SYSTEM AND COMPNENT ELEMENTS FOR RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE TEMPORARY MODULAR STRUCTURES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improvement in a system and components for the construction of temporary structures or enclosures and, in particular, to a new kerbing barrier comprising kerbing assemblies for use therewith to provide an improved seal between a perimeter surface of a wall of a temporary structure and a surface on which the structure stands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Temporary structures are commonly used in a wide range of industries and for a wide range of purposes. Typical uses of such temporary structures include, for example, providing access and work spaces for work on such structures such as buildings, bridges, large storage tanks, dams, large machines, such as trains or ships, and so on, and the work may range from construction, modification or refurbishing of all or part of such structures to the demolishing of such structures. Uses of such temporary structures may further include, for example, the providing and supporting an enclosure to protect the structure or area being worked upon from the environment, such as protecting a bridge being repainted or repaired or a building being constructed, or the workers and work processes, from rain, snow, sand, dust, winds, etc., or to control the temperature and/or humidity within the enclosed area. Such enclosures may also serve the reverse purposes, that is, providing and supporting an enclosure to protect the environment from by-products of the work being performed within the enclosure, such as solid or liquid toxins, dust, spray and various forms of debris. In other instances, such a temporary structure may comprise the desired structure in itself, such as a short or long term warehouse, sports venue cover or any other desired form of shelter.

Temporary structures of this nature have been and are presently built in a number of ways, all of which have proven unsatisfactory for one or more reasons. For example, temporary structures are often constructed from inexpensive, readily available low quality materials, such as wood and bamboo, and correspondingly inexpensive fastening elements, such as nails, cord and rope. While inexpensive to construct, and often relatively strong for their weight, the strength and stability of such structures is inherently limited by their materials and the associated fastenings and the materials are generally not readily reusable in subsequent structures, typically having been cut to specific sizes or damaged during assembly or disassembly, thereby increasing the costs of the structures.

Temporary structures have also been constructed from stronger, more expensive and heavier materials, such as steel, aluminum or plastic elements fastened together with large metal pins or with bolts and, while this type of structure is generally stronger and more rigid and the elements are typically reusable, the associated cost of the structures are significantly greater. Also, the elements and resulting structures are significantly heavier and more difficult, complex and time consuming to transport, assemble and disassemble, and often require a wide variety of different component elements as the individual elements are not readily modifiable to specific needs at hand.

In summary, the desirable characteristics and properties of a satisfactory system for the construction of temporary structures is a system comprising modular common components capable of being assembled into enclosures meeting a wide range or purposes and needs, including enclosed structures having protective or possibly containment properties. It is desirable that the components of a temporary structure system be light weight and have high strength, that the number of different types of component parts be limited while allowing the construction of a wide variety of different structures, that the connecting elements provide a strong, rigid and resilient structure, that the components and assemblies thereof be relatively simple to achieve and easy to transport and that the system and components thereof allow rapid assembly, modification and disassembly of the structures. It is also preferable that the structural materials be readily available and relatively inexpensive and that the components of the system be readily reusable, thereby significantly reducing the associated costs of any structure being assembled by the system.

As described above, one of the frequent uses of temporary structures is to enclose an area, a space or a structure or parts thereof, for example, to control the environment within the enclosed area or space, such as control the temperature and humidity within the enclosure, or to protect the enclosed structure or space from, for example, the element such as rain, snow, sand, dust, winds and so forth, or, conversely, to protect the environment from by-products of the work being performed within the enclosure, such as avoiding the escape of solid or liquid toxins, dust, spray and various forms of debris. It is therefore desirable that a temporary structure, used for such purposes, be capable of adequately isolating the area or space enclosed within the structure from the space outside the structure, and vice versa.

A system and a set of components thereof for constructing temporary structures and enclosures and capable of meeting many, if not all of the above discussed requirements for temporary structures, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621 issued Jun. 24, 2008 for Rapidly Deployable Temporary Structures and Component Elements Thereof, which is by the same inventor of this application and such teaching is incorporated herein by reference.

A variant of the system and the set of components is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621 for the construction of permanent structures providing improved resistance to extreme environmental conditions, which is by the same inventor as this application and which teaching is incorporated herein by reference. A modification of existing permanent structures for the same purpose, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,070 issued Dec. 29, 2009 for a Modular System For Constructing Structures With Improved Resistance To Extreme Environmental Conditions And Components Thereof and in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2011/0000164 A1 Jan. 6, 2011 for a System And Method For Modifying Existing Structures To Provide Improved Resistance To Extreme Environmental Conditions, which are by the same inventor and which teachings of each one of those references is fully incorporated herein by reference.

Consideration and experience with the temporary structure system and components described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621, U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,070 and U.S. Patent Publication No. US2011/0000164 A1 show that the wall and the roof structures of these systems perform very satisfactorily to protect the interior area or spaces from the elements, such as rain, snow, sand, dust, winds and so forth while also preventing the escape of solid or liquid toxins, dust, spray and various other forms of debris through the walls and roofs. This system also performs well in facilitating the control of the temperature and/or the humidity within the enclosed area or space.

It may also be seen, however, that in these systems the interface of the junction between the bottom of the walls of the structure and the mating surfaces supporting the structure may often not be adequate to prevent the passage of, for example, standing or flowing water, driven rain, air flow, gusts of wind or air drafts, any of which may transport solid or liquid toxins, dust, spray and various other forms of debris through junction or interface between the bottom surface of the perimeter walls and the mating surface of the supporting structure, thereby allowing the passage of air, humidity, contaminates, etc., either into our out of the enclosed structure and thus hindering the maintenance of the desired environmental conditions within the structure.

In this regard, and for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621 discloses a curbing component system which includes a sealing barrier positionable along a ground surface and parallel to a wall of the structure and which forms a sealed barrier with the ground surface to prevent passage of the flowable materials along the ground surface and under and beneath the sealing barrier. As described, the sealing barrier includes a rigid barrier forming a barrier against the passage of flowable substances, such as water and mud, and that a sealer mounted on a lower surface of the rigid barrier forms a seal between the rigid barrier and the ground surface to prevent the passage of flowable material under the rigid barrier. Consideration of the design of the sealing barrier described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621 shows, however, that the rigid barrier is of relatively low height and would thereby be easily overtopped or overflowed by, for example, a pool of standing or flowing water, and that the design of the elements supporting the rigid barrier would prevent sufficient downward force being exerted by the structure so as to provide an adequate seal between the bottom surface of the barrier and the mating surface of the ground or other supporting surface. It may also be seen that because the rigid barrier is spaced outward from the wall of the structure, the junction or interface, between the bottom of the structure wall and the mating ground or support surface, remains exposed to, for example, driven rain, snow and sleet, and to the passage of gusts of wind or air drafts under the wall, thereby negating a large part of the benefit of having some form of wall bottom protection barrier.

The present invention is directed to an improvement for a modular temporary structural system that provides solutions to these and other related problems associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kerbing barrier which provides improved seal between the bottom perimeter surface of the temporary structure or enclosure and the mating support surface supporting the temporary structure or enclosure.

