US2590588A - Structure - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1952 D. A. WALLACE ET AL 2,590,588

STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 7, 1946 INVENTOR.

paw}; E Wallac v I'm/ ena Mun HTTORNEX Patented Mar. 25, 1952 STRUCTURE David A. Wallace, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.,

and Paul Eugene Wallace, Omaha, Nebr., assignors, by mesne assignments, to said David A.

Wallace Application September 7, 1946, Serial No. 695,352

5 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) This application relates to a building structure and more particularly to an assembly of components in a metallic prefabricated building and to the individual components thereof.

A principal object of this invention is to provide anovel means by which longitudinal strips may be secured to supporting ribs for use in "a building structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means by which strips adapted to support siding material may themselves be supported by a plurality of ribs.

Copending applications Serial Numbers 688,049,

filedAugust 2, 1946, and 691,026, filed August 16,

194 6 each now abandoned, describe means by which sheet siding elements may be secured to longitudinal strip elements by the cooperation of unique contours in the elements and the deformation of at least one of the elements. In some instances it will be found that the longitudinal strip elements referred to above are not adapted to be the ultimate support for the structure and means are provided herein to easily assemble these longitudinal strips with such ultimate supports. One example of the ultimate supports referred to is rib members secured to the foundation or floor of I a building. Such rib members often extend in a vertical direction but in some buildings the ribs secured to a foundation or floor follow the entire contour of the building and even are horizontal at certain points. A typical example of a building of this type is a hemi-cylindrical building such as the famous Quonset hut. The supporting ribs in buildings of this type are substantially vertical at their point of junction with their foundation or floor and have arcuate configurations.

In certain flat wall, ceiling or roof constructions it is'desirable to use relatively strongv rafter or beam constructions and to supplement these rafter or beam constructions with longitudinal strips at right angles thereto which are adapted to receive and secure a surface element. The means by which supporting beams or ribs and longitudinal strips disposed in normal relationship thereto are secured together forms an object of this invention. I

A further object of the invention is to provide means by which corrugated sheet metal siding elements may be assembled with rib members when the corrugations and rib members are disposed in parallel relationship.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a building structure in which the sheet siding material is secured to supportingmeans p without the creation of any opening in the siding material. The elimination of openings is desirable in that they form an entrance for moisture and dirt.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building structure provided with corrugated metal siding and supporting ribs and having the corrugations and ribs disposed in parallel planes.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a section of the wall of the Figure 1 building.

Figure 3 illustrates an assembly of corrugated siding material in a longitudinal strip prior to deformation of the strip.

Figure 4 illustrates the Figure 3 assembly after deformation of the strip.

Figures 5 and 6 are elevations of means of securing the longitudinal strips and supporting ribs together by deformation of the strip.

Figure '7 is an elevation of a joint effected by a press fit assembly of the strip in a slot provided in the supporting rib.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a means to secure the strips and ribs together by deformation of the rib member.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a tool adapted to facilitate the assembly of strips and rib members.

Figure 11 is a section on the line 1111 of I Figure 10.

Figure 12 illustrates a tapered plug used in the assembly of siding with longitudinal strips.

Referring to Figure 1 a building It comprising a floor ll, an end wall I2, and corrugated sheet metal exterior wall surface I3 is illustrated. The building has a hemi-cyclindrical section. The corrugations M of the surface I3 are disposed in vertical planes.

A portion of the end wall l2 has been broken away to display the relative locations of parallel supporting ribs l5 and transversely extending longitudinal strips it which support the corrugated sheet metal surface l3. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the buildin wall illustrating in more detail the relationship between the corrugated sheet metal surface l3, the longitudinal strips 16 and supporting ribs l5.

One means of securing the corrugated sheet metal surface elements iii to the strips i6 is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 herein and is described and claimed in copending application Serial Number 691,026, now abandoned.

Each strip I6 is provided with a plurality of recesses l1 intersecting its outer edge. The recesses of adjacent strips are aligned in vertical planes. The surface elements I3 are provided with channel portions I8 providing ribs having a contour adapted to be received in recesses II as illustrated in Figure 3. An opening I9 is provided in strip I6 adjacent the recess I'I. When a tapered plug 20 (Figure 12) is inserted in the opening I6 and struck with a hammer. the opening I9 is spread and ear 2I located between open-- ing I9 and recess I! is deformed and the recess I1 and channel rib portion I8 are constricted and the surface element I3 is secured to the strip I6. Figure 4 illustrates the assembly after the deformation has occured. A more detailed description of this means of assembly may be -ob-- tained by referring to the copendingapplication- Serial Number 691,026, now abandoned.

