GB2042034A - Cladding for columns and beams - Google Patents

Abstract

Elongate structural members 2 such as an I-section column or beam are protectively clad by: a channel member 6 having a tongue or groove formed in at least one edge surface thereof engaging a respective groove or tongue of a co- operating cladding unit which is also in the form of a channel member, fastening means being provided for securing the cladding to said structural member so as at least partially to enclose the structural member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to structure cladding The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to structure cladding devices, particularly for use in the cladding of elongate structural members such as girders or stanchions.

In an example of the conventional use of cladding of structural members in a building concrete is moulded in situ around a steel stanchion using removable shuttering. This concrete serves to protect the steel from weathering or corrosion and frequently also from the effects of fire so as to minimise the distortion and failure of stanch ions through heat. However, the outward appearance of the concrete depends on the skill of the building operative and many cases is not aesthetically acceptable unless provided with a decorative surface. It is an object of the invention to provide a cladding which minimises the above disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of cladding.

The invention therefore provides a cladding unit for elongate structural members comprising a channel member having a tongue or groove formed in at least one edge surface thereof adapted in use to engage a groove or tongue of a co-operating cladding unit which also in the form of a channel member, and fastening means whereby two adjacent cladding units are arranged so as at least partially to enclose the structural member.

Advantageously, each cladding unit is provided with a tongue or groove along all edge surfaces, so that the tongue(s) of one unit engage with appropriate grooves of its neighbouring units, both at the same level aro-und the structural member and at higher or lower levels heightwise of the member. It will be found convenient, if desired, to provide the preformed units with a decorative finish, such as brick, title, mosaic, exposed aggregate, simulated stone or other.

The invention further provides a method of cladding an elongate structural member with a plurality of channel units arranged at least partially to enclose the structural member, edge surfaces of each channel unit engaging with edge surfaces of adjacent units in a tongue and groove arrangement and held in position by means of fastening means.

The invention still further provides a method of fastening said channel units to an elongate structural member having two opposed longitudinally arranged flanges in which each unit is provided with at least one bracket which carries in a tapped bore thereof a threaded set-screw, the arrangement being that rotation of the set-screws of two confronting channel units against the appropriate flanges causes the two brackets to move towards each until edge surfaces of the channel units are in firm abutting relationship.

In one example of the fastening method the brackets may be provided with a second tapped bore so arranged that rotation of a threaded set-screw in that bore provides a means of aligning the channel units in a plane at right angles to the plane of the first setscrews.

Where required, the cavity within the assembled channel units may be filled with a concrete mix for increased strength.

There will now be given a detailed description of cladding devices according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is intended to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings:- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a stanchion and two channel members of the cladding device; Figure 2 is a perspective view partly in section, of one member and the stanchion; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of Fig. 1, to an enlarged scale; Figure 4 is an alternative arrangement corresponding to the view shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 shows a further fragmentary view of the channel member shown in Fig. 1, also to an enlarged scale; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section on line V1-V1 of Fig. 1; Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of a channel member according to the invention; Figure 8 is a view on arrow V1 11 of Fig. 7; and Figure 9 shows the base of stanchion and the layout of the channel members of the assembly of Fig. 1 Figs. 1 and 2 show an I-section steel stanchion such as may be erected as a structural support member for a building, for example for a ware-house, open-plan office or the like.

The stanchion 2 is clad for reasons of fire resistance and/or appearance with preformed concrete channel units 4, two confonting units serving to enclose the stanchion along a portion of its length, the units being arranged in pairs heightwise of the stanchion. The manner of completing the top of the column will be explained further on in this specification.

Each channel unit 4 comprises a cross panel 6 and two arm portions 8. Confronting edge surfaces 10 of the arm portions 8 of two units 4 are brought together to enclose the stanchion 2. A ridge 1 2 runs along one confronting edge surface 10 and a groove 14 along the other edge surface 10 of each unit, so that they engage in the manner of a tongue-and-groove joint. It will be appreciated that the groove 14 is continuous with a groove 1 6 running along a lower U-shaped edge surface 18 and that the ridge 1 2 is continuous with a ridge 20 provided along the opposite, upper, U-shaped edge surface 22.

Thus as can be seen from Fig. 6, each ridge 20 is received in the groove 16 of the adjacent one of stacked units.

Referring to Fig. 1, the units 4 are secured relative to the stanchion 2 by means of brackets 24, one of which is secured by a bolt 26 to the inner surface of each arm portion 8.

The bolts 26 are received in threaded sockets 28 set into the concrete (Fig. 3).