A further object of the present invention to provide a kerbing barrier in which the position of the kerbing barrier can be precisely adjusted so that the kerbing barrier is able to provide a fluid tight and completely waterproof seal completely around the perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure and thereby prevent any fluid or liquid from either flowing or seeping into or out of the temporary structure or enclosure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kerbing barrier which can be quickly and easily retracted from engagement with the bottom perimeter surface of the temporary structure and the mating support surface supporting the same so that the temporary structure or enclosure can be repositioned, as necessary or desired, and thereafter the kerbing barrier can be readily and easily deployed to again form a fluid tight and completely waterproof seal around the perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure.

The kerbing barrier of the present invention is used in a system including a plurality of types of modular structural components for construction of a structure, each structural component including at least one of a plurality of structural elements to prevent the either entry or escape of any flowable fluid or materials into and out of the structure along a ground surface

According to the present invention, the kerbing barrier of the present invention includes at least one kerbing assembly mounted to at least one outermost vertical structural element of at least one of a side wall and a gable end wall of the structure and a surface on which the structure is supported for forming a perimeter seal for the temporary structure or enclosure.

Each kerbing assembly includes a kerb bracket which includes a kerb mount extending downwards from a base of the outermost vertical structural element to support a kerbing sill assembly, a kerb mounting element extending upwards from the kerb mount and along a lower section of the outermost vertical structural element for attachment of the kerb mount to the outermost vertical structural element, a sill bracket mounted to a lower section of the kerb mount and adjustable supporting a horizontally oriented sill plate to allow the sill plate to be vertically raised and lowered with respect to the kerb mount and thereby with respect to a bottom part of the one of the side wall and the gable end wall, a horizontally oriented sill beam mounted to a bottom part of the sill plate and having a sealing element mounted to a bottom side of the sill beam for forming a seal between the sill beam and the surface on which the structure stands, and a sealing membrane extending downwards along outer sides of the outermost structural element and the kerbing assembly and secured to an outer surface of the outermost vertical structural element and to an outer surface of the horizontally oriented sill beam.

In a typical embodiment, a kerbing barrier of the present invention includes a plurality of kerbing assemblies ending side by side along at least one of a side wall and a gable end wall of the structure, wherein each of the plurality of kerbing assemblies is mounted to a corresponding one of the outermost vertical structural elements of the structure, the sill beams of adjacent kerbing assemblies abut end to end, and each sill plate located at the abutting ends of adjacent sill beams bears upon the abutting ends of the adjacent sill beams.

In a typical embodiment of a kerbing barrier, the abutting ends of sill beams of kerbing barriers mounted to adjoining end sections of a side wall and an adjacent gable end wall of a structure are secured to each other by a fastening element.

The structural components of a system including a plurality of types of modular structural components for construction of a structure in which a kerbing barrier of the present invention is implemented includes at least one of a plurality of structural elements.

The structural elements of the components comprising the system may include chords wherein each chord includes a generally elongated main body having generally square cross section defined by four main walls surrounding a central bore and having four interior main surfaces and four exterior main surfaces and a T-slot structure extending along and centered on each exterior main surface, each T-slot structure having an interior T-slot including a shaft slot extending inwards from an outer surface of the T-slot structure and connecting with a cross slot extending at a right angle to the shaft slot at an inner end of shaft slot and each T-slot structure defined by two parallel slot side walls extending outwardly in parallel from the exterior main surface of the chord and by two slot face walls extending inwardly from the outer edges of the slot side walls and parallel to the exterior main surface of the chord.

Other structural elements of the system components may include forming strips wherein each forming strip includes a single generally elongated strip plate formed into a plurality of strip segments, each strip segment being oriented at a right angle with respect to an adjacent strip segment and the strip segments being formed into regions including, in succession, a corner region forming a w-shaped cross section forming bearing surfaces mating with corresponding chord bearing surfaces formed by two adjacent main walls and an adjacent slot side wall of a T-slot structure, a face region forming a bearing surface mating with chord bearing surfaces formed by outer face surfaces of the T-slot structure face walls, and an attachment region extending outwards from an edge of the face region for stiffening of the forming strip.

The structural components of the system of a plurality of types of modular structural components for construction of a structure in which a kerbing barrier may be used may include at least one of claim 4, wherein the structural components include at least one of straight chords, wherein a straight chord is a generally vertically oriented single chord having a plurality of bolt holes extending through the chord near the ends of the chord to allow attachment of the straight chord to another structural component, purlins, wherein a purlin is a generally horizontally oriented structural component including parallel structural elements interconnected by reinforcing elements and with a connection element located at each end of the purlin for attachment of the purlin to another structural component, trusses, wherein a truss is a generally horizontally oriented structural reinforcement component including parallel structural elements interconnected by reinforcing elements and with a connection element located at each end of the truss for attachment of the truss to another structural component, braces, wherein a brace is a structural reinforcement component that is generally oriented at an angle to the horizontal and that includes parallel structural elements interconnected by reinforcing elements and with a connection element located at each end of the brace for attachment of the brace to another structural component, brackets, wherein a bracket is a reinforcing element for attachment at an angle between two structural components and having a connection element at each end of the reinforcement element for attachment of the bracket to another structural component, and roofing components, wherein a roofing component is a structural component comprised of structural elements arranged to form standard sections of roof structures and having at least one connection element for attachment of the roofing component to another structural component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrative diagrammatic representations of structures constructed with the modular structural components and connection structures of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A is a side and a cross sectional view of a chord of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side and a cross sectional view of a forming strip of the present invention;

FIGS. 2C, 2D 2E and 2F are diagrammatic illustrations of purlin structural components;

FIGS. 2G and 2H are diagrammatic illustrations of roofing structural components;

FIGS. 2I, 2J and 2K are diagrammatic illustrations of lattice truss structural components;

FIGS. 2L, 2M and 2N are diagrammatic illustrations of brace structural components;

FIG. 2O is a diagrammatic illustration of a stub structural component;

FIGS. 2P, 2Q, 2R, 2S, 2T, 2U and 2V are diagrammatic illustrations of bracket structural components;

FIGS. 2W, 2X and 2Y are diagrammatic illustrations of base plates, wheel components and wheel frames;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross section views of a chord of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a cross section view of a forming strip of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a cross section view of a structural component have a forming strip of the present invention;

FIG. 3E is a cross section view of several forming strips mating with a chord and bolts fastening forming strips to the chord;

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic a top plan view of an exemplary temporary structure or enclosure according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic cross section view of the exemplary temporary structure or enclosure of FIG. 4A along section line 4B-4B;

FIG. 4C is a diagrammatic view of the exemplary temporary structure or enclosure of FIG. 4A along section line 4C-4C;

FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of the lower wall section and castor wheel assembly of the exemplary temporary structure or enclosure of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a side wall or gable end wall with the kerbing barrier according to the present invention;

FIG. 4F is a diagrammatic elevational view detailed of a side wall or gable end wall with the kerbing barrier according to the present invention;

FIG. 4G is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a side wall, a gable end wall and kerbing walls thereof at the junction or interface between the mating walls; and

FIG. 4H is a diagrammatic top plan view of a corner section showing where the sill beams abut one another at right angles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described herein above, the present invention is an improvement in a system and components for the construction of temporary structures and, in particular, to new components thereto to provide an improved seal between a wall of a temporary structure and a surface on which the structure stands.