The means by which longitudinal strips I6 are secured to supporting ribs I5 will now be described. In the preferred construction of the building this assembly of the longitudinal strips IG -iand supporting ribs- I5 would'be effected prior to-the assembly of thesurface element I3 with the-longitudinal strip I6. Referring to Figure 5 the supporting rib I5 is illustrated as-provided with a slot 22 extending inwardly from and normalto an outer "edgeof the rib I5 The strip I6: formed of relatively thin sheet metal of less' thickness than; the" dimension of slot 22 measured in the-directionparallel to the rib I5. Theribs" I 5 i are disposedin parallel relationship and the slots 22 of adjacent ribs are aligned, preferably in aplane normal to the ribs I5. It will thus be seen that individual strips I 6 may be assembled so that each strip I6 penetrates aligned slots 22 of the ribs" I5. The-strips I6 by reason of their thinness, and if desired by reason of" the characteristics. of the metal used, are relatively deformable compared to' the ribs I5. The individual'strip I6 when subjected to a force. located'in the plane .of strip' I6 andaligned with" the axis of the slot 22 is bottomed in the slot 22. and. deformed in the slot 22' as illustrated in..Fi"gure. 5; This deformation has been found to assume a wavy contour with the crests and basesof the. waves engaging the side walls of the slotl'22 and effecting a frictional engagement of the strip I6 with the rib I5 thereby securing themrtogether. The sheet metal siding element I3 may then be secured to the strips I6 as illustrated. in Figures 3 and 4 and described above.

InFigure 6Ian.alternative means of assembling a. longitudinal strip and a supporting rib by deformation ,of'the strip is illustrated. Each rib member IS-isprovided with aplurality ofspaced slots- 23 extending. inwardly from an outer edge thereof. and directed generally normal to that edge. The slots of adjacent rib members are aligned. Eachslot 23 preferably has an entrant portion 24 ofrelatively great width to facilitate the-entrance of. a strip I6" into the slot. The upperedge of the slot. 23 is preferably normal tothe. outer edge of the rib I5 throughout most of' thelength of the slot. The inner portion of the-slot 23ihas a width substantially equal to the thickness, of the rib I6'andis deflected from the outerportion. of the slot. In Figure 6' the inner portion 25' of. the slot 23 is illustrated as being deflected to asubstantially U-shape. The strip I6-isrelatively deformable compared to the rib I5. It. will thus be seen thatwhen a portion of the strip I6 penetrates the slot 23 and has a force appliedv thereto normalto the outer edge of the rib-I5rthe strip I6 is forced into theslot and'assmnes-si-the deformed contour-ofLthe sl'ot. In Fig;-

ure 6 the leading edge ofthe strip assumes the" 4 U-shape contour of the slot 23 and the strip I6 and rib I5 are thereby locked together. A surface element I3 and strip I6 may then be assembled as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

In Figure '7 the rib I5 is illustrated as provided with a plurality of spaced slots 26. The slots 26 are normalto the outer edge 2] of: the rib I5. The slots are rectangular in shape. The strips I6 have a thickness substantially equal to the length of the minor axis of the rectangular slots 26. A press fit of a strip I6 in the aligned slots 26 provided in adjacent ribs I5 is thus facilitated. The sliding elements I3 may be assembled with the'strips I6- as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

Figures 10 and ll illustrate a tool adapted to facilitate the application of force to the strips I6 as required in the assemblies of Figures 5, 6, and 7. This tool 30 comprises a stationary portion 3| having a slot 32 therein adapted to receive a rib I5. The rib [5 supports the portion 3I. The portion 3I is. provided with a:track or.cylinder 33; A movable: portion'34 of the tool 36has ag portion adapted to cooperate with cylinder: 33- and'slide therein. The moveable portion also is provided with abase 35 containing a slot 36 adapted to receiveastrip I6 therein. The moveable portion 34 is also provided with a head. 31' extending beyond the stationary portion 31; The slots '32 and 36 are disposed in 'planeswhichare perpendicular to each other. It will thus be-seen that'when-a strip I6 is assembled ina slot of" a rib I5 that the tool 36 may be positioned withits slot 32 receiving the rib- I5 and itsslot136 receiving the-strip I6. When-the-hea-d 31 'of the tool 36* is struck witha hammer the force and motionare transmitted by the moveable-portion 34- of the-tool 30 and guided by the cylinder ortrack 33'. Thus the forceisapplied in the-desired" direction andundesireddeflection of strip' I6-outside'of'the' slot inrib; I5 istprevented by the'cooperation-of the head 35 and slot 36 in the tool;

