Claims
- 1. A flexible torsion relieving assembly for connecting an elongated flexible spar to a host structure, said assembly comprising:
- a straight, elongated beam rigidly connected to one end of the spar, said beam being disposed to extend transversely of the longitudinal center line of the spar, said beam having an elongated bearing surface extending longitudinally thereof and facing away from the end of the spar;
- a bearing plate having an elongated load bearing surface, said plate being attachable to the host structure with the load bearing surface facing outwardly,
- said bearing surfaces being adapted for mated, sliding interengagement when the spar is connected to the host structure;
- means defining an elongated slot through said elongated beam, said slot being disposed to extend along the beam in laterally spaced relationship relative to the spar, said slot opening through the bearing surface of the beam; and
- securing means having a shank portion extending through said slot for holding said bearing surfaces together, whereby said bearing surfaces are able to move relatively when held together as a result of relative movement of said shank along the slot resulting from imposition of torsion on the spar.
- 2. A torsion resistant structure comprising a curved elongated, flexible spar having a lower end mounted on a generally horizontal surface of a host structure and an upper end mounted on a generally upright surface of a host structure, each end of said spar being connected to the host structure by an assembly as defined in claim 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This application is a division, of pending application No. 07/385,871, filed Jul. 26, 1989 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,733.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of structures for enclosing sun spaces such as decks and patios and the like and to components and methods which are useful in connection with the erection and/or assembling of such structures. In particular the invention relates to a system of curved and straight standardizable plastic beam members that may be used to form a graceful mullion support structure for transparent plastic panels.
2. The Prior Art Background
As modern life has developed it has become desirable for persons to expand the useful living spaces of their dwellings by enclosing or at least covering outdoor areas with simple structures. In Northern climates it has also become desirable to provide completely enclosed structures. Such structures are often expensive to construct and heat in the winter and when constructed of metallic structural components and conventional glass the structures suffer from excessive heat build-up in the summer, heat loss in winter and a lack of privacy due to the transparency of the glass. Additionally, structural additions to existing homes often lead to bureaucratic difficulties in obtaining construction permits and zoning clearances. Moreover, presently known structures are difficult to utilize in open areas on top of buildings, for example, due to the fact that the workmen involved in construction must often use cranes and generally must work on the outside of the structure in a precarious position. Accordingly, improved products for the market place are always being sought.
The present invention provides practical solutions for many of the above described pre-existing problems in the sun space enclosure field. The structures, components and methodology of the invention are inexpensive to purchase and implement and provide relief in such areas as excessive heat build-up, labor costs and the obtaining of building and/or construction permits. Moreover, when the components of the present invention are utilized the structure may be erected from the inside of the space thus relieving the problems encountered when structures are erected in spaces on top of buildings.
In accordance with the concepts and principles of the present invention, beam members are provided for supporting sheets of construction material such as plastic panels. The beam members are straight or curved and each comprises an elongated, generally planar, central web element. The web element has longitudinally spaced opposite ends and laterally spaced, longitudinally extending opposite edge portions. An outer flange member is rigidly connected to the web element at each of its edge portions and each such outer flange member extends longitudinally of the web along the corresponding web portion and transversely outwardly away from the web element. The beam member also comprises an inner flange for each of the outer flange members. Each of the inner flanges is also rigidly connected to the web element at a location between the outer flange members, and the inner flanges extend longitudinally of the web element from one of the its ends to the other. The inner flanges also extend transversely outwardly away from the web element to present an outer edge, and the same are disposed in laterally spaced, generally parallel relationship relative to the corresponding outer flange member to present a rabbet therebetween extending longitudinally of the web element for receiving the edge of a sheet of construction material. Additionally, the beam member comprises an end flange extending laterally across the web element between the inner flanges at at least one end of the web element. The end flanges may also be rigidly connected to the web element and disposed to extend transversely outwardly away from the web element.
Preferably an end flange is provided at each end of the web and each of the end flanges is connected to both inner flanges. The beam members preferably comprise a unitary integral injected molded article formed from a polycarbonate resin.
In accordance with the invention, the beam members may be straight or curved longitudinally about an axis which extends generally perpendicularly through the plane of the central web. Such components may then be interconnected to provide a mullion structure consisting of elongated, generally vertically extending spars and horizontal cross beams.