The following will first describe an exemplary system and components for the construction of a temporary structure or enclosure in which the present invention may be implemented, and this will be followed by a detained description of the present invention, that is, the new components for providing an improved environmental seal between the base of a wall of a temporary structure or enclosure and the surface on which the structure or enclosure is support or stands.

First considering an exemplary system and components for the construction of a temporary structure or enclosure in which the present invention may be implemented, and to provide an illustrative, exemplary context the present invention may be implemented, an example of such a system is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621, which, together with U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,070 and U.S. Patent Publication No. US2011/0000164 A1 and, as noted above, such teachings are incorporated herein by reference. For this reason, FIGS. 1-3E, and corresponding portions of the following description, are incorporated from U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621 for purposes of convenience.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3E, a system of modular common components for constructing temporary structures such as a scaffolding structure or a protective or a containment enclosure with work spaces and accesses that enclose, for example, a storage tank, a building, a bridge or a ship or portion thereof, is shown. Diagrammatic illustrative examples of such structures 10, including enclosures 10A and scaffolding 10B, are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 2A-2Y are diagrammatic illustrations of possible components 12 of the system for constructing temporary structures and, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, form a set of different types of modular and reusable components 12 necessary for constructing virtually any desired structure and typically include a number of basic, fundamental structural components 12 that are typically common to almost all structures 10 and may include certain special or limited purpose components 12 as required for a particular situation. It should also be noted that the components 12 may have various standard lengths which are selected to provide the maximum flexibility in constructing structures 10 while requiring the minimum number of different lengths necessary to achieve the maximum modularity in both the components 12 and the structures 10. In a present embodiment of the invention, for example, the lengths of components 12 may vary between 3 and 12 feet and may include, for example, intermediate modular lengths of 4, 6 and 9 feet.

A. Modular Common Components 12 For Temporary Structures

According to the present invention, and as will be discussed in detail in the following, components 12 comprise, in turn, one or more of a limited number of different types of structural elements 12E having shapes and functions as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621. Structural elements 12E generally include main elements 14, connection elements 16 and reinforcing elements 18 wherein the main structural members of the component 12 will comprise one or more main elements 14, which may comprise structural members referred to as chords 14C and forming strips 14F. Connection elements 16, in turn, comprise the mechanism by which components 12 are connected together to form a structure 10 and are typically formed of forming strips 14F or stubs 16S. Reinforcing elements 18, in turn, are structural members permanently connected between, for example, the main elements 14 of the component 12, to provide additional strength or form to the basic structure of the component 12 and are typically formed, for example, of sections of pipe or other tubular elements, referred to as reinforcements 18R, or flat metal plates, referred to as gussets 18G. Also includes among structural elements 12E are membranes 14M, which may extend over exterior or interior portions of a structure 10 to enclose and separate at least a part of the interior volume of the structure 10 from the exterior environment. As described, membranes 14M may be used to protect the contents of a structure 10 from the exterior environment, such as rain, snow, sleet, winds and dust, or to protect the exterior environment from the interior environment of the structure 10, such as paint and rust removed by sandblasting, toxic or contaminating chemicals, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a chord 14C is an elongated member having a variable length and the chord 14C cross section is illustrated in FIG. 2A while a forming strip 14F is an elongated member of variable length and has the forming strip 16FS cross section as illustrated in FIG. 2B. It will be understood, however, that the components 12 may include yet other standard structural shapes where such other elements would be more suitable for the intended purpose.

A typical set of the components 12 will include those components 12 most commonly used in a typical structure 10, such as straight chords 20 of various lengths, as shown in FIG. 2A, wherein the straight cord 20 has a single main element 14, which is a single chord 14C that is usually positioned vertically and that has a number of bolt holes 14B extending through the diameter of the chord 14C near the ends to engage with one or more connecting elements 16. A straight chord 20 will also typically include bolt holes 14B located along the length of the chord 14C at standard distances or intervals to enable connections to other components 12.

The components 12 may also include various forms of purlins 22 where the purlin 22 is a generally horizontally positioned beam-like structure. In this regard, it should be noted that the term “purlin” once meant as a specific type of horizontal structural member, but that the term “purlin” has, in more recent common usage, assumed a general meaning as any type of horizontal structural member.

As shown in FIGS. 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F, the various types of purlins 22 typically include single purlins 22A, as shown in FIG. 2C, which each comprise a single horizontally positioned main element 14 comprising a single chord 14C of standard length with a connection element 16 located at each end of the chord 14C. In a typical single purlin 22A, the connection elements 16 comprise sections of forming strips 14F attached transversely to the ends of the single purlin 22A, and the main element 14 may, in certain alternate embodiments, comprise a forming strip 14F of the desired length rather than of a chord 14C.

Standard purlins 22B of various lengths, as shown in FIG. 2D, comprise upper and lower horizontal main elements 14 with generally vertical reinforcing elements 18 running between the horizontal main elements 14 and a connection element 16 at each end of each of the main elements 14. In a typical implementation of a standard purlin 22B, the horizontal main elements 14 may comprise forming strips 14F or chords 14C, the reinforcing elements 18 are typically formed of piping of an appropriate diameter and wall thickness, and the connection elements 16 each comprise a vertical section of forming strip 14F extending between the upper and lower horizontal main elements 14.

Platform deck purlins 22C, shown in FIG. 2E, are intended for use as the supporting structures for horizontal platforms or decks, such as may be used to form work platforms, a floor between levels of a structure 10, a runway for a moveable structure, such as a cover, and so on. A platform deck purlin 22C thereby comprises a parallel pair of horizontally positioned and horizontally spaced apart main elements 14 that typically comprise chords 14C but that may comprise forming strips 14F, and that are connected by reinforcing elements 18 formed of forming strips 14F extending horizontally between and a right angles to the main elements 14. A connection element 16 comprising a forming strip 14F, extending between and attached to the main elements 14, is located at each end of the platform deck purlin 22C so that the platform deck purlins 22C may be connected to, for example, horizontally positioned standard purlins 22B. Decking or platform components may then be laid upon or attached to the top surface of one or more adjacent platform deck purlins 22C to form, for example, a work platform or a floor between levels of a structure 10.

Finally, purlins 22 may include ridge purlins 22D which, as shown in FIG. 2F, are configured to form a roof ridge for roofs having various degrees of pitch or slant and various lengths. The ridge purlins 22D are of one or more standard lengths and each comprise a ridge pivot 24 having two rotating attachment plates 26 rotatably attached to each end to allow the attachment of roof elements to the ridge pivot 24 at the desired or necessary pitch or slant angle. The ridge purlins 22D are unlike most of the other purlins 22, being designed for a specific purpose as a roof ridge element for variable slant roofs rather than as a general use element, although the ridge purlins 22D may be used for other purposes, such as providing a rotating connection. The ridge pivots 24 may comprise, for example, piping of a suitable diameter and wall thickness, while rotating attachment plates 26 are simple plates rotatably attached to the ends of ridge pivots 24 and with bolt holes 14B for the attachment of the roof members.

