WO2002081831A2

WO2002081831A2 - Building structure assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2002081831A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/011127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald R. Harris, Jr.
Original assignee: Harris Ronald R Jr
Priority date: 2001-04-09
Filing date: 2002-04-09
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Also published as: AU2002307209A1; WO2002081831A3

Abstract

The building structure assembly is constructed independent of tools or disengagement of threaded fasteners from hardware. The building structure assembly comprises a T-bolt (2) secured to a first substrate (S1) engaging either a bracket (30) or a mortice (3), and tightening a nut (6) threadably attached to the T-bolt (2) thereafter to urge the two substrates (S1, S2) into structural engagement.

Description

BUILDING STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to building structure assembly, and more particularly to a compact, rapid assembly fastener system. Background of the Invention

Delivery of materials and labor are significant factors in the decision whether to erect a structure and the scale of the structure. This is especially true in the case of portable or small storage structures. A prior art solution has included delivery of a prefabricated structure or modules to a use site. While this approach precludes the need for on-site assembly, prefabricated structures tend to be cumbersome and expensive to transport. In contrast, tent-like structures are readily transportable but require field assembly and afford limited protection against the elements and theft.

Prior art panel structures, while affording protection from the elements and theft, have required tool assisted assembly or the combination of multiple components, all under exposure to the environment. An example of such a structure is found in U.S. Patent 4,910,937.

Thus, there exists a need for a structure assemblage that is transportable as flat panels, affords protection against the elements and theft, and is readily erected without tools or misplaceable hardware.

Summary of the Invention

A structural assembly includes a T-bolt having a threaded stem portion and a transverse arm portion. The T-bolt is attached to a first structural a substrate and held in engagement by a nut threaded onto the T-bolt stem. A receiving bracket attached to a second structural substrate or a mortice within the second structural substrate engages the T-bolt in such a manner that tightening the nut urges the first and second structural substrates into engagement. An improved process for assembling a structure having rigid, stackable component panels is provided using threaded fasteners and hardware absent the use of tools for disengagement of threaded fasteners from the hardware. Brief Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a T-bolt component according to the present invention; operative within an inventive structure assembly.

Figure IB is an exploded perspective view of a hinged T-bolt component according to the present invention;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of a preferred corner joint forming embodiment of the inventive structure assembly;

Figure 2B is an angled side view of a receiving wall substrate of Figure 2A showing a catch plate; Figure 3 (A) is a perspective view, (B) top angled view and (C) side view of a receiving bracket according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a top view of a receiving bracket-based corner joint forming embodiment of the inventive structure assembly;

Figure 5 is a top view of a receiving bracket-based linear joint forming embodiment of the inventive structure assembly; and

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a building panel assembly utilizing the inventive structure assembly.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention utilizes a hinged T-bolt and a complementary flange on abutting structural panels to selectively join structured panels independent of tools or unattached hardware. The present invention is particularly well suited for the construction of temporary or storage structures illustratively including storage sheds, hunting blinds, warming huts, concession stands, construction site enclosures, fishing shanties, playhouses and temporary housing.

The present invention is further detailed with respect to the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be exemplary of the present invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention to the specific embodiments detailed herein. Referring now to Figure 1A, a T-bolt 2 is shown attached to a structural panel substrate SI by way of a mortice 3 cut therein. The mortice 3 is sufficiently deep to accept the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2 flush therein yet retains sufficient material to allow the T-bolt stem 5 to pass through and the T-bolt transverse 4 portion to be supported within the mortice. The T-bolt 2 is held in place by a wing nut 6 and a spring 7 held in compression between the wing nut 4 and the substrate SI. It is appreciated that a washer (not shown) is optionally inserted either between the spring 7 and the wing nut 6 and/or between the spring 7 and the substrate SI.

Referring now to Figure IB, an alternate fastening mode uses a hinged T-bolt as shown generally at 10 with the like numerals corresponding to those of Figure 1A. A standard carriage T-bolt 2 is hingeably attached to a structural panel substrate SI by way of a hinge 14. The hinge 14 has a raised region 16 adapted to receive the transverse portions 4 of the T-bolt 2 so as to allow approximately 180° rotation of the T-bolt 2 about the rotational axis A defined by the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2. The hinge 14 has at least one substrate contacting flange 18 by which the hinged T-bolt 10 is secured to the substrate SI. The flange 18 is secured to the substrate SI by conventional means illustratively including fasteners such as nails, screws, and rivets; adhesives; welding; brazing; and solvent welding. Preferably, the raised region 16 is secured to the substrate SI by flange portions 18 extending on either side therefrom. The nature of attachment of the flange 18 to the substrate SI is largely dictated by the material characteristics of the substrate SI, the hinge 14, and the anticipated forces exerted on the interface therebetween. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate appropriate securing means. The hinge 14 is readily produced from materials illustratively including steel, aluminum, high impact resistant thermoplastics and brass. For example, whereas a metallic hinge is typically secured to a wooden substrate using nail or screw fasteners, a steel hinge is typically riveted or welded to a steel substrate. Preferably, the flange 18 is provided with multiple throughholes 20 to facilitate securing the hinge 14 to a substrate SI with fasteners (not shown). The stem 5 of carriage bolt 2 is threaded in order to receive a washer 24 and a wing nut 6, the wing nut