The brackets are L-shaped and the free arm thereof is provided with a tapped bore through which passes a set-screw 30. The tip of this set-screw 30 bears against the surface 32 of a flange of the stanchion 2, and it will be seen that by rotating the set-screw 30 the brackets are urged towards the heads of the set-screws. This causes the confronting surfaces 10 of the units 4 to brought into firm abutment.

It will be noticed that the external corners of the channel units may be either radiused as at 34 in Fig. 3, squared as at 36 in Fig. 1 or chamfered as at 38 in Fig. 4. All other external edges are provided with a slight chamfer 40 for the sake of appearance. Steel edge pieces 41 (Fig. 5) may also be provided, for example, for use in warehouses, where damage from trucks and lorries may occur.

Fig. 4 shows a modification of the channel unit fastening means comprising a U-shaped bracket 42 which, besides being secured by bolts 44 to the arm portion 8 and carrying a set-screw 30 in a similar manner to the brackets 24, also carries in another tapped bore a set-screw 46. The tip of this set-screw 46 bears against a surface 53 of the web portion of the stanchion 2 and together with a similar set-screw on the opposite side of the web provides a means of aligning and fixing the channel unit in the plane at right angles to the web. This form of bracket is particularly suitable for stanchions which have a larger cross section.

The method of assembling a set of cladding units about a stanchion will now be described.

The stanchion 2, as can be seen in Fig. 9 is embedded in a concrete foundation. A small trench 50 is left around the stanchion at floor level and the first two units 4 placed in position so that their lower surfaces 1 8 are below floor level. A band or strap may be placed temporarily around the units for later removal when the trench 50 is filled in with concrete mix after the cladding is complete.

The operative then places the brackets 24 adjacent the sockets 28, which are positioned near the upper end of the unit, and secures the brackets with the bolts 26. When all the bolts are secure, the set-screws 30 are rotated so as to bring the surfaces 10 into firm abutting relationship, so that the ridges 12 are received within the grooves 14.

Additionally by judicious loosening and tightening of the opposing pairs of set-screws 30 the units may be aligned so that the cross panels 6 are truly vertical and square to the stanchion.

Where U-shaped brackets are provided as in Fig. 4 the arm portions 8 may then be aligned in a similar manner using set-screws 46.

Where U-shaped brackets are not provided the alignment may be carried out using a small wedge.

The next two units 4 are then placed in position so that the ridges 20 are received in the grooves 16 (see Fig. 6). The brackets 24 are then inserted as before and bolted in place. If required the units may be lifted into place by a pulley device or other suitable means and a lifting loop 52 (Fig. 8) is provided for this purpose.

This process is continued until the coiling or cross joint is approached.Two alternative courses of action are possible. Firstly, where there is provided a false or suspended ceiling, the upper edges of the top unit may be simply hidden from view in the space between the false and true ceilings.

Alternatively, the last two feet or so of the stanchion may be shuttered in the conventional way and an in-situ moulding of concrete carried out to complete the column.

To improve the strength of the column in situations where sideways impacts are likely, for example, from trucks or lorries in a warehouse of the like, the cavity between the units 4 and the stanchion 2 may be filled with a suitable concrete mix. This will minimise the risk of dislodging the units relative to the stanchion.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A cladding unit for an elongate structural member comprising: a channel member having a tongue or groove formed in at least one edge surface thereof for engaging a respective groove or tongue of a co-operating cladding unit which is also in the form of a channel member; and fastening means for securing said unit to said structural member so as at least partially to enclose the structural member.

2. A cladding unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein each edge surface thereof is provided with a tongue or groove for engaging with appropriate grooves and tongues of cooperable adjacent units, both at the same level around the structural member and at higher or lower levels heightwise of the member. It will be found convenient, if desired, to provide the preformed units with a decorative finish, such as brick, tile, mosaic, exposed aggregate, simulated stone or other.

3. A cladding unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a bracket secured to an inner wall of said channel member and carrying a threaded setscrew in a tapped bore thereof for screwing into engagement with a flange of said structural member.

4. A method of fastening two channel units as claimed in claim 1 or 2 to an elongate structural member having two opposed longitudinally arranged flanges in which each unit is provided with at least one bracket which carries in a tapped bore thereof a threaded set-screw, the arrangement being that rotation of the set-screws of two confronting channel units against the appropriate flanges causes the two brackets to move towards each until edge surfaces of the channel units are in firm abutting relationship.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein each bracket is provided with a second tapped bore so arranged that a rotation of a threaded set-screw is that bore provides a means of aligning the associated channel unit in a plane at right angles to the plane of the first set-screws.