Related roofing components 12 include roofing components 28, which may include ridge chords 28A and double eave sections 28B, shown in FIGS. 2G and 2H, which are respectively used to form a roof peak at a fixed slant angle and to form the eaves of a roof. As illustrated, a ridge chord 28A comprises two main elements 14 comprising chord 14C sections attached at a desired angle and may be constructed with or without a reinforcing gusset 18G in the interior angle between the two chord 14C sections. A double eave Section 28B, in turn, comprises main elements 14 comprising chord 14C sections arranged, as shown in FIG. 2H, and may or may not include reinforcing gussets in the interior angles between the chord 14C sections.

Other the components 12 include, for example, various lattice trusses 30 and braces 32 where the lattice trusses 30 are, in many respects, similar to the purlins 22 but which are designed primarily as a structural strengthening component rather than as a connecting or attachment element. As such, one of the primary differences between the lattice trusses 30 and the purlins 22 is that, in accordance with their intended function, the reinforcements 18R are positioned at an angle to the main elements 14 rather than perpendicular to the main elements 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 2G, 2H and 2I, small ridge lattices 30A, small eave lattices 30B and the lattice trusses 30C generally comprise two vertically spaced apart, parallel, horizontal main elements 14 interconnected by a number of reinforcements 18R extending at an angle between the main elements 14 and having connection elements 16 extending vertically between the main elements 14 at the ends of the main elements 14.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2I, 2J and 2K, the primary differences between the various forms of the lattice trusses 30 are in the dimensions and outline forms of the lattice trusses 30 with, for example, the lattice truss 30C forming an elongated rectangle while the small ridge lattices 30A and the small eve lattices 30B are proportionally shorter, in the horizontal direction, and have one end at an angle with respect to the overall rectangular shape of the lattice. In general, the main elements 14 of the lattice trusses 30 may comprise forming strips 14F, while the connection elements 16 normally comprise sections of the forming strips 14F and the reinforcing elements 18 most typically comprise piping of an appropriate diameter and wall thickness.

Braces 32, shown in FIGS. 2L, 2M and 2N, may include knee braces 32A, cross-tie braces 32B and diagonal braces 32C, each of which comprises a main element 14 running at an angle between two other structural components 12 as a reinforcement 18, such as between a purlin 22 and a straight cord 20. Each brace 32 also includes a connection element 16 mounted at each end of and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the main element 14 to form a mating connection with the components 12 supported by the brace 32. The main elements 14 of the braces 32 typically comprise sections of the chords 14C, forming strips 14F or reinforcements 18 and the connection elements 18 typically comprise sections of the forming strip 14F.

Yet other components 12, illustrated in FIGS. 2P and 2O, include brackets 32 and stubs 34 where the stubs 34 provide axial connections between, for example, two straight chords 20 or between a straight chord 20 and a bracket 32 or between two chord 14C elements. A stub 34 comprises a length of square cross section tubing dimensioned to slidingly fit within the square cross section longitudinal opening in a section of a chord 14C, as illustrated, for example, in the following FIGS. 3A-3E. A stub 34 is also typically provided with two transverse openings, identified as bolt holes 14B, located in one half of the length of the stub 30 with corresponding to bolt holes 14B through a section of chord 14C allowing the stub 30 to be affixed into a mating engagement with the section of chord 14C by means of, for example, a T-bolt or a standard hex bolt passing through the transverse openings, as also further illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E as well as in FIGS. 2A-2Y.

As indicated in FIGS. 2P-2W, the brackets 32 may include drop brackets 32A, male and female stub brackets 32B and 32C, male and female brackets 32D and 32E, ridge drop brackets 32F, bottom truss brackets 32G and single base plates 32H, all of which are designed to facilitate attachment of one component 12 to another by means of a stub 30. As illustrated, each bracket 32 includes at least one main element 14 comprising a section of a chord 14C and one or more connection elements 16 for attachment of the bracket 32 to another component 12 where each connection element 16 may comprise, for example, a section of a forming strip 14F or of a flat plate welded to a main element 14 and having bolt holes 14B for attachment by means of, for example, T-bolts or standard hex bolts.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2X and 2Y, other components 12 may include wheel assemblies 32W and wheel frames 32X, which form a castor type wheel assembly that allow the wheel to rotate 360° about a vertical axis and thereby allow the construction of a structure or an enclosure that can be moved and rotated in virtual any direction over the ground or along any other supporting surface. Wheel brackets 36I, which are typically used in conjunction with a wheel assembly 32W and the wheel frame 32X, have one end configured for the attachment of a wheel assembly 32W and the wheel frame 32X and one or more opposing ends configured to accept corresponding stubs 34 to allow attachment of the wheel bracket 36I to another component 12.

Lastly considering the mating and connection of the components 12 to each other when constructing a structure 10, including an enclosure 10A, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E, and as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,621, the cross sections of the components 12, such as the chords 14C, forming strips 14F and stubs 34, are formed with mating surfaces and contours allowing the components 12 to mate closely and securely with one another. In this regard, it will be noted that the configuration of mating surfaces between the components 12, such as the chords 14C, the forming strips 14F and the stubs 34, are such that each component 12 supports and closely restricts any relative rotational or bending movement of the components 12 with which it mates, thereby providing a strong, secure and rigid structure. It will also be noted that the contours of the components 12 and their mating surfaces is designed so as to allow the components 12 to be brought into mating engagement directly, simply and rapidly, and to be quickly and securely attached to one another by, for example, T-bolts, thereby allowing a structure 10 to be assembled, disassembled or modified quickly and easily.

B. Description of a Kerbing Assemblies and a Kerbing Wall

Turning now and considering the present invention which, as described above, may be implemented in and for a temporary structure system as described above and FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are respectively top plan view, a mid-cross sectional view and end view of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A in which the present invention may be implemented and employed.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the temporary structure or enclosure 10A generally comprises a plurality of transverse frame assemblies 38 (see FIG. 4B), each comprising, for example, one or more of ridge sections 28A, lattice trusses 30C, double eave sections 28B, lower side wall sections 38A, chords 14C, forming strips 14F and stubs 34, as described above. As shown, the transverse frame assemblies 38 may be longitudinally assembled into the temporary structure or enclosure 10A by connecting elements comprising, for example, forming strips 14F or other components 12 as needed or required, with additional bracing components 12 being added, as necessary or required, in order to build to the desired height and/or span the desired width of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. A plurality of transverse frame assemblies 38 are interconnected with one another, side by side, by the above described components to form a temporary structure or enclosure 10A having a desired width and length. Typically adjacent transverse frame assemblies 38 are interconnected but spaced from one another by horizontal interconnecting components which have length of slightly less the 9 feet so that the transverse frame assemblies 38 are typically spaced from one another with a center-to-center spacing of 9 feet. It is to be appreciated that other center-to-center spacings, between adjacent transverse frame assemblies 38, may also be utilized. In addition, a gable wall 36C, quite similar to the transverse frame assemblies 38 but which includes additional components discussed below in further detail, is interconnected to each opposed end of the assembled framework, by the above described components, to thereby complete formation of the framework for the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