The invention also provides elongated spars comprising a plurality of beam members as described above arranged in end-to-end relationship, with at least one end flange of each beam member disposed in mated, contacting relationship with an end flange of another beam member and with the rabbets of the beam members disposed in longitudinal alignment. Such spars include nut and bolt means for holding the mated flanges together. In particular, curved elongated spars are provided by thus connecting a plurality of curved beam members together.
The invention further provides a support structure for supporting a sheet of construction material comprising at least two beams as defined above. The beams are arranged to extend perpendicularly with respect to one another with the end flange of one beam member in engagement with the outer edges of the inner flanges of the other beam member and with the flanges of the beam members extending generally perpendicularly to one another in the same plane to present a rabbet corner for receiving a corner of the sheet of construction material.
Additionally, the invention also provides a flexible torsion relieving assembly for connecting an elongated flexible spar to a host structure. Such assembly comprises a straight elongated torsion beam rigidly connected to one end of the spar. The torsion beam is disposed to extend transversely of the longitudinal center line of the spar and the same has an elongated bearing surface extending longitudinally thereof facing outwardly away from the end of the spar. A bearing plate having an elongated load bearing surface is attached to the host structure with the load bearing surface facing outwardly. The bearing surfaces are adapted for mated, sliding interengagement when the spar is connected to the host structure. In accordance with the invention, the flexible torsion relieving assembly includes means defining an elongated slot extending through the elongated beam. The slot is disposed to extend along the beam in laterally spaced relationship relative to the spar and the same opens through the bearing surface of the beam. The assembly also includes securing means having a shank portion extending through the slot for holding the bearing surfaces together, whereby the bearing surfaces are able to move relatively when held together as a result of relative movement of the shank along the slot resulting from imposition of torsion on the spar.
The invention further provides a torsion resistant structure comprising a curved elongated, flexible spar having a lower end mounted on a generally horizontal surface of a host structure and an upper end mounted on a generally upright surface of a host structure. Each end of the spar is connected to the host structure by an assembly as defined above. Utilizing such construction it is often possible to quickly obtain building permits in view of the fact that the structure does not impose additional loads on the host structure.
The invention also provides a method for assembling a structure comprising sheets of materials secured between facing rabbets in adjacent spars. The method involves the provision of a pair of flexible elongated spars, each having a rabbet extending continuously along the entire length of the spar. The spars are installed in a desired side-by-side location with the ends of each spar secured to an existing structure and with the rabbets disposed in generally parallel facing relationship. The method involves the flexing of the spars relatively away from one another to present a widened area therebetween at the central portions of the spars. A first sheet of material (preferably a plastic panel) is inserted at the widened area, the edges of the first sheet of material are aligned with the rabbets and then the first sheet is moved along the rabbets toward one end of the spars until the rabbets at said one end of the spars enclose the edges of the first sheet. A second sheet of material is then inserted at said widened area and the edges of the second sheet are aligned with the rabbets so that the second sheet may be moved along the rabbets toward the other end of the spar until the rabbets at the other end enclose the edges of the second sheet. A third sheet of material is inserted at the widened area and the edges of this third sheet are aligned with the rabbets. Thereafter the spars are allowed to return to their undeflected position until the rabbets at the central portion of the spars enclose the edges of the third sheet. Such method is made possible as a result of the fact that the invention provides the flexible elongated spars having rabbets extending continuously along their entire length.
In a preferred sense, the spars are installed with one end of each spar mounted on a generally horizontal support surface and with the spars extending upwardly from the support surface so that the rabbets are spaced horizontally from one another. Preferably the spars are curved about a generally horizontal axis spaced equidistant from the spars whereby the sheets of material are flexed about said axis as the edges of the sheets are inserted into the rabbets. The upper end of each spar is secured to a generally upright surface.
In further accordance with the invention, the spars are maintained in their deflected condition by unflexed portions of the first and second sheets during the insertion of the third sheet. And then the spars are allowed to return to their original undeflected position as the sheets are flexed so that the edges thereof assume the shape of the rabbets.
In accordance with the invention, the operation required for assembling and erecting the structure may be accomplished from inside the area being covered.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
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385871 |
Jul 1989 |
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Patent Grant
5154026