In Figure 8 a means ofv assembling a rib I5 and" a: strip I6 by. the deformation of' a portion of the rib and'the incidental deformation of a portion of the strip I6 is-illustrated. The rib l5jis provided with a recess-40. The strip I6; is formed with the-leading portion 4I thereof bentback'upon itself to form a substantially U-shaped'section. This portion 4I may becontinuous orin thenature of tabs struck out of the strip- I6 and bentback upon the strip I6- at intervals corresponding to the distancesbetween ribs I5. The portions 4| are-adapted tobe-received in recesses 40. In the vicinity of 'the recesses 46 the-ribs I5 are provided withslots 42" extending inwardly from the outer edges of the ribs I5. The slots 42 in combination with the recesses formdeformableears 43- in the ribmembers I5; A tapered instrument may be; inserted inthe. widened entrant portion 45. of: slot 42 and when a force is applied inthe: di rection-ofthe-axis of the slot 42 the ear 43J is deformed into'the recess-40 thereby constrictingthe recess 46 and deforming portion 4I OffthB; strip I6 to secure-the strip I6 andrib- I5: together. Figure 8 illustrates the components prior: to the deformation and Figure!) illustrates the componentsafter deformation. Itisto be understood that recesses 46- of adjacentribs I 5 are: aligned to receive a strip- I6 as illustrated in Figure 2. The car 43 is preferably provided withan inwardly extending; tab portion 44 and" the portion 41 of the strip I6 preferablyis limited in its" length sothat it does-not extend outwardlyof the recess 46 beyondthe tab. p01

tion 44. Thus when the ear 43 is deformed the tab 64 forms a positive lock with the extreme end of the portion 4i of strip Hi. The surface element l3 may be assembled with the strip 16 in the usual manner as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

We claim:

1. In combination in a prefabricated building construction, a sheet metal building frame rib having a slotted edgef'a sheet metal cross frame member having a margin secured within said slotted edge of the frame rib member and extending cross-wise of; the frame rib member to opposite sides thereof, the opposite margin of said cross frame member being slotted, and a sheet metal sheathing. panel havin an inturned rib secured within the slotted margin of said cross frame member.

2. In combinationin a prefabricated building construction, a sheet metal frame rib member having a slotted edge, a sheet metal sheathing panel having an infolded attachment rib extending parallel to and in spaced relation to said slotted edge of the frame rib member, and a cross frame member against the outer edge of which said panel member is disposed and having an outer edge slot within which said 'infolded rib is received, one ,side portion defining said cross frame slot being deformed-into interlocking relation with said rib, the inner margin'of said cross frame memberbein disposed within the slotted margin of said frame rib member and held therein by the interengagement of the opposing portions of the cross frame member and the frame rib member within the framel'rib slot.

3. In a prefabricated building construction, a sheet metal frame rib having an edge with an inwardly extending slot therein, the inner end portion of the slot having a rounded contour and being enlarged laterally to one side of the slot, and a sheet metal cross strip, having a margin in said slot and engaging against one side of the slot, the terminal portion of said margin being turned generally complementary to the curved inner end of the slot and having a terminal flange extending into said lateral enlargement of the slot and with the edge of the terminal flange directed generally outwardly, said rib having a portion disposed outwardly at said slot enlargement and opposing said terminal flange edge to retainthe cross strip against withdrawal from the slot, the outer margin of said cross strip being disposed to receive and support a covering panel.

4. In a prefabricated building assembly, a relatively heavy gauge sheet metal frame'rib having an edge including a slot extending inwardly therefrom and diminishing in width toward the bottom of the slot, the bottom of theislot having an enlargement toward one side and with the most restricted portion of the slot immediately adjacent the enlargement, and a transverse frame strip of sheet metal of a gauge deformable as compared to the frame rib and of a thickness substantially equal to the width ofthe slot at its most restricted portiofi, said frame rib having a margin in said slot and with the terminal portion of the margin deformed laterally into said slot engagement and with the edge ,of the deformed portion of the margin directly generally outwardly and into retaining opposition to the outermost portion of the frame rib defining said enlargement adjacent to said restricted portion of the slot to retain the strip against'withdrawal from the slot.

5. In assembling prefabricated building components including a frame rib of sheet metal of substantial gauge having a slot in an'edge thereof including a rounded bottom and a lateral enlargement adjacent said rounded bottom, within which slot a sheet metal transverse strip of lighter gauge and deformable relative to the frame rib is to be assembled, inserting a margin of the strip in said slot, and applying force to the opposite margin of the strip normal to said opposite margin and directed into said slot until the margin of the strip in the slot is deformed into a terminal curl against said rounded bottom and into said slot engagement.

DAVID A. WALLACE. PAUL EUGENE WALLACE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 84,881 Holmes Dec. 15, 1868 122,171 Holmes Dec. 26, 1871 1,350,493 Goodrich Aug. 24, 1920 1,570,384 McClure Jan. 19, 1926 1,669,236 Fick May 8, 1928 2,007,716 Green July 9, 1935 2,089,935 Eyring Aug. 17, 1937 2,095,443 Jansen Oct. 12, 1937 2,239,817 Gross Apr. 29, 1941 2,313,228 Domonkos Mar. 9, 1943 2,427,937 Willson Sept. 23, 1947

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