Once fabrication of the framework for the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is completed, the framework is then surrounded and encased by an impermeable membrane 14M, in a typical or conventional manner, so that the impermeable membrane 14M completely covers the roof 36A, each of the opposed side walls 36B and both of the opposed gable end walls 36C so as to form a completely closed temporary structure or enclosure 10A. The impermeable membrane 14M is a conventional member which has all of its boundaries, interfaces, joints and/or seams sufficiently overlapped and/or sealed, in a conventional manner with an impermeable tape, an adhesive, heat sealed, etc., so as to not permit the passage of any liquid, fluid or gas therethrough and thereby forma a fluid tight barrier or seal. Typically, the impermeable membrane 14M has a thickness of between 4 mils and 50 mils, for example, depending upon the particular application. It is to be appreciated that thicker or thinner membranes may be utilized depending upon the particular application and the environmental conditions.

Although shown in detail more detail in FIG. 4C, the two opposed end gable walls 36C generally comprises vertical elements 36D (four of which are shown in FIG. 4C) and a plurality of horizontal elements 36E which interconnect the vertical elements 36D with one another by conventional fasteners or other securing members, in a conventional manner, so as to provide the gable end wall with additional support for supporting the impermeable membrane 14M as the membrane extends over and covers the end surface defined by each of the opposed gable end walls 36C. The vertical elements 36D and the horizontal elements 36E may comprise, for example, chords 14F and/or forming strips 14F, depending upon the required dimensions, strength and/or other requirements of the gable end walls 36C.

As also shown in FIGS. 4B and 4D, each opposed end of the transverse frame assembly 38, which partially defines the opposed side walls 36B, is supported by a respective interiorly located castor wheel assembly 38B. As described above, the castor wheel assembly 38B comprises, for example and a described previously, a wheel assembly 32W and a wheel frame 32X mounted onto the lower end of each lower wall section 38A which supports a pivotable and rotatable casterwheel 39 which can engage with and roll along the support surface 46 and thereby facilitate moving or conveyance of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, when the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is in its raised position, in a desired direction along the desired support surface 46. In addition, and although not shown in detail in FIGS. 4A and 4C but shown in better detail in FIG. 4E, preferably each one of the vertical elements 36D, of the gable end walls 36C, is also supported by a respective interior castor wheel assembly 38B in a manner similar to that of the castor wheel assemblies 38B of the side walls 36B. As described above, the castor wheel assemblies 38B support the side walls 36B and, if installed, also support the gable end walls 36C and thereby allow the assembled temporary structure or enclosure 10A to be moved or conveyed longitudinally and/or laterally as well as rotationally in any virtually any desired direction, when the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is in its raised position, so that the temporary structure or enclosure 10A can be relatively easily be moved, adjusted and/or reposition along the support surface 46 following completion of work in a desired section of the support surface 46.

Referring next to FIGS. 4D and 4E, FIG. 4D is an enlarged side view of the outer end portion of one of transverse frame assemblies 38, that is, a view normal to the longitudinal axis of the transverse frame assembly 38, and includes the outer portion of the lattice truss 30C, the double eave section 28B and the lower wall section 38A of the transverse frame assembly 38 and the castor wheel assembly 38B mounted to the interior side of the bottom part of the lower end of the lower wall section 38A. FIG. 4E, in turn, is a side view of a corresponding section of a gable end wall 36C, that is, a view taken along a longitudinal axis of the gable end wall 36C which shows, in particular, a vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C and includes the castor wheel assembly 38B mounted to the bottom end of the vertical element 36D for supporting and permitting the desired movement and/or adjustment of the gable end wall 36C of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A relative to the support surface 46.

Turn now and considering the kerbing assemblies 40, as shown in FIG. 4A and described below in further detail, which mounted to a vertically lower most portion of the transverse frame assemblies 38 along both of the two opposed side walls 36B as well as along each of the two opposed gable end walls 36C of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A thereby to form a continuously interconnected, uninterrupted kerbing barrier 42 which extends around entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. The kerbing barrier 42, as described herein, provides an improved seal between bottoms surfaces along each of the side wall 36B and along each of the gable end walls 36C of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and the mating support surface 46 upon which the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is installed and supported. As illustrated in FIGS. 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E, in the case of both of the side wall 36B as well as both of the gable end wall 36C, the kerbing barrier 42 is formed by mounting the kerbing assembly 40 to the vertically lower portion of an outwardly facing surface of each outermost vertical element 38C of the transverse frame assemblies 38 that define the side wall 36B or the outwardly facing surface of each the gable end walls 36C, which is typically the chord 14C, but in some cases may be the forming strip 14F or possibly some other component described herein.

It will be noted that in the case of the side walls 36B, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the castor wheel assemblies 38B and the kerbing assemblies 40 are mounted to the transverse frame assemblies 38 that define the side wall 36B in such a manner that the spacing between each castor wheel assembly 38B and the adjacent kerbing assembly 40 is sufficient so that the castor wheel 39 may freely rotate 360°, about its vertical axis, without the castor wheel 39 interfering with or contacting, in any way, the adjacent kerbing assembly 40. In the case of the gable end walls 36C, however, where the gable end walls 36C comprise single vertical elements, the distance between each castor wheel assembly 38B and the adjacent kerbing assembly 40 is typically less such that, at certain heights of the kerbing assembly 40 with respect to the support surface 46 on which the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is supported, the castor wheel 39 may possibly interfere or contact with the kerbing assembly 40 during certain angles of rotation of the castor wheel 39 relative to the castor wheel assembly 38B. In view of this potential problem, once the temporary structure or enclosure 10A reaches its final position on the support surface 46 and is sufficiently lower, as discussed below, the castor wheels 39 may be temporarily removed from a remainder of the castor wheel assembly 38B, along one or both of the gable end walls 36C or, alternatively, the castor wheels 39 may merely be rotated, about their vertical axis, to an angle in which the castor wheels 39 do not interfere or contact with the kerbing assemblies 40, i.e., the castor wheels 39 are generally aligned parallel to the kerbing assemblies 40 along each of the respective gable end wall 36C.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4C-4E, each kerbing assembly 40 of the perimeter kerbing barrier 42 generally includes a kerb bracket 40A which includes of a kerb mount 40B and a kerb mounting element 40C. As shown, the kerb mount 40B, comprises, for example, a chord 14C or forming strip 14F or a section thereof which extends downward from a base portion of the outermost vertical element 38C of the lower part of the side wall 36B or the vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C for supporting a kerbing sill assembly 40D, described below in further detail.

