by means which will be readily apparent to the skilled reader, e.g. including brackets attached to the upper and lower walls. Other details and possibilities of use will be apparent to the skilled reader.

We prefer that all of the channel-section members (22, 24, 16, 18 etc.) should be made of galvanized steel. A steel thickness of 0.9 mm has been found suitable. The channels 32 and protrusions 34 give strength, as well as constituting convenient means for engaging adjacent members. (Generally there will be a protrusion 34 only where it is intended to be received in a channel 32 of another member, since if it was on an inner or outer face it might interfere with the plasterboarding or cladding.) The blocks 1 4 are generally chosen so as to provide insulation. They may be expanded polystyrene slabs of thickness 80 mm. The spacing between the columns 1 2 may be 600 mm. Of course, such details are capable of much variation to suit individual preferences and needs.

One variant which may be useful particularly for low cost utility buildings such as garages is to omit the insulating blocks 14 and the thermal barrier tape 38, and possibly also the battens 36 and associated plasterboard. Thus a lightweight structure can be produced having walls defined by columns 1 2 and cladding 20.

Claims (14)

1. A partition comprising at least one elongate column arranged to provide two longitudinal channels open in respective different directions in which the partition extends; and at least two blocks, each having an edge portion received in a respective channel, and each extending in a respective one of said different directions away from the column.

2. A partition according to claim 1 wherein the blocks are of thermally insulating material.

3. A partition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the column comprises two elongate rigid members, each providing one said channel.

4. A partition according to claim 3 wherein the members have complementary formations so that they locate together.

5. A partition according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the members are of U-section, each having arm portions which extend on respective sides of the block, and a base portion which extends between the arm portions.

6. A partition according to claim 5 wherein one or more of the arm and base portions have longitudinal channels or protrusions which provide said complementary formations.

7. A partition according to. claim 6 wherein the arm portion of one member is complementary to a base portion of another so that they are locatable together with their channels at an angle.

8. A partition according to any preceding claim including at least one further column having a channel opposed to a first channel of the first column and in which is received an edge portion of the block whose opposite edge portion is received in the first channel.

9. A partition according to claim 8 including one or more top and/or bottom channel members each arranged to connect at least two columns and to receive marginal portions of the block(s) between the columns.

10. A partition according to any preceding claim having cladding on at least one side, the cladding covering the blocks at least partially, and being secured to at least one column.

11. A partition according to any preceding claim having an opening, wherein the or each column adjacent the opening comprises two elongate rigid members, each providing one said channel, the member adjacent the opening being relatibely short, so as to extend for substantially only the unopened part of the partition, there being a lintel or sill provided by a channel member that extends across the opening an embraces the end of the short member.

1 2. A partition substantially as any herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A building comprising at least one partition according to any preceding claim.

14. A method of constructing a partition which comprises erecting a plurality of columns having longitudinal channels, and locating blocks so that they extend between the channels of adjacent columns.

1 5. A method according to claim 14 wherein a column comprises two elongate rigid members for providing respective channels open in different directions, the method including the step of mutually connecting the members, and thereafter locating respective blocks in the channels of the column.

1 6. A method of constructing a partition substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.