6 thereby retaining the washer 24 on the carriage bolt stem 5. Referring now to Figure 2A, a preferred structure assembly system is shown generally at 100. The assembly 100 includes a T-bolt morticed structure where like numerals correspond to those of Figure 1A. A complementary structure S2 has a mateable mortice 103 adapted to receive the transverse portion 4 of T-bolt 2 therethrough. Upon the transverse portions of the T-bolt 2 passing through the mortice 103 of substrate S2, the T-bolt 2 is rotated until the transverse portions 4 thereof engage the rear surface 105 defining the mortice 103 of structure S2. Preferably, a metal catch plate 107 defines the rear surface bounds of the mortice 103 to lessen deformation associated with T-bolt compression against substrate S2. More preferably, the metal catch plate 107 includes a stop pin 109 to maintain the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2 in a locking orientation. Still more preferably, at least a pair of stop pins 109 bound one leg of the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2 to assure contact between the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2 and the mortice rear surface 105. Upon the transverse portion 4 of the T-bolt 2 engaging the rear surface 105 of substrate

S2 mortice hole, the nut 6 is tightened along a threaded T-bolt stem 5 thereby urging substrate SI and substrate S2 into structural contact. Spring compression of the spring 7 retains the relative position of substrates SI and S2 while external forces are exerted on the resulting inventive structure assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the stud portion SIS is offset relative to the footprint defined by the bottom plate SIB of substrate SI, as are the complementary stud and bottom plate portions of substrate S2. More preferably, the stud portion S2S of substrate S2 has an abutment 110 proximal to the mortice 103 and flush with the bottom plate portion S2B of substrate S2 so as to afford a fixturing point for a sheet material covering.

It is appreciated that while the inventive structure assembly is illustrated with respect to forming a corner between two wall substrate sections, that the inventive structure assembly is readily applied to a variety of geometries between the joint substrates. In addition to forming corner and linear wall abutments, it is further appreciated that the inventive structure assembly fastener system is readily applied to the formation of a floor or roofing structure.

An alternate mode of substrate securement includes an angled bracket adapted to engage the transverse portion of a T-bolt. Referring now to Figures 3A-C, a receiving bracket 30 is shown in various views. The receiving bracket

30 has a flange portion 38 adapted for attachment to a substrate S2. The receiving bracket 30 and the substrate S2 are formed of materials as described herein with respect to the hinge 14 and substrate SI, respectively. Additionally, receiving bracket 30 is secured to substrate S2 in a manner as described with respect to the attachment of hinge 14 to substrate SI. The receiving bracket 30 has a tongue portion 39 extending from the flange portion 38. Typically, the tongue 39 extends from the flange portion 38 at an acute angle of between 30° and 60°. Preferably, the tongue 39 extends from the flange 38 at an angle of approximately 45° wherein adjoining structural panels are intended to form a generally right angle corner. The split ends 40 of the tongue portion 39 define a U-shaped groove 41 adapted to encompass the stem 5 of a complementary carriage T-bolt 2. Preferably, the split ends 40 of the tongue 39 are folded back to form a lip portion 42 adapted to engage the edge of washer 24 of Figure IB. Optionally, the receiving bracket 30 is formed with ridges or corrugations 44.

The assembly of panels to form a structure according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention is further detailed in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 illustrates formation of a corner joint with the hinged T-bolt 10 of Figure IB and the receiving bracket 30 of Figure 3(A)-(C). Preferably, complementary dado cuts are formed in substrates SI and S2 in order to facilitate proper alignment therebetween. An inventive aspect of the present invention is that carriage T-bolt 2 is pivoted within raised region 16 so as to engage the U-shaped groove 41 of receiving bracket 30 such that U-shaped groove 41 is encompassed between the raised region 16 of hinge 14 and the washer 24. Thereafter, wing nut 6 is rotated so as to urge washer 24 into forcible contact with the tongue 39 of receiving bracket 30. In this way, a corner joint is formed between substrates SI and S2 independent of additional hardware or the necessity to disengage the washer 24 or wing nut 6 in order for the bolt stem 5 to engage the bracket 30. Thus, assembly occurs independent of tools or handling of disengaged hardware. Preferably, the tongue 39 of bracket 30 extends from substrate S2 a distance such that it remains within the width 50 of panel P2, thereby facilitating panel stacking in a disassembled state. Likewise, hinged T-bolt 10 is mounted to substrate SI such that the hinged T-bolt 10 remains within the width 60 of corner panel PI, thereby facilitating panel stacking in a disassembled state. Figure 5 shows the configuration of hinged T-bolt 10 and receiving bracket 30 to form a linear joint between panels PI and P2. Preferably, complementary dado cuts are formed in substrates SI and S2. The receiving bracket 30 has a tongue portion 39 extending from the flange portion 38 in essentially a linear orientation in order to facilitate formation of a joint. It is appreciated that the angle defined between the flange portion 38 and the tongue portion 39 of the receiving hinge 30 is dependent upon the desired relative angular orientation between substrates SI and S2.