The kerb mounting element 40C, in turn, extends vertically upwards from a top portion of kerb mount 40B and along the lower section of the outermost vertical element 38C of the lower part of the side wall 36B or the vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C for attaching the kerb mount 40, and thus the kerb bracket 40A, to an outwardly facing surface of the outermost vertical element 38C of the lower part of the side wall 36B or to an outwardly facing surface of the vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C. As indicated generally in FIGS. 4C, 4D and 4E, the kerb mounting element 40C typically comprises, for example, a forming strip 14F or a section thereof and may include one or more additional elements for attachment of the kerb mounting element 40C and to the side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C, such as, and for example, a section of the forming strip 14F or a flat plate welded to the forming strip 14F, and will include, for example, bolt holes 14B for receiving and attaching by means of, for example, bolts 40E, such as T-bolts or standard hex bolts, etc., along with mating fasteners such as nuts.

A sill bracket 40F is permanently attached, e.g., by welding for example, to the vertically lower most bottom part of the kerb mount 40B and each sill bracket 40F supports a vertically oriented threaded sill bolt 40G typically having a pair of nuts, one located on either vertical end of the sill bracket 40F, which facilitate adjustment of the sill bracket 40F as described below in further detail. The vertically lower most free end of the threaded sill bolt 40G is connected with a central portion, e.g., by welding, of a horizontally oriented sill plate 40H (see FIG. 4G). As also shown in FIG. 4G, for example, adjacent ends of a pair of horizontally oriented sill beams 40I abut one another and are each mounted to the bottom surface of the sill plate 40H by, for example, a respective sill bolt 40G, such that the adjacent sill beams 40I are axially aligned and oriented parallel to either the side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and thereby form a portion of the continuous perimeter seal around the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. As a result of such arrangement, when the nuts, supported by the sill bolt 40G, are threadedly rotated along the sill bolt 40G, e.g., by rotation of the pair of nuts in the same rotational direction, such rotation will either raise or lower the sill plate 40H and the supported end of the pair of horizontally oriented sill beams 40I, depending upon the rotational direction of the nuts, with respect to the kerb mount 40B and thus with respect to the bottom portion of the transverse frame assemblies 38 which define either the side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C.

The sill beams 40I may comprise, for example, a 4″×4″×9′ piece of either conventional or possibly pressure-treated lumber. An important aspect of each one of the sill beams 40I is that it be sufficiently thick and rigid so as to avoid twisting or excessive bending during use. It is to be appreciated that, depending upon the center-to-center spacing between the transverse frame assemblies 38, other sizes and/or lengths of lumber may utilize as the sill beam 40I without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, e.g., 4″×4″×8′, 4″×4″×6′, 6″×6″×9′, 6″×6″×8′, 6″×6″×6′, etc. A resilient sill pad 40J, which typically comprises between a resilient foam strip(s), having a thickness of between ½ inch and 2.5 inches, is fastened or otherwise permanently secured in a conventional manner, e.g., by an adhesive, to the bottom surface of the sill beam 40I. It is to be appreciated that two or more layers of the resilient pads may placed, the first layer overlapping the second layer, to thereby formed the resilient sill pad 40J having the desired thickness, e.g., 1 inch to 5 inches, for example. It is to be appreciated that an increased thickness for the resilient sill pad 40J may be required when the support surface 46, for some reason, is excessively uneven and/or non-uniform.

As shown in FIG. 4G, two sill beams 40I abut one another at the kerb bracket 40A, in an end-to-end relationship, and each one of the two the sill beams 40I is directly attached to the sill plate 40H by at least one bolt 40G so that both of the sill beams 40I are thus attached and integral with the sill plate 40H. As a result of such arrangement, as the sill bolt 40G is threadedly rotated relative to the sill bracket 40F by rotation of the nuts, both of the abutting ends of the sill beams 40I are correspondingly moved vertically upward or downward, depending upon the rotational direction of the associated nuts or fasteners engaging with the sill bolt 40G

It is to be appreciated that each one of the kerb bracket 40A similarly supports a pair of sill beams 40I and all of the sill beams 40I are sequentially arranged with one another in an end-to-end substantially abutting relationship, as described above. By corresponding adjustment of each one of the kerb brackets 40A of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, each one of the kerb brackets 40A can be suitably lowered into tight sealing engagement with the supporting surface 46 and thereby form a desired perimeter seal around the entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

As described above and shown in FIG. 4H, the adjacent ends of each one of the horizontally oriented sill beams 40I, abut one another, to form a continuous uninterrupted kerbing barrier which extends completely around the entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, in an interrupted manner. It is to be appreciated that where a side wall sill beam 40I intersects with a gable end wall sill beam 40I, in each of the four corner regions, the mating side wall and end wall sill beams 40I are typically connected together with one another by one or more conventional brackets and/or conventional fasteners such as bolts or screws, so that the mating ends of the side wall and end wall sill beams 40I are essentially integrally with one another.

Next, the formed substantially continuous uninterrupted perimeter kerbing barrier, defined along each of the opposed elongate side walls as well as along each of the opposed gable end walls, is then suitable wrapped and encased with durable but flexible second sealing membrane 41. To achieve this, a sufficient length and width of the flexible second sealing membrane 41 (e.g., having a width of between 24 inches and 36 inches, for example, and a width of between 50 feet and 300 feet for example) is unrolled along a first section of the kerbing barrier, e.g., for example starting from one corner and extending completely along one of the side walls, while the kerbing barrier is supported, by the caster wheels 39, in a slightly elevated position, e.g., at least a few inches or so away from the supporting surface 46. A first longitudinal edge of the second sealing membrane 41 is then secured, by an adhesive(s), a tape(s), a fastener(s), etc., to an outwardly facing surface of each one of the end-to-end aligned sill beams 40I, for example, so as to secure that longitudinal edge the second sealing membrane 41 thereto. The second sealing membrane 41 is then wrapped completely around the aligned sill beams 40I, e.g., around the bottom surfaces, along the inwardly facing surfaces, over the top surfaces and the sill plates 40H and around the sill bolt 40G and the again over the outwardly facing surface of the aligned sill beams 40I so as to totally enclose and encase the aligned sill beams 40I along a section of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. Thereafter, the aligned sill beams 40I along a remainder, if any, of the side wall, the opposite side wall and each of the two opposed gable end walls are each then wrapped in a similar fashion. Finally all of the interfaces, boundaries, joints and/or seams, formed between the mating/overlapped sections of the second sealing membrane 41 are then sealed in a conventional manner, e.g., by tape, glue, heat, etc., to prevent any leakage thereby.