A process of structure assembly according to the present invention is detailed in Figure 6. An end panel 62 has at least two T-bolt fixture components each independently being a T-bolt receiving mortice or a T-bolt, receiving bracket collectively shown at 64 mounted adjacent to each end panel edge 66 destined to form a joint with another panel. Preferably, a mixed set of three T-bolts and receiving mortices/brackets are mounted along the end panel edge 66 in order to more evenly distribute forces along the resulting panel joint. The end panel edge 66 is optionally dado cut (not shown) to facilitate orienting abutting panels to form a joint with the receiving bracket alternate system. The at least two T-bolts and receiving mortices/brackets 64 engage complementary components 67 affixed to a side panel 68. The complementary fittings 67 are prealigned to engage the at least two T-bolts and receiving brackets 64 of the end panel 62. Preferably, the edge 72 of side panel 68 and end panel edge 66 of end panel 62 have complementary dado cuts when the receiving bracket assembly is present. Side panel 68 has a base rail 74 and a top rail 75. Similarly, end panel 62 has a base rail 75 and a top rail 77. The base rails 74 and 75 are adapted to provide anchoring support for the resulting structure to the ground by conventional methods including staking, tap-con screws and concrete anchors. A roof panel 78 is joined to the corner defined by the joint between end panel 62 and side panel 68 through a similar complementary arrangement of hinged T-bolts and receiving brackets adapted to engage the complementary fittings on the end panel 62 and the side panel 68 top rails 77 and 75, respectively. Preferably, a roof panel 78 is aligned to a structure according to the present invention through the use of conventional alignment holes and pegs with the weight of the roof panel 78 providing a measure of joinder and additional fasteners applied as appropriate for the structure application. While only a portion of each end panel 62 and side panel 68 is depicted in Figure 6, it is appreciated that there is a symmetry to such panels. Further, the joinder of two end panels and two side panels forming corner joints therebetween are sufficient to form a rectilinear structural enclosure. It is appreciated that larger structures are readily erected according to the present invention by forming linear joints between panels to extend the length of the structure. Further, individual panels are optionally preformed with openings illustratively including doors, windows, and vents. Optionally, handholds (not shown) are incorporated into a panel according to the present invention in order to facilitate manipulation of the panel during erection.

Patent application and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These applications and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual application or publication was specifically and individually incorporate herein by reference.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents there are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A structure assembly comprising: a T-bolt having a threaded stem portion and a transverse arm portion attached to a first structural substrate; a nut threadably engaging the stem; and a second structural substrate having a receptacle for engaging said T- bolt independent of removing said nut from the stem such that tightening said nut after engagement urges said first and said second structural substrates into contact to form the structure assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a washer encompassing the stem and maintained in contact therewith by said nut.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spring encompassing the stem and maintained in contact therewith by said nut.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a receiving bracket mounted to said second structural substrate.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said receiving bracket has a U-shaped groove defined by a split end, the groove receiving the threaded stem.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the split end has a lip.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the lip is adapted to engage an outermost edge of a hardware component selected from the group consisting of a nut and a washer.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said T-bolt is attached to the first structural substrate with fasteners.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and said second structural substrates form a corner joint.

10. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the second structural substrate has a second building panel having a width profile and said receiving bracket is within the width profile of the second building panel.

11. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the receptacle is a mortice extending through said second substrate, the mortice having a rear surface and adapted to receive the transverse portion of said T-bolt therethrough.

12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising a catch plate engaging the rear surface of said second substrate about the mortice.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said catch plate further comprises a stop pin.

14. The assembly of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of said stop pins.

15. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein said first substrate has a first base plate defining a first substrate footprint and a first stud, wherein the stud extends beyond the first substrate footprint.

16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said second substrate has a second base plate defining a second substrate footprint and a second stud having the mortice therein and a rear surface.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising an abutment adjacent to the rear surface of the stud, said abutment flush with the second base plate.

18. A building panel portion of a structure assembly comprising: a sheeting material having edges; and at lease one structural assembly component selected from the group consisting of: a hinged T-bolt having a nut and washer engaging said bolt, a recessed T-bolt having a nut and spring engaging said recessed bolt, a receiving bracket having a U-shaped groove therein, and a mortice cut adapted to receive a transverse portion of the recessed T-bolt therethrough.

19. An improved process for the assembly of a structure having rigid, stackable component panels with threaded fasteners and hardware wherein the improvement lies in: the assembly process if independent of tools and the disengagement of threaded fasteners from said hardware.