As shown in the Figures and FIGS. 4D and 4E, a durable but flexible first sealing membrane 40K, comprising a plastic sheeting for example, is secured to the outer surface of the outermost vertical element 38C of the lower part of the transverse frame assemblies 38, which define the side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C, by a respective clamping strip 40L and mating bolts and nuts 40E. A first end of the durable but flexible first sealing membrane 40K preferably lies directly on the support surface 46 and generally extends away from the temporary structure or enclosure 10A by a sufficient distance, e.g., at least a few inches to possibly a few feet or so. An intermediate portion of the first sealing membrane 40K is typically secured or attached to an outwardly facing side surface of the sill beams 40I which are wrapped with the second sealing membrane 41, via plastic capped roofing nails or some other conventional fasteners for example, which avoids ripping, tearing, puncturing, etc., of either the first or the second flexible sealing membrane 40K, 41 during use. The second opposite end of the first sealing membrane 40K then extends upwardly along the outwardly facing side surface of the sill beam 40I and is secured to the outermost vertical element 38C of the lower part of the side wall 36B or the vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C by the clamping strip 40L and associated nuts and bolts 40E, as indicated above.

The first sealing membrane 40K then continues extending over the roof of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, vertically downward along the opposite side wall and is then secured to the opposite side wall in a similar manner as described above, with the first end of the first sealing membrane 40K generally extending away from the temporary structure or enclosure 10A by a sufficient distance, e.g., at least a few inches to possibly a few feet or so. A section of the first sealing membrane 40K is also attached to the temporary structure or enclosure 10A along both of the gable end walls is a similar manner.

The first sealing membrane 40K is a conventional member which has all of its boundaries, joints and/or seams sufficiently overlapped and/or sealed, in a conventional manner, e.g., with an impermeable tape(s), an adhesive(s), heat, etc., so as to not permit the passage of any liquid, fluid or gas therethrough. Typically, the first sealing membrane 40K has a thickness of between 4 mils and 50 mils (e.g., 18 ounces), for example, depending upon the particular temporary structure or enclosure application. It is to be appreciated that thicker or thinner first and/or second membranes 40K, 41 may be utilized depending upon the particular application as well as the environmental conditions to be experienced by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

The first sealing membrane 40K is preferably secured to the vertical element 36C or 38D, of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, by respective clamping strip 40L at a spaced locations vertically above a highest anticipated height or level of any standing or running water, snow, sleet, mud, etc., that is expected to be experienced by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A while being supported on the support surface 46. The height of the first sealing membrane 40K, from the clamping strip 40L to the bottom surface of the resilient sill pad 40J typically ranges from between 6 inches to 86 inches or so and more preferably between 12 inches to 40 inches or so. The distance by which the sealing membrane 40K extends along the mating supporting surface 46, away from the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, will generally be determined by the depth of the standing or running water, snow, sleet, mud, etc., that is expected or anticipated to be encountered by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and typically ranges from between 6 inches to 36 inches or so and more preferably between 12 inches to 20 inches or so.

It will be recognized and understood that the pressure of the water, other fluid or substance, which accumulates and collects on the first sealing membrane 40K, which extends away from the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and lies on the support surface 46, tends to force that portion of the first sealing membrane 40 vertically downward and directly against and into sealing engagement with the mating support surface 46. Such force is generally sufficient to form a first fluid tight seal between the first sealing membrane 40K and the support surface 46. In addition, the greater the distance by which liquid, fluid or other substance has to flow horizontally, between the sealing membrane 40K and the mating support surface 46 and thereby possibly seep under the seal beams 40I, the greater the depth of water or other fluid that can be withheld by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4F, 4G and 4H, FIGS. 4F and 4G respectively show a general and a more detailed front view of a side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C with the kerbing barrier 42 comprising kerbing assemblies 40 mounted onto the outermost vertical elements 38C of the lower parts of the side walls 36B or vertical elements 36D of the gable end walls 36C and end to end along the side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C. FIG. 4G, in turn, is a side elevational view of a section of the side wall 36B, a gable end wall 36C and a kerbing wall comprising the kerbing assemblies 40 at the junction of either the side walls 36B or the gable end walls 36C.

As shown in FIGS. 4F and 4G and FIGS. 4A-4E, and according to the present invention, the kerbing barrier 42 comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged kerbing assemblies 40 located along both of the side wall 36B and both of the opposed gable end wall 36C with the kerbing assembly 40 being mounted on each one of the outermost vertical elements 38C of the side wall 36B or the vertical elements 36D or the gable end wall 36C and with the sill beams 40I abutting one another, end-to-end, along the entire length of both of the side walls 36B, along the entire length of both of the gable end walls 36C and in each of the four corners of the structure. As shown, including the kerbing assembly 40 at each end of the side wall 36B or the end of the gable end wall 36C, the sill plate 40H of each kerbing assembly 40 generally extends over the two adjacent sill beams 40I so as to bridge across the interface or junction of the two adjacent and abutting sill beams 40I with each sill beam 40I being attached to the respective sill plate 40H by the associated conventional bolts 40G, or some other conventional fastener. The sill plate 40H of each kerbing assembly 40, including the kerbing assembly 40 at each end of a side wall 36B or the gable end wall 36C, therefore bears upon the abutting ends of the two adjacent and parallel sill beams 40I which meet and interface with one another at the kerbing assembly 40 and thereby assures that the end portions of each of the abutting sill beam 40I are retained in close intimate contact with the mating support surface 46, when the sill beams 40I and the sill pads 40J are forced vertically downward into contact with the mating support surface 46 due to substantially the entire weight of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A being supported by and resting on the sill pads 40J of the sill beams 40, in the event that the caster wheels 39 are removed.

Prior to lowering the sill beam 40I into mating contact with the support surface 46, a double-sided adhesive 48 is secured to either the bottom surface of the second sealing membrane 41 or the upwardly facing surface of the support surface 46, typically the double-sided adhesive 48 is secured to the support surface 46 directly vertically below the perimeter kerbing barrier. The double-sided adhesive 48 assists with forming a fluid tight seal, between the perimeter kerbing barrier and the support surface 46, discussed below in further detail, and thereby ensures that no liquid, fluid and/or gas is permitted to seep underneath the perimeter curbing barrier and enter into the interior space defined by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

It is to be appreciated that once the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is moved to its desired location and lower so that the entire weight of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is supported on and by the sill beams 40I, the sill pads 40J, the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48 are all sandwiched between the bottom surface of the sill beams 40I and the mating support surface 46. As a result, the sill pads 40J, the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48 are each sufficiently compressed and forced into intimate contact with one another and with the mating surfaces of the sill beams 40I and the support surface 46, so as to compensate for any undulations, imperfections and/or unevenness of the mating support surface 46 and/or the sill beams 40I thereby ensure that a generally (second) fluid tight seal is achieved between the sill pads 40J and the mating surface 46 which, along with the first fluid tight seal achieved by the first sealing membrane 40K, further prevents the passage of any liquid, fluid and/or gas, in either direction past the (second) fluid tight seal.

As discussed above, in each corner the side wall 36B intersects with the gable end wall 36C. That is, the sill beam 40I of the side wall 36B meets with the sill beam 40I of the gable end wall 36C at a right angle with respect to one another, as shown in FIG. 4H, with each sill beam 40I terminating at a corner kerbing barrier 42 (see FIGS. 4B and 4H). As in the case of the sill beams 40I in intermediate positions along the respective kerbing barriers 42, the terminating end of each terminating sill beam 40I, that is, the end of each terminating sill beam 40I not abutting an adjacent sill beam 40I of its kerbing barrier 42, must be supported by a kerbing assembly 40 in the same manner as the ends of the sill beams 40I in intermediate locations along the remainder of the kerbing barriers 42.

In this regard, it will be noted that the vertical element 38C at the interface or junction of either the side wall 36B and the gable end wall 36C generally comprises, for example, the vertical element 36D of the gable end wall 36C. In presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, however, the vertical element at the joint of the side and the gable end walls 36B and 36C is preferably formed of the outermost vertical element 38C of the transverse frame assembly 38 at the intersection of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C as providing the stronger structural arrangement.

It will also be noted that in certain possible embodiments of the invention, a single kerbing assembly 40 may be mounted onto the common vertical element at the junction of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C with the single kerbing assembly 40 mounting and supporting the terminating sill beams 40I of both of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C. In presently preferred embodiments of the invention, however, and assuming that the vertical element at the joint of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C comprise the outermost vertical element 38C of the terminating transverse frame assembly 38, the kerbing assembly 40 is mounted to each outwardly facing side of the vertical element 38C of the transverse frame assembly forming the gable end wall 380 with each kerbing assembly 40 mounting and supporting the terminating end of the terminating sill beam 40I of the gable end wall 36C and an end of a sill beam 40I of the mating side wall.

Considering the junction of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C, and thus the junction of the kerbing barriers 42 of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C, in further detail, and referring in particular to FIG. 4H, it may be seen therein that the junction of the two sill beams 40I respectively terminating the kerbing barriers 42 of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C presents a potential problem in that one sill beam 40I may be displaced or spaced too far apart from the other adjacent sill beam 40I, thereby resulting in an undesired space, gap or other opening though the kerbing barriers 42 at the junction of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C. For this reason, and according to the present invention, and as indicated generally in FIG. 4G, the terminating ends of the terminating sill beams 40I, at the junction of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C walls, are secured to one another by bolts 40L, possibly reinforced by clamps, brackets, and/or other reinforcing plates, members, fasteners, etc. In addition, the first sealing membranes 40K of the kerbing barriers 42 of the side and the gable walls 36B and 36C will typically be overlapped and may be secured to each other by, for example, adhesives or mechanical fastenings such as staples thereby further inhibiting or minimizing the possibility of any leakage from occurring through the kerbing barriers 42 at each one of the corners of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

Following assembly of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and positioning of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A in its final desired location, due to the associated castor wheel assemblies 38B supporting both the side walls 36B and both of opposed gable end walls 36C of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A, the double-sided adhesive 48 is then installed directly vertically underneath the perimeter defined by the sill beams 40I. Next, the operator or operators will then suitably rotate the sill bolts 40G and/or associated nuts of each one of the kerbing assemblies 40, so as to lower the respective sill plates 40H and the sill beams 40H into firm engagement and contact with the double-sided adhesive 48 and the mating support surface 46 along the entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. As this occurs, the second sealing membrane 41 is lowered into engagement with the double-sided adhesive 48 and the mating support surface 46 or the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48 are both lowered into engagement with the mating support surface 46 (depending upon the location of double-sided adhesive 48) along both of the side walls 36B and both of the gable end walls 36C and commences formation of the generally impenetrable or impermeable fluid tight barrier against which prevents, for example, water, snow, sleet, mud, gases, particulate matter and wind from passing therethrough along the entire circumference or perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

Once such firm contact is achieved between each one of the kerbing assemblies 40 and the mating support surface 46, the operator or operators will then continue to rotating the nuts and/or the sill bolts 40G of each one of the kerbing assemblies 40 a similar amount so as to continue uniformly gradually moving the respective sill plates 40H and the sill beams 40H away from the associated sill bracket 40F toward the support surface 46 and gradually raising the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. As a result such further rotation, the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is gradually raised, relative to the mating support surface 46, until the caster wheels 39 are generally relieved from supporting a majority of the weight of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. For some applications, it is to be appreciated that one or more of the caster wheels 39 and may completely lifted out of engagement with the mating support surface 46 so that the entire weight of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A is then completely supported by the sill beams 40H, with the sill pads 40J, the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48 all sandwiched between the bottom surface of the sill beams 40H and the mating support surface 46 along the entire outer perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and thereby form an impermeable second fluid tight seal therebetween.

In order to expedite engagement between the sill beam 40H and the mating support surface 46, the operator typically first suitably loosens the sill bolts 40G and/or associated nuts of each one of the kerbing assemblies 40 so as to permit substantially unobstructed vertical movement of the sill beams 40H. Next, the operator then applies a vertically downwardly directed force, via a pair of blades of a fork truck for example, to a first one of the sill beams 40H so as to force that sill beam 40H vertically downward into firm engagement and contact with the mating support surface 46 and thereby sandwich the second sealing membrane 41, the resilient sill pad 40J and the double-sided adhesive 48 therebetween. Once this is achieved, the operator will suitably tighten the associated sill bolts 40G and/or associated nuts of the kerbing assembly 40 which was forced into engagement with the mating support surface 46 so as to maintain such engagement and contact between the sill beam 40H and the mating support surface 46. The operator with then repeatedly repeat this procedure for each one of the sill beams 40H until all of the sill beams 40H are forced into firm engagement and contact with the mating support surface 46 and thereby forming a continuous uninterrupted perimeter seal. The operator may then, if so desired, further tighten the associated sill bolts 40G and/or associated nuts of the kerbing assemblies 40 to in order to sufficiently raise the temporary structure or enclosure 10A and facilitate removal of the caster wheels 39. This technique facilitates a more rapid and time saving engagement of the sill beams 40H with the mating support surface 46 and achieve the perimeter seal.

The weight of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A assists with compressing the sill pads 40J, the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48, between the bottom surface of the sill beams 40H and the mating support surface 46 around the entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A. As a result, the second fluid tight is formed continuously around the entire perimeter of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A between the sill beams 40H and the mating support surface 46. As noted above, if desired, the wheels 39 may be removed from the associated wheel frame 38B, in some instances, to provide greater access to the area adjacent the sidewall or end wall of the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

As a result of the above arrangement, a dual fluid tight seal is achieved, namely, a primary fluid tight seal is achieved by the sill pads 40J, the second sealing membrane 41 and the double-sided adhesive 48 being sandwiched between the bottom surface of the sill beams 40I and the mating support surface 46 while a radially outer secondary fluid tight seal is achieved between the first sealing membrane 40 and the mating support surface 46. Accordingly, the present invention provides a superior primary and secondary seal arrangement which prevents any liquid, fluid, gas, substance, etc., from seeping or penetrating past the dual seal and to either enter into or escape from the internal space defined by the temporary structure or enclosure 10A.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described method and system without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.

	Number	Date	Country
	61648293	May 2012	US
	61644175	May 2012	US

SYSTEM AND COMPNENT ELEMENTS FOR RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE TEMPORARY MODULAR STRUCTURES

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

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Provisional Applications (2)